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For the last two weeks my husband and I have been walking during his lunch breaks. We tie up our sneakers and head out to parts of Singapore unknown.  We see the funky architecture of neighborhoods that are off our normal path. We have no particular route and without the kids we could walk for hours. Barring the inevitable meeting to get to or the risk of passing out due to the sweltering heat that accompanies living so close to the equator.

I fancy myself a bit of an explorer since moving here. Seeing new and different buildings, trees, people and hearing languages I have only read about are somewhat intoxicating and best of all comes without the headache and morning regrets.

However, I must admit there are those days I feel a little homesick. Those are the days I wish I could click my heels together and be back home in the U.S. watching my kids play with our neighbors in our big grassy backyard.

Fortunately, these feelings are fleeting. Perhaps because we have had little bits of home sprinkled into our lives throughout the year. Most are simple and conjure up unexpected feelings of nostalgia.

Over the past few weeks I can recount some pieces of home that stood out to me.  We received a package in the mail from my sister containing Big League Chew gum, Hormel pepperoni and Wheat Thin crackers. Christmas had come early in the Schuster house. The boys ripped open the gum and recounted the days at the ballpark when I would allow them to chew wads of gum during their Little League games. The pepperoni reminded them of Friday nights when we would make homemade pizza and they could drink soda. Not much was said about the Wheat thins because our mouths were full.  Long after the mailing box had been taken down to the recycling bin. Our hearts were still full by the kindness of family and a taste of the life we had left behind.

Another piece of home came at the end of one of our walks we ended up at the grocery store. While scoping out some decent strawberries I heard Hall & Oates coming from the Fair Price speakers. I could not hold back. I began to sing with gusto to the music. Let the onlookers be damned! I did not care that in several languages the words “crazy American” was being uttered. My husband did walk away as if he didn’t know me.  A few moments later in the lettuce aisle it became a duet. A 50 something Japanese man hummed and occasionally sang quietly to the chorus. Another piece of home in such an unexpected venue it was such a great feeling I almost forgot I was paying $8.00 for a small pack of strawberries.

The last came a few weeks ago I was searching online for a nice spot to have Easter brunch. Before I knew it there were 3 sets of eyes checking out what I was l doing.  My oldest instantly questioned why we were not having Easter at home with friends and family like we usually did. I explained I did not know if we had enough dishes here and we don’t have any platters and other reasons that seemed silly when I said them out loud to a 10 year old and to two 8-year-old boys. The kids just kind of stared at me and my oldest said, “our friends don’t care about all of that let’s invite all of our friends to lunch, they would like that.” They continued talking about what we could serve and how they would clean their rooms and it would be just like at home but with our new friends. Their excitement was contagious, and within a few minutes I was on board.

Easter afternoon, the boys had their friends hanging in their rooms and the adults were relaxing and finishing dessert. We were all content even without the platters or matching silverware. Our first Easter in Singapore will be a sweet memory we take with us no matter where we live.

Once we move back to Atlanta I imagine there will be moments I will find small pieces of our life in Singapore that will stop me in my tracks. I will fondly recount my time here and dream about pieces of this home.

What are pieces of home to you?

This is not a comprehensive list about how much I love Living in Singapore, rather what immediately comes to mind.

1. Safety- Singapore is safe, I do not have to worry about someone snatching my purse on the MRT, I walk to the grocery store after dark without a thought and we let our children out of our sight in public, which is a big one. Today I went to the boy’s school, Singapore American School (SAS) and saw the student’s bikes in the bike racks. Do you know there was not one Lock on any bike. I love that!

2. Easy to Navigate– I am directionally challenged, I’ll admit it. I stood on train platform in Paris staring at the Metro map and had not a clue. I just waited for my husband to tell me what route we were taking. Not a good thing for someone who likes to believe they are in charge. In Singapore the train Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is easy to figure it out  with its color coded lines even a 4th grader can figure it out…I know this because my 4th grader often tells us what route to take. If the MRT is not your thing how about the plentiful taxi cabs where the drivers mostly speak English, and the fares are one of the more reasonable things you will find in Singapore.

3. February- MY friends are complaining on Facebook about the snow and cold and this afternoon I cannon-balled in the pool. Why you ask? Because I can!

4. Expat Friends- I have met some of the loveliest and most interesting people since moving here. I rarely meet an Expat who is not friendly and inclusive. After a week living here I was invited to cocktails with my new neighbors who immediately added me to their group. Everyone seems to remember when they were the newbies on the block and go out of their be kind. Refreshing for sure.

5. Resort or Real Life? I live in a condo with amenities which include an exercise room, sauna, tennis courts, playground and a pool that rivals any resort. I live on the 16th floor and and have a beautiful view of the pool and have a breeze from the balcony that cools my home. Seems like a dream most days.

6. Food- Then grocery store is at times my Singapore nemesis. Let’s be honest groceries are outrageous here. I will post an entire blog about the insanity that is food shopping in Singapore later. However, My entire family loves cherry tomatoes and they are a bit pricey in the U.S. However, honey cherry tomatoes are $1.50 per container. We purchase about 5 packages a week, it’s one of the few bargains here.

7.) International Flavor- My boys attend an American School. Their classes are comprised of students from all backgrounds. I love in casual conversations my children say things like “My friend from Russia….” or I hear them refer to the elevator as “the lift” These cultural experiences can’t be learned in a classroom.

8. Bread- Every corner there is a plethora of bread and pastry shops. For this carb addicted mom that is both dangerous and delightful.

9. Singapore Sushi- Believe it or not I was not a fan of sushi before moving here. I am a convert. the local grocery store makes it fresh every morning and I am there each morning to purchase. Tuna, salmon, cucumber,crab oh my!

10. My Boys- In Singapore I have the luxury of being a work at home mom. I am able to take my boys to the bus stop and pick them up every afternoon.I am the mom who attends the field trips and makes the homemade Halloween costumes and writes while the boys are at school. Being at home is the best thing about moving to Singapore. I feel so fortunate.

Photo:Chinatown in Singapore at night, taken with my new camera. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to take more and better photos.

2014 is the year of the horse. I can confidently  say I only know this fact because I live in Asia. It’s a strange feeling to live in a country during a major holiday and not celebrate it. School is out so we are swimming and enjoying family time but I almost feel like hosting a reunion dinner. But as my husband reminds me we have a reunion dinner every evening. He is right,a s we are the only family we have in Singapore.

Over the past few weeks I have been to Chinatown twice and seen the beautiful horses and lanterns displays that light the streets near Pagoda street. My kids although not completely sure about what the holiday means are all too willing to receive the red packet of money. I think I can scrounge up a couple of bucks for some sweet little boys. In the meantime here is an inspirational greeting appropriate for new years I found. 福禄寿  which translates to Happiness, Prosperity and Longevity. Happy 2014 make it a great one!