Monday, January 11, 2010

A NEW YEAR.....AND ALL THAT IT BRINGS

So, since we are no longer in Singapore & since I didn't want to just delete our Pineapple Rice blog, we have a new one.....www.teamdill.blogspot.com
I felt it was more appropriate since its a new year and we are in a new home.
Hope everyone likes it, this will still be alive until I find time to convert the blog into a scrapbook.
Cheers~~

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

BACK TO LIFE, BACK TO REALITY


So pretty much since the begining of December, Matt & I have been hooked at the hip doing everything together...all day, every day (some of you say yuck, I say yeah!). I was bummed when he had to go to work this morning (BOO). So here is a little of what is going on lately....
1. lots and lots and lots of work around the house ie: little things, laundry,un-packed our air shipment, bought a a new car, went shopping for a furbaby (a dog), etc...
2. Matt's sister is a few short weeks away from baby time...she is due Jan 26th
3. We have bridal showers and birthdays to attend this weekend and next week
4. We still have tons of little things to do ie: buy adapters, re-arrange closet space oh uhm...deal with the back bedroom-turned storage facility.
5. Did I mention we have 5 weddings between Feb and May? Lot of love in the air!
6. On the job search, sort of, slightly, will get more serious in a couple weeks when am finished with re-arranging EVERYTHING in the house.
It definitely feels great to be back & we have enjoyed a couple nights together at home and a couple days this weekend of trying to get things done around the house. I'm sure in a couple weeks we'll probably need to put a suitcase or 2 in the car & drive around the block, so it feels like we are going somewhere...ha! Kidding. I'm sure we'll feel different when we dont have to pack up & get on an airplane again...different but good.
Also, since we are no longer in Singapore, I was thinking about starting a new blog, since we are in a sort of new place......thoughts, name suggestions, etc....??
Hope everyone had a Happy New Year. Ours was great as we also celebrated the 1 yr wedding anniversary! Couldnt be happier!!
Cheers!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Christmas on Singapore Air
Dad in his blizzard boots

Matt on bass playing rock band


Lainey in her birthday outfit



Since we have been back State-side we have been on the go, go, go.....literally. We had a wonderful Christmas with my Dad's extended family the day after we flew into Tulsa(thanks Mom & Dad for taking us to dinner the night we got in town). It was great to see aunts, uncles, and crazy little cousins!! And it felt so good to be home. I have to admit, it was slightly stressful trying to do last minute scrambles for presents and wrapping, but we made it :)

We have had a wonderful Christmas with both our families. Made it to OKC just at the start of the blizzard and in time to enjoy a nice fire Mom had started. Good thing too, since we were in OKC for a couple days. Being snowed in wasnt the greatest for some people, but I really enjoyed the down time. Bryan & Hallie were unable to make it this year, but cant say they didnt try......they made it to Chicago and got stuck but luckily got a flight back to NYC & enjoyed staying warm there & sent silly Christmas photos for us to enjoy.

We made it back to Tulsa to see some of the Dill family ie: aunts, uncles, cousins, his grandparents, etc....What a crazy bunch. Definitely a big family & lots and lots of very active little ones :) Everyone was so excited to see Matt home for good.

This week we bought our first car together! Matt does such an awesome job at everything, he really is the smartest person I know. We are so lucky to have each other!

Amidst all the chaos of running around & trying to be 20 places at once for Christmas, and all that goes along with it, in reflection we are so thankful for our families & love them so much. We feel so blessed to be safe & warm over the holidays & beyond.

We are especially thankful for each other and our super excited to celebrate our 1 year anniversary!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

ONE WEEK TO GO!





A few pictures of what are apt is currently looking like. Suitcases packed, stacks here and there, etc... Movers are scheduled to come tomorrow. I have been spending almost every day this week working on our air shipment as well as our personal suitcases coming along with us to the hotel & beyond. Lots to do. Lots of little stuff. Ugh...the little stuff gets to me....and I tend to just toss it. Last night was our very last time to spend the night in the apt...kind of weird. But we are getting more excited to come home by the day (and Matt is getting more excited for vacation by the day).
Thats all for now....still got a few things to finish up. I have some errands to run this morning, Matt is working half a day, then we'll meet up in the city & come back here to finish working on stuff together & eventually check into our hotel sometime.
Prayers for a smooth move & flights back home are always appreciated.
Until next time-probably not until we are back in the States, so take care!

Monday, December 7, 2009

MAKE A LIST OR FLY BY THE SEAT OF MY PANYS?

Frustrated!!! I had totally written an awesome blog & something happened & it deleted. Gawsh! Thats so frustrating. Really made me mad, I had worked so hard. So I will now wrap it up in a summary for you cause I cant remember everything I wrote.
We had an awesome weekend as usual. We kicked it off the New Harbour's Friday special of fish n chips...which are really awesome. Tastes so good. We had a relaxing but productive weekend. Got lots of stuff packed, moved into piles, planned, etc....
Lots to get done still. This is Matt's last official week of work. Woo-hoo. I myself have some last minute shopping to do. As well as finish packing, pulling things together, packing things to give away, etc.....walk the dog, wash the car, feed the hogs...ha!!
Lost of stuff here decorated & ready for Christmas. Some people may not like it for many reasons, but I can say it definitely puts me in the holiday spirit & I get more anxious every day to finally be home for the holidays. I think the spirit & cheer is definitely something everyone could use!

More to come later....hopefully this week and next will be blessed by God for a smooth transition, move and flights back home!!

Friday, December 4, 2009

OUR LAST FRIDAY


Today is a bittersweet day. It's our last Friday for a few things.


1. Last Friday to meet Matt for our annual lunch date. I have been doing this every Friday since I moved over here with him. So much fun getting to see him middle of the day. Always makes the weekend come faster.


2. Last Friday to live in our apt. How weird is that? Thursday night we move into a hotel. Friday the movers will be here and we will be living in a hotel for a week before coming home.


3. My last Friday to take the train out east...anywhere. Until we leave I wont be going back that way. Kind of strange.


So....lots to do this weekend and next week. We officially move out of our apt on Thursday (omg, I'm so not prepared in anyway). On Friday the movers come. Then Monday & Tuesday of the following week, we have cleaning services as well as some ac maintenance being done.

We have 2 shipments going back home, 1 air and 1 sea. So need to get those stacks sort of separated as well as any last minute gifts bought, preparing what we are carrying in suitcases, etc....Hope we dont leave anything behind!! Wish us luck!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

SO LITTLE TIME....

Since Ryan has been here we have been super busy! You wouldnt believe, so I will catalog our events for you:
1. Thursday:
Picked Ryan up from the airport 3:45am
Went to the grocery several hours later to buy the last of Thanksgiving goodies and cooked Thanksgiving all morning while Ryan played online jet-lagged.
Matt came home from work & we had an afternoon of football & Thanksgiving treats (minus the stuffing because I forgot it). Then we headed to Morton's for mini fillet mignon steak sandwiches....delicious :)
Then to a restaurant called Shin...something. When we were seated at our table our waiter immediately asked "Would you like something or nothing"? We were very confused & delirious from lack of sleep, so we all burst out laughing & made jokes regarding it the rest of the night.
2. Friday:
Matt has holiday today.
Went and took Ryan on a tour of the CBD, Quays and the Civic District. He was really impressed with the city. It was super hot too. I was smart and put on sun screen, unfortunately I cannot say the same for the other 2.
Came home, took naps, watched sports on tv and then headed out to Lau Pa Sat for dinner & freaking our guest out :) So much fun!
3. Saturday:
Chinatown and Maxwell food court. Had fun at the Buddha temple just down the street. Had fun in the sun again, man has it been crazy hot here!!
The clouds were not in our favor so we came home, the boys went down to the pool and I napped. Yeah, they went to the pool in the rain. Boys will be boys.
Saturday night we headed out to Holland Village and introduced Ryan to Singapore style Mexican food. It was crazy because the place we originally go was closed (a repeat of Thursday night) so we just went next door, which was equally good.
Then we came back down to our part of town and had a nice glass of wine on a great night at Universal. I love me some Aussie wine!!
4. Sunday:
Pump Room brunch, Orchard Road, Christmas decorations, etc.... It was busy, and fun. Ryan walked around in his rhinestone shirt and cowboy boots....definitely a sight to see in Singapore :)
Dinner was the buffet at the Straits Kitchen.....a buffet of all asian foods local and regional. It was amazing!
5. Monday:
Back to work for Mr Matt.....boo.
Matt took Ryan to the old war forts at Sentosa & I stayed home & enjoyed the pace and quiet! And cleaned & did laundry etc....
But I made Thanksgiving leftovers for lunch and we celebrated our 11 monthery with Ryan at Pasta Brava....the best Italian ever!!
Happy 11th month Matt!! It's just everything! I love you :)
6. Tuesday:
Waited for Matt to come home. Then we went to Vivo & sat outside near the water & enjoyed Brotzeit german food. It was an awesome afternoon of just hanging out.
We came home, chilled out and then headed to Swisshotel's New Asia Bar on the 70th floor. There were so many awesome views....it was amazing.
Chijmes was our choice for dinner at Esmirada and it tasted delicious. Rained a little bit but luckily we were well covered.
7. Today:
Killin time before we head out to meet Matt near his work for lunch. Not sure what the rest of the day holds for us, but there is always an adventure to be had!
Tonight we'll do JUMBO for dinner and my mouth is already watering. Cant be out too late though, as Ryan leaves EARLY in the morning & Matt has his usual phone call back to Tulsa for work.

Thats about all. Looking forward to a quiet weekend working on moving & all that goes along with it. Not too long before we are moved out of this apartment.....a little over a week, in fact.
There is so much to do with the weekend kicking everything off....as I look at my calendar I realize we went settle back down until after our anniversary. Ahhh...gettin' ready to head home for the holidays!!

Monday, November 30, 2009

WHERE TO START??

1. Thank goodness I broke the old cable box and we upgraded. I love my new HD, DVR and sports channel. I am loving catching up on all things HBO.
2. Matt & Ryan are off looking at old war forts (gag and gawd) so I'm home alone in the apt. Dont get me wrong I adore my husband & like his friends, but the quiet is super nice :) I'm so excited I could take a nap (serious I might while no one is home).
3. Today is our 11 month anniversary. Ha. Bet you thought these would trail off in the posts...but definitely not. Next month will be a year! WOW! I cant believe how fast time flies!
4. Pasta Brava tonight for dinner.....oh I cant even wait! I can taste it already!
5. Just over 2 weeks left here in Singapore. We are excited to be coming home!
6. Lots to see & do in the next few days (better get my rest).
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend!

Monday, November 23, 2009

A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!

Matt at the start of the race
Matt, Husein, Allen & Darrell (fr his group @ work)

Matt ran an amazing 10k race this weekend, on black asphalt, in 91 degree F weather. I teared up a little bit because I was just so dang proud of him! Nothing like waiting near the finish & seeing my sweetheart just smiling' at me & running for the finish!!

Had a great time with the group at the bbq at Husein's apt's, which were super nice. Although we did start getting attacked by some leaches the guys tried to calm me down by saying they were slugs. But I know better. Ewww...they were just falling out of the trees right after it had rained. As far as I know, slugs dont climb trees. Anyone an expert on this? Have any thoughts or comments? Oh well. Nobody was hurt & they certainly didnt fall on anyone...I think Chin may have brushed one off....I'm shivering talking about it....no more. Anyways, all the food was awesome & some people's cooking skills definitely were a pleasant surprise. And the group loved my homemade salsa and cookies :) of course. And they were really impressed with the sausages we took.

Sunday was definitely a day for lounging around the apt. We were exhausted after Saturday. I did a bit of house work(ie: cooking pancakes, cleaning and laundry) and Matt did some playing around online....looking for cars to buy when we return home.

The weekend was great as usual, which always makes Monday the hardest day of the week. I never want to get out of bed or for Matt to go to work. Hope everyone else had a great weekend. Sounds like lots of people participated in the Route 66 run this weekend as we were at the Aviation run. Congrats to all those who ran this weekend, it's definitely good to see so many people taking good care of themselves!

Cheers!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

JUST AROUND THE CORNER

Today being Thursday means that the weekend is just around the corner....we are so close! I am anxiously waiting. Matt has a 10k run & we are cooking out with his group from work; it should be so much fun!

We have been Christmas shopping, mostly online & have everyone's gifts planned out. Matt has done an awesome job helping out. It takes me weeks to figure some stuff out & it takes him like 30 minutes or an hour. Oh, the life of Matt & being able to do most things effortlessly.

Also just around the corner is Ryan's visit. I am in the process of making the office a home-away-from-home for him. Still a couple things left to do before he arrives next week. But at least its been in the works. We've also got tons of ideas on what to see, do and most importantly EAT!

I have also planned out a nice little Thanksgiving meal/snacks/food for all day. So much fun planning things with Matt. He definitely gets catered to when it comes to food around here. Anything for my man! And of course have to make sure Ryan is well fed too.

And then after that all the moving chaos begins. Then home. Ahhh home sweet home. Been filing out tons of paperwork. Yesterday I did inventory of everything we own in this apartment. Then hear from my husband he may have a copy of the paperwork from when he moved over here. Seriously? I just counted dishes, flatware, pots, pans, utensils,cd's, dvd's, books,etc.....and you are just now telling me that you have that paperwork?!?! Oh well. Thats ok...now we'll be able to double check the checking off of items plus things we've acquired over here together. There is definitely going to be a garage sale next spring, I cant tell you that for sure!! (as soon as I get the basement cleaned out and all our Singapore stuff unpacked & organized).

Have a wonderful end of the work week friends & a great weekend!