Hi Everyone - Quick Update

Hi All, 
Just wanted to update that we are safe at home.  My parents and friends are well in the South - what devastation.  My parents only experienced power outages and it's still intermittent.  My heart goes out to all who lost someone - may peace be with you.  It's so strange to think of how things will look so different now.  We were there just a couple of weeks ago and I posted the pictures of the Azaleas and Dogwoods...


As for us, we're truckin' along just fine.  The pups are happy to be back home and doing well.  I don't have any shots of the house yet - it's fairly chaotic.  But, I got to work in the yard yesterday; which was one of the best things I could have done.  We're supposed to have a pretty "crappy" weekend, but once Monday comes around, I'll be back out there.  I'll post some pictures when I have more weeds gone - they are taking over!!


Here are some pictures from our drive home after we picked up the dogs from my parents.  Take care all and I'll post more soon!  I have lots to post from our last weeks in Singapore - having tea with "Y," Girls Night Out with Kirsten and Birgit, and much more...stayed tuned.


Our air conditioning went out in the car - ugh!  So, we were all trying to stay cool - I gave the dogs ice and they loved it!

One odd reason that we're happy to be back is that the price of Alcohol is much cheaper!  One of the sparkling wines we liked in Singapore was $68 a bottle, but here it's only $6.98 bottle - crazy, huh?!  See the pic!

Dogwoods in Bloom - Love Spring!

 

We have finally been reunited with our pups and my parents.  And, we have been blessed to see the Dogwoods and Azaleas in bloom!

So, I thought you might enjoy some pictures of our pups and the spring flowers!

 

 Now, the pups!!

"The Future is Impenetrable"

...so says the Buddha.

I am reflective tonight, now early morning, and for those knowing the details, I think you'll understand.  I am also reminded of my friends here - you know who you are - and feel quite blessed.  I am grateful for my soul mate next to me and to our families that have taken both of us in as their own.  Our experience here has been a combination of so many things good, bad and indifferent.  But, that is life and we must go on and go forward.

The last few days my mind has gone back to a certain section of a Wordsworth poem that I has always spoken to me:

Splendour in the Grass

What though the radiance
 which was once so bright
 Be now for ever taken from my sight,
 Though nothing can bring back the hour
 Of splendour in the grass,
 of glory in the flower,
 We will grieve not, rather find
 Strength in what remains behind;
 In the primal sympathy
 Which having been must ever be;
 In the soothing thoughts that spring
 Out of human suffering;
 In the faith that looks through death,
 In years that bring the philosophic mind.

Note: I don't put the poem in to allude to some great tragedy for us personally, but just to say that this poem has always given me peace - no matter the level of suffering - and I don't believe that my problems are anything compared to the horror and tragedy that has continued to haunt Japan and I feel for the people and their families and friends tonight. May peace be with you... 

Henna Tattoos (Mar 16)

We finished off a really busy day on the 16th by getting Henna Tattoos - like we hadn't done enough!

 

We really had a lovely time - Little India is always a lot of fun and we got some sweets from the Arcade and just sat and relaxed while the artist worked.

My hands looked a little scary but I actually like the darkness of the ink but if you know henna then you know it "flakes off" and then you're left with a toned-down brownish-red.  I just let the woman work on my hands how every she felt and she did a BEAUTIFUL job!

 Watch out for Phoebe!  She got the dragon and was very happy!

 Tavia got a sexy flower design on her calf!

 

 (Jason's Photo) 

Lila was a kick while she got her tattoo - she couldn't stand still!!  I was just laughing the whole time - I think the tattoo artist gave her the smallest butterfly henna that she could and it wasn't too soon!  Jason didn't really want anything to do with it and went off did some photography - I had to share some of them - he really caught the "spirit" of Little India!

 

Pulau Ubin Bicycle Tour (Mar 16)

This was a very pleasant surprise!  If you're in S'pore and have some time, go to Pulau Ubin before it gets development (more on that later).

Tavia really wanted to go and I didn't even know about this island off the eastern shore of Singapore.  We had a blast!  The pictures should tell the story pretty effectively.  Essentially, we rode bicycles all over the island and explored one of the only Mangrove Farms left.  Of course, it was hot, but even the girls did well AND no accidents! Yeah!

 My bicycle is the baby blue one to the left of the guy in the green t-shirt.  Tavia told me it was a "cruiser."  I think that's the kind of bicycle I want next!  It didn't hurt my bum or anything - loved it and it had gears.  I especially like the basket on the front; I could see myself tooling around town picking up fruits and veggies at a farmers' market.  Ahhhh...can you tell I'm seeking a simpler life, maybe...

The landscape of Pulau Ubin is just beautiful and untouched; I was disheartened to hear that the S'pore Govt. has given the okay for it to be developed.  It's quite bohemian on this island, and to be honest, that's what I liked.  It's supposed to be what Singapore used to be like.  But, there is a lot of money potential here and I'm afraid they will turn it into a small Bintan - no character, just resorts.

Another issue is that they have had quite a few accidents and deaths on the island.  Helmets are not required and, yes (don't tell my Dad), I didn't wear one either.  But, I was careful and we didn't do any stupid tricks.  As I read in a Straits Time article the other day, a woman tourist did die by clamping down too fast on her brakes and flipping over the bicycle causing a fatal head injury - she died on the way to the hospital.  Another issue is that there is really no medical on the island; that aspect really is unforgivable.  With the heat, the amount of tourists and the fact that everyone is riding around a bicycle they don't really know, is cause for a little more attention.  Tavia, Jason and I noticed really how poorly people rode - it's not like America where you get your first tricycle at 3 and you're riding free by 6 or 7.  There were people that were older than us that were having trouble - I suspect those are the ones that are having the most accidents.  There are some really steep and treacherous hills.

After a great ride, we got to see the most natural part of the island - Mangroves Farm.  What a place; we had to walk along a raised boardwalk.  We felt lucky to have the tide out; the kids got to see a bunch of Fiddler Crabs and the exposed roots of the Mangroves.

 

 

 

 

 Along the boardwalk, the ladies all pulled out their umbrellas - the sun was intense!  Here's a pix of the Olive girls -

 

You can tell the girls love their daddy!  This was two seconds before Jason had had enough, though!  They may look comfortable but it was at least 85 degrees with that much humidity or more!

There were some Filipino tourists that took a liking to Lila and Phoebe; Lila was in most of the photos because of her blonde hair and because of Phoebe's intolerance of their attention.  Good for you Phoebe!  I love ya'!

By the way, the picture above was taken on top of a very high tower that SWAYED!!!! I thought I was going to die!  Jason and Tavia thought I was crazy.  I stood up there long enough to take some pix and then I was down like nothing!!! Here is one shot that Tavia got of me...

This is a fake out - I wasn't even close enough to put my hand on the railing - no way!  I don't know what happened!  I used to be able to handle heights - I used to work on roofs with my Dad, now I'm at my limit on a 10 foot ladder and that's pushing it!

As you know, we did make it home safe, but take a look at the boat captain below...really look.  Yes, he is sitting on a plastic chair that is supported by a tire.  Additionally, can you see where his cigarette is?  On top of the fuel tank? Yes...lovely...  Got to give a shout out to Jason for catching this and then we both got shots of it - too funny!

 

Random sign - kind of funny, weird... 

My buddy - miss you!

Turquoise - beautiful!

This was our view leaving the island - just natural beauty!!!

This is the way I felt after that day...I really needed it:

"Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."  ~John Muir

A ride in the MRT after a long, long, long day.  We all so tired afterwards.  Lila fell asleep in Tavia's arms.

 

But, this wasn't the actual end of the day - next post...Henna Tattoos!  hehehehe...