Settling in, in Selbyville

Container arrived - darn it!

On the morning of Friday, April 11, the reality of our "official" return to the US fully set in as movers unpacked more than 200 boxes of furniture and other belongings from Singapore.

We've actually been "home" for nearly a month and, while the combination of a late March snow storm and the arrival of our air shipment a few weeks back offered the first reality checks, something about Friday brought a blunt, abrupt closure to our adventure.


Both Jennifer and I secretly wished our container had fallen overboard and was somewhere at the bottom of the ocean - we have no room for more furniture and kitchenware!  But alas, a beautiful, bright orange container sat in front of our house at 9:00 AM Friday morning.  Not even a scratch on the thing, so apparently it didn't even come close to toppling overboard!

The moving crew was very friendly, very competent, and very careful not to damage anything.  Again - I would have preferred a few dropped boxes of plates and glasses!!  We don't have room for them either!

As we talked with Ed and others from the moving company, the conversations eventually led to questions like "what took you to Singapore?", and "are you happy to be back in the US?"  This second question was commonly asked by friends before we left Singapore as well as those we've seen since returning to the States.  I've always responded by saying, "we're happy about seeing family and friends, but we really weren't in any hurry to leave Singapore".  While this may sound like a completely noncommittal response, it's entirely true and accurate.

Our two years in Singapore flew by quickly, but we did miss friends and family.  It's been great to visit with so many people over the last few weeks, and we still have many more we hope to see very soon - so don't think we forgot about you!  But aside from "people" in the US, none of us really felt the need to hurry back to our lives in the US - or to hurry away from anything in Singapore.

Fully embracing our Southern Delaware Lifestyle

Sure, I'll admit that I enjoy the convenience and freedom of having our own car now that we're back in the US (and coincidentally, I LOVE my new truck), but a car was something we specifically decided to do without in Singapore.  Likewise, some things are a little easier in the US, like shopping, quick trips to the grocery store, etc. - but some are actually more difficult because of the lack of public transportation, inefficiency, and the length of time it takes to get from place to place... in comparison to Singapore, anyway.

And while we are enjoying getting settled back into life in the US, we also miss friends, neighbors, classmates, and co-workers from Singapore.  I miss taking Jessie up and down four flights of stairs for her morning walk, and listening to the crazy birds in the rain forest adjacent to our condo.  I miss the Uncles who drove the buses and taxis, always eager to share their political views or the latest Singapore gossip.  I miss the sweet old Aunties who cleaned up after everyone at the hawker centers, and all the locals and expats alike that made Singapore...Singapore.

I miss my daily commute on Singapore's amazing public transportation.  I miss the often oppressively hot and humid weather.  I miss the "greenness" of the city, the variety of plants, and the rare, but potential monkey encounter.  I miss the FOOD - God, I miss the Char Kway Teow and Satay at East Coast Food Center, Chicken Rice from the Hawker Center in Holland Village, the Roquefort Burger from the Feed Lot in Tanglin, Din Tai Fung, and many others!  How I managed to lose weight in Singapore vs. blowing up to 300 pounds is amazing.

On Friday, as we opened the 200+ boxes of furniture, clothing, kitchenware, etc. we came across the many reminders of our experience in Singapore.  Whether it be the multitude of Tiger Beer paraphernalia I've collected (all of which Jennifer hates), the elephant statues Sophia has collected from across Asia, or the "artifacts" Jennifer and I purchased in Singapore and other places we were fortunate enough to visit - the memories of our amazing experience all came back to life.

With that in mind, I put together another video that I think captures some of what we experienced over the last 12 months.  (Link to the original year 1 video is attached here)  It was truly a great experience and I hope you've enjoyed sharing it with us, and I surely expect that it will "be continued"...

Here's a quick view of our final year in Singapore... the end of what was an amazing, endless summer.  I hope you enjoy.

Advice for Prospective Expats

First, I want to make one thing clear.  This post is non-judgmental.  If I come off that way, it is not intended.  It is just the way I talk and I will be this way until the day I die.  In fact, I am completely aware that I am rather judgmental in general about certain things.  But this time, I really do not mean to be....

I'm sitting here having a ridiculously mature conversation with my ten year-old daughter, Sophia, about leaving here in five months.  This is the stubborn child who, almost immediately loved Singapore and made friends easily, but who would JUST NOT ADMIT that she loved it here.  It was always, "I like it here BUT I like the US better!!"  (you can almost picture her sticking her tongue out at us!) 

So with the boys in bed, and us about to embark on a mother-daughter service trip to Cambodia, we had a nice chat.

We decided on one concrete thing - it is way better to have to leave all these people than it would be to have never met them in the first place.  I had stated that on a previous post when a great friend moved home to the US and it's really hitting home now for us. 

But what I really wanted to touch on in this post is the possibility of YOU becoming an expat somewhere.  Because you know what, this just didn't fall into our laps.  We ASKED for it.  You can too.   So many of you say you wish you could do what we're doing.  Others I know say they would never do it.  I get the first half, and I hope to change the minds of the other half.  

Here is our story.  In October of 2011, I mentioned to Jason that I would love to go overseas.  What is so funny, is that a major part of why I wanted to was because of my high school friend, Amy Harrison Thogmartin.  She was my best friend sophomore/junior year and her father (love that man!) was transferred to Singapore fall of junior year.  So how many of you are now thinking, "I would never move my kids in high school!"  Well you know what, she LOVED it and still has a great network of her Singapore American School Friends. And this was before that whole crazy thing called cell phones and internet. 

This is what has always fascinated me about moving.  Most people think it is a detriment to the kids.  In MY experience, it was always a good thing.  Because of my father's chosen field, human resources, we moved quite a bit when I was a child.  Eight times before I got to settle into high school to be exact.  Now, I never had to move in high school, unlike Amy, so I cannot personally speak to that, but the other moves were not a problem for me.  I know that my brother and sister (twins) maybe didn't like it as much as I did, but I adjusted well each time and I am eternally grateful for what I consider to be a byproduct of that - an ability to easily meet people. 

But we're talking just moving up and down the east coast of the US - nothing like Singapore.  So back to October of 2011 -  I'm already ready to go pretty much anywhere.  Jason has moved once - a few miles - in his entire life.  I was pretty surprised he was totally on board.  He also never had a pet before we met, and our dog is probably more important to him than I am - so go figure.  Within a week, he was discussing a possible move to Shanghai with someone.  Now I am very liberal in where I'll go, and I still think I would have gone, but at the time Sophia had just gotten over a horrible bout of pneumonia, and I was very nervous over the air quality standards.  I remember sitting in our bed at night talking and saying, "If it was just Singapore, we'd say yes in a second!"

About a week or two later, Jason was approached about a job in Singapore and had an interview with his current boss, who happened to be in New York.  They had been searching for someone with Jason's qualifications for a while and had no luck, so they were turning the search worldwide.  They clicked and it was soon a done deal.   By January, we were in Singapore on our "look see visit".   By the end of the month, Jason had a plane ticket out of the US and our house was on the market.  

I have to tell you all, it has been the most AMAZING experience of my life.  We've been to the Philippines, Cambodia, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Indonesia in less than 18 months.  We've seen villages where people sleep on wood slats and have no running water to areas ravaged by tsunamis to the gorgeous Sydney Opera House.

My children have made friends all over the world.  Just last week I was talking to the mother of Sophia's best friend.  They will most likely move to Sweden after Singapore, and she (Liisa) has already asked if it would be possible for Sophia to be an exchange student for a year in high school.  Great friends just left to go back to Texas and I'm about to book a plane ticket for Sophia to go visit her friend this summer. 

I just cannot describe how life-changing a decision like this can be.  There is nothing wrong with living in the same town your whole life (whole set of different positives) but if you want or are ever offered the chance to do something like this, JUST DO IT.  It won't always be perfect...what in life is??  But my friend, Jennifer Krouse Tynes, who is currently on a way more difficult expat assignment in Bologna, Italy, would agree with me.   I see another expat friend from high school, Amy Chase Erickson, snowed in for eight months a year (I am exaggerating!) in Finland, but she is so happy!  It is still worth its weight in gold.  Your kids will gain so much in culture and confidence.  Not only am I a different person now, but my children are markedly different little people.  They have an awareness of things that I never had as a child, and I marvel at the adults they will become.

And besides all that, it's fun!  Jason works his butt off, but we've had the best time ever as a family here.  Use your resources and travel as much as you can.  We have taken every opportunity given to us, and I just lament not having more time.  My favorite places are no longer gorgeous beaches (except one - Batu Batu), but all the out of the way places that I can immerse myself in local culture.  I still want to go to Myanmar, Laos, Taiwan, Japan, the Maldives, CHINA, the list is endless....

So here I am, less than five months from coming home to the US.  I cannot wait to see my friends and family, but I am sick about leaving the people and places here.  I really get how the long-term people here don't want to get too attached to us short-term people, because I'm practically in tears on a daily basis and I'm not even going yet.  Luckily, we have plans to attend the wedding of two teachers at the school here in June in Georgia, so we can count on seeing a few familiar faces only three months after our return (thanks Maureen and Andrew!!).  It really helps.

Please do your family a service - if you ever have an opportunity to go overseas, no matter how young or old your children are - DO IT.  They will thank you, be it sooner or later. 

You can't spell "Singapore" without P-S-A

Contrary to popular commentary about its unbelievable cleanliness, extremely low crime rates and amazing efficiency, not everything in Singapore is perfect.  Believe it or not, there actually is occasional litter on the sidewalks, you may come across a police notification informing residents that a bicycle has been stolen, and you might even find yourself waiting for a delayed train from time to time.  Quelle Horreur!

Yes, there are some imperfections in the "Disneyland-like" facade of the city, but what would you expect in a city of more than 5 million people?  Personally, I think you have to hand it to the Singaporeans...they don't let these blemishes get them down and they are typically addressed head on!

I first noticed this as I watched the 2013 National Day Rally, during which Singapore's Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, outlined government policy and programs for housing, education and healthcare reform.  Sound familiar?

However, there were distinct differences from a typical USA State of the Union Address:

1. It was actually a policy and future strategy speech, not a partisan campaign speech
2. Prime Minister Lee actually described specific policy:  for example, providing 25 minutes of detail on the actual cost of new housing in a specific housing complex as well as providing details on healthcare coverage thresholds and rules for new school choice programs.
3. No discussion on foreign policy, funding Middle East regimes, or whether or not the military should be involved in the rest of the world's issues.  
4. No discussion on gun control, legalization of drugs, or undocumented workers etc.  It's illegal - end of story.

Obviously, it's a little easier to manage a country of Singapore's size, age, population and border situation - but still, it was interesting to see the difference in approach and content.

While the speech itself was clearly designed to address the average Singaporean's concerns about their life, their children, and their future, it's only one part of the country's approach to resolve the concerns of Singapore's residents.

Another tool, very often on display in Singapore are the various government and local company Public Service Announcements (PSAs) that do their best to address several other "issues" across the country.  Some advertise new incentives or solutions to some of the biggest domestic issues - while others simply try to influence behavioral change among the residents.   Either way, a heavy dose of PSAs are in action across the country.

Here are a few I find the most interesting:

Public Transportation:

The public transportation system in Singapore is cheap, clean, safe and efficient - but I get the impression many local residents expect even more. Ridership is estimated at 2.6 million on the MRT (train system) and 3.4 million on the bus system daily.   With more than 100 trains traveling through 102 stops across about 90 miles of track, typical wait times are only 3-4 minutes.  Rush hour trains do, however, get crowded from time to time....so I guess this PSA, encouraging residents to travel early for reduced fares, is an effort to address the rare over-crowded conditions.

And whether you opt for the bus or the train, you're constantly reminded of how to behave.  Three new posters have been popping up all around Singapore, reminding passenger to:

1. Give up your seat to elderly, injured, pregnant, or otherwise in-need passengers
2. Allow passengers to exit (alight) the train before trying to get on
3. Move in once you get on the bus, allowing space for others to get on behind you. 

Personally, I haven't really found any of these situations to be a problem, but I guess I'm not on the buses and trains with the other 6%, 2%, and 4% (respectively) of Singaporeans who don't follow these rules.

Dengue Fever:
Dengue is a real issue across Southeast Asia, and Singapore is no exception.  The virus is transferred by the Aedes Mosquito and there's really no drug to cure it.  There are several deaths a year in Singapore, and the only real way to prevent it is keep the mosquitos from breeding.  There are annual campaigns led by the National Environmental Agency, encouraging Singaporeans to "Do the Mozzie Wipeout" to prevent breeding and the risk of the disease.   (see the video here)

Don't Get Rubbed the Wrong Way:

Though this is obviously a very serious subject, the ads encouraging women to protect themselves from "predators" and to report abuse would be laughable if they weren't so creepy!  Perhaps not surprisingly, these ads have received international attention because the of nature of the ad - which many point out as innapropriate because they portray women as "at fault" for the abuse.  I don't necessarily see that - I see them as a reminder that there are creepy people about, so watch your back!  Again, the subject matter is no joke, but who volunteers to be the man photographed for this ad??  Might want to get a new agent, buddy.

Happy Everywhere
By far, however, one of my favorite knee-jerk reaction ad campaigns, is the "Happy Everywhere" television ad put out by one of the local cable television / mobile phone providers, Starhub.  In 2012, according to some Gallup study on how emotional the citizens of various countries are, Singapore was rated the least emotional country in the world.  Not a country and government to let something like a Gallup study define them, a full court press of PSAs, commentary from the Prime Minister, etc. aimed at changing perception, and encouraging residents to show they are "happy".  I can only imagine the mayor of Philadelphia - or better yet Detroit - trying to sell this ad campaign!  (enjoy multiple videos here....and here...and here...and here..and here) - you get the point.

While I poke fun at some of these ads, I imagine they are having an impact.  I've obviously noticed them.  Now, if I can just get Gallup to produce a study stating the price of alcohol is too high in Singapore, and that's what's causing residents to be unhappy...maybe the government will react swiftly and address that domestic issue next!

Goodbye Dragon...Hello Snake!

On Sunday, February 10, we said goodbye to the year of the dragon and hello to the year of the snake.  In my case, or anyone else who's a "Tiger", this wasn't necessarily a good thing... but more on that later.

While living in the US, I was aware that the Chinese New Year (CNY) did not coincide with the traditional January 1 New Year's I had always known.  I knew there was no countdown or Big Apple drop in Times Square, (or pickle drop if you're from Dillsburg, PA).  No New Year's Day full of college football bowl games.  And sadly, no Mummers parade!

To be honest, I really had no clue what CNY entailed, or what its significance was.  Living in Singapore, I have now only just scratched the surface of what it means to the Chinese community, but I figured I would share what I've learned.....because it's really quite interesting.  (Disclaimer - I've been lucky to be inundated with information about Chinese New Year, as well as guidance and suggestions for what I should and shouldn't do for Chinese New Year from local co-workers - but I fully expect I will misrepresent something in what follows.  If I have, I don't mean to be disrepectful, so please don't hold it against me!)

To begin - the basics.  Chinese New Year is celebrated on the first day of the Lunar New Year, which is why it shifts a few days or weeks each year.  Its literal translation is "Spring Festival" and New Year's Day marks the first day of a fifteen-day festival - the longest on the Chinese calendar.  Each day of the fesitval has meaning, and most are associated with family visits and/or prayer to various deities.

Box of Oranges and Red Envelopes

But even before you get to New Year's Day and the 15 days of festival that follows, there are various actions one should perform to prepare for a year of prosperity, good fortune and happiness.  Luckily, two colleagues in the office have patiently educated me on the traditions, practices, cuisine etc. surrounding most Chinese holidays, and CNY is no exception.

In the weeks leading up to the new year, local shops - in particular in Chinatown - promote items to recognize and celebrate CNY.  These include baskets, lanterns, mandarin orange "bushes" and other decorations for the home.  Shops also begin to sell fresh mandarin oranges, which are meant to be presented in pairs to colleagues or friends when visiting and celebrating.  (Don't offer one as it's disrespectful, and don't offer four, as the word "four" in Chinese sounds a lot like "death".)  Decorative red envelopes are also a common sight.  Like many Chinese celebrations, these envelopes are used to present gifts of cash - also to be given in even number denominations.

And when the final few days before the big day roll around, things get serious... and here are a few examples that I found interesting:

• About a week before CNY, you should wear red clothing to work or school. 
• About five days before CNY it is good luck to make a deposit to your bank account. 
• In the last few days prior to CNY, families spend a significant amount of time cleaning their home, sweeping away any bad omens to make way for good luck and fortune.
• On New Year's Eve, you should eat fish and firecrackers are usually lit to chase away evil spirits, again in order to prepare the home for good luck and fortune. (Damn...just remembered that Jason and I went out to dinner that night and both ate beef.  But it was really good.)

Once New Year's Day arrives (also known as the "first day") families reunite, most often honoring elders by paying them a visit.  On this first day, it is important that all the mops, brooms, etc that were used to clean the home be neatly put away, and one should not wash their hair (Thanks for the heads up, Jason. My clean hair will curse me!).  Both are precautions to ensure you don't accidently wash or sweep away the good luck and fortune that has come your way on New Year's Day. 

On the "second day" families continue to visit with elders and traditionally this day is when daughters would visit their parents (whereas the first day consisted of visits to the husband's family).  Interestingly, the second day is thought by some to be the birth day of all dogs - and as such they are offered special treats.  Ironically, this year, our beloved Jessie turned twelve years old on that day, and she was absolutely spoiled with treats!

The third day is often the last day recognized as part of the "holiday", and the final day that businesses are closed.  It is associated with "the god of blazing wrath" and it is typically viewed as bad luck to have guests or to visit others.  I say typically, because Jennifer, the kids, and I were invited to my bosses house with other colleagues (nearly all of Chinese descent) on the third day.  So far, I have not felt any "blazing wrath".

Yusheng - before mixed together

Today, the fifth day, I joined my colleagues for another celebratory lunch in Tiong Bahru, one of Singapore's oldest housing estates.  We had a very traditional CNY meal consisting of bee hoon crab, roasted chicken, abalone, whole fish, sea cucumber, cereal prawn, shark fin soup and Yusheng - a Singapore creation of shaved vegetables and raw fish, with a honey based dressing.   (Note, these pictures are representative of our meal, but admittedly, I borrowed them from google images as I didn't snap pictures throughout our meal.)

Shark Fin Soup

Though Sophia was not real happy with my eating shark fin soup, it was really quite good, and most of the other items I have eaten before.  Bee hoon is essentially an asian take on angel hair pasta, and the chicken and whole fish are pretty self explanatory.  The cereal crusted prawn was quite good, though it was not shelled - and you had to be careful not to eat a head, though even they weren't too bad as long as you didn't get an eye stuck in your teeth.


I had never tried the abalone (a variety of sea snail) or sea cucumber, and honestly, I don't know that I ever need to try them again.  The abalone was actually much better then I anticipated, but the jelatanous texture of the sea cucumber was pretty much exactly what I thought it would be.....blah!

Abalone and Sea Cucumber

Bee Hoon Crab

After a few toasts to everyone's health, good fortune and a prosperous year of the snake, we concluded dinner with a very nice apple, pear and grape dessert before heading back to the office for the remainder of the day.

Now...I mentioned when I began this post that the coming year of the snake was not neccessarily a good thing for me.  That is because my Chinese astrology animal, the tiger, is in indirect conflict with Tai Sui - believed to be in charge of the world's affairs, good fortune, etc.  In other words, my Chinese Horoscope for the entire year is crappy.  If you haven't already, find out what your Chinese Astrology Animal is, and what the year of the snake has in store for you. (Oh boy, I looked it up and Cooper and I have a direct conflict next year!  He is a rooster and I am a rat.  Save your comments please.)

Luckily, my Chinese tradition advisers (co-workers), have informed me that something can be done about this conflict and potential bad fortune through a series of temple visits, prayers and feng shui... so stay tuned for next week's post if you want to hear more about it!

Meet the Newest Member of our Family...

We added a new member to the Ludt family in Singapore today....but to explain how it came to be, I have to go back a few months.

War Memorial Park

One afternoon this past October, Jennifer, the kids and I were on our way to Marina Bay to walk around the harbor, enjoy a fruit popsicle by the Merlion and ultimately take a ride on the Singapore Flyer.  On our way, we made several stops on what turned out to be a day full of art, culture and history.

First, we visited the famed Raffles Hotel (we still have yet to have a drink at the Long Bar), a large British colonial style hotel, arguably one of Singapore's most well known icons.  Next, we stopped by War Memorial Park, built in 1967 to honor the Singapore civilians who were killed during World War II by the Japanese.  At the park, Sophia and Cooper impressed Jennifer and I with their ability to read part of the war memorial plaque written in Chinese characters (I guess the hour of Mandarin a day is actually paying off!).

Raffles Hotel

Our final stop before heading to the Singapore Flyer was the Esplanade Mall, a durian-inspired building (it is the "King of Fruits", afterall) that houses retail shopping as well as a concert hall, a theatre and various other art and performing arts venues.  The Indian holiday, Deepavali, had just passed and Sophia and Cooper were quick to spot a Kolam outside - a geometric drawing made of colored rice, believed to help bring wealth and prosperity.   

Kolam outside Esplanade

After Sophia and Cooper educated us on the Kolam, we walked inside the Esplanade, where we (unknowingly) met our newest family member.  The Esplanade was celebrating its 10th Anniversary by displaying a large piece of artwork on the thirteen steps that greet visitors entering the building.  The artwork, comprised of about two hundred resin cat and dog statues, was designed and created by Singaporean sculptor, Chua Boon Kee, and called 《猫狗的事，政府管了，我们也管》 - or -  "In the Affair of Cats & Dogs, the Government's Involved and So Shall We".

Officially, the art is described as "promoting a proactive spirit in the community" and is in response to a light-hearted comment made by Singapore's Prime Minister stating, "the minister should not be doing everything, including culling cats and saving dogs."

For us, the statues were interesting, unique and cute.  We spent some time trying to explain our perception of the artist's intent to the kids (be responsible for yourself - don't expect someone else to take care of you) - but at the end of the day, it was art.  We respected and agreed with the sentiment, but mostly we thought the dogs were adorable, regardless of the intended message.  A small sign provided details on the artist, his inspiration and a note about the possibility of "adopting" one of the sculptures by making a donation to the Esplanade.

The next day, I called the Esplanade to inquire about donations and adoption.  We really did like the art and were interested in making a donation, but the $2,000 price tag was a little steep (OK, REALLY steep).  The kids were upset we weren't going to adopt a new dog (statue) but understood how expensive it was and forgot about it.  Later that week, I came across an article about Chua Boon Kee, and an opportunity to receive a dog or cat statue directly from the artist by writing a personal letter describing why we wanted one of his sculptures.

I figured, "Why not?" and wrote a brief note (Jen:  Brief?  When are you ever brief ?  You could make a great politician, except you're too honest.)  describing our move from the US, our love of dogs and how much we all liked the art.  I had almost forgotten about the letter and artwork when I received a call from the Esplanade on Tuesday evening this week - nearly three months later.  Like our children's Chinese instruction, my marketing know-how (BS writing style...call it what it is) paid off, and we had been selected to receive a dog statue - for free!

Today, Jennifer and I once again headed to the Esplanade - this time to meet with staff at the exhibit office and collect our adopted dog.  As you can see by the attached pictures, there were about 10 different styles of dogs making up the exhibit.  While the opportunity to own a unique piece of art - something that would forever remind us of our time in Singapore - was great, I'd be lying if I said we didn't have a favorite style / breed of dog from among those that made up the exhibit.  Sure, the Shar Peis, Daschunds, Beagles and Huskies were cute - but the Jack Russell style sculpture was by far a favorite for the kids, Jennifer and I.

After waiting a few anxious moments for the staff to meet us at the Esplanade office, we were led to a small meeting area, where, standing on the table before us was our very own Jack Russell statue.  We were so excited and couldn't wait to get him home to show the kids.  We had almost forgotten he was a piece of art and were about to pick him up and carry him out of the building with us, like he was our pet....when the staff helped us wrap and pack him safely in a box for transport home.

Once we were home with the kids, we slowly unpacked the statue and the kids were ecstatic (we pretended we didn't know which one they had given us).  Next up, two very difficult decisions....where to display him and what to name him!

So - we're pleased to introduce the newest member of the Ludt family in Singapore - Red (Red Rover).

It's Time for a Tiger!

Beer – a beverage that transcends cultures, ignores borders, speaks all languages, and….tastes really good on a hot day.  

There are some things I miss from the US and can’t easily find in Singapore, but American beer is not one of them.   Though the price of beer is ridiculously high here, there are numerous regional brands from which to choose – as well as a wide variety from all around the world.  Heck, you can pick up a six pack of Budweiser at the grocery store (for $20) if you’re really homesick.

For me, I’ve tried to enjoy what is not readily available back in the US, and have discovered some new favorites such as Singha (Thailand), Asahi (Japan), San Miguel (Philippines) and Bintang (Indonesia), with the latter being my favorite…albeit not often available in Singapore.  There are also several micro-breweries on the island (two within walking distance from our home) and they offer a decent variety as well.

Asia Pacific Brewery, Singapore

But if you’re in Singapore, and I hope more of you will come visit us (hint), you have to drink Tiger beer.  It’s the national beer of Singapore, and though it’s not my favorite, it’s available everywhere and it’s cold – which is often more important than taste in a country this hot.  It’s been brewed right here in Singapore since the early 1930’s, and as the history enthusiasts (beer drinkers) that Jennifer and I are, we decided to pay a visit to the brewery.

The kids still had school while my company observed Deepavali, so this was an adult only trip, though the kids probably would have enjoyed it as well.  After booking our tour via the brewery’s online booking system on my iPad, Jennifer and I booked a cab via my iPhone and were on our way.  I mention the automated, mobile device laden process of getting to the brewery, because like everything else in Singapore, the brewery is ultra-efficient. 

Upon arriving, we completed registration and exchanged our government ID cards for a Tiger Brewery visitor pass.  My plans to get free beer for life through an undetected, untraceable “Strange Brew - mouse in the bottle maneuver” were thwarted right away!  Still, I looked forward to the tour and the 45-minute tasting session that would follow.  We were joined on the tour by only two other visitors, Brian and Clive from Australia.  Brian had been on this merry-go-round once or twice before, and was eager for the tasting.  Clive seemed more interested in the workings of the brewery.  We liked Brian.

The tour began with the history of the brewery, now part of the Asia Pacific Brewing Company, a joint venture between Heineken and Fraser and Neave.  We heard about the various brands produced by the Singapore brewery since 1932, including Tiger, Tiger Crystal, Anchor, Heineken, Baron’s Strong Brew and Archipelago – all would be available during the tasting.  Brian was happy.

We learned about the various awards the brewery and Tiger beer has received, and our guide shared some interesting stories about brewing during WWII, the changes that were made to the product, and how bottling changed during that time due to limited materials and resources available.  We were guided through several other exhibits displaying the malt, hops, water, and other ingredients used for the various brands, all with emphasis on high quality and purity. 

We had a quick stop to see the fermentation tanks, though it was rather uneventful as the tanks had recently been emptied and were being cleaned before the next batch was started.  Still, it was amazing to see all the automation in the brewery and to hear that less than 300 employees managed the 24/7 operation of brewing, quality control, bottling and packaging.  The emphasis was clearly on investing in quality ingredients and rigorous quality control, and automating the rest of the process.   As expected, the place was spotless and looked practically brand new even after years of production.

Pouring a perfect Tiger

After a brief video that described the bottling operation (starring our favorite video tour guide, Fred) I got a chance to learn how to pour a perfect Tiger beer.  Apparently, very few Singaporeans have ever tapped a keg or poured their own beer from one (probably because a keg has to cost at least $1,000 in this country!).  I received high marks in the eyes of our tour guide during my turn.  Afterwards, ahhh, my first taste of Tiger direct from the brewery.

At this point, we were free to take a look around at some other exhibits displaying the brewery’s history, awards, old school brewing equipment, etc. – and I whooped Jennifer’s butt in a table top game of “spot the faulty beer bottle”….twice.  A few minutes later we were escorted to the “Tiger Tavern” and the opportunity to taste a variety of Asia Pacific Brewery beers, as well as other beers and ciders from around the world.  Brian smiled.

Tiger Tavern

The Tiger Tavern was really pretty cool.  Think Irish pub in the tropics.  Leather seating, a dark wood bar, a pool table and a dart board provided the Irish feel, while multi-lingual signs and photos of several local golf courses with swaying palms made sure you didn’t forget where you were on the globe and just how hot it was outside.  We sampled a little bit of everything including each of the beers brewed onsite, as well as a few others that were brewed elsewhere and that I had never tried before.  We also had a very enjoyable conversation with Brian and Clive, learning about their travels and recommendations both in Australia and the rest of South East Asia.

At the end of the tour and tasting, we stopped by the Tiger Den, a small shop loaded with Tiger Beer paraphanalia.  Don’t be surprised if a few of you find something under your Christmas tree this year from “the den”.

Though I still prefer a bottle of Bintang, Asahi Superdry, or even a can of San Miguel Light over a Tiger, I did thoroughly enjoy our visit to the Tiger Brewery and have somewhat of a new appreciation for it.  For those of you who visit, rest assured there will be a cold one waiting for you in the fridge and this tour will be among several experiences we hope to share with you to get a “taste” of Singapore.

A Tale of Two Field Trips

Since I am probably feeling just a tad guilty for being unable to go almost anywhere with my children for two months (if you're new to this blog, read this), I signed up as a chaperone for both of their recent field trips.   (Note:  A gecko just ran across the wall as I'm typing this!) 

So bright and early last Monday morning, I headed to the school to join Sophia and her 4th grade class on a trip to the Marina Barrage.  STOP...back up...Monday morning?  I don't even schedule a hair appointment on a Monday morning.  Even if we we have to eat cereal with water for dinner, I'm not going to the grocery store on a Monday.  Yes, yes, yes, I know Jason has to go to work, but let's face it - I'm useless on Mondays.  Putting on make-up and having to converse with 9 and 10 year-olds who are not mine is not on my to-do list.  However, watching the Vampire Diaries is.

Anyway, I got to the school and found a cozy spot in the outdoor "Parent Cafe" to sit and *wake the heck up* with a latte.  I've given up daily coffee here because I refuse to pay for it, so this plan actually worked! Forty-five minutes and some friendly conversation with another chaperone later and we we headed up to the classroom.  Sophia's teacher, Mr. Wood, then spent some time explaining the field trip.  The children were to bring their iPads, take pictures and notes and then later use the information to answer some questions.  Techonology in action!

So a short bus ride later we arrived at the Marina Barrage.  The Marina Barrage is a dam built at the confluence of five rivers and is Singapore's 15th reservoir. It provides water storage, flood control and recreation attractions.  It is also a popular place to fly kites!  The students had been studying how the distribution of resources affects communities, so this fit in nicely with the unit.  The facility really is impressive.  It includes huge outdoor spaces (with great city views), fountains for the kids, an art trail and a high-tech "Sustainable Gallery", which showcases the country's efforts to become environmentally sustainable.  Our tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly and he took the classes (two came, the other two were going another day) on a one-hour tour.

The tour guide discussing sustainability.

Sophia's friend, Saga, thanking the tour guide for the class.

The kids were very well-behaved and seemed to be interested in the tour.  Shockingly, not one iPad ended up in the reservoir.  Or was used as a weapon.  I did, however, catch one sneaky kid playing a game on his while the guide was talking.  Nice try though.  And I had to tell another one about 15 times to lower his voice.  The Jennifer you know (and hopefully love) is still alive and well. 

Today was Cooper's field trip (Thursday!!).  The day started out the same (Parent Cafe...latte to wake up), but the destination was different.  This time the buses (all five second grade classes attended this) headed to Changi Beach for clean-up duty.  Each grade has a volunteer project and the second grade will be doing three beach clean-ups throughout the year.  Armed with gloves and trash bags, the little ones set about to pick up "anything they could identify that wasn't broken glass".  I was hoping they wouldn't happen upon some used syringes, but we're not at the Jersey Shore circa 1988 so I felt pretty confident. On the other hand, it is the largest container port in the world, so just about anything else *does* wash up.  This particular beach was not one where you'd want to swim.  I was a little mortified that this didn't stop a few locals. 

Large container ship floating by!

Mrs. Roth's second grade class

It was hot.  Crazy hot.  Hotter than it's been in weeks.  But we did our duties, had a snack, spent a few minutes on the playground and headed home.  Again, the children were very well-behaved.  Judging from the bags, some kids were definitely more into the task than others.  One cute little girl had spotted some garbage in the water that she was patiently waiting to wash up to retrieve.  Right before we left she was delighted to find it had made its way to the shoreline.  The *weirdest* things we saw were these sea creatures that looked like centipedes (see picture - and they were everywhere!).  If anyone knows what they are, please tell me!

Overall, I loved my time with the kids.   I hadn't spent any time in either classroom this year, so it was important to me to get to know their friends and teachers.  I was very impressed with how both teachers kept the classes organized and under control.  The biggest difference between the trips was the bus ride. Cooper couldn't wait to sit with me and gave me multiple kisses on the way. Sophia sat as far away as possible. Oh the heartache! Guess my little girl is getting too cool for mom.

Okay, Cooper just walked in the door from school with a big smile on his face and said, "I think you're the best mommy a boy could ever have.  I love when you go on field trips with me."  Okay, sign me up for the next one.  Even if it's on a Monday morning.

Birthday Party - Singapore Style

I'm just going to start by saying this. Yesterday was the best day ever.

Most of you know that I detest children's birthday parties.  I always joke that if (when) I go to hell, I'll be stuck at at birthday party with a bottle of wine but no corkscrew.  The mere mention of "Chuck E. Cheese" makes me break out in hives.  Well I can safely say that I now detest MOST children's birthday parties, but certainly not all.

Sophia was invited to a birthday party for her best friend, Saga, at the Mana Mana Beach Club in East Coast Park. We had never been over to the East Coast so had no idea what to expect. We also didn't know whether we should just drop her off, or stay at the party. We had planned to hang out with a friend of Cooper's (who had a sister invited to the party) but ended up with the best of all worlds.

Saga's parents, Pete and Liisa (that is not a typo, she is Finnish), were fabulously gracious hosts and had a table for the parents who wanted to stay, complete with a steady stream of your favorite beverage. That, combined with the great conversation and tropical beach backdrop made for an unforgettable day.



Those are the girls out there!

The theme of the party was sailing - Saga takes weekly sailing lessons at the club and wanted to share her knowledge with her closest friends. (Note: Saga's 12 year-old sister, Astrid, was also celebrating her birthday as well.) The girls took out the sailboats, two to a boat, and luckily my slightly apprehensive daughter was paired with Saga the pro. Watching them was awesome, out there sailing around, and sometimes being capsized and getting the boat turned right again. Sophia loved it, and of course asked for lessons afterwards. While this was going on, Cooper and his friend Daiki were running around the beach trying to split coconuts by banging them against trees (no dice).  Those two could definitely tour as a comedy team.

 

Where the parents hung out

 

Sophia and her friend Momoko

 

After the requisite cupcakes and singing, the girls also played for quite a while in the beach club pool.  I must admit I witnessed some impressive backdives!  The party ended at 3pm, but only for some.  Anyone was welcome to stay longer, but it ended up being Pete, Liisa, Jason and me (of course) sitting and chatting for four more hours.  Cooper, who didn’t have a bathing suit, decided to go swimming in his shorts, and the girls took the sailboats out some more.   

Random wedding, they welcomed all us strangers!

The environment at the beach club is just great.  It was casual and comfortable, with all kinds of families hanging out, kids playing in the sand, boogie boarding etc.  As we were leaving, a wedding had just begun, and we were taking pictures like they were our friends or family.  I have to admit it was quite heartwarming (you know I’m a softie). 

But the true reason it was the best day ever was meeting new friends who after one day already feel like old friends.  In fact, Saga ended up sleeping over and we met Pete and Liisa this afternoon in Little India for some shopping.  Our afternoon there will be the subject of the next post!  Stay tuned…

For more information on the Mana Mana Beach Club, visit their website at ttp://www.manamana.com/

Sun was starting to set

 

Saga, Sophia and Milo the Portuguese Water Dog

 

Cooper and Milo (Saga's dog) - Cooper was wearing Jason's new board shorts since his were all wet!

Cooper had a long day!