go to
momofuko/ singapore street food/top chef canada/ lunch bike delivery/IPS challenge
and see a FABULOUS article on Elizabeth's new business.
Also note the happy customer at the Legislature.
Am I bursting with pride?
I think so!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
such opportunities I have
It is 10 p.m. I just got in from an evening yoga class. I've not done yoga in the evenings before. Oh my, do I sleep well after a practice. It is yin yoga, where you hold the pose for from 3-5 minutes. The longer you hold it the more intense it becomes. It then works the fascia and connective tissue. You are supposed to be a pretzel and RELAX in it. HA! I am still dealing with issues, but I sure feel better after yoga. Then I tighten up over night. But back at the yoga the next day. I have to remind myself the progress is slow but because I go so often, very little between classes. If I were going once or twice a week, I might see more progress class to class. As I try to go 4-5 times a week, the progress between classes is minimal. Whatever. It is a great thing to do, on my own, when Tim is busy. It is an easy walk away, and a wonderful studio. Although I sit here with a beer. I don't think yogis have a beer after a practice.
Tim is asleep. He leaves for Manilla at 1 a.m. !!!! tomorrow morning. So he has gone to nap 7-11:30 p.m. He will get home at 11 a.m. tomorrow! Yikes. It's a good thing he is Irish and a great napper. I could NEVER do that.
I have joined this FOM, Friends of the Museums, thank you Pauline. They have a lecture every Monday morning. I went last week to hear a talk on Daoism (Taoism), titled Explaining the Unexplainable. It was fabulous. Very scholarly, but if I can grab some of it, so much the better. There are three religions in Asia- confucianism, buddhism, and daoism. Daoism honours nature, family, ancestors, self and the environment. It is centred on the opposites, of yin, and yang, opposing forces in nature. They honour ancestors by burning significant things for that ancestor. I think that explains the little incinerators I see outside each of the buildings in our complex. On an ancestors "day" the family would burn significant things for the dead. She mentioned that today they might burn an iPad !!! ( I hope a broken one) but you are sharing something you love with the ancestor. She had much art to show, with the significance of the story told. I hope I can retain some of the information for when I see Asian art. But all those Chinese scrolls we all see. I could now see some of the content in a new light. Nature and man.
I don't think I am doing justice to what I learned. Just to say it is a fabulous opportunity for me.
I then went for lunch with a friend I have made. Laurie, is from Calgary, she reminds me if my mother-in-law Mary, whom I adored. She has lived in Scotland. Her husband is in "oil and gas". She drives here!!! But she had previous experience in Scotland, driving on the other side of the road. So she is going to "tootle me around" What fun. Drive to Malaysia for the day!
Tim and I are planning another getaway next week. Fly to Phuket, and transport ourselves to an island off the coast, in the Andaman Sea (again!) called Koh Phi Phi (ko pee pee). I will let you know if it is closer to paradise than Railay Beach was.
The yoga studio had a workshop on "feet and knees" that I attended. I learned all about what gives me so much trouble. I have booked an appointment with each of the workshop presenters. All my shoes are too small. In the heat, my feet are bigger. I will find out from him what to buy. (He doesn't think Birks are great - no support!). The knee guy is a physio and an osteopath. I am going to go to see if he can give "my issues" a label, and get me on a faster track to wellness. The way it's going is bloody slow. An interesting fact. Asians seem to be pigeon-toed and knock-kneed. There is a reason. Asians have very flat arches. Caucasians have high arches. So Asians walk with knock knees. But their feet are very flexible, because they pronate (roll on th step from outside heel to inside of foot). Caucasians have high arches, and do not roll in to the flat of the foot, have inflexible feet and walk outside heavy. He went around the room and it was 100% accurate! Interesting! He also said you could identify the Singaporeans by the tan line from the flip-flops!
Well good night, my friends. I wonder if anyone is still out there. Let me know if you are!
Tim is asleep. He leaves for Manilla at 1 a.m. !!!! tomorrow morning. So he has gone to nap 7-11:30 p.m. He will get home at 11 a.m. tomorrow! Yikes. It's a good thing he is Irish and a great napper. I could NEVER do that.
I have joined this FOM, Friends of the Museums, thank you Pauline. They have a lecture every Monday morning. I went last week to hear a talk on Daoism (Taoism), titled Explaining the Unexplainable. It was fabulous. Very scholarly, but if I can grab some of it, so much the better. There are three religions in Asia- confucianism, buddhism, and daoism. Daoism honours nature, family, ancestors, self and the environment. It is centred on the opposites, of yin, and yang, opposing forces in nature. They honour ancestors by burning significant things for that ancestor. I think that explains the little incinerators I see outside each of the buildings in our complex. On an ancestors "day" the family would burn significant things for the dead. She mentioned that today they might burn an iPad !!! ( I hope a broken one) but you are sharing something you love with the ancestor. She had much art to show, with the significance of the story told. I hope I can retain some of the information for when I see Asian art. But all those Chinese scrolls we all see. I could now see some of the content in a new light. Nature and man.
I don't think I am doing justice to what I learned. Just to say it is a fabulous opportunity for me.
I then went for lunch with a friend I have made. Laurie, is from Calgary, she reminds me if my mother-in-law Mary, whom I adored. She has lived in Scotland. Her husband is in "oil and gas". She drives here!!! But she had previous experience in Scotland, driving on the other side of the road. So she is going to "tootle me around" What fun. Drive to Malaysia for the day!
Tim and I are planning another getaway next week. Fly to Phuket, and transport ourselves to an island off the coast, in the Andaman Sea (again!) called Koh Phi Phi (ko pee pee). I will let you know if it is closer to paradise than Railay Beach was.
The yoga studio had a workshop on "feet and knees" that I attended. I learned all about what gives me so much trouble. I have booked an appointment with each of the workshop presenters. All my shoes are too small. In the heat, my feet are bigger. I will find out from him what to buy. (He doesn't think Birks are great - no support!). The knee guy is a physio and an osteopath. I am going to go to see if he can give "my issues" a label, and get me on a faster track to wellness. The way it's going is bloody slow. An interesting fact. Asians seem to be pigeon-toed and knock-kneed. There is a reason. Asians have very flat arches. Caucasians have high arches. So Asians walk with knock knees. But their feet are very flexible, because they pronate (roll on th step from outside heel to inside of foot). Caucasians have high arches, and do not roll in to the flat of the foot, have inflexible feet and walk outside heavy. He went around the room and it was 100% accurate! Interesting! He also said you could identify the Singaporeans by the tan line from the flip-flops!
Well good night, my friends. I wonder if anyone is still out there. Let me know if you are!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
nee how ma
How are you? Nee how ma (in Mandarin)
I went to the Chinese Opera. Actually a talk about Chinese Opera, and a scene performed. It was fascinating.
I met a woman last week at the FOM group I joined. Laurie is from Calgary, her husband is in oil and gas, and they have lived in Scotland before this. We talked briefly at the meeting, and she had a very rough start too. Empty nest, adjusting to here, and new role of "wife of". It isn't easy. But she is through the worst. As am I. (Just this damn pain. But I have wonderful distractions.)
This morning was one. Laurie invited me to an event put on by the Canadian Association (women in Singapore, that come from Canada. They have meetings, tours, book clubs, etc-). We met in Chinatown, at a Chinese tea house. The director gave us a talk on Chinese Opera. Explained how each area of China has their own style- Shanghai, Quongchou, Beijing, etc. The opera is a play, in that most is spoken, but in a nasal singsong style. The costumes she explained. Some have very long sleeves. Almost like the lining of the already big sleeves, came out and hang down. They are called water sleeves. You can do so much with them! Such subtle movements of these water sleeves tell a whole story, wavy like water, flipped over to say hello, flipped a different way to say goodbye, shake to show fear, a different way to show anger, rolled up different ways. Amazing what they call tell. Warriors do not have water sleeves. (clue as to who is who)
The operas tell stories of history, legends, and fiction. The women take two hours to paint their face, stick on hair pieces (with gum bark). Female role has very thin eyebrows, very arched, maybe held taut with scotch tape!, male has thicker eyebrows. Another clue as to who is who. The embroidery on the very elaborate costumes tells much. Dragons- male. Phoenix- female. Wedding -red. White- ghost. Black- the bad guy. The male wear boots, with very high wooden platform (like 6"), female silk slippers with a tassel. There is an amazing dying art of face-changing. It is truly like magic. She showed us a performance on video. The guy turns with his back to you, and comes back with a very elaborate painted face in completely different colours. We watched him do this 4-5 times. It was amazing. She described the meaning of the painted faces. That tells you more about the story. I haven't seen my photos yet but I hope when I post them you can see the masks in the background, with the different "styles" of face painting.
Then two women played a "Romeo/Juliet" kind of scene. I videoed it but not sure you will be able to play it. But I will try.
I think I have used the word amazing a few times. To have a lovely social event be so educational. And you like me have probably seen some Chinese opera and had no idea what was going on.
After the morning we went to a restaurant and had amazing Laotian food! What a morning!
I went to the Chinese Opera. Actually a talk about Chinese Opera, and a scene performed. It was fascinating.
I met a woman last week at the FOM group I joined. Laurie is from Calgary, her husband is in oil and gas, and they have lived in Scotland before this. We talked briefly at the meeting, and she had a very rough start too. Empty nest, adjusting to here, and new role of "wife of". It isn't easy. But she is through the worst. As am I. (Just this damn pain. But I have wonderful distractions.)
This morning was one. Laurie invited me to an event put on by the Canadian Association (women in Singapore, that come from Canada. They have meetings, tours, book clubs, etc-). We met in Chinatown, at a Chinese tea house. The director gave us a talk on Chinese Opera. Explained how each area of China has their own style- Shanghai, Quongchou, Beijing, etc. The opera is a play, in that most is spoken, but in a nasal singsong style. The costumes she explained. Some have very long sleeves. Almost like the lining of the already big sleeves, came out and hang down. They are called water sleeves. You can do so much with them! Such subtle movements of these water sleeves tell a whole story, wavy like water, flipped over to say hello, flipped a different way to say goodbye, shake to show fear, a different way to show anger, rolled up different ways. Amazing what they call tell. Warriors do not have water sleeves. (clue as to who is who)
The operas tell stories of history, legends, and fiction. The women take two hours to paint their face, stick on hair pieces (with gum bark). Female role has very thin eyebrows, very arched, maybe held taut with scotch tape!, male has thicker eyebrows. Another clue as to who is who. The embroidery on the very elaborate costumes tells much. Dragons- male. Phoenix- female. Wedding -red. White- ghost. Black- the bad guy. The male wear boots, with very high wooden platform (like 6"), female silk slippers with a tassel. There is an amazing dying art of face-changing. It is truly like magic. She showed us a performance on video. The guy turns with his back to you, and comes back with a very elaborate painted face in completely different colours. We watched him do this 4-5 times. It was amazing. She described the meaning of the painted faces. That tells you more about the story. I haven't seen my photos yet but I hope when I post them you can see the masks in the background, with the different "styles" of face painting.
Then two women played a "Romeo/Juliet" kind of scene. I videoed it but not sure you will be able to play it. But I will try.
I think I have used the word amazing a few times. To have a lovely social event be so educational. And you like me have probably seen some Chinese opera and had no idea what was going on.
After the morning we went to a restaurant and had amazing Laotian food! What a morning!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
here come 1000 words
1&2. Sunsets two different nights.
3.The beach.
4. The tractor that took us out to our long boat on the way home. (transportation to the beach which is not accessible by car, on the way there, was a taxi that took us from the airport to the dock (40 minutes) then we waded in water to get to the water taxi long boat. I had on long white pants. The water's edge was green and slimy. My pants had zippers at the ankle, thank goodness, so I could haul them up. On the way back, they had a tractor with a "caboose" to take us to the long boat. A long boat is a very long narrow boat, wood, probably teak, with a bow and stern that is higher than the rest of the hull. It is flat bottomed, and basic board across to sit on. At the stern, up like a Venetian gondola, stands the driver, who has an outboard, with a very log way to the propeller. It is a car engine, very noisy, but amazingly efficient. Tim says if you muffle the sound you lose efficiency, so like a small plane, the boat engine is very noisy. (No private planes to be seen over here. But we kept looking up as we heard these longboats coming and going.)
5. The fried egg. How could you resist that on the buffet breakfast table!
6. These rocks are characteristic of this area. Well known for rock climbers. A rock climber's destination.
The resort was perfect. We had like a town house, through a high gate, to a patio, jacuzzi out door bath and shower, and then a charming "thai" bedroom. Absolutely silent at night. ( I wonder in high season though) Except for the cicadas. They start up at different times of the day, but are so loud they are deafening. I can not imagine in the jungle, the volume. We also saw some monkeys at the resort. Little grey ones with black glasses. They were jumping from tree to tree and as Tim was trying to get a pic, ripe fruit started to shower down. Miraculously missed him, but the path was covered in mushed orange fruit.
I did a cooking class. Now I am ready to try Thai cuisine. As most of you know, Thai cuisine is much lighter than Chinese or Indian, so I am more eager to cook Thai.
Other than the class, we did NOTHING! We lolled around, in the jacuzzi, eating, walking the beach, snoozing. It was exactly what we needed after the months here getting "on line".
Now beat this. The four days cost us S$1200, flight, hotel, food. Everything! Eat your heart out!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
I've found it, you can stop looking
I have found paradise. Google Raialay Beach, Krabi, Thailand. There it is. I booked this little getaway, and wondered if it would meet the impression of the web site. Well, it does.
This morning we flew 1 1/2 hours north of Singapore, north over Malaysia, to the south end of Thailand. We are on a spit of land that crosses east to west. Not sure the Sea on the east, but on the west it is the Andaman Sea. Our daughter Elizabeth had travelled India and she said the most beautiful spot she went to was the Andaman Islands. So I wanted to go there. But from Singapore you would fly 6 hours to Chenai and then fly 5 hours back to the Andamans. Or take a 4 hour boat ride off the coast of Thailand. So the next best is to be looking west out over the Andaman Sea at the Islands which are out there somewhere.
Railay Beach is gorgeous. No question we are not in a first world country but a third world country. But the room we have is wonderful. A cottage, gated, high wall, and an outdoor jacuzzi and shower, sitting area, sunbathing beds ( in this heat!!!!) and our room has a day bed, a king bed, a bathroom. We have total privacy and it means we can come and go as we please, if you know what I mean. An outdoor jacuzzi, tonight, after dark, looking up at the same moon and sky that you do, but not the stars, I don't think because we are so far south. The beach is gorgeous, shallow sandy bottom out, and warm, so you can stay in for ever. You can rent kayaks, go rock climbing. Tomorrow Tim plans to book a snorkel trip in the morning. I a massage in the morning and a cooking class in the afternoon. Paradise, right?
The place has all kinds of people staying here. The Aussies who are out baking in the sun, red lobsters, the French in string bikinis, the rock climbers in dreds, the singles primping ,and oh yes, girls taking the most seductive looking pictures of each other in their bikinis at the water's edge. They are a riot to watch. Like a playboy shoot.
We had lunch in the open restaurant. Roof, and open all round. Interesting, the one comment Trip Advisor had negative abut this place is that the service in the restaurant is horrible. It is. I would think with a negative comment like that they would fix it. But we had the most sullen young woman serve us. Tim's pizza came an hour after ordered. but we were in no hurry, so it was fine by us.
I will add photos another time. I am on my iPad and I don't know how to take pictures on my ipad and add them as an attachment yet. Maybe tomorrow. Or when I get home.
Yesterday back in Singapore I went to a meeting of FOM. Friends of Museums. It took my friend in Canada, thank you Pauline, to tell me about FOM Singapore. I contacted them and went to a meet and greet. Already I have been invited to an event next week, a walk through Chinatown, and then A performance of a Chinese Opera. How cool is that! They are a wonderful group of 2000 volunteers committed to exploring and teaching about Asian culture. Often to the Asians. Singaporeans are not museum-goers, and FOM works at getting them out to events. It was very touching. We went around the circle (40 new members) and said a blip. 4 Singaporeans were there and they were humbled by these people who work so hard to educate people about their culture. There were people from all around the world, Calgary, New York, Spain. Great Britain, Japan, China, India, and on. What an opportunity for me to meet with and get to know these folks. They have study-travel, book clubs (4!!), training for docents, Monday morning lectures, films, bulk ticket opportunities to ballet, opera, concerts. And it goes on. It will be wonderful. I now know how to fill my dance card!
Right now, Tim and I are sitting on the bed ( in the AC) on our iPads. He has finally come over to Apple!!!! But how ridiculous is this, we are in paradise, and on our iPads. Yikes. I have to go!
This morning we flew 1 1/2 hours north of Singapore, north over Malaysia, to the south end of Thailand. We are on a spit of land that crosses east to west. Not sure the Sea on the east, but on the west it is the Andaman Sea. Our daughter Elizabeth had travelled India and she said the most beautiful spot she went to was the Andaman Islands. So I wanted to go there. But from Singapore you would fly 6 hours to Chenai and then fly 5 hours back to the Andamans. Or take a 4 hour boat ride off the coast of Thailand. So the next best is to be looking west out over the Andaman Sea at the Islands which are out there somewhere.
Railay Beach is gorgeous. No question we are not in a first world country but a third world country. But the room we have is wonderful. A cottage, gated, high wall, and an outdoor jacuzzi and shower, sitting area, sunbathing beds ( in this heat!!!!) and our room has a day bed, a king bed, a bathroom. We have total privacy and it means we can come and go as we please, if you know what I mean. An outdoor jacuzzi, tonight, after dark, looking up at the same moon and sky that you do, but not the stars, I don't think because we are so far south. The beach is gorgeous, shallow sandy bottom out, and warm, so you can stay in for ever. You can rent kayaks, go rock climbing. Tomorrow Tim plans to book a snorkel trip in the morning. I a massage in the morning and a cooking class in the afternoon. Paradise, right?
The place has all kinds of people staying here. The Aussies who are out baking in the sun, red lobsters, the French in string bikinis, the rock climbers in dreds, the singles primping ,and oh yes, girls taking the most seductive looking pictures of each other in their bikinis at the water's edge. They are a riot to watch. Like a playboy shoot.
We had lunch in the open restaurant. Roof, and open all round. Interesting, the one comment Trip Advisor had negative abut this place is that the service in the restaurant is horrible. It is. I would think with a negative comment like that they would fix it. But we had the most sullen young woman serve us. Tim's pizza came an hour after ordered. but we were in no hurry, so it was fine by us.
I will add photos another time. I am on my iPad and I don't know how to take pictures on my ipad and add them as an attachment yet. Maybe tomorrow. Or when I get home.
Yesterday back in Singapore I went to a meeting of FOM. Friends of Museums. It took my friend in Canada, thank you Pauline, to tell me about FOM Singapore. I contacted them and went to a meet and greet. Already I have been invited to an event next week, a walk through Chinatown, and then A performance of a Chinese Opera. How cool is that! They are a wonderful group of 2000 volunteers committed to exploring and teaching about Asian culture. Often to the Asians. Singaporeans are not museum-goers, and FOM works at getting them out to events. It was very touching. We went around the circle (40 new members) and said a blip. 4 Singaporeans were there and they were humbled by these people who work so hard to educate people about their culture. There were people from all around the world, Calgary, New York, Spain. Great Britain, Japan, China, India, and on. What an opportunity for me to meet with and get to know these folks. They have study-travel, book clubs (4!!), training for docents, Monday morning lectures, films, bulk ticket opportunities to ballet, opera, concerts. And it goes on. It will be wonderful. I now know how to fill my dance card!
Right now, Tim and I are sitting on the bed ( in the AC) on our iPads. He has finally come over to Apple!!!! But how ridiculous is this, we are in paradise, and on our iPads. Yikes. I have to go!
Friday, April 13, 2012
the palette gets some colour
This is going to be a busy while. Such a contrast to the last few months. I have never awakened to an empty dance card. But the last months here, the only thing was chiro, or physio. But now I have yoga almost every day. AND
I took a day last week to be a tourist. I had an appointment downtown in the morning, and one again late afternoon. So I stayed down for the day. Went to the Singapore Art Museum. As I arrived, they asked if I wanted a tour. I had my private docent for a tour of the museum. It is a charming place. An old Catholic school. Small galleries upstairs and downstairs, and on different levels. Very unusual. But charming. They had a showing of a Chinese artist whom I had seen in October when I was here. When he died he gave away all his paintings to galleries, and SAM got 150 of his paintings. He figured he would leave his properties to his kids, and the paintings were for everybody, the world. He is fascinating. He started out as a traditional Chinese painter of watercolour scrolls. The cultural revolution drove him to Paris, where he was greatly influenced by Impressionism. He then chose to come back to China after the Revolution, and now his style is a mix of tradition and Impressionism. I am going to go back to buy a print of one of his paintings to hang here in the apartment. It's down below, I think called Waterlilies.
Then I went to the Museum, but actually, if the truth be told, only for lunch. And a bride was there getting photos done. They do them ahead of their wedding.
I visited a very old church. The Church of the Good Shepherd. 1854. One of the few old churches here. It was a part of a Catholic School which has since moved. Church of the Holy Infant Jesus. Nobody could pronounce CHIJ so they added MES and it is now called CHIJMES 9Chimes) and is what else, a mall and club area. But they have kept and restored the old building. Love that, go for drinks in the Catholic School.
There was Gregorian chanting coming from somewhere at the back of the altar. It was lovely to spend some time in a traditional old church. Everything seems so new is Singapore.
One of the appointments was to pick up my Chinese visa. I am going to Beijing May 14-18. I think I have said I have friends visiting Singapore, and I will go on with them to Beijing for 4 days. I went to the visa place and finally got my passport back. It is very uncomfortable to give it up. For days. One guy had a handful of passports and paid S$1550 for visas. I paid S$25 for mine.
At the bank the other day, I saw people coming in with bags, yes bags, of money. Piles. Like what would be the size of a briefcase, like 6" X 15" X 10". Just like the gangsters in the movies. I've never seen so much money at once. Coming out of plastic grocery bags or whatever. Wow
Tuesday I am going with Nancy to Batam. And where is Batam? I have no idea. It is an island just off the shore of Singapore. I think. It is a spa. So we get a ferry in the early morning, and then check in to the spa for the day, and head home that evening. Sounds great.
Then Wednesday I am going to a meet and greet of FOM. I got an email from a friend who lived in Japan for years, and told me about FOM Friends of the Museum. I googled them, filled out an application, mailed it 2 days ago, and got an email today inviting me to this Wed a.m. coffee meeting. Whooppee.
Then Thursday-Sunday Tim and I have a little trip to Krabi, Thailand,to Railay Beach. Google it. It looks picture postcard beautiful. We will see. It has kayaking, snorkelling, and of course rock climbing! No we will not be rock climbing. But may do a cooking class!
I took a day last week to be a tourist. I had an appointment downtown in the morning, and one again late afternoon. So I stayed down for the day. Went to the Singapore Art Museum. As I arrived, they asked if I wanted a tour. I had my private docent for a tour of the museum. It is a charming place. An old Catholic school. Small galleries upstairs and downstairs, and on different levels. Very unusual. But charming. They had a showing of a Chinese artist whom I had seen in October when I was here. When he died he gave away all his paintings to galleries, and SAM got 150 of his paintings. He figured he would leave his properties to his kids, and the paintings were for everybody, the world. He is fascinating. He started out as a traditional Chinese painter of watercolour scrolls. The cultural revolution drove him to Paris, where he was greatly influenced by Impressionism. He then chose to come back to China after the Revolution, and now his style is a mix of tradition and Impressionism. I am going to go back to buy a print of one of his paintings to hang here in the apartment. It's down below, I think called Waterlilies.
Then I went to the Museum, but actually, if the truth be told, only for lunch. And a bride was there getting photos done. They do them ahead of their wedding.
I visited a very old church. The Church of the Good Shepherd. 1854. One of the few old churches here. It was a part of a Catholic School which has since moved. Church of the Holy Infant Jesus. Nobody could pronounce CHIJ so they added MES and it is now called CHIJMES 9Chimes) and is what else, a mall and club area. But they have kept and restored the old building. Love that, go for drinks in the Catholic School.
There was Gregorian chanting coming from somewhere at the back of the altar. It was lovely to spend some time in a traditional old church. Everything seems so new is Singapore.
One of the appointments was to pick up my Chinese visa. I am going to Beijing May 14-18. I think I have said I have friends visiting Singapore, and I will go on with them to Beijing for 4 days. I went to the visa place and finally got my passport back. It is very uncomfortable to give it up. For days. One guy had a handful of passports and paid S$1550 for visas. I paid S$25 for mine.
At the bank the other day, I saw people coming in with bags, yes bags, of money. Piles. Like what would be the size of a briefcase, like 6" X 15" X 10". Just like the gangsters in the movies. I've never seen so much money at once. Coming out of plastic grocery bags or whatever. Wow
Another day, I dragged Tim out as a tourist. I see he is not a big tourist type. After 30 years I learn this. (So I do think a lot of my travel will be on my own.) But we went to the Art-Science Gallery down at Marina Bay. The architect is Moshe Safdie, and the gallery is in the shape of a big BIG lotus flower. The gallery is amazing. There was a Warhol show, that was terrific. Then we went up to the top of the Marina Bay to the big "ship"
Next week is going to be good one.Tuesday I am going with Nancy to Batam. And where is Batam? I have no idea. It is an island just off the shore of Singapore. I think. It is a spa. So we get a ferry in the early morning, and then check in to the spa for the day, and head home that evening. Sounds great.
Then Wednesday I am going to a meet and greet of FOM. I got an email from a friend who lived in Japan for years, and told me about FOM Friends of the Museum. I googled them, filled out an application, mailed it 2 days ago, and got an email today inviting me to this Wed a.m. coffee meeting. Whooppee.
Then Thursday-Sunday Tim and I have a little trip to Krabi, Thailand,to Railay Beach. Google it. It looks picture postcard beautiful. We will see. It has kayaking, snorkelling, and of course rock climbing! No we will not be rock climbing. But may do a cooking class!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Captain Tim Callahan of Tiger Airways
Finally.
Now to work! Where he has been sitting around, stressing and studying, he now will work like a dog. The prize for getting his ride was a 5:00 a.m. departure the next morning. No celebrating for him! Up at 3:30 to open the office at 4 a.m. for the flight. Then because he is available, another 5 a.m. start the next day. This budget airline sure does work their pilots hard. Long days and lots of them. Nothing like change to realize what you had! Ah Air Canada.
So three months from going on contract January 4 with Tiger, he is on the line. It seemed every bump that could happen to anyone happened to Tim. But all almost forgotten now as we move ahead.
Happy Easter. You wouldn't know it was Easter here. Of course such a small percentage of the population is Christian. I found out by chance on Thursday that the next day was Good Friday! The church we go to is lovely. I must admit I spend the service looking for and counting the Caucasians. 10 today, 20 Friday! It is strange to be in "my" church and be such a minority. The church site is old, but it was rebuilt in 1999. They must have brought the rose window from the older church. It is spectacular. And faces east so basks the church is the glow of the spectacular stained glass. And the entrance doors are huge, thick carved wood. Otherwise it is quite modern. Built one story up, parking on the street level underneath. I choose to sit near the choir. The choir is excellent. They have an organ, modern, and they pullout all the stops to get an orchestral sound. Think Elgar, Land of Hope And Glory sound. Or it is a American Spiritual sound with the pumping drums and bass. And they have a grand piano, and instruments as well, and about 5 different conductors. I guess they share the load. The congregation belts out the hymns. I always said Catholics were lousy singers, but not these. They sing away. At full volume. All the verses. Often repeating verses.
I am off to a party this afternoon. One of the pilots is having a bbq. You bring something to throw on the barbi and bring whatever you want to drink. Tim will come from the airport- he gets in around 4. I will head over with Nancy. I do look forward to meeting some wives. In the same boat. Husbands happy doing what they are passionate about, and wives trying to find a purpose to their life here in Singapore. I do know my first purpose is to regain my health and my body. But after that.....
And speaking of that. I am still confused as to what all this was and what it still is. I have been doing yoga at classes and at home. And feeling much better for it. What I don't get is that I seem to be back at square one every morning and have to work out the pain over the day. My three physios have had varying diagnosis, and all I know is it is not joint, or muscular. I think it is connective tissue and nerves. But whatever, blah, blah, it is minusculely better, and I can a at least do yoga. How I love it. But oh my, how I have regressed from a few years ago. My goal, to get it back.
I sit on the balcony. It is cool. Maybe 72'. Not much breeze. And thunder rolling away in the west. I hope not for the bbq. I am learning the subtleties of the weather. I have been saying hot and humid. But within that, there are differences. It might be 86 and humid and a breeze. That might feel more comfortable than 78, full sun and no breeze. The breeze is the thing for me. And that it hardly cools down at night. Maybe a degree or two.
Saw this when I was walking home yesterday, in a teak furniture shop. Don't you think it is just perfect? I have just the place for it. What I don't have is the $2400. It's a dresser. The dresser part about 4' high, with the neck about 8'. Those are all drawers!
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