Gee, I wish they had...

Today I'm starting a weekly post about the things I cannot get in Singapore that I wish I could. I'm entertaining ideas for a catchy title for this. I had thought about 'mopey Monday' but that sounds too Eeyore like. Send me a comment if you have a good suggestion.

After people get over the initial shock that a) I've moved from NC to Singapore and b) Alan is still in the US, the next question is typically "What do you miss most from back home?" As I mentioned yesterday, I'm able to get quite a few American goods here in Singapore. So, other than the fact that I've been living out of a suitcase for the past few months, I haven't really missed too many "things". I must say that I mostly miss Alan, the kitties, family, and friends. Being separated from your loved ones makes you realize that it's really not the cars and TVs and other "stuff" that make your life what it is. Although, I do have to say the "things" I miss the most right now are some of my creature comforts from home...an afghan my mom made me, books, etc. But more on that another time.

This weekend was crazy hot and humid. I'm not good at staying indoors when there is sun and blue skies so I ventured out both days and just got hot and sweaty. Having survived summers in North Carolina for the past 12 years, I've learned that there are ways to cool yourself off quickly. For example, wear sandals - cool feet tend to make it more bearable. One of the other things is that there is not much more refreshing on a hot day than an icy cold popsicle...except maybe a cold beer. Guess what? They don't sell popsicles in Singapore...trust me...I walked around to a number of stores yesterday looking.

At first, this completely frustrated me. How can there be no popsicles? What sort of country is this? Then I started to think of all of the kids in Singapore who've never had the joy of a bomb pop (those red, white, and blue ones), or an icy (those really cheap ones that are really just sugar water in a plastic sleeve), or even just a healthy fruit juice bar? And what about the adults who can't indulge in an orange push-up and for the 5 minutes it takes to eat it smile and remember chasing after the ice cream man with that distinct musical serenade?

I guess I'll be on a popsicle fast for the next 2 years. If I could think of a way to ship them over and not have them melt I totally would...but not looking good. For those of you back home, please do me a favor, run out right now to the local Harris Teeter or Kroger or Meijer and grab yourself a box of popsicles...doesn't matter what kind...just enjoy them for me. Well...except those of you in Michigan...you may want to wait until all of the snow melts before you start thinking about popsicles...