Gathering

Did I mentioned that 3 super nice commandos from SAF helped us settled down in El Paso?

Well, they are such good friends. They came down to the airport to meet us (but we missed them coz we were picked up by the rep from Fort Bliss), they assist us in getting an apartment so that we can move in earlier, picked up our extremely heavy luggages and rented appliances and moved it to the new apartment for us.

They showed us around the area, where the chinese grocery stores are located, where are the good food and of coz, where the good shopping places are!

They even organized a gathering so that we can get to know one another. There were Taiwanese, Japanese and of coz the Singaporeans!!!!

This is Jason from Singapore who attended the same course as Kevin.

The kids racing to see who can climb up the sofa first!

Yeah! I won! I won! Hurray for ME!!!

Chey! What's the big deal? Winning isn't everything!

We didn't get a chance to take pictures with anyone else as we were busy eating and chatting afterwards. Lots and lots of yummy barbarque stuffs... SO SHIOK!

Outlet Malls!!!

Yeah.... A trip to the Outlet Shoppes at El Paso!

First shopping trip we made was to the outlets. Where else? All the brands we love is there, Coach, Nike, Adidas, Aeropostle, Gap, Gymboree etc etc.... So many shops, so little time!

Well, I have to find ways to entertain the girl right? Otherwise how to shop? So burn money on rides for her lor.

She loves the rides and it's the only way we could shop in peace. But it does burn a big hole in the pocket coz it's 75 cents per ride and each ride only last a few minutes.

Ah... storm is abrewing. We made a run for it in case a sand storm comes up. Heard from friends that it's scary.

Bath Time Fun!

I really enjoy having a bathtub here. In fact, I love it so much that I'm thinking of putting one in when we're back in Singapore.

Nope, it's not for me. I have not actually used the bathtub to take a bath yet. It's too troublesome for me. But it is such good entertainment for Megan. On days when it's too hot for walks or the playground and you just can't take another episode of Sesame Street, nothing else will distract her except if you ask her to take a bath. Oh, for that, she'll move faster than me!

And there's so many types of bath toys here. Her current favourite is the Sesame Street Finger Paint Bubble Bath that I bought. Erm, the instructions actually says for 3 and above but heck.

These are great! Yellow for Big Bird, Blue for Cookie Monster and Red for Elmo! All the characters that she's already familiar with. It's so much easier to introduce colors with things they can associate with.

Just pour them over the bath tub and she can use it as finger paints. She can easily mix two colors together and see it change to another one. But my favorite part is when she's done, just turn on the tap and it turns into a bubble bath! Viola! No messy cleaning up! I love it love it love it!

Tucson, Arizona - Part 2

Biosphere 2

Today we are visiting this place called Biosphere 2. What amazes me is that this place is actually bankrolled by this guy named Edward P. Bass. A really rich guy with no place else to spend $200 million bucks!!!

This place is an artificial enclosed ecological system to mirror that of Earth. Supposedly, it was suppose to see if we could create a similar environment in other planets. Well, maybe my girl will get to see if it takes root.

The view outside was amazing. Don't let Kevin's face distract you!

This is part of the structure of the Biosphere 2. I think it's really amazing considering that it is built in the 1980s. It's an airtight enclosure the size of 2 and a half football fields.

My girl just spotted the man-made ocean. It's 850 sqm with a coral reef.

I think this is the desert part of the enclosure. Apart the first part, I couldn't really follow what the guide was saying anymore. That's all the pictures we managed to take in Biosphere 2 anyway. It's hard dealing with a squirming girl and following a group with a schedule.

To me, the most amazing thing about this place is what a man with too much money and time can do!

Titan Missile Museum

Last stop of our Tucson tour, the Titan Missile Museum. I got to see a real missile!

I looked grouchy huh? You would be too if you had to stand under the burning sun. Megan's look was worse than mine! Ha ha ha...

We took a walk outside before entering the place and I was busy looking for shelter to hide under. So I missed most of the talk by the guide. But I had to take a peek at the missile from the tower.

Cool huh? Just think that this was actually for use in the Cold War!

My mom trying not to look bored. So far all the guided tours were in English. I think it's all really boring to her.

Well this is the end of our Tucson trip. Another boring 5 hrs drive back to El Paso. Oh and I shall just end it with a video of my girl entertaining herself in the hotel.

Tucson, Arizona - Part 1

Another "field trip" which we survived! This wasn't so bad actually. The places we visited were more interesting than the last "field trip". Ha!

What is amazing is that we survived a 5 hours bus ride and arrived in one piece. Exhausted, cranky, grouchy and aching bums but still whole.

Isn't she cute? Hee hee... She takes these long rides pretty well surprisingly. So far she doesn't fuss, sleeps a lot or just climbs all over me. I'm so thankful for that.

These pictures were taken during one of the pit stops during the 5 hours ride. Megan was happy to stretch her legs and there's a wonderful view of the mountains which I had no chance to take pictures of as it was on the other side of the road and it was quite foggy.

We were on our way down to Tucson. It's one of the oldest town in USA. There were 3 places we were visiting. The first one is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This is more work related for Kevin and not really a tourist attraction. But the area around it does have photo taking opportunities!

Her father wanted to get up close and personal. Hmmm...





Actually they just wanted to have a picture with Megan but she wouldn't let them carry. So we had to rope the whole family in. 1st guy on the left is from Korea, next to him from Egypt, I think? That stupid cactus behind poked me and it's really really painful!

Ah... the biggest guy in the group. He's from Chez Republic. Hubby said die die also must take picture next to him!

Ha! My girl have her picture taken with J.F.K!

"Look, Mom! Water!!!! Time for swimming!"

"Let me go, let me go"

And I just explained to her that this is a water fountain and nobody goes inside a fountain when one of Kevin's colleague jump right inside. "Faintz"

"To the next station!" Her royal highness commands!

All tired out! She's usually in this state on a bus. I think it's a good thing coz she wakes up fresh and all ready to play. But I get achy all over since I can't stretch out much. Oh, I am always the one she sleeps on. Sigh... most likely coz I'm softer with the fats covering me.

This is our hotel in Tucson. I know the name reads "Marriott" erm... but it's nothing like the Marriot in Singapore. But it is still heaven to the weary.

New Mexico

We went on a trip to New Mexico! It was organized by the IMSO from Fort Bliss.

Hmm... I don't think we got to visit any scenic spots coz we were following hubby on his "field study trip". It was a pretty tiring trip as it was a one day thing. So 7 hours on a bus in 1 day (to and fro) is no joke. Especially with a toddler!

1st stop! Some military camp base. (Erm... I dunno the names of all the places I went coz I was too busy looking for shades to hide under!)

Never mind, look at pictures of my girl. That's good enough! Hee hee...

Ah! I know this is the McBride Museum. Only coz the name was in the picture. Frankly, with a toddler in tow, I can't listen to the guide, I can't view the artifacts or pictures or anything! All my focus was on chasing the girl and trying to catch her. The minute I get her in my arms, she'll be struggling to get down.

The only time when she willingly stays in my arms is when someone approaches her and try to talk to her. That is the moment she becomes a koala bear!

Our family photo in front of a horse which I dunno why it's there. Hmm.... who has time to read the introduction they posted on the walls? Sigh...

This is the exterior of the military base which the guide was introducing. I notice some names carved into the floor and the stone seats... Erm... eh.... hmmm...

Next stop! The Roswell UFO Meuseum. This I know coz of the TV Series "Roswell"! Ha ha... I like UFO stuffs but I couldn't even finish the guided tour of the museum. How do you stand and read the information on the wall when your kid is running like crazy round the place? It was not a grand museum (pretty cheap looking with posters tag to the walls actually), but I wish I had time to read through the stuffs. But I was running after Megan, trying to ensure that the museum remain intact. The museum had chairs placed in each booth so that visitors can actually sit and read the posters on the wall. But that girl was pulling the chairs around the place! When I pull the chair away from her and walk back to replace it, she'll be at another booth trying to touch the display! I was the crazy mom going after the crazy kid.

That's hubby and his friend, Jason from Singapore, who is on the same course.

After lunch, we proceeded to this reservoir. This is a good place. Plenty of space for her to run and I'm not worried that she'll spoil anything artifacts. Just try to keep her away from the water.

There were stone steps down to the reservoir. Oh, you can actually swim here. There are many kids swimming at the other side. I happily dip Megan in and she's sooooo excited, kicking away at the water. At this moment, hubby ask me why am I dipping her at the part where it says the water is 7ft deep? Do I know how deep is 7ft? Hmmm... actually I don't. When I realise that it goes over my head (I'm 1.65metres tall), I pulled her out and guai guai bring her to the other end!

We rested on the field while the guys played soccer. Just waiting for the next stop, DINNER!

While waiting for our fajitas to arrive, Megan had a piece of taco. And that's the only thing she had for dinner. She didn't even want more of it. The problem with these road trips is that it affects her food intake. Other than rice or noodles, there is nothing that appeals to her. I can't expect the whole troop to suit her tastes. So for the whole day, she had only 2.5 bottles of milk. Each bottle is only 180ml. Sad right? How to go on more road trips? Arghhhhh...

Anyway, dinner was a difficult affair. She was tired and cranky. It was around 11pm when we finished and way past her bedtime. We had to take turns to bring her out of the restaurant to avoid disturbing the other diners. By the time we reach back El Paso, it was pass midnight.