March and April 2012

I know it's been a while since I've posted.  But here are the past few months in pictures. 

Ernie and I attended a couple of carpet auctions here in March.  The first one was an Exxon Mobil Expat sponsored one.  Of course, I couldn't get the ones that I wanted because certain people were there and took all the big ones immediately.  We decided about half way through we would go down to Chili's and eat dinner.  When we got back, there were only 15 left to auction.  Finally about the 5th one, I saw something that I liked.  I yelled out $600 as we were standing in the back.  To my surprise, no one else offered and I got it.  It's about 6 feet by 3 feet.  It's from India and it sits in front of our bed.  If you turn it around, you get lighter colors.  Carpet auctions are fun now. 

We went to another auction by the same guy that he held personally in the same place.  There were no more than 15 people there, so we had a chance to come home with a big carpet.  Well we came home with 2 large carpets, a medium size one and a large runner. We still want a large blue and red one and a very special Nain rug, but that will have to wait until the fall auction.  I'm no longer afraid to yell out a price though.  It's quite fun to go an auction.

Not a great picture, but it shows you how many we bought



Moving on through the month, Elliott and I went to Australia to see Melanie Leary Hughes and her family.  We did some shopping as they left my luggage in Singapore.  Went on a tour of the Great Ocean Road (It's a Sight to See ), The Melbourne Gaol and Healsville Sanctuary where we saw dingos, koalas and kangaroos. 

Small Town on Great Ocean Road

Bird Eating out of My Hand on side of the road

Koala in the tree on side of the road

Twelve Apostles on the Ocean Road

Great Example of Weathering and Erosion of limestone

Beautiful !!

Old Melbourne Gaol (Jail)

Gallows where they hung Ned Kelly and several others

Gaol Yard

A Dingo's Got My Baby !! at Healsville Sanctuary

Isn't he cute ?

Tasmanian Devil

Feeding the Kangaroos

Yum !!

Sleeping the Day Away

Great Vacation !!  On to April.  Ernie and I found a new restaurant not to far from here.  It's on top of a hill over looking the Turf Club (Race Horses).  Really great Salmon and Mac and Cheese.  We got to watch some people learning to ride horses near by. 

Singapore Turf Club

Kelsey Andrews came to visit from Germany.  We packed more in 7 days that I ever thought we could do.  We went to some new places also. 

Looking at Marina Bay Sands with Merlion in the foreground

Jennifer Reeves made me this after she found out that I missed
"The Cake Lady"  It was yummy !!

Having a real Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel Long Bar

Hiking on Mt. Fabar

Saw this building from Mt. Fabar.  Next Quest is to go to the top !!

For only 250 SGD Originally 700SGD and they threw in the stools !!

Finally got a kitchen island !!  I have been waiting since October.  IKEA stopped making them so I was about to have one made and this one came up for sale on our Woodlands Yahoo Site. I was so excited that I had a hard time pushing the send button to say that I wanted it.  My friend Kate was trying to call me about it at the same time that I was talking to the owner about it.  She was excited as I was.  I guess good things are always worth waiting for.

We celebrated Elliott's 17th birthday with a cherry cream cheese pie.  We only put on 7 candles so the cream cheese wouldn't melt. 

Happy 17th !!

Hopefully I won't take as long to post.  It's nearly summer and I'll be home June 15-August 7.  Lots of time to see all the friends that I miss and eat all the foods that I miss as well.  In a week and a half,  Kris Penniall and I will be heading to Tokyo, Japan to see another expat wife from the Clear Lake Area.  I'll try and take lots of pictures.

This week is loaded with school stuff.  Honor Roll luncheons, scrapbooking, studying for AP test, Senior/Junior Prom, Studying for SAT and all the usual stuff. 

See you soon !!

Trece

It's Been a While February 2012

A lot has happened since I last posted.  December was a blur.  Among trying to get ready to go back to the states for the holidays, I did several things with the EME ladies group.  I really don't know if I could survive without them. 

We went to several concerts that Elliott did the lighting and videoing for.  They were all really great.  I went to High Tea at the Shangri-La Hotel in town with the ladies.  It was fabulous.  Buffet luncheon and dessert buffett and we exchanged Christmas ornaments.  Spent as much time as I could with Chris C. as she moved to Tokyo in January.  She is supposed to be back in a year and a half.  I sure hope so.  I miss her already a bunch. 

Dec. 17, we boarded Sing Air at 2:30 in the morning and arrived in Houston at 2:00 in the afternoon of the 17th.  That was absolutely the longest day of my life.  As I promised, we went straight to Golden Corral for dinner and ate all the delightful food that we hadn't seen in 4 months.  The next morning we went to IHOP for the best breakfast that we had eaten in over 4 months.  From that moment on, we rushed to get details of Elliott's Eagle Court of Honor ready.  Jason's Deli was decided on for the food.  It wasn't cheap.  But we thought of this as part of his wedding since we don't have to pay the part of a girl's wedding.  It turned out great.  Many friends and family were there to celebrate with him this fantastic achievement. 
The rest of time was spent with friends and family that we hadn't seen in 4 months and catching up on dentist and doctor appointments.  Elliott's pediatrician had been diagnosed with a fast growing brain tumor and we were unable to see him.  He passed away the day that he was taken as a new patient with our doctor.  He will definitely be missed as he was the best and we'll never forget the day that he came running over to my parents as Elliott had a seizure in the front yard and he lived nearby.  He will always hold a special place in our hearts as he was the first to actually hold Elliott. 

Back on the plane, Jan. 4, but with Daddy this time.  Another 24 hours in the box shaking, but we all made it.  Daddy stayed for 3 weeks.  We toured some sights and we sat around read and watched tv.  He liked the heat.  I bought an 11,000 page set of Western novels for my Nook before we left the US.  Daddy made it up to 2,000 before he left.  Sounds like a great birthday gift for him.  I'll attach the pictures at the bottom for the last month or so. 

Elliott left for Bhutan this past Friday night.  I sure hope he gets some great pictures and I hope he packed enough warm clothes.  It's supposed to be below freezing every night and they are staying in tents.  I'll let you know.

Elliott and Scout Mast Steve Willis

Eagle Elliott and Asst. Scout Master Joe Koenig

Elephant Parade moved to Botanical Gardens

Wounded

I don't know his name

His name either

He's my favorite-Tiger Phant But not the one I bought

Here's the one I bought-One Degree North Elephant

Before we landscaped

Changi Sailing Club

Ernie and Elliott Sailing on the little boats

Birds at Jurong Bird Park

Flamingos at the Bird Park

Pink Flamingos in the Show

Orchids at the Botanical Garden

They grow everywhere

And I mean everywhere

Sorry these are out of order.  Lion's Head

Two guys in the costume jumping on the posts

Right outside my kitchen window

Just before they were about to jump up on the posts. 

Daddy and Elliott at Din Tai Fung

Our Parkling Space Number when we Took our Driver's Test

 Well, that about does it for the past two months.  Tomorrow, I'm going out with EME ladies for pizza and Thursday we're going to a wet market shopping and learning how to cook with a real chinese chef.  Next Monday is Mah Jong.  I acutally won my first game last week.  Just got lucky.  And next Wednesday, I'm hosting a scrap booking get together at the "marble mausoleum," 

I better get up and get cooking dinner.  Ernie will be home in 3 hours.  Some days are very boring. 

Looking at plane fares for the summer.  You would think that it would be cheaper if you stayed longer, but no, the price nearly doubles when you go over a month.  Ridiculous!!

I guess I better start subbing so I can afford to come home.  Nah !!

Love to you,

Trece