July 2011

July started with Independent Day but it was not celebrated in the grand scale we do for National Day. Most Americans are happy to have BBQs in their backyards. Last year, the city could not even cough out money for its annual July 4^th fireworks and some businesses had to come to the rescue. I am not a big fan of NDPs but I could not envisage a day when Singapore has to forego a NDP for lack of funds.

So far it had turned out to be one chilly summer. We were jubilant on the few days the thermometer made it to 20C. What on earth had happened to summer? We grumbled but still headed outdoors because summer, like childhood is fleeting and too soon fall and winter would be upon us.

Smith Tower

With our Groupon coupon for Smith Tower fast expiring, it was time to play tourists. Downtown parking is always a hassle so we eagerly grabbed the first street parking right in front of the Tower. Built in 1914 by LS Smith, the firearms and typewriter magnate, it was the oldest skyscraper in the city. We took a slow walk back in time, admiring everything, from the mail box, onyx walls, staircases, elevators to the Chinese room on the 35^thfloor. The Chinese room with its elaborately carved ceiling and furniture was a gift from the last empress, Cixi of the Chin dynasty to Mr and Mrs Smith. Of the few pieces of furniture left, the wishing chair is the most popular. A girl could sit on it and have her wish to be married to

Temple Door on display

her dream man granted within a year. We however spent most of our time on the wraparound observation deck outside, studying the city spread below us and the enjoying the mountains, Puget Sound and Lake Washington in the distance. It was also a good vantage point to say a blessing prayer for the city. The iconic Space Needle which we visited with LC and Cindy also has great views. It is stylishly modern whereas Smith Tower is charmingly old fashioned. Down on the streets we learned that parking lots on the same street are not charged the same rate. Our ‘choice’ lot right on the footstep of the Tower, at $5/hour was the highest. Capitalism works: pay more and walk less or vice versa. Maybe HDB and URA will wise up to this soon.

Wishing chair

Carved Ceiling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our next destination was the Rose Garden. When the roses in our yard started blooming, that was the cue to go. Last year we went too late but this time we caught the roses in full bloom. Such a feast for the eyes, and their fragrance, a treat for the nose! We would have lingered longer to smell the roses but the evening was unexpectedly cold. I still think of a sunny day as a hot day but like the many times I had been fooled, this was another cold sunny day.

Rose Garden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For summer vacation, our small group joined another group for a weekend getaway to Leavenworth which is about 3 hours away. It was a good bonding activity that also allowed us to get acquainted with people we did not know. Thanks to Cheryl, I ventured for the first time into an Antique Mall. Three mega floors full of, depending on one’s opinion, ‘treasures’ or ‘trash’. It was fascinating but I still preferred window shopping at a real mall. We swooned over expensive but unique Christmas ornaments, angel sculptures and porcelain dolls. They were more like ‘treasures’ but with great constraint, refrain from collecting anything old or new. Well, except for food and and memories. At the Applet and Colet Factory, YK not only happily sampled all the candies but collected a personal stash to enjoy at leisure. At night we watch a lively musical, ‘Seven brides for seven brothers’ at an outdoor theatre. This was far superior to watching a roadside opera or getai during the Hungry Ghost Festival.

Leavenworth

Group bonding

Outdoor theatre

The chilly night air, the mountains and the alpine forest combined to make it an enchanting experience. We hope to return another time to watch “ The Sound of Music” live. Imagine the songs ringing on these mountain slopes – what a perfect stage and setting. Driving back to Seattle, we stopped to buy cherries and apricots from the orchards on the way. The candies and fruits are good and gone but the good memories are for keeps.

Doll House

June 2011

Seattle 2008 winter

2009 Fall

2010 Spring

Many people assume that we moved to Seattle because of our children but we moved because we were trying to obey God’s leading. We had asked God for confirmation after confirmation because we were hesitant to leave Singapore. Finally we concluded after much prayer that we would take the biggest leap of faith in our life. If we had heard God wrongly, we could always do a U-turn and return to Singapore. But old trees with deep tap roots not only hate to be moved, they might not recover from the transplant shock. We had attended only one church since we became Christians and we had the same address for more than 25 years. We would have happily keep that unbeatable record if God had allowed us. There was also a risk that Victor might be left behind as he did not have a green card.   YK and I had our green cards but Victor would possibly get his in 10 years’ time.

In 2008 once we decided to live in Seattle, Val received a study grant to do her Masters in Special Education at the University of Washington. A job came with it and it provided the practicum hours she needed to graduate. It was so neatly packaged by God that Val moved without hesitation from Boston to join us. Victor also received a scholarship to study in Baltimore. At least he would be on the same continent, although a 7-8 hours’ plane ride away.

Fast forward to May 2011, and Victor had completed his double degrees, compressing his 5-year studies into 3, to make up for the 2 years he had lost to National Service. He finished at the top of both courses with a 4.0 for his Applied Maths class and a 3.98 for Music. Good brains and good results like everything else, come from the Lord and we readily and gratefully acknowledge that.

Baltimore (Peabody) in winter

and in summer

More importantly in his 3 years of living away from home he had received an invaluable education in the school of life. He had to make many tough decisions: where to live and worship; who to befriend; how to stretch his time and money, etc.   Weaned from maid services, he learned to cook, wash and keep house. God led him to a good church where he grew and served. He had to make every second count, while he rushed between 2 campuses toggling between Maths and Music, Fresh from Singapore the sight of a beggar at every street corner troubled him and demanded a spiritual response. After giving $10 to the first beggar what does one do when one has more compassion than money? He became wiser and more street smart just from pounding the not-so-safe streets of downtown Baltimore.

When a young tree is transplanted into the ground, it takes about 3 years for it to get established. In the first year it sleeps (as it develops roots), in the second it creeps (as it sends out shoots) and in the third year it leaps, if all had gone well. This imagery pretty much describes our children’s experiences as they try to settle into this country. In this dismal economic climate, it was difficult for a foreign student to get an internship, much less a job. Victor’s internship that led to his present job in Seattle, could only be orchestrated by God. Armed with two Master degrees in Education, the best Val found was a temporary half day position in a public school. It was not ideal but many of her classmates could not even find jobs. The school districts had no money and were firing teachers, not hiring them. A strong union also discriminates against new aspiring teachers. Val had just completed a year in her underpaid, overworked position when she was unexpectedly offered a permanent position for the next school year starting September. She had performed well at work but in these bleak times, only God could create a permanent position just for her.

Val's graduation at UW

It is exactly 3 years since we moved here. We are not sure we are leaping yet but we live each day, trusting and depending on God. For now we are together as a family and this is home.

2011 Spring