Whoa! Where's my hands?

Haw Par Villa is an interesting place. One of the "Tiger Balm" brothers decided to do a public service by making a park that depicts the "10 courts of hell" in graphic detail, all in painted cement sculptures. That's right, cement. Not the best sculpting material, but they did their best. After a short and unsuccessful stint as a pay-for-entry theme park, this park, one of the 7 kitsch wonders of the world is now FREE to enter, and just $1 Sing to go thru the courts of hell! It's well worth it. And informational too. I learned that if I refuse to pay my rent, I will be pounded to a pulp by a giant stone mallet in the afterlife.

If I've learned one thing in my first month as a parent, it's that kids are really convenient scapegoats. If we're going to be late to a party, it's Dina's fault. Never mind that she was sleeping like a baby. It's our word against hers. So if I don't post to this blog but once a month or so, remember - it's not my fault. Dina's been making trouble. I guess this post could get me in trouble... but mind you, sometimes it really is the unpredictability of a baby that causes problems. Really. I swear!

I can't wait until she is a little older like the kids we met in the elevator the other day. Three Japanese kids in matching hawaiian shirts, with some surprising luggage. The eldest boy, about 8, was struggling under a set of golf clubs nearly twice his height. The younger boy (about 4) was pushing a wheelie suitcase also nearly twice his height. The girl (about 6), carrying nothing and offering directions. We asked where they were going. They said "we're going to Phuket". Kids sure grow up fast these days.

Biking beats the bus

I don't know how the attractive people of Singapore get to work - but it's not the bus. I don't mean to say that there is anything wrong with busses in Singapore. They're great, if you don't mind wandering all over creation in order to get to work. I can ride my bike in less than half the time, so that is now my preferred mode of transportation. There are a number of side benefits as well. I can stop for "take away tea" which comes in a bag that I can dangle from my handlebars. I also learned that Singapore bus horns sound just like the horn on my old 45cc Yamaha scooter - only a little more menacing then a bicyle squeaky-horn. Don't worry. The bus was squeaking at someone else.