Okay, I know we are behind the times but Rick and I are having our Christmas dinner today (Saturday, December 29). We were just so busy on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day that we didn't have it then. The day after Christmas Rick wasn't feeling well so we didn't have it then. The next two days we decided we better get out of the house because we could feel a post-Christmas depression coming on! So we put it off until today. But that's okay. We don't usually go out on Saturdays because everyone else in Singapore is out that day. The malls are always full and it is a nice day to stay in and catch up on housework and office work!
So, what's on the menu today? We have been buying a few things (as we found them) since before Thanksgiving. For instance - marshmellows. Sweet potatoes aren't sweet potatoes without marshmellows! I also found a little bag of pecans (very hard to come by here) and have been saving them for the half of the sweet potatoes without marshmellows! Rick has been busy making dressing (he makes the best - okay, it's right up there with my momma's!). We even made Watergate salad - had to cut the marshmellows in pieces because we couldn't find the little marshmellows that go in that. Of course, there's the other items but these are the mains ones. I even have a pumpkin pie for later (on a homemade crust - I might add!)
We have a DVD of Belmont University Choir singing carols on the TV. We will be thinking of you as we eat today - wishing you were here to enjoy Singapore with us.
We miss all of you so much.
Merry (post) Christmas!
Friday, December 28, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
The big day is over
Today is December 26! As my husband says, "Big John's dead and the big day is over!" But let me backtrack a minute.
December 24 Rick and had a great day out and around the city. We enjoyed the Christmas decorations all over town and ended up on Orchard Road about 6pm. If I told you there were a million people walking on the sidewalks with us, I'm sure I would not be exaggerating! It was an incredible crowd. The funny thing is that no one was pushing or shoving. Everyone was just moving along slowly. We were trying to get to where we knew people were supposed to be caroling. We could see a choir standing on down the sidewalk on the other side of the road but couldn't get to them. We couldn't hear them from where we were. By the way, in Singapore "caroling" is someone singing TO you, not everyone singing Christmas caroling. What we could hear, was not even in English! Ha! So we walked up a couple of escalators and got up where we could see a little better.
A Christmas parade came by with about seven or eight floats. All of them were lit up to perfection and each depicted a character of Christ: bread of life, living water, etc. And each float had the name JESUS prominently displayed. I was so excited. Now what we believe to be true about how the "true meaning" of Christmas has been emphasized this year is to "educate" the people of Singapore about the religions within her culture. They believe that if we can all understand each other's cultures, we will get along better. Whatever the strategy - the TRUTH will shine above the rest so I was glad that Singapore was showing the true meaning whatever their reasoning!
The kids all called on Christmas Eve (it was morning for them) and that helped with how much we were missing them. It also helped to know that sooner or later they would all be together.
Christmas morning - we opened our presents and the kids called again. We lazed around (like you are supposed to do on Christmas morning) until about 11am. Then we went to some friends' house for Christmas lunch. We had ham and turkey and green bean casserole, etc. (Rick and I have decided to cook our Christmas dinner on this coming Saturday). We visited with these friends until about 5 and then headed to the home of one of our Singaporean friends who had invited us for an authentic Chinese dinner. Don't think I am going to try and tell you what we had to eat - no way. Some of it was great and other parts were a little too spicy for me. But the company was good. We left there about 10pm.
This morning our kids woke us up as they were opening their presents. Our son eventually joined them after lunch and I know they have had a ball together. Meanwhile - Rick and I were going "down" by the moment. We finally just took a long nap. It is now after 8pm and we are watching a short Shrek Christmas movie on television.
Looking forward to tomorrow. It will be better. We are headed toward and exciting new year. Thanks for your prayers.
December 24 Rick and had a great day out and around the city. We enjoyed the Christmas decorations all over town and ended up on Orchard Road about 6pm. If I told you there were a million people walking on the sidewalks with us, I'm sure I would not be exaggerating! It was an incredible crowd. The funny thing is that no one was pushing or shoving. Everyone was just moving along slowly. We were trying to get to where we knew people were supposed to be caroling. We could see a choir standing on down the sidewalk on the other side of the road but couldn't get to them. We couldn't hear them from where we were. By the way, in Singapore "caroling" is someone singing TO you, not everyone singing Christmas caroling. What we could hear, was not even in English! Ha! So we walked up a couple of escalators and got up where we could see a little better.
A Christmas parade came by with about seven or eight floats. All of them were lit up to perfection and each depicted a character of Christ: bread of life, living water, etc. And each float had the name JESUS prominently displayed. I was so excited. Now what we believe to be true about how the "true meaning" of Christmas has been emphasized this year is to "educate" the people of Singapore about the religions within her culture. They believe that if we can all understand each other's cultures, we will get along better. Whatever the strategy - the TRUTH will shine above the rest so I was glad that Singapore was showing the true meaning whatever their reasoning!
The kids all called on Christmas Eve (it was morning for them) and that helped with how much we were missing them. It also helped to know that sooner or later they would all be together.
Christmas morning - we opened our presents and the kids called again. We lazed around (like you are supposed to do on Christmas morning) until about 11am. Then we went to some friends' house for Christmas lunch. We had ham and turkey and green bean casserole, etc. (Rick and I have decided to cook our Christmas dinner on this coming Saturday). We visited with these friends until about 5 and then headed to the home of one of our Singaporean friends who had invited us for an authentic Chinese dinner. Don't think I am going to try and tell you what we had to eat - no way. Some of it was great and other parts were a little too spicy for me. But the company was good. We left there about 10pm.
This morning our kids woke us up as they were opening their presents. Our son eventually joined them after lunch and I know they have had a ball together. Meanwhile - Rick and I were going "down" by the moment. We finally just took a long nap. It is now after 8pm and we are watching a short Shrek Christmas movie on television.
Looking forward to tomorrow. It will be better. We are headed toward and exciting new year. Thanks for your prayers.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Can it really be December 18?
Dear friends,
I can't believe it has been over two weeks since I posted last. Sorry. Things have been hectic around here PLUS we are enjoying Christmas in Singapore. As I wrote last, the city is decorated to the hilt. It is an amazing site to see. Hope you enjoyed the pictures I sent last.
This past weekend we went to a concert in the Esplanade concert hall. It was absolutely amazing. to see the concert hall go to http://www.worldvr.com/esplanade.html. Anyway, we went to hear the Celebration Chorus (which I have signed up for and start rehearsing with in January.) It is an ecumenical choir representing many churches here in Singapore. There are 75 in the choir and after hearing them the other night, I can hardly wait to start practicing with them. They had an orchestra (PLUS a harp and a huge pipe organ!) Wow. The choir is directed by a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. How he ended up here - I can't wait to find out! Anyway, I will let you know how it goes.
I'd like to take a moment and ask for you to pray with me. My youngest daughter just called and said that one of her college friend's sister had been killed in a car accident today. Of course, death at any time is terrible, but during the holidays it just seems to be worse. Please pray for this family. You don't know their names but HE will.
I do hope that you all are having a joyous time this Christmas season and enjoying family. Rick and I are planning to go to Orchard Road on Wednesday. There will be a live Nativity scene there plus loads of caroling. Yes, we'll end up at the Hard Rock Cafe to hear "the boys". Wish you were here to go with us.
Just wish you were here....
I can't believe it has been over two weeks since I posted last. Sorry. Things have been hectic around here PLUS we are enjoying Christmas in Singapore. As I wrote last, the city is decorated to the hilt. It is an amazing site to see. Hope you enjoyed the pictures I sent last.
This past weekend we went to a concert in the Esplanade concert hall. It was absolutely amazing. to see the concert hall go to http://www.worldvr.com/esplanade.html. Anyway, we went to hear the Celebration Chorus (which I have signed up for and start rehearsing with in January.) It is an ecumenical choir representing many churches here in Singapore. There are 75 in the choir and after hearing them the other night, I can hardly wait to start practicing with them. They had an orchestra (PLUS a harp and a huge pipe organ!) Wow. The choir is directed by a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. How he ended up here - I can't wait to find out! Anyway, I will let you know how it goes.
I'd like to take a moment and ask for you to pray with me. My youngest daughter just called and said that one of her college friend's sister had been killed in a car accident today. Of course, death at any time is terrible, but during the holidays it just seems to be worse. Please pray for this family. You don't know their names but HE will.
I do hope that you all are having a joyous time this Christmas season and enjoying family. Rick and I are planning to go to Orchard Road on Wednesday. There will be a live Nativity scene there plus loads of caroling. Yes, we'll end up at the Hard Rock Cafe to hear "the boys". Wish you were here to go with us.
Just wish you were here....
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Enough about animals
Suffice it to say, we had a great time in Kenya and saw lots more animals than you want to read about. My kids are accusing me of using this as a teaching moment so I will move on. Besides, it's Christmas and there is lots to tell.
Christmas in Singapore seems to be enjoyed by everyone. There is a great build up of events and of course, the Orchard Road Christmas Light-up. Orchard Road is THE main shopping road and business road on the island and it is decorated to perfection. Now, it isn't cold but you can buy an ice cream or a chilled fruit drink from one of the road side cafes.
This week Rick and I are supposed to go on an open top bus tour of the lights of Orchard Road but just to get you excited, here are a few pictures of it.
Christmas in Singapore seems to be enjoyed by everyone. There is a great build up of events and of course, the Orchard Road Christmas Light-up. Orchard Road is THE main shopping road and business road on the island and it is decorated to perfection. Now, it isn't cold but you can buy an ice cream or a chilled fruit drink from one of the road side cafes.
This week Rick and I are supposed to go on an open top bus tour of the lights of Orchard Road but just to get you excited, here are a few pictures of it.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
The Hairdresser
Okay, I have to stop here, in the middle of my game drive saga, to tell you about an adventure I had in Singapore yesterday. My friend, Lisa, and I had made plans to meet at a place where she got her hair cut on a regular basis. She also had a voucher at another salon for a free "micro-misting". So we met at the shopping center about 1pm. We walked to the beauty salon which was completely busy and full. There were 8 beauty salon chairs along two walls in a shop 15ft X 20ft. Right in the center was the appointment desk and then behind that (behind a big curtain were two typical beauty shop sinks.
They put Lisa and I in the next two available chairs and asked if we wanted coffee or tea. (My goodness, why can't the beauty shops in the states do that?) They brought that out to us and then you will never believe what happened. My "girl" tucked a piece of black plastic at the back of my neck and covered my back. Then she wrapped a towel around my neck and clipped in in the front. Okay, I know that doesn't sound too different - but wait! THEN she began to squeeze a plastic bottle of shampoo mixed with water onto my dry hair. She gave me a shampoo sitting right there in front of the mirror. And this wasn't just ANY shampoo. It was a total head, neck, and shoulder massage - WOW for about fifteen minutes. I got so relaxed I could hardly keep my eyes open! She swooped up all the soap in her hand leaving me looking like Alfalfa from The Little Rascals. I thought it was over. But after she put the soap that was on her hand into the sink (behind the curtain) she came back to me and started the whole process over. When she did finish - I looked up at her (she was probably barely 19) and in my most Southern drawl said, "Honey, that was the best shampoo I have ever had in my life!" She laughed and I'm not really sure she understood what I said but I had to say it!
Then she took me back to the sink and I laid my head back. Now in most salons in the states (all that I have ever been in) when you lay your head back in that sink - if it doesn't quite fit you neck, it can be painful. Not going to happen in Singapore because they have a little sponge pillow to lay your head on in the sink so it is NEVER uncomfortable. When she got ready to rinse that part of my hair, she just lifted my head up. (Why can't salons in the states do all of this?)
A different lady came to cut my hair and she did a great job. Since Lisa and I were on our way to another shop for the "micro-misting" there wasn't any need for drying and styling. Oh, by the way, this fantastic massage, shampoo, and cut experience cost $21.00! Beat that ANYWHERE!
We managed to get to the next salon to have our "treatment" which turned out to be a "conditioning" that was nice. Got another good head massage in the sink. I tell you, after about two hours of all of this kind of treatment, I could hardly walk! Besides that, I have a new hair cut to show for it.
Just wanted you to be there with me!
They put Lisa and I in the next two available chairs and asked if we wanted coffee or tea. (My goodness, why can't the beauty shops in the states do that?) They brought that out to us and then you will never believe what happened. My "girl" tucked a piece of black plastic at the back of my neck and covered my back. Then she wrapped a towel around my neck and clipped in in the front. Okay, I know that doesn't sound too different - but wait! THEN she began to squeeze a plastic bottle of shampoo mixed with water onto my dry hair. She gave me a shampoo sitting right there in front of the mirror. And this wasn't just ANY shampoo. It was a total head, neck, and shoulder massage - WOW for about fifteen minutes. I got so relaxed I could hardly keep my eyes open! She swooped up all the soap in her hand leaving me looking like Alfalfa from The Little Rascals. I thought it was over. But after she put the soap that was on her hand into the sink (behind the curtain) she came back to me and started the whole process over. When she did finish - I looked up at her (she was probably barely 19) and in my most Southern drawl said, "Honey, that was the best shampoo I have ever had in my life!" She laughed and I'm not really sure she understood what I said but I had to say it!
Then she took me back to the sink and I laid my head back. Now in most salons in the states (all that I have ever been in) when you lay your head back in that sink - if it doesn't quite fit you neck, it can be painful. Not going to happen in Singapore because they have a little sponge pillow to lay your head on in the sink so it is NEVER uncomfortable. When she got ready to rinse that part of my hair, she just lifted my head up. (Why can't salons in the states do all of this?)
A different lady came to cut my hair and she did a great job. Since Lisa and I were on our way to another shop for the "micro-misting" there wasn't any need for drying and styling. Oh, by the way, this fantastic massage, shampoo, and cut experience cost $21.00! Beat that ANYWHERE!
We managed to get to the next salon to have our "treatment" which turned out to be a "conditioning" that was nice. Got another good head massage in the sink. I tell you, after about two hours of all of this kind of treatment, I could hardly walk! Besides that, I have a new hair cut to show for it.
Just wanted you to be there with me!
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