everything's smaller in singapore

Good evening, friends! With hours left before our departure, I figured I'd share with you all a small taste of what our life is about to become. I have titled this list "realistic expectations" in honor of the mini-lecture my mom delivered a few days before packing went insane.

Realistic Expectations:
1. The journey. We're up at 7 tomorrow and heading to Philly Int'l to catch our plane at 10 -- embarking on a 21+ hour trip, with a less-than-45-minute transfer in Hong Kong that will have us literally running through the airport. Then factor in carry-ons, customs, security, delays, hunger, and bathroom breaks...ahh, the world of travel.

+ read on!2. The accomodations. Our benevolent Aunt Serene, with whom we will be sharing the flat - along with two of her children, my grandparents, and a maid - kindly informs us that the rooms are tiny. As in, very very small. Roll-up-and-put-your-bed-away-every-day small.

But this is not a huge problem. It will be like living in a tent. An insulated, air-conditioned tent a few hundred yards in the sky with clotheslines running out the windows. Really not a bad deal!

3. The laundry. The washing machine in the flat, we are told, will only accommodate a load comprised of, say, one shirt from each person. Seven shirts, my friends, is one load. As a result, Mom announces we will need to wash one dark and one light load every single day. Yes, every outfit must be washed every day if at all possible, as sweat does not make for particularly charming society, neither here nor in Singapore (even if it is the norm).

There is the small problem of sharing the washing machine with the other 6+ occupants of our flat, however. Never fear, Mom has it all under control. "We have another option," she points out. "If we have to, we can load our stuff into a small suitcase, haul it across the country, and go to the mall." Because apparently, all the laundromats are in the mall. (Mom assures us this is our last-ditch emergency solution.)

4. The density of our schedule. Aside from our obligatory sightseeing itinerary -- an exploration of, among other things, the local flora and fauna -- there is a wealth of Family to account for. Dad's seven siblings have produced upwards of 14 cousins. Mom's Dad is going to be in town. And both Mom and Dad's distant relatives in total could populate a small Asian country. (Oh, wait...) Boredom will be the very last of our worries! Now, downtime, on the other hand...

5. The food. There are food courts literally all over the nation, called hawker centers. These sell cheap, cheap, lovely cheap food. Really really good cheap food, too, like you wouldn't believe. We'll have pictures so you can all see the delicious stuff you're missing out on.

But money is never to be squandered, even in small increments. Mom has decided that we "will all cook a meal at least once" for thirteen in the flat. Not entirely bad, except for The Catch: like many Singapore homes, this one has NO OVEN - bad news for baker-chefs like myself. Stay tuned for some inevitable interesting news about this.

On another note, we will also benefit from the kindness of friends and relatives, who we are told will be willing and eager to take us out for meals. Thank God for family & friends! :)

6. The weather. We are going to be practically on the Equator. Enough said.

Oh, and the rain. It's either skin-scorchingly hot or raining. Or at times, both.

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So. With less than ... twelve hours to go, we'd love prayer for peace and strength to get everything done that needs getting done, and for safety as we embark overseas. Also, please pray for Dad, as the leader and family ambassador; and for Mom and the pressure she will be under as our administrator-in-chief and gift-distributor.

Cheers & stay cool,
Dan