Final Bali Photos

Bali photos

Back from Bali

Hello to all-
We had a terrific week on the "Island of the gods." The holiday was a welcome relief from packing and unpacking one house or another. We were able to relax, enjoy the beach, learn a great deal of Bali culture, food, history and people. We loved the white water rafting down the Ayong River and horseback riding along the beach and through a village. Although the people and setting are so beautiful, we were saddened to see the effects of the bombings of 2002 and 2005. Tourism is still not back to the pre-bombing numbers, so the Balinese were so grateful to see us. Also, so many dogs, in such bad health, are seen everywhere. A tug on our heart-strings.

Traveling in this part of the world opens our eyes to such differences. We are lucky that in less than three hours we can explore such interesting places. We hope to do more and share it with you. Enjoy the pictures.

Although the vacation was great, we were eager to return "home" to connect (Skype) with our family and friends. We felt very far away. We were also excited to receive our new puppy today. We have a lot of work ahead of us with this little guy, but he sure is sweet, and the children have much love to give him, and he gives much comfort to them.

Lots of Love-
Lauren and Jed

More Bauer Pics.

Bauer is in the front and the little shy dog in the back we think looks like Navio.

Bauer Pics

1 Uhlig back from Europe

Hi All - I am back after 3 weeks away in Ireland, Paris, southern Germany and Austria. It was terrific as are all vacations however this one was particularly refreshing and yet I feel off balance being back.

I noticed the Nport and the Signapore temps were the same with ours at 9.30 am and yours at 9.30 pm.

Its warm here so you arent missing much.

Yankee Homecoming is starting today and I will try to avoid downtown.

Red Sox are maintaining a slight 8 or 9 game lid with the Yankees on their usual July tear.

I am glad to hear you are settling in and hope you all enjoy the trip to Bali and the new dog.

- bob uhlig

Little Bauer on his Way!

After a lot of contemplation (on my parents part), we decided to get a dog. We miss having one in the house, so went on a search to adopt a dog. On Sunday, we went to the Singapore SPCA and saw a dog that we fell in love with. She was a one year old husky (I know...a little weird), but there was already a family trying to get her. A volunteer there told us to put our name on the list just incase, so we did. Unfortunatly, on Wednesday, they called and said she had been adopted. We were intending to go back to the SPCA, as there were a few dogs we also liked. But before we went, I decided to see what other places you could adopt dogs in Singapore and I found a program called Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD). On Thursday we lookd on the website and us kids wrote down the names of our top 3 choices. (With this program you look at the dogs on the website and then call and arrange for a bonding session. This is because they do not have one central place, but the dogs are at foster homes, or where we went, they had the back block of a kennel). Mom called and a few minutes later they returned the phone call. Our first choice (a puppy named Yo Yo) was already adopted. Our second choice (a one year old shy dog named Sweetie) was still too afraid of humans. But our third choice, a 7 month old named Survivor (he was thrown to the ground and tied to a tree in the heat when he was young) was available. We arranged to meet at 10:30 on Friday.



To get to the place it took 30 minutes, and it was way out in the farm land. When we got there, we saw and met Survivor, but had some concerns. His eyes were cloudy and almost always shut. Although he was very sweet, we decided to look at the 4 puppies that were there. The pups had been born at a fish farm, but the owner had a lot of dogs and could not properly care for them. He was going to have the mother and puppies put to sleep, but someone took the mom and the puppies were sent the ASD. They are brown and plain, but very cute. One of them we ruled out becuase she apparently was the one who started all the fights, because she loves the attention. We ruled out another because she was very afraid and just sat under the chairs and tables and hid. She looked a lot like a smaller version of Navio in my opinion. The other two were the two boys. We liked them both, but could only have one. Troupy was the biggest one and had some black on his back and tail. He would jump on you or sit at your feet so you would pet him, but got a little squirmy when he was held. The other boy was Snoopy. He was very curious and played, but when you picked him up he cuddled right in and settled down. We chose Snoopy (to be renamed Bauer. He is going to a little bit smaller than Copper, and for those of you who knew my godparents dog, he will be about the size of Sadie. Right now he is 2 months old, and we are going to get him when we return from Bali, a week from Tuesday. I took pictures, but I don't think I have the cord that plugs into the computer, but if I find it I will post some. If not, we will take some pictures of him with Evan's camera when he comes to our house.

We are all really excited and can't wait for his arrival.

That's all for now. I miss everyone.
~Jane~

Update from Singapore

Hi everyone. It is Monday 7/16 (or 16/7 as they write over here). The family has been here over two weekends now. They are settling in pretty well. The heat is taking some adjustment, and the kids are are a bit bored at times. However, they are doing a great job keeping each other entertained. Last weekend, we went over to a small island off of mainland Singapore and rode bikes. It is called Pulau Ubin and really is old Singapore. Very modest homes of fisherman and farmers, no modern amenities. There is an army camp on the island where they do some training. (Mandatory service for all Singporean males) We got caught is a heavy rain shower while riding bikes and Leah got attached to a stray dog. Still, a good time for everyone.

This weekend, we saw Harry Potter and visited a dog pound. Yes, I think we are going to get a dog. Everyone misses our dogs. We have spent some time at the golf range and the girls are going to take some lessons. Evan and I hope to try out one of the local courses soon. I will have Evan post some pictures. We are off to Bali on a week from Tuesday, so hopefully will have some good pictures then. Miss you all.

Jed

Hi from Chris L.

Hi Lauren, Jed, and Family:

Just able to log on for a bit. Close to 8am on Sat 7/14. Kids are still asleep. Mike is part of a team for the Triatholon in Amesbury today. He is the running portion (of course). His team is quite serious about today's event....they are expecting to place. Mike is the oldest on the team. The other two are in their late 20's/early 30's.

Meryle's wrist seems to be doing well since the break last week. I'm thankful that no cast needed. The splint is much easier for the beach and pool.

Lauren, I was assigned to the NBPT office of the VNA last week. Can't tell you how great it was to visit patients here in town.

I loved the pictures of your trip to the Merlion. Evan, Cameron was impressed to see that you have the same Dice K shirt as he does. Mike is working of trying to get Red Sox tickets for him and Cameron. Tickets are about $200 per seat!!! (Not even good ones at that). I'm taking Meryle to see High School Musical in Beverly the end of July. Just a mother-daughter trip. I'm looking forward to it.

I can't believe that we are about half way thru July. I don't even feel like we have had much of summer yet. Seems like alot of rain and cool weather. School supplies/clothes already in some of the stores. Ignoring it for now.

Have to sign off for now. This is a great way to communicate. I'll get some pictures uploaded soon!

Miss you all.
Chris.

Hello from The O'Connors

We're so happy to see some photos of you all; we especially like Jane's "happy" face!! We're all so sad to hear the news of sweet Copper, as a family that doesn't have a dog we felt especially close to him over the past 14 years and loved him very much. I'm sure it was very hard on Bonnie and Dick but it was certainly a wonderful comfort for Copper that they were with him. We look forward to "traveling" Singapore and other Asian countries through your eyes. You're in our thoughts every day!

Lots of Love - Jane, Mike, Elizabeth and Ryan

These are some pictures from the Merlion (mix of mermaid and a lion) and the Boat Key.

Everyone look at the picture of my Dad.

Correction

In Evan's caption of the pictures, the word he spelt 'key" is actually spelt "quay", but pronounced like "key".

All The Petty's Together Again!

Many of you have probably already heard of Lauren, Evan, Jane and Leah's safe arrival in Singapore. As sad as we are at their leaving, something wonderful has made their departure easier - SKYPE. After a rocky start with many dropped calls, I finally figured out that I had an ancient modem from Comcast. Once I obtained and hooked up a new one, the miracle occurred: a face to face conversation with my family! Jane, Leah, and I even talked at 3:45 AM, their time. Jane had been unable to sleep and I noticed she was on line, so with a great connection, we talked for about 20 minutes.

Now for some sad news for all of you who knew their beautiful dog, Copper. Copper was over 14 years old and we thought he had reached the end of his time on earth the week before they left. However, he rallied, and the kids were able to say good-bye. We knew he had a problem, but hoped for the best. He did not get any better, so Richard and I made the decision to end his life humanely. With many tears, we held and stroked him as the vet first put him into a gentle sleep and then euthanized him. Perhaps you are shedding a few tears along with me at this point. He was such a wonderful dog and deserved the wonderful family and long life he lived. Navio is doing well with us, although I am sure she misses her best buddy.

With this hot and muggy weather, we all know how Jed, Lauren, and the kids feel. Keep cool and enjoy all that the Newburyport area has to offer in the summertime.

Bonnie

To all our wonderful friends and family.
The children and I are finally flying to meet Jed in Singapore. This has been a long goodbye for us, and we have enjoyed every minute of spending extra time with you. Thank you for your unbelievable support, love and concern for all of us. The cards, gifts, photos, freshly picked strawberries, walks, dinners and conversations all mean so much. We have laughed and cried and hugged each other tightly. We do look forward to sharing this journey with you but we look forward to learning your adventures too.
I received a card that says "Good-bye is not an ending but a different start." I like that thought. We are taking all of you with us in our hearts. We will miss you. We are so fortunate and blessed to know you all.
Lot of love-
Lauren