Let's (Not) Go Krogering

It's been awhile since I've sat down long enough at the computer to write much of anything. We've had some recent developments:

One, we got our sea shipment at the end of February. I think I've finally got everything put away. Or at least stashed somewhere that I don't have to look at it.

Two, I got a new camera. A Canon S5IS for anyone who's interested in knowing. Set Colin back a pret-ty penny, too, I might add. That'll teach 'im! He won't be leaving this camera in bathrooms, I don't think! Though now what will I say to him whenever a picture-worthy event happens? I won't be able to say, "Gee, wish I could take a picture of that" or "Wow. That would've been a good picture" anymore. Hmmmm. I'll think of something. I know how much he must miss me saying that.

So anyway, hooray on both counts! Yes, things are looking up here in Singapore. Even more so now that I've discovered my new favorite person. And his name would be Kenny the Grocer. Kenny is my new favorite person because he has rescued me from one of my Top 5 Most Hated Domestic Chores: Grocery Shopping. It ranks up there with Cooking (holding strong in the number 1 spot), Mopping, Cleaning the Bathrooms, and -- well, okay let's just admit it, Most Other Domestic Chores.

But anyway, if you think that grocery shopping in America is a pain, it's like some sort of sick joke in Singapore. Though you'll shop at the same grocery chain, you'll quickly find that not every store carries the same items. You'll also learn the hard way that just because the store had something in stock last week doesn't mean that they'll have it this week (or next week, or the week after that). And there will inevitably be at least 7 items on your list that you'll have to race around to no less than 3 different stores for -- and one of those stores must be on the other side of Singapore in an area that you have never been to. And then you'll find that you're sharing tips and trading info with your neighbor and the ladies in your daughter's ballet class. "Oh, they got a shipment in of Tostitos at the Cold Storage on 6th Avenue!" "Hey, I saw macaroni and cheese at the King Albert Cold Storage last week." "Can anyone tell me where I can find a box of {insert name of hard-to-find, but must-have item here} ?" "Oh, good luck finding that! I haven't seen that since last September." But still, you give it a try. You go to the grocery store (fight traffic, pay to park, find a spot). You get your 20 cents out to pay for your cart. Ooops, don't have change? Well, get one of those free kiddie carts with the orange bicycle flag on it then. Off you go. And you'll actually make a day (an entire day!) of pinballing from one store to the next, frantically gathering the items on your list, doing one of the things that you hate most.

Then one day, your doorbell rings and there, in a ray of light, stands Kenny the Grocer who asks you if there's anything you need from the store; he'll go get it for you. [Cue the Hallelujah chorus] His grocery works with all of the Cold Storages and they have "plenty supply", so "no problem!" Kenny has brought me those little teddy bear cookies that Ali likes so much (not Teddy Grahams, but as close as we can find here) and Easy Mac macaroni when there was none to be found. He brings me Alex's soy milk (Silk in the blue box only! A rare item here.) He brings my fresh fruit, meat, milk, juice, cereal, ice cream....everything. I truly believe that if Kenny can't get it for me, it's not in this country. I pay Kenny the same price that I pay in the grocery store. (I don't dare question how this is possible) And he unpacks it for me and promises to call tomorrow. No more grocery scavenger hunts for me! Whatever will I do with my time?

So, I have a special place in my heart for Kenny. I don't even mind that he keeps calling me "CahleenMahtin". I tried and gave up explaining to Kenny that Colin is my husband, my name is Jodi. But he will hear none of it. To Kenny, I'm still "CahleenMahtin". And that's OK, because whether we call each other by the right names isn't important. What's important is that Kenny calls me every morning ("except no Sundays!") and asks me if there's anything I need from the store that day.

More later!