Category: family

Want to Improve Your Cardiovascular Functioning? Your Immune System? Your Sleep?

Of course you do. Who would answer no to any of those questions? But how to get such improvements is the issue. There are the usual suspects - such as exercise, diet, and stress management. But an article in today's Wall Street Journal by Andrea Petersen offered a different suggestion. Friendship. That's right, friendship offers … Continue reading Want to Improve Your Cardiovascular Functioning? Your Immune System? Your Sleep? →

Music Monday: I Love This Wonderful Thai Tradition

We didn't know what was going on. We were having dinner this past Friday night in Bangkok at the Iconsiam Mall (side note - the most amazing mall I have ever seen) when many people around us all stood up and stopped talking. As a result, we could more clearly hear the music that was … Continue reading Music Monday: I Love This Wonderful Thai Tradition →

A Tuk Tuk Here, and a Tuk Tuk There, Here a Tuk, There a Tuk, Everywhere a Tuk Tuk

It's been our favorite form of transportation in Bangkok, the simple Tuk Tuk. When my sons came back from Thailand a few years ago, they talked about using tuk-tuks to get around. I wasn't really sure what they were, but I pictured some guy either standing in front of a two-seat contraption either pulling them … Continue reading A Tuk Tuk Here, and a Tuk Tuk There, Here a Tuk, There a Tuk, Everywhere a Tuk Tuk →

It Took 62 Years, but I Am Finally Experiencing “Real” Foreign Travel

I've been lucky to get to do some traveling outside the U.S. over the years, but I realized today it was pretty "safe" traveling. I've been to Ireland, London, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Paris, and Barcelona. It doesn't take long to notice what all those places have in common - they're all in Europe. Which means that … Continue reading It Took 62 Years, but I Am Finally Experiencing “Real” Foreign Travel →

Who Knew a Government Could Produce Such a Powerful and Emotional Video?

I've got to thank my wife for sending me this video; she knows I'm a fan of commercials and other short-length videos. And this one is special. The video comes from a surprising source, at least to me -  the Singaporean government. I'm not sure how long they have been making videos or how many … Continue reading Who Knew a Government Could Produce Such a Powerful and Emotional Video? →

Another Reason to Love the People of Singapore

The coronoavirus has become a global news story, and each country is giving advice to its citizens as to how to best deal with the coronavirus. The most agreed upon preventive measure seems to be frequent hand washing. Another preventive measure, but not as universally accepted, is the use of facial masks. In Singapore, the … Continue reading Another Reason to Love the People of Singapore →

Sundays in Singapore Are Special

Our first Sunday in Singapore we were curious about the large number of women gathered in small groups, many of them having picnics in the big open spaces around us. We also noticed many of them lined up at money transfer windows. The photo above is of a park right next to where we are … Continue reading Sundays in Singapore Are Special →

Did I Just Read What I Think I Read?

side note before I get started - I think my title may give a hint as to why English may be so confusing for people trying to learn it. I used the word "read" twice, but hopefully, most of you you pronounced it two different ways each time. How would somebody not familiar with English … Continue reading Did I Just Read What I Think I Read? →

Grateful

It was a wonderful feeling of pure gratitude. Today, my wife, son, and I had the opportunity to join my students on a one-day trip to Malaysia. Everything about the day was perfect - the weather, the people, the bus, the lines at immigration, the places we visited, the meals we ate. Late in the … Continue reading Grateful →

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

If I go, there will be trouble And if I stay it will be double So come on and let me know The classic song from the Clash has been on my mind in recent days. As many readers may know, I am in Singapore with my wife and youngest son for about 10 weeks, … Continue reading Should I Stay or Should I Go? →