tlescalante

I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Resided in Metairie, Louisiana until Hurricane Katrina hit. My husband, who is employed with McDermott, was working overseas in Baku, Azerbaijan. After Katrina, we relocated to Baku for a while. From there we relocated to Singapore. Now we are residing in Batam, Indonesia. The address listed for mail is McDermott's corporate address in Singapore......can't get mail here (3rd world country for sure). Singapore is a 45 minute ferry ride away :) Being an expat has its advantages as well as its pitfalls. The travel is great and the friends we have made all over the world is fantastic. However, being a way from family for long periods of time is rough. Maybe that is why expats become so close in friendships.

I am a housewife with a 2 year old boy (Alejandro) here with us. He is adopted from the Philippines. We also adopted a little girl (Mia) 1 day older than our son. Sadly, she passed away this past November two weeks shy of her second birthday. (A tragedy I pray other parents never have to live through.) My husband and I also have four chilren (16 - 24 yrs old) residing in the states (3) are finishing their education and (1) is in the Marines married with a three year old UPDATE....they are expecting...due in June!!. We also have Boris our 4 year old German Shephard from Germany, Maddy our 4 year old Pekingnese from Baku, and three hampsters called hampster 1, 2 and 3 (that is what you get when you 2 year old names animals......LOL) from Batam. I am an animal lover! UPDATE, we now have 2 guppies......good grief :)

I love arts & crafts, embroidry, traveling, photography, gardening, baking, cooking, receipes and spending time with friends. I just finished two quilts for our 2 girls who just graduated high school. I made them from their old t-shirts and printed pictures of them with their friends all over it. I am a beginner at sewing, but eagerly learning. Photography is probably more of an obsession with me. I am always photographing my family and friends. The walls in my house are full of black and whites of family and friends, and of course a few of the Cathedral in Jackson Square back home. Presently I am beading a very large Christmas stocking......not sure if I will finish this Christmas though :)

Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday. I love the smell of a fresh cut tree and all the gorgeous decorations. But my favorite part is the excitement and innocense of children during this time of year.

LIKES:

dragonflies, bamboo, anything Chocolate, Children laughing, walking on the beach, winter, streams, fall leaves, thunder storms, crosses, old churches, small towns, Spanish food and all colors.

My absolute favorite is collecting things from different parts of the world.

My best friend lives in the US, Patty. She is a long time member of Swap-bot; always telling me how much fun she has and the great things that everyone does. So I am very excited to have joined. I ALWAYS send. If you don't receive, please let me know.

UPDATE: Now that I have several swaps under my belt, Iam addicted ! I am having a great time. Love getting mail from all over the world, thanks everyone !

I enjoy old classic rock n roll (especially Elton John) today's country music and good jazz. Also enjoy a good dance with Alex to some Billie Holiday! :)

Anything. I LOVE Books !!!!

My favorite programs are anything about ghosts and vampires (especially the Anne Rice series)..LOL Sex in the City, and Bedknobs and Boomsticks.

Any that involve children or Christmas.