On the way to the bookstore, we passed a hair salon and I asked about getting my hair straightened. Since arriving here, I have had to wear my hair in a ponytail or it looks like a hot mess. The salon was able to fit me in this afternoon so after a quick lunch, I headed back to the salon for my treatmeant. I have to admit, I was initially nervous. What if the treatment fries my hair? But I took solace in knowing that it couldn't look any worse then it did walking into the salon.
After 2 hours, I walked out with nice, sleek, straight hair. Prior to the treatment, just leaving an air-conditioned building and hitting the wave of humidity would result in an awful, frizzy wave but this is no longer the case. My hair has remained straight even after sitting by the pool for a hour and cooking dinner in small, not well ventilated, kitchen.
Tomorrow, we are taking the boys to the infinity pool ontop of The Marina Bay Sands. You can only use the pool if you are staying at the hotel so we will be 'vacationing' tomorrow night. If you haven't seen images of the pool, I would recommend googling it. We will post some of our pictures after my laptop has been repaired.
Last thought: Tonight Jason tried the ice cream served between the multi-coloured bread; it was actually pretty tasty!
Monday 27 May 2013
Sunday 26 May 2013
Off the Record with Lisa
First off, I know many of you are wondering why we have not posted any pictures yet. Well as it turns out, Lisa decided to give our computer a bath just before we left so it is currently being repaired. We hope to get it back by the end of next week, at which time we will start posting some pics.
For you that have been following this blog, you will be familiar with our Off the Record segments which we shamelessly stole from TSN. This episode of Off the Record is with the matriarch of the family who I affectionately call Meezee.
Q. So, Lisa, you have now been in SG for a full week. Tell us, how is the family settling in?
A. Well, in Jacobs words during prayers tonight, he thanked God for making each day in SG a fun day and he looks forward to making SG his home.
Q. It sounds like the kids are enjoying Singapore. What about you, how are you feeling about the move?
A. I'm starting to feel more comfortable with my surroundings. It was nice yesterday. We went house hunting and fond two potential homes that we might be interested in. That helps to make SG feel more like home.
Q. So you say you may have found a place to live. That's pretty exciting. Is there anything that really stands out about any particular house?
A. Umm. There are two potential homes that we've deemed house a and house b. last night at dinner we all listed our pros and cons of each of these. We each picked which house we would want to live in and gave our reasons why. The boys and I feel that house a is better suited for our family while Jason felt that house b was a better fit. Stay tuned for more on our house hunting adventures since later this week we will revisit a and b and may at that time make our choice.
Q. What is the number one thing that you like about house a?
A. As most people know I like to entertain and cook and this house is perfectly suited for both.
Q. So is there any fun activities you've done with the kids to get them excited about living in SG?
A. Our kids are so easy going. It doesn't take much for them to be happy. They have however been having ice cream almost daily since moving here. The local ice cream stands that are found on the corner of each street are run by old Asian men (most with rotten teeth) who cut off a slab of ice cream that is sandwiched between either wafers or a slice of bread that is died multicoloured. It would seem as if most Asians choose to have the ice cream between a slice of bread but our boys have not been brave enough for that and choose the wafers. The greatest thing about this ice cream is that it only costs 1S$ and the serving size is pretty big.
Q. Wow, that sounds a lot different than an ice cream cone. Your kids seem to be pretty accepting of new experiences. Having said this, is there anything you have done to make them feel still connected to home?
A. I'd say that we speak a lot about our friends and family back in Canada but more importantly we've tried to make this our home so they feel connected to SG. FaceTime has helped a lot.
Q. How's your skin liking the humidity.
A. Skin likes it but the hair not so much. I'm looking at getting it straightened this week so I don't have to wear a ponytail everyday.
Q. Alright well it think we are done here unless there is anything you want to tell your fans out there.
A. My fans? You're a dork.
For you that have been following this blog, you will be familiar with our Off the Record segments which we shamelessly stole from TSN. This episode of Off the Record is with the matriarch of the family who I affectionately call Meezee.
Q. So, Lisa, you have now been in SG for a full week. Tell us, how is the family settling in?
A. Well, in Jacobs words during prayers tonight, he thanked God for making each day in SG a fun day and he looks forward to making SG his home.
Q. It sounds like the kids are enjoying Singapore. What about you, how are you feeling about the move?
A. I'm starting to feel more comfortable with my surroundings. It was nice yesterday. We went house hunting and fond two potential homes that we might be interested in. That helps to make SG feel more like home.
Q. So you say you may have found a place to live. That's pretty exciting. Is there anything that really stands out about any particular house?
A. Umm. There are two potential homes that we've deemed house a and house b. last night at dinner we all listed our pros and cons of each of these. We each picked which house we would want to live in and gave our reasons why. The boys and I feel that house a is better suited for our family while Jason felt that house b was a better fit. Stay tuned for more on our house hunting adventures since later this week we will revisit a and b and may at that time make our choice.
Q. What is the number one thing that you like about house a?
A. As most people know I like to entertain and cook and this house is perfectly suited for both.
Q. So is there any fun activities you've done with the kids to get them excited about living in SG?
A. Our kids are so easy going. It doesn't take much for them to be happy. They have however been having ice cream almost daily since moving here. The local ice cream stands that are found on the corner of each street are run by old Asian men (most with rotten teeth) who cut off a slab of ice cream that is sandwiched between either wafers or a slice of bread that is died multicoloured. It would seem as if most Asians choose to have the ice cream between a slice of bread but our boys have not been brave enough for that and choose the wafers. The greatest thing about this ice cream is that it only costs 1S$ and the serving size is pretty big.
Q. Wow, that sounds a lot different than an ice cream cone. Your kids seem to be pretty accepting of new experiences. Having said this, is there anything you have done to make them feel still connected to home?
A. I'd say that we speak a lot about our friends and family back in Canada but more importantly we've tried to make this our home so they feel connected to SG. FaceTime has helped a lot.
Q. How's your skin liking the humidity.
A. Skin likes it but the hair not so much. I'm looking at getting it straightened this week so I don't have to wear a ponytail everyday.
Q. Alright well it think we are done here unless there is anything you want to tell your fans out there.
A. My fans? You're a dork.
Friday 24 May 2013
Malaysia
Its Friday night in Singapore (SG). It is a Budhist holiday today and the streets are alive. While earlier, acompanied by a scorching sun and stifling heat, the humidity ilicited an uncomfortable stickiness, tonight its warmth envelops us like a cozy blanket and allows us to dine on Shiraz chicken Kebabs at a street vendor while watching a world of cultures narrowly escaping violent collisions as they dance the sidewalk salsa.
We've just returned home from a 3 day trip to Malaysia's Kuala Lumpor (KL); only 45 minutes away on a $40 flight that provided the kids with another dot on thier world travels map and another stamp in what will soon be a crowded passport. I'd like to say we spent our time in KL exploring the city and all that it had to offer but as it turned out, we were there for a business trip. Although officially on vacation, I asked Lisa and the kids to accompany me to KL as I spent 2 days in meetings with my new team at Shell's offices. Luckily for them, while I chilled in an overly airconditioned meeting room, they got to hang out in a tropical paradise, either lounging poolside or riding up and down the elevator in the fabulous house where we stayed with friends who welcomed us with open arms into thier home and made us feel like family.
It was a short stay but we did manage to take in some of the sights before we caught our flight home today including the stunning twin towers which make up part of the KL Convention Centre and Bukit Butang, a giant shopping centre and pavillion where Lisa got her nails done (yes, seriously). We also were able to experience an entirely new style of driving. As it turns out, in KL, the lines on the roads and speed limit signs mean very little as cars clamour to make room for themselves and jockey for position. While this alone would be enough to cause a slight heart murmer, despite heading to the airport super early to give ourselves lots of time, we ended up at the wrong airport terminal on our way home and took a page out of the Amazing Race as we ran out of the KL International Airport and breathlessly hopped a cab to take us to another of the 3 seperate airports in KL where our flight on budget airline, Tiger, flys out of. Let it be a warning, when in KL, if you tell a cabby you have to hurry to make your flight, you are taking your life in your hands. On at least three occasions, we made maneuvers straight out of a car chase scene from an action movie. In one, we squeezed between a guard rail and another vehicle in a tight corner on a one lane road. We bobbed and weaved in and out of lanes like a light weight boxer ducking punches. What was meant to be a 15-20 minute drive between terminals (at normally crazy KL speeds) took under 6 minutes. Scary how the stress of potentially missing our flight made us oblivious to the danger we had put ourselves in.
On the bright side, the driver was a great guy with a great sense of humour (and 5 kids) who made it his personal mission to get us to the airport on time. There was no way we were missing that flight; not on his watch!
Hope you are all well. Love from SG - The Plamondons
We've just returned home from a 3 day trip to Malaysia's Kuala Lumpor (KL); only 45 minutes away on a $40 flight that provided the kids with another dot on thier world travels map and another stamp in what will soon be a crowded passport. I'd like to say we spent our time in KL exploring the city and all that it had to offer but as it turned out, we were there for a business trip. Although officially on vacation, I asked Lisa and the kids to accompany me to KL as I spent 2 days in meetings with my new team at Shell's offices. Luckily for them, while I chilled in an overly airconditioned meeting room, they got to hang out in a tropical paradise, either lounging poolside or riding up and down the elevator in the fabulous house where we stayed with friends who welcomed us with open arms into thier home and made us feel like family.
It was a short stay but we did manage to take in some of the sights before we caught our flight home today including the stunning twin towers which make up part of the KL Convention Centre and Bukit Butang, a giant shopping centre and pavillion where Lisa got her nails done (yes, seriously). We also were able to experience an entirely new style of driving. As it turns out, in KL, the lines on the roads and speed limit signs mean very little as cars clamour to make room for themselves and jockey for position. While this alone would be enough to cause a slight heart murmer, despite heading to the airport super early to give ourselves lots of time, we ended up at the wrong airport terminal on our way home and took a page out of the Amazing Race as we ran out of the KL International Airport and breathlessly hopped a cab to take us to another of the 3 seperate airports in KL where our flight on budget airline, Tiger, flys out of. Let it be a warning, when in KL, if you tell a cabby you have to hurry to make your flight, you are taking your life in your hands. On at least three occasions, we made maneuvers straight out of a car chase scene from an action movie. In one, we squeezed between a guard rail and another vehicle in a tight corner on a one lane road. We bobbed and weaved in and out of lanes like a light weight boxer ducking punches. What was meant to be a 15-20 minute drive between terminals (at normally crazy KL speeds) took under 6 minutes. Scary how the stress of potentially missing our flight made us oblivious to the danger we had put ourselves in.
On the bright side, the driver was a great guy with a great sense of humour (and 5 kids) who made it his personal mission to get us to the airport on time. There was no way we were missing that flight; not on his watch!
Hope you are all well. Love from SG - The Plamondons
Sunday 19 May 2013
Off The Record with Jason
After tucking the boys in for night, Jason joins me for his first interview since arriving in Singapore.
L: Tell me about your first couple of days in Singapore
J: Seriously Lisa, I only have to answer five questions and your first is big enough for a book! (Jason is trying to book flights for a work trip while I conduct this interview).
L: Ok, how about three words to describe your first three days
J: Exciting...hot...learning
L: What has struck you as most different from the North American culture?
J: Skinny people
L: What has been the hardest thing to adjust too?
J: Humidity
L: What are you looking forward too?
J: Making our own meals (our kitchen is small and ill-equipped so other than the eggs that we cooked this morning, we have ate out for all of our meals)
L: What advice would you give to someone traveling to South East Asia?
J: Fly first class
L: Thanks for joining in. Next time, I will ensure that I have Jason's full attention to avoid the one word responses ☺
L: Tell me about your first couple of days in Singapore
J: Seriously Lisa, I only have to answer five questions and your first is big enough for a book! (Jason is trying to book flights for a work trip while I conduct this interview).
L: Ok, how about three words to describe your first three days
J: Exciting...hot...learning
L: What has struck you as most different from the North American culture?
J: Skinny people
L: What has been the hardest thing to adjust too?
J: Humidity
L: What are you looking forward too?
J: Making our own meals (our kitchen is small and ill-equipped so other than the eggs that we cooked this morning, we have ate out for all of our meals)
L: What advice would you give to someone traveling to South East Asia?
J: Fly first class
L: Thanks for joining in. Next time, I will ensure that I have Jason's full attention to avoid the one word responses ☺
Saturday 18 May 2013
First Couple of Days
Can't upload any pictures yet as the water spill on my laptop has put some restrictions on what I can do :). The plan is to get it fixed next week so stay tuned.
After 20 hours of flying, we safely arrived in Singapore. The boys are such troopers and such good flyers which made the trip very painless. We all had a great first sleep and spent the first day split between the pool and house hunting. We viewed four condos and four houses and although we didn't find 'our' house we now have a good idea of what to expect. The boys are always willing to offer their opinion which can, at times, be embarrassing, especially when it is in front of the agent showing the property. "Mom, I don't like this house as much as the last one we saw. Do you like it, Mom?", to which I respond with a gentle, 'Shhhh'.
Today was a day of exploration and learnings. We learnt how to use the MRT (train system), where to buy groceries, and all about the island of Sentosa. The island is known as 'Asia Favorite Park' (it would also be known as 'Asia's Expensive Park') and we had fun exploring, going on the MegaJump and checking out the 4D Adventure Park. There is so much more to see & do on the island that we will have to make a few more trips to Sentosa Island (just need to save up first 😊). Josh has decided that he would like to celebrate his 7th birthday at Universal Studios on the island - something to look forward too!
Tomorrow we will go to church then will spend the afternoon with some new people. Our pastor from Holland has a brother who works here and we will meet up with them in the afternoon.
After 20 hours of flying, we safely arrived in Singapore. The boys are such troopers and such good flyers which made the trip very painless. We all had a great first sleep and spent the first day split between the pool and house hunting. We viewed four condos and four houses and although we didn't find 'our' house we now have a good idea of what to expect. The boys are always willing to offer their opinion which can, at times, be embarrassing, especially when it is in front of the agent showing the property. "Mom, I don't like this house as much as the last one we saw. Do you like it, Mom?", to which I respond with a gentle, 'Shhhh'.
Today was a day of exploration and learnings. We learnt how to use the MRT (train system), where to buy groceries, and all about the island of Sentosa. The island is known as 'Asia Favorite Park' (it would also be known as 'Asia's Expensive Park') and we had fun exploring, going on the MegaJump and checking out the 4D Adventure Park. There is so much more to see & do on the island that we will have to make a few more trips to Sentosa Island (just need to save up first 😊). Josh has decided that he would like to celebrate his 7th birthday at Universal Studios on the island - something to look forward too!
Tomorrow we will go to church then will spend the afternoon with some new people. Our pastor from Holland has a brother who works here and we will meet up with them in the afternoon.
Thursday 16 May 2013
Off the Record with Jacob & Joshua
This is reporter Lisa, coming to you from the Air Canada Lounge. I am sitting here with Mr Jacob & Mr Joshua for a brief interview before they depart to Singapore.
L: How are you feeling about the move?
Jake: Umm, sad. I will miss my family, my grandma, auntie, uncle and my baby cousin, Anna. I will miss everyone.
L: So, your emotions are just sad?
Jake: Well, not just sad, I am kind of excited about the journey to Singapore. I am excited about the zoo & to check out all the cool stuff there
L: Josh, tell me how you're feeling
Josh: Well, you know what, I am kind of sad but kind of excited because I will get to see a lot of new things like new animals. But like my brother said, I will miss my family
L: What is the first thing you want to do when you get there?
Jake: Sleep
Josh: Sleep
L: What piece of advice would you give other families when moving across the world?
Jake: Be positive
Josh: Well, I think a lot of people fart a lot when they go there - like blmph blmph
L: Singapore is a very hot country. Any tips for beating the heat?
Jake: Live in a big huge fan. Swim.
Josh: Well....stick my head in the toilet
L: Anything you want to tell our readers?
Jake: Have fun & be positive!
Josh: Hi, I love you. You are very nice.
That concludes our interview for this week. Please tune in again for the next instalment of 'Off the Record'
L: How are you feeling about the move?
Jake: Umm, sad. I will miss my family, my grandma, auntie, uncle and my baby cousin, Anna. I will miss everyone.
L: So, your emotions are just sad?
Jake: Well, not just sad, I am kind of excited about the journey to Singapore. I am excited about the zoo & to check out all the cool stuff there
L: Josh, tell me how you're feeling
Josh: Well, you know what, I am kind of sad but kind of excited because I will get to see a lot of new things like new animals. But like my brother said, I will miss my family
L: What is the first thing you want to do when you get there?
Jake: Sleep
Josh: Sleep
L: What piece of advice would you give other families when moving across the world?
Jake: Be positive
Josh: Well, I think a lot of people fart a lot when they go there - like blmph blmph
L: Singapore is a very hot country. Any tips for beating the heat?
Jake: Live in a big huge fan. Swim.
Josh: Well....stick my head in the toilet
L: Anything you want to tell our readers?
Jake: Have fun & be positive!
Josh: Hi, I love you. You are very nice.
That concludes our interview for this week. Please tune in again for the next instalment of 'Off the Record'
Tuesday 7 May 2013
And the adventure begins...
Today started with some wet eyes but ended with smiles. Nothing soothes a child's heart more than a super fast waterslide that spits you out like a cannon.
Say what?!? This is our room?
Who needs a bath when you have a pool?
Thursday 2 May 2013
Staying Connected
To help stay connected while we are living overseas, I am going to try & keep a blog. Bare with me as I try to figure out this all out.
Two weeks from now we will be arriving into Singpore - exciting!
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