The first week was consumed with getting the kids ready for their school-buying uniforms, school supplies, and finding the bus & MRT routes for them. Addie & Diego are settling in well and we are very pleased with the school (You can check it our at: www.ics.edu.sg). The only problem is that it is an hour commute each way.

 

So the second week was consumed with house-hunting. We found rents very expensive here, but after a week of searching we found an apartment in an area called Jurong East, which is on the west side of the island. We will move in around September 1st.

This week Brigitte and I have spent some time at the East Asia School of Theology (EAST), where I will teach. It was an awesome experience to worship with the students during their chapel this week. As I reflected on our long and arduous journey to get here, I was struck that many of these students had an equally long or even more arduous journey than we did. So far we have met students from Korean, China, India, Singapore and Mongolia. We're looking forward to mentoring and equiping these future leaders.

- You step outside and you're immediately bathed in sweat. Its hot, but it's the 98% humidity that really gets us.

 

- You've eaten the "live cooked frog legs"! I assume that during the cooking process the frogs cease to be "live"!

- You ride public transport everywhere. The MRT and bus system is a very efficient way to travel anywhere in Singapore. Body odor: no problem, personal space: who needs it!

- You close the kitchen door! Most Singaporeans do not air-condition their house, just certain rooms, and never the kitchen or bathrooms. Since the kitchen is the hottest room in the house, there's always a door so rest of the house can stay cool, while the person cooking suffers!

- You use a $50 note to pay for your lunch at McDonalds! OK, I did get some change from my $50 bill. Still we're shocked at how expensive everything is. When Brigitte spent $12 on a small block of cheese, I said in a loving and supportive way, "You spent how much!" Starbucks is here, but at $6 a cup, my dedication is waning!

- You've eaten the carrot cake, but it was not a cake and it was not made with carrots! It's a fried salty food made from turnips! Brigitte has tried it.

- You buy groceries at a store called (I am not making this up) Mohammed Mustafa's! Actually, Mustafa's has good selection, even though it is crowded.

 

- You notice nothing is over 15 years old. Cars by law must be less than 10 years old, and there is a building boom going on right now. Apartment buildings 15 years old are being demolished to make way for new ones--that is why rents are so expensive.

- You can name this fruit! (Email me if you know the answer!)