Ember - a Fishy Answer to Missing our Dog

We have a "Koi Pond" at OSR(Orchard Scotts Residence).  This is very common in Singapore and they are an ornamental carp that represent prosperity and determination.  We have mostly orange, white and black, but there is one bright yellow koi.  We've nicknamed it "Emmie" after our dog, whom is residing with Grandma and Grandpa Berntson in Michigan.  We miss her terribly and so say hi to "our Emmie" here everytime we go by the pond. 




Ember the Dog . . .

Ember the Fish . . .

Ember & Friends

We miss you Ember!



Mos Burger - not so much

Hello again . . . Sunday night's dinner fell well below expectation.  "Honey, lets take the kids for hot dogs and burgers" -- "OK!"  We needed a little "homefood" but still wanted to try something new -- so we headed to Mos Burger at Bishan. 

We are not sure what the burgers consisted of, but they were a far cry from American beef (since, we have learned that the burgers are a mix of beef and rice and that Mos Burger does have good stuff - just need to know what to order - maybe we will try again in a few months).  The hot dogs were sausages.  This was a failed attempt at "Home Food".

We've been told by other expats it'll take several months for our taste buds to adapt, even the Ritz crackers we received as a gift didn't taste quite right.  Julie's hoping to figure out the local wet markets and cold storage(groceries), but our microwave oven also serves as the oven you bake in (she's read the directions and is a little skeptical that it'll work). She also read the washer/dryer directions and found she could fit 2-3 towels at a time (she'll be doing laundry every day, multiple times a day)

Mos Burger at Bishan MRT Exchange

Shudder ... Ughhhhghhhh!  Not good.

Sarah's perspective on Mos Burger

New Diswasher Brand: SARAHNATE

No Dishwasher . . . No Problem.  We have Sarah and Nate. 

Although we don't have a dishwasher, we do have maid service that helps to clean-up and they will do some dishes.  For the most part, we will get used to a different post meal pick-up.  The kitchen is nice and it has an integrated Microwave/Oven - new to us for sure.

"The Pool's Awesome"

From Sarah and Nate . . .

The pool at Orchard Scotts Residence is really cool.  Waterfalls, big 'leaf' shaped chairs and many different depths.

More food . . . and new friends

Last night, we all fell asleep eating the most expensive Pizza Hut (Lucky Plaza) pizza in existence - simple 'cheap' Western food is not necessarily cheap in Singapore.

Falling asleep at Pizza Hut, Lucky Plaza

After a nice service at the International Baptist Church, we met up with two families who invited us to join them for lunch.  We had very tasty Xiao Long Bao at Crystal Jade in Holland Village.  The warm welcome from Darnell, Erika, Twan, Allison (sp?) made us feel like we already have friends here (besides our Indium friends of course).  All their children go to ICS where Sarah and Nate will be attending.

Xiao Long Bao

More food adventure will be on the horizon I am sure.

All the best,

Ross

Hawker Center - 1st Lunch

On Saturday we all walked to the Newton Food Centre to have our first family experience with Singapore Noodles at a 'hawker stand'.  I had 'homemade meatball noodles' and the kids had 'plane vegetable noodles'.   We also had hairy fruit (Rambutan).  Sarah had a watermelon juice and Nate had pineapple.  All was good and the service and price was right.

Newton Food Centre - very close to our home

Nate eating peeled Rambutan

Rambutan (Hairy Fruit)

Till later. . . .

Ross

We made it!

We made it!  30+ hours total travel and the kids were still smiling.  As soon as we walked to the the immigration hall, the kids started telling me the stories of their last visit.  Their and my excitement was evident despite our tired eyes.

Stepping out of the the airport, the heat and humidity hit us - we're home for a year!

I will let Julie tell you more about the apartment, but it is quite nice!  Everything is in order and a few nice surprises.  Julie's comment before going to bed was, "This (apartment) is great."

We are happy and fit after a pretty good night sleep and will be heading out for a walk in a few minutes.  Thank you all for your prayers for safe travel!

God Bless.

Ross

Made it to Hong Kong

We have made it to Hong Kong after 24hours of travel (see timer below)!  The race to the gate in Newark was helped by our cart driver saying 'beep beep beep' and Julie waving her hands like a madwoman to get people out of our way.  We got to the gate just as the boarding process was wrapping up.  Of course, the kids boarding cards would not scan -- another few minutes of sorting and we were in our seats!

Never sleep next to Nate on a plane -- his arm bump frequency exceeds 2 per minute!

Sarah says she won't sleep - but then sleeps for about 4-5hours. 

Julie actually slept!  Better living through pharmaceuticals.

Ross had a tough time - he was sitting next to Nate.

We are happy and laughing still.  Off to Singapore.

Our Adventure Begins

Hello to our family and friends.

This is our first post!  We hope to keep you all updated on our adventures in Singapore.  We are currently sitting at the Syracuse airport waiting for our flight to Newark and on to Singapore via Hong Kong.  Our 12 big duffles are checked and we are stocked with Aunt Michele cookies.  Tod and Michele drove from Rochester to send their niece and nephew off with love and cookies - reminds us that we are not ever too far from family and friends.

My families travel curse is upon us, as we were writing this our flight was delayed 4 hours.  We may get into Newark, but probably not onto our connecting flight to Hong Kong.  Say some prayers that the weather clears in Newark!

Ross