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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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?

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."

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.

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.

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.

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).

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

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.

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?

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.

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

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.

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.