It's what I like about you, America

I desperately miss my computer. With no computer, I can't upload photos and am going through withdrawal. It's part of our family. Samara even thinks of it as a sibling...not in a good way though. So, here is an unusual post with no photos. It is WONDERFUL being back home in the states. Ben is already back in Singapore. Samara and I head back in a week. I am really looking forward to spending 27 hours on planes and in airports. It's an ideal way to spend a day. :) We are truly grateful for our time in Singapore and the unique opportunities it presents, but life here is just 100% more convenient. Besides being with our families and friends, (and we wish we could see all of you!!), I have to share some things I like...no LOVE...about the good ol' U S of A.

A CAR--What a nation where even welfare recipients can afford a nice ride! I love love love love love love love having a car. I am not exaggerating when I say that I can get done in a morning, maybe a day at the most, what it takes me a whole bloody week to do in Singapore. If it weren't entirely inappropriate, I'd be at the pulpit next fast Sunday talking about the truthfulness of motor vehicles!

On to the next thing that makes it so much more convenient--the shopping. There isn't much one-stop shopping in Singapore so I have been loving visiting Target, Costco, and *gasp* even Wal-mart. The grocery aisles are so WIDE and luxurious. I went Christmas shopping at Target right after getting here and wondered where all the people were, almost fainted when I saw how incredibly CHEAP stuff is, and was shocked when people moved their carts out of my way so I could get past. They even said things like 'excuse me.' INCREDIBLE!!! There are fewer people in the mall here at the peak times then there are at our mall first thing in the morning. Who knew grocery shopping could be something I enjoyed and not something that gave me ulcers and that I put off until we had nothing in the house but rice?! We are taking back a total 4 check-in boxes of food--that's 200 pounds of food stuff and other supplies. Stuff is seriously so cheap--$3.24 for a huge block of CHEESE--INCREDIBLE! I don't agree with everything the US does but I can really get behind subsidizing dairy. Here are some of the other shockers (US price vs Singapore price): sunscreen $7 vs. $25, refried beans $.79 vs $3.50, Ben and Jerry's $2.53 vs. $13.00, quart of organic yogurt $3.24 vs. $15.00, cold cereal $1.60 (on sale) vs. $7.50, chewing gum $.25 vs. a trip to the customs office for confiscation. I won't even start on kid's clothes and toys. But...seriously...$9.00 full-price for a darling dress at Target?! You have to pay $50 for some cruddy character shoes in Singapore.

Samara has been LOVING the lack of attention from strangers. Now she has the occasional admirer but they don't touch her. In general, no one gives a darn about us and that, my friends, is awesome squared. We are one of a very small group of Caucasians in our neighborhood. I now have much more empathy for those in the minority. I don't mind being the minority except that we get stared at endlessly and Samara gets mauled anytime we go out. What part of my child turning her head and saying, "I don't like that" (when they rub her cheeks) don't they understand?! In fact, that makes them all the more enamored! She's had so much fun getting to know grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and new friends. And we can't complain that we have free babysitters when we need them vs. paying $65 for one just so we can go to a movie.

I know Winter isn't everyone's favorite season and I totally understand that if you don't ski or enjoy other winter sports it isn't the funnest. Singapore is hot, hot, hot, and even more humid so it's been nice to be cold vs. sweaty for a change. Admittedly, it was challenging to adapt to the dry air here; Samara refers to Singapore as "that humid place." Cute ski posts to come!

We are loving all the familiar FOOD. Mexican food in abundance, glorious chicken with no tendons, skin, or other chewy things to ruin an appetite, real salads in all their glory, and healthy options that would cost an arm and leg in Singapore.

Last but not least, being around people who think similarly and can make an exception to a rule is lovely! When I ask, for example, to have my soda replaced with a shake it's not out of the ordinary. When I try something like that in Singapore I get looked at like I just called the person's mother a four-letter word. Once I asked for a shake with half vanilla and half chocolate and, honestly, the fellow would have been less surprised had I asked his sexual-orientation. In Hong Kong, I had a 15 minute argument with a gal at a sandwich shop because I wanted a plain cheese sandwich for Samara. She couldn't do it. Couldn't comprehend it because the sandwich on the menu had other stuff on it too. After explaining 93 times that I'd pay full-price and I simply wanted her to leave the other stuff off, I left cheese-less wanting to strangle the woman. Our education may be lacking here but at least we think in more than one parameter.