Friday, February 1, 2008
I've joined the ranks (Mom, don't read this)
Yep. I joined in the insane practice of walking when it's lightening out with an umbrella. Now, mind you, I had no other choice - but that didn't lessen the insaneness of it. I've been casually observing this practice from my window thinking, "NO way!" "Why would anyone with a brain hold onto a metal umbrella out in the open when it's lightening out!" Well, let me tell you I spent about 2 minutes on the phone to Ryan asking him to pray for me and about 15 minutes dashing from shelter to shelter praying hard that God would keep us safe! And I'm here to say that he did. And I hope that I never have to do that again!!
Monday, January 28, 2008
A Singapore Day
Whew! I had a frustrating day today which a friend told me is called a "Singapore Day." She also said that there are more to come:( It started with my sending an SMS (text message) to Ryan that said "I love you and am thinking of you today." I realized an hour later that I had sent it to another person - someone we met through a friend. How embarrassing! I called him and left a message saying, "I'm SO sorry - you probably think that I'm the most forward person you have ever met!" Thankfully he called back and said that he realized I had sent that message to the wrong person. Shrink, shrink! Anyway, I tried to meet one of Kenton's room moms this morning at Starbucks and was at the wrong one - I found out that there are four Starbucks in one shopping complex - and paid a taxi fare that was twice what I expected just to get there. After coffee I needed to head up to the school and decided the MRT would be the cheapest way. The mom I met for coffee advised me to take a taxi over to the MRT but I decided that since I could see the station from where I was I would just walk - I should have listened to her! After walking, and walking, and walking and going up and down 10 different escalators - no lifts were to be found - and backtracking like crazy, I finally arrived there. By this time I knew I was seriously late in meeting the next person so I called and told her I would be late. She said that she would just pick me up at the MRT - but I got off at the wrong MRT. ARGGHH! That's when I was informed that I was having a "Singapore Day!" It didn't end there but I won't bore you with anymore details...just suffice it to say that we are going out for supper tonight and than to bed early! Tomorrow's another day:)
On a happier note we went to the Singapore Botanical Gardens yesterday with our new friend Gina. I have posted a few pictures below!
We stopped behind a waterfall (man made) for a few minutes of cool! The umbrella's have been needed as much for shade from the sun as they have for the rain.
On a happier note we went to the Singapore Botanical Gardens yesterday with our new friend Gina. I have posted a few pictures below!
Gina and Ethan became instant friends:)
We stopped behind a waterfall (man made) for a few minutes of cool! The umbrella's have been needed as much for shade from the sun as they have for the rain.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
I FOUND A WAL-MART!!!!
Well, it's the European version - Carrefour - and it's not quite as big but it's the first one stop shopping that I've seen since we got here!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Ummmm...
One might wonder how a 5 year old got out of the house this am with her PE shirt on backwards...than again is WAS before 7am...
Thursday, January 24, 2008
MRT
Ethan and I had a high adventure today! I took a taxi up to SAS this morning to meet with Kaitlyn's teacher and to go to the PTA new parent welcome. I paid about S$23 for the fare up there - now I had a problem - I didn't have enough cash to get home as I was expecting the fare to be S$20 or less each way. I couldn't find an ATM so I decided to find an alternate way home. You can use a credit card but there is an extra fee attached (of course!) Anyway, I ended up walking about 10 minutes to a bus stop which took me to the nearest MRT (Train/Subway) station. Ryan had bought me an EZLink card last week for that purpose. I found the correct train that would take me to Dhoby Ghaut where I would need to catch a second train. On the second train I was able to get off at Clark Quay and walk about 10 minutes home. I didn't time the ride but I'd say that total it's about 30 minutes (not counting walking and bus.) It was stressful for the first 10 minutes because Ethan was screaming - I knew that he had a bad diaper rash but there was NOTHING I could do about it right than - I felt so bad. Most people had looks on their faces like, "Oh Great!" A few were nice and smiled! I was feeling really self conscious between that and being the ONLY Caucasian aboard when a woman and two children boarded. They were really nice and wanted to know all about where I was from and Ethan. God knew when to send someone so I didn't feel like a complete outsider! The EZLink card is really easy to use - you swipe it over a reader when you board a bus and when you get off and when you enter a train station and when you leave at your last stop. Guess what my total fare home was? Around S$2.00!! It's a little longer but MUCH cheaper so guess what I'm using from now on when I can?
:)
Just a funny note: Ethan likes to watch this video and he repeats sound for sound everything he hears! It's hilarious to see him get a kick out of watching himself and "talking back!" - especially the tongue clicking in the middle of the video:)
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
More On CNY
The following is quoted from Living in Singapore, A Reference Guide by the American Association of Singapore.
"Depending on the lunar calendar, which follows the cycles of the moon and has 354 days, except during leap years, Chinese New Year falls sometime between January 21 and February 19, each year. The new year is greeted with much rejoicing and celebrations continue for 15 days. For many days prior to CNY's Day families are busy cleaning and decorating their homes and shopping for special foods such as waxed ducks, Chinese sausages, fresh fish, barbequed pork, mandarin oranges, and traditional cakes and biscuits.
"On CNY's Eve the very important main event is the family reunion dinner. After dinner parents give their children red packets or "hong bao," which contain money. It is considered good luck for the children to stay up late to herald in the new year ith their parents.
"CNY's Day is a time to reaffirm ties with family and friends. Some also offer prayers to deities and ancestors. The first two days of the 15 day celebration are spent visiting relatives and feasting. For this happy, festive occasion people wear new clothes in auspicious colors such as red, pink, or gold.
"Red scrolls and banners bearing the greeting, "Gong Xi Fa Cai," which means, "Wishing You Great Prosperity," decorate homes and businesses. Many households bear a sign with the Chinese character "Fu," which means "Luck." It may be hung upside down in the belief that good luck will come upon the household. As gestures of good luck children and unmarried people receive "hong bao" from married, older poeple. Mandarin oranges, which symbolize completeness and good fortune, are exchanged between hosts and guests. Both the money and mandarins are given in even numbers for good luck.
"During this time unlucky words are not spoken and brooms are not used to avoid sweeping away good luck. While most people in Singapore resume business on the third day, which is considered unlucky for visiting, festivities continue until Chap Goh Mei, the fifteenth night. Special dishes are served throughout the fesetival including "yu sheng," a raw fish salad which symbolizes prosperity and abundance.
"Towards the end of the celebration the colorful and popular Chingay Procession of floats, marching bands and cultural dances is held. Chingay means the art of masquerading. The parade has been held annually since the early 1970's andis now televised live. It is quite a spectacular, muliticultural celebration.
"The Chinese lunar calendar is a sixty-year cycle. Years have names that are repeated every 60 years. Each year is represented by one of 12 animals, which, much like the Western zodiac, is said to influence the life and character of the people born during that year. Legend is that the Buddha called all animals together one new year and, as a reward, a year was named after the first twelve animals to arrive. The years fall in the order the animals appeared."
*************************************************************************************
As in interesting side note this is the order of the animals, "Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Boar." I'm guessing that if you visit a Chinese restaurant around CNY this year you will see the red decorations and maybe the signs for good luck and prosperity...order some stir fry and think of us:) BTW: Some of the traditions mentioned above are probably unique to Singapore like the parade and the businesses being re-opened on the third day. I'm wondering if in China it's different.
"Depending on the lunar calendar, which follows the cycles of the moon and has 354 days, except during leap years, Chinese New Year falls sometime between January 21 and February 19, each year. The new year is greeted with much rejoicing and celebrations continue for 15 days. For many days prior to CNY's Day families are busy cleaning and decorating their homes and shopping for special foods such as waxed ducks, Chinese sausages, fresh fish, barbequed pork, mandarin oranges, and traditional cakes and biscuits.
"On CNY's Eve the very important main event is the family reunion dinner. After dinner parents give their children red packets or "hong bao," which contain money. It is considered good luck for the children to stay up late to herald in the new year ith their parents.
"CNY's Day is a time to reaffirm ties with family and friends. Some also offer prayers to deities and ancestors. The first two days of the 15 day celebration are spent visiting relatives and feasting. For this happy, festive occasion people wear new clothes in auspicious colors such as red, pink, or gold.
"Red scrolls and banners bearing the greeting, "Gong Xi Fa Cai," which means, "Wishing You Great Prosperity," decorate homes and businesses. Many households bear a sign with the Chinese character "Fu," which means "Luck." It may be hung upside down in the belief that good luck will come upon the household. As gestures of good luck children and unmarried people receive "hong bao" from married, older poeple. Mandarin oranges, which symbolize completeness and good fortune, are exchanged between hosts and guests. Both the money and mandarins are given in even numbers for good luck.
"During this time unlucky words are not spoken and brooms are not used to avoid sweeping away good luck. While most people in Singapore resume business on the third day, which is considered unlucky for visiting, festivities continue until Chap Goh Mei, the fifteenth night. Special dishes are served throughout the fesetival including "yu sheng," a raw fish salad which symbolizes prosperity and abundance.
"Towards the end of the celebration the colorful and popular Chingay Procession of floats, marching bands and cultural dances is held. Chingay means the art of masquerading. The parade has been held annually since the early 1970's andis now televised live. It is quite a spectacular, muliticultural celebration.
"The Chinese lunar calendar is a sixty-year cycle. Years have names that are repeated every 60 years. Each year is represented by one of 12 animals, which, much like the Western zodiac, is said to influence the life and character of the people born during that year. Legend is that the Buddha called all animals together one new year and, as a reward, a year was named after the first twelve animals to arrive. The years fall in the order the animals appeared."
*************************************************************************************
As in interesting side note this is the order of the animals, "Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Boar." I'm guessing that if you visit a Chinese restaurant around CNY this year you will see the red decorations and maybe the signs for good luck and prosperity...order some stir fry and think of us:) BTW: Some of the traditions mentioned above are probably unique to Singapore like the parade and the businesses being re-opened on the third day. I'm wondering if in China it's different.
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