Dr. Pepper?? or did you say Tissues?

I had what my friends and I call a "Singapore moment" the other day while out to lunch with my friend Lori.

We went to a Hawker Center (like an outdoor food court with local food for really great price-filled with locals usually). We were craving some good Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and other Asian specialty food. The English spoken at this Hawker center is ok, but not as good as most stores/restaurants-but the food is AMAZING and yummy.

We sat down to eat and I decided to go to the Drink stall and get us beverages. Lori's drink of choice? Diet Coke. My drink of choice...Dr. Pepper. LOVE IT! :)

So I head to the Drink man, and ask for a Diet Coke and Dr. Pepper. He hands me the Diet Coke, then looks confused as to what I am asking for next. They sell Dr. Pepper in Singapore, I buy it all the time--but at the Hawker Center? I can't remember. So I say it slower, sounding ridiculous as I say it. "Doooocccttttooorrrr Peeeepppppppppppeeeerrrrrr". The man is not hard of hearing, so I am not sure why i am saying it in a louder voice. He was probably thinking "You silly American lady-i can hear you". He hands me another can of some other soda. I say "No, Dr. Pepper-it's a brand of soda. Red can" He hands me a Coke. I just decide to try the next Drink stall. So I say "no no. Nevermind".

A few doors down I go to the next nice little man, and say sweetly "Dr. Pepper please". He cocks his head...thinks for a moment...and picks up a bottle of water and tries to hand it to me. I say it again, stupidly, and describe it. No luck. He then smiles and his eyes light up...I think to myself YIPPEEE, he has it. He instead hands me a little packet of tissues. Tissues?? Dr. Pepper? WHAT??? Do the two words sound alike?? Am I speaking not clearly?? Am I on candid camera?? I then realize he must think I am sick (the word Doctor) and is offering Kleenex to help me??? I giggle, hand them back and tell him I'll have that bottle of water after all.

No Dr. Pepper today for me. :)

First day of school at The Singapore American School!

Maddie and Grant on their way to the bus stop at 7:00am-a much later pick up time than last year (they used to be picked up at 6:45!)

Here they are with our neighbors Lilly and Maisy-they attend a different private school here in Singapore.

Grant was not happy that he had to wear a badge for the first few days around his neck-he thought he was too big for that. :)



Maddie and Grant started school last week-Maddie started 5th grade on Monday and Grant started 1rst grade on Wednesday!!

They were both so excited to start school this year. Grant did NOT like the fact that Maddie started a few days before him, but it was nice to get some more 1 on 1 with him for a few days while she was at school.

They love their teachers and had a great first week. Grant was surprised that 1rst grade is so different from kindergarten. He came home one day and told me that "1rst grade is a lot of work and not as much playtime!!".

Madeline loves the fact that she is switching classes for science and social studies, preparing for middle school next year (YIKES!). She also is playing the violin again this year in the 5th grade orchestra and we spent the day yesterday shopping and purchasing a new violin for her.

We are sooo looking forward to another amazing year at The Singapore American School!!

Our 1 yr anniversary of living as an Expat

This past year as an Expat has flown by. As we arrived into Singapore a few days ago after our home trip to the USA, I was recalling how I felt this exact time one year ago.

We were nervous, excited, and a little scared all at the same time. We didn't know a soul here, we didn't know where to shop or eat, and most importantly I didn't know if everyone would understand us. We were told that everyone spoke English, but until you live and explore an area...you just never know. We knew that the American population was large on this tiny island, but we didn't know who our neighbors were and if we would be around any. I won't lie, the first 3 months were tough. The kids were sick constantly because they needed to get used to new "germs" in this part of the world. I was also without children for the first time in 9 years during the day. Grant started kindergarten and they were both gone all day (6:45am-4pm). It was a huge adjustment for myself as well. No longer did I have the kids as an ice breaker to meet new people. We've moved around the USA a bunch over the last 12 years of our marriage, and I have learned that it's super easy to make friends in a new area when you've got little ones in playgroups, etc. But I have made such wonderful priceless friendships since moving here to Singapore. Joining the American Womans Association and being a member of the American Club was so very helpful in meeting other women with similiar intersts. For Brian.. he had to deal with the family adjustment as well as work ones. He was starting with huge projects both in China and here, and needed to adjust to traveling to China M-F every other week. But we made it...and NOW....

One year later:
I am amazed at how well we adjusted and have grown to love it here. We have met such amazing people from all over the world, have made wonderful friends, and feel very much at home here. When we were in the USA for our visit over the summer I ran into a friend and she asked "Was it a HUGE culture shock to move to Singapore?" I didn't have to think long before I told her that it was a bigger culture shock to come back to our small New England town then to move 1/2 way around the world. We can buy/find all the same American products here but we also have cultural experiences right around each corner. It is like the best of both worlds. The kids look at people and experiences much differently now, and that is an amazing lesson I am glad that Brian and I have given them. Now we are celebrating and breathing a sigh of relief as we begin our fun second year as an Expat here in Singapore. We are looking forward to more fun traveling, a great excellent school year, and adventures that the kids will remember for the rest of their lives. :)