Feeling Much Better

I got so much needed rest on Sunday, and I felt much, much better this morning!

Brandon and I walked Steven to the train again today, and I grabbed some bread at Marche. I was so hungry after only having popsicles yesterday!

We grabbed a cab at the train station and headed to Liang Court in Clarke Quay, where we met Laura and her daughter, Tabitha, at Starbucks. When the kids got antsy, we took them up to Royce Gym and let them play for the hour. Brandon loves that place!!!

We had some thunderstorms here early this afternoon. The last few times it has rained, it rained in the later afternoon. So, when Brandon woke up from his nap, we waited until the rain died down to head out again.

When Steven took Brandon to the Forum yesterday, he told me about a kids' store that had huge sales on books and toys due to going out of business. He bought Brandon a few little items (puzzles, small train), but I wanted to go back again today to check out the books. It was a great sale! All of the books were 40% off, so I got Brandon a few more books. I think I'll hold on to them for a while and save them for another "rainy" day.


Before leaving the Forum, Brandon played at the playground there for a bit. We didn't stay quite as long as usual today because it was very crowded with some older, wild children. It was hard for Brandon to safely play. Haven't had this problem at the Forum before. Hope it doesn't start to get like this all of the time.

We headed to the pool again this evening. Jo, Jessie, and Jake were already down there, and they were so excited when Brandon showed up. Another neighbor, Mariko, was also down at the pool. She is Japanese, and she was telling me that her son is having trouble with some of his math tests because he is struggling with understanding some of the English. She was working on translating a Japanese math test into English for him to practice, and she wanted some help with a few words. Her son is in the sixth grade, and I was quite impressed with the math he was doing. The questions she asked me related to Geometry. Some (not all) of the questions were problems my students would be doing in high school Geometry. For example, one question dealt with the diagonals of a regular dodecagon. The vocab alone is something that many of my students would have struggled with. I have heard excellent things about the math and science programs at the schools here. I am hoping that at some point while we're here I can get into a school for a few observations.

When we left the pool, we went up to Jo's apartment for a while. They have a three bedroom apartment here, and it is so nice! Much more space than our two bedroom apartment. Brandon was so happy to be in another new environment with new toys. He probably spent 30 minutes just pushing a toy baby stroller around. Really great having met some nice neighbors.


The best part of the day - We received a package from some friends back home. Cory, a colleague and friend from ETHS, sent Brandon some books. Unbelievably thoughtful! She also sent me a really nice letter and three copies of the Evanstonian (ETHS's student newpaper). Even more, she had some of the math teachers write me little notes. It was so touching, and it meant so much to me to read and receive those notes. I not only miss Chicago, but I miss my friends at ETHS. One note was even from a former student. It was a difficult decision to not return to teaching this coming fall...

So many people have been supportive of us and our big transition in Singapore. Brandon and I not only had an amazing going away playdate with a surprise travel care package (notes, pictures of friends, etc.), but we have received packages, e-mails, and Skype phone calls since we've been here. It is all so thoughful, and it really does help us through this difficult move. I've always known how special our family and friends are, but this experience has made me treasure those people even more. Much love to all!