Day 29 and 30- Monday and Tuesday-29 and 30 August 2011

We have been here for 4 weeks.  Can't you believe it?  It's beginning to feel like we live here now.  Finally got to meet Chris Covington today.  She drove to the city from the Woodlands to go to lunch.  She just got back in the from the states Saturday night or Sunday morning.  It was like being back in civilization having someone pick me up in a car that wasn't a taxi.  She drives around so well, but she's been here for a while and she was in England for a year before that.  She had a GPS system in the car and that even helped me to know kind of where I was going.  I say kind of loosely.  It still all looks the same in the city. 

We went to a place called Red Dot Brewhouse on Dempsey Hill.  That apparantly is where the ex-pats go tot eat out.  There are several restaurants there, carpet shops, furniture shops, baking shops and other various shops that you can find things that aren't just anywhere in this town.  They do need a mexican food place.  The one on Dempsey Hill is called Margarita's and it is upscale and expensive and still doesn't have "real" cheap mexican food like we have at home. Red Dot was really nice.  It was located in an old Black and White house that had been renovated into a restaurant and brewery.  It was open air though.  The big hug trees hanging down  were gorgeous.  Sorry but I didn't take any pictures this time.  I was too busy talking with Chris about everything.  Maybe I'll get some next time we go.  And I'm sure we will go back to Dempsey Hill for lots of things. 

We got back just in time to meet Elliott from the bus.  He and I went to Novena  and picked up a few things at the store.  Elliott went out later with his friends.  They were going to Dempsey Hill for dinner and go to Clarke Quay later.  Elliott has learned that you don't put in any more money than what you bought or you will never see it again.  Ernie and I went to Somerset and walked around there until most of the restaurants had a line at them.  We settled for a little place called F.I.S.H.  It was okay but I don't think I'd go there again. 

The reason we all went out last night was because it was a holiday Tuesday.  It was Hari Raya.  It's like our Eid Al Fider (sp?) The Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan on this day.  Most of them go to other families houses to have feasts.  After a month of eating only at night, I would be starving too. I would eat all day long also. 

Today, we went to the Woodlands to take a few things up for the big move.  We also got some cleaning supplies at the mall so we could clean the refrigerator. That frig will never see another cleaning like it for three years.  (That's hopefully when we leave)  We didn't get much else done as we needed to get back to the city for dinner and Elliott had a little homework.  We also made rough sketches of the layout of the place, so we can have an idea of where to tell them to put the furniture when it comes Thursday.  And I did count the number of steps up to Elliott's room.  There are 32. I don't think I'll want to do that too many times during a day.  And I do know that when we come back, we're buying a single story house if we can find one.  We may even build one. 

We got back to the compartment and ran out again to get something to eat.  Of course, this time we had our morning stroll to the MRT and another mall.  I just don't see how they can justify having so many malls.  Luckily, the one that we went to tonight was very crowded.  It's called Wheelock Place or Plaza or something like that.  We went to a Japanese restaurant that Ernie had eaten at before.  It was called Sun with Moon.  I found something that I would eat.  Fried noodles with pork in it.  Of course, it turned out looking more like bacon to me, so I pulled half of it out of the dish.  The guys like Japanese food, so they had no problem picking something to eat.

On the way back to the MRT, we stopped at a store to get some sparkling water for Elliott.  I have to show you what I saw.  It is called perfect or near perfect fruit. But look carefully at the price. 

Yes, you are reading correctly !! 69$, not cents.  They are huge grapes and they have no blemishes.  I would love to have tried one, but at that price, it would have been 1$ a grape.  I don't think I'll be buying any of those.  I need other things more than that. I looked for some beef to make chicken fried steak with.  Elliott wants some so bad.  He's told his friends here about it and they want some also. I can't imagine never having eaten chicken fried steak.

Back to the compartment.  And down for the night.  School and work day tomorrow. I need to find the post office and mail a few things back home and I need to set up the cable and internet installation date.  They have us set up for Sept. 9, but that is too far away.  We didn't expect to be moving in this quickly when we set up the time.  Internet is a must.  We need to stay connected.  But, if I can't get it until Sept 9, then I'll have to take a cab to the Starbuck's in the mall or something.  TV, I can do without.  There's not much on anyway.  All I want for Christmas is a Slingbox, Santa.  Seriously !!

Better get to sleep.  It's nearly midnight and I'll be up at 6:15 to make sure Elliott get's on the bus.  Luckily, this only has to happen 3 more days.  Then he gets to sleep until 6:30 when we are in the house and leave the house at 7:30.  I'm wondering what he does if it's pouring down rain outside.  Take a taxi??

Goodnight to all and love you lots,

Trece

Day 27 and 28- Saturday and Sunday- 27-28 August 2011

It was a pretty dull weekend.  We sat around most of the morning trying to watch news of the hurricane.  We wanted to make sure Ernie's brother was going to be okay in Connecticut.  It's very hard to get local news over here.  We get CNN International which luckily is broadcasting the storm because it's supposed to affect New York.  But that is it.  If it isn't really big, we won't know about it.  We heard about Steve Jobs, the earthquake and the hurricane.  We watched most of the day Sunday to see what's happening.  Lori let us know that by mid morning, only one branch had fallen. 

We got out yesterday to see if we could find a vacuum cleaner.  With Chris's help we found some places to try and look.  Of course, we rode the MRT to Somerset and went to a place called Courts.  They had a few brands, mainly, Phillips and Dyson.  They were all canisters.  Kinda wimpy looking too.  But of course they don't have the thick carpets that we do, so it doesn't have to be big.  We didn't like the looks of those, so we got back on the MRT and charted new territory.  We went closer to Marina Bay on the Circle Line to Promenade MRT.  Guess what was just up the escalator.  Yep. Another mall !!  Millenia Mall.  Nice and new.  Very clean.  But everything here is pretty clean.  Up the escalator and into a store called Harvey Norman.  The salesman was very good.  We bought a vacuum that is virtually silent.  But it has great suction power.  They don't have beater bars on the end like our old one, but we only need it for 3 years.  $350 Singapore.  Electrolux.  I haven't heard that name in years. We now have a vacuum cleaner. 

As we were looking for the vacuum, we ran across an Outback Steakhouse.  Elliott is looking for a chicken fried steak.  Ha Ha.  We were about to have to eat outside because they were full, but luckily someone left.  As we were walking in, we noticed several empty tables.  They had cards on them saying that these tables had reservations.  Reservations at an Outback?  Seriously?  I guess for beef, it wasn't bad.  For $37, you could get prime rib, ribeye or any other cut of meat.  It didn't matter what it was.  I think all their beef is flown in from Australia. Maybe Melanie can pack a cooler for me when she comes.  The baked potato was wonderful.  Haven't had one since we left.  Too hard to find.  And refills.  Free refills on all our drinks and water without even asking.  We will go back just for that.

Of course, with it being Saturday night, Elliott left after eating with us and met some friends and went to one of the boys' house to watch movies.  He got home at midnight.  I was afraid that the MRT was going to shut down.  He had taken a cab though.   Luckily, they are very inexpensive. 

Sunday wasn't much different than Saturday.  We all played with our technology and watched the hurricane news.  Rode the train to Dhoby Ghaut and ate and went to the market.  Picked up some things for sandwiches. 

Tomorrow is laundry day and Tuesday is another holiday.  It's Hari Raya.  It's like our Eid at home.  They do have more holidays than we do.  That's good.  I'm going to need them.

Much love to all and I'll fill you in on Hari Raya.  I may shop tomorrow before the party starts.

Trece

Today wasn't much more exciting.   

Day 25 and 26 Thursday and Friday- 25 and 26 August 2011

Thursday was a really lazy day.  I just sat around and did laundry all morning.  Still didn't catch up. 

Elliott had a good day at school.  I hate to say this, but he felt better after he knew an answer in Calc and a Korean kid was arguing that he had it wrong.  It made him feel really good that a Senior Korean in his class was wrong and he was right.  We told him that it probably humiliated him for life.  That goes on a lot at this school as many kids are asians that got in on grades and money and aren't even american.  They are trying to keep their academic standards high.  I guess this makes the "lazy american" work or go down in flames. 

We went out to the Woodlands to check up on the house with the real estate lady.  We made the final walk through.  They did fix the newel post on the first floor landing. It was so wobbly that anyone would have fallen if they had grabbed it.  I wonder what they three boys did to it when they were living there.  Everything else was okay except the kitchen sink.  It looks like somebody poured acid in it.  I think it's made out of corian.  I'll definitely will need to put mats at the bottom of the sink.  Luckily, I think we brought one just to fit. 

I do need to buy something that will add some cabinet and counter space in the kitchen.  It has a lot of room in the kitchen but very little counter space.  I forgot to tell you that we have propane over here for our stoves.  Yes, we use a huge four or five gallon propane tank for the stove.  Gas is not piped in.  It has a big old "Esso" sign on it, so I guess I should be happy that at least they use Exxon materials.  If it runs out in the middle of cooking, you just call the guy and he'll be around in a few hours.  can you believe.  My luck, I'll be in the middle of a big Thanksgiving dinner and it will run out.  I hear that you can get a real Turkey from Mr. Ho at school to cook for Thanksgiving.  I've heard that he will cook it for you also. 

We have word that our shipment will arrive the 28th.  They told us that we will be able to move in Sept. 1 and 2.  I can't wait to see my stuff.  I heard that they come in and unpack everything and put it where you want it.  I think I'll have them put my kitchen stuff in the dining room and I'll put it away as I can.  I brought shelf plaster cover and I want to put that down first.  I do dread buying all the stuff that goes in the kitchen like staples and stuff for the frig.  We threw away and gave away a lot of stuff. 

I'll fill you in on how that goes next week.  Luckily, we have a party to go to Saturday night so we won't be doing unpacking everyday. 

Friday, I rode a cab with Joelle to my first EME (Exxon Mobil Expat) meeting.  It was a Welcome party for all the new members to meet the old members.  It felt like my Women's party except we were inside.  It was in the Woodlands just down the hill and around the corner from our new place.  There were probably 30 women there.  I think there were at least 5 new women.  I had heard of several from Ernie mentioning their husbands names.  It was a really nice party.  We had a little game "Two truths and a lie."  You had to write down 2 truths about yourself and 1 lie.  There were several interesting things that I found out about some of them.  One that I put down was that I made a mean chicken salad.  Several said this was my lie and that I don't cook.  Well, I guess I'll have to make my chicken salad for something.  

Everyone asked where I was moving to and I said "around the corner and up the hill to 1 Oakwood Grove."  The ones that live in the Woodlands said " Great, that's the one with the really big kitchen."   I guess I can host a cooking class meeting in my kitchen.  I told them that Ernie picked out the place and they were all shocked that I let Ernie pick it out without me.  I told them that he is pickier than I am.  I'm sure that we will be happy here.

During the party, several were talking about what we miss the most in the states and unanimously it was decided that we all wanted to get in a car and drive and take care of all the errands that we wanted to and finish up at the grocery store and bring it all home at one time.  Shopping here is a real pain.  I'm not sure how many of them drive.  If you live in the city, there is really no need to drive if you live near an MRT.  If you are in the Woodlands, it's good to be able to drive at least one day a week.  I have a year to get my license.  They only have a written test.  It's multiple choice.  I was told that the language is tricky, otherwise, I should be able to pass.  There is one question that says "If you are prone to excessive giddiness, should you drive?"  Seriously !! Giddiness?  I should be able to pass this.  I think I'll just drive around the Woodlands though.  It's smaller.  Unfortunately, they are not very creative with street names.  In the area where I am, the names are Ashwood Grove, Beechwood Grove, Oakwood Gove, Woodgrove Ave, etc.  In the town area of Woodlands, the names are Woodlands Ave. 1,3,5, 41, etc.  Why don't they just call them Ave. one, three, and five?

We had a meeting and discussed what the up coming events of the group were.  Next Saturday, we are having a Wine and Chees Party with the spouses at one of the black and white houses owned by Ann Lockett.  She apparently is a local antiques dealer.  Ernie said the men at work cringe when you mention her name because she will sell anything in her house at the price.  I can't wait.  We'll need the break from unpacking and I hope she has a "pie crust table."  I've been looking for one for years.    The next event is a Carpet Auction.  I can't wait for that.  We need carpets as I already hate these marble floors.  Too cold and too hard.  I only have two now and I think I'll need 4 or 5 big ones and some smaller ones for the door and other places.  All that "extra money" we're making will go for carpets.

We left the party about 1:30 and rode the MRT back.  That was an experience.  It was packed and it did not have many ex-pats on it.  And it was a long ride. I got off at Novena and picked up some snacks for Elliott to eat when he got home.  Finally made it back to the compartment around 3.  Made my usual walk down to meet Elliott at 4.  He had another good day and already had plans to meet with his friends back at the Woodlands to shop and go to a school dance.  He left at 5. 

I read a little and played on the computer a little waiting for Ernie to get home.  We decided that we would just eat what we had in the fridge and not go out.  Elliott got home around 11.  He and two other boys shared a cab back from the Woodlands.  He said that it was the best school dance that he had ever been to.  That is a good sign.  He's been enjoying Tech Theater too.  His teacher is new this year and he is glad to have Elliott because he knows a lot about the Theater business.  I'm not sure if that's a good idea.  But at least, it keeps him busy. 

Off to bed. Good night to all.  Hope you all had a great first week of school.  I don't miss school, but I do miss you !!

Much love to all,

Trece

Not sure what the

Day 24- Wednesday-24 August 2011

Well, it's hump day.  And I'm headed to the American Club with Joelle to join the American Women's Association.  We rode a taxi so that we were not sweaty when we got there.  There were many taxis waiting to drop everyone off.  Guess they all had the same idea. 

Saw a couple of ladies that are in Orchard Scotts with me.  One of them is my neighbor across the hall.  She's from Colorado.  As you went in, you were handed white beads if you were new and pink beads if you were returning.  Of course the first room was for sign up.  I knew that they offered several things that I wanted to do, so I gave them my info and my money and signed up.  I am a member. 

We went into a large room with an inner box like row of tables and an outer row of tables.  Each of those tables had something to do or join.  There were quilting groups, scrapbooking groups, table with tours, tables with bunco, mah jong, tables with choirs, tables with movie groups, tables with Breat Cancer walks, tables with aiding young girls that have been abused, tables with Carpet Tour Sells, many more tables and lots of food.  We signed up for more than we will ever do, but at least we will get the information about them if we want to do them. 

As we were mingling, I met the Joelle pointed out the ambassador's wife.  I introduced myself and mentioned that I had heard her son was working on his Eagle.    Of course, I mentioned that Elliott had just gotten his and that our boys should meet each other and talk about their experiences.  Is this considered a "connection?" 

We dropped into a small room off the big room to find someone that Joelle was looking for.  In there were 4 tables for signing up for various tennis groups.  We looked at each other and said "no." 
We left after that and walked to a place down the stree,t or I think it was down the stree,t to eat lunch.
Went to a new MRT station and a new mall.  It was a very nice place.  We had dumplings, fried triangle things, fried rice and something else that I don't remember.  It was all very good. 

Here we went our separate ways.  Joelle went home to take a nap and I headed off to the store.  Trying to think of something different, I decided that I would try some stir fry stuff.  I had made some at home a long time ago.  I picked up cabbage, pork, oil, soy sauce and  peas.  I also picked up some chicken and some bacon for later.  That was enough to carry home.  It was heavy and my arms were already full with my purse and my goody bag from the meeting.  Made it home around 2.  Just enough time to take a cat nap before Elliott comes home. 

I want to show you a few things that I haven't shown you.  First of all - my new hairdo. 

Short-Isn't it

Next I would like to show you my money.  It reminds me of play monopoly money.  Some even have clear parts to them.   They are different colors, so it makes it easy to keep it separated and neat in my wallet. 

I tried to turn it around but it had it's own mind



Now here's a funny story.  Ernie asked at work last week if they had a  notepad that he could have to take some notes about various things.  Here's what they handed him. 

Compare it to the remote size

Really???  I would have given anything to see the look on his face when they handed it to him.  Now in comparison.  Here is the Composition book that Elliott bought for physics for a couple of dollars. 

Crazy Thing turned side ways again

His composition book is actually bound and the pages are numbered.  I don't know if I told you that their regular paper is longer than ours.  Elliott bought all new binders and paper at the Booster Booth today.  I guess I wasted all that air freight room on paper and binders. 

Later, I attempted to cook stir fry in an 8 inch frying pan.  Cooked the pork first, then the peas, then threw in the cabbage.  Cooked the rice in the cooker and had to blend it on our own plates.  Did I say that I missed my kitchen stuff. 

Washing another load to try and stay caught up. Ha Ha. 

Better go for now.  We'll see what tomorrow brings. 

Much love, Trece

Day 23- Tuesday- 23 August 2011

Usual wake-up time.  6:15. 

Today, I'm headed to get my hair done.  This is really scarey.  I have an appointment at 10  a.m. at Sabun Cabanne.  It's in Tanglin Mall which is where all the expats hang out if you want to see them or if you want to get anything american like. 

As I went in, I was seated at a short sit down chair (not like the American pump-up chairs).  My hair colorist, Danny, came in and we discussed what color I wanted.  I showed him Kelly's recipe that she had written down for me. It meant very little to him since he was using German products.  He told me to keep it and we would look at color swatches.  He picked 3 colors.  While he was painting on the color like Kelly does, a sweet young girl (looked like Mariah Casteneda) started on my pedicure.  This was wonderful.  As Danny finished up, he put a dryer looking think that went round and round behind my head and it had heat coming out of it.  She continued to do my pedicure while my hair was cooking.  Kelly-it never started hurting before it was through cooking.  She slipped on the little thongs over my feet and I was off to the wash bowl.  What a head and neck massage she gave me.  I was nearly asleep!!

Headed back to my chair and Adrian met me there.  He started drying my hair and then started cutting it.  He called it texturizing.  It looked like thinning shears to me.  But I don't know.  He angled up the back off my neck.  After losing about half my hair, he said -do you like it?  I'm only 50% through.    I couldn't imagine losing more.  It's actually the same on top but shorter. 

I love the color, but I think the cut is too short for me.  If I put it behind my ears, it reminds me of when I had a pixie cut in 1st grade.  He said that I didn't need a cut for about 6 weeks.  I'm thinking that it may be longer.  Like when I see Kelly in December.  I will need color though. 

Of course Ernie came in just now and said that he liked it.  To keep getting it cut this way.  We'll see. 
Are you sitting down?  Let me tell you total bill.  Kelly obviously doesn't charge enough.  My bill was $284 Singapore dollars.  You can close your mouth now.  I did walk back instead of taking a cab.  I walked about 1/4 mile and rode the MRT home.  I think I've saved enough by not owning a car.  And it feels good too. 

When I got back I started back on the laundry and I'm still working on it.  Tomorrow, I'm going to my first American Women's Association meeting at the American Club.  I'm going with Joelle Guillfoyle.  We're meeting at Novena MRT.  Then we're taking a taxi from there.  We don't want to look drippy and sweaty our first meeting of the year.  I'll let you know how it goes. 

Need to get Ernie and Elliott something for dinner.

Love to all,
Trece

Day 22- Monday-22 August 2011

Laundry!!!

Take each of those piles and divide it by two and multiply by at least 45 minutes each for washing and 100 or so minutes for drying.  (I don't dry things very often.)

That's all I did today.  I did make some pasta and some sauce with sausage in it. 

Nothing to write home about.

Trece

Day 21- Sunday- 21 August 2011

Lazy morning. Ernie didn't have a very good night.  The hummus  and olive dips didn't agree with him.  I don't think I'v ever seen him so sick.  He says that he feels much better.  I sure hope it's not his gallbladder.  Would sure hate to use his holiday time to have surgery.  I think for now, he'll just have to watch what he eats. 

 Elliott's doing homework.  We're trying to get ready to check on the house.  Moving kinda slowwwww.  Elliott got to see his rooms for the first time.  I say rooms because he actually has three on the third floor.  One for his bed.  One for his desk and stuff to study and the other of course is the huge playroom.  He's already decided to set up a projector on one end and the tv will be somewhere in between and there will be room to spare.  We think our breakfast room table will have to go up there since our dining room table will be on the first floor.  We may have to settle with the "old brown" couch on the second floor with us and the blue chairs.  Oh, I just forgot that we bought the Lazy Boy chairs.  Those are definitely going on the 2nd floor den with us and the tv armoire.  Elliott can have the old brown couch and blue chairs.    I hate to have the movers carry those two armoires any higher than the second floor.  It will be bad enough to get them up there. 

We definitely decided that we need to do some landscaping outside.  Our place looks like it had not every had anything done to it.  That will give us something to do.  It's not big, but it will look good.  I'll post pictures when we tackle that job. 

We had lunch at McDonalds at the Civic Center.  And you have no idea how good that tastes to us.  I think Ernie and Elliott would eat the local food but they know that I don't really care for it.  I did find a place nearby that has some Vietnamese spring rolls.  I hope they live up to Kim Son's. 

Off to the market in the mall.  We ended up with two baskets full.  Fruit, Chicken, Stuff for Pasta.  Cereal. I keep looking for Hot Pockets, but they just don't seem to have them.  I did find Lean Cuisine.  But for $10 each, I can eat something else or cook it my self. 

As we were checking out, Elliott noticed something on top of the stand that we could candy and gum.  Well they don't have gum. They have condoms here.  Yes-Condoms.  All kinds.   I can't believe.  I definitely gave him the evil eye.

We arrived back at the apartment to head out for another trip.  Elliott wanted to look at speakers for his playroom.  So he found "the mall" to look for them.  It's called Sim Lim Center.  It's in Little India.  And we can walk.  Road the train and with one switch at Dhoby Ghaut.  It was hard to find as it was six floors high.  Six Floors of Electronics, Computers, Etc. Etc. And of course we had to look at every floor.  I don't know how they survive.  They all carry the same think.  It's not like they are big huge stores like Frys.  There are booths the size of my classroom or smaller.  My feet were killing me by the time we got to the top.  My feet still hurt after nearly a day. I thought Skeechers (sp.?) were supposed to be comfortable.  Well the pair that I have aren't.  Does anyone want them?

Made it back to the apartment about 7 and started the rice to cook for dinner.  The rice is really good here.  Of course, there are about 100 different kinds. 

Tomorrow I have to do laundry.  I think it will take a couple of days again.  I don't know why I don't do some every day.  I just forget.  I hate to leave the piles out on the floor to remind, but I guess that's what it is going to take to remind me. 

Better go for now.  Get ready for a new week of adventure.  See what suprises it holds. 

Love to all,
Trece

Day 20- Saturday- 20 August 2011

This morning sure came early after staying up so late trying to get tickets home.  Piddled around here most of the morning.  Ernie and I went to Novena to pick up his shirts at the laundry, had a little lunch and came back.  You should have seen the looks that he got on the way back on the train holding his shirts on the hangers.  I'm not sure whether they were wondering why he didn't have his "helper" carrying them or whether they thought "how dare he carry those on the train." 

It was time to try again and make reservations on the airline.  With me on the computer and Ernie calling out all the information, we got through without being timed out.  The time came to put in our credit card stuff and push the button.  Please let it work.  If it didn't work we were going to the office of Sing Air personally.  Holding our breath, I pushed the button and it worked.  Yeah!!!  We have reservations to come home Dec. 17.  I really can't believe that it worked, but I sure was glad that it did. 

Later in the afternoon, Elliott left to meet some of his friends at the movie at Somerset.  I sure hope he can find his way.  We haven't been there.  Ern and I waited around and headed out to a place called Robertson Quay.  It's next to Clarke Quay but not so touristy.  Too many people at Clarke Quay at night.   As we were walking along the Singpore River, we entered an under the bridge walkway ( kind of like the ones at San Antonio but bigger).  Ernie showed me a sign that he had told me about back at home.  It's the one where it tells you not to ride bikes there and that the fine is $1000.  He was correct in saying that there was no mistake with the decimal.  I won't be riding my bike there. 

Can you believe?  Of course I came to understand very quickly why they do this.  I was nearly run down with a bunch of kids on those scooters.  Kids !!

We stopped and ate at a place called Boom a Rang.  Yes, it was an australian restaurant.  They have kangaroo to eat but we didn't get any this time since Elliott wasn't with us.  We got some pita chips and turkish breads with spreads and a lamb and mushroom pizza that was great.  We ordered too much food.  We actually for the first time got to bring food home.  And it was reasonable. 

It wasn't too much of a hike back to the MRT but when food starts kicking in on a late night, we were exhausted.  I haven't shown you any pictures of the MRT that we ride.  It's so clean.  Sometimes empty and sometimes packed.  

Clarke Quay Train Platform

Train at Dhoby Ghaut More Crowded

Inside the Train-"Mind the Gap" or Behr-hati-hati

Our Stop-Newton Station above the Platform

It's alwasy nice to get back to our compartment especially after a long walk.  Now to see if we can stay awake until Elliott gets back.  I better call him and tell him to hurry up and get home.

Good Night to all,

Trece



Friday-Day 19- 19 August 2011

Great day today.  Met a new friend here.  Her name is Joelle Guilfoyle.  Her husband works at Exxon.  This is their second year here and also their first overseas assignment.  She is an awesome wealth of information.  Between she and Chris, I don't need to meet anyone else.  Although, the two of them would keep me busy everyday of the week if I did everything that they do. 

Joelle is from Pennsylvania originally but spent time in Baton Rouge, Clear Lake and Katy.  So she admits that she is truly a southener like me.  We met at the Burger King in Novena Square and had lunch.  We talked for quite a while about everything.  What to do, When to do it and who to do it with. 

After lunch we took a walk to a nearby bus stop to a nursery (plants).   They had some beautiful orchid plants and some really unusual plants.  One looked like a venus fly trap plant.  Don't know the name of it, but I've attached it to show it.

Here are som other unusual looking flowers that I thought I would share.  Take a close look at the roses.  How did they color those multicolored ones?

After we looked at flower market, we took a bus back to Joelle's condo.  It was just gorgeous.  It is hard to describe.  It was marble from head to toe.  Beautiful wool rugs everywhere with some Chinese antiques and some back home normal furniture.  It was on the 15th of 42 floors.  It had a balcony that could fit all our back yard furniture overlooking the pool the 5th floor.  Their view was not coverd with other buildings but with the only green places that I've seen.  In the distance was a polo field.  Great place.  If we had stayed in the city, I would have wanted this place for sure. 

Got back in time for Elliott to get home.  Relaxed a little until he decided that he was meeting friends going to Orchard and the American Club. 

Ernie got in about 7:30, so we rushed over to Novena to see if we could get in to get his laundry.  No dice.  They closed at 8.  Found a wonderful place to eat.  NYDC.  It had all american foods.  I had great pasta carbonara.  It was wonderful and very rich.  We headed down to the market so he could pick up some cheap wine.  I saw some Harbor Mist that was $16.  I don't think I'll ever drink over here. Ernie's bottle of wine was $27.  He won't be drinking much.

Tried to make reservations again on Singapore Air to come home in Dec.  We had major problems the last time.  It timed out on us and Ernie didn't want to do it again until we made sure that there was no charge to our account.  This time was no better.  We got on line and quickly put in all the info that we had to (3 Sets of passport info, birthday, expirations,etc, etc.)  We made the time but as soon as we got to the end and put in a credit card it was denied.  Of course, then we had to hook up the Vonage phone to call and find out why.  We were told that we had to sign up for something called Visa Verify.  The guy said that it take immediately so we got back in and went through the whole process again.   It happened again.  So we went back to call the vonage phone again and of course it was down.  Finally got a connection and the lady said it would probably take 30 minutes for Verify to set up so that may be what happened.  By this time it was 1 a.m. and we were exhausted. Going to try again in the morning.  I must say that technology is not as good as the US.  But they sure can move people around.

Night to all,

Trece

Day 18-18 August 2011

Sorry I'm late at posting for the day.  Not much exciting today.  I took off on my own again today. Went to Dhoby Ghaut to CarreFour to shop for dinner tonight.  Stopped at a place called Carl's Jr. for a Burger.  It was really good.  Not like Whataburger though.  Sat down with a young lady and we started talking about living here.  I told her that the only thing that I really disliked was going to the market every day.  She said "Don't do that."  She told me that I needed to shop online for my staples.  And just go for things like veggies and meats and breads.  She said that it was only $5 to have it delivered.  Sounds like a plan to me.  I'm going to do that.  Sure will make it a lot easier. 

Found the most fantastic loaf of ciabatta bread today.  And it was sliced.  Bread and butter.  Black Pepper Roasted Chicken.  Broccolli. Rice.  Just like home.  Good thing that I did that because Elliott had tons of homework.  English and Calc. 

Watched Clash of the Titans on HBO and called it a night.

 I'm going to meet a new friend tomorrow.  Her name is Joelle Guilfoyle.  Her husband works with Ernie out there somewhere.  Ern  and I met one of their daughters last weekend at the orientation.  She is the same age as Elliott. 

Need to sign off for now. 

Much love to all,
Trece

Day 17- 17 August 2011

Got up early again to make sure Elliott got out the door on time.  So my day started at 6:00 a.m.  Ernie leaves about 6:00 to make sure that he can get a parking place that is easy to back into.  Remember that it is required that you back into.  Makes since at the end of the day when they are all lining up to pull out quickly.  I guess you just get better when you do it all the time. 

Watched the CNN International News after they left.  Not much that's local on that news.  We do have a local station but I don't know any place that they are talking about so I watch international news..  I try to read the Chronicle on line and catch up with anything going on in Houston and Texas.  I do know that the Sling box is at the top of my list for Christmas.  I need some real tv.  I could watch Cartoon Network or Nickelodeon.  Sometimes I start with Hallmark Channel.  Old Oprah shows are on it.

Decided to try and hook up the Vonage myself and call Kacey and Brandon.  It was really good talking to them.  Unfortunately, the phone battery died when I was talking to Kacey.  I let it charge up and called her back to let her know what happened and warned her that it would happen again.  I hope we don't have these problems at the house.  Isn't technology great!!  It makes me feel like I'm not so far away.

After talking with my contact, Chris Covington, about where to find towels for PE, I got myself up and took the MRT to TANGS.  I wasn't really sure how to get there.  You get off the MRT, go upstairs and look around for signs that say where you are.  You have to decide whether you need to go up another level or go under a street through a crosswalk or stand there and stare or just sit down and cry.  I went one way and ended up on the wrong side of the street, so I had to back track and try to get to the other side of the street and the correct corner.  I'm glad that I have a generally good sense of direction. 
Went up to the street level and there it was-TANGS.  It's like a Dillards back home.  You walk in off the street and see all the perfume and make-up counters just like you do back home.  They have Clinque and Estee-Lauder and some others that I recgonize.  Yay!!  Found my way to Basement 1 where the house wares are located.  There was a sale going on but I did okay.  Unfortunately, Elliott will be carrying bright green towels to PE.  Oh well.  He told me later that they actually take a shower there. Another story)

Looked around to find something to eat there but it was not identifiable so I hopped back on the MRT to Novena Square.  Stopped at the Burger King.  Yum.  Walked around some after lunch looking for a Hallmark card shop.  HaHa.   There is a store called Precious Thoughts.  It's got loads of Precious Moments stuff and some Hallmark cards.  Picked out a couple of cards that were reasonble-at I thought.  Two cards-$17.80.  That is highway robbery.  Enjoy your Hallmark card shops !!

Dropped by the Cold Storage market to pick up some more Sparkling Water for Ernie and found some juice and tea that I wanted to try.  Now I have a load.  Plus I had cards that I did not want to crush.  I only had to travel one stop so it wasn't so bad.  I guess that I need to buy one of those little carts.  Too bad that I didn't get another cart there.  It would have been considered the Cadillac style here.  Of course, they may have charged me a fee for having a larger cart. 

On the way back, I stopped and watched a cat outside the MRT station. He was focused on something so intently, that he didn't even notice people were walking by.  He looked like a lion staring at his prey.  When he finally pounced on it, all I could see was something wiggling like a worm or a snake.  That's when I decided to walk on home.   He has about 6 buddies.  Apparently, we were told,  if you have strays around, you are supposed to feed them and they stick around.  I guess it keeps the rats and other critters away from the station. 

Got back just in time to put my feet up for a while before Elliott got in.  He always comes home an amazing story.  They divide up the upper classman from lower classman in the gym showers.  He said that there were very few in his gym class and they actually have individual showers with curtain and soap dispensers at each one.  He said that they had to do the Fitness test today and he had  to do something new.  He said they did something called "Pacer."  He said they were insane.  He said he was okay at it. He tried to explain it to me, but I was lost.  Instead of doing sit-ups, you do Planks.  You support yourself on your elbows and toes and hold it there for 2 or more minutes.  He said it was extremely strenuous. 

Typing this up and calling it quits unless something interesting happens.  Whoops, I just realized that I missed the PTA meeting today.  Oh well, I'll make it up there when we move up there.  I don't want to ride a 45 minutes train ride all over the island just to go to a PTA meeting.  Is that being a bad parent? 

Much love to all,

Trece

P.S. To my language arts friends, please forgive any grammatical errors and all my corny essays.  I would have never mad a 4 on a paper anyway.  Special hugs to you. 

Day 16- 16 August 2011

Elliott got up by himself and got out the door to the bus without any yelling.  So far, so good.  Ernie and I got ready for my first trip to see our new house.  We have driven to the Woodlands enough that I think I could find my way there without a map.  I didn't say drive there.  I told Ernie on the way that maybe I should learn to drive on the highway late at night and just drive the highways.  Even if you get on the wrong one, you just keep going and can get on another one right after that.  Just don't get off the PIE, the BKE, KJE or any other major highway.  And watch out for the little motorcycles that come in from Malaysia.  They are suicidal !!  It's those little kind of motorcycles that sound like little bees going by your ear.  They will drive in the same lane as you right up next to you and pass you up.  The highest speed limit is 55.  There are very few speeders.  All the little and big trucks actually stay in the 2 left lanes. 

Well, anyway, we arrived at our new home at 1 Oakwood Grove and met the Realtor and the Renter's Agent for a walk through. Ernie backed into the carport.  They do that everywhere.  I won't be backing in.  I don't do well thinking backwards.  Luckily,  our car has one of those screens that shows you what you are going to run into and beeps really loud before you do it.  That still won't help me.

 The realtor, who actually acts as an agent for Exxon who is actually the renter and they are just letting us live there, was British.  She had lived in Singapore for 18 years.  She was doing a great job of acting on our behalf.  She told the man that it had to be professionally cleaned first.  I noticed that the floors really needed cleaning as everyone takes off their shoes and leaves them outside and I was bare footed.  Yuk !!  Don't worry, I won't be requiring that.  We will have something at the front door on the inside and we'll have slippers for everyone. (I just realized that would be a great Halloween gift to give away here.  I heard that someone gave away umbrellas instead of candy.  Flip Flops.  I wonder how much they are?)

Sorry, I'm straying from the story I want to tell.  Walking in to the home, you find a huge living room and dining room on the left and the staircase in front of you. 

Looking towards the Front Door on Left

From the dining room, you can walk into a small bedroom and bath on the right or head to the left into the kitchen.

Out the kitchen door, I saw the best thing that I could see......

GE-They Bring Good Things to Life !!!!!

I must show you something that I hope to never use.  The helpers quarters.  They are truly as small as they look.





It's normal here though.  Here's our new backyard

Sorry-no pool party here ladies. 

Now up the stairs we climb.  First you see our 2nd floor Den

Turn to the right at the top of the stairs and you see "The Pink Room" and "The Blue Room" as I called them at home.  They each have there own baths.

We told them to replace the toilet seats in the two baths because we didn't want any of "Our Girls" sitting on ugly toilet seats.  All white seats.

Now we head across the den to the master bedroom.  I have also attached a picture of what I'll wake up to every morning if the curtains are open and I plan on leaving them open.  It's too pretty not to. 

Our Neighbors House Across the Side Street

Moving on up the the 3rd Floor-Elliott's World-

He will actually have two bedrooms and a shared bath between them and the huge gameroom on this floor. 

I told him that he would be getting paid to take care of everything up here, because I'm not going up that far.  I'll just pay him to carry his laundry up there.  Maybe pay him to drag me up there. 

Well-here's the strangest looking part-looking down the stair well of our new home. Kinda scarey if you ever fell over.

The light brown in the middle is the bottom floor. 

Well that's our new home.  Hopefully we move in around the 1st week of September.  I'll post pictures of  everything when we get settled.  I can't wait to see how they are going to get those huge armoires up three flights of stairs. I guess I'll have to put some food at the top to feed them when they get them up the stairs. 

Just kind of piddled around the rest of the day until Elliott got in.  He and I went into Novena Square looking for lycra shorts to go under his gym shorts.  The coaches wanted them when they are doing personal defense and wrestling in PE.   Novena is supposed to have all the sports clothes that you could want.  Well $70 later, we found a pair of shorts.  I think I'll keep looking for some more, maybe at Carre Four.  I did find some really cute athletic shoes for $35 dollars.  It looks like the athletic shoes are about the same price as around US. 

Stopped at a Panera Bread type place and had the best sandwich.  Turkey, Brie, and cranberry sauce on Foccacia Roll.  It was to die for.  Of course, I really hadn't eaten since breakfast.  Went around the corner and picked up some other pastries to take home.  They really like their breads here.  They put sausages, cheese, ham, lots of other stuff on the breads.  I don't know how they aren't huge eating all this.  There are bread/pastry stores everywhere on every corner.  Now we have something for breakfast. 

Ernie and Elliott headed out for dinner and I decided to stay here and type this. Didn't really want to get out again.  Poor Ernie, there is really nothing here except cereals, and breads here to eat.  It's just too much trouble to cook in this compartment. 

On a side note, Elliott's AP Social Studies gave them an assigment to write a one minute speech on I think elected officials or somebody like that.  Elliott just knew that he could do Rick Perry because nobody knows who he is and that they wouldn't want to do him.  Wrong.  There were 3 other students that just moved in from Texas.  They selected Rick Perry first and  but they really didn't know who he was.  Elliott has Obama.  No one else in his class wanted to do him, so Elliott took him.  Looks like that class may lean to the right a bit.  Elliott may stick out in that class.

My job tomorrow is to find a towel for Elliott's gym class.  I haven't seen a store that has linens yet. Guess I better get on line and see what I can find.  Isn't the internet great !!  Thanks Google !!

Good Day to All,

Trece

















Day 15- 15 August 2011

Got up early this morning.  5:30.  First Day of School for Elliott.  Elliott and I headed down to the front of the building to meet the bus around 6:30.  No one else was out there.  A bus arrived about 6:35.  It was one of those big travel buses.  It did have the number 84 on it.  So Elliott hopped on.  About that time other kids and their parents came to get on the bus.  Some parents started saying "that wasn't their bus number."  I asked if they read their emails last night and some had and some hadn't.  Of course the bus people didn't have a list of the kids that were to get on their bus.  At this point, I took a picture of the license plate.  I wanted to make sure that I could find him if they were trying tro traffic kids in Malaysia.  We figured out that his bus had only older kids on it and the other bus was elementary kids.  Off he went at 6:45 to the first day of school in a foreign land. 

And it was my first day of not going to school in 20 years.  Really strange feeling.  I knew what I had to do today.  Yes-again, I must face that laundry machine.  It was better though.  I have finally figured out that I just need to break the piles in half or thirds, and not even attempt to dry anything in that machine.  I hang dry everything. 

About 9, it started to rain, wait, no it started to pour like a good Texas gully washer.  That lasted about an hour and then it slowed down to a continuous rain.  Looks like it's going to be a good day to stay in and relax.  Around noon, I thought that I would try and get out to shop at the market.  By the time I was ready to go, it started pouring again.  Oh well, I think I'll watch a movie or read some news on line. 

Started reading a new book on my great Nook Color that my favorite people in Clear Lake gave me as a going away gift.  My Nook is the one thing that I could not live without here right now.  I can do everything on it. Read, Browse and play games.  Everyone needs one.  Before I knew it, It was time for Elliott to come home.  Strolled out with an umbrella to meet him at the bus and there were lots and lots of other mothers waiting for their children to arrive back.  I was one of the first to know they were arriving because my child had a phone with him. (Not like the elementary kids)  Right on time.  He had a good day.  Hopefully, he'll have a good year. 

The best part about looking at his stuff was that I had no paperwork to fill out.  Of course, we have been doing that for the past 3 or 4 months.  Not sure if he's going to stick with the Chinese though.  He will probably change to Spanish 1. 

Got to go for now.  We have to get up early again.  Ernie and I are going to do a walk through in the house and check it out.  I can't wait to see my new home. 

Love to all

Trece

Day 14-14 August 2011

Kind of a lazy day today.  I cooked breakfast for us.  Bacon,  and Egg in a Whole.  If you don't know what that is, it's an egg put in the middle of a piece of bread where you cut a whole. Nothing fancy.  Just something different and it was really good. 

We started out for China Town about 2.  Looking through all the booths where you can find everything.  Mostly touristy stuff, but some good.  Elliott picked up an iphone cover for his phone there.  Only $10  each.  I found several more that I wanted to get.  Many jewel encrusted ones.  And lots of Hello Kitty.  They really like that Kitty here. 

Had some really good Chinese food today.  Noodles and Pork.  Sweet and Sour Chicken and some Calamari that had HOTTTTT!! peppercorns and red peppers on it.  If you scrape off the peppers, it was really good.  Had to eat the rice just to put out the fire. 

Elliott went off on his own after dinner and we walked around some more in the market.  The MRT was extremely crowded going back.  We got off at Dhoby Ghout (sp?) to do some shopping.  We were looking for a soap holder to hang up in the shower so the soap wouldn't turn to mush and a salt shaker.  After hunting around the mall at DG, we found a soap holder at Everything's $2.  That store was so crowded, and the aisles were half the size of ours that we decided not to even look around for other stuff.  Found a salt shaker at Carre Four (kind of like our Wal-Mart).  It's a plain white looking thing.  But we only need it for a few weeks.  Can't wait for our stuff to get here.  Rode back up a floor on the "travelator" (it's like a long flat escalator for shopping carts) to pick up some milk and cookies. 

The MRT from here to Newton, where we get off, was extremely packed.  I guess everyone was going home as it was Sunday evening.  When I say packed, I mean packed like sardines in a can.  The train even rode different.   It wasn't as smooth.  But luckily, it still had AC.

Got Elliott ready for school.  His clothes, his backpack, his bus number and time. 

Tried to get on line and make reservations home on Sing Air.  By the time we put our passport numbers and expirations, airline member numbers, our life history, and seat assignments it timed out.  Really??  We went back in to do it again but quicker, and our seats were already taken that we put in.  This looked strange so we called in and they said our reservations were there but it had not taken our credit card number.  What a mess.  We had them cancel it so we could check our bank to see if it had taken the money out or not.  If it hasn't, then I'm to try and put it in Monday night and we'll be home Dec. 17 in the afternoon.  I sure hope it works correctly. 

Well, it's late and it's time to get to bed to get up early for the first day of school and the beginning of my stay at home time. 

Much love to all,
Trece

Day 13- 13 August, 2011

Up early today.  We left for school orientation for new students at 7 a.m.  I arrived and parked at about 7:45.  We were first in the parking lot.  We were told that parking would be a problem.  Well-I guess it wasn't.  Walked around the campus a bit, just looking amazed.  We didn't know exactly where we were supposed to go.  Headed to the high school and ran into Kim, the Booster Club President.  They have one big Booster club that supports everything at the high school.  She showed us the way to the Drama Theater which is where we were supposed to meet.  It is amazing. I didn't want to embarrass Elliott by taking a picture, but it is like our teaching theater but with a really nice stage area and stuff  to go with it.  After a while parents started coming in with their high school students.  The principal, Dr. Tim Stewart, is a really nice young man.  Very personable.  It is his 2nd year here at the school.  I have heard that he runs a tight ship though.   That will be great.  He intoduced his two "Deputy" principals and many others that I'm sure that I will not remember.  They have 8 or 9 counselors for the high school.  They also have a regular psychologist for the campus.  I guess they need it with these kids that come in from everywhere.  Elliott is doing much better.  He seems to have found some really nice friends.  And hopefully studious too. 

One Middle School Atrium

PTA Office for SAS - yes the whole thing

After a bit, they sent the kids on their way with their peer support buddies to take tours of the school and meet their teachers.  We went on a parent tour of the campus with Kim.  I have never walked and climbed so many stairs in all my life.  I know that I'm losing weight.  It's either lack of food or so much walking and a lot of sweating it off.  We ended up in the 2 story library.  With food at the end of the trail.  Bagels-yes bagels.  I can't wait to find out where they get these,  They were as good as Einsteins.  We mingled with other parents, the principals and some people that Ernie worked with.  I did ask Dr. Stewart if they needed subs.  He definitely told me to go to the main office and sign up.  I think I'll stick with junior high though.  These high school kids would kill me.  They are all extremely bright children.  Who needs GT, when you have this school.  And Teresa, I don't think they have SPED.  Maybe in the elementary, but not the high school. 

We had to stand in line for Elliott's grade level shirt.  It's a yellow polo with 2013 on it.  They have a day every other week that they have to wear these.  They do some competitions with the grade levels. at this time.  Otherwise, they wear blue shorts (or pants) and white polos with SAS on them.  Every other week, I think they get a free dress day.  I'm not sure about that though. 

Elliott has BLOCK SCHEDULING!!!! Except they do it even better. They have an A and B Day and they reverse the daily schedule and have a C and D day.  Every other day, he has a free period to study.  Can you imagine having that schedule?  I don't think it's clicked to him how fantastic of a school this is.  We were also told that this is a somewhat liberal school also.  They acutally teach the kids to use critical thinking.  Imagine that.  Not just teaching facts for TAKS. 

Ernie and I went around to visit some of his teachers.  We met his Physics teacher.  Young guy from New Mexico.  This is his first year at the school.  We then hiked up to the 3rd floor and met his Calc teacher.  A girls soccer coach  and a little younger than us.  I think he's been there a while.  I sure hope he's better than Mrs. Digby.  After that we climbed another set of stairs (yes-4th floor)  to his Chinese teacher.  Elliott had already been up to meet her and she remembered him.  Luckily a girl was talking with the teacher and said that she was also first year chinese.  She moved from Baton Rouge, La and had lived in Katy.  Ernie of course knows her dad.  (Exxon has plant and offices in Baton Rouge and Katy)  Made us feel better when someone else from the south is taking Chinese with him. 

We headed down to the Elementary Gym to go by all the organization booths from fencing club to scout group to AWA to the embassy.  Found out that the American embassadors son is working on his eagle now also and they are having a barbeque at their house Sept. 4.  We told Elliott that he definitely needed to stay connected there. 

Elliott decided to stay with some friends their as we went back to the apartment and started looking for a laundry for Ernie.  I don't do shirts. We went to Novena Square where we had been last week.  There is a laundry guy in the mall on the 4th floor.  More escalators.  There is a problem with this guy though.  He also does the laundry for Hilton hotel.  Which means his laundry will not be done for 4 days.  I guess we'll be okay until we move north to the house.  Went to the market and picked up some stuff for breakfast.  Bacon and eggs and bread.  Did I tell you that they keep their eggs on the shelf and not refrigerated.  Of course they do have an expiration day.  I immediately put them in the frig when I got home. 

Ern and I sat around the apartment looking at the stuff we had gotten today.  So overwhelming.  Elliott came home for a bit to take a shower and head up to a welcoming pizza party at one of the students houses.  It didn't last long as he and several other boys went to see Planet of the Apes at the movie.  I still can't believe that I'm letting him out in a foreign country alone late at night.  Actually, I would feel safe at night here also.  I'll let him continue as long as he stays away from Orchard Towers.  (Take a guess)

Good Night to all.

Trece

Day 12- 12 August 2011

Did you notice that I changed the title?  I need to learn to put the date before the month, so this is as good a place to start as any. 

Ernie is home today.  We have lots of errands to run. 

After piddling around here, we headed off for the Woodlands to take care of some stuff at the school. Ernie is getting around much better here.  Headed into the guarded gate at the school and found that it was quite busy.  Took care of getting our parent passes and our parking pass for the school.  That didn't take long as we had done most of the leg work for it last week.  Picked up  a copy of Elliott's bus schedule.  He has to be down at the front office by 6:46 a.m. for the bus ride.  She said that there are several kids that ride in from Orchard Scotts right now, so I guess they get to ride one of the big buses.  I'm pulling for the big yellow one.    He'll probably have to ride in the back like he did in Ms. Hart's bus since he's a big kid. 

We headed up to the booster Booth at the high school where they sell all the shirts, shorts, t-shirts and yes-even hoodies. You would never believe how many blond moms there area working that booth.  I felt like I was back in Bay Oaks.   Five shirts and two pairs of gym shorts later, we headed on out to the DBS.

DBS is Development Bank of Singapore.  We needed to add me to the joint account.  Now that I have a dependent pass, I could actually get a hold of our money.  This took about 1 and 1/2 hours.  My name is on the account and I have a debit card.  Ernie also noticed that there a "pending" charge of $150 on the online banking statement so he decided to find out what it was.  After another 30 minutes or so and us believing that someone had stolen our account number and taken money, the banker found out what the charge was.  You are charge on your account a "pending" amount  until the bank pays the actual amount of the charge.  Luckily, this only goes for the petrol station.  Two hours later, we walked out of the bank.  I was starving.  It was 3 and we hadn't eaten lunch.  Luckily, there was a Starbucks next to the bank.  We all had something to drink. 

Onward to another chore.  Getting Elliott a phone.  We walked to our usual mall in the Woodlands and inquired about getting him a phone.  When we talked with the girl up front, she said there would be an $800 deposit on his line.  But when we actually started setting it up and getting the phone, another person said there would be no deposit since he was under 18. He has unlimited texting.  He's really excited about getting an iphone.  I hope he doesn't fall up the stairs at his new school and crack this one. 

Got back to the apartment and walked over to a little bistro behind us.  Walking is not too bad here in the afternoon under the trees.  It was cool, a little breeze, and NO MOSQUITOES !!  They was spray everything.  I know they spray the sewers regularly.  I don't know how they do it, but we could learn something from them. 

I have to admit something.  I am a napkin thief.  Yes, a Napkin thief.  Every time I can get my hand on paper napkins, I stuff some in my purse.  You see, they don't always give you napkins and they don't always have them in the places we eat.  These are nice places,  but I must say, I think I'll be visiting Starbucks and McDonalds more often as they have  an unlimited supply. 

Well, that's all for now.  We hooked up our Vonage phone thing to try and call Daddy.  It worked for about 10 minutes.  I'm not sure but I think there is a power problem here.  There are not enough plugs and our cable keeps going off, blah, blah, blah, blah.  You can get the picture. 

Better go for now.  I have to get up at 5:30 in the morning.  We have parent orientation at SAS at 8:30 and to vie for a parking place, we need to get their early. 

Much love to all,

Trece