The shock of it. The press had me believing we would not be listening to Donald Trump next week, that he would retreat to his penthouse atop the tower and sulk. Like when Julia took the reins in Australia, I thought America was ready for a female President. Especially one with such experience. And to be running against such a sexist, power-hungry loudmouth? Apparently not. The North Americans and Canadians that we work with are very disheartened and frustrated. They worry that he is dangerous; that he will divide the world at a time when unity is needed more than ever. Eric's reaction was, "Americans are more stupid than I thought they were." I am not so good with words but I do feel ignorance has triumphed over reason. And that hate sells. Shame on any woman who voted for him. I worry that it will not just mean economic upheaval but what about our fragile environment? All we can hope is that the party will hold him back. Fingers crossed and let's move on from politics.
Thursday was the final Senior Staff Mtg and Renee shouted us lunch at a restaurant in Bishan. This suited us very nicely as I needed to get the links in my new watch changed and Eric could collect the printer he won as a lucky door prize at the Annual Dinner. More stuff to be posted home! Nah, on reflection we sold it! Felt a little ungrateful but it really wasn't worth paying to it send home. The money can go towards another one when we get back as Luke informs us there is no longer one in the house????
On Friday we went to Takashimaya Shopping Centre in Orchard Road to spend our Kinokuniya Bookstore vouchers. It is a massive bookstore, taking up the whole floor of the shopping centre, and usually we would have no trouble spending them, but considering weight in every purchase we now make it was more difficult than you might expect. In the end Eric picked up another cookbook and I spent some on a Secret Santa Gift for our Branch Dinner. At least that solved one problem. Then we went on to City Hall and I bought a guitar case to solve the another problem.
On Sunday night we returned to New Everest Kitchen in Little India and enjoyed a meal with the trekkers who will be joining Peter this year to Everest Base Camp. They include Greg, the Principal of the Junior School at Overseas Family School, his 15 yr old son and Cheng Guan. It was really good to reflect on all the questions we had that first year we went. When I was asked for the one thing I most appreciated taking I told them a roll of soft toilet paper. June advised them to take metallic drink bottles to use as hot water bottles at night and Heather recommended a pack of cards. Eric wasn't able to join us, having gone home at lunchtime with a heavy cold. New Everest is under new management, very different interior but the food was lovely and the wine selection has improved 10 fold. Chunjiao, Cheng Guan's wife, has been in China for almost 6 months and has just returned.
We had a quiet day at home on Monday, the walkers were going to do the Canopy Walk in McRitchie which is only open on Tuesdays. It rained almost all day which is so unusual for Singapore. In the evening we joined the rest of the staff from both Punggol and Kovan for the end of year Branch Dinner at Melt Restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Due to the rain it was very overcast so no chance to see the super moon. We held it there last year too. All charges for the splendid buffet were covered by the combined raffle takings. Happily, Eric was feeling better and could join us and do the Santa thing.
On Tuesday we had a skype call with our Darwin-based financial advisers and it seems they think we have enough money to retire when we return to Australia. That's a relief. I don't think anything was going to change Eric's mind about giving up work, he is counting down the days. We are just considering my farm job as play money as it wont amount to much.
Thursday was the final Senior Staff Mtg and Renee shouted us lunch at a restaurant in Bishan. This suited us very nicely as I needed to get the links in my new watch changed and Eric could collect the printer he won as a lucky door prize at the Annual Dinner. More stuff to be posted home! Nah, on reflection we sold it! Felt a little ungrateful but it really wasn't worth paying to it send home. The money can go towards another one when we get back as Luke informs us there is no longer one in the house????
On Friday we went to Takashimaya Shopping Centre in Orchard Road to spend our Kinokuniya Bookstore vouchers. It is a massive bookstore, taking up the whole floor of the shopping centre, and usually we would have no trouble spending them, but considering weight in every purchase we now make it was more difficult than you might expect. In the end Eric picked up another cookbook and I spent some on a Secret Santa Gift for our Branch Dinner. At least that solved one problem. Then we went on to City Hall and I bought a guitar case to solve the another problem.
On Sunday night we returned to New Everest Kitchen in Little India and enjoyed a meal with the trekkers who will be joining Peter this year to Everest Base Camp. They include Greg, the Principal of the Junior School at Overseas Family School, his 15 yr old son and Cheng Guan. It was really good to reflect on all the questions we had that first year we went. When I was asked for the one thing I most appreciated taking I told them a roll of soft toilet paper. June advised them to take metallic drink bottles to use as hot water bottles at night and Heather recommended a pack of cards. Eric wasn't able to join us, having gone home at lunchtime with a heavy cold. New Everest is under new management, very different interior but the food was lovely and the wine selection has improved 10 fold. Chunjiao, Cheng Guan's wife, has been in China for almost 6 months and has just returned.
We had a quiet day at home on Monday, the walkers were going to do the Canopy Walk in McRitchie which is only open on Tuesdays. It rained almost all day which is so unusual for Singapore. In the evening we joined the rest of the staff from both Punggol and Kovan for the end of year Branch Dinner at Melt Restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Due to the rain it was very overcast so no chance to see the super moon. We held it there last year too. All charges for the splendid buffet were covered by the combined raffle takings. Happily, Eric was feeling better and could join us and do the Santa thing.
On Tuesday we had a skype call with our Darwin-based financial advisers and it seems they think we have enough money to retire when we return to Australia. That's a relief. I don't think anything was going to change Eric's mind about giving up work, he is counting down the days. We are just considering my farm job as play money as it wont amount to much.
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