discs

Since day 1, the burning thought of a flying disc has been throbbing through our entangled brains. The first time Nathan saw the large fields of the popular game of football (or soccer for you Americans) dotting the vast landscapes of Singapore, he realized that these were perfect for a frisbee. One unanimous vote decided our fate. Thus a new adventure began.

We looked through almost all the malls in the country:

"'EY! it's a sports store! they should by all means have a frisbee!!"

Our hopes were dashed:

"Hey wait, Dan, that's the twelfth one we've visited...do you really think these guys will have one?"

It was only until halfway through the trip that we got anywhere on our journey for these discs.
A Giant (store...but not the kind in America, as this one had random items in it, and didn't sell as much food as it sold clothes...and sporting goods.) held our precious kin. S$10 (10 Singapore dollars) was the only thing between us and a frisbee. By now, Nathan had emailed a professional frisbee seller located in Singapore and asked our friend's wife, (whose husband is none other than the chief officer of traffic in Singapore) who was a producer of Asia's ESPN channel, if she could use her connections to net us a quality disc.

Minutes after we bought the frisbee, it was smoothly cutting through the air from Lee to Lee, and Lee to McMullin. And McMullin to Lee.

Good times.

Update

Grass is cut. Riding lawnmower still works. Garage door is hard to open. House is still standing.

hey, malay buffet

This is a list of the foods that were available at the buffet last night. Some of us had some of everything.

I forget what a lot of the names mean. I tried Google. It sort of worked.

Mussels
Prawns
Bread and Butter
Cream of Sweet Corn and Crab Meat Soup
Spicy Malay Chicken Soup
Fried Mee Mamak
Homemade Tofu
Steamed Fish
White Rice
Fish Skin, Cucumber, and Raw Salmon Sushi
Salmon, Tuna, and Bass Sashimi
Wasabi and Soy Sauce
Nasu Dengaku (Japanese Eggplants Broiled with Miso)
Yaki Niku (a grilled meat dish)
Sayur Tumis Air
Kari Daging Berkentang
Rendang Itik (Broiled Beef)
Asam Pedas Ikan Patin Merliman
Masak Lemak Perut da Rendang
Rendang Daging "Tok Perak"
Rojak (a malay fruit salad)
Ayam Pangang Berimtan (Roast Chicken)
Fish, Shrimp, Vegetable Crackers.
Chocolate Fondue (dried mangoes, breadsticks, marshmallows, bananas, grapes)
Kahlua Chocolate Soup
Mango in Glutinous Rice
Sweet Potato Dumpling

the days are just packed

hello friends,

Our time is like sardines. It has been hard to detail everywhere we went and everything we did since the last list. We are sorry.

We are, to put it simply, busy. And consequently left with little time to update at home, except very late at night (it is 1:28 AM as I write this).

This is soon to change. Nathan has decided he will bring along his laptop for more on-the-road updating. There are plenty of wi-fi hotspots all over the island. So! Something for us to look forward to.

+ read on!Here are the major things that have happened since the 22nd.

Monday the 23rd
- eating out: Cathay restaurant w/ Grandpa and friends
- found computer cord for Nathan's laptop

Tuesday the 24th
- Singapore Zoo. All day.

Wednesday the 25th
- bought shirts and frisbee
- eating out: another meal w/ Grandpa, Chee Chiew, Wai Ping

Thursday the 26th
- boys day out w/ Mom's cousin
- ferry to Pulau Ubin, island
- biking and local food (discovered 100 plus)

Friday the 27th
- visited Dad's aunt and 98 year old grandmother
- ate dinner with the Ho's (Yew Kee & family) again, by the Fountain of Wealth
- Andrew ate McDonald's

Saturday the 28th
- evening barbecue with relatives: brother 6's and some of brother 4's families, Dad's aunt & Dad's cousins
- made friends in the ocean

Sunday the 29th (aka The Day We Expanded Our Stomachs A Few Sizes)
- went to church at Mom's old church (Grace Church)
- lunch at Cafe Fontebleau: hotel buffet w/ Grandpa & friends
- lunch again at Dad's oldest brother's house, met oldest male cousins (homemade pizza)
- dinner shortly afterward at Jumbo Seafood restaurant w/ Dad's best friend from school & family

Monday the 30th
- went w/ Aunt Serene & cousins, and Mom's cousins to Sentosa Island
- chillin barbecue by private pool
- slept over at private resort chalet

Tuesday the 1st
- left resort
- Andrew and kids took Sentosa Luge & Skyride
- Palawan Beach

Wednesday the 2nd
- bowling at Orchid Bowl in Pasir Ris w/ Mom's old friends, the Kans
- Chinatown shopping (Dad got acupuncture for back from his old friend)
- another stomach-stretcher at The Square: amazing hotel buffet w/ Grandpa, Chee Chiew & Wai Ping, & the Kans

Clearly we have been having tons of fun, and tons of food - but it is ALWAYS wonderful to get back to our room and crank the aircon - as they call it.

Tomorrow will be the most chilling we have had so far, with absolutely nothing really planned for us kids.

Please continue to pray for Dad's family!

cheers,
Dan

a taste of home