the people

i've been down and out with pneumonia this week with lots of time for thinking, naps, and catching up on hulu shows.
i've talked about this before, but i almost feel like my highs and lows are magnified here.

i LOVE singapore. i can't stand another taxi driver who refuses to understand my english. i feel fulfilled with this unique experience. i feel alone and so far away from what i know. bring on the asian food! if i have to eat chicken rice again, i will throw up. all i want is a normal turkey sandwich. i could live abroad fooorrrreeeevvvver. let's do europe next. can i please move next door to my mom already?!

and while these things are truly minor in the big scheme of life, they are my things that make up my every day and affect my happiness. there have been times i've declared to nate, "i'm depressed! something is really wrong!" and other times i've sighed and said, "we just couldn't have it any better." so i'm stretching and learning to take it all in stride and find balance.

many of the third world countries i learned about as a child are right here. a plane or boat ride away, across the border even. the disparity of have and have not stares me in the face...maybe not so much in singapore, but definitely in our travels. that constant reminder keeps gratitude on my mind. i have never appreciated clean, running water, clothing, and shelter more than now. i've also never appreciated friends that instantly become close more than now. we loved chicago because our friends became family since we didn't have any family close by. that bond is times two here, except we constantly say goodbye to those awesome friends too.

i have been overwhelmed this week by the kindness of my friends. play dates + outings for sage so i could nap, meals, texts, calls, sweet get-well-soon cards from the activity days girls, errands done...one friend even sent over her helper to clean! nothing makes me happier than a spotless apartment.
change is a recurring theme in our singapore life. i'm grateful for the people i've become close to here, but so sad to see them go.

dear friends moving away also equates to snazzy parties though,and there have been some good ones that have gone undocumented.
amazing foodie food and fun girlfriends are always involved.

random thoughts, i know. but the bottom line is that i really dig the people here.