New Newbies

Sally was the first person to take me out when I was brand new to Singapore so it should be no shock at all that she spotted a new person that nobody knew of.  With our liaison officer on holiday we had no idea that another family had moved in.  Sally happened to be out and about when she saw Christine and invited her out from there.  When Sally caught me walking Daisy after book club the other night she invited me out so I could say hello too.  
Christine and her husband had arrived in Singapore a couple of weeks ago, but because they didn't have a car or a freight delivered yet there home continued to be unassuming so nobody popped round.  When we did meet up I jumped right into expat overdrive, which is known to anybody else as totally overstepping the mark, and started to plan other meet ups.  The only going which saved a Christine from being whisked away then and there is the fact she's having a little one.
I can't wait to try and get to know another new person, I'm sure she'll naturally move into a new Mummy group (although she's more than welcome to come walking too), but in those first couple of months I hope I can be a friendly face.  
Sally put on a perfect spread (seriously she was made to be a perfect housewife whereas I muddle around the house never finishing any jobs). There was home made yogurt and fresh fruit all cut up perfectly, it made me think that choosing to spend the last two days sunbathing and reading all day was not a good idea.
Hmmm, best get started on those welcome cookies, I do always need a few batches to perfect it.

House Rules

I've been wondering about what to write for a while, not because we've not been up to anything, and not because we've been too busy, but because there's a bit of an elephant in the room.  You see we've just waved off our fourth visitor, and it didn't go well.  I sat down to write the meanest most negative thing I could as soon as she left. I was about to call her out on every single teeny tiny thing she did....and then I deleted the post.  It was good to get it out, but instead I will point out all of my failings and hopefully help anyone that might ever come across this post, or indeed read it back when I get a dumb idea in the future.

• This sounds pretty basic, but make sure you don't offer all and sundry an invitation to your new home.  I did this and accidentally invited someone I didn't actually have much in common with.  Yes they were fun sometimes to be with, but this friendship wouldn't really have survived if they didn't have a holiday riding on it-and I was trying to not renege on a promise. 
• Find out what is expected of you as host or be clear on what you can offer.  I always say come over, stay with us and we'll feed you.  With family I made lists of things to see and wanted to take them everywhere.  However, with a friend staying upward of three weeks I had assumed they'd know what they wanted to do and also be comfortable if I got on with my own thing.  I didn't say any of this, and so when they arrived and asked what they were doing that evening they were a little put out that I had no definite answer. 
• On the same vein, when guests don't appreciate everything you show them don't take it personally.  I felt like an awful tour guide when my guests didn't care to see a Orchard Road, Marina Bay or the Botanic Gardens.  When they asked what a Merlion was I felt like a failure, however it's not my job-as someone offering free board-to ensure their enjoyment.  (And not to toot my own horn or anything, but they loved Universal Studios and I was the one who suggested it....just saying)
• Be very clear on 'house rules'. I never really thought we had any, but I now feel like we must be super strict in this house. I like a table set properly and there should be no phones at the table and the tv has to be off or at the very least not watched/listened to. Those are rules.  I like it when everyone talks to each other and there's no sulking or interrupting, and after 1 in the morning is quiet time in my book, also guests get brownie points for not leaving stinky food on the sofa (or clearing up their own pee on the floor), I said none of this to our guest but seethed when they probably did as I requested and treated this place like home (no hosting brownie points awarded to me then).

Oprah has a part in each magezine called What I Know For Sure which I love to read, I don't have my own What I Know For Sure, but I like to read others and try to see what I agree with.  The positives from this experience are that I have a few more items I'd put on my list.  I know for sure I'm all about manners.  I know for sure I'm all about trying to be a better Christian and I know for sure I'm all about education.  I just didn't know I was all about such an early bedtime!