The Weekender

Hey Guys! 

Quick weekend recap for your viewing pleasure. We had a nice weekend to ourselves with no 'real' plans, but lots of plans and errands to feel productive. 

Friday morning we got to work early enough to sit down at our usual local breakfast stop - Wang's. Most days we just get an iced Kopi-O-kosong (black coffee the equivalent of rocket fuel, without milk or sugar) and crunchy peanut(butter) toast for take-away. On Friday Michael was really excited to finally try one of the local classics. He opted for the Mee Siam, which looked and tasted very yummy, but is personally not style for breakfast. 

The description: Wang’s Mee Siam is served with its signature sweet-sour gravy and an ingredient mix of tau pok, hard‐boiled egg and bean sprouts over thin rice noodles. A squeeze of fresh calamansi adds tang.

Mee Siam

Okay, these guys. They are been the talk of the town the last few weeks. They are called  Lyssa Zampa moth. They are massive months native to Singapore apparently feeding on a type of rubber tree. They come out around this time every year, but some years in much greater numbers. This year for reasons unknown they are out in masses! You cannot walk down the street without seeing them all over the place. (People are not sure if they know the exact reason for their high numbers this year, but I have heard mumbling of deforestation as a possible reason). The first time I spotted one (they can grow >6 inches across) I could have sworn it had escaped from the nearby Gardens by the Bay. I took a million pictures like a crazy person then look up to see about 10 more all over the front of our office building. I finally got an up close shot here and am going to continue believing they are butterfly's and not months because they are HUGE.   

Lyssa zampa

Friday evening was spent rushing home from work for an 8:00pm SGT / 7:00am CST Skype meeting with our wonderful wedding planner - we are almost there! After that we were much too tired to do anything but drink some wine and watch a movie. Getting married is exhausting. 

Saturday we were up and at'em with a vengeance. Getting back into a routine, we had a great 'normal' Saturday. The day started off with me going to my Pilates lesson. Would you call it a lesson? I have a trainer who is trying to get me in bridal shape asap. After that Michael and I met back at home for one of our favorite Saturday adventures: check out the sporting goods mall > hawker center for fresh juice > Chinese bakery for these amazing little biscuits (cookies) > and on to this little shop of handmade wicker furniture.  

We have browsed this store multiple times and finally found the perfect piece and had enough cash on us to make the purchase. Woo! 

Next stop - Michael had a hair cut and I had a wedding dress fitting and needed to check out China Town for more wedding related errands - told you we were productive! 

I decided I am going to make all my bridesmaids wear Singapore Airlines outfits (pictured below) while getting ready. Ha! Not really, but that would be hilarious. But you all may or may not all be getting something equally Asian looking. Muah-ha-ha ;)

Saturday evening we were determined to do something 'different.' We had fun plans to go see The Merchant in Venice at the Shakespeare in the Park event, but naturally we were too late and tickets were sold out. Can someone please explain to me how you are sold out of tickets to a park? Like, you won't let me give you $100 dollars to sit on an open patch of grass over there in that massive PARK?! Only in Singapore, my friends. Anyway, we took a walk down to Clarke Quay and found this really neat live music festival. It was part of the Music Matters Live series. Over 60 bands, 18 countries, Over 170 shows over a 4-day period. There were different bands playing on the main stage and a few different bars we popped into to. The music and atmosphere was great. It ended up being a really fun evening.  

Weirdly lots of headbanging though. 

So I don't remember exactly why I took this photo, or how in the world Michael obliged, but I love it. I also love how you can see my reflection in the mirror - future stage mom alert. He looks like a little big kid. 

Most every Sunday afternoon when we are in town Michael plays basketball with a group of guys while I stroll the grocery store and attempt to plan the week's menu. Wow, talk about gender roles right there. But it is some nice time apart during what it usually a 72hr couples marathon on the weekends. (<-- gosh we're losers)  

Side note: Michael and I both agree I really need a dog so I can take more photos of it and far less of him ;) 

Our new outdoor shoe rack looks great! We were previously using this super ghetto quasi shelf. We do this mainly because 1. it's Singapore and no one is going to steal your shoes, 2. everyone does it and 3. it is actually kind of nice to keep at this mess outside. Future visitors take note - we are officially a no shoes in the house family. Because I want to fit in. 

Geez, could you guess an American family lives here? #Nike #Converse #Rainbow #Size12

And finally I leave you with this gem because I cannot stop laughing. Our weekly Sunday evening cocktail hour / pool party has really taken a serious turn... 

Have a great work week ya'll. Less than 3 weeks before we depart for the big show! 

Xo,

C

Wait! How could I forget! The main highlight of our weekend was starting Friday Night Lights (we have both never seen it before). Michael and I got in a legit fight after I declared Tim Riggins the hottest thing to come out of Texas since Mac Brown. He said only an  awful person would like that character and I was a bad human. We are almost through season 1. To be continued. 

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Bintan Triathlon 2014

Well, we did it! 

As noted, we competed (I mean completed?) in the Bintan Triathlon 2014 on Bintan Island, Indonesia. Bintan itself is a large resort island, only 1 degree North of the equator (<-- not making an excuse for our performance, just making a statement of fact ;)). The people were really friendly and certainly excited about hosting this event year after year.  Overall, the weekend was a blast and very smooth sailing (literally) logistically. We worked all day Friday and took an 8:00pm ferry from Singapore to Bintan. The ferry was only about 55min long and with a 1 hour time change we left at 8pm and arrived at 8pm. 

In addition, Michael's colleague Greg and his girlfriend Jingyi were traveling with us as we all signed up for the event together. It was certainly more fun to do the event with friends. The girls did the sprint distance while the guys cheered us on and vice-versa while the guys did the Olympic distance later in the day. 

Wait, backing up, Michael and I are (were?) really not 'triathlon people' but this was a fun adventure to train for and partake in. It is neat to add a totally different type of physical and mental challenge into our lives. Especially as we get older and seem to be more and more focused on our careers and the less fun aspects of becoming a mature adult, it's a fun release and unique experience. I know I complained about it directly before and after the event, but it is a hobby I think we both hope to continue - certainly while we are living in SE Asia. The fact that we can swim, run and bike outside, no exaggeration, 24/7, 365 is pretty unique.

  

All in all we had a great time and were both very proud of our accomplishments - but with plenty of room for improvement :) 

6:30AM wake up call from the Angsana. Good morning! 

After breakfast we took a quick shuttle over to the race at Nirwana Gardens . We picked up our bikes, got our numbers painted on and the girls were ready to go! 

In summary: Sprint Distance

Start time: 9:00AM

Temp at start: 84°F / Feels like 94° / 78% Humidity 

750m Swim

20km Bike

5km Run

Finish Time: 01:57:13

Let's go! 

(Oh did I mention I have a torn calf muscle* and a major fear of open ocean water?)

Everything ended up just fine - I felt pretty good about the swim portion. There are so many slippery bodies touching all over you it's nearly impossible to be worried about jelly fish or Great Whites. My time was pretty good because I could NOT wait to get out of there.

On to the bike! 

My 1st transition time was pretty slow - wait so I am not supposed to take my time toweling off? But I felt pretty good on the bike overall. WAY more hills than I was prepared for. Our training route in Singapore is pretty much entirely flat so this was a wake up call. Also, I cannot seem to jog my memory from the 5th grade and recall how to properly shift gears on my left hand so that may have helped <--- serious tri athlete right here :) BUT I will say I gave it 100% on the bike portion.

My lame calf was a major issue on the run but at this point all I cared about was finishing - run, walk or crawl, it was happening. I looked like Laura Dern in Jurassic Park, RUNNN! 

I did it! Bucket list, check! Where's my beer?!

At this point the poor guys had been standing outside in the heat cheering us on for the past 3 hours. But look how happy we are to be done :) 

Michael's turn. 

In Summary: Olympic Distance 

Start time: 1:00PM

Temp at start: 86°F / Feels like 96° / 74% Humidity 

1500m Swim
40km Bike
10km Run
Finish Time: 03:04:45

The guys are all in the water in the blue caps. The women are in yellow waiting as they stagger the men and women about 10min. I love how you can see the storm rolling in (it never got to us). Not only was I sick to my stomach nervous for Michael ---is this what having kids feels like!?? I really didn't think twice when I was racing, but I was about to simultaneously vomit and start crying when Michael was about to start--- the massive bolts of lightening out over the water didn't help any. 

Fun fact: Michael completed the swim 61/489. Carriage Club record holder anyone?? ;)

Oh and there was a random elephant at the race.

Go, Michael, go! 

Michael + Greg 

Saturday night we had a great dinner at a small Thai restaurant and early to bed. Sunday was pretty rainy all day, but it was a nice break from the heat and we still had a wonderful, relaxing day in Bintan basking in the glory of our athleticism. 

Storms'a'comin'

A couple photos and lunch of local Indonesian fare to round out the weekend. 

Bintan, we out! 

-C

*saw a physio today and I have a grade 1 tear of my soleus - a small muscle that runs under the main belly of the calf. Just in case you were worried ;)

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Bali, Indonesia

Greetings from Bali! 

Well not technically, but don't we all wish we could be there right now?

As a wonderful ending to the Duvalls tour de Asia, the four of us jetted off to Bali for 4 a-may-zing days of fun in the sun. Emphasis on SUN. Cold plunge anyone? The trip was such a blast and just what we all needed - a beautiful beach, uninterrupted time together lounging and laughing, cold drinks and blissful denial the trip was soon coming to an end. We stayed at the Four Seasons in Jimbaran Bay and I cannot imagine a nicer resort or more friendly people on this earth.  

Quick travel note on Bali: there are a few popular areas of the island that provide you with a completely different experiences from one location to another. We stayed in Jimbaran which is a perfect happy medium for relaxation and buzz and located not too far from the airport. I know a lot of people that head to Seminyak for a stag or hen weekend for a little crazier time (like the wasted group of French guys on our flight) - and finally Ubud is another popular area that is set up in the lush foothills and rice paddies near many of the temples and further from the water. Traffic can be nuts (and slightly dangerous) so it is often difficult to see various parts of the island in one short trip. I think next time we go back we will explore Ubud for a completely different experience! But all in all Bali is absolutely stunning and the people are unbelievably kind. 

I was super jet lagged from our 2.25 flight from Singapore to Indonesia so I was lucky enough to witness this epic sunrise on our first morning. (I often joke I get jet lagged from any and all distance flights, but I swear I do!) Also please note only a true dedicated blogger jumps out of bed at <6:00am in order to document such an important event.  

A little Balinese architecture to welcome us to our home. 

Sorry I'm not sorry if this recap reads a little like a family vacation album (oh cuz it is ;))

#BaliSelfie

Truth be told, most of our time was spent lounging at this pool. 1. Because clearly it's awesome and 2. There were multiple pools on the grounds, but we quickly deemed this to be where 'all the beautiful people' were, so naturally, that's where we belonged.

The tides in Bali were nuts - they varied from crashing up into the pool at high tide to exposing the rocks and beach 50+ yards out at low tide. Is that normal? I grew up in NE so what do I know.   

Two happy Duvall men. 

I am usually not a fan of the cliche feet beach pics, but 'comeon...

Groovey Duvey

Quick stroll down the beach for some famed Jimbaran Bay seafood for lunch.   

Yumm... 

Just a man and his board. 

I attempted to add the most surfer looking filter I could find on the photo below. You know what they say, a father and son who surf together, stay together ;) Also, want to guess how long these two talked in their own version of surfer language, duude? 

Oummmm....

Behold, the most amazing looking (and tasting) gazpacho you ever did see.

SURFS UP DUDE! 

I present to you the cover of Michael's debut solo album. 

I love this pic below because I imagine Michael making this exact same face when he was 8 as he is at 28 :)    

Note: this beautiful group pic was staged via self-timer balancing on a beach chair and towel. My original vision (obvi, because I am an obsessive photo enforcer) was for us to all to be sitting up on the ledge. The epic failure and outtake that was me starting the camera and doing a disgusting fat-kid belly flop into the pool to get into place on time still makes me laugh just thinking about it. I was certainly not amongst the beautiful people in that moment. H.E. as we would say. 

Everyone, they are real surfers now. (editors note: Michael and his dad both caught some good waves and did an amazing job getting out there with no lessons or previous experience. I am sure by now Greg is back in KC telling everyone how he hit the 'tube' in a 10ft hull, man. You better believe that is what Michael is telling everyone ;)) 

Attention: this was the most important location on the entire property - the elusive Cold Plunge. It was pretty much a full ice bath like professional athletes partake in. This thing was so great - so cold - so worth it. Can we get one built on our balcony please? 

All cleaned up for our last night in paradise. 

Elaine and I both got our dresses on the beach for $7 - heyo! 

Headed over to a neighboring resort for sunset cocktails. 

What an incredible trip. We are so thankful and grateful to have spent time in such a beautiful place with such special people. Memories to last a lifetime, no doubt.  

And lastly, I leave you with this... a little blue steel hotness to get you through your Friday ;)

Until next time Bali...

Xo,

C

P.S. we are off to (back to) Indonesia this weekend for the big Bintan Triathlon! Wish us luck as Michael is doing the full Olympic distance and I am nursing a wicked calf injury that may keep me on the DL. Full recap to come!  

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