We take the city bus to school. There are two busses we can take and we only go 5 stops so naturally, we see quite a few other kids on the bus. The school is not that large and the uniforms are unique (red and green plaid shirts with a green collar). So even if… Continue reading One of Those Days
Tag: American Expat
The Help
Having domestic help in Asia is the norm. Unlike the US, where domestic help is the stuff of sit-coms poking fun at the rich or tabloid fodder for how out of touch celebrities are with their help, in Asia, helpers can be found in any middle class home. It is part of the culture. Some… Continue reading The Help
You Can Never Be Too Careful
At the start of summer, an article about secondary drowning had gone viral, usually accompanied with pleas from well meaning friends to "please read. You can never be too careful." Like a good mother, I read it. A couple of weeks ago, an official from some environmental government agency and one of the guards from… Continue reading You Can Never Be Too Careful
Singapore 101
So far what I've learned about Singapore comes from ridiculous amounts of trips to grocery stores and malls. But I think it was Anthony Bourdain who once said the joke about Singapore is that there is nothing to do but eat and shop. So I'm basically a local and this is what I've come to… Continue reading Singapore 101
Settling In
We've been in Singapore almost 3 weeks. We are out of the hotel and every day I feel more and more certain we picked the right place to live. We have three beds, a couch, TV and Internet, toys and boxes of clothes we will never wear here. There are dishes all over the… Continue reading Settling In
It’s Not You, It’s Me
This very Shanghai-centric post is my last for Shanghai Family. If you've never lived in Shanghai, you may not get some of the references (but maybe they'll entice you enough to come see our adopted home for yourself!). AND as an added bonus, a double feature! I wrote an article for Shanghai Family's print magazine and they've decided to put it… Continue reading It’s Not You, It’s Me
Moving Lessons
We've spent the past few weeks here organizing our lives in Shanghai, in an effort to move our bodies, hearts and minds to Singapore. As with any big change, it's caused me to pause and reflect (or that's just what happens when you're living in a nearly empty apartment). I'm not sure anything below will… Continue reading Moving Lessons
Have Kids Will Travel
As parents, we put our kids first. We go days without showering. We watch the same Peppa Pig episode over and over. And we sweat on the playground in the blazing sun because it makes them happy. We accept it as part of the job. When it comes time to make BIG decisions, we sometimes… Continue reading Have Kids Will Travel
Uniquely China
Some weeks pass and it feels like we could be in Shanghai, Connecticut or anywhere in Europe. I go shopping, to and from school, to the playground, maybe a mall…same things people all over the world do. This week was not such a week. A few things happened that felt so typically Chinese, it was… Continue reading Uniquely China
Chasing Unicorns
Beginning with our guests arrival, coupled with the delightful Spring weather, and the impending move looming, I've been motivated to see more of Shanghai. More of the traditional, original, authentic Shanghai -- back alleyways with unrestored relics, buildings that have not been redone, historic diamonds in skyscrapers. It has not been easy. If you've forgiven me for… Continue reading Chasing Unicorns
Kathleen Siddell 