Aaah, Phuket

I can't believe I haven't posted yet about our great trip to Phuket, Thailand.  We had a Blast, and Larry spoiled me rotten for my birthday.  We had beautiful weather, loved the scenery, people and food.  We left Sing on March 20th, and returned on Monday the 24th.  We stayed at a cute little beach resort and spa, called the Absolute Sea Pearl.  It was tiny, maybe 50 rooms or so.

They spoke english, but we really did have a harder time understanding and communicating, than we do in Sing...see, already being spoiled for Singapore. 

We spent Thursday night, wandering around a little, and ended up back at our hotel for dinner. I was sooo excited to have Thai food in Thailand...and it was good, it really was...but...since it was a tourist area, it wasn't the "blow your face off" good I was expecting.  I love warmer foods (spicy) so I was ready....but for the most part I ended up adding chili to my dishes.  Still so good though. My favorite was tom ka gai, or coconut chicken curry soup.  Sooooo good. We also had some really good noodle dishes, and an excellent green curry one day for lunch.  We've heard that Bangkok has more "real" thai stuff to offer, and I'm really looking forward to having my face blown off.

On friday, we got up, had breakfast at our hotel (it was included) then covered our entire pasty bodies in 30 sunscreen, and hit the beach!  My idea of a good vacation is baking my brains in the sun, swimming, munching a little, then maybe a nap.  Larry is the opposite, he loves to explore, go and do, and of course, snap a gazillion pictures.  So, I was really impressed that he spent the day baking with me, and seemed to like it.  He did go off and explore the parasailing operation at the end of the beach, and of course made friends, but he spent a good portion just chillin with me.  I enjoyed snapping covert pictures of the numerous Russian and German tourists in "banana hammock" bathing suits (one of my favorite Friends episodes was when Pheobe decided she wanted to change her name to Banana hammock...until someone told her what it was) I amassed quite the collection...and am thankful my husband likes traditional bathing suits.  

Oh, and the women go topless there too, so a big hi-light for us was saying " geeeez...didn't need to see those topless".  I think there was only one or two times when Lar was glad the woman decided to flip her lid, so to speak.

After getting cleaned up, we roamed around a little, and did a little tourist shopping.  The sellers were ruthless...it was pretty funny.  One guy saw us coming and started yelling "Tailor, Tailor, come here, Tailor!"  And my wise ass husband yelled back "My name is Larry, not Taylor"  Once again, cracking us up, and no one else got it...oh well, good times.  Only one time did I feel like we were on the set of "broken down palace", when we took a turn down an alley, and all the "massage" parlors had girls lined up, propositioning men as they walked by.  I was a little nervous, but we high tailed it out of there, and all was fine.  I did yell at one guy, that was staring and laughing at us, then realized, "hhmmm...maybe I shouldn't smart off in Thailand".  A firm hand on the small of my back, and a rueful shake of his head, Larry just smiled, and said "C'mon, 313, let's go".  Once again, the cooler head prevails.  

We woke up early on Saturday morning to be picked up for a day tour we had booked to the Phi Phi islands by speedboat.  They take you by boat to the Phi Phi islands, Maya bay, Loh Samah Bay, monkey beach, lunch at PhiPhi Don island, and then snorkeling at Khai island.  It was a really fun day.  Parts of the movies The Beach, and James Bond were filmed there, so that was kinda neat.  My favorite was Khai island, one of the prettiest beaches I have ever seen. Awesome snorkeling too.  I had forgotten to bring the extra battery for the underwater camera (Larry has just started speaking to me again), so we only got a few shots of the fish, but it was pretty cool.  Lar saved the day by buying a couple of the disposable underwater cameras, so we think we have some good shots on there.  We saw a ton of sea urchins, loads of really colorful fish, and many, many banana hammocks.  It was a great day, really fun and action packed. Pinched my self a few times, to remind myself I was in Thailand, somewhere I never thought I'd visit.  We ventured out again that night, and had a really yummy dinner of hokkien noodles,and green and red curries.  Yumm-o.  Larry and I are usually pretty careful about not eating street food while we travel, but one man and his cart intrigued us so much, we both kinda looked at each other and said "what the heck!"  It was a crepe cart....adn you could pick your choice of fillings.  We chose nutella and banana.  I'm still thinking about it...it was so, so good!  Larry and I split one for dessert, and neither of us spoke for a while, just enjoyed the chocolate banana goodness, beautiful beach, and lazy vibes of being on vacation.

Sunday, we ventured to the beach again for a few hours, I swam and baked my brains, and Larry read and napped a little.  We were both sore from the extremely rough ride on the speedboat, so we laid low before out next adventure....a spa day!  As part of my birthday gift, Larry treated me to a spa package.  Never thought I'd say this, but being rubbed, scrubbed, and wrapped in cucumber by tiny thai women is right up there as one of my favorite things ever!  It was SO GREAT!  And the best part....my cute husband did it with me!  So fun!  He did the manly version, and wanted me to assure everyone he was very butch about the whole thing.  I did look over at one point at my beloved; wrapped in cucumber, and snickered a little. Too funny!  But he's all about new experiences and taking care of himself.  And really, when you're in Thailand, you kinda have to get a massage...it's the law.  So after 5 hours of all that we were pretty useless, and just ordered room service from the hotel.  More thai, of course.

All in all, it was a wonderful trip, and we really liked the laid back, sweet vibe of the people. We liked it better than Bali!  The people seemed happier, and  things were calmer.  Hopefully we'll go back someday.

We're getting ready for me to go to Michigan in a few weeks, to start our home leave.  I've been cooking meals and freezing single servings for Lar, though I think I'll probably come home to a full freezer of single serving meals.  ha!  I'm looking soooo forward to seeing my family and friends, and of course, all my peeps at Target.  Larry said the last time he was in the states, they had missing posters posted all over with my picture on it.  It'll be good to see everyone and we have lots of fun side trips planned too! (I get to squeeze and kiss Annabella till she shoves me away!  YAY!!  You too Ryan!)  I get to resume my position on Deb's couch(and be hugged till I barf...I've been warned), and hang with my parent's up-north.  We're going to NYC with Gary and Beka, for a Yankees game, and Chicago for a Cubs game.  Sarah Burke might get to see her first love (Uncle Larry), and I get to attend Mays Berkshire Bookclub Meeting.  Fun stuff coming up!  I might not post for a while, but I'll be back!

Miss and love you all!

xoxoxo

Pam

Fruit Of The Month

Hi everyone!

The fruit of the month for March is the Passion fruit, or Markisa.  You've probably got a beauty product in your house that smells like it, but I doubt most of you have ever seen one in person. I know I ever had, before moving here.  When the fruit is just picked, it's actually kind of pretty, it's a firm, round purplish fruit, but when you let it ripen, it gets all wrinkly and brown, like my feet after being in the pool too long.  Like with most new fruits and veggies here, I never know what I'm gonna get, and I'm usually stunned into silence for a few minutes.  When I went to cut into the passion fruit, I had to use the serrated knife, and almost saw it open.  Then the wonderful smell hit me...a cross between a lemon, grapefruit and kiwi, it smells amazing!  But then I opened it....and a bunch of gelatinous seeds spilled out.  So weird, but strangely delicious. I didn't know what to do with it, so I threw it into a smoothie, and fed it to the bear I awakened from hibernation (Larry, on night shift...scary stuff, that!)  it was yummy, and it's one of my favorite new breakfasts.  So, if you happen to see some, give it a try!  Passion fruit, not just for beauty products anymore!

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