I always hated the heat and humidity of summer days on the East Coast of the United States but maybe that was because of the transition of the seasons. I never got used to it.

In Singapore there is one season.  In fact, there is really just one weather report.  It will be 89-93 degrees with an 80 percent chance of a severe thunderstorm.  Every day.

Which makes every day a perfect day to hold an ice cream social.

Today our military spouses’ association organized an hour and a half  long party at the house of one of our members.  

Did you know that they do not have ice cream socials in New Zealand or Australia?  No wonder we do not have peace in the world.

There were about twenty children and they lobbied hard for seconds and thirds while the adults maintained control of the scoops.  Most of the kids were ice cream fiends but, surprisingly, we ended the party with extra ice cream because most of the adults did not eat any. 

There is no rational explanation for this and as President-elect of our group, I will have to examine our remaining supplies and get to the bottom of the situation.

It’s called leadership.

I suppose it was going to happen at least once during my wife’s Navy career.  She brought home her khakis, I dumped them in the washing machine, I found her very clean ribbons and insignia when the spin cycle ended.

Laundry detergent removed the little black letters on one of her badges.  I will have to buy another but maybe if we are going to spend another $55 I can mix things up a little. 

I am sure she won’t mind the small change to her uniform with something like the Starfleet Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.  For when, you know, she transfers to their JAG Corps.  I particularly like their warning to not rely on Starfleet legal advice.

It appears that Starfleet also needs a copy editor, so my skills will be portable when we PCS to the Pinastri Sector. 

Who says that military spouses are generally over-educated and underemployed?

This is what happens when you show your daughter how to play with a dollar bill:

This was the first President and then he turned into a mushroom, so we had to have another President.  Barack Obama.

Citrus, Age 4, November 2009

When seaweed, grilled shrimp or soft-shell crab Pringles are not enough:

I realize that I could be losing touch with the latest innovations in United States grocery stores.  They may already have these but I like to think that I am learning new things about other cultures while we are living in Asia.

Elysia is in the United States for the week searching for good pizza and burritos.  Also allegedly taking a class at the Army JAG school or at least that is what she told her command.  At five months pregnant is homework or food her top priority?  You be the judge.

Here in Singapore I am just another military spouse keeping the home fires burning, or the air conditioning running, until a lightning storm knocked out half of our electricity and two of our six air conditioners.  (Oh, the humanity!)

But I have things to do even with the power out.  Before she left for the States, my wife bought a package of Oreos at the Navy Exchange, 25 percent off.  She did not realize that I, too, bought some, most likely because I forgot them in the trunk of the car for five days. 

This may be the first time in our marriage we have purchased family-size packages.  A milestone.

So she is in the States and I am left with Oreos and time to think about the important things in life.  With a little bit of scientific analysis — a teaspoon — I have concluded that there is indeed at least double the stuf in a Double Stuf cookie.  It is nice to see that some things in life do not change.

Another thing that does not change will be my wife coming home wondering what happened to the cookies with the same sense of incredulity that she had when discovering that the frozen sorbet purchased three weeks ago is no longer in the freezer.

After conducting the Oreo analysis, including a review of the literature, I now know that the wafer Oreos for sale on base are unique to Asia and Australia (See Oreo, China).  As we say in the academe, more research is necessary.

Speaking of multinational dessert issues, I recently discovered that ice cream sprinkles in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, are called rice.  They are also known as jimmies in the Mid-Atlantic United States or hundreds-and-thousands in Singapore and other places formerly ruled by the British. 

I am not sure when this information will come in handy but I am prepared to teach the next generation.

Easter Sunday.  Many people are at church, my wife is standing watch on base.  Or “place,” as we call it since our community is a small outpost here in Southeast Asia. 

Father home alone again with his daughter.  I know you are wondering what we do all day.  Many others do as well, since every time I use the words “father home alone with daughter” a lot of people visit this blog from around the world.  I suspect they are often disappointed.

Today we lip-synced and Citrus did a little dance to Gary Numan’s Cars.

I know what you’re thinking:  How much did you have to pay someone to teach her those wild moves?

Would you believe $100?  How about $20?  

Nope.  You can’t buy this.  Quality time with your daughter learning dad’s best dance moves.  

Some day she will thank me. 

For something else.

I made another video tonight of Citrus singing Anchors Aweigh.  Yes, it looks like a hostage video.  No, she was not forced to sing songs for her release or dinner and, for the record, we do not require her to march around and salute, either.  It was her military child care that got her in the habit of marching but that phase has passed.

Elysia just got back from Brunei three days ago but is already gone on another trip.  That leaves Daddy and Daughter left to joke around and amuse ourselves until her return.  We have a big menu of favorite antics and Citrus knows when she is in the clear to do things like make noodle moustaches at dinner.  Today we went swimming, had dinner delivered, and watched Sam Raimi’s Drag Me To Hell.

Okay, she only watched a little bit before I sent her off to change her clothes.  Tomorrow is Show & Tell at school and Citrus is bringing “Old Dolly.”  The two of them have sailor dresses but since the school requires a uniform, I did a mini-photo shoot so that she can bring a picture.  With the camera in hand I also made the video since soon she will be too old to sing it and look cute. 

No worries, though.  When Mommy travels in the fall we can teach the new baby old tricks.

The judges: All ate some, some ate all.

You never know when the call to serve will come, or what you may be asked to do, but you must be prepared to step up.  Today was that day. 

There I was . . . 

Halfway through a short walk between the sandwich shop and the NEX to buy a battery were several pots of chili.  All that was needed was a third judge in the cook-off. This was my moment.

Five cups later, the results were in.  Bodacious III won for the third year in a row.

Third Place

Other people go to the military chapel.  My wife and four year old daughter beat the crap out of each other on the Wii.  We all come from different traditions.

My daughter won.  Poor Mommy, down for the count.