Singapore Expats

Thought I'd start a few new topics so here's another one....

What do you do to relax when you live in Singapore...or UK...or US or wherever?

When you seriously want to relax I mean.

I used to find it a bit difficult in Singapore because to me silence or quiet is essential to relaxation and to be totally honest, in Singapore, unless it was after two am and I sat by the pool....there was never any peace. Even then Holland Road was far from car free.

Here it's different of course. But my idea of relaxation is to finish a good day's work, shut the pc down (I work from home mostly) cook a tasty dinner, quickly ....then a glass or two or red wine, turn the tv on, put the lamps on, close the curtains (like it best when it's pouring with rain outside) and curl up on the settee....

What's your favourite relaxing time..........(yes yes, apart from sex I mean) haha.

Ever since i left Denmark, I have never been able to relax, I have a kind of feeling its a more cultural issue, since being adopted by my Chinese in laws. I have had nothing but stress, work and more work and stress!

But i can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Now Denmark have this particular word Hygge eller Hygglig, here's a
linkhttp://www.londontoast.dk/Content/VivsHygge/hygge.html

This is so special, nice and hygglig we say, to stay at home on a winters night, with a nice roaring fire, lights dimmed, with soft music and a couple of bottles of your nice red! god how i miss it! and the walks on the beach in storm weather with a bottle of snap, wrapped up warm looking for amber thats churned up from the sea bed!

All i get now is my 5 year old manipulating me the best way she can, and believe me she has plenty of experience of winning over others, but not me! But then my life is a nightmare, until she has screamed herself to sleep. Why is it that mums rarely discipline and always shout for dad to help out. always dad that is the bad guy!

I have my dreams!!!

Ever since i left Denmark, I have never been able to relax, I have a kind of feeling its a more cultural issue, since being adopted by my Chinese in laws. I have had nothing but stress, work and more work and stress!

But i can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Now Denmark have this particular word Hygge eller Hygglig, here's a
linkhttp://www.londontoast.dk/Content/VivsHygge/hygge.html

This is so special, nice and hygglig we say, to stay at home on a winters night, with a nice roaring fire, lights dimmed, with soft music and a couple of bottles of your nice red! god how i miss it! and the walks on the beach in storm weather with a bottle of snap, wrapped up warm looking for amber thats churned up from the sea bed!

All i get now is my 5 year old manipulating me the best way she can, and believe me she has plenty of experience of winning over others, but not me! But then my life is a nightmare, until she has screamed herself to sleep. Why is it that mums rarely discipline and always shout for dad to help out. always dad that is the bad guy!

I have my dreams!!!

I find sailing very relaxing, but, (**shudder**) we are power boat people now and I don't find that as peaceful. I like to get in the canoe, at dusk or dawn and paddle along the shore near our house in the US. So quiet then, sometimes no one else around. This year we met a very sweet little mink, who we named Smeagol (not too creative I know), but there are always snakes and deer, turtles, osprey, fish -- everything to gaze at and ponder over. Next year I hope to take the kayak out more, better maneuverability.

I honestly don't believe I've actually relaxed ever here in Singapore. Tend to agree that there is no such thing as solitude here. And when you think you have got some personal time, always it seems that the odd relative turns up. This is especially so when you also happen to be the one taking care of the MiL.

Occasionally, when I get back to the farm (without the family) I can disappear into long walks in the woods, or just sitting on the dock at dawn & dusk watching the wildlife. At night there it is only you and the stars and maybe gentle lapping of the water if there happens to be a breeze. That's relaxing.

Are we talking about relaxing in general or relaxing in solitude?

On a "School Night" it normally takes me 2 hrs plus to get home so I tend to pop into my local for a couple of cold ones and a chat before going home. Then it's something to eat and relaxing in front of TV and listening to some tune.

At the weekend it has to be up at a sparrow's fart and out for a round of golf. That definitely relaxes me after a hard week's work.

Saint........Sparrow's Fart..........not heard that one in ages and I love it, and am going to use it at least five times this weekend. I do that, try to revive old words or sayings.....the last lot were...........Fab, Just a tad, Dodgy..............see what I mean, all ancient, but the oldies are the goldies....(and there's another one.)

The old phrases are the Real McCoy, definitely beats all these new Chav words/phrases being used in my neck of the woods, what the Dickens is going on there? I'm sure they are all barking up the wrong tree. Not wanting to jump on the band wagon, the oldy worldy phrases are the bees knees and beat the modern ones hands down