Plan B

Today we went out thinking we were going to spend the morning at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve , but when we got there we couldn't find anywhere to park, so we went with Plan B: West Coast Park. I have been hearing about this park since we moved into our condo so we decided to check it out. It was beautiful and there was a huge playground with stuff for different ages to play on. We first went to the toddler area. The only setback was that it was surrounded by sand. What we wound up doing was placing Elyse on the equipment. She was happy climbing around things and going down the slide (if someone was there to stop her from touching the sand.)

Throughout the morning we kept coming back to the playground and Elyse was more and more daring with the sand. You could see her really wanting to play, but having the sand stop her. At one point she was on sand, but it was the overflow from the play area, and standing right at the edge. While she was this close we played with sticks in the sand, looked at a worm we uncovered, and then a boy shared his toys with Elyse. When we went to another play area Elyse actually WALKED ACROSS THE SAND! We were so proud! I wouldn't say she is comfortable with it, but she is getting braver or at least getting a higher tolerance for it.

I got stuck in the middle of the zip-line. Toby made it across after a couple of tries and so did Elyse (with a little help from Dad.)

The West Coast Park is on the coast so we were able to walk by the water and what's in the water BOATS! Elyse was so happy. This park is just another example of how an urban area can still have trees and places to be outside and play. Bravo Singapore! Although it wasn't what we had originally planned, our Plan B turned out to be a great morning.

More Observations About Singapore

Just some thoughts and observations:

1. It is common for men to have one long finger nail.

2. It is common for women to have long toenails

3. I have seen many people with fanny-packs.

4. The reasons I run in Singapore: To get on the MRT, to make it across the street before the walk sign turns, and to catch the elevator.

5. They make pancakes stuffed with things (The ones I get look like hockey pucks). I like the cheese pancakes.

6. "Free and easy" is a common expression for something being relaxed or uncomplicated.

7. When you get your haircut (which I finally did), they put the shampoo in your hair when your hair is dry and you are sitting in the styling chair, and then bring you to the sink to wash it.

8. "Asian" has lost some of its meaning out here if you are using it to describe how someone looks. Is the person (or their relatives) from China, India, Bangladesh, Korea, Indonesia, Philippines.... ? All Asian but with very different looks.

9. This is not a new observation, but one I would like to share: Toby is a great dad.

Growing With The Elephant

Today Elyse and I were looking at some old pictures. One of the pictures we came across was her playing with her stuffed elephant. I thought it would be fun to see how big she has gotten compared to the toy so I had her pose by it. I then found a third picture with her and the elephant. You can really see how much she has grown.

3 1/2 months

7 Months

20 1/2 Months

Sentosa

At the beginning of the week we went to Sentosa which is a small island off the main island of Singapore. Toby was able to take a couple days off from work which made it our first vacation where it was just the three of us.

We arrived on Sunday and it was raining a little bit, but it didn't stop us from exploring. We started by going to an area called the Merlion Walk. It was an area with fountains and beautiful flowers which lead to a giant Merlion (the symbol of Singapore). If you wanted to you could go up inside the Merlion, but we decided against it.

After the walk we headed to the cable car (like a gondola) that connected Sentosa to the main island. We rode up over the water and Elyse had fun telling us that there were boats below us. We weren't so sure how she would do in the small space high above the ground, but she did well and seemed to have fun. Toby and I enjoyed it as well.

It started to rain and we headed to our hotel to check in so Elyse could take a nap. We stayed in the Siloso Beach Resort which was right on the beach and close to everything (although that's really not that hard to accomplish since Sentosa is small.) After Elyse woke up we headed to Underwater World which is the island's aquarium. They have a tunnel that you can travel through which has fish swimming all around you. Although the exhibits they had were neat, I was expecting a little more.

The aquarium was followed by a walk on the beach, well an attempt at the beach, remember Elyse hasn't liked sand in the past. Well, as we got to the beach we realized those feeling hadn't changed. Elyse DID NOT like the sand. I think she just doesn't like the texture. I had some socks that I put on her to see if that helped with the texture issue. I thought "Sure, she can be the weird kid with socks on at the beach." It didn't help. We carried her the rest of the way back to our hotel where we went swimming.

The next day I had originally thought we could spend the morning on the beach, but that idea was nixed so we went to Fort Siloso. We were able to tour the fort and gained insight into some of Singapore's history. It was interesting. The fort was followed by lunch where we got to witness local monkeys stealing tourists food. Needless to say we ate far from the monkeys.

It rained again, but as soon as it sort of stopped we headed to the dolphin show. It was on the other end of the beach, but we made most of the show. On the way back down the beach we crossed over a bridge to what is considered the most southern point on Continental Asia. We have now been to the the southern most point in the US (Key West, Pre-Elyse) and Continental Asia.

We then found some fountains that Elyse could play in and then tried the beach again. Elyse got into the water, but as soon as she was lowered into the water where her feet could touch the ground, she was done and we went back to the fountains.

Before dinner we caught an animal show where Elyse got to pet a snake. As the sun went down we went on the beach again. Elyse walked (in her sandals) on the sand for about 20 feet. I was so proud of her. This is a big deal. Earlier in the day some dogs walked by on the beach. Normally she would take off after them, which she started to, but then reached the sand line and came to an abrupt stop. I thought if dogs wouldn't get her on the sand nothing would.

After dark we saw the light show on the beach called the Song of the Sea. It was neat. There was animation, lights, singing, and fireballs. Elyse did very well especially since it was way passed her normal bedtime and that it was loud. Sometimes she doesn't like drums or loud noises. I did have to stand int he back for part of the show, but didn't miss much.

On Tuesday, we decided to try the beach one last time before we left. We brought all her toys and extra towels in case that's where she wanted to hang out. Well, she got in the water a little bit and sat on my lap in the sand, but I wouldn't say she was enjoying herself. We then decided to put her on the towels and placed her toys in the sand and that's where she stayed, leaning over the towel to play with her toys in the sand. She had fun and I guess that's what counts.

After the beach we changed and headed home. We did a lot in the couple of days we were on Sentosa and had a great family vacation. Thanks for reading my ramblings.

Bird Park

Elyse and I went to the Bird Park with some friends. It seemed like a quick trip, but while we were there we saw a bird show, fed the lories (one landed on my head), and posed with this guy:

6 Months

We have been in Singapore for 6 months now. It seems like we have been here forever, but yet it seems like we just got here. I feel like I know my way around and have settled into a routine, so much so that I get in ruts. Yes, I am living in a foreign country and experience some great things, but my everyday life is very similar to what it would be in the States, and it can get a bit boring. Yes, life with a toddler keeps you on your toes and fills your day, but some times you just can't read one more children's book without yawning or trying to convince your toddler to read it herself... "It will be fun!!"

Appropriately enough I went to Vivocity today. Something I did when we first arrived. I wanted to do something different from what I do day to day. This time I knew that there was a play area and a water area so I was prepared. To get there I didn't have to look at a map and was totally comfortable with the MRT. Unfortunately, when we did arrive I was a bit disappointed. The water area and half the play area were shut down for maintenance ("Sorry for the Inconvenience.") The thing that made it better was that I knew someone there. Yes! I recognized someone from MOPS- not something that would have happened 6 months ago. So, we hung out with some friends for awhile, had lunch, did some shopping and headed home not disappointed at all.

Over the last six months things have changed, and mainly for the better. Yes, I could leave soon (after we see a few more things), or I could stay for another year+ (which is good because we aren't leaving any time soon). I am thankful that I have made some connections here and can stay connected with the people at home. It makes being an expat much better.

On another note Elyse is now 20 months old wow! and I am 31 1/2 years old wow!