Category Archives: Assimilation

Americanized, sort of

Posted on August 29, 2018 by

I was listening to Elanor talk in the following video a few days ago and it struck me how thoroughly she has assimilated into the US. By comparison, this is what she sounds like now Elanor has lost every last … Continue reading →

Posted in Assimilation, Back to the US, Culture Shock | Tagged , , ,

Showers

Posted on May 20, 2018 by

After all my years of complaining about how much I missed hot showers in the US, after all the boiling showers I took on vacation….. I find myself showering in the more tepid temperatures familiar to anyone in Singapore. Oh, … Continue reading →

Posted in Assimilation, Back to the US | Tagged , , ,

The end of an era

Posted on January 5, 2017 by

We are leaving Singapore. In less than a month. This wasn’t planned. A company head-hunted Ravi, one thing lead to another, and it ended in a job offer that he accepted. We’d hoped the girls and I would follow later–giving … Continue reading →

Posted in Assimilation, Culture Shock

Superstitions–the number 13

Posted on August 20, 2016 by

Something struck me when I was riding the elevator in my new building—there is a 13th floor. In the US, there is a superstition about the number 13. I actually had to google “why,” as I just knew it as … Continue reading →

Posted in Assimilation, Culture Shock, Housing, Singapore | Tagged , ,

“How do you and your kids enjoy life in Singapore?”

Posted on July 7, 2016 by

I’ve recently been emailing with a potential expat. I had a number of Singaporean expats respond to my emails, answer questions, and generally be a great resource for our move. Some of them are now irl friends (or were and … Continue reading →

Posted in Assimilation, Attractions, Before the Move, Culture Shock, Expat to Expat Advice, Helpers, Shopping, Singapore, Theater/Shows/Events, Third Culture Kids, Uniquely Singapore, With Kids | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

US vs Singapore Public Schools—Grading

Posted on June 30, 2016 by

One of the things I struggle with as a foreign parent is understanding the grading system in Singapore. On one hand, I find the grading system incredibly forgiving. Everything over a 85 is an A? 70-85 is a B? 50-70 … Continue reading →

Posted in Assimilation, Culture Shock, Education, Expat to Expat Advice, Singapore | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Her mother tongue isn’t Tamil

Posted on October 19, 2014 by

***A quick note of explanation before I get into the post.  English is the language of instruction in Singapore.  However, all students must take a second language–called a Mother Tongue  (henceforce I’ll refer to it as MT) language.*** I recently … Continue reading →

Posted in Assimilation, Culture Shock, customs, Education, headdesk moments, Identity, Primary 1 registration, Singapore, Third Culture Kids, Uniquely Singapore, With Kids | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments