Last night was the SAS Junior/Senior Prom and have we got some good pictures for you. Evan asked a young lady named Kelsey and they, along with a few other couples went together and it appears they all had a good time. The night began with a gathering of the three couples and their parents at one of the parent's house. Of course the cameras were working overtime. It seemed to me (Jed here, by the way) that it was quite a bit to put these guys through. However, they were all very patient and seemed to have a good time. We even had a small champagne toast.
After the cameras were worn out, the three couples left (in a maxi taxi) to go to dinner at a restaurant named Mezza9, located in the Hyatt hotel. I believe they met one other couple there and had a private room where they enjoyed a set menu. Lauren and I have not been to Mezza9, but Kelsey's Dad said it was his favorite restaurant in Singapore. Evan said they had a very good meal.
Then it was off to the Prom which was at the Shangria La, and is perhaps the nicest hotel in Singapore. Evan told us there was a DJ and also there were some performances by SAS musicians.
All the couples looked very nice. Evan had his suit made for him at one of the many tailors here in Singapore. It was not expensive and is very well made. It is also made so it can be adjusted for next year if he gets bigger. His Mother could not believe how handsome he looked!
We hope you enjoy the pictures.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Bali
Over Spring Break, I took a trip to Bali with my friend Katie, her mom, and her grandparents. We went to two areas within Bali, Jimbaran Bay and Sayan. Katie's mom works for the Four Seasons so we stayed there. We first went to Jimbaran Bay, which is one the beach. Katie and I did a lot of swimming in our private pool. We also spent a day at the beach. One of the specialties of staying at the Four Seasons was the cooking class. The second day we were there, Katie, her grandparents, and I went to the cooking school. We learned how to cook a traditional Balinese 5 course meal. Afterwords, we got to eat all of it, which for me and Katie wasn't a lot. Most of it was REALLY spicy, so we didn't eat it. The beach was really nice, and so was the view from our villa. The timing was perfect for us, because it didn't rain once! Another exciting thing we did there was go to one of Mrs. Devins' co-worker's house. He had the nicest home that I had ever seen. We had a great Balinese meal. When I first looked at it, I thought that I wouldn't like it, but it was actually really good. He also had a golden retriever. Katie and I brought our bathing suit, and played fetch with the dog in the pool. Then, we had to stop, because the dogs stomach turned bright red from jumping in the pool too much.
When we got to Sayan, I was amazed with the view. One day we were there, it was a Balinese holiday. Nobody was allowed to go outside on the streets. So we just stayed inside. The next day, all the girls went out to the market and shopped all day. I was able to get some good souvenirs. The last day we were there, Katie, Mrs. Devins, and I went on a bike ride threw the rice paddies. Then we were off to the airport. On the plane, we met up with another friend of ours named Maddie. We were able to do a little seat swapping, and Maddie ended up sitting with me and Katie.
Gretchen visits Singapore
What a wonderful gift for Jane, and all the Petty's, to have Gretchen spend a week with us on Leonie Hill. Thank you, Mike and Ingrid, for making this happen.
I must apologize for so few photos. And the photos, not my wordy narratives, are the best part of this blog. Gretchen carried her camera for snapping pictures, so I left mine at home. Although we had many photo opportunities, we also spent much time hanging out like teenagers. Since we don't have pictures to tell Gretchen's story, you'll have to read my words...
We jumped right out into the jungle heat with the treetop MacRitchie walk. Mike took the girls to the Botanic Garden before he left on business. Gretchen was 'stuck' with me for three days while Jane was in school. Of course, I dragged her around Chinatown, into a few temples, on a guided tour at the Peranakan Museum, along Orchard Road, into a Black and White home and Jed's office building along boat quay. But I was sure to let her sleep in, take her to the movies, a fancy fair, out to dinner, experience foot reflexology, a SGD $15. pedicure, and a yoga class at The American Club. She spent a day at SAS with Jane, and an evening at the Night Safari. Alona took them to the wet market in Little India, and then to get a henna tattoo. The girls went out for Chai tea and shopping.
I loved eating out with Gretchen. She was always willing to try something new. We ate hawker food, indoors and out, street food, and proper restaurant food. She managed to eat Korean bibimbab, Japanese noodles and homemade sushi, thai food, Alona's filipino food, Indian roti prata and teh tarik, Chinese dim sum, and much more. Really. She especially loved the fresh squeezed juices.
It was so nice to have Gretchen see our home, pet our puppy, hug our bunny and immerse herself into our life here. It meant a lot to Jane to have this special friend here for a visit. And I felt a little piece of Ingrid here with me too. The time passed very quickly, as we all knew it would. I miss her already.
Lots of Love~
Lauren
I must apologize for so few photos. And the photos, not my wordy narratives, are the best part of this blog. Gretchen carried her camera for snapping pictures, so I left mine at home. Although we had many photo opportunities, we also spent much time hanging out like teenagers. Since we don't have pictures to tell Gretchen's story, you'll have to read my words...
We jumped right out into the jungle heat with the treetop MacRitchie walk. Mike took the girls to the Botanic Garden before he left on business. Gretchen was 'stuck' with me for three days while Jane was in school. Of course, I dragged her around Chinatown, into a few temples, on a guided tour at the Peranakan Museum, along Orchard Road, into a Black and White home and Jed's office building along boat quay. But I was sure to let her sleep in, take her to the movies, a fancy fair, out to dinner, experience foot reflexology, a SGD $15. pedicure, and a yoga class at The American Club. She spent a day at SAS with Jane, and an evening at the Night Safari. Alona took them to the wet market in Little India, and then to get a henna tattoo. The girls went out for Chai tea and shopping.
I loved eating out with Gretchen. She was always willing to try something new. We ate hawker food, indoors and out, street food, and proper restaurant food. She managed to eat Korean bibimbab, Japanese noodles and homemade sushi, thai food, Alona's filipino food, Indian roti prata and teh tarik, Chinese dim sum, and much more. Really. She especially loved the fresh squeezed juices.
It was so nice to have Gretchen see our home, pet our puppy, hug our bunny and immerse herself into our life here. It meant a lot to Jane to have this special friend here for a visit. And I felt a little piece of Ingrid here with me too. The time passed very quickly, as we all knew it would. I miss her already.
Lots of Love~
Lauren
Easter Weekend
Good Friday is recognized in Singapore as a holiday. The children were home from school and Jed had the day off from work. Alona spent the morning in church. We looked forward to Friday evening when Johanna and Dan were coming for dinner with Johanna's mom and dad. Gary and Wanda live in Newburyport, and were here visiting for three weeks. We were eager to hear about what is going on in our community, and connect with people from home. Gary and Wanda did not disappoint!
We did attend Wesley Methodist Church Easter morning. Then we hustled to The American Club for brunch. We were able to eat our traditional ham and lamb, and a whole lot more. It was delicious, and we wondered why we hadn't enjoyed brunch at the club before.
The Easter bunny didn't leave us baskets this year. I think he was afraid the chocolate and sugar coating on the candy would melt. But we had our foster bunny, Autumn, to remind us of the season.
Lots of Love~
Lauren
We did attend Wesley Methodist Church Easter morning. Then we hustled to The American Club for brunch. We were able to eat our traditional ham and lamb, and a whole lot more. It was delicious, and we wondered why we hadn't enjoyed brunch at the club before.
The Easter bunny didn't leave us baskets this year. I think he was afraid the chocolate and sugar coating on the candy would melt. But we had our foster bunny, Autumn, to remind us of the season.
Lots of Love~
Lauren
Jane turns 15 on April 15th!
Jane, and our dear friend, David Fedo share a birthday! It was a great reason to have Susan and David for dinner again. April 15th fell on Wednesday this year, a school night, and American Idol was on. We were happy the Fedo's were willing to travel to our home for a little celebration, allowing more time for homework and, honestly, AI.
We had a Jane favorite-homemade macaroni and cheese. We had presents and lots of emails and skype calls from home. Thank you all, once again, for remembering Jane on her birthday. David said he hadn't blown out candles on a birthday cake in a long time. We sang an enthusiastic "Happy Birthday," and wishes were made. We will see you again next year, Dave!
Miss you all.
We had a Jane favorite-homemade macaroni and cheese. We had presents and lots of emails and skype calls from home. Thank you all, once again, for remembering Jane on her birthday. David said he hadn't blown out candles on a birthday cake in a long time. We sang an enthusiastic "Happy Birthday," and wishes were made. We will see you again next year, Dave!
Miss you all.
Friday, April 24, 2009
One Magical Week in Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is a beautiful city, where the air is crisp, mountains are seen in the distance, water flows through the city, and 1,200 years of history is well preserved. Kyoto, for me, was especially magical because I was traveling with a sweet and excited teenage daughter. Japan was Jane's requested destination for this school holiday, and I am so glad she suggested it.
We walked everywhere we could, read maps and learned how to ride city buses, trains and subways (although none of it was in English). When it rained, we ducked into a museum or temple. When food looked interesting or beautiful, we ate it. When we found a local shrine flea market, we lingered. When we were lost, we asked for, and received, directions (although very little English was spoken). And when we found Cherry Blossom ice cream, we savored it (even before lunch).
Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years. The city reigned as the cultural and artistic center of the nation from 794 to 1868, and remains today as the country's cultural heart. There are more than 1,600 Buddhist temples, 270 Shinto shrines and 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Fortunately, Kyoto has been preserved thanks to lack of major earth quakes and a decision by the US during WWII not to bomb the city.
Surely we visited the major sites and landmarks, but were most impressed with the gardens, architecture, food and people. All truly beautiful and unique. We took a day trip to Nara, a city even older than Kyoto. Here the cherry blossoms were exploding. We spent one night in the historical section of Gion, wandering the cobblestone streets shopping and looking for geiko (the local term for geisha). For me, this was the highlight of this trip. We stayed at the Tamahan, a traditional ryokan, or Japanese-style inn. We relaxed in a traditional cedar tub and slept in a yukata (cotton robe) on the tatami-matted floors. Dinner was 10 course kaiseki cuisine, and served in our room on a low wooden table.
I am grateful to have visited this ancient, yet modern metropolis. I am most grateful to have traveled with my daughter, Jane.
With Love~
Lauren
We walked everywhere we could, read maps and learned how to ride city buses, trains and subways (although none of it was in English). When it rained, we ducked into a museum or temple. When food looked interesting or beautiful, we ate it. When we found a local shrine flea market, we lingered. When we were lost, we asked for, and received, directions (although very little English was spoken). And when we found Cherry Blossom ice cream, we savored it (even before lunch).
Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years. The city reigned as the cultural and artistic center of the nation from 794 to 1868, and remains today as the country's cultural heart. There are more than 1,600 Buddhist temples, 270 Shinto shrines and 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Fortunately, Kyoto has been preserved thanks to lack of major earth quakes and a decision by the US during WWII not to bomb the city.
Surely we visited the major sites and landmarks, but were most impressed with the gardens, architecture, food and people. All truly beautiful and unique. We took a day trip to Nara, a city even older than Kyoto. Here the cherry blossoms were exploding. We spent one night in the historical section of Gion, wandering the cobblestone streets shopping and looking for geiko (the local term for geisha). For me, this was the highlight of this trip. We stayed at the Tamahan, a traditional ryokan, or Japanese-style inn. We relaxed in a traditional cedar tub and slept in a yukata (cotton robe) on the tatami-matted floors. Dinner was 10 course kaiseki cuisine, and served in our room on a low wooden table.
I am grateful to have visited this ancient, yet modern metropolis. I am most grateful to have traveled with my daughter, Jane.
With Love~
Lauren
Sunday, April 5, 2009
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