The Quilt Nazi

I met a new friend at quilting class
Her name is Annette, a Virginian at last
We went to a wet market, new sights I saw
Eating fish cakes in front of the pig organ stall

Dear Readers,

Since it was raining down at the pool, I thought I would blog. You did know that Singapore is the lightening capital of the entire world-more lightening strikes here than anywhere in the world. It's the loud thunder that bothers me. I am the only one that gets out of the pool when that starts. I guess it's unlikely that I would be struck where I am-surrounded by high rises but I was struck before in my mother's house. Kids swim through the storms ignoring. to the thunder and lightening that goes on here. I go do something else.

Last week I went to my quitling class down at the Tanglin Mall. Yes, it's too hot for quiltsing in Sinagpore but they do it anyway as well as knit sweaters. I have never figured it out. I spent a small fortune on material (knowing that they make it in the next country for nothing!) and went to class with Ira. Ira is a quilt nazi. She even called herself that. I should be at home because my mother's name is also Quilt Nazi (she doesn't know it). I couldn't even cut out my templates to suit her. She yelled at another lady, "You're not listening to me! Do as I say. Do it now!). I was explaining to her that I came from a farm in rural Virginia. The lady beside me said she had been to Staunton before. It was bigger than her town-Blacksburg! I was blown away. What a small world. Instant bonding.

I guess it wasn't just a random act though. Her husband was a engineer from Celanese, rayon plant. Like Invista where my husband works, they closed it down, fired the people, and promptly moved to China. They had no choice but to move to Singapore so they sold their house, grabbed their dog and obese cat, and started over. Her husband works part time in China as does mine. "Net" suggested I take a taxi and come to her apartment. I did and met her kids and live in maid (she needed someone to walk the dog). What an apartment-four levels and beautiful. And large but not central to anything. She has to take a taxi everywhere she goes. She wanted to take me to a near by wet market. A wet market is an open air market where they sell meat, fruits, vegetables, and local cuisine. Here I got see pig organs, duck andchickens with their heads on, lots of stuff I couldn't identify, and sugar cane juice. I even ate lunch there in the heat-I'll let you know if I experience side effects like food poisoning. Net warned me not to eat there in the late afternoon. Chickens get ripe then. I swore I never would.

I ran into Tammy my neighbor who wanted to know how my date with Net went. Steve is worried about my "dates" with various friends. I told him he has nothing to worry about. My play dates are fun! Anyway, Net has offered to show me the ends and out of Sinagporean life. Where the cheap stuff is and the bargains can be found. I have a lot of learn.

A sheik has moved in the building. It's interesting to see how a man in a white sheet lowers himself to live here in the apartments. I call him Lawrence. This week a bumper crop of newbies showed up at the pool, some Australians, some Indians, and assorted "others". Business is looking up. Our 3000 a month two bedroom apartment has gone up to 11,000 a month (Invista informed us). Wow. Net's apartment though runs 8500 a month plus electricity and water. Location Location. Net doesn't get a free shuttle to the mall, have her groceries delivered, or get a discount for the hotel buffet breakfast. Life is good.

That's all from here. Heading to Bali this weekend so will have more fun to report from Indonesia. See ya.