Monday Musing

Beautiful Sunset: I took this picture overlooking the city on Thursday night – just fantastic!

Walking and Queuing: People queue up single-file waiting for the bus, but when you walk down the mall, it’s utter chaos! They drive on the left side of the street so you would think they would walk on the left side of the hallway, passing on the right. In Amy's world, people should walk how they drive, but no such order here. So today, I put in my ear buds and listened to my iPod while I walked home from the market and dodged the crowds – even with my trolley!

Newspaper Obituaries: The obituaries are quite expressive here – I don’t know any other way to put it. The family, friends and/or associates take out half to full page ads honoring the “departed.” Language including “on the demise” or “was called home” or “auspicious return to the Celestial Brotherhood…” or “they are in Pure Land.” These expressive (and unusual) phrases reflect the many religions found here in S’pore. I’m not making light of the traditional – actually it exhibits the respect for elders that is so prevalent here. Paul and I see many multigenerational families together “operating as a unit.”

New Moon Arising!

It was supposed to be out Dec. 3rd. So, I’m a little confused about how that works, but glad it was out early. They have “Sneak Peeks” here in S’pore. The only explanation we got is that the theatres call it a “Sneak Peek” when the movie only plays certain times of the days. Additionally, I don’t think they sell out the whole theatre. But, all of the posters still claim that New Moon comes out 3.12.09 (Dec. 3rd). As an aside, internationally, dates are noted day/month/year. Just let me say Paul was a dear and went with me. He thought Twilight was better, but I’m still trying to make up my mind. I think I may have to go again (or more) to really form a solid opinion (LOL)!
Seeing a movie in S’pore: This was our first one, so I may have new experiences to report, later. We bought our tickets online and then passed by a million people in the queue to pick up our tickets! Worth the S$1 (or about 60 cents US)! To give an Int’l perspective, it wasn’t as nice as the one we went to in Bercy Village in Paris or Bridge Street in Huntsville, AL. But, the Lido Cineplex (Shaw Theatres) was huge and all of the theatres are named Lido 1, 2, etc. Like Lido decks on a cruise ship. Anyway, at 7pm (when the movie was supposed to start), they were still cleaning up the theatre. Then, once we sat down, they played inane TV Commercials up until 7.15 or so. We saw maybe two previews. Now, you do get to see movies with Chinese subtitles or not. We chose, this time, no subtitles – just English.

Funny TV Commercial waiting to see New Moon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXiXprmJngA

"Flat Phoebe" Travels to S'pore

A very dear little girl has a special class project and I agreed to help out! “Flat Phoebe” is traveling the world and I’m honored with the chance to give her some S’pore adventures. So, you’ll be seeing some pictures and posts for Phoebe and her classmates in Arizona! Kudos to Mrs. Corkins for this type of project!

If you’re interested in learning more about how about some of these “Flat” projects came about, here is a link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Stanley

(See Picture Above) For her first adventure, she went shopping with me to Carrefour (Asia’s superstore – reminiscent of Wal-Mart – you get the idea!) in my little trolley! This is just like Erica's trolley in Paris. I’m such a local!!!!

Can you spot "Flat Phoebe" hanging out with one of Santa's reindeer's on Orchard Road?

"Flat Phoebe" even went to work with Paul one day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our Family and Friends in the States! I hope you are having wonderful feasts on yams, pies and deep-fried turkeys! Tip of the hat to Dad and Steve on their turkeys… While we are not exactly celebrating a traditional T-day here, it is a Singapore National Holiday: Hari Raya Haji.

“Hari Raya Haji is celebrated one day after Haj pilgrims converge on Arafat in Mecca, the Islamic Holy Land, to perform the major rites of the annual pilgrimage. This falls on the tenth day of Zulhijjah, the 12th month of the Muslim calendar. Hari Raya Haji is a day to commemorate this religious occasion, and to honour pilgrims who have completed their Haj to Mecca. It’s a joyous affair, filled with festivities and cheer to welcome the return of the assiduous pilgrims. The highlight of the occasion is the sacrifice of an animal as a mark of gratitude to Allah (God).” http://www.myonlinetour.com/poi/reference/haji/INDEX.HTM

Singapore is a multiethnic society but made up of several difference cultures and religions. Like the US there is freedom of religion. Some of the religious markers turn into holidays here. Since there are so many cultures, S’pore officials have a delicate balance to maintain.

So, Paul’s not going to put in a full day and we're going to going to the pool and get tickets to the Esplanade: Swan Lake. We’re also going to get New Moon tickets – opens Dec. 3rd here! Yeah!

Picture of the Esplanade: S'pore's Performing Arts Center - Beautiful, just beautiful!

"Lucy, You're in Trouble!"

Okay, Mr. Devon & Mr. Paul, you didn’t tell me about these! This was quite a traumatic experience. I don’t think there are words…
On the upside, I did get a picture and ALSO found out LATER, that these are in only some of the stalls, so you just have to wait for a western toilet. There isn’t even anything to hold on to!!!!!

Airport & Suite Pictures

Hello All! Here are some pictures of the airport on Friday night (Nov. 20th) & our beautiful suite. Singapore is beautifully decked out for Christmas, so you’ll see more pictures from me commemorating the season. Paul walks to work (though dripping by the time he gets there – HUMIDITY! We’re within walking distance of at least 3 malls and restaurants like you wouldn’t believe!! The first picture above gives you an idea of the magnitude of this little island.

First Posting & Singapore Adventure

Well, we’re here! To catch some of you up – Paul and I are in Singapore together; but it wasn’t always so. I finally met up with him here on November 20th. While balancing everything, Paul has been working on his Asia region. He is making some new hires and ensuring a successful transition of facilities activities to a new provider. All of these things came together to mean that he needed to spend some time in Singapore. We were able to meet up in Hong Kong and then fly into S’pore together. Paul was just returning from a whirlwind business trip that took him to Taipei, Taiwan; Seoul, Korea; Hong Kong, China.

If you know us, you know our life is always in some kind of flux – we must like it that way or we’re just crazy – who knows?! Anyway, here’s the timeline:

Paul and Amy’s Adventure Timeline:
Oct. 1st: P&A leave Denver at 5pm (yes, that late!) and drove with the dogs to Alabama.

Oct. 3rd, 3am: P&A arrive in AL with two very tired pups. Paul leaves later that day for CA.
Oct. 3rd-10th: Paul works in CA for REW’s Octoberfest!
Oct. 10th-Present: Paul works in Singapore and travels throughout Asia.
Oct. 3rd-Nov. 19th: Amy spends time with her parents in Alabama. Now, the dogs are being spoiled by their grandparents
Nov. 20th-Jan. 21st: P&A in Singapore; other travel TBD…

OKAY – JUST HAVE TO SAY, I WAS SUPER SPOILED IN BUSINESS CLASS – THANK HEAVENS FOR UPGRADES!