Birthday Blog....

Happy Birthday to Beth....hope you have a good one!

Rod Stewart

Saturday night a big group of us went to the Rod Stewart concert. Ok, no groans out there! The man is 64 years old and still rocking! He sang for over 2 hours, had an awesome band and backup singers, and even had his 21 year old daughter come out and sing. For us baby-boomers it was a great concert.....for you younger ones...you know you love "Maggie Mae"!

Malacca

Preferred mode of transport...decorated trishaw.

Old church from time of the Portugese rule in Malacca. Note the colorful Trishaws in the circle in front.

The gate to the fortress that once protected the harbor at Malacca. From the 1500's.

Artist on Jonker St. He is doing Batik painting on silk. We bought some beautiful paintings of orchids from this store.

My friend, Tracy Hunt, and I went on an overnight trip to Malacca, Malaysia on February 25th. I had heard about Malacca since moving to Singapore, and had always intended to go since it is a short bus ride (4 hours) there. Well, Tracy and I went to investigate pricing with a local tour company, found out how cheap and easy it was and signed up on the spot!

What a great trip it turned out to be! The town is full of history since Malacca is on the old "Spice Route" through Asia. Its history is basicly a series of occupations from the early 1500's! The architecture is varied, and shows Portugese and Dutch influence. The people have done an excellent job of restoring the old churches and government buildings and we covered all the highlights on foot and in one day!

"McDelivery"

This picture is for Rachel! She loved the "McDelivery" here in Singapore, and tried in vain to get a picture of one of these guys when she was here. This guy is trying to look cool, delivering for McDonalds on a pink motorcycle!

Paul and Betty Helberg visit...

Betty, Val, and Tracy cool off.....Tai-Tai style.

Betty gets a henna tattoo.

Stan, Betty, and Paul outside the "Long Bar". On our way up for a Singapore Sling!

We were so happy to welcome Paul and Betty Helberg to our home February 14th-16th. They had just completed a holiday in Malaysia, and "dropped by" Singapore on their way home. You know I am considered the "official" tour guide for all visitors to Singapore.....so.....we did what became known as the Singapore Death March tour! Stan was teasing me, because there is so much to see and do that 2 days was stressing me out! Really! We did find a happy compromise; the guys did a pub-crawl-taste test, and the girls did bargain-hunting-shop-til-you-drop. Anyway, we throughly enjoyed their visit.....here's to another Arkansas family discovering Singapore!! Oh yes, and here's to the discovery of another Tai-Tai..you know who you are!

Thaipussan Little India

The temple in Little India where the devotees begin their 4.5k trek.

This devotee was dancing! Note the 108 swords piercing his body, and the oranges hanging by hooks from his waist.

Thousands of devotees and their supporting families make this trek each year.

Near the end and exhausted....

This devotee is pulling an altar by ropes attached to hooks through his back. His cheeks are pierced.

This man has cups of milk suspended by hooks on his chest, his cheeks are pierced, and he is wearing shoes made of nails.

In the prep area, this devotee is having swords pierced into his body prior to his trek.

Thaipussan is an important religious celebration in Little India. Each year thousands of devotees begin the celebration with a 45 day fast and prayer time, and end it with a 4.5k trek between 2 temples in Little India. Devotees have their bodies pierced with swords and hooks, their cheeks and tongues pierced closed with rods, wear shoes with nails, and often hang limes or oranges on the hooks. The astonishing thing is, there is NEVER a drop of blood shed! I've seen it myself, and the pictures prove it. This is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen!

The Honeymoon!!!

Beth getting a henna tattoo in Little India.

Cruise on the Imperial Cheng Ho.

"Double Happiness"

Me and Beth at the Bird Park. These flamingos were made out of flowers...really cool.

Another kind of bird....Feeding the Rainbow Lorries at the Bird Park.

Yummy and colorful lunch at "Seafood at the Pier" on Boat Quay. Stan tried the Barbeque Stingray, but was not too impressed!

Beth in a "Stanwich", heading up to the Long Bar for a Singapore Sling!

Beth at the Merlion Mosiac.

Stan says "I AM smiling!"

The honeymooners at the Botanic Gardens.

Stan and Beth Herbert arrived in Singapore on January 16th for their honeymoon. I was so excited to finally get them here, after 2 years of dropping not-so-subtle hints. We had so much fun, and really covered alot of Singapore in one week. I think between the 3 of us, we took 500 pictures, and made memories that will last a lifetime! Stan and I love them both, and are so glad that Beth is now officially a member of our family! You did good big bro! In case you are totally confused....my brother and my husband are both named Stan, and when you have a picture taken between the 2 of them we call it a "Stanwich"!

Catchin Up....still!

Me and Brad at the airport...

Grant and his new truck....one happy guy!

Tammy and Izzie.

Carson, our senior.....go Leopards!

Rachel with Lyle and Lola

And of course...our Little Angel!

Stan's one request from my trip back to the U.S. at Christmas was pictures and kisses from the kids and puppies. Well, here are the pics, and if any of you are dog owners, you know all about the kisses! The kids were a little harder to catch, but it had been 6 months since I'd seen them, so they didn't really have a choise!

Catchin Up!

Me and my big brother..the happy groom... right before his Christmas Eve wedding! Beth was hiding out, making herself beautiful,

Catchin Up!!

Ok, so I am WAY behind in my blogging! Sorry folks, but this Tai-Tai's life has been very busy. Quick update.....
I found out in December my big brother was FINALLY going to tie the knot with our beloved Beth. On Christmas Eve! The email was short and sweet "By the way, Beth and I are getting married on Christmas Eve". Typical Man!! This prompted a call to mom, and a mutual decision to attend the wedding at all costs! Last minute airfare from Singapore is not a good idea, but off I went....thru Minneapolis!
The wedding was beautiful, and I now have a new sister! Christmas was in Austin, then off to Arkansas for 2 weeks of visiting.
I returned to Singapore on January 14th, and right on my heels Stan and Beth arrived for their 1 week honeymoon! Just call me the Singapore tour guide. Loved every minute of their visit, it was just WAY too short!
Stan and Beth have been gone for 2 weeks now, and life is back to normal for us....so I'll try to keep this blog more current...