Batam

Larry and I spent the day after Christmas on the island of Batam.  It's only a 35 minute ferry ride from Sing, and once you step onto the jetty, it's like stepping into a different world.  It's part of indonesia, and feels a little like Bali.  It's beautiful, quiet and very relaxing.  We stayed at a small resort that was very nice, and enjoyed a day of lazing by the pool, walks on the beach, and a yummy dinner.  There was no internet service, and cell reception was poor, so Larry was able to really chill out and not worry about work stuff.  He even asked if I had packed him a book (uh, no.) I was in mid sentence when I started snoring (according to Lar).  Saturday morning we woke to a gorgeous day, and met friends Leone and John for breakfast at the resort.  They have a villa up the road about 10 minutes.  We walked to their place after breakfast, along the beach and that alone was a treat.  Their villa is at the top of a hill, so Miss Out Of Shape 2008 was huffing and puffing and *glowing* like no tomorrow.  However, I do not exaggerate when I say it was a beautiful and completely worth it walk.  Their home is beyond lovely, and peaceful.  We enjoyed a house tour, and after cooling off a bit, we had a wonderful, traditional Indonesian lunch.  YUMMY!!  The company, food and wine were all superb.  One more thing to be thankful for about Singapore. I must have said the word "beautiful, or gorgeous" about 9000 times...I need a thesaurus for next time. We walked back to the resort to catch the shuttle back to the ferry terminal, and we realized Larry didn't have his wallet.  So we were sitting at the pool, waiting for Larry to get it out of his suitcase, and a man walked up to us and asked if were were staying there, and the room number.  I told him, and he produced Larry's wallet and our passports from behind his back.  He was one of the managers, and was looking for us.  BIG relief to say the least.  The rest of the trip was uneventful, and we arrived home to a very happy to see us Frank.  We will definitely be back, and will even be bringing my Aunt and Uncle when they come to visit in February (um yeah, I'm slightly excited, and need to buy towels stat!!).  it's just such a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of Singapore...we highly recommend it!

Larry and I are getting ready to go to Cambodia in the next few days as well.  We've wanted to go since we've gotten here, so we're very excited to finally go.  The big draw are the temples, and we plan on going to the biggest one, Angkor Wat.  I just checked out the hotel online and it looks pretty nifty as well.  Should be a good trip.

I've been spending this week getting ready to go back to the US.  I am coming in the next few weeks and am looking forward to seeing my family and friends.  I'm planning on a good chunk of time with my best friend, as well as hanging with my parents.  We're also going to a wedding in Texas (Larry's brother) and to Seattle for Annabella's 3rd birthday (can you say pink bike with a basket and a bell??).  So lots of laundry and cooking for me this week!  

Happy New Year to all of you!  Here's to a wonderful, healthy 2009!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Pam

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!  It is Dec. 25th, and not a creature is stirring.  Larry is napping, and frank is snoring in his suitcase bed.  We're enjoying a quiet day at home, might watch a movie,dip extravaganza (various dips...yeah, we're excited), opening presents, and having my famous pasta carbonarra for dinner.  There may be wine involved too...and perhaps some chocolate.  It is Christmas, after all.  Larry had to work on Christmas eve, so I joined my friends Sarah and Tommy for dinner and drinks in Chinatown.  It was a hoot and a half.  Tommy called Larry at work with updates on our whereabouts and what we were doing, and even though he wasn't with us, I think he felt like part of the fun.

We are going to an island called Batam tomorrow for one night.  It is a 35 min ferry ride from Sing, and we're staying at the Turi Beach resort (sorry Deb...don't hate).  A friend of mine has a villa on the island as well, so we are going to see them on saturday, and visit them at their place.  We're really looking forward to it.  

Christmas is very different this year, compared to last years slightly dreary one.  I'm glad I put the tree up, and only had one bad day of homesickness and tears (sorry Babe!)  I think staying busy was the key, and just finally realizing that this is our reality, and to make the best of it. Missing family and friends goes with being an expat.  If I am ever asked to give a new expat advice, it will be that.  Expect it to suck a little.  But also be open to the wonderful experiences and new friendship that can come into your lives.  It's a pretty amazing thing.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you.  You are deeply missed and loved!  

XOXOXOXO

Pam and Larry and Frank

p.s. the fudge and shortbread cookies I made both turned out perfect!  I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree!

Beginning To Look Like Christmas

In a counter strike against the ol' homesick blues that like to sneak up and bite me on my ample booty, I've been decorating and getting stuff ready for Christmas.  I made cards this year (it didn't go well, please keep your guffawing to yourselves when they arrive), I'm baking and making fudge for gifts for Larry's office mates, and getting gifts ready to bring home.  It's been fun, and it's been a good distraction.  The minute I let myself be quiet for a little bit though, the bug takes a good chunk...so...busy I will try and stay!

Our cute little Charlie Brown tree from Ikea, flown all the way from the US in a refrigerated container!

Larry brought this little guy back from China.  I added the festive hat.

                                    Chestnuts roasting over an open fire...in Chinatown.

This is Frank and his big hairy butt on the Christmas place mats.  (don't worry, if you come over for dinner, I won't give you that one to eat off of!)

                   This a Singapore Santa...I found him at a craft fair...we think he's pretty nifty.

Hope your Holiday prep is going well too...today I attempt my first solo fudge making of the famous Rick Schuler Christmas fudge...results tomorrow!

Sparkle Cat

So, I stumbled out of bed today, bleary eyed and trying not to trip over Frank as we made our way into the kitchen.  Frank was protesting loudly about his bowl being 1/3 full.  I went about my morning routine, turning on the kettle, throwing a load of laundry in, scooping out the litter box.  After Frank ate for five full minutes, and drank a full bowl of water, he was lounging on the little rug I have by the sink, lolling about, looking content and cute.  Something caught the corner of my eye.  Something sparkly.  I looked more closely at Frank.  To my horror, I realized he was COMPLETELY covered in glitter.  I had been making my christmas cards, and had left a plate of the leftover glitter on the table over night.  With dread in my heart, I walked as if in slow motion to the table.  My worst fears had been realized.  He had turned the plate over, and laid in the glitter.  I'm sure there was some rolling around too.  And jumping up and down from all the chairs.  Then walking all over the entire house before I could find this little surprise and clean it up.  I thought it was sweet that Larry had glitter at his hair line when he came to bed....I thought '"hmmm, maybe he was looking at the cards".  Now I know he was holding Frank.  Frank, the sweet, not overly bright, intensely loyal little guy I wanted so badly.  Frank the extremely mischievous little guy that gets into EVERYTHING and makes us laugh so hard we gasp, every day.

Anyone want him?

Something Fishy A Foot

I've been wanting to try a fish pedicure since I got to Sing,  so I finally had the chance this week with my buddies.  There is a new fish spa that opened right up the street from our house, so after a day of doing hair and lunch, we checked it out.  You wash your feet, and sit on benches that surround a big fish tank.  The tank is filled with Doctor Fish, just ready and waiting to nibble on the dead, calloused skin on your feet and legs.  I didn't know what to expect, and it is definitely sensory overload at first.  The fish swarm your feet at first and it's such a  weird feeling!  It doesn't hurt at all, and once you get accustomed to the feeling, it's actually very relaxing and fun.  My close friends and family know my little secret about my fred flinstone feet....they are majorly calloused and kinda gross ( Larry is thinking "Kinda??")  I have tried everything under the sun to get rid of it...I even have a dremmel tool I use ( seriously??  did I just write that for the whole flippin world to read?!?!)  Anyway....after the fish were done with my feet, they immediately signed up for weight watchers.  My feet felt great, and the fishies had a nice BIG meal.  Larry and I had joked previously that they would all eat so much the fish would be belly up after I left...I'm happy to report no fish were harmed in the treatment of my feet.

Here are a few videos from the experience.  I'm bringing Larry back this weekend, so he can experience it too.

P.S.  Don't ya just hate the sound of your own voice?? I'm seriously cringing over here in Sing!

Joyful Eating

A few saturdays ago I dragged Larry out for Dim Sum. I had read about this place on another blog, the greedy glutton . I had been bugging him to go ever since. It was worth the wait! Boy was it yummy! The food was fresh, delicious and served with a smile and the thoughtful offer of forks (we declined). It was hard to find, tucked away off a side street in chinatown, but after 4 passes, we finally found it.

This is the definition of Dim Sum, fond on Wikipedia :Dim sum is the name for a Chinese cuisine which involves a wide range of light dishes served alongside Chinese tea. It is usually served in the mornings until noon time at Chinese restaurants and at specialty dim sum eateries where typical dishes are available throughout the day. Dishes come in small portions and may include meat, seafood, and vegetables, as well as desserts and fruit. The items are usually served in a small steamer basket or on a small plate. Yum cha(literally "tea drinking") is the term used to describe the dining session, especially in contemporary Cantonese. Chinese families in particular typically like to gather at Chinese restaurants for dim sum on occasions such as Mother’s Day or Chinese New Years.

It was a yummy light meal, and we will be back for sure.  if you live in Sing, make it a priority to check it out!

Famous?

When you woke up this morning, did you have a message asking you to be in a movie? 

 

No?  

I DID!!!  

How cool is that?  I had a facebook message from a fellow American woman who is a grad film student here in Sing.  She is shooting a movie in December, and needs an american woman to play the lead.  She looked at my photos, and pretty much the sheer fact that I have an american accent led her to contact me.  I wrote her back and told her I thought it would be super fun, but gave her a heads up about the stuttering.  I'll let you know what comes of it.  The director is an award winning director from Chicago, and this film would be shown in other competitions. Maybe I'll be strolling down the red carpet (in valentino, I already know which dress I want!) at Cannes!