Wednesday, July 27, 2005

SENTOSA ISLAND

Wednesday, Singapore time, we went to Sentosa Island via cable car. Magnificent views of city, harbor, cruise ships, etc.! Spent time at a beach swimming and relaxing. No shudders as you go into the water - it's almost bathwater warm. No surf to speak of though with many islands in the area. Fun watching kids - one group of teens was using chop sticks to try to catch leaves dropped from a ten foot high lookout by their friends! Fun youth group activity idea! It is very hard to do, judging from what I saw here. Sentosa Island is the southern most point of mainland Asia, 137 kilometers north of the equator, and part of Singapore.

We completed the evening with a laser light fountain show on Sentosa - quite interesting what they can do! Got a few pictures that came out OK to share later.

Hope all is well - we have a relaxed day planned, partly due to high temp predictions.

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Singapore, Wednesday, July 27th

Rainy weather has been the highlight of sorts, although it looks better (and warmer!) today. It's interesting to look out the balcony window to see thick clouds, rain (at times heavy) - you think it is November in Oregon until stepping outside to feel the heat and humidity - like a sauna! Yesterday was cool for here - high of 86 or so. We've played Danny's new game twice now, watched DVD's, computer work (internet, journaling, games), and relaxed. Not sure what we'll do today - perhaps Sendosa Island, perhaps visit 'Little India' and 'Little China'.

Lots of little interesting sidelights - the taxi driver who has worked five years straight, 10 - 12 hour shifts, ZERO days off! Or the security guard who spends 17 hours EVERY day in work (12 hours), comute time (3 hours), and prayer (2 hours - he's Muslim) - No days off or weekends to relax. Leaves 7 hours a day for meals, shopping, recreation, family, sleep, business . . . hard to imagine. I'm sure he can do some things during the comute and some during slow time at security work, but still a tough life. Don't know what his family situation is like . . .

Hope all is well with you. We're enjoying our time, enduring the heat.

Saturday, July 23, 2005

SATURDAY IN SINGAPORE

Saturday gave us some reason why it's called Singapore - the rain 'pored' at times while Mama reenacted a portion of 'Singing in the Rain' - even had an umbrella! We didn't do much going as weekends tend to be extra crowded with more tourists along with all the nationals. We 'hung out' in the apartment some, Betsy and mama took a walk to the store while Danny and I played 'Snooker' (a form of pool with a larger table, more balls, more difficult to hit pockets, but a fun game - Danny won the first game, I got revenge in game two . . .). Betsy and mama also spent some time in the pool, but it started raining before Danny and I finished pool so we didn't get in the pool. Singapore gets almost 100 inches of rain a year on average, double that of Eugene. But it's a warm rain - never need for a jacket, but umbrellas are used a lot, both for rain and shade.

Today we go to church and dinner and ???? with Danny and Betsy plus some other staff from the school Danny teaches at. More later. God bless to all.

Friday, July 22, 2005

Singapore day two

On our first full day here we went to the local mall and food court for lunch, watched National Treasure (on DVD), played Spades, napped, and visited. This morning we're planning some activities for the coming days. Due to the heat, sometimes it seems that sitting in the livingroom with the air conditioner is a highlight! I'm feeling more 'normal' - perhaps getting over the trip effects. Did some 'im-ing' with Tim this morning - he's on about the same schedule as we are since he works nights. He gets up about 5 PM, then to work at 11 PM. This morning at 8 AM our time he just got on line (5 PM yesterday his time after a good days sleep). Since it is Saturday here, we may do less - better to do the sight-seeing with smaller crowds on weekdays. Hope all is well with you!

Thursday, July 21, 2005

We Made It

Danny and Betsy picked us up just before midnight Thursday - it's now 9 AM Singapore time - we slept well and are working on plans for the day. The trip went well - met a 20 something gal originally from a Russian island north of Japan who now lives in Ancorage, Alaska - teaches high school math/science. She was on her way home to Russia to visit her mom. Also interacted with a couple escorting a dozen 8 - 15 year olds from Korea to Singapore for an English camp of some sort. They were fun kids! Danny and Betsy are doing well. More later.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Singapore bound!

We're off to Singapore today (after 'seeing' grandchild via ultrasound with Beth this afternoon). We may do a few posts here to update our trip, so stay tuned!
God bless

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

A close second



Well, Beth, you beat me, but it was a tight race. As you can see in this picture, our beautiful child is due to be born around the 19th of February. (Of course you know that this is only approximate, we'll have a better date after our next appointment.)

We are very excited and look forward to raising another little Whittaker!