SINGPASS and BOTAK JONES

Ah, another fun-filled day in Singapore! This morning, I had to walk over to the local community center to apply for a Singpass, otherwise known as "Singapore Personal Access." It allows me to transact with the government online, which I needed to do in order to have a Foreign Domestic Worker. Yes, Jacob and I have officially hired a live-in maid and her name is Jane. She is transferring from another expat family that is returning to their home in Australia. But, it's not just a simple process to hire a foreign domestic worker. First, you have to apply for the singpass in order to take a tutorial and exam online. Next comes the paperwork, which is not nearly as complicated in our case since Jane is already living in Singapore and has her working pass. We simply need to sign off as her new employers (approved by the Ministry of Manpower), obtain insurance for her in our name and set up monthly payment for both the government and her personal account. The exam was basic common sense, making sure we understand what we're getting ourselves into. So, the next step is to fill out all of the paperwork to submit to MOM and wait for approval!

Dinner this evening was delicious! We returned to Botak Jones, which is where our landlords had taken us the weekend we moved in. I couldn't help but take a picture...

Yes, that says, "Authentic American Food!" We have been missing food from home and in dire need of something normal for dinner. Their menu features things like Bar-B-Que Chicken Wings, Chips & Salsa, Cheese Fries, Burgers, Sliced Beef Sandwich, Fish & Chips, Hot Dogs, and steaks. The choices tonight were Cajun Chicken for Jacob and Black Pepper Chicken for me. The first thing we were both grateful for was some white chicken...tender and juicy, no skin. Botak Jones is not stingy on portion sizes either and you get a lot for your money. We even enjoyed some Heineken beer with our Authentic American meal!!

After ordering your food, they ask where you will be sitting in order to bring the food over (it's set up like a food court, a big area lined with different "hawker" stands as they call them). Jacob's response: "Not sure yet, but we're not hard to miss" to which the man said, "No sir, you will be easy to spot." We stick out like sore thumbs out here!!

Food is definitely one of the material things I miss most from home, next to my car. Some of my favorite snacks are hard to find out here or incredibly expensive. Juliana seems to be doing just fine with the food though, always willing to try something new...I could learn a lot from her!

So as you all eat your yummy American foods, think of us!