OK, my initial intention was to try and do this thing in some kind of logical order with regard to what is going with the Stockdales.  First, talk about our flight, then our little temporary apartment, etc.   Now, that just seems like a big pain-in-the-neck.  So, I’ll just write about whatever happens as it occurs to me.  Anyone that knows us, would know that makes more sense.

So, for better or worse, the transportation of the Stockdales from Kansas City to Singapore was pretty painless.  The little Stockdales did reasonably well.  No major screaming, yelling, whining, or crying.  I almost wish we had some funny stories about the middle little Stockdale trying to open the emergency eixt, but no such luck.   The only thing I will say is that airplane bathrooms were not made for taking little kids to the bathroom.

The most exciting part probably occurred when we arrived in Singapore and were leaving baggage claim.   It was about 1:00 am local time and Mrs. Stockdale’s boss and his wife had come out to greet us.  Many thanks to them for great gesture.  It really made us feel like Singapore is our new home.

First, Mrs. Stockdale and I need to say thank you to all our friends in Kansas City.  We’re going to miss you.  Not a little, but a lot.  The decision to move the Stockdale’s to Singapore wasn’t easy.  We left a lot beind in KC -great friends, a great schools for the little Stockdales with amazing teachers, our favorite house that we ever owned (don’t even get me revved up about this one), and on and on.

There were some tears shed on the way to the airport and some more when the plane left the ground.  I’m sure we haven’t finished being sad about leaving, but we’re also excited to begin this ‘adventure’.  It’s odd, everyone we’ve told about this has almost universally described it as an adventure.  For some reason, I think this should scare me.

For the last four months, I’ve looked at the weather in Singapore every couple days.  Every single day looks like this:

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/SNXX0002

If you doubt me, waste some time and check it out.

Today, I got gas for what is probably the final time (for a while).  That got me thinking, when is the next time I’ll:

• Go to Costco?
• Drive the little Stockdales to school?
• Get in a shouting match with another parent at school?
• Yell at the guy in the Acura MDX who looks in my trash for junk he can sell?
• Take two little Stockdales to four soccer games in a weekend?
• Drive a car?
• Buy a case of beer for less than $50?
• See snow?
• Watch the seasons change?
• Start some random home improvement project that goes way over budget?
• Cut grass?
• Play golf?
• Vacuum?
• Dust?
• Cook?
• Do laundry?
• Fold clothes?

Some of these things, I’ll miss, some I won’t.   Who knows.

For quite some time people have urged me (Dale Stockdale) to join the world of Facebook.  I have thus far refused to make this leap.   It just never seemed to me that anyone should care if my cat got a bath, Mrs. Stockdale got a manicure, or one of the little Stockdales put on their shoes backwards.  So, if you want to follow my ‘Adventures’ this is the place to do it.   If not, there are many other fine websites out there on the internet.   ENJOY!