Making Lemonade out of Lemons - Singapore Style

Friday night the girls had been invited to a disco themed birthday party in the city at a new friends' condo form 7-10 PM.  That same evening Fred and I were planning to attend a neighborhood party.  We all wanted to attend our parties so we needed to come up with some sort of plan that would work out for all of us.  We decided to get a hotel right across the street from where the birthday party was. The girls could walk over to the party and we'd be back by 10 to pick them up.  When we went to our hotel room we realized it was way too small for the 4 of us- the beds were just bigger than a twin but not quite a double.  We decided when we went back to our neighborhood party, we'd quickly grab our air mattress and use that too. Strike 1 for things not working out.  Fred and I were at our party and at 7PM we got a call- the girl's party had been moved to Saturday, but we hadn't gotten an email with the change (as I mentioned new friend- and not super close). Strike 2 for things not working out.  So now we had a hotel room that was too small that we didn't need and had to run back to the city to pick up the girls at a party that was the next night.  The drive into the city is 30-45 minutes each way.  We made our 3rd drive, got the girls, and figured we should enjoy the downtown evening since we were here!

Singapore goes all out with holiday decorations.  The main downtown drag is completely covered with lights.  They have brilliant lights over the street every 50 feet and then all along the streets are huge lit up ornaments hanging from the trees.  The photo above shows the main downtown mall (ION) with it's front all aglow.  The entire area is lit up in blue and white.  It was incredible to see and we were glad we made the most of our unnecessary overnight stay in the city. 

The next morning we wandered the streets in the daytime and took photos of the decorations that were not lit up.  We came across huge decorative angels and then in front of a department store, called Tangs, we saw a statue of a woman in a peacock dress with a peacock feather head dress that went all the way up to the ceiling covering it with feathers.   

Despite some curveballs thrown at us, we made the most of the evening and the next day.  We headed back home in the afternoon and then once again Saturday evening we were heading back to the city for the disco birthday party.  The girls were all dressed up and ready to dance the night away.

Strike three hit when Fred and I were enjoying dinner while the girls were at their party, and Jen called to tell us the party ends at 9PM instead of 10PM.  We wrapped up dinner quickly and drove over to get them.  For some reason we just couldn't get things straight with this party, but in the end the girls had a great time.  

Just an added bonus to our weekend of errors, we went out to dinner with Fred's boss on Sunday evening, but when we showed up at our favorite pizza place it was closed for renovations!  COME ON.  It was a tough weekend and we needed a break.  Thank goodness there was a burger place nearby and once again things worked out- we found another restaurant that was pretty good.

Monkeys and other Singaporean yard pets

Today I was driving through the neighborhood and a trash can was tipped over with monkey's around it.  One was hold a Capri Sun pouch with the straw in it's mouth.  I think it's time to do a blog about the monkeys.  I didn't want to just jump right in expressing my opinion about them without
giving it some time to watch them and have a more complete thought.

Monkeys are regular visitors in our neighborhood.  There a jungle area behind some houses where the monkeys live, but all our fruit trees and garbage allures them out to see what taste treats await.

I had seen monkeys walking around even passed them on the street with no real interaction.  However, one morning while returning from the gym a large pack of about 12 were walking towards me.  I know I am not supposed to look at them, but I had to watch because I was afraid, there were so many.  Sure enough, I guess I stared a little too long, and 2 jumped towards me baring their teeth and hissing.  I proceeded to side step as fast as I could away from them and then walked quickly home with my heart beating fast.  

My next interaction was while driving, a few monkeys were on the side of the road and one was sitting in the middle of the road.  I stopped and waited for it to move out of my way.  As I drove past  something was thrown at my car!

So at this point, I basically hated the monkeys and stayed away.

Then one day I was doing laundry in our cottage in our backyard; I saw 6 monkeys feasting on our mango tree and playing with each other.  From inside the confines of a wall looking through a window at them they were actually cute.  Then I spotted the little baby hanging on it's mom.  It was tiny and black, some of my hate for them melted away.  

I still try to stay away from them but I do enjoy looking at them from behind glass. The plentitude of fruit trees around us makes them risk coming out of the jungle to get a good meal.  And all our garbage readily available if your trash can is not bungie corded shut is a real appeal.  One day I saw a trash can on it's side and McDonalds wrappers all around it and of course a monkey was sitting there enjoying lunch.  If you ever saw the movie Over The Hedge you'll get the idea.  If you haven't seen it please do, it's SOOO funny.

The monkeys are the most entertaining and talked about creatures in our midst, but we do have an assortment of tropical birds that sing beautiful songs, squirrels run about, and occasionally you might get a glimpse of a monitor lizard roaming your yard.  I finally saw one in our yard and ran to get a photo so you all would believe me when I say I saw one.  

Holiday Shopping

Black Friday is my favorite shopping day.  SALE SALE SALE!  The infectious crowds putting things in their carts make me put stuff in mine too.  The holiday music ringing in my ears BUY, BUY, BUY.  It's electrifying to head out and get amazing deals!

A few years ago my sister-in-law, Shannon, and I headed out for the midnight sales.  We raided Abercrombie and Fitch with the best of them, EVERYTHING was 50% off.  Buy, buy, buy- I rang up $500 of clothes for my kids, nieces, and nephews that instantaneously became $250.  Was there anything else they needed - the deals were amazing!

Last year my second outing in the  afternoon was with Fred and the girls when we went to Walmart- which was relatively calm since the morning storm had passed.  We were in awe of the multitude of bins filled with DVDs.  We had heard that video streaming services might not work in Singapore, so DVDs were what we needed and at $2, $3, or even $5 they were just falling into our cart.  We loaded up on TV shows so we could have something to watch regularly without US stations.  I spotted a $12 DVD/Blue Ray player - why not, the one we have might break! We ended up buying so many DVDs a year later there are still some unopened.

So this year, I'm in Singapore.  They don't celebrate Thanksgiving, thus there is no Black Friday, except at our Naval Exchange.  Some friends joked about lining up, spending the night even since it's the only Black Friday shopping in town.  Doors opened at 7AM- and YES there was a line (I heard).  I actually woke up at 7:20- wanted to go back to sleep, but then remembered all the Embassy people could come and raid our sales.  I jumped up and headed out the door- arriving at 7:45. The place was packed.  Purses were on sale and women were all gathered around picking the one they liked the best.  Purses are not my thing- I love shoes- so off to the shoe section where a new pair of sneakers jumped in my cart!  Now was there anything to buy for the rest of the family??!!  Going through our small store (think the size of a CVS) didn't take long, but I filled the cart.  It's Black Friday, so I couldn't pass up the deals!  An hour later it was over with no second outing except to run back and pick up the milk I forgot.

Happy Shopping- Thank goodness for Amazon and a FPO address!