Around the world in 30 days!

We have traveled across the world...literally we have flown across the world in 30 days!!! Mike & I have...can you believe it? I can't believe it? I m writing this and thinking it can't be possible but I guess it is. Mike said it and I was like "yeah we have been doing a lot of flying but not all the way across the world" but he was right we have. From Singapore to Ireland then to NY then Kansas then to Chicago (that is almost an extra 500 miles since we had to double back a little) then to Hong Kong ( we flew West) then finally arriving back to Singapore!!!! What the hell!!! All that in 30 days!!!! Well technically 28 days but with the time zone changes and everything else it's close enough to 30 days to say it's 30 days...that is freaking crazy and awesome and ridiculous all at the same time. The long ass flights and sitting on your ass for 30hrs be locked on a plane for 16 hours with a passenger who has the worst gas of their life for about 10 of those 16 hours and even worst when that passenger is you!!!! I was dying...literally dying in the flight and probably killing just as many people at the same time but there was nothing I could do to stop it...it had to come out or I was going to explode. TR says I'm a heavy methane producer (she a poop  drug dealers/drug Rep so she knows all about this crap...literally). But anyway that is an impressive feat to travel such distance in such a relatively short time. I'm sure people do that kind of flying all the time and even more people who provable actually visit several places on their journey but for me...for us...that is just crazy. I tried to find a map to show our flight path but couldn't find one...I tried hard...looked intensively but no luck...I looked some more even after that and still couldn't put it together. I almost payed for some app to do it but that would have been to far...to actually pay for an app even though it was only $5 is just ridiculous that crap should have been free! But anyway, believe me we did it my ass knows it and my sanity know it too...I don't know what that sort of travel does to normal people but for us it makes us super loopy...just that much more "off".  I can't imagine what actual time travel would do to people...or does to people...anyway I digress and I'm rambling but it's just so cool I had to share. Anyway, this is a quick look at the last 3 days of our 30 day travel...we are officially WORLD travelers!!!!!!

Mike & I took a secret trip to Texas before heading to Singapore because Mike needed to renew his license. It was quick!!!! But we hit our 3 favorite spots after siting in the Dept of Public Safety for 4hrs!!!! 4hrs seriously? We were just barely able to manage getting on the flight to TX because we were so severely hung over from the drinking the night before. We had only had breakfast/brunch on Sunday and that evening TT announced that we needed to have a going away drinking session which of course she didn't participate in (she had to take Pierre to the urgent care because he was pretty sick...turned out to be the flu) but before she left she made sure Mike & I had nice strong drinks. Then Robert came over to join us drinking but at that point I was pretty wasted!!! I passed out at the table at like 7:30pm!!!! Eventually they convinced me to i to bed but Mike & Robert kept drinking. That should have been the end of my night but of course it wasn't...I eventually wake up because Mike is so freaking loud and there is a bit of an echo in TT's house so I had to go see what was going on. Mike was wasted!!!! And being loud & TT was back!!! So I joined in on the conversation which I barely remember...  Eventually we started to wind down and Robert challenged Mike to a drinking contest so lets see what happens on our next visit.  After that I was able to get Mike to drink a big glass of water and we took a quick 2hr nap before heading to the airport.  We were both in bad shape and the roads were frozen so it made for a long drive to the airport but we made it.  Once in Texas we had to get the rental and by that point I think I sobered up which was good...we tried to check in online to the DPS so that we wouldn't have to wait all day but of course the website wasn't working so we just went there and ended up waiting 4hrs before Mike was seen.  The good and the bad was that we were able to trade off on taking naps in the car while waiting so we didn't really loose any time and after all that waiting it only took about 5min to get his license renewed....what a waste.  Then we had our Taco Stand and margaritas (best thing for a hangover is to start drinking again) then met up with Gina and did a bunch of shopping.  It was a nice day too so that made us both a little nostalgic about being back in Texas.  But for me it was just to brown...the houses are all brown the grass is brown the high ways are brown trimmed its just blah.  But the city is booming and there are new or expansions to roads all over the place and near our house (yes we stalked our house) there is so many new shops going up it is all so unfamiliar...but in a good way.  It was the first time that Mike & I went to Texas together since we left 4.5yrs ago...kind of crazy.  We had a nice trip but it was quickly spoiled by Mike getting sick at dinner...not throwing up just instantly felt horrible.  I suggested going to the urgent care to see if he had the flu since Pierre was just diagnosed but he didn't want to so we just got some Vitamin C and I let him sleep it off.  The poor guy was burning up all night and keeping me up with his crazy loud snoring but I didn't bother him since he was sick.  Once we got back to KC the next morning he wasn't much better so he spent our last day in the states in the bed!  That meant that all the packing and last minute shopping was up to me...which was probably a good thing but I was not excited about it.  Oh, and Frederick was finally able to get a car which was great!!!  I had to make a few calls to him and the guy we were working with but in the end it all seemed to work out.  I just hope that there is no problems with this car...at least not for 3 yrs!  Back to packing...it had to be done so I spent the day getting us ready to go which meant I had to do some shopping, a lot of laundry and some crazy creative packing.  In the middle of all this TT & I had our traditional sister date at our favorite sushi place...we spent way to much time there but it was worth it.  The boys seemed to have mixed emotions when I told them we were leaving for Singapore the next morning...I couldn't tell if they were sad to leave Kansas or sad that the unlimited TV/iPad time was coming to an end?  Shaun was pretty excited about going so that was a good sign.  Lino was back to missing his friends so that made me a little sad...we will have to make sure to keep in touch with his little buddies so that he doesn't forget them.

So we are off!!!!  Our flight was from Kansas to Chicago then to Hong Kong 

then Singapore...about 30 hours of travel time with about 21hrs of actual flight time...a long freaking 2 days!   Boys talking to the pilot to see why we have to fly above the clouds.  I'm so glad that they are not shy to talk to people because I think there must be something valuable gained from these random encounters.

The boys made a friend at the Chicago airport and were playing catch with this boy named Lincoln which was really cute...then they made me join the fun which was fun too.  While we were in Hong Kong waiting for our last flight the boys got a chance to burn off some much needed energy after our 16hr flight.  They actually did a really good job but still it was a long flight.  The Hong Kong airport is pretty cool...as to be expected...there is a play area located at about every 10-15 gates which is pretty awesome!  The boys were so excited to see it and they found some other kids to play with too which was great.  It's so interesting to watch the two of them play with other kids… Lino is so kind and gentle sweet with our small kids and child can be a little bit more rough.  We know it's such a good big brother to other kids it's just funny how they interact with each other. Innocent to see them and their first interactions with a huge group of kids go to next week the same language it's really nice to know that it doesn't matter what language they speak as kids it's all the same. I think they both realise that most of the kids here I'm not speaking the same language but it's Shaun that it is more interesting to watch because he's trying to decide how to communicate with the other kids when he knows they don't understand him or at least he guesses they don't understand him… I actually don't know what's going through his mind but you can see the confusion and the thoughts  that he is trying to process. Lino on the other hand has this amazing ability to find some sort of commonality between him and other kids and he just goes with that. Shaun really has to try and make the connection and you can see the effort...a lot of times it's forced but with Lino it is all mutual.  

And after 4hrs at the airport play area Lino learns how to say Rock Paper Scissors in Chinese with some kids in like 5min

Made it to Singapore at 5:30am and Lino was so excited...Shaun was doing his Shaun dance with this fingers up like he was at a party. When we actually landed I pointed out to Lino that it was raining which was very fitting...the prince was not impressed by the rain to say the least.  He was like "I thought it never rains in Singapore" and I had to tell him that it does rain but it's always warm and that seemed to help a little.  It will be interesting to see how it works out.  When we get to the passport control there was a kiosk asking for you to rate your experience and they were rating their excitement to be in Singapore...Shaun's was "very excited" Lino was only "average" he is a tough cookie to please.  The boys actually slept on this flight (after several threats) so we were half way ready to be productive which was good since there was so much to be done.  We were lucky that we didn't get our bags checked at customs because with all the large bottles of alcohol, peanut butter, Mrs Butterworth syrup and fajita seasoning I don't think we would have made it out of the airport without a hefty tax but some how we escaped.  The horrible thing about arriving early to your hotel on a Friday is that it is almost impossible to check in early even though we requested it.  So we had to shower in the gym/pool shower area, have breakfast then head out.  We wanted Lino to start getting use to reading the subway map so we put him in charge of directing us and he didn't do to bad.  First stop was the boys school and they were so excited!  The school is pretty big compared to what they are use to so they were so shocked to see it.  We got half of their uniforms purchased and got our parent passes then had to go get the rest of the uniforms...what a money pit this uniform crap is.  The uniforms are super expensive and they are only little mesh jersey like materials and shorts!  Not even polo materials...but it cost a freaking arm and leg...unbelievable.  Next was lunch then to one of the many malls to try and get me a new phone...what a joke!  It is unbelievable the amount of information/documentation that you need to get a phone contract.  Basically you need a passport and proof of residency or else you can't get the phone and if you go to one of the 2 main contract phone providers the wait could be over 2hrs!  So we didn't get that done...we will save it for another day.  The day seemed to fly by and by the time we made it to dinner the boys had enough...they couldn't even make it through dinner.  Poor Shaun was falling asleep with noodles coming out of his mouth...we were worried he was going to choke or shake his self out of the chair (you know those shakes that people get when they are dead tired and they finally crash...those shakes...Shaun had them) all-in-all I'd say we did pretty good but still more to do.

Saturday we tried to be more productive but the boys kind of deserved to have a treat so after waking up super early I headed to the gym (its been way to long) and Mike took the boys to the pool!  They have been dying to go and even though it was raining (not hard) they couldn't wait to get into the water...well that didn't last long because it was a little cold and raining...but they were happy.  After that we got out and headed to the aquarium.  We ended up getting a membership because the boys love the aquarium and even though it was again super expensive I guess it is all relative and it will be used.  I think the boys enjoyed their time there but they ran through the place so fast it was hard to tell.  I kind of didn't mind because I made plans for us to meet up with a lady that I had met the last time I was in Singapore so we had to get out of there sooner than later.  Even though we ran through it and most of it is a blur to me I must say it was a pretty cool aquarium...apparently it has one of the largest viewing areas in the world...which is pretty neat.  Next time we go I hope to be able to take in all the stuff and get a few more pictures.

Next off to meet our new friends!!!!  This sounds easy but it wasn't as easy as that...I was talking to Deanna on messanger trying to figure out what I should bring because I have been trained in the Irish hospitality and now I feel weird if I don't bring something...well I feel weird now that I don't know her that well...once I have solidified my friendship I won't care as much but I didn't want to offend anyone so I was determined to get something.  But then my next delima appeared which was...what to get/bring?  I am so use to going to Fitzpatricks and picking up a cake or making something myself that I had no idea what to bring so we finally just decided to get fruit.  I didn't think bringing a bag of gummies would really go over well so I decided against that and I really wasn't sure what kind of cake to get so fruit seemed to be the safest bet.  At least we thought it would be which turned out to be not so true.  We were in VivoCity mall (one of probably 100 in Singapore) and we went to the Cold Storage place because that was all that was near and we didn't really have time to search for other options (I was running late as usual) but when we got to the fruit I nearly had a heat attack because of the price!  I don't know if it was just because we were in Cold Storage (apparently it has the largest selection of items from all over the world) or just the fact that imported fruit is super expensive but $9 for a small tub of strawberries is a little crazy.  Did you hear me...$9!!!!!  Crazy!!!!!  I guess my cherry has been popped!  Geeze  If that wasn't enough drama next we had the most ridiculous line to wait in to get a taxi...so many people in this city, on a Saturday afternoon, in this mall and without a car!  Eventually we got a cab, nearly got killed in the taxi which was a horrible ride because of the driver (I will have to elaborate more on this later), got lost at the house but finally made it.  It was all worth it!  We had a great afternoon with Deanna and Eric and their 2 kids.  Lino was acting like he was nervous to meet the twins because their was 2 of them but as soon as they got into the door they were instant friends!  Mike almost got caught in a serious political debate but I must say he held his tough more than he normally does which I was greatful for.  I think that Deanna didn't actually mind to much but I hate the political debates and it always makes me feel awkward because I'm somewhere in between and a really horrible American because I don't stay as informed as I should but anyway like I said it worked out and I could see the 4 of us hanging out again in the future so that is cool.  I can't believe we are already meeting up with people after only being in Singapore for 1 day!

Sunday was another busy day...we raced to Ikea in the morning to get a "few" things for our place to tide us over until our shipment arrives.  Mike had to race to the apartment to meet the people to do our walk through so I had to check out and get a cab over.  When I got there the people were late and we had to wait an additional 30min for the owners realtor to show us (so we didn't have to rush after all), then did our walk through which took forever it seemed because they had to do so much documenting which just seems crazy but I guess it is good for us, then to VivoCity again to get lunch and to try again to get my phone which turned out to be yet another failed attempt because I didn't have some other residency agreement document (what crap), then back to the hotel to pack up our stuff to bring over to our place and finally we have the keys to our place!  The boys were going crazy during the walk through but with all the extra people gone they really were excited about it.  I can't say there is anything fancy about it because it isn't fancy at all but I guess the whole idea of being up high and having to use an elevator to get to you house was a novelty to them which made it that much more cool.  So after stuffing our 11 items/bags onto the elevator and severely pissing off someone who was trying to use the elevator on another floor we made it to our place...welcome home!

We only got to enjoy being "home" for a short time before heading back to our favorite mall...VivoCity and finally having all the documents to get a phone...but still having to wait in the que to be helped...what a system.  I was so shocked at the amount of data on the phones it was crazy...the prices were crazy too but I expected that...I guess I am really out of the loop because I didn't even know it was possible to have 200 something bits or megabites or whatever amount of data on your phone!!!  That is an insane amount of photos (at least that is how I think about data size) well anyway its possible...I dodn't need all of that for sure.  After spending a small fortune we had one more stop...groceries for the new place.  We had talked to the cab driver earlier and he suggested a few places that were cheaper than Cold Storage but we just didn't have time or energy to find the place because of course we got lost several times trying to find the shops so we ended up in Cold Storage again.  The previous day was only a small introduction into the mess that is Cold Storage...the fruits that we got for our meet up were right at the entry so we didn't have to go into the deep end of the store but today I had to and it was scary.  Mike ended up taking the boys to get something to eat because they were so exhausted from our last couple of days and probably still a little jet lagged so we thought that it would make everything go if I went alone.  But I was so overwhelmed...that place is big, everything is in a weird spot, most of the stuff isn't in English and it was super crowded!!!!  It was a mess...it took me 1hr to get 10 items and 3 items were duplicates so it wasn't even like I was getting 10 different things...it was a mess.  Mike had to call me to see if I was ever coming out because the boys were melting fast...so was he.  I did not have a great experience but I got the few items we needed and we got out of there.  The cool thing is that there is a shuttle bus from the apartment to VivoCity so we have been able to use that a few times to save on cab money and time!  The bad part is that it takes us to Cold Storage and not one of the cheaper places but we will figure out how to manage that later.

It has been a crazy busy couple of days in Singapore but we are pretty much ready to go.  Mike is back to work on Monday and if finally 100% over his sickness and it doesn't seem like any of us has picked it up so that is also a blessing.  Lino has a test at the school on Monday to see what grade he is in and we get temporary furniture delivered so we will have our first night in our home on Monday!  Not bad for 30 days around the world...The Cutaia's have made it to Singapore so watch out!!!!