More odds than ends

Last books I read all the way through: Everybody Poops, The Potty Book for Boys, The Sesame Street Potty Book...see a pattern? Oh, and The Dinosaur in My Backyard.

Other recent reads: I do recommend picking up Finn by John Clinch. A pretty curious piece of speculative fiction that gets into who Pa Finn might have been and what could have led him to be such an awful person. While it seems like a bit of a gimmick to use the frame of an American classic as a hook to sell your pitch to a publisher, it really was a nicely written story. Also, shows the Widow Douglas as a bit of a schemer. And you meet Huck's mom too.

The other book I've been reading is Bruce Fieler's Abraham. He's the Walking the Bible guy. Interesting look at the origins of the way Abraham is interpreted, past and present, by Judaism, Christianity and Islam. If you've read it, I'd be curious to hear your comments.

Found the location of one more furniture store to check out. Amanda and I have what we need but would like to start finding some things we can take with us when we finish langauge school. Lots of particle board stuff is available here and lots of buggy wood but not too much high quality hardwood. I hear tell that some nearby cities are known for their furniture or that we can have what we want made. Maybe later, once we have a bit more control of the language, I'll try.

Charlotte, @'s spider friend, is not poisonous. She's a pretty laid back bannana spider. If I'd known her species, I would have named her Chaquita.

Mini buses stop running here around dusk. And I thought our 8:30 shutoff time in Africa was bad. No taxies in this town, either. The horse carts and pedal power are available whenever needed.

Our hotwater heater is fuelled by a little propane gas tank. Apparently it only kicks on if there's a certain amount of water pressure. For Amanda, there was enough pressure to shower last night but not enough to kick on the heater.

Eating the breeze is not an idiom that is used here. What else has Lonely Planet been lying to me about?

Chocolate bread is my stress food. I haven't had to rely on Toblerones too much yet.

I tried Pepsi Blue. It tastes the same as regular Pepsi only it comes in this CSI-Miami color. It, or the Apple Fanta, changed the color of my poop. I have not tried the Pepsi Gold yet.

I communicate with text messenger over my cell phone more than any other way. I'm not good at it but it's cheaper than using voice.

Language class is much more fun when you get the teacher into a laughing fit.

Life is hard but good. I don't remember being this exhausted in Africa with the exception of my first week or so in Turkana. But that was because it was 120 degrees out and my only fan had blades that were four inches across and was battery opperated. And there we could nap in the middle of the afternoon.

Index cards do not exist in this city.

Neither does a good Italian restaurant. Scratch good, it should read "Neither does an Italian restaurant."

Practice is important for language learning but so is down time. I need time to process.

I think I need a Kevin Moon party. Maybe we should all meet in Darwin or Bali or even Chaing Mai?

Only 6 years, 8 months and five days until we climb Kilimanjaro. Ideally I'd like to reach the peak on my birthday at the exact moment I first saw the world. Who's with me? Pete? Ben? Dad? Jake? Phil Stowers?

Eating the breeze

Just randomness. Skim at will.

Fun phrases: Sleeping policemen - speedbumps
Eating the breeze - out and about
English key - Adjustable wrench

I apparently only (or at least am most likely to) snore after an evening of writing.

In africa, I nearly bought a copy of Newsweek with Walter Mondale on it simply because it was in English and uncensored. Here I can't even find ancient American magazines for sale.

But there are arcades/fun zones about every other block.

Projects from this weekend: Get old-fashioned key unstuck from the keyhole where it had been jammed. Completed kitchen light cabinet that will hopefully stop spices and sugar from clumping/going bad too quickly. Wired another to use in our wardrobe to prevent clothes from going bad. Moved in new filing cabinet, office chairs, ladder, drying rack, pillow and bolsters. Really used the new drill.

Heard a sermon from yet another German named Marcus - we knew one in Africa too.

Not a criticism, just an observation: We may be the least reserved people in the country. Maybe the four Australians we know are close but most of the Americans we've met seem like they were pilgrims fleeing from the Charleston library because it was simply too loud.

In language class, I am that student I was in highschool. I want to do well but when I get frustrated I return to sarcasm. Or I attempt to distract/stall until the bell (in this case a bird call) rings.

Here we switch teachers, not classrooms for subject changes.

I "quest" as an excuse to wander. It's a good way to get to know the city. It starts out looking for the practical - things like tools and groceries, maybe furniture. But the searches gradually builds to the less likely like "low water use, massaging shower head with multiple speed settings" or the always ellusive "where can I buy a euphonium?" By the time I get to that last one, I'll probably be accentless and totally fluent. I've got the tools and groceries and at least some of the furniture so I think I may look for a baseball bat and gloves next.

Pottytraining is not fun. @ recently tried to change his own diaper (twice) during his nap. The first was mildly successful, resulting in him using all but one of his wipes but not quite able to put the fresh diaper on. He left the expended diaper on his dresser. He was found asleep and britchless, clutching his clean diaper. The second attempt was a bit more...messy.

On the plus side, sheets wash and we have tiles on all the floors. He's slowly getting closer to that day when the bulk of our carry-on space will not be taken up by disposables. Then the bulk of our carry-on space will be taken up by snack and toys and games and books...

There is noone I enjoy toiling through life with more than my wife. It seems like everyday we get to that point where we can't help but laugh. The fact that every Saturday night, we lose water. That the electrity goes out just when we've finally gotten @ to sleep and we can get some uninterupted work done. That in the process of trying to "fix" the hotwater heater, I realize I don't remember if the "on" switch is supposed to be up or down.

I want to own a couch where the whole family can sit and watch a movie.

I love that we brought a portable dvd player with us. Sure, the computer would also work but this is much easier to take away to our room or put out for @ while we make dinner. Arrested Development has been my cultural closet I can hide away in. One season is already through. Thanks Pete and Janet! (To show that I am not a completely irresponsible parent, @ is not allowed to watch Arrested Development. At least not until we watch it first.)

Amanda is sure that @'s new best friend, the spider that lives in our front "yard" that he calls Charlotte, is not poisonous. Amanda may be right but if you live in a jungle, everything is poisonous. Right?!?

I used the local ATM the otherday and realized that Amanda and I are finally multimillionaires. Related: I have finally broken past that problematic 16.5 stone weight area. At this rate I should be no more than a pebble or two by Christmas. Oh, never try to convert your weight to milligrams. It makes you feel really bloated.

I don't know who is in the Final Four but would watch it if we could.

Should be homeworking

Amanda and I have started language classes and while I should be journaling my day in the local language, I need to process a bit. (I figure I can't pour anymore in until I pour some out.)

So here are some random experiences/thoughts from the other day:

I thought I saw a trolley on Monday, only to hear honking moments later. The bus had managed to snag a low hanging phone line and pulled it half a block before the bus stopped. The driver got out, unsnagged it, pedestrians moved it off the road, and the journey continued.

Had a great language lesson on the minibus Tuesday. Some kids got on with a Spiderman comic book. They taught as I pointed to Dr. Octopus and other villians. I think they tried to teach me the word for "webslinger."

I have one major project I've been attempting but with no success - a light cabinet. Because of the humidity here, people put a five watt lightbulb in the their warddrobes, spice cabinets or whatever they want to make a bit drier. The light stays on all the time and dries the space without creating too much of a firehazzard. The problem is, how do you explain what four or five parts you need from a hardware store when you have none of the language? I'll try again today.

The most terrifying part of language class comes at the end when we are expected to roleplay without a script. My language ability is squarely in between the abilities of my two classmates - one has already been using a tutor for a month or two and the other is still jetlagged with three kids and is in the process of moving to a less infested house. Stagefright has never been one of my favorite things.

We've had our semiautomatic washing machine for less than three weeks and already the spinner doesn't work. This is a fact that the houseworker has known about for sometime but didn't mention it. Or if she did, it was somehow lost in translation. The repairman will come out today (he was supposed to yesterday).

For at least the next 17 days, I am taking morning classes while Amanda meets in the afternoon. We see eachother for breakfast and in the evenings. Lunch will consist of us exchanging important information like if the washing machine got fixed, if @ pooped in potty, or if water got delivered. If I walk home, that gives us about fifteen minutes to talk. Not cool since we're used to spending about 16 hours a day together.

I was excited the other day when at language orientation they expalined that "next we will introduce our power tools." Come to find out what they meant was a poster showing how to ask questions in the "local langauge" (a phrase from here on out to be abbreviated however I feel like next time I use it.

I had my first motorbike experience yesterday. One of my teachers lives near here and he gave me a lift home. I want one! But we agree with our friends that we won't be making any vehicle purchases until we have enough language to talk ourselves through an accident.

But I think I'm sort of enjoying this. It'll be better once @ is pottytrained. And I can spend more time exploring with my wife. And we learn the language. And we're out of the rainy season. And the roof gets fixed...

Random Thoughts of life here

Just some things that have popped into my head since arriving here on The Island:

We have a pink plastic bathroom door that has a red "occupied" indicator when you close it and a green one when it's available. I think it may have been salvaged from the short-lived Virginia Slims airline from the 1970s. We've come a long way baby.

They sell Pepsi Blue. I haven't tried it but will. On a related note, soda always tastes better from a glass bottle.

It is hot - like Florida hot - but totally liveable with a fan and a cool washdown.

Within days of arriving in a new country, I almost always feel more at home than I do while in the US. I love Singapore but could never afford to live there.

I think our houseworker ironed my underwear yesterday. I don't have enough language to tell her to stop.

I once again am Yonatan or Yonathan.

My wife is in rare form when has a goal - like putting together a house. Amazingly talented woman.

Our new favorite store is Jimmy's. No sign out front of this ordinary house. In the livingroom are things like Dr. Pepper and cereal and Maple Syrup - whatever expats like most.

Price Check:
Bus to downtown - .30
Double bacon cheeseburger - $2.50 (Note: Must find out where they sell bacon.)
One game of Time Crises II or Dance Dance Revolution - .30
Hotel in Singapore when nothing else is available - $175
Cost of a better room at the YMCA - Under $100
Spaghetti with chicken on top - .90
Nerf Hoop and ball at Subway - Free with a Kid's meal
Mini multi-tool - 2.00 after gift certs. from Singapore Air

We live in a neighborhood cut from the jungle. It feels a lot like the Grandma and Granpa Bunkers home in Venice, Fl that started out on the edge of the swamp only to end up in the middle of the subdivision.

Got a couple of dinner invites already. Odd that a person we spent a summer with in Africa has been a bit more standoffish.

Am looking forward to walking to language school with my wife in the mornings. Maybe we'll hold hands or I'll offer to carry her books.

I really look forward to learning to ride a scooter/cycle. I may get a bike once I have a better feel for the rules of the road and see if I can buy a bike helmet for my big noggin.

I'm reading Finn by John Clinch - a story of Huck's dad. I think I'll be recommending it but no call yet.

Oh, I need to find out if there's an English book store in town. But a bookshelf is first.

Amanda video messengered with her mom today over the internet. It was a bit like talking to the space shuttle but you can't beat the price - only the cost of our internet service. Who else has a web cam? (Mom or dad - you'll have one coming sometime soon. Pete can show you how to work it.)

We've fallen into the rut of using our African when we don't have the local word for things. We still use Italian to say goodbye.

Lots more thoughts but enough for now.

Things int'l travel and hospitals have in common

Before you leave:
You never know exactly what to pack or how to dress.
Sure, pack reading material or work from the office but know you won't get to it.
All your expectations will be wrong.
Despite great scheduling on your part, once you get out of the car all bets are off.
As simple as the procedure is supposed to be, you make sure your will and house are in order.
You hear a lot of "we'll be praying for you."
Lots of paper work. Pull out the plastic. Try to remember dates and numbers that you need for no other occasion but this one.
Excuses: Can I afford it, does this really have to be done now, by you?

During:
You're told to get some rest only to have the lights turned on, be poked, prodded or fed every few hours.
You can't use your cell phone until it's over.
Rarely does your sleep pattern and the person's next to you match up.
Light-headed, nausea or general groggyness is part of the deal.
The light is anything but natural.
Do I talk to the person next to me or keep quite.
Meals come with limited choices.
You rarely eat everything on your tray. It looks better than it tastes and could probably use more salt and sugar.
There is never enough butter or jam.
Catsup is only offered with breakfast.
Silverware is just a bit wonky - too flat, too small or just oddly shaped. Sometimes there are sporks involved.
Not everyone you encounter will end up in the same place. But everyone will end up somewhere.
The batteries for your electronic devices won't last long enough and there is no place to charge them.
The music isn't your choice.
The people waiting on you look prettier at the beginning of their shift than at the end.
Bumps.
Parts of your backside fall asleep when the rest of you isn't.
You weren't sure how to dress but by the look of everyone else you see, neither did they.
Getting up to use the bathroom involves calculation, timing, some help and a bit of luck.
Entertainment is temporary.
How long things are supposed to take and how long they do take are two different things.
Nothing is in your control.

After:
The world looks different, bighter, louder, busier.
You have to relearn to walk.
There is an odd taste in your mouth.
More paperwork.
People are happy to see you but aren't sure how to hug you.
You can't carry your own bag.
There is a change in perspective that can't quite be pinned down but that you don't want to risk losing too quickly.
As long as you can walk away, it was at least somewhat successful.
People can relate but few will truly understand what it was really like.
You are thankful it is over.