Home Sweet Home.....

( Oddle, as I went to write this, a blog I follow had posted the 10 sure signs of Homesickness. I thought this was rather serendipitous)


"Lucy, I'm home"....or anyone who is here and cares to listen. I'm back in the place I love, New England. My bestest friend is willing to put me up in her place for a month, so I'm taking it! I don't know how we do it, but we don't kill each other. Rather we "jammie" up at night and enjoy a glass of vino and some telly.
My Reasoning for staying this long "at home" is simple - it's a heck of a journey to get here! Close to 30 travl time, with layovers and all. I went from East to WEst via London, rather than the traditional eastward direction. Mainly due to the reason it's still 25 hrs to get to the WEst Coast and with it being the dead of winter, who knows where you can get stuck coming across. So with two ups and two downs, I'm here.
I have to say I completely enjoyed flying BA. Oh some people were gripping but thesea re the nuckleheads who can't seem to know where to queue and when...

Changi Airport (SIN) has it down pad as to checking in and security. You can buy drink for the plane, which they then put into a secure bag which you can open once on board.

With a 6 hour layover at Heathrow, I had the chance to eat nicely ( Gordon Ramsey's Plane Food) and shop for things I miss from the UK (boots you rock!) I stocked up on items which I can use here and I'll restock on the flight home. the layover then is much less so I did my recon work going out. I am prepared to shop quickly on the way home!
Landing at Logan was getting through customs was a breeze. Woo hoo. And there was nothing like waking up my first morning at Dawn's early light, to see a ornage/pink sky and white frozen stuff on the ground. I love it!!

Hubby is already missing me and sent some reminders of his love. Isn't he sweet!!

And since I have use of a car, I was able to go out and look at things I know, SHops where I can find my favorite things - no necessarily to buy, but just look and enjoy. Of course I may have to pick up a few favorites.......

And being gluten free, I need some GF bread. THanks to my roomie, we used her bread machine ( something I long for back in SIN) and voila.....bread!

 It's so awesome being in the land I know and can function without thinking. Got to drive today too. No trouble being back on the other side of the road. It's something you never forget how to do.
So good to be home!!!!

I've become a Bag Lady....

If you know me well, you know I've never been a fan of large handbags. Perhaps this stems from the fact that there are hoarders in my family (not me. If anything, I throw away things with a flair of OCD.) But the fact remains, I don't want to lug a huge, heavy satchel around.
Life here in SIN (the airport code for Singapore) does mandate a large carry`all. So I'm going to document, thus validating, my recent switch.
Fundamentally, I refuse to buy all new handbag because I know I will revert back to my old ways once I hit the Homeland. So I'm using what I already own, Let's have a peek....

Blurred for my protection. You won't know me on the street.

Here is a sampling of the vital elements of the current handbag. As you can see, we have a folded fabric tote, needed for all those unexpected purchases while out and about. I hate plastic bags (they DO cut your hands when heavy) and this little number folds tight for easy portability. Thank you Robin C.
Then there are the sometimes required sunglasses. Never know when those clouds will pull back revealing that UV 13 sun glare. These little light Ang Mo eyes need some protection.
Wallet, smaller so it can fit in the bag, holds all the monopoly money, credit cards, Refresh account card and ever important MRT travel card. It's my way to get around, like the Oyster card in London or Clam card in  Boston.
Do I need to explain the brolly?

My mystery bag hold even more vitals!!! A small package of tissue is used for choping at hawker stalls. This is when you pop down an item at a seat to reserve it, then wander off to find your food and drink. Oddly, people respect a reserved spot. Just done be an idiot and leave a iphone of similar. It won't be there when you come back. SIN is low crime not NO crime.
Hair comb, and hair restraints required for those oh-so-muggy days when hair has to go up. These are quite often so I travel with them. There is bug spray, hand sanitizer (after long MRT ride), lotion, tylenol  (for when you've had too much - heat, no water, alcohol), and eyeliner, cause I have no idea where my make up goes. But it sure isn't on my face after some time.
And lastly, but Oh-So-Important, the portable cooling system. Yup, a hankie and fan are very necessary here. Some days the air just doesn't move, so you have to move it. A friend from London had given me two Liberty hankies which have turned into one of my most valuable items. Not only are they gorgeous, but extremely absorbent. So thank you Carol!
Now you know what a seasoned Singaporean woman has lurking in that handbag. You can sleep well tonight.

Happy New Year - Lunar that is...

To begin with, I promised crazy Ang Mo hair straightening.... Here it is.







 

 The most asked question about this photos is: "how did I grow 3"? Really people? ( still debating whether I like it or not though)

So now on to more "interesting" stuff. The latest adventure was going down town during Chinese New year. Man, if you think Christmas shopping is bad, never venture out during the CNY. It is actually very beautiful,- so much is decorated and interesting to look at. It's a visual cavalcade.
The group up here planned a trip for opening night of RIVER HONGBAO. Honestly when I signed up I had no idea of what it was. Someone had said they went last year and it was great. Ok. Free trip. I'll go. We loaded up two coaches and headed south ( Friday night in Singapore woo hoo). Turns out it is a festival/carnival down at Marine Stadium. They have it all set up with rides, games, food ( imagine that!!), displays and live performances. The President showed up. There were fire works, and it was a great time had by all.

MBS in the background

It's the year of the snake!

Hubby and I are both year of the Rabbit

God of Fortune looks very non-Asian to me. Just saying...

Indonesian shadow puppets. Missed the show - darn!

The Singaporeans sure do like fireworks. It's kind of like California since they are illegal here. Then they do a huge display, to the wonder of all.

And did I mention food? (I know I did). I was too busy eating by the time we got to the giant food tent to shot photos. Hubby and I opted for Kababs, which were awesome!. Better than the ones in London! But I did manage, once the food coma was over, to take a few snaps.

Yes it is a DURIAN stand....

"Don't mind me. I'm just warming myself here."

  We did have some time to wander over to Marina Bay Sands and have a peek. I'd been to The Shops, but not the hotel lobby. I wanted to check it out (actually see where the Skypark lift is for next time). I was a bit disappointed in what I found. There had been so much hype over the building (even watched a telly show on the building of it), it just seems less grand. And I think they used the Disneyland trick - where it seems smaller once you're there, but from afar it look massive. Maybe it's just me.

Looking up at one of the towers.