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.

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

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!

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.

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?

Our forcast for the week.
Which is the same as the last two weeks.
What can be done?
Mud pies and play dams. Dishwashing outside.
And slug collecting.

Fun things so far in Maine:
Strawberries. Moody's diner. Eating with family. Wild turkeys. Driving in the country. Sanbate with her cousins. xo!

Posting from my mom's computor in Maine!
It has been so much fun for us to be staying with family. And altho' it is raining we have stayed busy. Sister B and her family are moving into their new home next week and their is a lot of excitement in the house.

We were lucky to catch one day last week when it wasn't raining to go to Wingaersheek beach in Gloucester with my best friend from 10th grade who I haven't seen in over 30 years.

When we were in Massachusetts we were able to meet with my dearest friend from High school who adopted a little girl from China. We braved the rain and took our two beauties to Beaver Brook Reservation, another great spot for young children.

The rambutan is a sweet white fleshy fruit with a thorny looking exterior. It is very easy to peel and eat.

A friend just sent me the link to this parenting article by Lisa Belkin published in The Way We Live Now.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/31/magazine/31wwln-lede-t.html

It is interesting to me to read the monikers used for different parenting styles. To me, the phrase "child-centered" means just that, you allow the child to reveal themselves through what you observe and you parent accordingly. But here it means you jump every time the child cries or makes a demand. That would be called "No one is in charge" parenting in my book. But I would agree that the guilt and anxiety I feel over my "bad" parenting is greater and more painful than any feeling of inadequacy I have felt in my entire life. When I sense I have erred with my daughter I feel deserving of a visit from CSS.

Do I hover? I try not to but tend to stay pretty close as my daughter is 1. Needy OR 2.Into Everything. It is a fabulous day when she can play on her own for more than 5 minutes. It is a wonderful day when it is not spent with my daughter clinging to my legs during the hour in which I try to tidy up or do laundry, (having spent the rest of the day singing and playing with her).

Do I feel guilty and anxious as I utter these horrible words? How could you, an adopting mum, feel this way? What is wrong with you?

It is good to hear that other mums feel the way I do. I guess the government couldn't afford to lock us ALL away.

And as my daughter gains her independence, and she has already started, there will be more time to work on projects at home. And soon she will have another adult to play with at home as we will be hiring a live-in to help us manage the house and watch over our beauty-girl. But this can be challenging too. How does one teach another person to, like in the article, "let the child be"? I want Sun Booty to have a healthy sense of self-esteem (not as common in girls) and a curiosity about the world even as she gets big enough to understand the phrase, "I am bored."

And what will I do with my free time? I may take a class. I will most definitely work. And perhaps spend some time with that handsome man I married.