Do's and Don'ts When You're a Kid in Italy

"Maybe they'll buy us a dog if we ask for it in Italian."

1) DO look up. There is beautiful architecture everywhere.

2) DON'T look up for too long...there are also pigeons everywhere.

3) DO order pizza-it's delicious.

4) DON'T order pineapple on top...they'll think you're crazy.

5) DO request gelato every day.

6) DON'T expect them to have Oreo McFlurries.

7) DO drink cappuccino. But only before 11 am...afterwards is un-Italian.

8) Don't say ciao to adults, they prefer buongiorno.

9) Do lose a tooth. The fairy leaves euros.

10) Don't forget your camera. Where else can you see a nun on a vespa?

In the Book Lover's Corner: Author Chris Pavone

Interviewing the author of the book one is reading is a guilty pleasure (like eating nutella with a spoon but without the calories). This is just one of the reasons I enjoyed getting in touch with Chris Pavone, best selling author of The Expats, the book currently on my night table. Another is how Pavone perfectly describes, in his thriller set in Luxembourg, the life of an expat: at best, you get to reinvent yourself, at worst you are like a stranger forced to make small talk. And finally, he knows Verona is famous for red marble. What's not to like?

1) So Chris, when did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I worked for nearly twenty years in the publishing business—it’s all I’ve ever done—mostly as a book editor. Somewhere in there, I guess, though I can’t pinpoint exactly when.

2) How much of what you write is autobiographical?
The Expats is about someone who moves abroad to follow a spouse’s career, and to start a new life as a stay-at-home parent, to have a midlife adventure, to make new friends in a new place speaking a new language—to become someone new—and finds that none of this is easy. This material is, by and large, autobiographical; this was my life. On the other hand, the novel is also an espionage thriller featuring duplicitous CIA and FBI agents and 50 million stolen euros, whose central characters are all lying to one another, about almost everything. None of this is autobiographical. 

3) What is your writing routine?
After I take my kids to school I continue to a club that I joined so I’d have a place to work; I’m terrible about working at home. I write until I run out of ideas or get hungry, whichever comes first, but in no case do I quit earlier than 11:00. 

4) What are you working on right now?
I just finished final revisions on a thriller called The Accident—a woman receives an anonymous, mysterious, ominous manuscript, and then people start dying—which is due to be published in March 2014. And I’ve recently become obsessed with an idea for a television show, so now I’m working on that.

5) What is on your night table?
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson. Terrific.

This is What Second Grade Looks Like...

"And then he said..."

10 Questions to An Expat: Chef Keith

Sailing with daughters Jasmine and Caitlyn

1) Hello Keith, how long have you lived here?

Two years.

2) Where are you from originally?

Selangor, Malaysia. The family immigrated to Australia and we are Australian citizens with united nations family members - our youngest Caitlyn is born in Sydney and Jasmine the eldest in London. 

3) What brought you here?

A work opportunity which aligned with our wish of having the kids know their Asian heritage, language and culture. I also founded a specialist roasting catering outfit called Roast & Host by Keith & Kin Pte Ltd.

4) What do you do in your spare time?

We make family time - we could be biking, rock climbing, rope walking or cuddling up to "movie time" at home. 

5) What do you like about Singapore?

The ability to get different experiences without needing to travel long distances. With children this is a great place to start to experience everything. Since it is central in South East Asia, we can then upgrade to more challenging activities in the surrounding neighbouring countries. The ease with which to conduct business is also very welcomed. And so is the ease to jumping into the pool anytime and any day of the year. 

6) So what do you like least?

I miss a more contoured landscape - a mix of height in landform is sorely missed. So I scaled Gunung (Mt) Rinjani, an active volcano (3,726 m) on the island of Lombok, Indonesia in May 2011. 

7) Never leave the house without?

A smartphone and sunglasses

8) Best weekend trip?

A family staycation on the island, achieving one outdoor activity, taking in a staged production, a little gift for everyone, and a meaningful meal out. Or just hop over to Lombok, Bali, or Koh Samui. 

9) Interesting fact people don't know about you?

I completed the full curriculum ABRSM 8th Grade in piano music - a long time ago!

10) So what advice would you give someone who is about to move here?

Align your goals to the region to make the best use of the opportunity, time and accessibility of all things on the island. Seek out the outdoor activities, fill up on all the food that have converged here on the island and book your holiday flights to Singapore's neighbours to enjoy the super ease of getting out and back into the country. 

Foggy with a chance of barbecue...

"I misplaced my glasses again."

This is what Singapore looks like today. And it smells like a bonfire out there (minus the marshmallows). Hazing season has begun (to not be confused with first year initiation rites at a fraternity), and it's not pretty. Illegal fires (the so-called slash and burn technique used on farms to make room for new crops) from the neighboring Indonesian island of Sumatra are causing the thick smoke.
A PSI (Pollution Standard Index) over 80 is unhealthy, last night it hit 321-highest ever recorded in Singapore. The haze, and debilitating air, have prompted the Singaporean government to issue a warning for children and elderly to stay indoors.
I did say I missed the fog in Verona...be careful what you wish for.

"There can only be one oompa-loompa in this house."

"There can only be one oompa-loompa in this house."

This morning I thought I looked pretty cool in my black leggings and white t-shirt, until Eliot observed: "You look like an oompa-loompa. I thought oompa-loompas could only be small."
As usual, my seven year old is a huge confidence booster. (See also:
http://diaryofanexpatinsingapore.blogspot.sg/2013/05/flattery-will-get-you-everywhere.html)
But the girl does have firsthand knowledge, when it comes to what an oompa loompa wears, having just played one in her school's rendition of Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
(See how the white t-shirt and black leggings in photo above prove her point.)
Eliot's enthusiasm for the stage is growing as are her roles (don't laugh, her first part was that of a puddle). I am beginning to think she may have a career in drama. I am not basing this observation so much on her performance as on her reaction, later at home, when she discovered she still had homework to do.

Fencing in Singapore

"Why me?"

One day, these odds will make him happy...
Notice the "joyful" expression on Alexander's face as he realizes his fencing make-up lesson is with an older, all-female fencing class...
As his sister Eliot would say: "Awkward."

The Straits Times Delivers...

"He looks familiar."

What's better than morning coffee and reading about your little bro in the newspaper? Free coffee?
Yes, but also having your blog mentioned on stage in front of thousands of people during the concert...thanks Jules.

Notwithstanding the rain, crowds showed up (obviously not Italian). Would the pianist be wearing a bathing suit? Would the audience be swimming? Unfortunately, the weather cleared and we'll never know.

Full article here:
http://stcommunities.straitstimes.com/show/2013/06/02/watch-piano-classics-gardens-julian-lawrence-gargiulo

"I Play Piano...My Hair Plays Rock."

My little bro Julian has arrived from Cambodia. The good news is he didn't have to check in his hair.
As we walked Eliot to school this morning along Bukit Timah, children stared, workers paused, bikers fell...is this hair even legal in Singapore?
If you are in the Lion City this Saturday check it out (the music and the hair).
Head over to the Botanic Gardens for his concert. You can bring the kids, some wine (lots if you're bringing the kids), and enjoy some music under the stars. Entrance is free and everyone is welcome.
You can't miss him. He's the one with the hair.
http://www.iicsingapore.esteri.it/IIC_Singapore/webform/SchedaEvento.aspx?id=271&citta=Singapore

Back From Tioman Island

"It says: I missed you, Alexander."

We picked up Alexander on Friday after his 5 day school expedition to Tioman Island. I don't know who was more excited: Alexander, recounting his amazing adventure in the Malaysian jungle, or his little sister, who had prepared a welcome card to give him on his return (see photo above)?
Here, are just a few of the trip's highlights that he told us about on the car ride home:

1) It was awesome, Mom. We had a 4 hr bus ride, a 2 hr boat ride, and a 10 km trek through the jungle.

2) We couldn't always see sunlight and had to walk over branches. Luckily I brought water.

3) My cabin mate had something called conjunctivitis. I don't think it's contagious.

4) It was nice to chat late at night even though our beds were filled with sand.

5) There was a cool bouncing two hour boat ride. It made me feel a little sick but not too bad.

6) The ocean was beautiful but there were these sharp and pointy bones in it.

7) We had a talent show and us boys did a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. It was so funny.

8) Snorkeling was super fun. Except for the small stings from the sea lice.

9) I got 20 mosquito bites on my first night.

10) They left us for 30 minutes in the jungle on our own for solo time. I may have seen a snake.

Yes, Alexander has always been this enthusiastic. On his first day of school this year, even after he discovered his two best friends had been moved to another class together, he still returned home and announced: "I have a feeling this is going to be the best year ever!"

At the pick-up location, his teacher and other supervisors all made a thumbs up sign in his direction and congratulated me on his great attitude during the trip.

I really felt like I should come clean and said: "Thanks, but that's all him." Not really an outdoorsy person, here. You wouldn't have gotten that much enthusiasm from me. Especially not during the long trek to the cabins. My high school gym teacher told me I was part of the No Sweat Society. My college roommates asked me (within hours of meeting me): "You've never been to camp have you?" I guess, asking them to leave the room so I could change was a dead giveaway.

Anyway, as Alexander told me all about his unforgettable foray into the wild, I realized just how different our perception of what constitutes an amazing holiday is (Aqua di Parma toiletries and espresso machines figure prominently in mine).
More importantly, I want him to stay this way. An unbelievably excited, unjaded eleven year old boy. I want to quote Federico Fellini and tell him: "Never lose your childish enthusiasm..."

Don't Be Your Own Worst "Emeny!"

"He's my bruder."

Yesterday, Alexander left for a 5 day school expedition to Tioman Island in Malaysia (4 hr bus ride, 2hr ferry ride, and an 10 km trek through the jungle to get there... seriously?) I can't wait to find out how his clothing choice for a trek in the jungle (let's call it casual chic) worked out after he rejected my t-shirt suggestion. That will have to be another post but in the meantime, you can check out his trip from last year here: http://diaryofanexpatinsingapore.blogspot.sg/2011/09/all-grown-up.html

Eliot took her big brother's departure much better than the first time he ever went away. She was only four at the time and it was brutal. As he left, she cried out desperately: "But he's my bruder and I love him." Now that Eliot is seven, things are a bit different. She still misses him but she is also basking in the glory of our undivided attention. And since she's home with a fever, it's normal attention multiplied by ten. Which is probably why I ended up doing what I usually refuse to do: voices. Let me explain.
All parents have some hidden talent. That secret thing they reserve for rainy days, emergency situations, visits with other children they are never going to see again. Magic tricks, baking cookies, crafts...I'm not good at any of these. If you hand me a paper and a crayon you are guaranteed a stick figure. Not surprisingly, the kids never ask me to draw anything for them.
What I am pretty decent at is voicing inanimate objects and making up stories. My children find this very entertaining (they don't get out a lot). I also do accents. The problem is that, even after two hours, they want more: "Do it again." Even after it's not funny anymore: "Do it again. Like you did before. Make it funnier."

There's really no point here (see mental exhaustion) except for this: wait till the child is at least 18 to unveil that special talent you may have. Preferably on his way to college. That may sound cruel but if you're a parent you'll understand. "Kid, people get paid to make jokes. It's called stand up comedy."
On the plus side, when the laughter subsides, you may finally get answers to some burning questions:
"So Eliot, this boy you are always mentioning...do you like  him?"
What? He's my worst emeny!!

Flattery Will Get You Everywhere

"Mommy, you are way prettier than Cruella De Vil."

Wow, thanks. Way prettier than Cruella De Vil...that's awesome.
Just so you know, kid, that's not exactly the type of compliment I was aiming for. Nor is it going to help you get a new puppy. I don't care how cute those dalmatians look.
But maybe I'm too sensitive. To be way prettier than Cruella de Vil, is really not so bad.
Especially considering that just moments before Eliot was asking me: "Mommy, are you Santa?" (I see why Eliot might be thinking of Christmas, it being 100 degrees and all.)

At first, like all cunning parents suddenly faced with a child's doubt about the man in red, I panic. I guess it had to happen one day, but she's only seven. What was it that gave me away? Did she find her old Dear Santa letters stashed away at the bottom of my closet...was it something I said?
Why do you ask?
"Well, Mommy, it's just that I never get what I want."
Now, wait a minute here. You think I'm Santa because you don't get what you want. Seriously, who needs enemies when you have kids? This could be my lowest point as a parent (no, I'm not counting the time she got lost on an island).

"Last summer I saw a heart locket in a store in Verona so I put it on my list to Santa but never got it. I know Santa would have just gotten it for me because he could fly there and then come back and put it under our tree here in Singapore. But you can't just fly back and forth...so you're Santa, right?"

Is this a trick question? Do you have any idea how many air miles Santa has?