Flowers Flowers Everywhere!

First, let me thank my friend Melany for pointing out that I made a mistake on my last post.  The fruit was a passion fruit, but I had miss-labeled my photo as a dragon fruit.  It is in fact a Passion Fruit. (I have now corrected my mistake)

Well, the hubby has been out of town for a week now and only 5 more days to go till he gets home.  Just in time for Thanksgiving, which they don't celebrate here of course.  E will go to school in the morning and then we will be joining our neighbors for our traditional meal.  (Thanks Deb and Raul)  Yummy, I am so looking forward to it!  E just recovered from Strep Throat and has a cough, but no Asthma yet.  (keeping my fingers crossed)  When Daddy is out of town, we try to keep ourselves busy with playdates and outings.  The other day we went to the preview show of the 20th World Orchid Conference.  The Orchid Conference brings orchids and orchid lovers from all over the world.  Singapore is hosting this years event which really is a once in a lifetime experience.  The new Flower Dome at the Gardens by the Bay was one of the venues for the show.  The Flower Dome is a 1.2 hectare conservatory (about the size of 2.2 football fields) which replicates the cool-dry climate of Mediterranean and semi-arid subtropical regions like South Africa and parts of Europe like Spain and Italy. This is the first time the dome has been used; as the surrounding areas are not yet complete.  Let me tell you, this is going to be a fantastic and amazing place!  Just being in the dome was an experience.  It was like being in nature only inside.  There are so many other gardens that are being built; I can't wait to go back!  Will be a great place to come visit.  Now you really want to come visit don't you?

Now, I'll admit I love orchids, but to be honest I'm not good a keeping them alive.  I have had several in the past and once they bloomed that was pretty much the end of it for me.  That just goes to show what an amazing show this is and what it takes to keep these beauties alive and well.  Also keep in mind that I only went to the flower dome, the main part of the show was in the Marina Bay Sands.  With a 5 year old in tow; I decided not to make that part of the trip.  I wish I could have though, because I understand the orchids there were amazing!  Either way, enjoy the photos!

 The inside of the flower dome

That's all folks!

Things I have learned, Fruit of the week

Wow, it's been 3 months since we have been in Singapore and it is almost feeling like home.  It has been a busy past month with family visits, E's 5th birthday party, Halloween and even a couple of trips to both Indonesia and Thailand.  So, now that we are getting settled I thought it was time that I shared the things that I have learned. 


Moving to a new country has adjustments as we all expected, but in addition to moving to a new country we are also adjusting to living the city life without a car. So now you know where my list is coming from.


What I have learned!

• It's hot here! - Ok no surprise, but really its hot and sweaty pretty much every day.  If you visit; plan accordingly
• When it rains it pours! - When it rains here it storms!  And let me tell you the storms are fantastic.
• Did you know that Singapore is the "lightening capital of the world"? - We have seen the most amazing shows right from our balcony.
• People are people wherever you go - we may speak different languages, but we all still live our lives pretty much the same.  We eat, we sleep, we work, we play and we raise our families.
• English isn't English everywhere you go - Even though someone speaks English doesn't mean that I can understand it.  The hubby is better at it, since I think he has more exposure.
• A smile goes a long way!
• Hawker centers are the way to eat - not only are the cheap, but they have variety and what is better than cheap food under the stars?
• I can spot an American from a mile away - I might be off a bit sometimes as they might be Australian, but honestly, we are pretty easy to spot over here.
• Things are never what they seem.
• Papertowels or napkins are overrated  - No one has them here; bring your own or just have wet or messy hands. (isn't that what clothes are for?)  
• When you leave the house always have the following:  umbrella, tissues/napkins, bus pass, keys and money.
• Lettuce and greens are plentiful and cheap!
• Noodles go with everything
• MInce?  That means ground - i.e. beef, pork etc.
• Messenger bags are the way to go - you to have your hands free to wrangle kids, swipe your bus pass, hail a cab etc.
• Comfortable walking shoes are a must!
• The dust collects here like I have never seen.
• Being organic and green is hard, but we don't have a car and we ride our bikes.
• Plastic containers are more than plentiful!
• Public transportation is the best - if you can find the bus stop and get on the right bus!
• Trash chutes are the bomb!
• Doing dishes is a pain in the &%$!!
• Grocery delivery Rocks!
• American ideas and things are everywhere! (all over the world)
• Living in a small space isn't so bad - you just don't have or keep a bunch of "stuff"!

Well, that's enough for now, but I am sure that I will have another list in a few months.

Just so I don't get too far behind on my fruit of the week I figured I better post a new fruit.  I think it might end up being the "Fruit of the month", how much new fruit can you really eat.

Fruit of the week:  Passion Fruit

Ok, so I bought this fruit and thought it would be ready to eat.  Once I did a little research I found out that it needed to sit until it was quite wrinkly. 

Fresh Passion Fruit (not yet ripe)

Ripe Passion Fruit

So, I cut it open and it was like cutting open a pinata or paper mache.  Once I cut through and opened it I saw that the outside was almost like styrofoam.  The inside was a full of these yellowish pods with black seeds in the center.  

 Passion fruit opened

Without the seeds

So, I scooped out the seeds and had a bite. I gave E a sip of just juice and it is really sweet and tasted a lot like fruit punch.  If you have a bite with the seeds too (which are edible) it adds a bit of tartness.


Hope you enjoyed this little visit to my blog!