Christmas on the Equator

Santa found the Curnetts this year, although Ethan and laney were fixated on how Santa would know where we are and how he would get into our 13th floor condo. No worries-Santa figured it out. The best gift was relief for Josh's back. The medical care here is unbelievable, and after such a long haul of back-related issues, he is returning to activity. We are all glad about that.
Christmas Eve lunch was Japanese good at a local restaurant and dinner was tacos/nachos. We had a nice brunch at home and chicken BBQ from our new crockpot for dinner. It was a great day!!!! We miss everyone and are looking forward to a summer back home!

Arab Street-our new favorite spot

Thanksgiving in Singapore

Being in Singapore for Thanksgiving was surprisingly familiar-turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, apple & pecan pie-just minus our Denver family and friends. The caterer at SAS takes full advantage of the American clientele and offers to cook the whole meal. In fact, the turkey is rather infamous. The turkey is delivered to your doorstep golden brown - you remove the skin by peeling it back to find the turkey carved! I am so mad at myself for not taking pictures!
Sadly, josh got a bad case of the flu. He was in bed from Wednesday night to Sunday and missed all the meals! I think he really felt it when I told him I watched the broncos on thanksgiving! Now, Singapore is in full force Christmas mode. No Black Friday though. Many here traveled over the 4 day holiday-Thailand, Bali, Cambodia, Malaysia -to name a few places! We can't wait to start our local travels, but will most likely start next year, giving a full year to settle here.
We visited the US Embassy today to get some documents notarized. We just loved being there-we both reminisced about our time at the US Embassy in Beijing. In another life, I would have loved an embassy job!

A typical Wednesday night

This morning, Laney said she wanted satay. So, when we got home around 5, josh walked Callie while I walked to the town center. Josh wasn't feeling great, so I went to Guardian (like Walgreens on a small scale) and got some strepsils. On my way, I saw the burning bin-not atypical but not usual either. I also included some pictures of the shops-nice jewelry store with a underwear store in front. I stopped by the ATM to get money for our cleaner who comes twice a week. Quick stop at FairPrice for some instant noodle bowls and on to our favorite hawker satay stall. We got 10 beef and 10 chicken-with cucumber/onion side and peanut sauce-S$10 (8 USD$). While waiting, I got josh two fresh orange drinks-S$5 (4 USD$). Finally, back home to indulge! I have cooked about 3 times since arriving-all pasta without meat. I love the minimal to no cooking-especially the no clean-up! I also included Callie sunbathing on our balcony yesterday. We had the day off for Deepavali. Last weekend was laney's last soccer game of the season, so we had a small party in the high school cafeteria at SAS. It was a great run for the Red Fire Breathing Dragons!

Our Weekend

On Saturday night, our friends from Denver, the Hauges, returned for a quick dinner before they headed back to Denver.  The kids all decided they wanted Din Tai Fung again, so off we went.

While waiting for dinner, after choosing what dumplings we would have, I snapped a picture of Brooks in front of all the Christmas decorations that went up shortly before Halloween.  In the center of this mall, a retailer is selling down coats and suitcases.  

After a sad goodbye Saturday night with a promise to see each other soon (this summer) and with the hope of traveling together next October (maybe Bali?!Vietnam??), Laney and I spent a Sunday afternoon in our local town center.  I got a haircut, and we both went for a spa manicure and pedicure.  NOT cheaper than the US, but much cheaper than on Orchard Road, the upscale part of town where many expats live.  On our return, we went grocery shopping and got caught in a downpour.  Rainy season has truly begun-I pretended it was snow!

The block adjacent to our local super market, Fair Price, was flooded.  We had to walk through about six inches of water to get to higher ground.

Halloween in Singapore

Tonight is a huge expat night near school - 10,000 gather on the neighborhood streets that surround the school. Fortunately, I have a wonderful husband who is taking the kids trick-or-treating as I head home after a long, long day of pure Halloween at school. I was a fork in the road, laney was a starry night (we glued glow-in-the-dark stars on black tank and skirt), and Ethan was a MIB. There are no Halloween stores here, so we had to dig deep for costumes that were age-appropriate and cool. It's not like those cold, snowy nights in Colorado! Maybe I will be able to catch up with my book!

Sunday-last day of fall break

We spent the day at the Marriott on orchard - kids swam and we had a long, relaxing lunch with the Hauges. We tried to explore Chinatown, but it was just too hot. I guess that's why the market there is a night market. We ended the day with dinner at the banana leaf restaurant in little India-so good! All the kids had hit their limit by 6:30, so we said goodbye as the Hauges headed out for phi phi in Thailand-it was an island wiped by the tsunami and has been rebuilt-looks so beautiful!

Night safari

We spent a low key day around our neighborhood today and then went to the night safari at the zoo-a must if visiting singapore. I can't believe how well the Hauges are handling the tume adjustment-very experienced world travelers.

Good friends arrive

There is a big sleepover at the curnett's tonight. Our friends, the Hauges, arrived for three days before heading to Thailand. Today we met, had a Swiss brunch that turned into a fiasco when trying to leave, took a boat ride in the harbor by the Merlion, toured ang mo kio, ate at din tai Fung, swam at the Marriott pool and did it all by MRT. While on orchard, we saw Christmas decorations already lining the street.

Anniversary

14 years of marriage are celebrated today! Josh and I were brought a wreath from friends, which is pictured below. We are going out to dinner tonight- we invited Ethan and laney, but they said no thanks! I think they are looking forward to some brother sister time!

Two major health developments here- Callie is losing her hair. She has always shed, but the dog hair is truly unmanageable. Josh is out brushing her for the 2nd time today. The doll furniture we painted yesterday had a coat of Callie hair by morning. Picture below! 2nd health development-I have gained weight here, which happened in Beijing years ago, so I am not totally surprised. Everything is cooked in so much oil and or butter. Now that 3 months have passed, I need to adjust eating habits and start a more consistent exercise routine. Fortunately, our condo has a workout room, so I can download an episode of Glee or MI-5 and spend an hour zoning - and sweating!

Painting doll furniture

We (laney and Leigh) stayed at home to paint doll furniture. We were a bit too ambitious and got about two-thirds done. Since josh and I are celebrating 14 years of wedded bliss tomorrow and friends arrive from Denver Thursday night/Friday morning, we will probably finish the project next month. Huge growth-having an incomplete project! Josh and Ethan went to the science center, and laney really wished she had joined them at about 3 pm as she is littered with paint splotches. So, we went out for some satay at the hawker stand and got some ice cream.

Legoland Malaysia

We finally crossed be border to a neighboring country on Monday to use our annual passes to legoland. We went with two other families we arrived with in July, and the kids really get along even though they are all ages. Legoland was very similar to san diego, yet strikingly different. The menu at the cafe, prayer rooms, and covered women were a stark contrast to the legoland trip we took two years ago in San Diego. We took public transportation the entire way for a heightened experience. Very fun but hot- hades hot.

Lantern festival, soccer, and grocery shopping

Here's a review of last week!
Saturday night in Chinatown for the lantern festival with friends. Today, soccer game-in Singapore, at quarter water break or half-time water break, players get a frozen washcloth to cool off. Frozen fruit is usually the snack as well. We also had lunch at the hawker stands, where crime alerts are displayed. We are really loving it here!

Moon cakes for autumn festival in 5th grade

One of my students in 5th grade brought in homemade moon cakes to share!