moving...the saga continues on day 2

Today was the final day with my belongings..at least for a week or so. At 8:00 this morning, the car carrier arrived on Oakland Circle to take the green machine for a ride. My favorite part of the car carrier experience was when he brought me back the car damage sheet and I could hardly find any spot on the car diagram that didn't have marks, scratches, or dents he pointed out. Made me wonder, for a split second, if I should have just sold and bought something new! Then I stapped back to reality...paid for! The car took its position on the top of the carrier...and it was chained down. They left..I waved goodbye...I didn't cry...

A little later, the movers showed up and it took them what seemed like forever. I watched as my boxes, sofa, and everything else I own was loaded onto the truck. He told me my stuff would arrive Thursday or Friday. I can rough it until then!

I waved good bye to my stuff...and still didn't cry... I then put on my coat and walked to Chez Lanclos.

Just 4 more days!

Moving...day 1

Its amazing how quickly all of my belongings were packed into cardboard boxes! It took about 2 and a half hours...thats it! It would have taken me a month..and I would have complained the whole time.

Hopefully they haven't packed anything that I need...or I am seriously screwed! So..this is one part down. Tomorrow the car people come and get the green machine...and then they come and take my $700 cardboard collection. Guess I'd better get a good nights sleep! Yikes..won't be sleeping there. Thankfully I have reserved a room at Chez Lanclos.

Its beginning to look a lot like...April 11th????

I was reminded this morning, sometimes it can snow in April..and even May in the Chicagoland area. I just hoped it wouldn't do it this year...at least until after I had moved to Texas!

It really is hardly any snow in the snow fall reality of Chicago...but still! I'd expect to be wearing my short pants by this time..not sweaters. Spring??? have you gotten lost???

BeDazzler!

I was just catching up on my favorite Blog where Laurie has pointed out a major issue with fashion for anyone over a size 14...when I was really struck by a comment made about the bedazzler! (make sure to turn your volume down before clicking the link - if you so dare - as Tana..I know her name because its been bedazzled right across the front of her shirt...is REALLY loud). You've all seen the commercial on tv..and I am really hoping that no one I know has ever bought one of these things!

I can't believe people really wear this stuff..but they must. When Sarah and I were walking through Nordstroms on Thursday...we came across some Bedazzled wear in the ladies department! Shocking! At the time I couldn't think of the name of the "wearable art tool" that you just know some poor women in a third world country are probably using to make these crazy items!

coasters

Sometimes I think I have to be the biggest nerd in the world! I was at the mall last night with Sarah and we went into this funny card store. If you know me, you know I can't resist a funny card store.

While browsing, we came across these funny coasters..and I couldn't resist.

This one says:

maureen, he's everything i've ever wanted in a man...tall, dark and on top of me

This one is my favorite..I think you'll quickly see why...

ladies, i will not stand here and let you talk abut charlene like that, even though we all know she gets more ass than a toilet seat.

There are 3 more..but you'll have to visit me to see them....

Da Bulls

Last night we watched the Bulls double dribble to victory over the Portland Trailblazers...89 to 100.

We were part of the sold out crowd at the United Center..even had a sweet parking pass that had us parked practially outside the door!

The seats were really good as you can see. So..the game got underway..and Erica managed to behave through the whole game. Carol managed to write down all the bingo numbers, and Sarah brought a book.

What I found really amusing is how they pass out stuff to the people sitting at the opposing teams end so that when they shoot free throughs, the team is distracted. The first half, they were signs...the 2nd half they were the always fun balloons...

I was also happy to see the jumbo-tron..where I could keep track of the score..and a closer view of what was going on during the game.

Overall, a good time at my first Bulls game!

Along the way, I won a free doughnut, a buy one get one free Hinkley Springs water..and a free Big Mac. Seeing as how the tickets were free, it was a very profitable evening!

a new P word...PRODUCTIVE!

I guess I decided to just suck it up and get on with the sorting and tossing. I got underway on Friday night by going to Target and getting some plastic boxes and bubble wrap (sounds like procrastination..but it really was a step towards the other P).

Saturday morning started early at 7:00 with a hair cut. Again, I know what you're thinking...procrastination..but really, it wasn't. Actually, I am thinking that my new bangs might just be the source of my new found ambition. With just a few breaks, I worked though until Sunday afternoon. Two trips to the Goodwill later...

MY CLOSETS HAVE NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD!!!

All that's left is to sort through my clothes and relocate my winter items to my parents house.

Now I am free to knit without guilt!

Procrastination - with a capital P

I am moving in 30 days...my movers are coming in 24 days...all I have to do is sort through my belongings and get rid of things. I am totally procrastinating!!!! So far, I have cleaned out my book case and come up with some books I'll never read again (or, lets be honest, never read period). If you look, you can see 2 empty shelves. Oh, and I got rid of a picture frame. (I should make sure to celebrate the small successes.)

I have, however, been able to knit 2 potholders! I had a choice..donate the yarn or make something. At the rate I'm going, I'll take all my junk with me and have a nice collection of hand knitted kitchen accessories. (I do have a pattern for some nice coasters...)

This is sad. Please make sure if you talk to me to encourage sorting...and if you see me knitting, with a glazed look on my face..it might be time for an intervention.

Thoughts of Singapore

Now that I am nearing the end of my stay in Singapore - 34 hours till my plane leaves...not that I am counting - I thought I'd share with you my thoughts on my first Asian experience.

• Every woman in Singapore weighs 90 pounds and is under 5' tall.


• When you sit at a resturaunt, you should add one to your party..because something is coming out with a face..and it might just still be alive enough to carry its part of the conversation.


• No one in Singapore believes in napkins....which may explain the food finger stains on all my clothes...


• It is impossible to hail a cab. You have to call and reserve one - not that it's easy to do that either.
  


• McDonalds chicken nuggets are the same...a real taste of home...and the Ketchup is still the Fancy kind


• Jell-o pudding costs $11.70 SGD. Thats like $8 USD.


• The national past time here is shopping. People shop constantly! Though not much of a problem for me. (see point #1)
• Every bathroom stall smells like someone was just in there and took a giant crap! Thats if there is even a toilet and not a hole in the floor.


• I can find a lot of my favorite British products at the pharmacy.


• You need a perscription for Gum.


• The Borders Books has no knitting books.

A Saturday with Old Friends

Today I woke up to an email from a family friend, giving me suggestions of things to do in Singapore. I decided to take her up on a few of them, including going for English Tea. I looked at the map and decided to walk - which ended up taking me over an hour. I finally made it to the Goodwood Park Hotel. I found the place where they were having tea and was seated. I ordered a really nice Vanilla tea.

This is the before picture....

..the during...

and the after...

Yes..that is my knitting on the table.

After tea, and I sat there for almost 2 hours...I decided I was going to take the train back to my hotel. On the way, I got sidetracked and spent some time with some old friends.

I bought 2 pairs of my favorite pajamas..

...and a book.

I feel like I had a really good day!!!

Pants

I'd like to say that I think my pants are looser these days.

Last night we went to a Chinese resturaunt as a group. I had been assured, after the dim sum lunch episode on Monday, that there would be chicken to eat. Well..there was chicken, however, by the time it made it to me, what was left was questionable. I never, ever want to have to decide if that is a chicken foot on my plate!!! Other choices included huge crab legs covered in a very questionable sauce, tofu, and fish..that had a face and was looking at us! Needless to say, I had a few noodles and some white rice.

So, I say again...I think my pants are a bit loose.

remind me

I am kind of tired this evening..and I have no pictures. All I have to say is remind me to tell you about the toilets!!!!
http://www.talesofasia.com/toilets.htm

Look Mom!!!

Mom...look what I found!!!

The girl I was shopping with kinda looked at me funny and asked if I knew what that was...I said that I did! Then she looked at me REALLY funny.

Sentosa

On Saturday, one of the ladies who is working with us, Rebecca, took us to Sentosa. http://www.sentosa.com.sg/ Sentosa is this island which is basically a big tourist attraction.

Before we took the tram onto the island, we saw this lovely boat...

Unfortunately, it began to rain, and rained all day. This didn't stop us however! We went to the beach where all the sand is imported. I found that to be a little strange, but it seems that just about everthing here IS imported.

We also got to see one of the more recognizable images here in Singapore.

One of our stops was to the Underwater World, which was actually the best thing of the day. Besides, it being indoors, which meant we could get out of the rain, there was also conveyer which took you through a tunnel where there were fish swimming all around you...and I mean there were FISH! We were there during feeding time and there is something about seeing a shark eating right over your head that makes you appreciate whatever they reinforced that glass with!

We also saw a dragonfish...

But I'll have to admit, my biggest amusement came from this sign...

I can't say if it really was that funny...or I was just really tired...and tired of being wet. Take your pick.

a few of my favorite things...

Now that it is Saturday, I am getting more out and about. After wandering around looking for lunch..and finding some really strange selections...I settled on Burger King. I know, I know...but I just couldn't bring myself to eat something I could not yet identify!!!

The grocery shopping was actaully quite interesting. Do you know that in Singapore, you'll pay $11.70 for a six pack of jell-o pudding cups?? Yep...that works out to about $7 US. Yikes! I did manage to get some water..some milk..and a few other family favorites! Or should I say, favourites???

I thought you might enjoy my display...with the flowers from my room.

I also discovered these wonderful snack crakers, ok..its like Ritz and honey peanutbutter...but notice the name of them. Can you see it??? They are called Julie's. Any anything by that name...well..its wonderful!!! haha

Alright..well I am going out again. Hope to bring back some nice pictures! Good night!

Greetings from the Other Side

I have made it to Singapore and have adjusted to the time. The flight was not as bad as I thought it would be, I am pleased to admit. During the first flight, to Hong Kong, I was seated next to a very nice gentleman who introduced himself as Bob. I am guessing that was his "flying name". We were treated very nice in Business Class - I even received my "United" goodie bag.


This must be how the rich and famous travel!

For the first 15 hour flight, I managed to stay awake until we were past the 8 hour mark. I took several photos to keep myself entertained..

...we flew over the Arctic Ocean! and Siberia.







Here's how the Arctic Ocean looks, in case you've ever wondered. It is basically, from what I could tell, a big sheet of ice with cracks in it. You'll probably have to make the picture bigger to be able to see. Its not a perfect picture...but I wasn't getting out for a better shot!





I was also glad to see that I was going to be able to shop, Duty Free, on my way back!






After 15 hours of flying..a 2 hour layover in Hong Kong, a migraine, and having my bags hand searched by Communists, I made it to the hotel.


This will be home for the next 2 weeks.

Of course, this goes without saying, that after all of the travel...I couldn't sleep!!!

Singapore bound

I am trying to stay awake so that I can sleep during my very long flight to Singapore tomrrow. If you'd like to read about where I am going, the Lonley Planet's website offers a fine assortment of information. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/singapore/

Also..if you'd like me to bring you something back, you'd better make your request early.

Anyway...this time tomorrow...I'll be flying somewhere over the Pacific Ocean. Nighty night.

Cubs, friends, and candy....

This has been an exhaustive weekend..and I may have reached my beer quota for the month.. Saturday, we had the luxury of attending the Cubs/SOX game...Cubs lost...shocker...but at least I got to spend the defeat with some of my very favorite people.

After the game, we took in some of the sites... including the 2 on my left. We also met a man with the most beautiful eyes in the world. He claimed no one had said that to him before..but I know he was lying. And finally, we met 4 very interesting men including Shorty..who..well..he showed us his shorty....

All in all a very, very excellent day!