Toilet Paper

When we were preparing to leave the United States, one of my biggest concerns was if I was going to be able to find the toilet paper we've been using for the past nine years. I knew this wasn't a big deal because really, I'd be able to find something for us to wipe our bums. But the true question was if I'd be able to find the things to which my family had grown accustomed.
Focusing on this 'little' worry helped keep my mind off the big issues: would I be able to figure out where to buy groceries? would we make friends? would we find a home? would we be financially stable? would the kids adjust to being here? would customs take all of our belongings? would we be lost in a sea of people we didn't understand or who didn't understand us? There were so many worries running through our minds.
God has addressed many of our concerns. There's a decent grocery store within walking distance and a good website I can order pantry items to be delivered. We found a place to live that we actually love. Customs wasn't an issue at all. We are making friends at church and at our condo. We all seem to be settling in OK. Don't get me wrong, we still have plenty of things we worry about but today, almost two months after moving here, I bought a pack of 'our' toilet paper.

Say What?

A little while back my friend asked me: "How are your children adjusting to a world where most others aren't speaking English? Have they noticed much, since their parents are speaking English?"
Thankfully we've moved to "Asia Light" as people like to call it and most people here speak English. So I'd say that language seems to be no issue for the kids so far. Their interaction with people is limited to those providing customer service or passing-by neighbors. And since everyone does their best to speak English, especially to little blond kids, they haven't noticed. At least Cade hasn't made any comments. (Unlike when we were in Oregon and he'd constantly ask me about the Spanish speaking people at the next table over.) Then again, Cade is very confident in his English speaking abilities and believes that everyone should be able to understand him.  
Elise sounds like she's babbling in Hindi or Mandarin most of the time as it is.When we were staying in the hotel apartment that had housekeeping services, Elise loved to see what the housekeepers were doing. She'd babble to them and give big smiles. One housekeeper said "My English not too good" and pointed at Elise. I said, "That's ok--her's isn't very good either." She is starting to talk more and she loves dancing to music-regardless of the language.
We've found the TV channels from the United States (Disney and Nick Jr.) so the cartoons are in English. One of Cade's favorite cartoons right now is Ni Hao Kai-lan. It's a Chinese cartoon similar to Dora that teaches Mandarin phrases. After Cade watches, he likes to use his new phrases to people. I sure hope he's not offending everyone with his cartoon-Chinese. He's excited about learning Mandarin at school in the fall. He's even started watching Asian TV with Daddy; but I can't tell if he likes it because it's in a different language or because he gets to watch TV with Daddy. He doesn't seem to care if the radio station is in a different language either. Thank you Ross for developing a fondness of Hindi music.
We are slightly concerned that the kids will have difficulty with spelling and grammar as they grow up. The "Queen's English" is bound to cause a few errors on a spelling test if we move back to the States. And the "Singlish" language is not well known for proper grammar. We are also trying to keep the children from adding 'lah' to the end of all their phrases. That might be a bit harder once they are in school and around more kids.
I'd love to answer more questions. Just let me know--lah!

Quick update! New HOME

Now that we have internet access again, I'm hoping to be more regular about my blog posts. But wanted to let you know, dear reader, that we are in our new-to-us condo. So far so good! Friday we got the keys and took care of the logistics with the furniture rental and the delivery of our air shipment. So nice to have stuff both new and old. Yesterday we checked out of Shangri-La Apartments and tried to explain to Cade that this would be the last move, for a little while. Then we watched the National Day practice fireworks last night from the comfort of our living room. Today we went to church (that'll probably be a post all it's own about the church we found and how we found it). Feels nice to have a glimmer of hope that we'll be able to settle into our new place and our new routine. Tomorrow I think we'll go explore the park down the street and have a picnic lunch. Really can't complain right now.

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.