Mall Fun

Today we hit the mall to eat breakfast and buy the kids prezzies from Santa.  While eating breakfast this man who works at the mall (he had a name tag) sits down at the table with us and just starts talking.  Kinda weird but I think maybe he was a little "off".  Nice enough but the guy keeps burping.  No hand over the mouth, NOTHING!  I was like, "yeah I normally think that's funny but not from a total stranger who's not even doing it to be funny, rude and totally immature".

So we're picking out presents and Josh is hurrying me along.  I'm starting to get annoyed and he says, "I have to take the biggest dump.  We need to go".  Apparently, he needs to be at home to "take care of business".  So we're walking out and he's heading for the taxi stand.  We live across the street from the mall.  I said, "what are you doing"?  He says, "We're taking a taxi because I have to crap so bad it hurts"!  All I could do was giggle.  During the 3 minute ride he's doing breathing techniques like he's going into labor.

P.S.  I'm washing towels today.  Lovely.

Laundry Wench

Let me tell you, this laundry business sucks ass!  I HATE it!  It's never ending.  The worst part is that I don't have a stinking drier.  I think that's the worst part anyway.  Maybe that and the fact that my washer is ultra small.  A full load consists of four pairs of Josh's shorts.  So do you think I watch CLOSELY for "people" throwing clean clothes on the floor???  Oh yeah!  Then I go into my whole rant about how I'm not here for the sole purpose of cleaning up after everyone.  It's like they think I actually like doing dishes and washing clothes.  My hands are starting to strike.  I have a nice little case of eczema going on the left hand.  Today I noticed a patch on the right hand as well.  I read that you should keep your hands out of the soapy water as much as possible by using the dish washer.  Oh really?  This person has OBVIOUSLY never been to Singapore!  What flipping dish washer???  So I bought some plain white cotton gloves for $15 (what a steal) and am wearing them under my latex gloves when I have to get my hand wet.  My boys are asking if my hand is "real".  They've been watching too much Star Wars.  Speaking of the boys, Sage says to Evan today, "You're a penis".  I couldn't help laughing.  Wrong, I know but it reminded me of the scene in E.T. where Elliott calls his brother "penis breath".  I need to grow up for my kids sake.  Last Saturday Evan said something "smells like butt" and I laughed.  THAT one reminded me of Brad Pitt in the movie, "Kalifornia". I think he says something "tastes like butt".

Sunday Josh took me and the boys to Sky 57 on top of the Marina Bay Sands.  Outstanding view.  The food was good but it's not CUT.  I had this avocado and crab salad that I could have ate 10 of.  I love eating when I feel like I want to lick the plate because it's so good.

December ALREADY?

We have our tree!  It's black with silver glitter tips and red ornament balls.  I wanted to do something completely different this year.  One of the nice things about basically starting over.  The tree matches the apartment decor.  Something else I would not have picked if I was back home.  I likey tho!

I'm also done with my Christmas shopping!  The first time ever that I am done this early.  I wasn't sure what mall traffic was like here in Singapore.  I HATE crowds!  I spent a boat load of cash on the kids presents.  Prices are twice what they are in the U.S.  Now I need to wrap everything, which isn't THAT much.  I also need to send out my Christmas cards.  $1.80 per card plus another $1 to mail.  JEEEZ!  Not sending that many this year AND I'm adding multiple names to one card.  Nothing is CHEAP here!

The boys have one more week of school then they are off for three whole weeks!  I hope I can handle it!  It's a safe bet to say that Josh will be at the restaurant 24/7!  

Good Luck Wishes

Alright.  So apparently the way to congratulate a business opening its doors here is to send a large flower arrangement that looks like it came from a funeral.  Interesting.  I see them around the malls all the time.  I asked Josh if the restaurant received any 'condolence" bouquets and he said, "yes"!  Is that like saying you're dead in the water?  I hope not!  Anyway, I hope he takes a pic for me to put in our scrapbook!  Cheers!

French Encounter

This happened a few months ago but I don't want to forget it.  Evan gets invited to a class mates birthday party.  They're from France.  So I see the kid's Mom after school one day and I go introduce myself.  We are in a crowded, noisy gym.  I can't hear what she's saying so I lean in closer and she goes to kiss my cheek.  I just look at her like, "what are you DOING"? and she says, "oh, I'm from France that's how the French do it".  So I say, "Oh, great.  Let's do it then"!  AWKWARD!   I never felt more American in my life!  I proceed to give her a kiss on each cheek while feeling like a total nimrod!  You might as well stamp, " A M E R I C A N" on my forehead.  I get asked a lot where I'm from (like they can't guess) and I say California.  Like California is it's own country.  Doesn't everyone know where that is???  Once we have established that I'm from the U.S. the next comment is either, "Arnold" or "Obama".  This is when being the "stupid American" comes in handy.  I just stare blankly with no response at all.  Too bad I'm no longer blonde.

Not MY Magic Month!

 It's taking forever to kick this cold!  Thank GAWD my two lovely sisters sent a a nice little stash of Theraflu.  Now I can cope and actually feel like doing something other than lying in bed!  I'm trying not to be bummed that Josh isn't here....EVER.  The one thing I can't handle is when he calls and says he'll be on his way and then something happens and he doesn't show up.  I'd rather just be completely surprised than utterly disappointed!  I can't just flip my emotion switch on and off.  It's also bringing me down that we don't really talk much.  He's SO tired when he gets home that he just nods off. Or I'm already in bed asleep for several hours when he walks in.  This is only going to go on for a few more months....I HOPE!  Then it'll be back to the normal 12-14 hour days that we're used to with a day or two off in-between. I've learned how to handle that schedule.

Sage is on a mission to save the snails at school and has told the teacher they need to make, "don't step on the snails" signs to put up outside in the play area. The boys are loving school.

Shopping for underwear for them has been fun.  It's very "European" here.  No luck finding the normal Fruit of the Loom briefs here.  I bought them a pack of the bikini style.  Let's see if they wear them.  I felt about 10 years old in the store buying them.  I couldn't stop laughing.  I finally had to tell myself, "Grow up and knock it off".  

The Magic Month!

Guess what? It's happening! It's actually HAPPENING! The restaurant opens 11/20/2010! FYI - This is how they write the date 20/11/2010 here. It's been a crap week. I've been sick (can't kick this cold) and Josh is living at the restaurant. The TV has been doing a lot of entertaining for the boys. I miss my family. I wish you guys were here with me! :o( I'm really trying to be supportive of Josh because I know he's really nervous. All of the L.A. big wigs have arrived (namely Chef Lee), which is making Josh even MORE nervous! I was at the kitchen yesterday for a quick peek and it's coming along nicely. I'm so proud of him! The rest of the year is going to be a challenge for us "folks" at home. He was supposed to have today off but came home last night (if you call 1:30 AM last night) saying that he had to work. I figured this was going to happen so it didn't bother me much. We can do this! It reminds me of the days when he was at Spago in terms of the long hours. I keep giving myself pep talks when I'm feeling down. I was bored at home and SO ready for a change...and I got it! Who ever said, "be careful of what you wish for" wasn't joking! I know this is a great opportunity but it's got to be the HARDEST decision I/WE have made! It's worse when I'm sick and I can't even get my favorite drugs! I miss you Tylenol Cold and Theraflu! I hope I'm over this soon because I want to be able to taste this great food next week! I can't wait for steak tartar!