Well here we go...

So from the moment we stepped off the plane in S'pore, the number one question we get asked is "do you have help", the next question is always "are you going to get help?"  When I say "help" I'm not referring to psychiatric treatment (which I'm sure Mike and the kids think I need), I'm actually talking about a live-in domestic helper that essentially becomes the "mom" of your household and begins to take care of everything.  Cooking, cleaning, child rearing, you name it, a domestic helper does it.

While it sounds like an incredible luxury, it is actually something that is common place in Singapore and is quite inexpensive.  Most all of my new friends have live-in help.  They discuss how nice it is to have meals prepared for them, clothing ironed, someone to watch their children at a moments notice.  However, anyone who knows me knows that giving up control of my domain is not an easy feat.  So I have been on the fence about getting "help".

There are also many things to consider about having a domestic helper.  Not only is there the invasion of privacy associated with someone living with you, but you essentially become the guardian of the helper.  So the government of Singapore allows you to employ a helper, but in exchange you are on the hook for making sure this person doesn't commit a crime, doesn't try to run away or get pregnant.  If this happens, we have to pay the government a large sum of money.

So for weeks I have said, no we don't need a helper.  But then I see everyone else and their helpers and you get a little envious.  Hmm, you want to pop out after the kids go to bed and see a movie:  you can if you have a helper.  You want to hit the gym without your kids in tow;  you can if you have a helper.  You want to go to a restaurant and try a new cuisine that isn't based around buttered noodles:  you can if you have a helper.

So you can tell where this is leading right?  I found a helper.  Her name is Alma, and she just moved in today.  I finally decided that this is probably the only time in my life that I will be able to afford such a luxury.  I also want to get to experience Singapore away from my kids, because this city really has a lot to offer.

So Alma got here around 2:00 p.m. and started scolding me that I had already done the laundry.  She has been busy cleaning every other nook and cranny ever since.  So cross your fingers/say a prayer that this all goes well.  Or you can also loathe me...I probably would :)