Wednesday, June 29, 2011

A word about comments...

A few of you asked about not being able to comment.  And, frankly, I think this format is not that clear in that area.  But if you click on "n comments" below the post where n = the number of comments so far, it will take you to a comment creation screen.  So, if you are inclined, have at it!

Got the keyboard!

Ricky here:  Got the keyboard, and two beautiful rugs, so the echo is starting to go away.  Actually the keyboard doesn't echo, as there are no speakers - don't want to piss off the neighbors, so I just have my headphones with me - is OK.... but I may have to break down and get a small speaker....  It's a Roland 300NX keyboard, and feels and sounds like an acoustic piano.  Have already over-practiced - the arm is sore - it's a good sore!


Purchasing the rugs was an interesting experience.  It was a combination of finding this place on the web, and then having it recommended by a local, saying "Mohammad is the guy you want to buy rugs from".  His shop is in a warehouse structure in the middle of Singapore, and is a cavernous room with piles and piles of gorgeous rugs mostly from Iran, Afghanistan and India.  We were a tad intimidated....  however, I had been looking at examples from different regions online, and the tribal rugs from Shiraz (Southwest Iran) were the ones that resonated - fortunately, they did for Chris as well - we saw this one and loved it.  And it turns out that Mohammad Ali (yes, that is his name) was born and raised in Shiraz, so it felt like more of a personal transaction, and he reveled in telling us about this area of mountains, desert and his city of Shiraz.  So we grabbed that one, and a beauty from Afghanistan (Mazar-e Sharif).  At the end of the day, what I thought was going to be a chore, turned into a wonderful experience!  


More about tribal rugs:  A tribal rug is often used by the family who made it, before it is sold, and the design is created as the rug is woven.  ("City" rugs, on the other hand, are planned from beginning to end.)  Muhammad thought ours is about 40 years old and was woven over a long period of time, as the background color from one portion of the rug is different than the rest, as if they remixed that color at a later date, and it turned out differently.  The placement of symbols and animals changes as well.  Gives it "character".  Sorta like us.... characters that aren't too fancy..




This is Lucy.... I like the red one (from Afghanistan) - it's comfy, yet cool on my tummy...

Monday, June 20, 2011

Getting settled

This is Ricky - Lucy's letting me do a post.  We are slowly settling in - actually, the condo is just about fully furnished.  Combination of a few teak pieces, some bed stuff and finds from the Expat Auction - wonderful company, where expats leaving Singapore can sell stuff on consignment, and folks like us arriving can find some cool stuff at bargain prices.  Thanks to my friend, Christy, who has lived here several years, I found out about this place ahead of time.  So, we went to our first auction 3 days after we arrived.  So, the place is starting to feel homey!  Just need some rugs.... and a keyboard!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Hanging out at home...

So, it's Sunday, and we've gotten into a weekend day routine of getting up early and doing  a walk in East Coast Park, about 10 minutes from home.  Lotsa walking, jogging and bike paths, lotsa grass to roll in, and then there's the ocean, or strait, or whatever.   Today, it was a nice, sunny day, so we had to beat cheeks to get out early before it got too blazin' hot and humid!  Here's a pic of me hanging out near the beach, and a video that mom took.  Wish we could do this every day!


Friday, June 3, 2011

I'm home at last!!!!!!! - June 4, 2011

After 12 days of traveling in my crate, not knowing where the heck I was, or where I was going, and then hanging out in a kennel in a not-so-bad place, but only seeing my humans a couple of hours a day, I'm finally in my new home!  I was put in a nice van with a few buddies from the kennel, who also got sprung today, we pulled into a covered garage, and there were the 'rents to greet me!  Mom immediately ran me around to this nice park, where I rolled in the grass and peed and pooped, and then there was Chrissy!  

Then we went up our private elevator, walked in and bonus!  Half the place has cool, marble floors!  Man, that feels good!  


Mom said that some of my human friends asked about me the last couple of weeks..... thank you so much for your good wishes and safe travel vibes - I miss you guys, but I am really OK!!!! Love and licks, Lucy Blue...... just wondering where my next chewy is........

Last Day at Sembawang

My last day at Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station was yesterday.  You can see from the video how depressed I was.....this was when Chrissy showed up for the last visit.  The people at this place were really nice to me, especially Roy and Bong, the lead handlers.  Mom will have to write a note to say thanks, and believe it or not, there is a bulletin board in the lobby of this place, filled with thank you cards and doggy pictures!