Feeling Blessed

I joined a group online of fellow expat wives that is very helpful. I've learned the best places to find things, recommendations for churches/restaurants/activities, events going on and even met potential friends through there. It's truly a lovely resource.
But today I feel like shouting: DON'T YOU SEE HOW BLESSED WE ARE?!?
One of the heavily discussed topics is helpers. In Singapore, it's common to have a live-in helper. Even our condo has a 'room' for the helper. I didn't take photos because it's more of a utility shower and laundry room. Most helpers in Singapore are from the Philippines or Indonesia and are diligent, conscientious women who are working to support their families back home. (<-- taken from this article) Helpers are nannies, housekeepers and chefs rolled into one.
I'll admit that this does sound very helpful and for some people it makes a lot of sense. Especially for families where both parents work as the costs seem comparable to full time childcare. I'm still trying to decide but personally I'm thinking I won't be employing a helper. I've got my own reasons and I joked with Ross that it has something to do with being raised in the west with pioneer spirit. But I certainly don't have a problem with anyone who hires a helper. To hire or not to hire is not the question.

It occurred to me this morning, while reading through the debate on both sides, just how truly blessed I am to even be able to consider this option. What a blessing that my husband found employment that allows us the opportunity; that we don't have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet; that I don't have to leave my children each day to live with and take care of a family other than my own. I'm feeling a bit humbled and very much grateful.

Can you guess?

• Your weight in Kilograms.
• Your height in Meters.
• The temperature outside in Celsius. 
• The temperature to set the air conditioning to in Celsius.
• The amount of deli meat you'd like in Grams.
• The distance to the store in Kilometers.
• The time nap should end on a 24 hour clock.
• How tall your child is in Meters.
• How much soda you drink in Milliliters.
• What day is 12/05/2014? Is it December 5th?

Nothing is measured the same here. I'm sure there's an app for that, but I haven't found one yet. It's a bit tiring trying to relate things to what you are used to. Too many math problems! If it's 32 degrees Celsius outside, the walk we went on yesterday was a 2 kilometer loop, the AC is set to 24 degrees Celsius, nap ends at 15:00 and I'm going to enjoy my 330 ml soda, what color is the sky?

Fidgets

Last week in Cultural Training courtesy of Cartus, one of the many things I learned was where to take kids to play. You'd be surprised how this lovely bit of information helps with settling in and getting adjusted. On the list was Fidgets in Turf City (now known as the Grandstand--but don't tell that to the cab driver.) There are three locations from the website. The one we went to had a toddler area and didn't seem to be too far from us.
So after some not so pleasant days stuck in the apartment together, today the kids and I ventured out! Ross has the car on work days so we chose to travel by taxi. Here are some things I have learned:

• Using the baby carrier is great when traveling via taxi or public transit. This eliminates fussing with the stroller or worrying about always finding lifts and ramps. This option works best when we plan to stay in air conditioned malls and places. It gets a little warm being in close contact.
• Try to avoid using taxis before 9:30 am on the weekdays as there is a surcharge during the morning commute. While definitely not the cheapest option, taxi is the most efficient and worth it for the occasional sanity-saving activity such as this. We didn't need the extra adventure of the bus or train along the way today.
• A crying baby makes for a faster cab ride. Huh, the taxi drivers didn't seem as 'lost' today.

We arrived at the Grandstand and followed the signs for Fidgets. There is quite a bit of construction going on there so it was kind of a maze to get to the place. But there were plenty of directional signage and no major hurdles. Not much was open before 10am but we were on a mission so it didn't matter.
The closest thing I can compare Fidgets to from back in the U.S. is a fast food playland. The comparison applies only to the fact that the play structures are similar with padded climbing, tunnels and slides. Here are the differences that make oh so much sense!:

• We had to wear socks (thankfully we could purchase as I was unprepared.) Unlike what I got at McD's, the socks were cute and comfortable. Cade didn't want to take his off when we left.
• We had to use hand sanitizer to even come in AND they took the kids' temperatures to make sure no one is running a fever. Oh what a thought! They actually enforced that play is only for well children. No passing tons of germs. 
• They issue a card (kind of like an arcade card) to use at the cafe for snacks, drinks and lunch. This way you can lock up your wallet in a locker and only have the card. At the end of play, you settle your bill before leaving. Plus, the food at the cafe was actually good! Passion-fruit iced tea and an egg salad sandwich with side salad for mom. Yes please!
• There were sandals to slip on outside the rest rooms so you didn't have to go in there in just your stocking feet. And there was a playpen set up in the bathroom so I didn't have to hold the baby while I tried to go. Genius!
• There was a toddler area that'll be nice once brother is in school. He really wanted to be able to play with his sister so the three and under rule was tough to abide by.
• There is a no-kidding ball washer set up so you know the balls in the ball area are actually cleaned on a regular basis. I do confess that the baby tried to put them in her mouth, but at least it wasn't terrifying.

We didn't spend much time exploring the rest of Grandstand/Turf City. Just popped back in the queue for the taxis and came back in time for nap. The added purchase of socks, snacks and then lunch plus cab fare both ways did make this fall more into the 'occasional outing' category instead of an every day thing. But I'd say it was well worth it.

Now we know

Here are some things we've learned so far in Singapore . . .
* You have to deposit a dollar coin into the grocery cart (I think it's called a trolley or buggy) to use it. Luckily I had a coin on me. Now I try to always have a dollar coin.

* Queue = line. Longer queue supposedly means it's better, whatever it is.
* Lift = elevator. And it feels like a game of how many will fit, then add one more person.
* Travelator is a weird cross between a ramp and escalator, and I still cannot get my balance.
* Top off = refill.

* Pram = stroller.
* Cash card/ERP = ipass or toll booth card. Side note: this is a very efficient and smart system used to pay road tolls and parking garage fees, among other things. Just a prepaid card but much easier.
* Giant supermarket is the closest I found to Wal-Mart. (The actual name of the store is Giant.)
* Ikea = Ikea! It was such a relief to be somewhere completely familiar.
* Food courts don't take credit card, cash only. And they don't give out napkins. You are supposed to have your own; which you can use to reserve your seat while you order food.

* The smallest bill is a S$2. See note above about the dollar coins.
* Taxi drivers always seem lost, possibly so they can make a little extra.
* Tipping is not culturally acceptable. (Perhaps why taxi drivers get 'lost'.)
* The hot water doesn't work if the heater switch isn't turned on for that bathroom.
* Life does not begin before 10 am, on Orchard at least. Feels a lot like the time I went to Times Square NYC.
* Singapore is actually Singapura and it means Singa = lion, pura = island. Because the first person on the island saw a lion. But some historians believe it was actually a tiger.

An Interview with a 5 year old

I haven't had much time lately to write a blog entry so I thought a quick interview with my son might be fun. Keep in mind, he's five.

What's your favorite food here?
Chicken Rice (Chicken rice is just that: rice cooked in chicken broth with boiled or roasted chicken sliced and laid on top. It's got a bit of flavor but very tame in comparison to other foods. Surprisingly, it's a national dish and we can find it almost everywhere.)

What's your favorite drink?
Guava juice! (My son would drink guava juice all day long if I let him. It's sweet, has a creamy texture and really is quite delicious.)

What's your favorite thing to do?
Go swimming. (Disclaimer: his idea of swimming is splashing around in the shallow end, but hey! being in the pool cools him off and keeps him active.)

What is the coolest thing we've seen so far?
Mmmmm, the coolest thing so far is two things: the ferris wheel that lights up and the Merlion that shoots out water.

What is weird here?
The car that was parked in the turn lane. Because we were walking along, minding our business and look straight -- we saw a car parked right on the side!

What else do you want to tell people about Singapore?
Nothing! You are asking me too much questions. 

A little game

Let's play a little game, shall we?
What does Singapore *not* have?

Is it:
A) Ranch Dressing
B) Wal-Mart
C) Netflix
D) Pandora
E) Graffiti
or
F) All of the above

Ding, ding, ding, time's up!

That's right, All of the above!

Boy, I sure miss listening to Pandora and now I just won't be able to catch up on Grey's Anatomy. Oh well, guess there's better things to do around here. :) But once I get a proper mailing address, I'm probably going to ask someone to ship me some ranch for my fries and salad. Curry and chili sauce just aren't the same. Oh the things we miss!