Helloooooo???

Testing...testing...anyone still reading this thing?

Songbird Culture

A few Saturday mornings ago, Larry and I were up and at em early. We had errands to run, and roti prata to eat. It was a pretty, vaguely cool morning. As we were pulling out of our complex, Larry asked if I had my camera, so I could take a quick picture of something funny for his brother. That reminded us that we have been wanting to go to the our local aviary and take pictures. What's an aviary? In the more central, or heartland neighborhoods, there is often a park set up for Singapore's Songbird enthusiasts. I've tried to do a little research on it, but it's been harder to dig up info on it than I expected.

This park is in our neighborhood, tucked away, behind a wet market and hawker court. Early mornings, before it gets too hot, people bring their Songbirds in intricately carved, teak wood cages. The cages are beautiful, ornate, most custom made, with special ornaments and adornments. Cages are handed down from generation to generation. The birds are often prinices, robins, shikes, merboks, china thrushes, ect.

Larry and I parked the car (well, he parked, I just sat there looking cute), and I gave us a pep talk that we were very much the outsiders in this adventure, and that we had to be super respectful. We got a few curious glances, but though we weren't heartily welcomed, the people were friendly and polite. I tried to stay towards the edge, I didn't want to disturb the men chatting and swapping bird tips. Larry went off to take pictures, and explore a little further. It was truly a beautiful place. The noise level was amazing...the birds were singing their little hearts out. And though it was loud, it was also very peaceful and relaxing.

Once again, I was pleasantly surprised to find another little piece of this curious Singapore puzzle. They build huge high rises, are one of the biggest and most powerful shipping ports, adhere to and make strident rules, demand cleanliness and strive for an utopian society. But tucked away in little nooks, you can still glimpse the way Singapore used to be...a little slower, a little less clean, a little less flashy. Larry and I both say all the time that we love living in the 'heartland' rather than in the expat part of town. We never would have had the chance to see this wonderful place. oh, and I got my tea in a bag too, so I felt very local too!

I Started this post On Easter...

Yep, that's what it's come to....so many have asked why I don't post more, and it pretty simply comes down to 1. Laziness. 2. Busyness 3. Not much to say. I'm still here, and think about posting all the time...in fact, I thought this post from Deb says it perfectly! Check it out, it's cute.

A quick catchup:

January 2010 came blowing in, and with it, a whirlwind of getting ready for our annual home leave trip, and for Larry to volunteer at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C. Lots of packing, shopping, clearing out and prep, until Larry left at the end of the month. He met up with his brother in Vancouver, and they had a busy few weeks before the families arrived. Beka and I joined the guys, me for a week, her for 3 (I think). It was such a blast...I highly recommend checking out Vancouver if you ever get the chance, it is so, so gorgeous there. I've fallen for the Pacific northwest, big time. Larry and I got the chance to see ice dancing, which was waaay too fun. I felt like a little kid, seeing the ice capades for the first time (yes, I know I just dated myself...I had the Dorothy Hamil haircut too, so???) And though my time there was short (6 days) I really got caught up in the olympic spirit. I'm really looking forward to participating in future games. Anyone have a house we can use in London, 2012? We're willing to swap!

I also got some good, quality Grammy/Annabella time. I stayed with Ryan and Annabella for a few days, before I shoved off to Detroit. To say it was fab is putting it lightly. She was an angel baby, as usual, and we had a blast. Larry and I bought her a new bed for her birthday (4!!) and I may have gone slightly overboard in the execution of the princess bed theme....well worth it though, her face was worth every penny and four hour web search. At one point someone said " see Annabella, now you really are a princess!" She replied, hand on her hip, cute red curls cocked to the side " Course I am!". There ya have it. Job accomplished, as far as I'm concerned.

From Seattle, I flew onto Detroit to spend time with my parents, friends and family. It was a shorter trip this go around, but it was super fun. The first week my mom took of work, so we did lots of stuff, just the three of us. It was nice to have my parents all to myself for a bit. I miss them all the time living over here, but when I get back home, it always becomes apparent just how much. Ya know? Same with Deb...we can skype, and chat all the time on the phone, but face to face time is precious. That goes for everyone I saw really....time there is short, and far between, so to be able to hold your babies (even if they are 5'5 and taller than me, and have bigger boobs) rub your pregnant bellies, have coffee in my jammies with you, listen to how your year was, read your child a bedtime story, share a meal, cry with you, or just sit with you, I take those moments, shove them down in my heart, and take them out, one by one, like the shells and sea glass we collect and look at them when I come back to this life in Singapore. Sometimes I wish for more, but usually, I'm just really grateful I got to have those moments with you, even if it was just for a bit.

One of the hi-lights of this trip was timing it perfectly (with a little rearranging) to be able to go to Chalfonte house this year for Women's weekend. I've been going since 2 weeks after my sister died, in 1996. It is a group of women, all from similar, but varied backgrounds, roughly the same age, but in varied stages of womanhood. There are single people, some married for 2o years, some widowed, and some newly married. New moms, or expecting, and moms of teenagers. There is a doctor, a few nurses, artists, insurance adjusters, stay at home moms and writers. Oh, and there is a really old guy that facilitates the whole thing and occasionally dresses in drag (that's a story for another day). There are usually about 12 of us, sometimes the cast of characters change slightly, but for the most part the core hasn't. I've missed the past 2 years. I was bummed about it, when it happened, but like most things in my life, if it's unpleasant, I just skate over it, trying no to feel it too much. Um, yeah...that bit me in the ass. Being there was such a spirit lifter. I didn't know how much I needed it. I need those women, who laugh with me, cry with me, and even though I am a gazillion miles away, hold me up and support me, even when I think I am alone. Something pretty special happens when you get us all in the same room. Sure, it's loud. Chocolate is flying, someone is probably beating someone in backgammon, there is laughter, tears, a little wine. Walls come down, and spirits that were sagging, lift a little. When someone is doing great, we celebrate, when someone is struggling, we lift them up, and when someone is too damn proud to admit they need support, we push. Grateful doesn't seem like a big enough word for my women's weekend ladies. They have woven an invisible net around me, and really, I feel the love and support from here. I may not be able to go next year, but I know I need to try.

I'm pretty grateful for facebook these days too. Say what you will about the social networking site that can suck time and allow old boyfriends to find you, but it is also great place to reconnect with people. I will save that for another day, but just a teaser: I had a grade school reunion while I was back in detroit. Stay tuned, I'll write more about it soon. It was a HOOT.

Back to the post: May 2, 2010. I originally started this post on East Sunday, and really the time has flown, and whirred by me...Like I said before, I do think about this ol blog a lot. I mean to sit down and write, but usually, 20 other things get in the way. So, back to the catch up. I've mentioned before on here that I have a sister that died from complications of Cystic Fibrosis. I've also mentioned on here that my best friend, also has the disease, and is preparing to be listed for a double lung transplant. Fundraising has begun, and Larry has thrown his hat in. He is trying to lose weight for better health, so he decided to tie losing weight into raising Deb some cold hard cash. For the next 90 days, for every pound he loses, friends and family have pledged a dollar. It's a win win! We're pretty excited about it. We bought a scale this weekend. Good news: Larry is down a few more lbs. Bad news: Frank weighs 15 pounds.

Friends in Singapore have agreed to help me raise money for Debbie here...so many great ideas have been coming in, and I am so grateful. I'm really looking forward to these next few months, and seeing how much we can raise. Being so far away is hard, but having this to focus on has been great. I will likely use this blog as an update place, so check back to see how Deb is doing.

Visitors....we LOVE em. Anyone out there thinking about a visit to Singapore? We have the room, and would love to have you.

One of the hardest parts of expat life is hitting me square in the face this next week. My dear friend, Sarah, is leaving to go back to the states...this is my first time experiencing having a friend leave, and I'm pretty much in denial. I think it will hit me for real when I go to call or message her for a last minute lunch in little india, or a pedicure. She and her husband have been very good pals to Larry and I, and they will be missed so, so much.

Thanks for those of you that still check this blog, and for the gentle nudges. I'm listening.

xoxoxoxo

Pam

Do These Toes Make My Butt Look Fat?

Random Frank

It's A Wonderful Life

I love that movie....I watch it every year. Every year, I get a little teary. Sure, it's sappy, but it also makes a good point. Slow down a little, and enjoy what you have. You only have one life, make it count, and cherish the little things, because they can be taken away in an instant. It also suggests we appreciate things when times get tough. I know I needed a gentle reminder of that, especially this year.

Here is a list of some of the things that make my life wonderful.

So, in no particular order, here goes:

The quiet moments of my mornings...I am very lucky to be able to arrange my hair schedule to give myself time in the mornings to chat with family and friends at home on skype, email, or procrastinate blogging. I usually have a 900 pound furry monster on my lap, and a hot cup of coffee. It's so nice, and such a huge departure from my old life of having 2 and 3 jobs, school, or my daycare and 12 hour days of nose and bum wiping. I don't take it for granted for a minute.

Exploring southeast Asia...we're still liking it, and though it still sucks some of the time, being so far away, overall, I feel really, really lucky to have this opportunity. I've said it before, but I never in a million years would have tagged myself to be the one to leave Michigan and live in a foreign country, but I did. The experiences and people we have met are truly a gift.

That brings me to friends. My friends here have made my life richer, and broadened my world scope in a way I never thought imaginable. I have buddies from Scotland (I delight daily in the great sayings and no nonsense attitude of my Scottish buddies. Salt of the earth, those birds.) Friends from the foreign to me Southern states of Texas and Louisiana (also salty birds of the earth, they make my life here a LOT more sane) I have friends from England, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Africa, Canada, Australia, Brazil, South Africa ...it's truly amazing, and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have met them in Detroit. So, even though we're living in Asia, I have been lucky enough to be exposed to some really unique and fun traditions of lots of other cultures.

Friends back home, the ones I can wake up at any hour and know they will be there, groggy, but happy to hear my voice. Debbie has been an amazing source of comfort in this last year, even when her own life has been turned upside down and given a hard shake. The generosity of that is humbling. The friends that still call and write, just to say hi...even though the newness of me being gone has long since worn off. The ones that haven't forgotten I'm still around, you know who you are; I appreciate it more than you will know. Thanks for still missing me.

Family...I cannot begin to scratch the surface on how much family has meant to both Larry and I this past year. I haven't come clean as to the personal struggles we have had, because they are just that, personal. But like most things, I think it might be easier to just throw it on the table. We are struggling with fertility issues, and both of our families have been a great source of love and comfort. I am very, very thankful for that. The loss of my sister, Larry's loss of his parents, moving away from home, and all the other struggles we've shared have made us a lot stronger. However, this struggle has thrown me for a great big, fat loop. We are slowly getting around to fine, and doing what we need to, but when we first found out, it was hard...just really stinkin hard. Devastating really...and that's not me being my normal dramatic self. Everything I knew and all the hopes and dreams I've had forever were challenged in an instant. Being away only added to the devastation I felt. Family (and friends) were what got us through. That and a lot of holding onto each other for dear life, and large boxes of cheeze-its and swedish fish. I have been very reluctant to share this struggle with those not in our inner circle, because the wound is still so tender, but I have decided, with Larry's blessing to make this blog more "real" and share the good, bad and ugly. I am personally dealing with the very real possibility of not becoming a mom. Some days I am fine with it and very philosophical, knowing I can still have a very happy and fulfilled life and lucky to have Ryan and Annabella. Some days I cry. A lot. Some days I ignore it all together and focus on my job, my husband and my cat. Not sure which is better to be honest, because it all comes around in the end to bite me on the ass. I have learned not to expect people to get it, or understand at the level I need them to. But when it happens, it is a gift and it helps a lot.

Being a Step-Mom, and a Grammy. Again, another thing that has pushed me as far out of my safe little box as possible. I would not, for one second trade it. It has pushed me, challenged me, and made me a better person. Ryan is pushing 27, and far too old to have me "mothering" him, but he is a good sport about me being a nudge in his life, and this past year we have gotten to know each other more and more. He's all right, as step kids go. I think I'll keep him. Annabella is a light in our lives and I am so stinkin grateful for that little bundle of red headed joy. She is also extremely patient with me, and is truly a delight. Her no nonsense, eager to please personality is so much fun to be around. She tells it like it is, and if I could somehow bottle her zest for life and fun, well, I think I might have the cure for the world's trouble. I wish every single day we could somehow teleport her her to Singapore for a nice, long visit. Asia wouldn't know what hit it.

Frank, the furry band-aid. I've said it before, but he really is a helpful guy to have around. It's hard to dwell on shittiness when you have a goofball, slightly dim little fellow running back and forth at a high rate of speed.

And last but not least, the guy that I often wake up to holding my hand. The ups and owns of a new marriage (oh yeah, they are real baby, straight up), living as physically far away from our family and friends as we can, struggles with infertility, purchasing a new house in the Seattle area and all the other fun stresses we've had this year, cannot dim the fact that I still really like the big lug, and I wouldn't trade his middle of the night hand holding for anything.

These are the big and little things...each one, even the yucky struggles, I wouldn't want to swap, it makes life wonderful, messy and never dull.

Merry Christmas, near and far, and here's to kick ass 2010.

Love,

Pam

I'm Braggin...

The Incredible Shrinking Husband!

Taxi Cab Speech Therapy

I've mentioned it on here before a few times, but for those that don't know, I am a lifelong stutterer.    Sometimes my fluency is better than others, and depends on lots of factors.  I hate the phone, and public speaking is a big hell no.  Some conversations are smooth and easy, other times I struggle. If I am tired, or have had a drink or two, my speech gets sticky. Larry was the first person to successfully get me to speak on the phone for any length of time, pretty quickly putting me at ease.  Good thing too, or we'd never be the power couple we are today.  It's a very personal thing, and my family and friends have gone to the ends of the earth to help me in my fluency.  Stuttering is a neurological issue, not a learned behavior.  My brain is wired differently than others, and the signals to my mouth and vocal chords get mixed up.  I've learn how to deal with it over the years, and I do a fairly good job of not letting it hold me back on stuff.  Not always...sometimes I shy away from the phone and other difficult situations for me, but I normally push through it.  It is part of who I am, and I've learned in my advanced age that if someone has an issue with it, they can take a long walk off a short pier.

So today, I hopped into a cab, and was expecting my usual quiet ride, where I rifle through my bag, looking for sunglasses, mints, money, ect.  Sometimes I pass the time texting friends or Larry.  Every once in a while I will have a chatty cab driver though.  Today was one of those days.

Conversation between Me and Mokithar ("you can call me Mo"):

Mo: Where you from, Lah?

Me: America (stuttered on the m)

Mo: aaaaahhh....nice, nice, very nice.  Very Big.  You Like my country, lah?

Me: Yes, very much.

Mo: How long you live here?

Me: Two years.

Mo: How much your rent? (I get asked this all the time....it seems normal now)

Me: Too much, lah!

Mo: hahahahaha....I see, I see.

We drive along in silence for a bit....Mo is dodging motor cycles.  I'm trying not to bring up my breakfast.

Mo: Ma'am, if I may?

Me: (thinking oooh boy, here it comes...gonna ask me how much I weigh, or some other screamingly personal thing)  Sighing, Sure, go ahead?

Mo: When I was a little boy, I also talk like you, always getting stuck on my words.  I think you and I were frightened as children, so we afraid to let out words.

Me: hhmm, oh really (not very interested....I've heard all sorts of stuttering stories, and well, it's a very, very personal thing.  I rarely discus it, and if I do, it is with the very inner circle of family and friends)

Mo: Yes, yes, lah!  And my Grandmother, she cure me!

Me: Really?  (ok, I'll bite...) How did she do that?

Mo:  Well, whenever I would talk, and my words would get stuck, she would very quietly come up behind me and hit me with a pillow.  This would shock me, and my words would get unstuck.

Me: (shocked, slightly freaked out) Mo!  Really?  and this worked?

Mo: yes, yes, you try lah!  can!

Me: hhmm...I don't know...I don't really want to be hit.

Mo: ask your husband or friends to use a pillow....softly, lah!  this will shock the words out of you, and you won't be stuck.

Me:  ok, ok....maybe I will try.

This pleases Mo, and he is quiet for a few more minutes.  Then he looks worried.

Mo: ask your husband to use a pillow....not a hard stick,lah!  If he use a hard stick, you will hurt head, and you talk no more, lah!  

Me: Guffawing....I know, I know, something soft!  hahahahahaha....(we both were giggling at this point...the visual was great)

Mo: You try, you try. I help you with this, yes?

Me: ok, I will tell my husband.

He then went on to talk to me about his grandmother, and all her ideas for healthy living. Kidney health was big with her, and Mo suggested I go into the jungle and find some herbs to eat for good kidney function.  I'm gonna get right on that.

So, Mom, Dad, and other family and friends that have spent years and years encouraging my fluency, not to mention the thousands and thousands of dollars and hours spent on speech therapy, I guess we had it wrong.  All you had to do was sneak up behind me and bop me over the head with a pillow!  Softly, lah!  And for goodness sake, don't use a hard stick!

HUH?!?!

So, I woke up yesterday to a message in my inbox saying I had won a blog award.  Huh?  What!?  Me?  Are you sure you have the right person?  I haven't regularly posted in a long time. Sporadic, yes, regular, nope.  I have a few Singapore buddies that post all the time, and have spectacular blogs about the ins and outs of life as an expat, and living in southeast Asia (Hi Leone!!)  My posts of late have been heavy on fascinating content regarding Frank having hiccups (it was hilarious...he came 2 ft off the ground with each hic...uh, anyhooo....) and light on actual info or stories about life in Singapore.  Maybe it's that I've been here 2 years (double huh??), and the wide eyed wonder of it is gone.  Maybe seeing men in skirts, putting a dollar into my shopping basket, eating foods spicy enough to blow my face off, drinking tea and coffee from a plastic bag with a straw, and seeing toucans is just my normal life now.  It's still super cool...there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not jolted from my every day reverie and notice the differences. I still love living here, and despite being so darn far way from family and friends, and not being there when they need me, I am not ready to go back.  My life here is pretty sweet.  I work when I want, get to travel, have a pool outside my door, get to spend these early days of marriage taking on the world with Lar, just us.  Oh, and cheap massage.  Definite perk.  I've been pretty open about it occasionally sucking.  It's pretty much the being so far away that is hard.  My best friend has gone through a very difficult year, and being away from her was hard on both of us. Not being home for the holidays, yep, it sucks.  Going through personal struggles without my peeps around me, yep, sucks. Something that is occasionally brought up with my expat friends is that, in fact, it is a lot harder than we bargained for, living here. This is something that is usually discussed in a sheepish, I can't believe I am saying this manner.  Because we know how it looks on the outside, to our families and friends far away...we live in the tropics, most of us don't work, have full time help, and get to travel.  And Cheap massage.  We are aware that we shouldn't whine and complain.  We don't want to sound like privileged douche bags.  So we do it quietly, amongst ourselves, and every once in a while, we let our families and friends know that there is nothing else in the world we would rather do, no place in the whole world we would rather be, but to be sprawled out with them on their couches.

But the good still outweighs the suck.  You can quote me on that incredibly eloquent nugget.

So...if you'd like to read a really good, informative blog about life in Sing, I highly recommend you go here.  I'll keep posting about Frank playing with his wind-up mouse, and Lar eating his body weight in pickles, and the occasional cultural high point, as I come across them.  In the meantime, I've very honored to receive the award....I'd like to thank my husband (almost pulled a Hilary Swank...whoops) My parents, the little people, Kate Gosselin's stupid hair cut and the guy that made my coffee this morning.....You like me, you really like me!! 

Ahem...ok, sorry...moving on before Kanye interrupts me.....

In other news, the F-1 night race came to Singapore again this past weekend. Lar and I got tickets from friends (thanks guys!!), and Larry went on Sunday night.  I chose to not be amongst the gazillions of people, deafening  noise and sweatiness.  We took advantage of all the hub-bub and went to one of the concerts the race was sponsoring on Friday night.  We saw Simple Minds (still sounds fab....and a little botox goes a long way) ZZTopp (sounded good, just a little rickety...it's hard playing sober after all these years...BAHAHAHA....I crack myself up...) and No Doubt (great performers...Gwen Stefani is gorgeous, and she just kicks a lot of ass). After toughing it out in the first few rows of pushing, shoving, no deodorant wearing teenagers, we moved up to a quite area where we found a picnic table and sucked down water like camels preparing for a trek in the sahara.  We had a great night, but sorta felt our age....oh well....I can still rock out when I need too.  And it was pretty funny to watch Larry point at his Texas hat and wave, every time he thought the ZZtopp boys were looking our way.  Sigh.

It is a big time of year in Sing....Hungry Ghost month, Hari Raya, Mid-Autumn fest, and my favorite, Deepavali.  We are going to a lantern fest party this weekend in our neighborhood, and I'm sure I'll be hanging out in Little India, trying to talk myself out of buying a sari at the Deepavali bazaar.  We have a guest coming in a few weeks, so guest room prep is well under way.  Larry and I are seeing Depak Chopra this weekend.  He's coming through Singapore, and we're having him over for dinner.  Ok, not really.  But we are seeing him give a lecture, and I'm pretty excited.  I heart him.

Thanks again for the award...It made my day.  Now go read Leone's blog.

xoxoxo

Pam

Random Frank and random Lar eating random soup.

Do You Know the Noodle Man?

                                            

Do you know the noodle man? The one that works on Smith Street, in Chinatown?

I was introduced to his wonderful restaurant by my pal Sarah.  The name is Lan Zhou La Mian, and it's at 19 Smith, about halfway down the street.  It's easy to miss, so look for a little nook of a place, with loads of snapshots on the walls.  The pictures are of the Noodle man, and hundreds and hundreds of patrons that come into his humble little place for some of the most delicious and fresh noodles I've ever had.  Lan Mian translates from Chinese to mean "hand pulled".  He makes dozens and dozens of fresh batches each day, right in front of you.  I ordered the vegetable noodles, and the pan fried dumplings.  They were super yummy...the noodles are tender and light, but still have a "to the tooth" bite to them. I brought Larry back on saturday afternoon for a late lunch, and he enjoyed the minced pork with bean curd sauce, the dish that they are most famous for.  Lar thought he was getting soup noodles, similar to Pho, so when his noddles arrived "dry" he was surprised.  He still liked them, but wants to branch out and try one of their soup noodle dishes next time.  

After almost two years of living here (what?!?!) I think it's pretty cool I can still be delighted to happen upon these little gems.  Or have smart friends in the know!  Even though it's in a pretty touristy part of town, I still get a sense that it is 'real singapore'.  The place is not fancy in the least, but the food is good, cheap and honest.  And the Noodle Man always has a smile for you...can't get better than that.  I think Mr. Noodle just acquired two more regulars.

I dare you to not hum the tune "Oh do you know the Muffin Man" now...go ahead try.

Quick Update

I am back and posting...we'll see for how long, but I will try.  Larry and I went on quick trip back to the US.  We needed to take care of a few things that I will post about in a future post.  We primarily stayed in the Seattle area, hanging with Ryan and the fabulous Annabella, but we did dive bomb my family in Detroit.  We snuck into town (giggling and high five-ing our sneakiness) and surprised Debbie and Louie by showing up in their pool.  Her reaction was great...well worth the little white lies.  Then we surprised my family by driving by them at their usual spot on Woodward Ave. during the woodward dream cruise.  Their reaction was also hilarious....even my mom almost biting the dust by choking when she saw us drive by.  It made for some funny jokes the next day, that's for sure.  My family has a sick sense of humor, so you can imagine.  We had a nice relaxing day with them the next day as well, and enjoyed a perfect Michigan summer dinner.  Michigan corn on the cob, tomatoes, cantalope, and one of my favorite things, HOTDOGS.   What can I say...I'm a cheap date.  The trip to Detroit was too short, but I'm really glad we got the chance to do it.  Seattle was fab too...the weather could not have been more perfect.  We spent an idlyic day at the ocean, full of memories I will treasure forever.  Annabella was a dream...she is such a sweet, funny girl.  She really got into hanging with her Grampy and Grammy.  We stayed at her house, so she was super fun...and Larry loved the red headed wake up call.  We did stay a weekend in a hotel, and Annbella was quite impressed with the fold out couch...I kept telling her "this is very, very fancy" and she agreed...too cute!

We are back and getting into the swing of life again in Sing.  I've been super busy with hair, and Larry is back on the day shift.  He is getting ready to start golf lessons, and seems pretty excited about it.  Frankie is speaking to us again, after getting the furry cold shoulder.  He was well taken care of by Catherine and Sarah, but he still prefers his peoples around him all day.

Today we woke up to some bad news from Detroit.  Debbie and Louie had to put their beloved furbaby, Max to sleep.  They are so very sad.  Anyone who has had to put an animal to sleep knows how incredibly shitty it is.  Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Maxie was a sweet and loving boy...I loved him very much. We were great pals, and  he was the best fur godson I could have asked for. He will be missed by many, many people who loved him so much.

It is also Larry and Gary's birthday today....happy birthday to my very cute hubby and fab bro in law!!  

More tomorrow...hint...it involves noodles.

xoxoxo

Pam

Happy 39!

A very Happy Birthday to my best friend, Deb!  WHOOOOHOOOOO OL Lady!!

Shuffling right along...

I am stealing this brilliant idea for future blog posts from My BFF, Deb.  I will put my itunes on random, and the next 3 songs I hear, I will write a short blurb about what the song means to me, the time it brings me back to, ect.  

So here goes: Song number one: The Story, by Brandi Carslise.  I first heard this song bombing sown 696 in Detroit, probably running late for school or work.  It was when I had just realized I was head over heals for an old guy that lived in Seattle. It was a very fitting song and I LOVED it.  Then it was on Gray's anatomy, and it became a huge hit.  I love her raw, not overly pretty voice. A friend of mine was driving with me once, and it was on the radio...I was doing my usual teary eyed singing along, and she was just shaking her head, calling me a sap. (Hi Stro!) Anyway...I still love it...for someone so young this chick can write and sing!

K, next one coming up.....Make Your Own Kind Of Music, Mama Cass.

Oh please!  I dare you not to LOVE this song....I have always LOVED, LOVED Mama Cass...that gorgeous, rich pitch perfect voice of hers...oy vey!  I remember my mom having an album (huh, what the heck is an album??) of hers when I was little, and a lot of my early childhood memories are laced with mama cass in the background.  When I got married in Vegas, I got a little slack for not going the more traditional route.  Deb sent me one of those musical cards with this song in it...saying she thought it was pretty nifty that Larry and I chose to do it our "own way".  Thanks for "getting it" Deb! It has definitely always been a "theme" song of mine.  Good one, shuffle!

Neeeeext!   Bust a Move, Young MC.  What can I say....you can take the old school hip hop outta the girl....woohooo...this song makes me shake my groove thang....not much more to say about it...it's funny, silly and has a great beat.

Thanks Deb for the great idea....this is right up my alley!

Oh Yum!

Larry and I went out for our usual saturday night 'dinner out'.  We debated our choices....our new favorite; Bali seafood?  No...we didn't want to get burned out on that....Mr. Prata (24 different kinds!!)  No....not in the mood....Pho?  No.....we had a very unfortunate experience there a few weeks ago, and it will take me a while to muster the courage to go back (insert gagging noises here)  Pizza?  Nah...I needed to get out.  Lar was feeling under the weather, but he agreed to go out...so not wanting to go far, we decided to try something in our new neighborhood.  We chose Ivin's Peranakan restaurant, right up the road from us.  It was a surprisingly mild evening, so the short walk from the carpark was nice.  We even saw a few kitties, none as cute as Frank, but still cute.

I didn't know much about Peranakan food (check this link out, tells ya all about it), and knew only a little of the culture from my visit a few months ago to the Peranakan museum.  I knew it was a mixture of Maylaysian and chinese...and that's it.  Ivin's reminds me of a local italian joint in MI.....families were there, enjoying family style portions of comforting food their Mama's probably made.  It was cheap, cheerful, and even though we were the only Ang Mo's, we were warmly welcomed.  The food was DELISH!  I was trying to figure out a way to describe it yesterday....it didn't seem very chinese...more Malaysian, which is normally roti prata, nasi goreng , that kinda thing.  We ordered a chicken dish that came in a VERY hot ceramic crock (Lar burned his finger....poor guy was having a rough night) it was hunks of chicken in  a rich red, tomato-ey sauce.  Not spicy at first, but it did pack a punch after a few bites.  It was served with white rice.  There were 2 large 'rocks' in the dish...Larry this they are to cool the dish down, thrown in after it is cooked.  We ordered to vegetable dishes, both super yummy.  One was a large slab of sweet potato cooked in coconut sauce, with the sweet potato leaves ( you eat them!  yummy!!  and think how healthy!) and one random shrimp...it was my favorite.  Then a curried vegetable melange.  I t had cabbage in it, but I still liked it.  Lar really wasn't feeling well,so his opinion was a little skewed...he drank  few cups of tea, and ate about half of his dinner.  He was patient with my lip smaking and ooh-ing and aah-ing though.  He only rolled his eyes once...

I LOVED this place...we will for sure be making it one of our regular spots.  Oh, and it was CHEAP!!  We are finding that more and more...the more local restaurants in our new 'hood are cheaper, the food is fantastic, and though we may get a few looks, we are always welcomed.  I'm loving exploring our new surroundings, and getting a more 'real' feel for the people and culture of Singapore.

  Two thumbs way up from the Grulich's!

Random Frank

Happy 4th!

We spent the 4th of July at the American Association's annual party again this year.  It was even better this year to be able to share it with friends.  The fireworks were great this year, and I got a little weepy thinking of all my family and friends that are in Ludington (northern MI) for the annual week at Sauble Resort.  It's weird being so far away and not being able to go...even though this is my second year not going, it still seems weird, like a hunk of me is missing for a bit.  

We enjoyed the evening, laughing and chatting with our friends, and I even got to have a quick chat with a fellow Southfield-Lathrup High School Grad.  He owns Botak Jones, an american food restaurant here in Sing.  He was the first graduating class, and I followed 20 years later.  It was neat to touch base for a minute with a fellow charger.  It makes you realize just how small this crazy world really is.

Larry and I are going to a swim meet tonight for the Singapore Youth Games...hopfully I'll have some good pictures to post!  Have a good Sunday everyone!

Pretty In Pink

I've been doing lots of hair the past few weeks, and have been having fun getting to know new people.  A few brave clients have wanted pink ( ok, Leone was talked into it...).  It's been so fun to express my creativity and step out of the hair color box!

We've had a busy few weeks.  We had a party for Larry's work folks, so it has been a hub-bub of getting the house ready, food cooked ect.  I'll blog about that a little later.

Thanks for being so patient with this blog.  Things are good here, or at least better.  We are fine!  

xoxoxo

Pam

Good Things

I made myself think of five good things to be happy about this morning.  Lar and I have had some challenges these past few weeks.  I always struggle with keeping this blog all about the good stuff, or to just lay it all out there, the good, the bad and the real ugly.  We aren't quite ready to delve into the ugly, especially for the entire blogisphere to consume, so here are a five good things that are helping to keep my head above water.  We are fine, or will be. I'm sure I will share all the gory, fun-filled details at some point, but for now, please send us good vibes, and if you feel like it, swedish fish and copenhagen chewing tobacco (our own oral coping mechanisms of choice...yes, Larry's is gross.  Yes, mine will rot my teeth and brain and make my ass larger. We. Don't. Care.).

1. Yankee candles.  Yep, I pretty much lost my mind in Tang's department store.  I kept screaming " OH MY GOSH, THEY HAVE THE BIG JAR!!!"  Oh, the poor saleswoman....we shall not mention the price.  Suffice it to say, it was ugly...real, real ugly.  But...I. Don't. Care.  Sometimes, it's whatever will get you through that day, that moment and that breath.  
2. Golf balls.  Larry has taken golf back up, and that was to represent him getting clubs, balls, and me promising to get him a snazzy golf outfit (think Jackie Gleason....knickers, tam with large pom pom, and loud sweater to match.)  He's very excited.
3. The world's most darling pedicure 
4. Milk Dud's.  This is my movie stash.  Sarah brought these back from her trip to the states. I always sneak a little bag into the movies with me.  Someone, who shall remain nameless, recently pillaged my stash.  I threatened divorce, he just snickered and complained that his jaw hurt now.
5. Last, but certainly not least, my furbaby.  Frank the wonder cat....he is a big, fat furry band-aid on our hurting hearts right now.  If I could bottle his sweetness, I might be able to solve the crisis in the middle east.  Seriously.     
   

Any suggestions for a fun, singapore themed blog post?  Hit me with your best shot....my brain has shriveled from all the red dye #5 in the swedish fish.

Have a great weekend everyone!

xoxo

Pam

Random Frank

He loves his daddy-o

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

A Few Pictures To Appease