We met up with some new friends at the Botanic Gardens today. Sarah's best friend in Texas had a neighbor move to Singapore two years ago so we became friends on Facebook and finally met up today. Actually, Anna rides the same bus to school and back with them so she had already met them/seen them. Anna & J. sat next to each other on the bus but didn't speak. They did today and Anna said next time she sits next to her on the bus she'll talk to her.
Anyway, we took the MRT there (Anna was super excited that we got to transfer trains to get there). There is a subway entrance/exit right at the Botanic Gardens entrance so it really couldn't have been more convenient! There were tons of centipedes outside the subway entrance and well into the Botanic Gardens. The kids were so worried about stepping on them and I told them to just walk with me... until I stepped on a couple and they were really gross to step on (I could feel them squishing!). Finally, there were fewer and fewer centipedes so we could walk normally again. We saw so many interesting plants and some neat little birds. We also spotted some GIANT leaves. At last we made it to the Children's Gardens and it was really impressive. I can't wait to go back and see the rest of the Gardens simply based on the fact that the children's area was so very nice.
My gang was pretty wiped out and Lisa gave us a ride back to our apartment. It was only 8 minutes back to our place (it took about an hour from our place to the chidlren's gardens). There was a case for getting a car right there, BUT I'm really glad we took the MRT there so we could see more of the park than we would have otherwise.
We came home to take a break and then start to prepare for our Thanksgiving feast. I had purchased some little activity/decoration kits from Target and brought them in my suitcase on the plane. (I sent the rest of the Thanksgiving decorations in the sea shipment--I'm glad I didn't send them in the air shipment since they wouldn't have gotten here on time!)
I had ordered our entire meal (turkey (breast only), gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry, broccoli au gratin, rolls, mixed green salad, and two pumpkin pies) to be delivered at 4:30. It arrived in three large boxes at about 4:25. Our first guests came just around 5 and we ate around 5:30. Terri & her kids brought flowers, wine, and two different salads; Kimberly & Erik brought wine and four extra dinner plates and four extra dessert plates (our apartment only came stocked with six of each).
Everything was perfect! I will say the pie wasn't the best I've ever had, but nothing to complain about, really. I would totally order it all again next year. It was really nice to not have to slave over the dishes and stress about it all. Also, there's no way I could have pulled it off in this kitchen with only two serving dishes and limited cookware. All three of our families recently arrived in Singapore and I think that that also helped to make it a bit more special.
Now, what to do about Christmas? I haven't decided yet! Our Christmas decorations are in the air shipment and we just got an email tonight that they want to deliver them on Saturday. Craig & I are going house-hunting on Saturday so I'm hoping they can come early that day or we'll have to wait until Monday afternoon or Tuesday. I'm also researching a trip to Thailand for winter break. It feels weird to try to get away from Singapore when we've only just arrived, but it already feels like we're in a hotel and the girls have three weeks off and we're only here for a year so we want to get out and take advantage of some awesome places close by!
