Sunday, January 17, 2010




Booty and mom have new Kurtas. Again not perfect but fun to make!

And starting next week we have our Waldorf playgroup here at our house on Mondays and Fridays. This is not the drop off program but a mom and tot thing.

And what else is new? Still working on the Waldorf primary school initiative which I have offered at our house but we still need at least 2 more students enrolled.

Friday, January 08, 2010



This is how everything is transported up the mountain as no cars are allowed.



Roadside shop on MG Road (Mahatma Ghandi Road) in Matheran.



Sheets out to dry at the Regal Hotel in Matheran, India.



This is a nice quiet morning spot for breakfast and the newspaper, (in Mumbai).

Thursday, January 07, 2010







It doesn't look good for the drop off program we planned. But that just means more time to make stuff!

I finally made the purse roll today. It is nice because you can take out the inside zip pockets to make more room for bigger stuff (passports, wallets...)I admit, tho' that it isn't really made with precision. I just sewed it up without ironing or measuring. I guess I am more a sculptor than a seamstress. I got the shiny ribbon from Bombay, my absolute favorite place to shop.

Behind my family's house are alleyway shops and streets filled with open air shops where you can find some seriously beautiful things for shockingly low prices. It helps to bring Mr. Discount (my father-in-law). He is notoriously thrifty and will bargain a shopkeeper down to the last rupee. I can't decide if I feel good about my purchases or guilty.

Friday, January 01, 2010











Now that camp and the Holidays are finished I can find time to post a little.
Goodness what a busy month! Camp went extremely well and despite some boy-girl bickering and a little "We aren't your friend" business Yeng Yen and I had a wonderful time with the campers. We made lanterns, felted slippers with recycled newspaper pulp soles, clay turtle candle holders, wove bags and a bunch of other crafts and games and songs. Christmas was quiet but nice. We went to Arab street and then downtown Singapore to show Booty the crazy Christmas lights which were way over the top. The day after Christmas we flew out to Bombay. Now that we don't live in India I can't get enough of it. Especially Mumbai (Bombay). Dad took me to all the back alley shops and markets. It was an amazing feast for the senses. Booty, H and I drove to Matheran, which is a mountain village outside of the city. They don't allow cars so one has to walk up to the top of the mountain or take a horse. We took horses. Booty remarked that our horse was beautiful and was hooked. The next two days she wanted to ride on the horsies. And ride she did! We saw lots of monkeys at close range. Booty also made a number of friends. The children were extremely friendly and stunningly gorgeous. The food was also delicious! Our only complaint was that we were COLD! And not prepared for the weather. A lovely holiday!

Thursday, December 03, 2009



I am supposed to be working on my camp preparation. Since I have only 10 days left before it begins. Camp is FULL! And I just came up with a brilliant idea for a "totally recycled" art project. More details to come. But look! There is a Leeeee Zard on top of our back gate! You may not know this but I love lizards. I had to stop for a moment and gaze adoringly at her (or him).

We are in the process of obtaining a POI card for me and Booty. Which is funny because POI stands for Person of Indian Origin. I can pretend that in some distant past I WAS Indian. But for Booty it ain't right. She is from Opi Opia, (Ethiopia in Booty speak). The reason why a 10 year visa isn't good enough is because there is a new restriction on long term visas. One cannot return to India on a 10 year visa before 2 months. This doesn't work for us. We may need to go home for family.

My schedule has filled up. There are visits with Anthroposophic doctors. And workshops (this weekend) to attend and to present (next month). Parent meetings (tomorrow!) to discuss starting a school here. And art supplies to purchase with the abundance flowing to me.

Yes I am still retiring very early at night, (9pm) but I am up and ready by the time super girl has her cape on and begins to sing.
LOUDLY!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

On each grain is written the name
of the eater.
The giver is the one.
The giver is the creator.




Sometimes, just to feel productive I make an origami box. It only takes a few minutes but then I can add it to the list of boxes I know. My schedule is kaput. But then again I didn't know this energy-sucking malaise would hit me at exactly the time when the Waldorf Community wanted me "back in the saddle" again.

Camp is going to kick my butt.
That is, if the ladies in my Waldorf support group don't, (I have promised to host a workshop on Waldorf Education focusing on math and a NUMBER of other things).

!!!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009










A lot of activity on the homefront. A few more "campers" have registered, which makes the group more lively. So far, the girls outnumber the boys 2-1. I guess since it is a "Craft" camp, more girls would come. But is that it? Hmmmm.

I took some pictures today of my walk between home and the train station. It is a walk I enjoy, even when it is so hot I am using an umbrella for protection. I think it is because I like alleyways and canals. Singapore is full of these sort of hidden passageways. Where the laundry hangs and the foreign domestic workers cook and things are not all sterile and the ladies gossip tho' I know not what they say. But I know they do because our helper M tells me.

Picture 1: Alleyway off Swan Lake Avenue on the way to Bedock station.
Picture 2: The reason I wait in the public restroom for the ONE non-squatter toilet.
Picture 3: Our convenience store.
Picture 4: Our take-away.
Picture 5: No car in the driveway.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Waldorf Camp

My camp is up and running as I now have enough campers registered for everyone to get paid, (me, an assistant and space rental).

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

What with the useless medication (that only makes me tired) and the flu, I have been utterly without purpose this last week. Sorry.

Interesting stuff to read (watch) about H1N1 though. If you want to read Teresa Forcades presentation.

Or watch her on Youtube:

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Tonite I am excited about going to this talk at the Waldorf School that is in my neighborhood!


Waldorf Steiner Education Association Singapore
Presents:

Connecting With Your Destiny
A Talk by Hans van Forenstein Mulder

Hans van Florenstein Mulder
Hans was born in Sumatra. He served as General Secretary of the Anthroposophical Society in New Zealand from 1992- 2006. He and his wife Ineke were involved in founding the first Waldorf High School in New Zealand. Hans was also director of the one-year diploma course in biodynamic agriculture at Taruna. Since 2006, he has been assisting the Executive Council at the Goetheanum in Dornach to foster the life of the General Anthroposophical Society and the School of Spiritual Science in Asia.

Friday, November 06, 2009

I think the joke is on me.

Last week I started researching post-graduate school and online courses. There are many universities (like UMASS) that are offering degrees online. I started to get excited about this. Being productive. Improving myself!

This week I was persuaded to step back into the Waldorf community and agree to offer some time. My friend RR has offered to co-teach a two day morning program for 2 to 3 year olds with me. And after attending a very intense Anthroposophic mother's support group I believe I will be busy next year starting a 1st grade and supplementing main stream curriculum.

So much for career advancement.

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Booty and I took the train into the city with Mr.D and stayed on the train when he got off to go to work. In order for Booty to be able to sit safely I kindly requested a young gentleman to get up (after waiting for him to offer for 5 minutes) out of the seat reserved for disabled, elderly and people with young children. We got off the train at Jurong East, a short walk to the Singapore Science Center. I had been told a number of times from one of the dads at our Friday playgroup that this was one his 2 year old twins' favorite places to go.

We weren't impressed.

Most of our time was spent pushing buttons.
But alot of the interactive exhibits were broken. And could not be physically reached by a 2 year old, (and mine is TALL). And this is besides the point. Nothing was appropriate for toddlers. No musical stairs. No spaceship to play in.

Not that the elementary school classrooms visiting today were truly taking advantage of the fine knowledge and demonstrations of science all around them. What we saw was a lot of students chasing each other through hallways or unthinkingly hitting buttons or levers without reading the explanations.

When we walked in I asked the ladies taking tickets what exhibits were good for young children. They looked at each other as if I asked them to recite the quadratic equation.And declined to answer.

How about nothing, ladies? Would that about sum it up?

It started to pour when we were leaving the building and there were about 6 large groups of children sprawled at the entranceway, completely blocking it. No-one seemed to notice nor move when they saw us with the stroller. We had to turn around and go out into the rain and back in to find a spot near the taxi stand.

At the entranceway before you pay your admission fee there is a huge T-Rex that grumbles and moves his head and eyes. Booty wanted to "ride it" and continued to ask me if we could go see the dinosaur while we were inside the Science Center.

When we left the building 2 hours later and walked past T-Rex again she was so excited and wanted to get all up in his face as if this was what she had been waiting all day to see.

Once we were back home we opened the 'brella and stood in the rain.
"Very unhygenic!"

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Monday, November 02, 2009

PONYO
Today is review day and I haven't thought too hard about the movie I am going to review but it is a movie I was waiting to see for a long time.

Ponyo on the cliff by the sea

Written and Directed by Hayao Miyazaki out of studio Ghibli

A beautiful film, no surprise there but how beautiful? Not to be believed until you see it. A lot of water scenes and a number of fabulous storm scenes. Imagine a young girl with red hair running and jumping on top of huge fish/waves in the middle of a storm while you are trying to escape the storm in a small car, driving on a coastal road. This is where the tension of the movie exists most- before Ponyo meets Sosuke as a human.

Sosuke is a confident boy who befriends a fish with a human-like face. He calls her Ponyo and loses her when her sorcerer father reclaims her to the sea. When she escapes again chaos ensues.

The end of the movie was sort of anti-climatic but this is probably because so much of the movie is a wonder. One has to come down from the high at some point.

Prehistoric fish. A sea goddess.A town under water. The moon falling to earth. Millions of tiny ponyo-sisters shooting up like un-falling stars.

wow.

Here is the trailer.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Five campers so far

Five Waldorf campers have signed up so far:

Two 8 year old boys
A 7 year old boy
A 5 year old boy and
A 5 year old girl

We cannot have camp unless two more children enroll. I have had many requests from parents to stretch the age limits (5-8) but I feel that this gap is quite big enough.

I remember when I was teaching how rewarding the work with the children was and how challenging the work with the parents. This is still true. I still seem to be easily caught off guard by their seemingly "silly" questions and requests. I know this is one of my tests in this life. To breathe and work toward understanding how I can help the parents of my students.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Poop and pee

We have had a little backsliding on the potty "training".
And I am not sure if it is because the Booty is feeling insecure or because our housekeeper/nanny MB is not paying attention or being as diligent as me. This week each day she came home from the playground she didn't make it to the bathroom. One time she even pooped her pants, which she has never done before.
What was troubling was that when I surprised the two of them (Booty and MB) on the playground MB was busy texting and Booty was soaked. When we arrived home she had two more accidents before we made it to the bathroom. It seemed as tho' she was holding it in. But I don't know. She can get distracted and forget to go. This is why I always make it a habit to have her go periodically.
Also, she is only 2 and a half. What should I expect?

Finally, (wagging fingers) bought a baby monitor and used it last night. The girl's bed returns to its room.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Saw the movies Munich and Hamlet(2000) last week.
I was very taken with Munich but felt a bit overwhelmed by the lack of focus. The film is based on the book Vengeance: The True Story of an Israeli Counter-Terrorist Team by Canadian journalist George Jonas, which in turn was based on the story of Yuval Aviv, who claims to have been a Mossad agent.It would have been very cool if Spielberg had taken a little more time with the "terroritsts" that were the targets. The performances however, were wonderful. Weird sex scene tho' after Eric Bana's character goes home. It was a bit confusing. He didn't witness the Munich Olympic killings and yet this seemed like a flashback. I liked the last scene. As if G.Rush's character is saying, "We may both be extremist Jews who would risk our lives for our country but you aren't fit to break bread with. Anyway it was just business. See ya!" Cold!

Hamlet(2000) was pretty poor. The acting left a lot to be wanting. Ethan Hawke's Hamlet was abysmal and the high tech angle did not work. Just bad.

Friday, October 23, 2009






My afternoon sleepiness (due to medication I am taking) persists. But I have made some progress with the standing doll. What should I name her?

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Massive!

Singapore harbor is kind of menacing but cool. It gives me the goosebumps to see all these huge ships so close. I have always had a thing with big ships. My first real movie at the theater was The Poseidon Adventure and it made an impression on me and my older brother. That and Jaws.

Yesterday after an appointment at Mt. Elizabeth's Medical Center I walked across Orchard Road (Singapore's Michigan Avenue) to Takashimaya, an upscale mall. When I say upscale I mean it. Singapore's malls are the most luxurious and modern in all the world. Can I say that? Not really, but I just did and would be surprised to find an equal number of posh indoor shopping arenas. Anyway, I found an excellent art store, ART FRIEND. This was wonderful for me specifically because I had been looking for some origami paper and here it was, along with other much needed supplies.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Here is what my flyer says:

Do you ever wonder if your child needs to “do” more and “think” less? Or compete less and work as a team member more?

Here is a chance for them to experience a different kind of camp at the Waldorf Steiner School in Singapore.

5 days of hands on activities like wool felting, painting, crafts, drama, speech, cooperative games, music, treasure hunts and more!

This Steiner Camp is for children 5-8 years old
December 14- December 18, 2009
830-1pm
Early Bird special **$250.00 if you register your child before November 15
Registration is $280.00 after November 15
Camp size is limited to 12 with a minimum of 7 children
Location: 72 Elite Park Avenue

The camp will be run by *my name here*, an experienced Waldorf teacher from the United States. ** has taught Waldorf education as a 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade teacher and has lead Waldorf camp for children aged 6-9. She has handwork experience (knitting, crotcheting, dollmaking, felting, weaving, sewing etc.) and specializes in form drawing, drama, music and the manual arts .** hopes that Waldorf education will “sing” in Singapore and perhaps you will join her in making this joyful wish come true.


One of Booty's rituals in Bintan was feeding the KOI. The concierge was very kind and always gave us fish food.

"You have to let me work Dada!"
Give some body a job and she will be content. Tho' there are times...
"I'm helping you mama!!!" When actually, um, she isn't. She is just dumping the bowl of eggs and creating a mess.
"Oh wow!" I have trained myself to say, "You really want to do it."
"How about we clean this up and try again?"
"Do over!" She cries. Just like I do when I make a mistake, or yell. We go back and try it again.

And then the negotiations.
"If you finish your egg you can have more toast."
"If you eat your breakfast you can have more juice."

I have begun to notice the number of negotiations that go down every day. And now I am calling a memorandum. She is only 2. And not a lawyer or mediator. Yet.
Using less words. And more gestures.

Instead of reading to the girl every naptime and pre-bedtime I have been telling stories with her wooden animals. It is absolutely magic. After a couple of weeks of doing this she is more independent in the morning when she wakes up, often re-telling the story with the animals herself. Or when I am taking a shower or busy on the phone. And most of the time she prefers told stories to books. In my stories there is always a song. And she digs this.

Monday, October 19, 2009



Took a high speed ferry to Bintan, Indonesia last tuesday.
When we arrived we noticed there was a good deal of construction underway, especially under our room so they moved us.
To the Floral Suite!
A much better set up. An extra bathroom and lots more room!
Things we loved: The miniature komodo dragons making appearances now and then, (especially in the pool). They call them Biyawak (pronounced Bee-a-wah).
The clean sand and sea.
The Japanese and Italian restaurant in the resort.
Breakfast gratis.
Spa and oceanside massage.
Weather :)
Service very friendly.

What we didn't like:
Shopping was as poor as it gets. No local stuff. All overpriced and every shop has identical items.
Indian food was very bad.
Construction went on non-stop.
Service was very slow.
There wasn't a lot "to do".
No good coffee. Sweets and snacks were not in abundance, (snack shop was severely lacking all around).
Food $$$$$$$$$$$$

I posted a review of the resort on the TripAdvisor site.

Friday, October 16, 2009



Sewed up some sheets and a pillow case for the mattress in Booty's room. And I sure have my work cut out for me. I am using some of this fabric to make some items I would like to sell later, perhaps some travel rolls, bean bags, blankets, party banners ... I will be posting pictures as I make them so stay tuned.

Thursday, October 15, 2009


Walked all the way to Bedock Swimming Complex and back! I felt pretty good about the work out and saving $ on cabs.
I have been taking the train into town lately. Avoiding traffic and staying cool in the train. It would be hard to take Booty tho'. Seating is extremely limited on the train and EVERYbody uses the train, so it is always full.

*Note
This week's postings have been written ahead of time as we are in Bintan, staying at the Bintan Lagoon resort. Bintan is only an hour ferry from Singapore and Mr.D is on another enforced vacation. So, here we are. Yeah, Yeah, poor me. And wasn't I just complaining about something recently?

Wednesday, October 14, 2009


My proposal to start a Waldorf camp here in Singapore was accepted.
Man! I have a lot of work to do!
So like a lot of people I have a list of to do items.
Yes. Juggling. I am getting better!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

An inspiring article about Korean adoption was published in the paper last week.

Unwed Korean mom start to assert their rights
by Choe Sang-Hun

"Four years ago, when she found that she was pregnant by her former boyfriend, Choi Hyong-sook considered abortion. But after she saw the little blip of her baby’s heartbeat on ultrasound images, she could not go through with it.

As her pregnancy advanced, she confided in her elder brother. His reaction would sound familiar to unwed mothers in South Korea. She said he tried to drag her by the hair to an abortion clinic. Later, she said, he pressed her to give the child up for adoption."

“But when the adoption agency took my baby away, I felt as if I had thrown him into the trash. It felt as if the earth had stopped turning. I persuaded them to let me reclaim my baby after five days.”

Luckily now there is a group called Korean Unwed Mothers Support Network founded by a dad who adopted from Korea and went back to "help" the community in which his daughter was born. He got a wake up call and decided to give something really helpful back.

More here.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Last week I was lucky enough to catch Elvis Costello's solo show here in Singapore at the Esplanade Concert Hall across from the Mandarin Oriental. The tickets were pricey but the hall was beautiful and there was not a bad seat in sight. The acoustics were fabulous and Elvis continued to revel at the intimacy of the hall and how he could do things there that he wasn't able to in other halls (like sing off mike or play his “quiet songs”). The audience was adoring and laughed even during chilling moments that gave me goosebumps. And also guitar solos that didn't work (he used a guitar petal to layer reverbed guitar lines on top of each other). This went on and on but he was having fun and we didn't really mind. He played the song “Every day I write the book” which reminded me of dancing at Adolf's bar when I was 18 and going to Bard College in New York. He told us the last time he was here in Singapore was 30 years ago. He couldn't sleep after the show so he went to one of the crazy markets and bought his producer a stuffed python and mongoose in battle. He played here for one night and has a mess of concert dates in Austalia this month. His latest album is Secret, Profane, and Sugarcane.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Lets pretend I am impervious.
Lets pretend I am a cloud and then rain and then earth and my flexibility is unending.
Lets pretend I am not on the other side of the world
Nor forgotten.

Lets pretend I am light as air in the morning.

Lets pretend I am as likely to laugh as I am to breathe or move.

Lets pretend you are reading this and understanding I am not your enemy.

Lets pretend I am seen
And I am still me.
After an argument with my dearest Mr. D I looked up the definition of chauvinism on Wikipedia.

Chauvinism, (pronounced /ˈʃoʊvɨnɪzəm/), in its original and primary meaning, is an exaggerated, bellicose patriotism and a blind belief in national superiority and glory. [1] By extension it has come to include an extreme and unreasoning partisanship on behalf of any group to which one belongs, especially when the partisanship includes malice and hatred towards a rival group. Jingoism is the British parallel form of this French word. [1]A contemporary use of the term in English is in the phrase male chauvinism.[2]

Etymology
The term is derived from Nicolas Chauvin, a semi-mythical soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte who is supposed to have served in the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars (1789–1815). Despite the unpopularity of Bonapartism in Restoration France after 1815, Chauvin was said to be an ardent supporter and was often seen wearing a violet in his lapel, the symbol of his deposed Emperor. According to the myth, he remained fanatically loyal despite his poverty, disability, and the abuse he suffered.

Then I did a search and found this article.

Study: Male chauvinist pigs make more money
October 2, 2008 by Jim Giuliano
Men who believe women should remain barefoot and pregnant tend to get paid more than men who think of women as equals in the workplace. At least that’s what one study shows.
The study for the Journal of Applied Psychology appears in a 19-page paper titled Is the Gap More Than Gender? A Longitudinal Analysis of Gender, Gender Role Orientation, and Earnings. 
It contends that guys who think of themselves as traditional “breadwinners” and who believe that a woman’s place is in the home — or, at best, in a subservient position at work — make about $12,000 a year more in salary than men who think of women as equal partners at work and in the home.
Put another way, men who change diapers make about a $1,000 a month less than men who don’t change diapers.
The study uses a factor called “Gender Role Orientation” (GRO).  If you’re a man who has a GRO of -1, that means you think of women as your equals. If you’re a man who thinks a woman’s place is in the home, your GRO is +1.
The study shows that -1 group makes an average annual salary of $39,000. The +1 groups pulls in an average of $51,000 a year.
 
Responses to “Study: Male chauvinist pigs make more money”
R. B. Says:
October 6th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Well, that’s frustrating and kind of disgusting. Any idea why? Or is this just more evidence that good guys finish last…

BK Says:
October 6th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
My first guess as to why is because, they may not be as committed to their home life therefore giving them more time at work. But, in the end family life is more valuable so the good guys are ahead!

Roland Lamontagne Says:
October 6th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I don’t agree with the findings. I have worked in a nearly all male work environment for nearly 35 years and the evidence doesn’t support the GRO theory. With better than 10 years in Organizational Development the one behavior I have documented that influenced wages the most is the “Good Old Boys Club”. If one is socially connected to members of upper management the likely hood that one’s salary is higher and that merit increases followed the same – regardless of performance. Keep in mind that members of the “club” survive by protecting one another and as a norm women tend to be outsiders and men who see work as being a seperate life and not connected to the company/social ladder also see lower salaries, even if they are seen as being important team players. Favortism like office politics is not by design a part of business however, it is very much alive.

makesperfectsense Says:
October 6th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I think that this makes sense. If you are a man who expects his wife to stay home you are most likely assuming that the responsiblitily is on your own shoulders to support your family and make sure you make a decent living. I would not call them chauvinists, simply because of this view point. Maybe these votes were based on the salary the men were already making. If you are making 100,000 dollars a year it is much easier to say that your wife should just stay home….this improves growth of your children. On the other hand if you are making $25,000 a year and are struggling to make ends meet you may be more inclined to say your wife should be going to work. Bottom line is that no matter what your view point is their view point on the equality of women in the workforce isn’t what is determining their salary, its their own ambition.

Michael H. Swearingen Says:
October 7th, 2008 at 6:20 am
Actually, both of the responses by BK and by Roland explain what was found. People who tend to be part of the “good old boy” network, also do not value family time as much. They are willing to ignore the family in most situations to take care of the company’s problems. They are perceived as more valuable because they “are always there and never wimp out”. As I was typing this reply, I got a call from someone in management here who was complaining that an employee was going to be gone for 3 days because his father was having open-heart surgery and that there was no reason to be gone.

P J Says:
October 7th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
The study cited above did not use the words ‘pig’ nor ‘chauvinist’. I think your choice of those inflammatory words shows your bias and your desire to promote your agenda.
Those “traditional” men may actually respect and value women MORE b/c they work harder to support their families and that hard work results in higher compensation. That would not qualify them as “pigs” as your headline implies. (But, it clearly illustrates your politically correct bias.)
I am disappointed you did not post my response yesterday when I initially wrote it. More evidence of your desire to censor those with a different perspective???

LIBERATEDMOMMY Says:
November 19th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
I see and read it all the time. It boils down to.. Families are made to feel uncomfortable when a spouse chooses to stay at home with the kiddos, They usually pop on and off the employment bicycle there for tend to make lower wages. We read how disappointed the “womens lib movement” is with regards to the choosing to “stay home” with the kiddos and not go out and battle/jockey for position in the work world. I myself have risen and fallen several times int he work force, just for choosing to stay home a little longer with each child, not wanting to “shove” them into daycare. Had I of not broken the work cycle with having kids, it would have been easier to “rise” to top ranks. After returning to the work force after each child, the new employers mostlikely viewed me as someone who was NOT willing to put the Employer first,. therefore the top paying more appealing positions were no longer available..

JCE Says:
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
In my experience, a lot of the men at the top have wives that stay home and handle all the tasks involving the household or the children. They don’t have to take off work when a child is sick, or has problems at school, etc. Their wife can handle any tasks that require an adult during working hours. As a result, they aren’t very understanding when one of their employees has to take off work for something relating to the children. They probably think the guy who takes off work because his child is sick is a slacker because they’ve never had to do that. I think my husband and I should take turns calling in sick when our child is ill. I can call my employer and say that my child is sick. My husband has to lie and say that he’s sick because if he tells them that the child is ill, the response is “can’t your wife stay home with her?” It doesn’t occur to them that I am the supervisor of the department, and it’s no easier for me to stay home than it is for my husband. In fact, my husband has a laptop and would be able to get some work done from home, so it would actually be easier for him to stay home than me. I’d be willing to bet that there are a lot of men in higher positions who don’t think that they’re chauvanistic, but just think that they should give the promotions to the guy who doesn’t have time off work for family issues. And that guy probably has a stay at home wife, which perpetuates the cycle.

50ftQE Says:
October 10th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
I agree that there is a culture of bias against women in the workplace and also against what is seen as “women’s” work.
My husband works a high stress job and believes that since I quit my job to stay at home with our child I have been “on vacation”. If I need time off he scoffs at me as if I am crazy. To make matters worse we live overseas and move frequently so we never make long lasting friends nor see family more than once a year.
If I lose my cool because of this, I am seen as selfish and spoiled. The culture at his work place is such that if I get sick we are in trouble.


Sometimes it seems as tho parenting without holding another job lowers your status and credibility for decisionmaking.
Barack Obama has been awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. President Barrack Obama became the third sitting U.S. President to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize after an announcement from the Nobel Committee on Friday. The decision, which was based on Obama’s “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,” has sent many underminers into a tizzy.

In a civilized society, the first and proper response to somebody winning a prize, any prize, is “congratulations, dude.”

But the heads exploding on the US right and the teeth-gnashing on parts of the US left this morning reveal that the United States, although it has made some fast progress of late, does not yet have a civilized society.


To read more of this article check out The Field
Posted by Al Giordano - October 9, 2009 at 8:15 am

Also interesting to read is The Huffington Post's Joe Cirincione's It's About the Bomb, Not Obama.

Friday, October 09, 2009



Thank you What about our daughters and Jack and Jill Politics for posting this Newark principal's speech.

He's right. It isn't normal for students to be shot or beaten to death on their way home from school. It isn't just another day in the hood.

Also of interest is this crazy post about transracial adoption from the folks over at Jack and Jill Politics. I had a strong reaction to the poster's use of the word heifer but the comments are for the most part reasonable albeit opinions of course.

Thursday, October 08, 2009



We went to a really wonderful water park last week end with one of Booty's new friends, (Mr.D invited the family back to our house one Sunday after he met them at our local park). And the weather was very comfortable and pleasant.

The water park,Rainforest Kidzone, is part of the Singapore Zoo, which is the best zoo I have EVER been to, (sorry Cincinnatti). Singapore Zoo is beautiful with a very open feel. Monkeys hang above the walkway stretching down to greet passerbys or scurry around trees at person level. I guess noone gets bit and monkeys don't get fed people food.

There are constant feeding sessions throughout the day and if you want to feed a hippo, elephant, or many other animals you only need to be there at that time.

It is not an overly large zoo, so one can see most everything in one day and if you want a break from the zoo you can take your children or yourself to the water park and cool down. Or take a boatride out onto the large pond.

Their are pony rides, carriage rides.
And Ben and Jerry's icecream.
It is important to note, I don't like zoos for obvious reasons. But this zoo didn't make me feel sad. I wonder how this zoo differs from the LA zoo, Lincoln Park zoo, Brookfield zoo and others I have visited.

The only drawback for us is that it takes 45 minutes to get their (sans traffic). a
I'd like to go again. Maybe take a train and a cab?

Yesterday I had an appointment downtown and took the train. The MRT is similar to the BART system. You buy a prepaid pass/ticket and scan it before and after you get on/off the train. The train stations are swank with equally fancy malls at the bigger stations. All AC. It makes shopping easy. And that is the name of the game here in $ingapore.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

WALDORF "INSPIRED" PLAYGROUP
We have been going to a playgroup now for a couple of months and altho' it is one of Booty's favorites I sometimes have a hard time. It is not airconditioned and the sweat pours down my face. Oftentimes, the facilitator invites people to come hang out with the children (without letting us know until the last minute) and it is difficult for the little ones, who can be shy around strangers to relax completely into their play. Today the facilitator invited a friendly guy who she was mentoring. Booty freaked out and lay on my lap for 20 minutes and then insisted she be carried around. She told me, "I am scared." and "I don't like that dadda." I told the facilitator that we would be leaving if my daughter didn't begin to relax. Instead the mentee left and all was well. Sort of. Every week there is a "craft" that we are not obliged to do but the product assists the story at the end of the morning. These craft projects just aren't suitable for young children so the moms end up making them and usually they take up too much time and the children don't get to sit for tea until very late, 1130 or so (having been playing since 930). Today I brought a sesame seed and peanut snack bar for the girl because I knew she would get hungry and in turn cranky. "I want to go home," is what she has said almost every week when she starts to feel a little empty. When it is tea time, most of the other children and moms are not quite ready to come in as they are finishing up the craft, (which I opt out of) and Booty sits at the table and waits, eyeing the food. She is a marvel, waiting like that. I know she gets a lot from the playgroup but I am glad it is over. Too much of it doesn't work for us. I am not sure if I should share all of this feedback but because I am me, I will.

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

"Is She adopted or is she your real daughter?"
This from an old work buddy of mine who I bumped into at the beach in Maine.
I smile.
"She is adopted AND she is my real daughter!"
"You know what I mean."
"Actually, I do but the question might be confusing to my girl here."

A Wonderful Post about this very thing at Habesha Child you need to read.
Please. And check out the comments, which are fabulous.

Monday, October 05, 2009

In world news today the pickings are grim.

And yet another case of "Encounter killings" was unveiled in India. These are often celebrated by the public as brave acts in defiance of gangsters and terrorists. But the police have killed 346 people since 2006 who were suspects of illegal activity without any legal process whatsoever. One of the most recent casualties was a 19 year old woman/college student with no ties to crime.
The Philippines is suffering terribly from the effects of a double typhoon. Our housekeeper's village is without power and many houses have been buried by landslides.
Vietnam is also suffering from the same storm system.

But on the bright side Brazil landed the Summer Olympic Games of 2016.
And NIKE just resigned its board membership on the U S Chamber of Commerce over climate change.

"We fundamentally disagree with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on the issue of climate change."

Does this mean the Chamber of Commerce is helping to push the passing of a climate bill?

Friday, October 02, 2009





We have been making bread. These are the little bread "hands" Booty made with her cookie cutter.



This diary page was written in early winter on the day Ima (my dog) died 8 years ago. She was stayig with my brother in Maine and I was living in the cottage on Plum Cove in Gloucester.

"In Winter
leaf veils gone
I can see the sea.

Plum Cove second floor
roof tops-window, rough seas, "rear window" views
of life when I am gone from home.

The wind and construction saws
and the sun in and out of clouds

What mysteries
the skies have for us between the lattice work
of bare branches
somehow excites the imagination."

Thursday, October 01, 2009

I just started studying the driving manual this week and had some concerns about what I read:

Part I
Driving Licenses
What is a driving license?

A driving license is a document issued by the Traffic Police which identifies the licensee, sets out the class(es) of vehicle(s) which he or she may legally drive and states such restrictions or conditions as may apply as well as the period for which the license is valid, where applicable.
Age/Fitness To Drive
In order to qualify for a license to drive a motor car you must be at least 18 years old. In addition, you must have good vision with or without spectacles (uh oh).

Furthermore,
NOW PAY ATTENTION HERE
you should not be suffering from any disease or physical inability which would impair your driving ability, for example; mental disorder, epilepsy and
THE LIABILITY TO SUDDEN ATTACKS OF GIDDINESS.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

So what is cooking on the personal and professional development front?
Well. I have hooked up with the Singapore Waldorf folks and may help start a camp during school break in the winter and summer. The proposal is in and I have childcare in the mornings so we shall see if there is enough interest. In the meantime Booty still attends two playgroups at the school with me and another unofficial one at Artbeat, run by Linda Hall.

I have just started doing my "practice" again and hope to find a nearby Art of Living long kriya session. I am also in the process of trying to register for a DSN (creating divine society) course- also Art of Living. Luckily, the Singapore Art of Living is alive and well. So, it is only a matter of time before I meet some happy buds to sweat with.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009



W are at it again.
We've moved Booty's bed into our room. For the past two weeks she has been sleepwalking and I wake up at any sound and think she has hurt herself. On several occasions recently I have discovered her in a pile in the corner of her room. Now when I hear a noise I know right away if it is her.

One child syndrome. I think this phrase is coined already? But I think we, (or maybe I) tend to focus too much on our daughter. Maybe this is why she has a hard time with separation.
I can't help but think she would make a great bossy big sister.

Some of our friends are adopting again. I am so jealous. I would love to grow our family. Whenever we have friends with larger families Booty is so pleased. She loves the company.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

On Friday I sat down to read the International Herald Tribune (international version of New York Times) and found this article:

Oil Industry Sets a Brisk Pace of New Discoveries
By JAD MOUAWAD
Published: September 23, 2009

“The oil industry has been on a hot streak this year, thanks to a series of major discoveries that have rekindled a sense of excitement across the petroleum sector, despite falling prices and a tough economy.”
Loudly my mind shouted out,
“Yay!!!” sarcastically of course and while sarcasm won't help the planet or the innumerable creatures on the earth who are affected negatively from drilling I must ask,
How can this still be something people get excited about?

Some of our dear friends who live in India work for Shell so maybe I should just shut up but...
the article just goes on and on about how great it is and how the planet has SO MUCH more oil and we shouldn't have to worry for a LONG time about running out.

Sigh.

Read more on the New York Times archive:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/business/energy-environment/24oil.html?_r=1

Also of interest to me was the story about a Buffalo Bills' cornerback's lawn getting vandalized by 2 angry fans after he fumbled a kickoff return in the last minutes of the game. Click on Professional Sports Hall of Bad Behaviour. With fans like these, who needs to worry at all about any opposing teams? The message being, you are our machine and you will be unplugged and put away if you do not work. Luckily, these unfortunate 16 year olds (who did the deed) have the benefit of doing some community service. I hope they will be placed somewhere appropriate, like helping people with physical disabilities or children who have been bullied. C'mon! This is exactly why I cannot stomach pro sports. When competition denies humanity I am gone.

Oh, and by the way those stupid surgical masks that I see EVERYWHERE in Singapore don't do anything to protect against illness. So states a study just published by Raina MacIntire, and her colleagues at University of New South Whales in Sidney. You have to buy the expensive N95 masks which fit better if you want a better chance at reducing the spread of the flu (75%).

Also in the news are reports that China is threatening to cut off imports of American chicken. China just recently launched an investigation in response to complaints that American chicken products are being dumped in China and are unfairly benefiting from subsidies, adding to a string of trade disputes (see tire tariff)with Washington. But not to worry, "We have these jumbo, juicy paws the Chinese really love," so says american Paul W. Aho, a poultry economist and consultant (?)and I guess that means these "chewy chicken feet" may settle the issue. Apologies to my vegetarian friends.

I have been watching 30 Rock. On HomePal, my "netflix". Just remember, we don't have television here and I am American Culture poor. So, without apologies here is my review.

I don't know what it is but Alec Baldwin who ALWAYS plays the crazy, corporate boss ***hole, is back to his usual tricks but on this show he is silly and fun to watch and Tina Fey is strangely like a hip version of one of my siblings. So. For a non-cable network show I think 30 Rock is excellent. While all the characters are well-developed, I find it odd that the Jenna character was originally supposed to be played by Tina Fey's bud Rachel Dratch who now plays many small (intense) roles on the show. Ms. D should have a bigger role.

In my Rental Queue are Ponyo, Vicki Christina Barcelona and Slum Dog. These are movies I have been wanting to see for a while.

I am trying a new format to get me to be more disciplined in posting now that I have some time in the afternoons to write.

Monday is news and reviews.
Tuesday is parenthood, adoption and Ethiopia.
Wednesday is Waldorf Education and Art of Living.
Thursday is life in Singapore.
Friday is photo day.
Saturday and Sunday are my creation days, (days I share things I have made).

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Pubic insurance video made by Will Ferrell I can't resist posting.

Click here:

http://pol.moveon.org/insurance_execs/?id=17291-4215613-Ddh7yAx&t=2

Tuesday, September 22, 2009








Since our new housekeeper joined us I have been able to start up my handwork engine.
Here are Booty's new bean bags, and new felted doll,which she helped to felt and dye with strong tea.

I finally got a chance to go to Chinatown today. What a treat! I picked up some small gifts and plan on going back soon (on the train) because there is a real coffee roaster there but they weren't open yet when we went. Went to Future Buddha Temple and was amazed by the beautiful wall of hundreds of Buddhas in different poses.

Also went to Mustafa, in Little India and picked up lots of snacks.
And the Japanese grocer to find some sushi and mochi.

And finally registered to take a driving test.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Being away from one's home country is almost always humbling. I think a good dose of living abroad could cure a lot of what ails our sweet America. Sometimes too much of a good thing is fatal.

'Cause when you indulge after not having something. It is wondrous!!!

This morning our first delivery of The International Herald Tribune arrived. My coffee tasted so much better. Not that the news was good. But it was news and it was written the way I like to read news. And and and

it was good.

To add to the good feeling, I went to get a manicure and pedicure in the afternoon. On the way to the salon I picked up a copy of The New Yorker, my favorite magazine. I read it while my nails dried.

Why do I feel more human now that my nails are done?

Tuesday, September 15, 2009



The formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963 led to a short-lived merger between Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federation of Malaya.

What followed was nearly two years of political strife between Singapore and the federal government.

On 9 August 1965, Singapore separated from the rest of Malaysia and became a sovereign, democratic and independent nation, led by the leader of the ruling People’s Action Party and Singapore’s first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew.

Altho' a month has passed since Independence Day, one can still see countless numbers of these flags hanging from the windows and balconies of the HDB high-rises that makes up 40% of Singaporean housing.

MB, our new housekeeper, moved in on Sunday night and has been working out very well. Today, because she was taking care of the girl, I went shopping at Spotlight, a fabric store like JoAnn fabrics, and Daiso, an amazing Japanese two dollar store.

It is still mighty hot but we have a public pool (Bedok swimming complex)close by that opens at 8am. It costs one dollar for adults and fifty cents for children. You walk up to the ticket machine and put your money in. You get a ticket that lets you in the complex which is comprised of two wading pools, a lap/freeform pool and a competition pool. The lockers are poolside and cost two twenty cent coins.

I just realized also that we have a really decent wet market behind our house that sells fruits, veggies, eggs, fresh tofu and meat.

I have been getting movies regularly from HomePal, Singapore's Netflix. Last night I watched A Gentleman's Agreement with Gregory Peck.

Sunbooty is getting more and more bossy every day. She also has lost her ability to hear when being asked to do something she doesn't want to do. Happily, she likes MB. Her sense of humor is also developing quite nicely and she has been regaling us with imitations of US.

Last week we were startled by the Hungry Ghost Festival, an inauspicious time due to the unfulfilled dead. People burn stuff by the side of the road, hold loud auctions in the middle of the street at night, and perform skits. This is all the satisfy the ghosts. It is sort of a Day of the Dead for the Chinese.

H is in Korea this week.

Over the week-end I finally finished the hugely engrossing book "Shantaram" by Gregory David Roberts. And found out that Hollywood wants to make a movie of this semi-autobiographical story about an escaped Australian criminal who sets up a free clinic in a slum in Bombay and then ends up working for the mafia. It sounds, however, like the movie has been shelved perhaps permanently. Johnny Depp and some other producers (Brad Pitt???) bought the rights to the screenplay. Mira Nair was supposed to direct. Amitabh Bachchan was to play opposite Johnny Depp as the mafia don. But don't get your hopes up. There has been no news lately about filming. There has been an uproar about Johnny Depp casting himself as the character Lin, who is a large, homely, prison-breaking thug with a big heart. I imagine Sanjay Dutt actually. Or Russell Crowe, who also bid for the screenplay.

Tuesday, September 01, 2009



After the clipper I feel of a light head.
Weep you grown-ups weep!

"All I need is a song in my heart.
Food in my belly.
And love in my family."
-Raffi

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Things are changing so fast! Our family (who travelled from India and US) is leaving today.

We are soon to be hiring a live-in Nanny/housekeeper.
I have committed to helping the Waldorf school expand their program to grade school as well as facilitating a playgroup in our home once a week.

I am wishing for some regularity in our life. At least for a while. Lets hope these changes will help us to establish a nice easy schedule and some joyful belongingness with our new community here in Singapore.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Khan you say "Publicity stunt"?

Shah Rukh Khan was held for 66 minutes at the Newark airport in the US because his name came up on immigration's security alert system. Angry fans burned a U.S. flag in protest Sunday. And you shouldn't be surprised.

You see, in India, Bollywood stars like SRK are like gods, who should not be treated like the masses. Why not enforce a "tit-for-tat" policy toward Americans traveling to India? suggested a cabinet-member in India. This idea makes me want to laugh out loud, having lived in India.

Go ahead, I say. Detain Americans. Keep them from coming in. I wish you all had done that to me!

"No ma'am. You aren't allowed in this country. You must return to your country." My reaction would have been like, "Really!!?? OH DARN!"

My question is, why is it that it is ok to profile middle to low-income, hard-working muslim men but not a muslim superstar? Why is any profiling ok?

I have become cynical. I wouldn't be surprised if this was just a publicity stunt for the movie he just made in the US. Khan’s next film, "My Name is Khan", is about an innocent Muslim’s experiences of being mistakenly identified as a terrorist in the United States in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

All I can think of is how Amitabh Bachchan (my idea of a true bollywood "god") would have reacted to the situation. With a wry smile, I believe he would have taken it in stride and minimalized the whole thing. Probably would have endeared himself to the immigration officer and been let go after 20 minutes.

Some people are like this also.
More US pictures



Visting the botanical gardens in Boothbay, Maine was lovely.



My friend from high school and her daughter from China paid us a visit and we went to Beaver Brook Reservation. That was fun too.



Wingaersheek beach.
Pictures of our US Trip



We Land In US after 20 hours of travel
AND
Our first visit in Massachusetts was with Sun Booty's auntie. She picked us up at the airport and took us to the car rental with all our baggage. For the ride to our studio rental I made the mistake of leaving all my contact information and baggage in her car. I did not know the location/address of the studio but agreed to follow her from the airport. Of course I lost sight of her and we became separated.

For the next hour in a jet-lagged state I made attempts to find her. Without cell phone.

I stopped at a gas station and got a map of Waltham. I remembered the street name on which the studio is located and drove there. No auntie.

After a good deal of heart pounding driving. And by the grace of the divine, (I believe) we made contact and all was well.

Sunday, July 26, 2009



I have so many incredible images of our reunion weekend. I just can't help but post another.

Friday, July 24, 2009



Last week our activity was watching Uncle J landscape with his huge tractor and tools. Now there is hay on the grass seeds and hopefully the wild turkeys that come every night won't eat them.

Last week-end was our magnificently successful Ethiopian reunion in NH. Our hosts were inspiring in their generosity and grace. We hope next year we will see more of "Group 59" because it was a wonderful weekend of belongingness.

This week is the week of "The Folders"*. This means that there are a bunch of family members going down into dad's shop and helping mom finish the urgent folder order. This is good for us because it means more FAMILY around to hang out with. YAY!

*The Folders are a product my dad sold for many years before he passed last summer. My mom is still selling these things but not without help. One of my brothers has to periodically fix the machine that makes the folders, a machine my dad built.

It is now blueberry season. Tuesday I bought my first farmstand blueberry pie. No. I don't feel bad about not making it myself because this pie was more delicious than any I would make.

YUM!

Thursday, July 16, 2009



Now that the sun has returned to Maine we are doing the things we were planning to do.

Sanbate's uncle J is a landscaper and he has been over here working on the back yard. Yesterday he rode each of the cousins around on his tractor collecting loam from the front and then dumping it in the back. The children were thrilled. This was after a morning at Pemaquid beach. Later we all sat down (3 adults and 6 children) for a pasta dinner. It was a wonderful day.

Tomorrow we drive to New Hampshire for Sunbooty's reunion with group 59, our adoption group. There were 9 other families that flew with us to Ethiopia to pick up our children but this weekend there will be 4 families (possibly 5) meeting. I am really excited to see all of these beauties.

Sunday, July 05, 2009


I am trying to edit some of these photos (I mean most of these photos) and haven't been able to on my mom's computer. Anyway.

The sun came out. Booty met our friends from Ethiopia, (their eldest son pictured here with the girl). She had a blast "driving" various vehicles.


Did I say the sun came out?