Something I won't be trying

I won't say there is a shortage of sweets/desserts in Singapore, at least in the areas that I frequent. That would be far from the truth. I haven't had any trouble finding sweets to sample. Some are pretty good, some aren't worth eating again, and very few are the stuff that dreams are made of.

To my dismay, I've found that there are quite a lot of vile creations masquerading as sweets. Apparently, some Asian cultures have a thing for beans in their desserts. All I can say is, "Huh?" I know, I know... to each his own, right? Well, thank you very much but I will stick to my own beloved favorites that do NOT includes beans, that is unless they are of the espresso bean or cocoa bean variety.

Speaking of beans, you guys all know of that happy little place called "The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf?" It's the home of the "Original Ice Blended" line of drinks. Back in the U.S. I'd sometimes treat myself to a "black forest ice blended" - iced mocha with espresso beans and maraschino cherries all blended together. I've tried it at The Coffee Bean here. I can't put my finger on it but it just doesn't taste the same. Last time I went to The Coffee Bean, I was presented with a new variety to consider. I think I'll stick with a latte but would any of you care for a
Red Bean Ice Blended Drink?

Only 10 more years...

'Til our baby turns 18, Lord willing. (How's that for looking to the future?)

GG will be 8 years old in about 18 hours from now. I know I sound just like any other mom when I say this but: "I don't know where the time has gone. How can she possibly be this old already?"

If you post a comment to tell GG happy birthday, I'll be sure to pass along the message. :-)

In celebration of GG's birthday, I will take homemade cupcakes to school tomorrow for her class. Her birthday party won't be until the 21st of February. She decided she wanted to have a "make your own pizza" party at our favorite Italian restaurant/pizzeria. Gander will still, most likely, be in Australia at that point so I'm a little stressed about having to handle the party all on my own but I'm thankful we are having it at Madrina Pizzaria. The people that work there know us well, considering we eat there every Sunday after church, and they are wonderful, kind, and helpful people so, in reality, I won't be all alone handling the party.

I may end up baking the birthday cake for her party because:

(A) I have not been able to find anywhere in Singapore that makes cakes that taste like and have the texture of what we're used to. The cakes that I've tasted in Singapore are more "spongy" than we like and taste different. I can't even remember seeing a chocolate cake except for the ones I've seen at restaurants that would rival the Claimjumper's Chocolate Motherlode cake in regards to decadence. That's not exactly the type of cake I'd use as birthday cake for an 8 year old, no matter how special and wonderful she is.
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(B) From prices I've seen thus far, it would cost *at least* S$100 for a birthday cake. Thank you, but I'll pass. Where's the Albertson's bakery or Costco when I need one?!?!

I still haven't decided on a gift to give GG for her birthday. I'll, obviously, be shopping while the girls are at school. Wish me luck! :-)

Time to find my sanity

After the girls' week-long vacation from school (for Chinese New Year), I'm extremely thankful for the events of the last 15 minutes.

~~They left on the school bus!~~

The combination of Gander being gone in Australia, not having a car to go places quickly and more easily than the public transport, and not having friends to hang out with like we did back home resulted in overload for all of us, I think. We did get out and do some things and spend time with some friends that the girls have made. It's just more stressful, in a way, because it all takes so much planning and the girls are still "finding their way" with the friends, not having had many opportunities for play with them.

I hate to say that I'm glad the girls have gone to school but... well, it's the truth. I love them and (when they are not being difficult) I like to be with them. It's just that after this week I've been missing something. So please excuse me now. I need to go look for my sanity. I can't remember where I placed it. I'm afraid it may have been stolen but I'm hoping to be able to track it down.