- The noise inside our walls in the dining and living rooms. I tell myself it it is birds but I don't know. Lots of noise and movement IN the walls. Just sure it must be birds, right? Birds right? UGH (I just try not to think about it.) Take a look at our Casa pictures again if you haven't. Our place is nice and clean but there are things lurking in the walls.
- The bus. Because I get nauseous on even the shortest of rides. Seriously, can I ride just one time without thinking I am going to lose my cookies (or ice cream would be more appropriate)?
- The bus. That is right, it is on the list twice. I still can't figure out when to get off the bus (embarrassing to admit at this point in the trip.) I can't count the number of stops between where we have started and where we want to get off because they don't always stop at every stop. It just depends on traffic. I can't see the numbers on the bus stops and there are no signs in the bus. I think I would need a training course on bus-riding to live here long-term. Maybe there is a day course where they make me ride around all day getting on and off at specific stops and I can't end the day until I have demonstrated some proficiency. Probably it would need to be a class like Bus Riding 101. Although, that would be a day where I would need a lot of blue airline barf-bags (see previous item.)
Although not a great picture, this is what the bus is like. The girls are sitting a few seats in front of me. M is a few seats behind me. The bus stops and signage are on the left side of the bus (it always seems to be the other side from where I am sitting.) People are standing to my left so I can't see anything!
- The lizard that was near the trash can by the pool area the other night. It was dark and he was lurking about. Ok, in the lizards defense, he was itty, itty bitty and it was night so it really was his time to be out but still. I jumped and screamed so loud I am pretty sure the lizard is scarred for life. (Can you imagine what the security video looks like on that one? The security guards are probably giggling under their breath every time they have seen me since. Hey, guys, there is the one who is afraid of the one-inch lizards
- My cell phone bill. I got a notice from AT&T that my International Data plan has "Excessive Use and Overage" Ummm, that can't be good. Ummm, Houston (or M), I think we have a problem. I called them and the rep said that the data usage expense so far this billing cycle was $959, plus, of course, my monthly international plan of $147. Ummm, looks like leaving data roaming on for days at a time IS a problem! I ask her if she can repeat that amount since I am sure I heard wrong. (BTW, it is all good now, and the bill isn't going to be anywhere near that, I think.)
- Knocking someone over on the MRT Subway train. Locals stand on the MRT not holding on, not leaning against anything, they are reading and looking at their phones, just standing normally. Then there is my family. We are always holding on, legs spread apart ready to brace ourselves (looking oh so cool), not looking around or doing anything else. Still when the train stops, we plunge into other people. Sorry, sorry, sorry. Yesterday, Tie Dye was wedged into a ladies back and purse, I had to rescue her to get her free (truthfully, that one wasn't even her fault.) I look over and see her stuck in the ladies bag. Don't even get my started on how many people we have slugged with our backpack trying to get off the subway. Sorry, sorry, sorry.
- Our electric Bill - Electricity is expensive here. Each room has an individual a/c unit (they call it air-con) so you turn them on and off when you move from room to room. You don't leave them on when you are not in a room and you definitely don't leave them on when you are not at home. Each outlet has an on/off switch that you use to make sure you are not using excessive electricity. I am switching and turning and switching and turning outlets on and off all the time. (Picture me, not a Master Chef, in the kitchen. Turn oven outlet on, turn oven temp. on, turn time on the oven on (that is what actually starts the oven.) Ooops, forgot, still using the stove top, so now I have just turned off the stove top.) How much will the bill be? Only time will tell my dear, only time will tell.
The apartments below were right outside one of the S-League Football Stadiums.
Talk about close seats to the game.
In this picture, if you look closely you can see the poles hanging out the windows with clothes drying on them.
- Towel lady at the pool catching me borrowing pool towels to take to the beach. I think she might be on to me. She seems nice but is definitely a rule follower. We creep in like we are on a secret mission: "Ok Keylime, you hold the elevator door, Tie Dye, you grab the towels, and I'll stuff them into our backpack. Zip up and we are gone." I think I need a new plan! (we do bring them back at least.)
- The bug I found in the bathroom. He was fast and big and I quickly shut the bathroom door to trap him in there since well then I could beg M to take care of it. UGH. The bugger then came under the bathroom door, UGH, now he is in our bedroom, this is a problem. Well, now I need reinforcement. Gotta get M's help. Did I mention that is was 3 a.m.? So I flipped on the lights, yelping. That is what M woke up to. R.I.P. to that bug!
- Crossing the street. In Singapore they drive on the other side of the street and the other side of the car. Honestly, even after 6+ weeks here, I don't look the right way when crossing a street and have caused many a car to stop for me. Should I look left, right, left or right, left, right. Can't remember. My head is bobbing back and forth, I am surprised I don't have whiplash. Good thing driving in Singapore is much more orderly and pedestrian friendly than in Beijing, otherwise I would be in serious trouble. Maybe future expats, in addition to taking the Bus Riding 101 class, will be required to take a "Crossing Our Streets 101" class (or more appropriately called Street Crossing for Dummies.)
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