In a Nutshell

So this is what we did in Singapore ...

 

We shopped in Little India.

 

 

We saw a lot of color.  Wowza!

 

 

We stumbled upon a rustic book store.

 

And a parrot farm.

 

 

We drank a lot of coffee.  Clearly.

 

We went to the Singapore Art Museum.  And marveled at how modern and most definitely not typical it all was.

 

 

We got swedish massages. Mmm.

 

We discovered the most perfect swing in a coffee shop in Holland Village.

 

 

We visited a fantastic national park.

 

And went inner-tubing and got a boat ride.

 

 

We got a blow pipe lesson. 

 

 

We met a very cranky fish.

 

 

We stayed in a swanky hotel for one night.

 

 

And I came home to a very under-satisfied affection junkie.

 

 

Welp, I'd call that a complete trip.  :)

The Good Samaritans

I went.  I saw.  I conquered. 

 

In other words, I LOVE Singapore. 

 

I'll put up photos and stories as I go, but seeing as it's the day after I arrived back in Japan, I need a little down time.  At the same time, I simply cannot wait to tell you just a little tidbit about what I first noticed.

 

Singaporeans are fantastic.  They are friendly and they go out of their way to help you.  Actually.  It's what we all dream to embody as a global (national, local... ) community. 

 

I flew into Changi Airport, and had decided to take the metro to my hotel.  I'm a train fiend in Japan, and the Singaporean lines seemed (and are) relatively simple.  A train came, and I was unsure whether or not to get on.  An old man approached me, asked me what station I sought, told me to get on, where to transfer and even which side of the platform to transfer to.  Boom, so helpful.

 

My husband and I are coffee shop hunters (see our well-intended yet temporarily neglected coffee blog here).  Not only does it get us great coffee from various cultures, it allows us to see the back alleys and undiscovered coves of a city.  A local feel, if you will.  We were hunting 40 Hands Coffee and definitely walking in the wrong direction.  As soon as a confused look even crossed our faces, a woman was at our aid and pointing us in the right direction, which happened to be the opposite way.

 

I could go on with approximately 37 more stories about how I benefitted from the help of strangers in Singapore, but I guess that would be overdoing it.  Moral of the story: go to Singapore and realize that we can all do better. 

Bewildered.

Dear Life,

Oooooh my goodness, you are so crazy.  I thought I was adventurous, but you are catching me off guard.  I am uttering overwhelmed.  And a little stupefied.  I appreciate the excitement you give, but seriously, I just want to go to bed for a while.  Are you really telling me that though this one ...

... just left yesterday, I'm about to fly to ...

... in two days?  You must think I'm crazy to follow you on this whirlwind.  Well, if that's what you need of me, I guess I'll oblige.  But don't you dare think you can make me do whatever you please.  I'm in charge.  I have the ... power ... or something.  You can't just toss me about.  Who do you think you are?  You're taking advantage of my fragile position in this world.  Why, I am offended that you think you can just barge in here and make your demands.  You know what?  Imma go to Singapore.  Because well, I guess I want to.  How you like them apples? 

 

So.  There.

 

Love, Carrie

The FamDamily

Sarah's here and making herself at home.  This woman is the most refreshing presence in my life, and these two weeks are going to be so utterly fantastic.  We may post updates, but don't expect much.  ;)

 

 

The Madness of Shibuya

The good thing about Tokyo being so enormous is that you can find an area that you enjoy.  There's a lot of variety.  I really like Meguro, where my favorite sushi-go-round is, and Harajuku, a shopping area with fantastic people watching.  One of the busiest areas is Shibuya, and if you say that name around here, it invokes thoughts of a certain famous intersection.  It goes every which way.  All directions.  If you have to go to the opposite corner, you don't have to walk to one corner and wait for the green to the other corner.  Traffic stops, it all turns green at once, and people walk in all directions.  It can be absolute and wonderful chaos, and you have to prepare yourself for it.  It's fun to watch and, luckily, there's a Starbucks situated perfectly on one of the corners.  Here's a little progression of what the intersection in Shibuya is like. 

 

 

 

Salt & Pepper

I had a great day. 

 

It's been a struggle to find people who become more than acquaintances.  It requires constant work and intention, and you often forget or get tired of trying.  I left a meeting on base today completely drained.  But I went to a lady "first date" at a coffee shop and was filled, to the brim, and refreshed more than I have been in a while.  I don't jive with all Navy wives, but I think I'm on the brink of making another really close friend.  And that's really important. 

 

I am so excited.

 

But unfortunately, I'm down again.  Please do not misunderstand me: I am so blessed to find any friends here.  And I am giddy with anticipation in waiting for these relationships to grow.  Like a six-year-old who returned from her first day of 1st grade with a whole bunch of new friends, I told my husband all about my new buddy, even the tidbits I knew he didn't want to know.  You're sometimes excited beyond the point of helping yourself.

 

I am jazzed.

 

But tonight, in lieu of seeing all my husband with his friends, his familiars and the people he loves to be around, I miss my best friend.  I have no excuse for feeling this way, and no justification.  My best friend will fly here in a week, and that is ... just too wonderful for words.  But I miss her.  I miss living life with her.  I miss going out with her in the way my husband is out with his friends right now.  The friends who I enjoy being around, but am not as familiar with.  The friends I don't have jokes with.  Who are still my acquaintances. 

 

They unintentionally sadden me.   Because what they have with each other?  I have that and more with a person who lives 8,000 miles away.  Who loves me deep enough to take time and money (and energy) to fly here to be with me.  Until then, I shall be sad.  But when she arrives, I expect I'll be full.  Full of that joy again.  Beyond anything I can grasp right now.  Oh when that day comes ...

 

It turns out wanderlust is a double-edged sword.

Out With My Oba-chans

What I love about living in Japan is that you can easily take the "tourist" out of yourself and see things typically unseen by foreign eyes. If you live in a culture that is any sort of hospitable (which Japan is), you'll be taken under someone's wing and shown the world of normalcy. 

 

Yesterday, I went out with a bunch of church ladies. Our church is Protection of the Holy Theotokos Church in Yokohama. There are very few English speakers, but Yuko is one and she loves to bring people together. She took me and four other women from our church, including our Matushka (priest's wife), to a family-owned pâté restaurant. Glorious. 

 

Allow me to introduce Engawa Inn. It's located in Den-enchofu, just south of Tokyo, and is a ritzy part of town. The houses were enormous and classy, but Engawa was anything but swank. I spent half the time confused and struggling with my Japanese, but I still found so much joy sitting around a table of familiar women in a quaint and cozy cafe. I guess the most important things are universal.

Yasai setto, vegetable plate

Banana mousse and kohi (coffee)

 

Pâté plate; oyster and spinach, cream cheese, and liver