Squatters at Thanksgiving in Asia

Today we are to give thanks for many things. I suppose for John and I, besides being thankful for each other we must also be glad we still have a place to stay in Singapore - although officially we are now squatters in our own flat! Let me explain…

About four weeks ago we realized that our lease was due to expire on November 20th but had heard nothing from our landlord about renewing. Nor had they been showing the apartment to other potential lessees. After contacting our original real estate agent about our concern, he commented it was quite strange but suggested we take the initiative and send an offer to renew to the landlord. Our agent conveniently provided a template which John completed and sent along. Then we heard nothing for several more days. Finally John called only to be told that our landlords partner was away and would need to be consulted. After even more days went by, we started to explore other options, then the landlord called to say he wanted to come over to talk with us. In our renewal offer we had requested that the landlord should touch-up the walls where the paint was chipped or marred and repair a recently leaking toilet. His visit was an obvious attempt to see for himself whether these requests were necessary. Afterwards, he reiterated the need to consult with his partner. Finally the night before the expiration we received an alternative offer to renew at a slightly higher rate. At least this was progress! We discussed this new offer and decided it was within an acceptable range of other apartments in our area and agreed to renew. Of course we promptly replied but now, one week later and after the expiration of our original lease, we still have no new official lease! We heard the partner is out of town again but will return on Monday, just two days before we leave for a trip back to the U.S. Let's hope it gets finalized before then as we don't want to remain squatters through Christmas too!

In the meantime, I have been on a quest to find what I can to fulfill our menu for Thanksgiving. Since it is just the two of us we don't need a whole turkey so I decide to just go for a frozen turkey breast they make available in my usual grocery store. It's pricey (about $35 for a little 3-lb roast!) but I decide it's the best option. I thaw and brine it, a technique I have not used before. It sits resting in it's herbed juices waiting to be roasted… Next I see they have canned cranberry sauce but find fresh at the local market! We will also have mashed potatoes and a veg - neither of those are a problem.

The biggest challenge may be pecan pie. The nuts are very expensive here (over $5 for a small 2 oz package) and I don't want to make a whole pie just for us. After doing some research on-line I find a couple of bakeries to try. In a way this is a treat for me! I get to go out on several different afternoons for pie and coffee to see what I can find that is suitable. At first I can find no pecan or pumpkin for that matter but then, as the holiday nears more bakeries start to advertise pies they don't always carry

Pecan Pie from Cedele's

including pecan. One is just up the street from us! I try their pumpkin (it's terrible) but the pecan looks promising. However on the day of Thanksgiving I go to buy a couple of slices and of course, today of all days they are out of pecan pie! My back-up plan is to get the pie from another favorite bakery I use all the time, a chain called Cedele's. I speak to John during his lunch break and he is able to find one of their shops nearby and confirms he can get the pecan pie there.

John's plate piled high

So now it's Friday morning, the day after our mini-feast. As you can see it was a pretty scrumptious meal in the end! On top of that, our landlord came over last night with a new lease in hand. We haven't signed on the dotted line yet but now it feels like we're going to be legitimate tenants in the next few days. In the meantime, the bathroom light fixture has now quit working and the toilet still leaks but we have a roof over our head and full bellies! Plenty to be thankful for! And here's hoping all of you also had a terrific turkey day or whatever your equivalent is for the occasion.