Did You?

Did you wake up this morning, trip over the cat, make the coffee, make breakfast, kiss your husband, feed the cat, say goodbye to your husband, feed the cat, settle down in the arm chair with coffee, tell the cat he is DONE eating,  flip open your laptop, read emails, tell the cat to get off the keyboard, that you're trying to type,  then look up and see THIS on your garden wall? 

 No?

 Well I did!  After I stopped standing there like a doorknob with my mouth hanging open, I rushed around trying to find my camera.  I contemplated running up and down the 376 stairs in my house to look for it, but decided to enjoy the moment instead, and watch this beautiful bird. He hopped around my garden for a bit, flew up onto the wall, then into a tree in my neighbors garden.  I wondered why I heard so much shrieking from the other birds, and then realized he was eating eggs out of a nest...sad, but part of life.  He then hopped onto a skinny, one branch palm tree and hung there for a few minutes before flying away.  It was SO cool!!  Sometimes I think I've become jaded or accustomed to the amazing things I see while living here.  Oh, look a Monkey!  Yawn......yeah, big deal.  But this morning, it's kinda neat to see I can still be amazed. I hope he comes back!

If You Build It.

Here are a few pictures of my new home salon area.

The cute pink chair is getting relocated to my office upstairs, I found a good deal on a real salon chair, and we're gonna get it this weekend.  Good thing too...it's already covered in hair color! whoops!

I also may be meeting some shady character this weekend that may have a lead on hair color....nothing is easy in Singapore!  I have a feeling his 'warehouse' is really the trunk of his car, but we'll see.

So, I am up and running, and so excited to have new clients.  Email me if you'd like to set something up!

Random Frank.

Stealing Wit.

Have you ever noticed that the longer you put something off, the harder it is to get back to it? That's what's been happening here.  The move threw me for a loop, and then I had several hair clients, and then, and then, and then....well....you get the point.  Blogging has been low on my list. I have also been fighting the blues about being back from home leave.  They were latent in their arrival, as we had Tim and Kae here, then the move, but like death and taxes, they arrived.It's another fun thing about being an expat that is rarely discussed.  I love going home, , and then I love getting back to my home in Singapore, but a funk always descends for a bit. I've also been  staring at my computer for hours usually on google which sends me to all sorts of scary sites, wondering and questioning how the heck I got to be 37 and without a kid yet.  I just reread what I just wrote...it hasn't been as dreary as it may seem.  In the last month, I have formed even more fabulous friendships.  Things are ok, I'm just getting my feet back under me.  As another blogger I read always says "I'm just keeping it real."

My BFF, Deb, is also a blogger.  She did a cute post in the past few days that I am totally stealing.

So, this is me stealing her "Big Purge" post.  Warning, it's random, and quite possibly weird.

• We moved to the 'heartland' of Singapore, meaning we are out in the center of the city, rather in the downtown area where we were.  So far, I LOVE it.  The people seem a little shocked to see larry and I out here, but they are lovely and kind.  We've met our neighbors.  To the left, they are expats from France, and to the right, they are Chinese. My friend Catherine, from Scotland lives in this complex as well.  It seems to be an interesting mix, and strolling around at night, looking into the windows, is quite fascinating. 
• I have driven TWICE!!  I have been thinking about it for a while, and gave Larry fair notice (he went pale at the idea, hoped I was kidding, but is now supportive).  It's going well so far, and I am just taking baby steps at this point.  I'd love to get my singapore driver license, so we'll see how it goes.  Driving on the right side of the car is WEIRD. **Update:  by mutual agreement, I have ended my driving career in Singapore.
• Things are waaaaaay cheaper out here.  Cool whip at the tony expat grocery store in our old neighborhood is 8.00 for a small tub.  It is 3.50 at my new grocery store.  Oh, and weird random find alert!  I was cruising through the grocery store (it's kinda like a meijers or wal-mart, it has everything), in a big hurry one day, and a display of t-shirts caught my eye.  I looked more closely, and they were J.Jill t-shirts.  Ok...J.Jill is my FAVORITE catalog/website to buy clothes from.  Everything is soft, cottony, squishy goodness.  And EXPENSIVE.  I stopped in my tracks, swung my cart around and took a look.  They were the real thing, with a thin line drawn through the name.  I pawed through, and they had MY SIZE.  I kinda lost my mind, and bought ALL of the ones in my size.  Then went back the next day and bought some for Deb, and a few more for me.  Oh, and did I mention they were THREE DOLLARS AND NINETY CENTS?????  Yeah, now you understand the losing of the mind stuff that was happening.  I kinda wonder if they 'fell off a truck'....just seems so weird to have a big  shipment of their shirts.  I will keep my eyes peeled for more, that's for darn tootin.
• Staying in touch with people from home just got easier....I finally joined skype.  Though it seems like the day to day stuff of keeping in touch with people has waned, I am still able to get a good catch up with people on skype.  If you are a member and would like to chat, let me know.  I do love hearing from home...so if you get a chance, shoot me an email or note...I do miss you all so much.  
• We are 95% sure Ryan and Annabella are coming here for Christmas.  We will know more soon.  If it does happen, it will be a full out, jazz hands Christmas in the tropics EXTRAVAGANZA.
• there are 376 steps in my new house.
• Frank is now a hired killer.  He has single pawedly knocked back the gecko population in our home to insignificant numbers.  It's often bloody, loud and things get broken, but his parents couldn't be prouder.
• Larry and I go to a wellness practice here, run by an Australian woman.  If any of you watch Private Practice in the states, it's like that, but without all the drama and sex.  I'm assuming, that is....I may be wrong.  Anyway, I LOVE it.  Every aspect is addressed, and I feel like we are in really good hands for our medical stuff.
• I have mastered beef or chicken lo mein.  I bumped up the health factor with a ton more veggies, less sodium, less fat, ect.  And the best part...I can get fresh hoikkein noodles at my local grocery.  Sometimes living in Asia rocks.
• My best friend Deb is starting a big thing in her life soon, and you should check back here from time to time....I'll keep you updated, and will be asking for your help.  I knew I started a blog for a reason!
• My hair business is booooooming!  woohoo!  need a Do?  Contact me!  
• If you are on facebook (facecrack) and we aren't friends yet, look me up.   Hi, my name is Pam, and I'm a facebookaholic.

Thanks to my loyal readers...I will be back to regular posting.  And if you want to follow me, do so in the top right hand corner.

xoxoxoxoxo

Pam