This week we had some new friends over for a lovely, relaxed afternoon. The back of Davina is shown here as she watches Booty who is "waiting for a bag-ride". Her daughters Sophia and Olivia painstakingly sculpt many bread dough figures in between playing with the little energy girl. Davina's girls have been home-schooled for the past two years and their ability to work with what they have is quite impressive. I have never met such independent and content spirits. But also it must be noted that their mum is someone I would describe as angelic, in the classic sense. Light seems to surround her.



I continue to marvel at the book, Secret History of the World by Jonathan Black published by Quercus in 2008. Below are some brief passages.

After a mention of ancient man's view of 'biorhythms" (the relationship between the earth and the moon, sun and seasons) he proceeds-
"But beyond these more obvious rhythms, the ancients recognized how other, more mathematically complex rhythms that involve the outer reaches of the cosmos work their way into human life. Humans breathe on average 25,920 times per day, which is the number of years in a great Platonic year ( i.e. the number of years it takes for the sun to complete a full cycle of the zodiac). The average or 'ideal' human life, seventy two years also has the same number of days in it."

Also deeply affecting:
"We saw earlier that gods, angels and spirits were believed to be emanations from the great cosmic mind- Thought Beings in other words. What I am asking you to consider now is that these great Thought-Beings expressed themselves through people. If today we naturally think of people thinking, in ancient times they thought of Thoughts peopling."

Thoughts peopling.

A good remedy for birthday anxiety is a long and strenuous walk. We took one to Clark Quay, which is a bit commercial especially with the canal tour. But Booty enjoyed the walk and boat ride and frankly, we were just glad to get out of the house.

Beeswax fruit anyone?

I know it may seem weird after all the regular ranting and raving that happens here in this blog but let me just say,
I LOVE MY MACBOOK PRO.
I mean, (to steal from Woody Allen) I don't just love it, I lowwwb it, I Laaaaave it!
There are all these ways of organizing things. And tweeking. And making things easy! This I need. Especially now.

Open House at the school was very busy. I ended up staying in the bread baking room to help out and never got the chance to mingle downstairs or purchase Waldorfy items. It was nice to chat with some new families who are considering Waldorf.

Of course the visiting dads were all, "Will my child know the quadradic equation by the time they graduate Kindergarten?" and we, the crazy Anthropops were all, "Oh No!!! All we ever do is sheer sheep and spin wool and don't you know books are the devil's work!?" but luckily some Waldorf graduates were present and they sort of calmed everyone down by saying stuff like, "Really! You people act like you never met before. Please let me introduce you, again..." so esoteric. (Please forgive me for joking like this. It must be done.)

But I AM a hopeless salesperson. My attitude has got to change. I really do understand that Waldorf education isn't for everyone. I just don't understand why.

I was recently accused (or so it felt) of being high and mighty, that is, someone told me, "Do you think your family or the world owe you something?" And my response is, yes. They owe me the privilege of belonging. When I am in pain I don't want to be told to "suck it up", do you? I want to be held. If not literally, figuratively. But the liability of growing up in New England (a place I will always love) is a sort of rugged individualism. Get on with it! So here I am. And here I go. Getting on with it.

It is snail season again. Time for me to gaze lovingly and in awe of these steadfast creatures.

We went to the hospital (Raffles) today for day surgery, (routine stuff for the H) and both my husband and I marvelled at the tendency of doctors here to wildly prescribe, prescribe, Prescribe! And the things they say! They speak as if the body is made up of independently moving parts.

This Saturday is Open Day at the Waldorf Kinder. Lots of games and food and crafty items. I haven't lifted a finger. It is my last chance to slack before I become a Waldorf Kinder parent. And when you become a PARENT of a Waldorf student it is all work, work, work! So here I am, barely employed shirking my duty as the new Administrator for the school. Truth is, I am totally over my head taking on this job. I am going to have to learn a lot in the next few months- web design, graphic design, and the detestable excel to name a few things. If you know anything about html please write to me.


Turtle loaf (the one with all the bumpies) and snail bread by mom and booty.

Lots of things on my mind. Reading "The Secret History of the World" by Jonathan Black. Pondering the 10 suicides at the factory in China (and the increase in attacks on schoolchildren in China). The 4th Japanese prime minister to resign in 4 years. The Thai rebellion. And the BP oil spill. Like everyone, I have questions but I feel it is important where I try to find the answers. I don't think companies like Goldman Sachs can act ethically without incentives. And I don't think I can reasonably understand other cultures without putting the lens of my own culture over my eyes. What am I doing here if not to learn something about how to understand the world?

New Projects:

ABC book for Waldorf homeschoolers and people who want to see what first graders do with letters.
An extended day program at the kindergarten for multi-age group.
Craft camp next month for five days.
Waldorf Administrator for the Waldorf Steiner Education Association (Singapore).
Public Talk series with once a month talk on element of Waldorf Education.
Enrichment Program on Saturdays for children 6-11 (ongoing)
Craft parent education (pay per class)

Rachel Maddow is on fire. She was sounding to me a little like a serious, female version of Jon Stewart. This video is long but I think interesting because she talks about how a US Senate candidate for Kentucky (Rand Paul) has struck the tuning fork for racism in America. I agree.

The sun woke me up this morning, (not the cats or the girl). It was nice.
We rode the bikes (and burley) to get coffee and bagels then to the big playground we just discovered in our neighborhood. Booty likes the adult section better than the children's section, so we hung out there checking out the exercise equipment. Next door there is a croquet court and it is always busy with local people playing. Today there was a tournament. You could hear them calling out after shots, "Ahhhh!" or sometimes they sneak in a little english, "You never see that ball!". On our way to unlock the bikes we came upon the familiar site of the Filipino aunties sitting with their employer's dogs. The dogs were leashed to the children's climbing structure and when I tried to say hi to one little Jack Russel he bit me. I couldn't explain to the woman that dogs bite when they are leashed too much and not walked enough. Oh well. Some doggies are like this also.

Last week we went to my friend Nikki's house in the center of town. She has two shelter dogs. Both are more gentle than most dogs I know. George, the shepherd mix ambled up to the gate when we arrived, sniffed and wagged his tail. Very gentle and lovely. The entire visit was filled with sweet dog sniffs and one gentle and tender dog lick from Sidney. It made me long for doggie love. Some dogs are like THIS also.

Starting a new project of alphabet book, in the first grade Waldorf main lesson book style. See "A" above.

Last night I went on skype and was able to see, and be seen by, my friend in Chicago. My new MacBook has a built in video camera. What a treat. Not alone! Not Alone!!

This morning I went to a learning center called Julia Gabriel downtown Singapore. It is a hugely successful business for families who want their children to be more expressive and interactive with their learning. It runs mostly on the weekends and each class for children ages 2-18 lasts for one to one and a half hours. It reminded me of the way I taught public school in Chicago. The teachers are real lovers of learning and of children. Unfortunately for me it would be a step back from what I really believe in, which is letting children experience their own development through the body and the arts before the intellect is tapped. It seems that the children were enjoying themselves in the small classroom but my perspective is that they are pushed too far into what we call "parts thinking" and not so much into the gesture of language- the sounds and their meanings, the numbers and their relationship to the whole world. Just because you can read doesn't mean you have a healthy, balanced relationship to language. And this creates thinkers that are not able or willing to solve big problems. Just small ones. Which may lead to problems in the big world.

Imagine you have dry lips and they are so chapped nothing you put on them helps but the doctors decide to give you a special cream with hormones to solve your problem. The cream causes more serious problems and your original problem was only dehydration. Why don't we treat illness like whole body illness? Why can't we educate the whole child?

What Singapore needs is sensory integration schooling. The children need to feel their bodies (clay, tumbling on a mat, art, singing, marching, climbing etc.) and feel themselves in the world as important and loved. Not like little students with their portfolios.

Singapore just earned the title "most competitive nation". How dreadful.

Whatcha readin"?

Right now I am reading "The Story of Forgetting" by Stefan Merrill Block and "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell. Having already read, "What the dog saw", "The Tipping Point" and "Outliers" I figured I should read the best seller. I like Malcolm Gladwell's work.

Movies?

Watched Douglas Fairbanks' "Thief of Bagdad" last week and LOVED it, which surprised me because it is a silent movie. But it includes a magic rope, magic carpet, white winged horse, mermaids, a dragon, a very excellent evil khan Mongal, and lots more.
And last night "Grapes of Wrath" a John Ford adaptation of Steinbeck's novel.
the cast is phenomenal (Henry Fonda!!!) and the screenplay excellent.

For the last few weeks we have had a Filipino Eurythmist stay with us, Grace. She is so warm and fun to talk to. Booty loves having the company. And Mr.D is doing some therapy with her which is really great! Selamat Grace! (Thank you in Filipino)

Girl. How I feel too!

I am grateful for:

My beautiful daughter, my lovely house, my helpful live-in maid, my strong body, my loving heart, my Guru, Rudolf Steiner, my friends and family altho' they seem like a dream from a long ago time, my cats when they aren't waking me up, my husband who hasn't quite given up on me yet (I hope), and the divine light that keeps me optimistic despite my feelings of hopelessness.

That which makes me feel crazy and finished:

Many things...
but I know this too will pass.

When I went to long Kreeya today (breathing meditation with Art of Living fellows) I was followed into the building by a short old man with a beard and a fez. He asked me a question which I didn't understand as I pressed the elevator button. He seemed lost. He pointed up and I said, "Art of Living meditation" which he didn't understand but as I had put my hand gently on his shoulder he put his hand on my waist and then before I knew it he was patting my butt. I (again) gently pulled his hand away. And as the empty elevator door opened I quickly asked myself if I could hold my own with this guy, yes. I waved him in first. I wasn't going to fall for that again. As we rode up he asked his question again and again I didn't understand so again (he he) I said, "Art of Living meditation". "Meditation!" he smiled and I got off the elevator.

My friend at meditation seemed shocked to see my short hair. I cut it again last week. It is funny how differently people from the east react to short hair on women. Why did you do it???!!! Like there was some sort of drastic reason. I like my hair super short. I am also aware that I look very masculine with short hair so I try to wear make up and dress a little nicer. But I certainly didn't cut my hair to shock or offend anyone. People from the US and from Europe don't seem to be affected by it. I know I am generalizing but I had short hair in Chicago for many years and it was never an issue. Well, except for my mum. She does not like it short.

Why is it so hard to find lumber!
Or a play structure/frame for the booty!
I have been searching online for hours and failed to find plywood to build something (like a climbing wall for the girl) or a wooden play structure like this (by Plum in the UK) for our back yard.

Please spread the word!

This is a pretty cool project and if you pitch in you will get a very unique "comic book style" portrait. C'mon! The artist only has two weeks to raise his goal! Just check it out:
Click here: Portrait Project

Also for more examples of Ryan-Alexander Tanner's work click here:

www.ohyesverynice.com

My picture of the Oriental Pied Hornbill



And



Wild Singapore's picture

For Nature Lovers, YES! For foodies, Oh No!

I found our week-end to be a big YES! and a big OH, NO!

The island of Palau Ubin is a fifteen minute bum boat ride from Singapore and the difference between the two places is quite breathtaking. Palau Ubin does not have electricity, it runs on generators. It is mostly jungle and mangrove swamp. There are 4 vans on the island. Downtown boasts of two restaurants, two convenience shops and a bike rental shop. Temples outnumber any other establishment.

On Palau Island there is a nature conservation area called Chek Jawa. We rented bikes and rode there from our hotel. We also visited the next day. We saw an Oriental Pied Hornbill, amazing! A wild boar and her piglets by the shore. Mudskippers!!!



It was quite hot and our hotel was the only place with AC. We stayed at the vastly disappointing Celestial Resort where the rooms are unfinished (see handy man 1, 2 and 3 trying to fix our knobless bedroom door behind which is a trapped husband).



Where "American breakfast" consists of an overeasy egg, 2 hotdogs, canned beans and instant coffee with creamer. While the downtown mom and pop restaurants had veg fried rice, tofu dishes, prawn, fish, chicken, pork, beef and various vegetables the resort restaurant (the very poor Hornbill Restaurant) had a very limited menu especially for the vegetarian eater (many unavailable items) due to "rationing", I was told. Service was also very slow and the background music constisted of Best Hits of the Eagles. My own personal nightmare especially when all one wanted to do was gaze out over the lagoon eating fish and sipping a cold Tiger. For each dinner I relied on my old stand by, fresh thai coconut, rice, salted fish and baby kailan (spinach). YUM! Poor husband, who was not drinking or eating any sugar had to make due with sauteed veggies in a non-descript gravy. By the end of our stay we were sitting down with staff management and giving them a list of things they could improve on. While it was nice of them to listen, we were still overcharged for our "suite" and there was no compensation for our troubles (getting locked in, lack of food, reluctance of chef to "prepare" food etc.)



At the fish spa we hired an army of fish to nibble the dead skin off our feet. At first the sensation is almost unbearable but then you get used to it.



Giant fan palms!!


And Nurse sharks that live in the Lagoon.

Singapore English = Singlish

One stormy morning last week we found the living room floor blanketed with termites. There were little pulsing piles of them in spots, still slightly alive I guess.

Yesterday Booty and I had to leave the house for the day so the pest control dudes could come and rid us of our termites. They needed to rip up several floor boards as the bugs were living inside.

Booty and I spent the morning at Rochester House, a new hang out spot for moms on the west side of Singapore. Rochester House is an outdoor cafe (slightly upscale) which reflects the neighborhood (swank) with an adjoining bungalow house designed for play. The first floor is set up entirely with toys and activities for the 1-6 year old and the second floor is for the older (read jaded) children who play video games and watch movies while mom and dad sip espresso or dine. This location used to be home to the restaurant Cassis. It has been open for 2 weeks.

Booty was in heaven and played for 2 hours with all the loud toys she would never have at home. Then she sat for another hour with me and ate lasagne (basania). A little lady she is becoming.

We rode the train home from Buena Vista (a 35 minute train ride) and cabbed it from Bedock. When we returned home after 230 the house was still topsy turvy. The entrance door had the frame ripped out and the furniture was piled up in the middle of the floor.

Tomorrow we are going to Celestial Resort in Pulau Ubin. We will take a bum boat out from Changi ferry. It will be a rustic vacation, and cheaper. So it suits me fine. Also a 10 minute bumboat ride from Singapore. How can you beat that? I know, just stay home huh?

We may not be going anywhere this weekend due to the fact that some unnamed people don't check their passports to see if they have enough pages left for a Visa stamp.
My first thought when I found out was to send a text U R an A** but I edited myself and sat myself down for practice and shut my mouth the heck up. My second thought later was, "so little time so much to get angry about".

When I think these unwelcome thoughts I have to ask myself, "Why are you angry? Does it mean so much to you?" And my answer is of course, "No." SO?

Issues of anger come up again and again for me. This started when I got married and has grown worse the farther away from home I am. And what is home?

Exactly.
Where is safety? I am finding out that safety HAS to be inside me or I am in a deep mess of doo.

This is why I have been taking the time during my "sabbatical" to do some inner work.

Oh. And another thing.
We may not be going to the US this summer due to a number of reasons but the biggest one is that I need to jump start my life so that when I do go back to the States I am returning to a job, life, work etc. I can't continue to enter into other people's culture if I don't have mine fermenting as well.

The math talk went well but I have been down with an upper respitory "thing" since. And now Booty has it as well.

On the up side, hopefully we will be in good shape by next weekend when we are planning on going to Batam (45 min. ferry ride) with our friends Harpreet and Simi (and their 3 kids).

On the down side, Booty has an incredible cold. And the exterminators are coming tomorrow to start dealing with our TERMITES. Which means out of the house for 6 hours.

On the up side, Booty is sleeping and drinking tea and soup.