Getting to Know Singapore

Brandon and I have been exploring Singapore again today. I was feeling pretty homesick this morning, so it was nice to again walk Steven to the MRT station and get out of the house.

Orchard Road really is like Michigan Avenue. Shops, shops, shops. Malls, malls, malls. While there are many shops here that we don't have back home, so many of them are familiar to me. Starbucks, McDonald's, California Pizza Kitchen, the Gap, BCBG, etc. I don't think that all of Singapore is like this. I am curious to explore neighborhoods other than our own soon.

The American Embassy here has a women's association, so after leaving Steven we walked there for more information. I am waiting to hear back from the woman in charge of children's playgroups. If there are playgroups offered for Brandon, then I will probably join.

I was on a mission today to meet other moms. It is really hard and exhausting to make the effort, especially on two hours of sleep. However, I know that this adventure will be what I make of it, and I also know that I could be very miserable if I'm not proactive. These first three days have been hard. I don't want to do six months of the same.

As I said, Orchard Road has many of the same stores we have in America. So, I was hopeful that Brandon would enjoy playing in the children's book section of Singapore's Borders as much as he likes the one at home. When we walked into the children's section, I had to chuckle to myself. The carpet was the same exact carpet at our home Borders. That made me feel a little better.

I met a nice mom at Borders whose son is 10 months old. She was so nice, and we exchanged contact info. We are planning to do a playdate over at her house on Monday afternoon with some of her friends. So nice! It also relieved me to see Brandon playing with other kids. He is so social, and I know he really misses his friends at home. Brandon gave his new friend, Federico, a big hug before we left. :)

Later in the afternoon, we walked to another mall. We were told that there were places for kids to play there. It was just okay. There was one Gymboree type place there. They have classes for the kids and some open play time. The only problem I am finding is that things are soooo expensive here! Based on the prices I've been looking at in stores, items that we can get in the U.S. are almost 3 times more expensive here. So much for buying Brandon quite a few toys here... I do need some indoor play activities for Brandon. It is very hot outside. Today was the hottest day since we've been here. Not sure what the temperature was. Don't think I even want to know.

I am talking to many people that I see with kids on the streets. Most of them are expats. I am amazed at how many people have come so far to live here for work and at how long they stay. Many people I have talked to have been here for years or are staying for years. I also met a family today who has been here for four weeks for the birth of their child. They are from Holland, live in Vietnam, and came to Singapore to have their second baby. The medical care here is much better than that of surrounding countries.

Brandon and I had a really nice ending to our day. I took him to the pool and to see the tennis courts in our building. Three older boys were playing tennis, and I knew that Brandon would be thrilled to see "balls". The boy's mother was there with them, and she was so friendly. They just moved here from Tokyo, and they will be here for three years. The mother loved Brandon and gave him their beach ball. He was in Heaven! I am so thankful to have met some nice people today. This particular woman even called me this evening to ask me if I need anything since she was making a trip to the grocery. How wonderful!

New things from Brandon - His new word is "more". He also told me "Ma Ba" today. He wanted me to play pass with his ball. Brandon is also enjoying the furniture we have here. The couches are a little lower than our couches at home, and Brandon is able to climb up onto the couch all by himself. Now, we have to worry about him falling off of the couch. We've had to place pillows on the ground to cushion him when he climbs/falls off. Brandon is also pushing the kitchen table chairs around.

Brandon just went to bed, so I think I'm off to bed in a few minutes. I am doing so much walking, talking, and thinking, and I am exhausted! Until next time!

On Our Own

Top Picture: View from our apartment

Middle Picture: Orchard Road

Bottom Picture: Mommy and Brandon at breakfast

Last night was a little rough for poor Brandon. He was up at 3 am ready to play. I could tell that he was still tired, but he just couldn't fall back asleep. Glorious jetlag, and a baby that has never been the best sleeper... I did finally get Brandon down for a nap at 6 am, and he slept until 7:40 which was when Steven was getting up for his first day of work in the Singapore office.

It was a nice morning, and Brandon and I walked Daddy to the train where we were able to say "bye" and "I love you" with no tears. Quite an accomplishment for Mommy! :)

After leaving the MRT station, we walked down Orchard Road. We passed the Starbucks and McDonald's, and I was very tempted to stop. A taste of home. However, we are in Singapore, and I want to try so hard to explore new sights, restaurants, etc. We chose a sit down coffee shop/restaurant where we were able to share a turkey and egg sandwich and Mommy was able to enjoy a decaf coffee. (There was no way I was going to risk not being able to nap when Brandon was ready to nap!)

Brandon had a hard time going down for his nap later, but when he did finally fall asleep we both slept for four hours! Like yesterday, I had to wake Brandon from his beauty sleep. We're really trying to get him back on schedule.

Our (late) afternoon consisted of another walk back to Orchard Road. We went to a food court for some dinner, and I enjoyed some chicken and rice - a dish for which Singapore is known. It was very good. Great flavor. My only complaint was that the chicken was cold. Was it suppose to be cold? Not sure... I expected the dish to be chicken mixed in with rice, but rather it was white rice and a separate sliced chicken breast. Also on the side was a bowl of soup/chicken broth. Brandon decided to pass on food this time.

After dinner, we made our first trip to the supermarket. Brandon gave a nice "Mmmm" when we walked in, and he saw blueberries. I guess now he was hungry. Go figure. We bought some fruit, vegetables, and meat. I bought a dragon fruit, which I was told is similar to a kiwi. It is pink on the outside with green spiky stems. I will post a picture of this sometime. We also bought some milk. The supermarket did sell the same organic whole milk that we buy at home, but it was around $15 a gallon! I ended up buying a non-organic Singapore brand. I'm sure it's just as good...???

Back at the apartment, I took Brandon for a swim at the pool. He went wild! The children's pool is about 1 1/2 feet deep, and he was having a blast walking around in the water. He did fall a couple of times, but it didn't seem to bother him. He is getting more fearless, which makes Mommy more fearful.

Brandon has been sleeping for about three hours now, and he has already been up three times. He is crying now. I wonder what the rest of this night will hold. Oh, well. I just enjoyed a Chang beer, and Steven just got home. It's about midnight.

Brandon and I survived our first day alone, and Daddy survived his first day at the office! I will admit that I had a few tears tonight, but that is to be expected. We will survive. :)

Love to all who are reading this and thinking of us tonight!

Settling In

Wow! The last two days have been a whirlwind.

Brandon did so well on the trip. He slept the first two hours and the last six hours of the fifteen hour flight from Chicago to Hong Kong. We entertained him for about three hours in the Hong Kong airport, and then he slept for two of the three hours from Hong Kong to Singapore. We couldn't have asked for a better trip! Oh, and I should add that Brandon's favorite "toy" on the plane was Daddy's post-it tabs. We played with "stickies" for hours!

When we arrived in Singapore, all of our bags were there. The only casuality was that the BOB weather shield was missing from the stroller. Bummer! I forgot to have them wrap the stroller in plastic at the airport, and I'm sure it fell out of the back pocket. :(

At the airport, a driver was there to transport us to our new apartment. As we left the airport, it was like stepping right out of winter into the heart of summer. It was hot and humid. Not too uncomfortable though. It was about a 20 minute car ride from the Changi airport to the apartment. Since it was a little after midnight Singapore time, we were able to see the city at night. It was beautiful!

When we arrived at the apartment, Ali was there to greet us. He showed us to our new home. My first thought was that the apartment was sooooo small. But, after being here for a day, it's not so bad. It has everything we need and more, and Brandon is exploring everything. The trash cans are now ball hoops. It's also nice living on the 15th floor (of 18). Something we may never get to experience again!

Poor little Brandon wasn't tired once we arrived. He only slept for thirty minutes all night! Steven and I took turns sleeping, and then in the morning we decided to explore outside of the apartment.

It is about a ten minute walk to Orchard Road shopping. Lots of food, malls, and shops. Kind of like our Michigan Avenue. It actually comforted me to see the large Borders. Just like in Chicago, if I ever need something to do, then I can always take Brandon to Borders. He loves to play there!

Since we are trying to get Brandon back on his schedule, we returned to our apartment for naps. We were all able to take nearly a four hour nap! So needed!

Brandon was a little fussy since we intentionally disturbed his nap but getting him "out of the house" again helped. We took our first ride on the train (MRT - subway). It was very nice, new, and clean. It was about a fifteen minute walk to the train and then about a ten minute ride to the business district. We wanted to find out where Steven's office building is, so he would be more comfortable with his first morning commute. The train dropped us off right at Steven's doorstep! It also made me feel better to know how to get to Steven if we ever need to.

Brandon went to bed tonight at about 8 pm. We'll see how tonight goes...

Oh, and I'll admit that we ordered Pizza Hut delivery here tonight. We definitely want to take advantage of all of the amazing food here, but Steven and I agree... One day at a time... :)