Party Time!

Ok, Ok, everyone, calm down, I am back, and posting.  I was recouping from the party we hosted, then had to get ready for a vacation we took this past weekend to Phuket, Thailand.  I appreciate you all wanting to see and hear what's going on, so, here ya go.

The party we had two weekends ago for Larry's work folks was a smashing success.  Everyone had a great time, and fun was had by all.  Larry and I worked pretty hard the few days leading up to the party, getting food ready, and spiffing up the house.  Even that was fun...you learn a lot about your partner when you host a big party, and I'd say we were a good team. 

We had about 25-30 people, and as usual waaay too much food, but everyone ate well, and Larry's chicken and my Dad's marinated lamb were the favorites.  Surprisingly, the poony puff went over well too.  I fully expected the whole bowl to be leftover (ok, maybe I was just hoping it would be), but quite a bit was gone.  A lot of people brought stuff, such as Anu's delicious fried indian chicken wings...so yum.  She brought her mini deep fryer and did up a quick batch in our kitchen.  She left me the fryer to play with for a few weeks....bad...very bad. It's going home at the end of the week.  I just have to fry one more thing.  Really.  I swear. mmmm...fried pickles....what??  ok, I'm back.

There was roasted duck and pork, lots of wine and sake, and Lydia Lo hunted down an american recipe for the occasion!  Onion dip and chips,it was great!

After everyone ate, the wine and sake started to flow and as is usually the case, everyone loosened up.  It was a good night, and we think we've made some good friends in the process.

I'm looking forward to doing it again, for sure.

More on Phuket in the next few days!

xoxo

Pam

Friday Funny

Hello, my name is Pam, and my husband is from Texas. (they say admitting it is half the battle) 

This really does say a lot about who he is.  It's in his blood, and he wears it proudly.  And sometimes loudly.   His accent is something that first drew me in, those long, lovely conversations on the phone, when he was a courtin', and no topic was left untouched. Fraught with longing and electricity, these 4 hour nightly conversations were the seeds that made love bloom eventually. (ok, I'll go get you a barf bag, back in a sec...)  From the start, I knew he was someone that was different than anyone else I had previously had in my life.  He was smart, ambitious, kind, a dreamer, and deeply funny.  All things I knew I was looking for.   That and the the southern manners....mmm mmm mmm!  His Mama taught him right, and he knows how to treat a lady. Occasionally, I act like one, so it works out well.

So, the cute Texas accent is still something that can make me swoon, or make me laugh so hard I shoot soda out of my nose.  

Or laugh so hard I have to grasp my sweaty husband so I don't trip while walking in the swanky hotel we work out in.

And I never, ever know what will come out of his cute, smiling mouth.

THE SCENE:

Swanky hotel lobby, March 12, noon-ish.

Larry and I were walking through the lobby, in our sweaty, schlubby workout clothes after working out in the hotel gym we get to use as part of our apartment benefits.  I usually avoid eye contact, and just concentrate on getting out and home to the chilly air conditioning as quickly as possible.  Lar likes to occasionally mess with people.  Sigh.  On this day, we were walking along, chatting about lunch, when I noticed a very well dressed couple, decked out in traveling attire my grandmother would have approved of. (slacks, not jeans, and a pressed blouse with a skirt...they looked lovely.)  They also had super cool luggage, the kind that wheels to the side, and is hard sided.  They looked like efficient, organized and very well put together travelers. The kind that would never have a nail file in their purse, or the random fire arm in their carry on.   They were also targets.  Yup, big red bulls eyes.  *First a note on Larry's accent: Sometimes, he turns it waaay up, if the situation calls for it, and sometimes dials it waaay down if need be.  As I have mentioned, he is a smart guy and knows how to use proper grammar etc., and usually sounds fairly intelligent.  Ok, that said, on with the story...just as we were passing them, Larry belts out in his thickest, most hick sounding accent "Thems some REAL FANCY suitcases!!!"  drawn way out in all his Texas glory.  Yep, that's MY husband!  I thought the tidy traveling couple were going to fall over, first registering shock, then laughing. Poor things...they never saw it coming.  We really think they thought he was serious...it was priceless.  We have been laughing about it for days now, and will look at each other at random moments and say it again.  Making our own fun here in Sing!  Good times!

Hope your friday is great!

xoxoxo

Pam

Poony Puff

In my last post I mentioned I was making Poony Puff for the barbecue we are having this weekend.  I had a comment for Bonnie, in Texas, asking what the heck it was.  Basically, it's an ambrosia salad, and surely; no picnic or barbecue is complete without that, right?  This is a special recipe though, made famous by my sister, Debby.  Her nickname was Poonybug (hey, what can I say, my parents are slightly weird), and since she would make this all the time, we dubbed it Poony Puff.  It's a lovely shade of green, so it might be a nice addition to your St. Patrick's day dinner. Larry and I are looking forward to his office mates from Sing trying it, and their reactions!  ha!  Hey, I had to try fish head curry, they have to try the Puff! 

Speaking of St. Patrick's day, along with green beer, corned beef, irish freckle bread (add that to the list, mom!) and now perhaps Poony Puff, it also marks the anniversary of Debby being gone. It's twelve years since her death, and somedays it feels like yesterday.  I didn't believe it when it happened, but time truly does make a difference.  It does NOT make it better, just different. She is still a huge part of our family, and is remembered every day.  Sometimes in big ways, like by sharing a story, or sometimes just a nod and a smile as I hear one of her favorite songs.  She still touches so many lives, and I am always amazed she still has that effect.  I just heard from an old friend of hers from High School, and he shared with me how profound her friendship was in his life.  That's such a gift.  It's hard not to think "what if".  But as time has moved on, and I have matured, and figured out my own spirituality, and role in the world, it's a little easier to accept it.  Believe me, I still have moments of anger, and sadness, when all I want is to call her on the phone, but stuff happens for a reason, and she was over that part of her life, ready to move on.  A favorite line from one of my favorite movies; Fried Green Tomatoes:  "Miss Ruth was a lady, and ladies always know when to leave a party."  That sums up Deb perfectly.

So, when you're out this weekend, yucking it up and enjoying a green beer, raise your glass to the Poony Bug!

Poony Puff

  
  1 9 ounce container   cool whip                          
  1 cup   small marshmallows                 
  1 package (9 oz.)   pistachio instant pudding          
  1 can (16 oz.)   crushed pineapple                  
  1/2 cup   chopped pecans                     
  1/2 cup   maraschino cherries; halved  ( and in memory of Deb, stuff as many cherries in your mouth as you can, and try to act normal, while eating them)

 

Whip Cool Whip, pudding, and pineapple until smooth. Add pecans, cherries and marshmallows. Let stand in refrigerator for 45 minutes to an hour.

Sing Songs

Happy Wednesday! Hope everyone is doing well, and staying warm (Michigan and Utah peeps, you too, Texas!) Not much is happening here, it's been a quiet past week. Larry had to rotate his schedule again, and is working nights (poor buckaroo) so, we've been sticking around the nest, and laying low for a bit. We rearranged the living room, feng shui-ed our bedroom, and went to Ikea for another chair (yes, again....ugh!) We are getting the house ready for this weekend, when we have Larry's work people over for a barbecue. Like my parents always say, you have a big party, so stuff gets done around the place! It looks good and we are officially ready for visitors, so come one, come all! We'd love to have you, we have the space, and we'll have a blast!

So, one of the questions posed from the contest was about music...what is it like, what is available, etc. I have found that it really depends on what area I am in. If I am in Chinatown, or at my wet market, I tend to hear a lot of traditional Chinese music. Likewise if I am in little India, etc. The radio stations are very much like what we have in the states. All the popular stuff makes it's way over here eventually. There seems to be a fair amount of what I like to think of as shmaltzy-cheesey 70's love song stations. And for some inexplicable reason, The Carpenters are HUGE here. I know a few native Singaporeans read this blog, as well as fellow expats. Do any of you know why this is the case? I'd love to know, so if you know the scoop, feel free to leave a comment. It seems like every time I get in a cab, walk into a store, or go anywhere, The Carpenters are crooning about longing to be close....Larry loves when I lip sync along, and look adoringly into his eyes....ok, not really, he usually tries to ignore me, or seriously considers throwing me out of a speeding cab. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good ooey gooey love song like the rest of us, but seriously? It's all the time. It cracks me up. I have heard the local music scene thrives, but I haven't gone to see any yet. And we frequently get large, well known bands that come through to do concerts. Last weekend, Harry Connick Jr. was here, and Maroon 5 is coming in a few weeks. I have recently discovered itunes, after getting a shuffle for Christmas, and man oh man, is that fun! I love shopping for music! I limit myself though, it can add up quickly. I just added "we've only just begun".

This weekend is the annual Women's Weekend at Chalfonte House. I have only missed one other year since I started going in 1996. It's always a spiritual, and emotional shot in the arm for me, and I am really missing not going this year. I hope all of my ladies I go with have a great time, recharge, and relax. Oh, and eat a thin mint cookie for me. Who is gonna do Jim's make-up?

I have the dates for our home leave, email me if you want em! It's coming up quick! woohoo!

Ok, I'm off to go marinate a bunch of lamb and make 5 lbs of Poony Puff for the party.
Love and miss you all!
xoxoxo

Ain't Love A Kick In The Head...

Sing it Dino...

It's our first wedding anniversary, and I've been trying to sum up in a neat little five paragraph blog post what that feels like.  Should I wax poetic on the virtues of marriage, maybe a poem or limerick, a catchy little song on how fabulous my husband is?  Nope...none of that will do.  So I'll do what I do when I am overwhelmed, either by tasks or my too many bubbly, happy emotions...I'll write a little and make a list.  One of the great ideas from the contest was to have Larry write something too (Thanks Trish!) so, I had him make a list also.  Ten things he's loving about being married, and ten things he is not loving.  Ha!  Had to be fair....we all know every day isn't a bed of roses, especially the first year.  Add on a little more stress by being apart for six months, then throw in a newbie traveler with a slight slant towards the shy side, and a long time bachelor.  Good times!  Despite the tiny snags, and really they have been tiny, just getting used to living together has been surprisingly easy.  It's been more fun than I could have imagined, and I really do love being married.  It's just the coolest friggin thing!   My first four moths here were harder than I let on.  I'm just now feeling like this is our home, and I feel pretty at ease in my surroundings. The expat guide book given to us from Larry's company says I'm right on track....a good little expat!   I'm taking baby steps towards getting out and meeting friends.  One of the biggest "a-ha moments" for me was a very kind email from a former Sing expat.  It took her six months to get a groove too.  Just hearing that let me let go, and not put so much pressure on myself.  Guess what?  the next day, I made plans with a new friend.  Things are opening up, and I'm getting un-stuck.  This is me in all my glory...I get stuck, get a shove, let go, and move on to do some good stuff .  Either making a  big change, or changing an old pattern, and hopefully finding out a little bit more about what makes me tick.  Larry has been the patient constant through this latest stuck period. He offers advice, encouragement, and knows he cant fix it for me.  He listens too, even though his eyes glaze over when I talk to him about hair product, or sheet colors, he digs in for the important stuff.  I couldn't ask for more, and it has been so easy being his wife and loving him.  Don't get me wrong, he can be a royal pain the patoot. Sometimes he's a pain in the patoot, just for the sheer fun of it.  He'll gleefully push a button or two, just for kicks. But he makes no apologies for who he is, and when he is wrong, he admits it...albeit grudgingly, but he does. I know if I come to him with something important, he will listen, take it in, and though he may not agree, he'll come back to me with a reasonable reply.  I really dig that about him, his steadiness and logical side is very much like my dad, and you know what they says about girls marrying men like their dads!

Ok, here's Larry's list:

TEN THINGS I LOVE/LIKE ABOUT BEING MARRIED TO PAM

1. Having her in my daily life
2. Laughing together
3. The gloaming with her
4. Seeing new places and new experiences together
5. Going to Giant together (a store here in Sing, kinda like a meijers or K-mart)
6. She exposes me to new music
7. Man, can she cook!
8. She makes me smile, she isn't afraid to be  a dork.
9. She makes stuff smell good
10. Her gracefulness ( see, right here, he's being a shit, but because he is cute, I will let it slide...)

***********************************************************************************

TEN THINGS THAT DRIVE ME CRAZY ABOUT BEING MARRIED/OR PAM

1. Sharing my soda or tea.
2. Bookclub night ( he means I sometimes get up early to talk to my Michigan bookclub)
3. "No honey, you don't have to get me a gift" ...I am not a mind reader, lady!
4. Giving details...one word answers are a thing of the past.
5. Dinner at 6.
6. "I was thinking..."  this causes terror...
7. You call that dancing, 313?
8. Bali, bali, bali ( he means my incessant plea to go to Bali.)
9. Hearing what Dr. Oz has to say, and how it will effect my life...
10. She sometimes makes me watch Oprah.
11. She leaves the caps loose on everything and the cupboard doors open.  Hey!  Only 10, wiseguy!!

************************************************************************************

Ok, my turn:

TEN THINGS I LOVE/LIKE ABOUT BEING MARRIED TO LARRY

1. Waking up next to him.
2. His need to always have at least a finger or toe touching me through the night.
3. The gloaming with him.
4. Cruising around Sing and other places we travel together.  The "us against the world" feeling.
5. He makes me laugh so hard sometimes, I can't catch my breath.
6. When he flashes people who stare at us with his key chain flashlight.
7. His thoughtfulness...under the hard shell, he's a total mush ball.  
8. His creative side...he blows my mind with his photography.
9. Ryan and Annabella.  A cool part of the package.
10. His Larry smell.  I'm a sniffer...what can I say?
    

***********************************************************************************

TEN THINGS THAT DRIVE ME CRAZY ABOUT BEING MARRIED/OR LARRY

1. Oh my Gosh...the GAS!!!  the dark underbelly of marriage!
2. I need details, spill it.
3. Boxer shorts are not "everyday" wear.
4. Trying to limit my "tools" in the kitchen...you can't stifle greatness!
5. The obscene amount of pillows he uses, and the little fort he builds to sleep in each night.
6. His fascination with B movies, and the ablity to sit through them.
7. Not wanting to eat at a normal hour. We're compromising on this one.
8. Not sitting at the table to eat.
   
9. The sunflower seed/dip snuff thing.  Messy!
10. The cheese police...if it's not put away in a timely manner, I am issued a citation.
    

So, there you have it.  My neat, tidy little post.  We had a great weekend, the weather was crappy, so instead of traveling like we had planned, we stayed home, went to a fancy shmancy dinner, saw a movie, and just grooved on being together.

Here's a wedding picture we just got from his brother, Gary, and a picture from our fancy dinner at Morton's.

I also wanted to say another quick thank you to my parents and our familes for the kick ass wedding reception...after the dust settled and I finally got here, it has really hit me how cool it all really was...you guys all went above and beyond, and we really did love it all.  Such great memories! The centerpieces, the cupcakes...so fun and sweet of you, Mary and Sue Dews! And really Mom and Dad, thanks for pulling it off, and making it so special...it meant the world, and we truly appreciate it.  A million, gazillion thanks!!

Love you and miss you all!

xoxoxo

Pam