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
Tag: culture
Why do I still have “blemishes”? (And other problems that we’re supposed to outgrow)
I'm pushing 40 years old. "WHAT?!? But girl, you're so hip and so youthful and look (or I imagine you look) sooo young," you say. I know, I know. But it's true. Forty. Years. Old. I can hardly believe it too. It's around this time people stop to take stock, to impart the lessons they've learned… Continue reading Why do I still have “blemishes”? (And other problems that we’re supposed to outgrow)
A Moment of Living in the Moment
Besides hearing that Singapore is "Asia-light," the other most common thing people would comment about is the heat. Singapore is hot! All year long! Really hot! You don't get a break! It's the same - hot, hot, hot - all year long. Hot. "Do you think you will like that?" Wait...are we moving to the… Continue reading A Moment of Living in the Moment
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
The Realities of Moving
We are officially moved out of Shanghai. I'm not sure how to gauge when we are officially "moved in" to Singapore, but I'm sure it's not yet. We are currently living a hotel. A very nice hotel, but a hotel nonetheless. It gives you the feeling of being on vacation but you're not. This coupled with… Continue reading The Realities of Moving
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
All Boy
I read an article recently about things only moms of boys would understand. I have 2 sons and no daughters. Some things made me laugh. Others made me a little confused. I often hear mothers who have at least a boy and a girl talk about how different they are - in the stereotypical way… Continue reading All Boy
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
Kathleen Siddell 