Traveling: Singapore Pictures

I'm finally posting at our desk-top where our photos are stored. Here's a few from our Singapore trip....enjoy! (More at my facebook page.)

Here's Benjamin getting wet at Water-Works water play area at the Science Center. You would never guess that just a few hours before this we were at a Snow City where all the kids were sliding down an icey hill.

Keeping all our balls in the air.....

Kelley....shopping....of course.

Kelley and Melissa in front of the Momma "Merlion".

(The Merlion is the symblom for Singapore - you can read about it here.)

The Singapore Flyer....not to be confused with the London Eye....this is taller.

Amazing views!! Probably the favorite for us all.

Traveling: Impressions of Singapore

Our first impressions of Singapore was that Singapore were impressive. The airport was large, clean, very modern - lot of stores and it seemed that the security was actually up-to-date.

We had a driver meet us at the gate and take us to our hotel. We loved all the Christmas lights that were up already. Everywhere we looked was decked out in lights. Since we arrived at dark, we got the full effect of all the lights in the trees. Apparently, every year they have a different color scheme -this year the colors were gold and silver with the theme of "Glitzy Christmas". It was all so beautiful.

Our hotel was equally beautiful. It was downtown close to several malls and the river. It was so nice to have stores and restaurants - and real Starbucks!! - within walking distance.

Also, close to our hotel was the "Fountain of Wealth" with five buildings around it. The buildings and the fountain were presenting of a hand - the building the fingers - and the water of the fountain wealth pouring into the palm.

Much like the Chinese, Singaporeans believe in luck. It was said to be lucky if you could touch the water of the fountain. Several times a week, they allowed people to walk to the middle of the fountain to touch the water - while they took your picture in which they would sell to you for a nice price.

We chose to skip the "lucky" ritual and just trust Jesus for a good life.

Singapore really is a beautiful city - very clean. The buses and subway were also very clean and were easy to use. It's a very easy city to get around. There were also water taxis. Many of the buildings were nice looking - very few "run down" buildings. We never saw any abandon buildings like we do in DC or New York. There's lots of "green space". In fact they are building several new gardens. By the end of next year, it'll be an even more of a beautiful city.

But would I ever want to live there? That's the question Drew wanted to know. He would love to get a job there once our military life is over. But me? I don't know. It's even farther away from home that Guam. Maybe in a few years...right now I need a good dose of an American life.

Traveling: Getting to Singapore

On our way to Singapore we had a lay-over in Manila. A very long lay-over. Seven-to-eight hours were not the best, but could not have been avoided as it's the best way to get from here to there....we lived through it.

When you have such a long lay-over, you have time to look around....take things in....like the security. Hm....let's just say that it was...well...interesting.

When they built the terminal and jet-ways, they built all the walls with glass. On one hand it was nice to be able to see all around - very nice. Even the doors were glass - very thick - heavy glass. But....as I said security was interesting. They locked these glass doors with a chain and a pad-lock.

No. I am not kidding. A chain and a pad-lock. Really? It's 2009. You would like that they would have something more high-tech.

Then there was a the security line itself. They had you walk through the x-ray machine, then you had to step up on a wood-block to be padded down.

As I have never been arrested, I've never been padded down before. Glad I can say that I still have never been arrested but padded down?

Yeah. I have now been padded down. In public. With my family watching. At least it was by another women.

As I was sitting during our overly-long lay-over, I watched others go through the x-ray machine and step-up to the wood block to be padded down. And it was soon clear why every one was being padded down.

There was no electricity to the x-ray machine.

None at all.

As I said earlier, it's 2009. You would like that would be able to work the high-tech equipments.

If you can, I would avoid Manila Airport...and not just because you'll be padded down. It's just a crazy place. What saved us, is we did not have to go to a different terminal. Had we had to, it would have required paying an exit tax and a taxi. It's just crazy.

But if you want to be padded-down...go right ahead - get your cheap thrill!!

Traveling: Singapore

Over the years Drew and I have been lucky with our children over traveling. For the most part they have stayed healthy and have traveled well. They seem to enjoy seeing new places - which is a good thing if you are in this family.

This year for Thanksgiving we went to Singapore - and it seemed at first that our luck of healthy children had run out. As we were checking in at the airport, I could tell Ben was more than just tired like the others. While is was early-early-thirty, he was not himself. He did have a runny nose and had the "blah's" but also could have been running a fever. I was not looking forward to a "drug and drag" vacation (that would be pouring drugs down the child and still dragging them around a tour). Out of all of our kids, he would be the one not to do well with that at all.

But, thankfully, after a nice long nap at the Manila airport, he woke-up bright eyed and more like himself...ready to irritate all siblings in sight.

He was generous though....no matter how well Drew and I tried to avoid it, we caught the cold and we were the ones being drugged and dragged!

More to come on our Thanksgiving in Singapore.....

A Little Longer than Expected.....

I didn't mean to stay away from posting as long as I did....laziness, I guess. My trip to Hawaii was very nice. It was it great to be off Guam for a little while....even if it was to another island. While I didn't complete my Christmas shopping, I did make a decent start.

The conference itself was nice as well. The speaker, Brenda Pace, was very good. The theme was Aloha: Hello, Goodbye, I Love You - all of which is how the word "aloha" is used. Brenda Pace talked about what we say hello to when we enter God's family as believers (his love, a new family, etc), what we say goodbye to (sins, etc) and she ended with how much the Lord loves us. We also, heard two ladies give their testimonies - they also did a great job!

Then were was several real Starbucks that took up our time. Such nice treats!

I was able to get in a short visit with my nephew who now lives in Waikiki. I think we decided that it has been since summer of 2004 since we had seen each other - just one of the side effects of being married to a military man. He is now a chef at a local restaurant. Two of my friends and I were able to eat breakfast there on our last morning - very good food, of course.

The kids did great while I was gone. Melissa seemed to live through "being the only girl in the house" (which she moaned and groaned about before I left: Don't leave me to be the only girl!!) She also participated in a jump rope competition on Saturday in which she won first place in her division! We are very proud of her!! She only joined the jump rope club about a month ago and due to being ill and the air show was not able to attend all the practices. Several teachers and other parents told me how good she did. She ended with a perfect cartwheel - which is what apparently won her the first place. Her age group was 11-14, so she was competitng again mostly older kids. She's hooked now!

There's No Place Like Home....

Hello....yea...it's been awhile - sorry for that. I was just busy (or lazy) while on my trip home. Then there was the trip back...that just drained me. I did the military hopping and this time around it was an adventure called "Delayed". If it could have a delay, it did.

I left my mother's house on Tuesday driving to Memphis for a flight that was to leave Wed morning, but ended up leaving Wed afternoon. Long story short: I finally got back to Guam Saturday at midnight here which is Saturday morning in the States - that's four days of traveling.

I'll give more details later - off to bed for my boys and me soon to follow!

State-side Update

Since I've last posted we have enjoyed more family time. We were able to see just about all of my family (only my uncle and aunt from VA were absent) Saturday night. It was a great visit with my cousin and his family and my aunt. We were also able to get Drew some clothes that actually fit him.

And let me tell you how good he looks! Yummy!

Sunday I went to the church that I was baptized in...except they have torn down that building and have a huge new building and of course, after all these years there's a different pastor. So...not really at the same church. It was nice - the pastor was very good.

Monday we went back to Natchez to see one of Drew's brother's that was out of town last weekend. We left the kids with Drew's parents while we made a quick trip to Jackson. We had a great supper and visit with my aunt, then got up very early so Drew could make it to the airport. He's now back in Guam after a very long, but smooth trip.

After another night in Natchez visiting the in-laws there, the kids and I are now in Mandeville, LA visiting our former Maryland neighbors. It's been great seeing them - my boys are just so happy to be with their friends again.

We were going to visit another family, but they are sick - yuck. We'll skip the germs! Tomorrow we'll head back to West Monroe to hang out for the weekend. As of now, my flight leaves Memphis on Wednesday morning. If all goes well, we'll be in Guam next Friday night Guam time.

Oh yeah - I went to Target today. Deep sigh....heaven! And I found a World Market - also heaven!

Thursday in the Real World

Today started with a real breakfast from Chick-fila. In a word: heaven! That chicken biscuit is still the best 17 grams of fat. Ever.

Then we took the kids to this place called Excalibur. Basically, it's a casino for kids. Sort of like Chuck E Cheese. But this has laser tag (which Melissa won) and bumper cars and go-carts. My kids and their two cousins really had a blast. It was really funny to see the kids drive a car. This was the first time any of our kids did anything like that. Melissa had sunglasses on and looked so hollywood. (Maybe I'll figure out how to get my photos from my camera without the cord on to the laptop....we'll see.)

Afterwards Mom and I went shopping. We really only went to Lifeway and a decorating store. It was really nice to be in Lifeway. I love Lifeway. I bought three books and two CDs. So much fun!

The decorating store would have been more fun if I had a house in the area to decorate. And some knowledge of how to actually display any of the beautiful stuff I saw.

We did drive around town. It's just weird in some ways to be back in a city that I grow up in....and haven't visited much since I was sixteen. Lots of memories....good and bad....sweet and bitter....but fun. And with more perspective.

And we got several games of scrabble in. Since Drew is with us this year, we're letting him play...even though he is so much better than Mom and I. And he frowns on us using the dictionary. He calls is cheating.

Which of course, it's not.

It's using our resources. Which is what the schools are teaching our kids to do, so why not us too?!!!

Lots of Family Time

We flow in on Wednesday and by Thursday afternoon we had made our way to the lake house owned by one of Drew's brothers. We stayed there until late Monday morning. We had a great time being lazy, watching the kids swim, and just visiting with all the family and friends that came in.

The kids had a blast with all their cousins. This is what Drew and I miss the most with us living so away: the kids growing up with family close by. In fact right now William and Ben are still at the boy cousin's house and we have all the girls here at Nana and Papaw's house.

Yesterday I went shopping at Wal-Mart...by. my.self. It was WONDERFUL! I found several great "bargains". Packages of erasers for ten cents. Rubbermaid sandwiches containers - a set of four for only a dollar. Great size water bottles for fifty cents. It was delightful!

Today I went to the mall and also had a delightful time. I found several shirts for five dollars a piece. YEAH!

But what cracked me up was one ladies' question. In several stores I made the comment that I was really enjoying the shopping - the selection - that I just didn't have that where I lived. Most replied, "Where are you from?" or"Where do you live?" But my favorite - "Where you stay?"

Oh, yeah...I'm back in the South.

I'm Back

Drew and I are back from our impromptu vacation - without the children.

Yes, it was very nice. But it invoked lots of thoughts....

...having friends willing to keep your three even though they have none? Truly priceless.

...realizing you're on a boat with no life jackets other than the one you're wearing? A little disconcerting.

...but very disconcerting when you realized the boat really is moving - and moving fast while you are snorkeling and hanging onto a side rope.

....propellers look very sharp as they whiz around.....

...sea turtles and sharks are really very cool looking...but very glad the sharks were way below me!!

... and that Napoleon Fish? Very glad it was also far away.

...have your dive master and boat driver pop betel nut constantly is a little unnerving.

...thank you Jesus for not letting me die on a boat this week...or a plane....

...being Internet free for days? It's doable...and we probably all need to do it once in a while.

...when you tell me you're an university professor and only have to teach six months out of the year and you travel the rest, really tells me you're not teaching at an ivy league school or one that's accredited...


...favorite quote of the trip: "An American salary is heaven." We truly take our life in America for granted.


...I never want to live in a third-world country again.

...taro is nasty tasting.

...a 2 a.m. flight back home almost ruins a fine vacation.

...being attacked by three kids at 6:30 a.m. is more than wonderful.

A few Pictures

I thought today I could either grip about the hour-long line at the post office with only one window open or I could just post a few pictures -

So, here's to trying to stay positive.

The first one is before snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef -and second one is after snorkeling - it's been a long time since both napped at the same time...with being sick.

So sweet when sleeping...sweet awake, too!

Answer

The answer to the question below: it's a big ant hill.

Or mound.

Or mountain.

No matter what you call it, I didn't want to get anywhere near it.

When I asked a lady about it she said it was ants and that it's alright to touch them -just don't poke a hole in it.

Yeah...I can see that...I wouldn't want someone a million times bigger than I am to poke a hole in my house either.

Just the thought of poking a hole in one of those gives me nightmares.

What is it?

These were all over the Outback in Australia. Do you know what they are? I, for one, am glad I don't have one in my backyard!

Cairns: Day Six & Seven

On day six of our trip we slept in (yes, that was an on-going theme) and then drove inland to the "Tablelands". I went to a place called Coffee Works. It was great - I got to taste coffee and chocolate. Drew took the kids to lunch so I got have a few minutes to myself.

Coffee and chocolate - what more could you ask for!

All of it was very yummy!

Then we drove to a place called Granite Gorge - very beautiful! And lots of wallabies. Wallabies look like a cross between a rabbit and an over-grown rat.

And they loved to be fed....the kids had a great time!

We also got a great hike in.

But I will say the drive back like to have done me in - we didn't go the way we came, and really -we should have. The road we took was very, very, very curving...and hilly....Melissa and I both were feeling and looking a little green by the time it was over.

Our last day we also slept in. We tried to go to church, but had the times wrong. So, we just walked around the downtown area and had a nice lunch.

Well, nice until the crazy lady to tried to talk to Benjamin. I'm not sure if she wanted him to come with her somewhere or if she was trying to get the camera. He was a little ways from us - but still in our view. As soon as the lady started to walk towards him, Drew was headed that way and got there first. We're not sure if she was drunk or crazy - either way she scared Ben a little. He stayed closed by for quite a while!

Afterwards we went back to the apartment - the kids got back in the pool and I did the last of the laundry and read a book. Drew took a nap - of course!

We all slept some before we had to leave at 11:30pm for our 1:30 am flight. The flight home was fine - bumpy at times - it's no fun being woken out of a dead slept with a dropping feeling and words in your head like, "Please, Jesus, please, Jesus"!

Thankfully, He said yes and we landed safe and sound. We were back to our house by 7AM.

It's always good to come home back to you own bed!

Cairns: Day Four & Five

Our day four was Thanksgiving day. We slept-in then hit the mall for what one of the things I was looking forward to: TARGET!!! Yes, Australia has a Target!!

And it was like coming home.

Well, almost - some things were different, but hey! Beggars can't be choosers!!!

Between the sales and the exchange rate I racked up several outfits. And a few Christmas presents along the way (yes, presents for the kids not me!)

The first time I only had about 45 minutes - afterwards, I told Drew, "That was so not enough time! I didn't even make it out of the clothing section." So, after our Mexican Thanksgiving Day lunch (and let me be the first to tell you Australians can't cook Mexican), Drew took the kids swimming while I went back to the mall and Target.

It was great afternoon.

For our 5th day we went to the Great Barrier Reef - probably Drew's best/favorite day; my worst/least favorite day. Drew got to dive at three different sites. I got to snorkel with the kids.

Which would have been great if Ben had been in a great mood.

But instead he impersonated a five year old.

Or maybe it was a three year old.

All I know there was a lot of crying by him and lot of threatening looks by me.

Maybe some screaming.

By both of us.

We had to wear these blue stinger suits b/c the jellyfish could be really bad. He didn't like his suit. And as soon as he got in the water he got stung on the one place that was not covered - his finger. The boat didn't have life-jackets for snorkeling - only noodles. I was so afraid that I would pull it out from underneath Ben, that I couldn't enjoy myself. And the fact that he wasn't really swimming...he wanted me to do all the work and pull him. NOT FUN!!

But when he was on the boat with William and I got to snorkel with Melissa - I had a great time!

We all (well, except for the crying one) got to see sharks. Very cool. They were small and stayed one the bottom of the ocean floor.

So, we can now say we have swam with sharks.

Very cool, indeed.

Cairns: Day Two and Three

On our second day we slept in late then drove around Port Douglas, a town north of where we stayed. Afterwards we went to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures. You can watch them feed some crocs here on YouTube. Here Ben got his new name: Snake Boy.

During one show he was picked to go up front. The guide then proceed to wrap a python around Ben.

Ben was very, very happy.

I was happy that it was not me that was picked!

The zoo also had some koalas so Melissa was very happy.

The next day we went to a mountain town call Kuranda. We took a train up and a skyrail down. We really enjoyed the skyrail as we were able to really enjoy the rain forest. Kuranda also had koalas - but this time the kids could hold them not just pet them. We also feed more 'roos - such a calm animal!

Kuranda also had a butterfly and a bird sanctuary. We chose to visit the butterfly instead of the birds. I really enjoyed it because we hit it at the right time for a guided tour. I never knew there was so much to butterflies to know! There was also a snake zoo and you guessed it - the boys went there. Melissa and I went shopping instead! And yes, Ben got to hold another snake there, too.

Cairns: Day One

By the time we landed, got through all the paperwork, got our luggage, and got to our "holiday apartment" it was close to 2 o'clock -AM. We all went to bed pretty quick and slept for several hours. After we got up we had to finish the paperwork for our apartment and car. We were able to buy a few groceries and through the front office we made reservations for several activities . We were able to walk around the village some also.

That night we went to Cairns' Night Zoo. They served us dinner then we walked around the zoo as the guide showed us several animals. The highlight was the koalas, kangaroos and the crocodiles.

We were able to pet the koalas but not hold them - we would at another zoo later in the week. One of the crocodiles was the biggest thing I have ever seen!! Oh, my! Since it was dark, I wasn't able to get a picture of it, but believe me when I say you don't want to find anything like that in your back yard!

We were able to feed the kangaroos. The kangaroos were very docile. The kids LOVED this!! I personally was a little grossed-out since at the same time they offered us cake and hot tea. So, we were to feed ourselves and the kangaroos at the same time??? Yuck!! I passed on the cake. But also, loved the kangaroos.

The evening ended with a singer and his guitar and several of us doing the "Hokey Pokey" - one of my favorite songs (seriously - just ask any of my preschool students). Some friends of ours were also in Cairns the same time we were and they were also at this zoo when we were - the kids had a great time their friends there.

Home Again

We made it home safe and sound this morning - very early this morning. I'm still not sure why they have to have these flights in the middle of the night!! We walked in our door at about 7AM. We all slepted for while, then I was the mean mom and made William go to school. I knew he would have a lot of make-up work, so he needed to get back in the swing of things. I'm not worried about the other two so I didn't make them go in.

Last night at the airport we were able to find internet again - it was great seeing Ole Miss had won again! And now off to a Bowling party. Hopefully, what ever bowl game we get will be in the evening there so we can watch the game here at a decent time.

More about the trip and photos to come!

Note to Natchez family: We want to see photos of the wedding!!

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone is having a great turkey day. All's well here in Australia - the kids LOVE the kangaroos and koalas. And Ben now has a new name: Snake Boy.

He's gotten to hold several....one wrapped around him.

I think he's in love.

Good thing, though: Drew will not allow a snake in the house, so he won't be getting one for Christmas.

I just went through a Target - yes, a REAL Target store. 40 min was not enough so I'll be going back after lunch.

Internet not the best - not sure when I'll post again - have a wonderful weekend!

What a Great DAY!!

What a great day!
- Ole Miss beat LSU at LSU (Sorry, my LSU family - you know my heart is always with those Rebels!)
- The sermon at church was on John 15 - my favorite chapter in the Bible -That man can preach.
- And best of all - I'm off to a continent. No longer will I just be on an island on the edge of the world, and not only a continent, but a continent with kangaroos and koalas.

G'day, mates - we're off!