Dreaming of Bali

On a rainy day in Singapore, it's nice to dream of Bali...and more specifically Ubud...(No sign of Julia Roberts or Javier Bardem). In other news, a list of must-see films and must-see books is in the making (aka best way I know to procrastinate)...what were your favorites this year?

"What exactly is beef rendang?"

Three Toothless Beauties

Three toothless beauties hoping the tooth fairy comes to Singapore.

Eliot: "I am not going to kiss any boys ever...just give them a high five."
What? Not even one kiss? You have to kiss on your wedding day.
"Well, on that day, I am going to put on fake lips."
That's actually a good idea, but where are you going to find them?

It's not easy being seven...

My New BFF Lives in Bhutan!

Not just a book for expats in Singapore...apparently it's all the rage in Bhutan! 

A huge thank you for all those of you who believed in a new, unknown author and went out and bought the book. I am totally overwhelmed to discover that my book is still #1 at Kinokuniya in pop culture category!! http://www.kinokuniya.com/sg/index.php/fbs003?common_param=9789814408578
Looking forward to my official book launch there next month (Saturday, Oct.19th @ 4pm)!

Next to Lady Gaga!

"Baby, you'll be famous..."

This post is dedicated to all those who sing along to the radio in the car because they know every single word to every single song (worst passengers ever), who were told by their parents (repeatedly) that if they kept singing it would start to rain, and who only sing in showers when they're alone in the house. Basically those who, like me, love to sing but for some cruel twist of fate have a terrible voice. Just believe in yourself. One day you may find yourself right next to Lady Gaga on the shelf of a shop?!
So it's a bookshop and not a record shop. Details.

Selling like hotcakes at Kinokuniya!!

"Who said there's nothing good to read on buses?"

Quick update from the bookstore: It has been restocked!!

"Diary of An Expat in Singapore sold out in its first week at Kinokuniya." Not even remotely what I was expecting would happen seven months ago, when I sat in front of a table full of post-its, wondering exactly how many words make up a book.
Not to mention its inauspicious placement on book shelves in some of the other bookstores, discussed here: http://diaryofanexpatinsingapore.blogspot.sg/2013/08/life-is-stranger-than-fiction.html
I may have dreamed of being next to "Rich Dad, Poor Dad,"  but business? Really?

So a very big thank you to all of you who took the plunge and went out and bought the book! I am loving your feedback. Especially when it contains the words: 'hilarious,' 'can't put it down', 'kids are making their own dinner tonight'. On the other hand, if it made you cry...no need to share. Not aiming for the Pulitzer here (obviously). One week ago, I was just hoping Eliot and her cousin Luca pictured above, wouldn't be the only readers :)

Boys Birthday Parties: Be Prepared

"Who needs cups...when you have a frozen slushy?"

If you are a parent at an all boys birthday party you really need to be prepared:

1) Be prepared to not relax.
2) Be prepared to need the wine you brought for the other moms.
3) Be prepared to eat most of the chips you allegedly put out for the boys.
4) Be prepared to spend most of the party on the edge of your chair when one kid suggests: "Let's have a jumping competition...from the high wall straight into the pool below."
5) Be prepared to wonder why you agreed to a boys only party. A five hour one.
6) Be prepared to hear lots of laughing if the pizzeria you take them to has the word "Virgin" in it.
7) Be prepared to explain to a mom there is actually no need for the two dozen eggs she kindly brought for the egg flinging competition (nice one, Alexander).
8) Be prepared for lots of wrestling. That's not fighting... that's actually the way boys play.
9) Be prepared with an ice bag, band aids, and a fair amount of diplomatic maneuvering.
10) Be prepared to hear the words: skill, fail, and epic...a lot.
11) Be prepared to have a surefire hit if you hire the slushie machine your son always dreamed of. And don't look surprised, when the very helpful rep http://slusheesurprise.com/ informs you it makes over 120 slushies. There may only be 12 boys but there are even more unsuspecting, dry necks.

Happy 12th Birthday, Alexander!

Life is Stranger Than Fiction

My editor just called with the surreal news that, after just one week, Diary of An Expat in Singapore is the number one bestseller at Kinokuniya in the popular culture category. Now I feel a little guilty I complained about where the book was placed. The saying: "Location, location, location," definitely is not limited to real estate. Note to self: in another lifetime become best friends with bookshop staff before publishing a book. Forget about literary agents, it's the people in charge of book shelves who really hold your fate. In one bookshop, my book was next to Diary of Anne Frank (seriously?), in another it was placed in Military Highlights (because my Dad was a green beret?) and in another it actually took me, and two very friendly staff members, fifteen minute to even locate the book...

But as they say: life is stranger than fiction. Somebody must have found it after all. 

http://www.kinokuniya.com/sg/index.php/fbs003?common_param=9789814408578

Diary of An Expat in Singapore...The Book is Here!

Look what just arrived in the mail!
Diary of An Expat in Singapore, the book based on the blog, was published and released this week by Marshall Cavendish! And this box of first copies is the best package I received all year.
Who am I kidding: Best Package Ever!

I want to thank you all for having read this blog, sent me your insightful comments and questions, and generally inspired me to keep writing. There would be no blog without readers. A lot of sweat and determination (coffee and oreos) have gone into this.

Diary of An Expat in Singapore is now available in bookstores everywhere.
I can't wait to hear if you like it!!

Scenes From an Italian Summer

"Is my gondola ready?"

"If I cook the ragu' for lunch,  I can make the vongole for dinner."

"We're in charge of watering, right?"

An Italian Visitor's Impressions

"Ma c'e' sempre cosi' caldo qui?" ("Is it always so hot here?")

Alexander and Eliot's cousin Luca has come back with us from Verona to spend a couple of weeks here in Singapore. These are some of his first impressions:

After just one hour, Luca: "Is it always so hot here?"

After a couple of hours: "It feels like the jungle."

Later that day: "I have heard a lot about bacon. Do you have bacon here?"

After the bacon: "Was that dinner or just a snack?"

That night: "This rice doesn't taste like risotto. Oh, and I forgot to tell you I don't like Chinese food."

Later that night: "This building has 30 floors? I thought my building was high and it's three stories."

Next morning: "Can we have more bacon?!"


For more on what visitors, see also http://diaryofanexpatinsingapore.blogspot.sg/2013/03/stuff-first-time-visitors-to-singapore.html

Perks of Travelling With Kids

"Can we stay another night?"

The perks of travelling with kids. No, this is not the title of a science fiction novel or an example of a witty oxymoron. These perks really do exist, for example:

1) When travelling with kids, you get to board planes first.
2) You rarely feel crowded on ferries. The question: "Did you remember your vomit bag?" works magic.
3) You always eat extra food at restaurants. (Choose their dish wisely.)
4) You have an excellent excuse to not do just about anything: visit archeological ruins, accept invitation from a distant relative, meet up at a faraway location or attend a conference. "I'd love to...but, you know, with the kids..."
5) You get to gauge the cleanliness of public bathrooms everywhere.
6) You get to see cartoons in foreign languages.
7) Occasionally, somebody takes a liking to your kids and gives them a free gift, like a glass blown horse from Murano or a Venetian mask (see above).  There's Halloween sorted.

I'm sure there are plenty of other perks I'm missing but I can't come up with anything. Seeing my brain has turned to mush from... traveling with kids.
Please do add your own below.

Postcard From Venice

"Mom, can he come over for a playdate?"