The Lion City

Ya know the term, 'fish out of water?'  Well, that's exactly how I feel now that I live in Singapore. I know we have only been here for 5 days, but I don't feel as if I have any kind of grasp on what we have gotten ourselves into.  Everything is just so different. I am sure things will become more familiar as the days go on...but right now, it is difficult to think that I will figure things out.  I know there is a learning curve with any change in life.   I just need to stay positive that I will figure this one out, right?

Currently, we live in corporate housing until the end of the month.  After that, we need to move into our own apartment.  I have seen 16 apartments since we have been here - two of which I love.  Both are good locations - fairly close to Brett's work, good shopping nearby, close to MRT station or a free shuttle, and they are both a good size.  Here is my dilemma: dishwashers and ovens are not common here.  Most places don't have a dishwasher...and many places come with a microwave/convection oven combination to cook your food in.  This microwave/convection oven is small...like the size of a microwave.  Who can cook a roast...or cookies...or chicken in a microwave sized oven?!?!  

Sorry, I got a little carried away there...Anyway, one of the apartments I love has a dishwasher...and a microwave/convection oven.  The other apartment I love has no dishwasher but a more regular sized oven (still not as big as in the states...think small NY apartment size). So, which do I choose?  Do I want a dishwasher? (note - I hate doing dishes by hand) OR do I want a semi normal sized oven? (note - I will have to buy all new cookie sheets, pans, etc...because mine are all too large for it)  Which would you choose?  

Of course, there are other perks to each of the apartments...but I just can't get over the idea that I have to choose between having a bite-sized oven or having a dishwasher.  The corporate housing we are in now only has a microwave/convection oven.  Perhaps I should try and cook something in it and decide from there.  Does anyone know how to cook in a convection oven?  Am I worrying over nothing?

Other than the apartment hunting, I have been trying to explore the city and adjust to the insane heat and humidity.  I definitely miss the SoCal weather right now.  The people here are extremely nice, (minus the cab drivers) and Brett likes working in his new office.  We are slowly adjusting to the time difference, and I think we will like it here.  We get to go to our new ward today...wish us luck!

Singapore

So...it's official...we are moving to Singapore April 1st.  Wow.  I am still in crazy shock about this.  I mean, I was just barely getting used to the idea of moving to Texas in June...and now, I am in a state of complete shock all over again. I have no idea how to move half way across the world, but I have already started making a list of all the things I need to buy in bulk before we leave.  The top of that list is hair dye.  I am sure other things will jump to the top at some point, but right now that is my number one concern.

Brett and I have received an enormous amount of support from all of our friends and family about this move...my boss, on the other hand, wasn't as thrilled and hasn't been nice to me since I told her, but that's a whole other story.  Anyway, when Brett first told me we could possibly move to Singapore, I cried...for like an entire day...and then I cried some more.  I guess you could say I was being a bit dramatic in the moment. But, to me, the idea of moving to Singapore was extremely scary.  I didn't even know where it was, what language they spoke there, climate, how often we could come home, the list goes on and on.  Luckily, my wonderful husband was able to calm me down and we researched it together.

Here is a little information about where we are moving: Singapore is located in Malaysia and is comprised of somewhere around 60 islands.  They speak English, Malay, Tamil and Chinese.  The population is about 5 million people, and transportation on the island is supposed to be great.  The climate is a bit hot...temperatures range from about 71-94 degrees and it is crazy humid.  Like incredibly humid...I am not going to like that part.  The list goes on and on...

Researching helped me be more open to the idea of Singapore, along with the fact that this move is only temporary...we should only be there for 2-3 years, and the company will pay to fly us home twice a year.  I only see my parents once a year now, so that will actually be an improvement!  

I am excited for our new adventure, and will hopefully be able to share our ups and downs on here. 

Thankful for ...

As some of you may know, I work as a Property Manager here in Los Angeles.  The job is usually pretty easy.  Yes, I do sometimes have to deal with angry tenants, leaky pipes or other catastrophes...but, for the most part, my job is pretty great.  The job definitely has its bad days though...and yesterday was one of them.

Yesterday, I received a phone call from a co-worker of one of my tenants.  My tenant had not shown up for work, and the co-worker was worried about her.  The co-worker had called my tenant multiple times and knocked on her apartment door with no response.  Worried for the safety of my tenant, I went to the building to open her apartment door and found her dead in her bed.

...

I feel at a loss for words.  I have written and re-written what happened next a million times, but the words don't seem to do the situation justice.  I don't know how to explain the fear I felt standing in her room talking to the paramedics.  Or what it was like to answer the same questions over and over again by each fireman, police officer or the coroner.  I know I can't even begin to feel the loss that her family and friends are experiencing now, yet I still feel sad.

In all the chaos of yesterday, I couldn't help but think about all the wonderful friends and family I have in my life.  I am extremely grateful for each and every one of them and the great examples they are to me each and every day.

LENT

I know, I am not Catholic...nor have I ever been. But, ever since I worked for the McBob's, I have always enjoyed taking part in Lent. Now, I don't participate as a normal devoted Catholic would...instead, I just choose something to change in my life and see if I can really do it.

In past years, I have given up biting my nails, chocolate, Pepsi, etc. This year, I have chosen to add something to my normal routine instead of taking it away. I have decided to start doing one active thing 5 days a week. I know this sounds super easy, but for me it will be a challenge. I have found myself in a little bit of a rut lately, and I think this is just the thing to get me out of it.

So, today I will go for a walk when I get home from work instead of plopping down on the couch to watch my stories. Tomorrow I have signed up for a Pure Barre class and I have Hot Yoga on Friday. Next week I just might try a Zumba class! I can definitely do this until Easter, right? Wish me luck!

Decisions

One of our friends got me hooked on The Bachelor last season when Brad was the bachelor. Brad was a spitting image of the trainer at Brett's work, and the similarities made it so I couldn't stop watching. Well, that and all of his awesome one liners. Ah, the drama...Anyway, since then, we have formed a little group that meets every Monday to watch last season with Ashely, and now this season with Ben.

Tonight we are casting our votes to see who we think Ben will choose in the end. I don't know if any of you watch this show, but I think Ben will go with Kacie B or Jennifer...depending on how tonight's episode goes.

Wish me luck! I don't think there is a prize for being right, but I sure would like to win!

This year, my soft New Year’s resolution is to update my blog more often. Sometimes I get caught up in thinking that my everyday life isn’t interesting to others, but I am trying to wipe that thought out of my head. So, I apologize in advance for whatever posts the future may hold. Now to the real post…



Meet Nacho: a Chihuahua dog that belongs to one of our friends. Nacho’s owners were going out of town for the holidays and she needed a place to stay. I, of course, volunteered to watch Nacho for them. I had been raised with dogs my entire life, and missed having them around. I missed having a sweet dog to come home to, and to take walks with and to play with. Having Nacho for a few days would definitely be fun…or so I thought.

Before Nacho was dropped off, I was told that she gets a bad case of separation anxiety and usually refuses to move, eat or drink for numerous days at a time. She is extremely afraid of all people because she was a rescue dog, and she barks like crazy. On top of all that, Nacho will refuse to go to the bathroom…Except for when it comes to your house… then, she pees on anything soft that is on the floor…including carpet. Oh, and she is extremely aggressive with other dogs.
Great. My dreams of having a fun dog to play with were suddenly a thing of the past, but it was too late to back out. I picked up Nacho and prepared for the worst.

For the first few days, Nacho was pretty immobile, but she didn’t have any problem eating or going on walks. As the days progressed, and she became more familiar with us, her behavior improved drastically. She became almost playful, snuggled up with Brett and I on the couch, only barked when someone knocked and also became friends with the other dogs in our building. I was shocked! I don’t know why my friend described her dog as an absolute terror, but Nacho is nothing like her description.

Today is our last day with Nacho, and I am sad to see her go. Yes, she had really bad breath…and somehow always forced her way in-between Brett and I wherever we sat, (Brett isn’t her biggest fan) but I will miss her. I guess we will just have to get our own dog now!

My Lobster...

Wow, I can hardly believe that I have been married for 18 months!! Time has flown by, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. In lieu of this milestone, Brett and I took a quick weekend away to Santa Barbara to celebrate.

I forgot my camera…and my phone charger, so my pictures are limited and mostly nonexistant…but it was a great trip! Between our stay at the Canary Hotel, wonderful dinners on State Street, cupcake tasting (yum), delicious goodies in Solvang and all the beautiful landscape that surrounded us, it was truly one of the best weekends of my life.

The best part, by far, was that I got to spend it with my wonderful husband! I am extremely grateful to have him in my life. He’s my lobster!!