Ella is Now 12 Years Old!!!

Birthday girl (with her purple cast)

Ella turned 12 this weekend and it just seems amazing that she is already that old.  The first year of her life seems like a lifetime ago but at the same time, to think that she's already 12 and only has another 6 years in our house (in theory) seems amazing and impossible.  

We let Ella pick where she wanted to go out to dinner Saturday night and she chose Jumbo, a famous seafood restaurant here with five or six different locations.  When my brother and his family visited us a few weeks ago, we took them to the Jumbo in Dempsey Hil - a shopping area that we love with lots of fun restaurants - and all our kids loved it.  Singapore is famous for its "Chili Crab" and Jumbo is one of the go-to places for this crab.  There are also less spicy variations and all three of our kids love crab so that was what they had the first time we went.

Unfortunately, the Dempsey Hill location didn't have any reservations available so we ended up going to the Jumbo on the East Coast on the water.  Thought it would be a nice fun and still be the good food.  Would definitely say that the service, food and overall restaurant definitely falls down several notches once you leave Dempsey Hill although the view was still interesting.  Food was ok - not great - and Drayton and I tried some new things that we definitely wouldn't try again.  Sort of a bust but at least we can say we now have eaten on the East Coast.  What we learned is we would rather go there to go roller blading (you rent them there) or waterskiing (there's a cable-ski park there that the boys loved watching) or biking (again, can rent them there).  Will skip eating!!

Despite the lackluster food, here are some fun pics from dinner ....

 What you need to appreciate is that this is the beach but as you look out onto the water, all you see are tons and tons of container ships - Singapore is definitely not someplace you would go sit on the beach and enjoy the view!

 Fun with toothpicks...

On Ella's official birthday on Sunday we had cake for breakfast - a family tradition we have - and we were lucky to find a Ben & Jerry's so Ella could have an ice cream cake like she loves. After breakfast we told the kids we were going to bring them to Universal Studios on Sentosa, a small island directly below the city of Singapore connected to it with a bridge (or also a cable car).  Amid much excited we left for Universal, arriving at 10am when it opened.  At 12:45 we were still waiting in lines to get our annual pass since this was a much less expensive option even if we only went twice during the year.

"Queueing" as it's called here is a national past time I think!  And there is an art to it!  I think the objective seems to be to get ahead in the line at all costs - people are constantly cutting in front of you when they think you aren't looking or paying attention.  In one line today we had this 90 year old matriarch of a family come pushing through the line past us as if to join someone - people let her through assuming so I guess.  She got to the front of the line and then her family scampered up to join her and they were the next to be served!  The amazing thing is that no one gets mad at each other for doing it - it's just an accepted practice and not something to fight about.  Leaves me steaming mad since I'm not one to push my way ahead - but after a couple hours in lines, I basically stood with my elbows out to the side and constantly swayed making it much harder for someone to push past me.  Definitely requires a lot of paying attention!

The good news is that we now have Resort World Sentosa Annual Passes - not something that I would have ever said we were dying to have but it should eliminate all the queueing on future visits which in my opinion was worth every penny!  Universal Studios was a small park but the kids loved it and that's why we were there.  The Mummy was a favorite ride for everyone - except Henry was screamed with his eyes closed and his fingers in his ears from the moment we got on the ride until probably five minutes after we got off the ride! You need to appreciate that before we had even gotten on the ride he was already freaking out.....

We put Ella in a wheelchair since getting around on her crutches everywhere would have been a slow process and we have now learned that we really need someone in a wheelchair every time we go - major advantage in every area!  Not sure we can manage that for future visits - at least I hope not since I would really like to avoid the ER for a while!

 More Universal Studios pics....

 Remember Beetlejuice? Henry did NOT like him either!

A fun weekend celebrating Ella's birthday. What a difference a month makes in our Birthday Celebration planning.  One month ago today we arrived and celebrated Sumner's birthday - which consisted of unpacking boxes and getting lost and eating dinner at 10pm at a grocery store.  We've promised Sumner a redo on his 1/2 birthday since his real one was a big bust!

Singapore Air Force Museum

This past weekend we decided to do something cultural with the kids but our options were somewhat limited by the fact that Ella is still on crutches and therefore can't go hoofing around the city very easily (and it was raining).  We settled on the Singapore Air Force Museum since it was a small museum and we thought the boys would be more interested in running around than Ella might be - and they were in desperate need of some "running around"!

This museum is off the beaten track for Singapore and therefore our only way of getting there was via taxi.  It was raining and apparently taxis aren't so interested in driving out to the east of the island where they won't stand a chance of getting a fare back into the city.  As a result, took a while to find a taxi (thank you Uber) but finally one agreed to take us.  During our 18 minute drive with this gentleman, he spent 17 minutes explaining to us how bad the Singapore Air Force Museum was and how no one ever goes there and how it was a complete waste of time!!  We told him we were going to persevere and go anyways and so he brought us there, reluctantly.

We finally arrived at the museum and escaped the taxi - with Drayton noting afterwards that the driver had to have been the worst taxi driver we have ever had.  I thought he had fallen asleep at one point since he had finally stopped bad-mouthing the museum and instead was veering off the side of the road - inside a 2 mile long tunnel!  It made our arrival at the previously mentioned "bad" museum very much appreciated.

The museum was deserted but we had a fun time walking around retired planes outside and then going through a history of the military in Singapore inside.  It's very interesting to think that this country has only had a military for 47 years, with the country only being independent for 49 years.  It makes for an abbreviated history lesson which therefore kept the kids attention.  As one of only two families there that morning, it appeared to definitely not be the hotspot of Singapore.  It took only about an hour to cover the whole place and then we had to find a ride back home!  Thank goodness for Uber - our best friend here!!

Next weekend we'll have to pick something a little more exciting for the kids - especially since we'll be celebrating Ella's birthday on Sunday!  12 years old - amazing!

 Henry modeling the original pilot masks (I'm guessing it just filtered out bugs??)

 Look Mom, it's a bird....

... no, wait it's a plane!  (sorry)

Please Let Me Never See This Myself

So a friend posted this picture of what her husband saw at the bus stop earlier this week in Singapore and it almost gave me a heart attack.  At first I thought it was a joke until another acquaintance posted a picture of a similar snake that she saw while out biking.

I went for my first run on the streets of Singapore this morning (in the rain no less) and you can be assured I examine every twig on the sidewalk and every suspicious looking leaf to determine if it might be the tail of something that looked like this!  I may have been a farm girl but the worst thing we saw were 6 foot black snakes that you could pick up by the tail!  Think I would eave this one alone!

 Please note - this was at a bus stop I had been to the day before....

 .... I guess I naively assumed that you didn't see these sorts of things in a big city!!  When the acquaintance was biking a few days after later, the snake she saw was across the sidewalk.  Said she just turned around and discontinued that bike ride!!

Learning Singapore Laws.....

Well, while here I thought I should probably know the basic laws of the land in our new country.  My first inquiry into Singapore laws and regulations produced this.  I'm thinking I probably shouldn't break any laws while in this country and I'm hoping our kids don't either.  The good news is that as a female, I can't be caned!

When in Singapore You Are Subject to Its Laws

Criminal Penalties: Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. While you are traveling in Singapore, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. If you break local laws in Singapore, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not in Singapore. In Singapore, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. In Singapore, you can be arrested for jaywalking, littering, or spitting. Commercial disputes that may be handled as civil suits in the United States can escalate to criminal cases in Singapore and may result in heavy fines and prison sentences. There are also some things that might be legal in Singapore but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

Mandatory Caning Sentences: Singapore has a mandatory caning sentence for vandalism offenses. Authorities in Singapore may also impose caning for immigration violations and other offenses. Singaporean authorities do impose these sentences on foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens. Males over the age of 50 and women are not subject to caning.

Mandatory Death Penalty for Many Narcotics Offenses: Singapore police have the authority to compel both residents and non-residents to submit to random drug analysis. They do not distinguish between drugs consumed before or after entering Singapore in applying local laws. In Singapore, detained U.S. citizens have been surprised when they were arrested for violations that would not have resulted in arrest in the United States.

There are no jury trials in Singapore. Judges hear cases and decide sentencing. The Government of Singapore does not provide legal assistance except in capital cases; legal assistance may be available in some other cases through the Law Society. You can also retain private counsel in criminal cases. The Embassy maintains a list of qualified attorneys who have expressed interest in assisting U.S. citizens.

Carrying Firearms: There are very strict penalties for those who possess or carry arms, or who commit crimes with arms. Singaporean authorities define “arm” as any firearm, air-gun, air-pistol, automatic gun, automatic pistol, and any other kind of gun or pistol from which any shot, bullet, or other projectiles can be discharged or from which noxious liquid, flame, or fumes can be emitted, and any component thereof. This definition also includes any bomb or grenade and any component thereof. The possession of any arm or ammunition, including a single bullet in your luggage as you transit the airport, could result in imprisonment and caning. If you are convicted of committing a crime with an arm, you could receive punishment which could result in the maximum penalty of imprisonment for life and caning.

Engaging in sexual conduct: In Singapore, local law prohibits causing or encouraging prostitution of, or engaging in sexual relations with, a female below the age of 18. An indecent assault against anyone, male or female, regardless of age, is also prohibited. If you are convicted of facilitating or abetting the prostitution of any woman or girl, you could be sentenced to imprisonment of up to five years and a fine, or both. If the crime involves a female below the age of 16, you face a possible sentence of imprisonment of up to three years and a fine, or both.

Outrage of Modesty: Singapore enforces strict laws pertaining to the propriety of behavior between people and the modesty of individuals. The Singaporean law “Outrage of Modesty” is defined as an assault or use of criminal force on any person with the intent to, or the knowledge that it may, outrage the modesty of that person. Penalties may include imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, caning, or a combination thereof. Men are sometimes accused of inappropriately touching other people, often women, resulting in their prosecution and punishment under this Singaporean law. Scams involving a claim of outrage of modesty are thought to exist, and male travelers should be very cautious when frequenting popular nightspots.

Arrest notifications in Singapore: If you are arrested in Singapore, authorities of Singapore are required to notify the U.S. Embassy of your arrest. If you are concerned the Embassy may not be aware of your situation, you should request the police or prison officials to notify the Embassy of your arrest.

Special Circumstances: Singapore customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning controlled items you might be carrying while transiting Singapore (temporary importation or exportation) such as: weapons, ammunition, illegal drugs, certain religious materials, pornographic material, videotapes, CDs, DVDs, and software. Singapore customs authorities’ definition of "weapon" is very broad, and, in addition to firearms and ammunition, including a single bullet, includes many items which may not be considered to be weapons in the United States, such as dive knives, kitchen knives, handcuffs, and expended shell casings. You may be arrested for carrying any of these items without permission. All baggage is x-rayed at every port of entry, so checked baggage will also be inspected for regulated items.

When traveling abroad always be aware of the laws in the countries you visit. Additional country specific information can be found at theDepartment of State’s website.

New Cast!

So we were back at KK Hospital today getting Ella’s soft cast removed in hopes of getting a walking boot.  Unfortunately, apparently she fractured the ankle in the growth plate and they feel it needs two weeks in a hard cast.  Not going to be so comfortable in this heat but we’ll figure it out! Hopefully tomorrow we can find a sandal with velcro that we can put on the cast because the DR said if we found that, then she could walk on it for short distances as long as she kept off it and elevated it the rest of the time. We’ll see what we can find!  Now I have to go buy some cheap plastic garbage bags because I've been using the nice ones I brought from the US for her to cover the cast with each day when she showers and I'm not wasting an additional 14 bags on that cast!  xoxo

My New Low

Well, Drayton is in India on his first business trip there - learning the customs of India while trying to conduct business has been an adventure for him.  We miss him lots here but talked to him for a while this evening and he was able to send us pictures.  Since this was the kids' first week of school and there's no homework, I decided to take them out tonight for dinner to celebrate.  We decided to return to a Mexican restaurant we had been to before (yes, a little bit of a cop-out but it was a known place which I needed this evening).

Anyway, we took a taxi there and had a great dinner and lots of fun conversations and a fun family pic....

 .. attempt at a family "selfie"...

...better with the help of the waiter!

Unfortunately, what followed was a lesson for the Virkler children in humility!  I went to pay our bill to realize that my wallet was sitting on my desk at home!  We had taken an Uber taxi to the restaurant (therefore not needing cash since it charged my credit card automatically) and so didn't realize this until the bill arrived.  After panicking, calling Drayton (who didn't answer and texted that he was in a meeting and would call back when he was out in a hour), I just sat for a moment.  I had Ella empty her wallet - God bless the child who thinks she should carry all her cash with her everywhere.  Our bill was $196 in total - yes, it's Singapore where everything is so expensive - and Ella had $140 in Singapore dollars and $31 US dollars (that the money changer wouldn't take because they were ones and they don't take ones).  

After some pondering, I told the kids to wait there and walked up to the table beside us which happened to have some Americans sitting at it.  The kids and I had actually noted them earlier in the evening since we hadn't seen many Americans at all during our first three weeks.  I walked up, knelt beside them, told them I was hugely embarrassed (and teaching my children humility) and then asked if I could borrow $60 from them and give them $31 US dollars and send them the full $60 Singapore dollars as soon as I got home.  They were very gracious, lent me the money and gave me their email address which I took and told them I would email them for their mailing address (which I did as soon as I got in the taxi home).  Turns out they had been living in Singapore for about 8 months and had family visiting and were taking them out to dinner.

They saved me big time and I have to say that is the first time I've ever forgotten my wallet and it could have turned out so much worse.  I owe them a huge thanks and although I've done that already in an email to them, I might just send out a thank you to whomever was looking out for us today because we might have ended up washing dishes all night (or arrested for eating and not paying!!).  Thank goodness it ended well because it was a fun evening!

First (and Second) Day of School

Waiting for the bus (in school uniforms!)

Yesterday was the first day of school for the Virkler children - Stamford American International School was officially in session!  After much confusion concerning the buses and their arrival times, we met the school bus at 7:55am outside our back gate (they told us the front gate but luckily someone was standing at the back gate as backup and then the kids had to take off running (on crutches no less for Ella) for the back gate.  You should have seen their surprise when they laid eyes on their bus - not like any bus in the USA!!

 The "school" bus - a very comfy touring bus - schools in Singapore do not use standard school buses in an effort to not have the kids stick out (possibly drawing attention to kids as potential kidnapping targets, is what I've been told).

The first day of school was successful and no child came home crying (some were crying the night before so I saw the first afternoon's lack of tears as a good sign!).  The kids all love their teachers and while they are amazed at the size of the school - 2,200 students, average size school for Singapore - they still thought that it was a cool campus.

This morning, Day Two started in a monsoon and we learned that catching the bus in the rain isn't nearly as much fun.  The path to the back gate was basically a raging river and Ella nearly wiped about three times while going down the ramp.  Luckily, the weather didn't last long and the rest of the school day was beautiful and dry.  The second day was even better than the first and everyone seems happy - as happy as they ever are about going to school instead of staying home playing in the pool!  

First Day of School family pic in their new uniforms!

August 18, 2014

Emergency Room Visit (called A&E here)

In an effort to make sure that every day is an exciting one, Ella ensured that we check out the emergency services in Singapore within the first two weeks.  She fell and twisted her ankle while running out the back gate on day 8 of our residency here in Singapore.  I assumed that it was a sprained ankle for the first 36 hours (no black and blue, minor swelling but lots of pain...).  After 36 hours I thought that maybe I should do something about it so we ventured to the KK Womens and Childrens Hospital Emergency Services Department.

After finding the correct floor (that took us the longest amount of time!), we registered, paid ($98 up front no matter what the problem!) and then had x-rays, saw a doctor who said she fractured the small side bone in the ankle, casted the ankle and bought crutches - all within 1 1/2 hours and all for the original $98!!!  Although it was traumatizing, it certainly proved to be an efficient and cost-effective experience.  The doctor explained to us that it went quickly because it was raining and no one wants to venture out in the rain so therefore the emergency waiting room was much less than usual.  All future visits for the Virkler family will have to coincide with rainy days - let's hope the emergencies we have can help us stick to that plan!!!

So Many Touristy Things To Talk About.....

So Ward (my brother), Alexa, and their kids Grace and Will have been our first visitors here in Singapore and it's been great because it has gotten us to stop unpacking and go out and explore our new city.  Since their arrival we've been out every day exploring new places - the Singapore Botanic Gardens (beautiful and huge with so many different areas to explore), Hawker Centers (pictures have already been posted), Singapore Cable Car (a wonderful view), Singapore Flyer (amazing view of the whole city), Singapore Duck Boat (the littlest kids thought of it as a transformer and it gave us a great vantage point for the whole marina), and today the S.E.A Aquarium on Sentosa.  And lastly, tonight we went to Jumbo in Dempsey Hill, a famous place for Chili Crab and other "singaporean" delicacies.  Each place was an adventure and a great experience and loved by all.

Below are some pics from just a few of our visits.  Will upload more once I get Ward and Alexa's pictures.  Figured I might as well let them be the photographers since they already were carrying a camera!  Love to all!

 National Orchid Garden (inside the Singapore Botanic Garden)

 See above...

 See above again!

 The Singapore Merlion "spitting" from the vantage point in the middle of the Singapore Marina aboard a Duck Boat

 The Marina Bay Sands hotel from the middle of the marina (hoping Mom and Dad stay here one night when they visit so that we can swim in that infinity pool that crosses all three of those hotel columns - the highest/largest infinity pool in the world)!

 Aboard a double-decker open top bus to go from the Duck boat to the Flyer - probably Henry's highlight of the day!

 Cousins in the Flyer heading up to 52 stories in the air!

 The Garden Domes from the Flyer

 East Coast of Singapore from the Flyer

 Looking West from the Flyer

 The girl cousins getting a good view down from the Flyer

 Our Indonesian dinner - a little bit of everything and ALL of it was great!

 The start of the light show in front of the Marina Bay Sands in the Marina ....

 ...an amazing light show with moving pictures projected onto water spouts...

 All the kids were mesmerized....

 ....and so were the adults!

 Of course, our kids weren't very shy dancing in front of a couple hundred spectators....

 ... it's hard to control yourself once the music starts!

 Henna tattoos for the girls at the S.E.A Aquarium....

 ...works of art for sure!

 SMILE!

 Blue Jellyfish

 Smiling in front of a shark

Finally a late lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe - all felt that an "american" lunch was deserved after much exploring and trying new things!  Have to say it was our cheapest meal here to date!