Observations and Accomplishments

The fact that we've relocated to a foreign country (and we're not just talking Canada) is a big deal. A lot has been accomplished in the last couple months leading up to this. It's surreal now - planning, opening accounts, closing accounts, selling back the cars, packing for stuff going to Fitchburg, Clinton, Singapore by hand, Singapore by sea, getting the Winnie settled. I'm proud of everything we were able to do, under a pile of stress, in a short time. But we're here now - and since I'm the only author of this blog, I can give myself a meaty pat on the back for something I'm pretty pleased with - it's Tuesday, 8 March (that's how we do dates up in here) at 5pm, and I haven't had a smoke since 28 February at 10:48 pm. Holy shit.

That aside, and thank you for indulging me my moment, there is so much to share with people who have never, and who may never, experience that which is Singapore. Kellie is getting into work, and maybe I can cajole her into a guest blog about that. I have a cell phone - a pay-as-you-go Nokia POS that I'll use until I once again become a member of the working class. This is a cell phone-centric society. Sitting on the train, everyone has their noses buried in their phones - and I'm walking around with the equivilent of a rotary dial. I've also connected with a number of local recruiters, and I have an appointment tomorrow with our realtor to start trying to find our permanant apartment. I promise to start taking pictures. We cased the neighborhood (called Robertson Quay (that's pronounced "key:) on Sunday and we do still like it there. It's a great mix of older shop houses and modern buildings. There's also a great many restaurants, bars and other conveniences. Kellie and I also managed to catch a bank whilst it was in it's Opening Hours today, and we're proud owners of "stored value" public transport cards.

I'm trying to be adventurous with the food - something I was uber excited about. Easier said than done when you're faced with so many western comforts. Pizza Hut, Subway - hell - I can see an Applebees from the window of our place - true story. I got some noodle dish yesterday that I was somewhat excited about right up until I ate it. It was like eating over-sized ramen swimming in bath water along with balls of who knows what. Should have gotten a picture of that. OH - and they have Seaweed flavoured (like that?) Pringles. That said, I had some amazing chicken with cashew nuts ($6) for lunch yesterday, and Tuk Tuk Mee ($5) today, a Korean noodle dish with pork and fried wontons. Tonight, weather permitting (not TOO hot or raining) we may venture to Newton Circus, the most well known food market (or hawker centre) in Singapore. It's a food orgy ( http://www.the-inncrowd.com/newtoncircus.htm  's words not mine). Don't feel bad if you don't read the whole atricle, I didn't.

People in the service industry in Singapore are ridiculously friendly. Our housekeeper asked me how she should address me. She said "Mr. . . . ?" and I said Chris, just Chris. Sooo, inevitably I'm now "Mr. Chris." In general, people assume that we are here as the result of my outstanding work performance, and not Kellie's. We explained to a cab driver on Sunday that I am in fact looking for work here. He called me a "man of leisure" - said I was his hero. So I've got that going for me, which is nice. Said cab driver also gave us some apartment recommendations and said we should check out the new casino, from which he has banned himself for one year. He literally put his name on a list of people to be barred from the place as the blackjack gods hadn't shined upon him. You think if Foxwoods or the Luxor even had such a service, any Americans would do this? Is that like putting yourself on the "no-fly" list if you have a bad flight?

There's no porn in Singapore - it's illegal. The government even goes so far as to edit Hollywood's products prior to their being displayed here. If you're reading this and you've never seen Joe Dirt, then, well, do I even know you? Anywho - I was watching this Oscar-worthy film yesterday, and was shocked that a number of scenes would never be appreciated by Singaporean eyes, i.e., 1.) When the airline pilots moon Joe when he's flying in the tooth - 2.) When Charlie the dog is supposed to be getting help but he's boffing the neighborhood poodle and 3.) The "I'm yur sister" bit with Jamie Presley. What year comes after 1983? Maybe this lack of exposure to things north of PG-13 has lended itself to the following:

I don't want to editorialize or pass judgement, so I'll just include this link: http://sg.travel.yahoo.com/inspirations/253-alexis-ong-the-problem-with-singapore-men

There's so much more - here's some rapid fire observations: a dude with 4 inch angel wings on his white high-top sneakers, people fork & knifing dinner rolls and french fries, commercials are always the same during shows, we were asked if we were Australian (guess we all look and sound alike. . . . ), and it's hot. Metaphor: when I walk around outside I feel like a stick of butter in a hot skillet. Oh, when the elevator stops, it says "Storey 9." I guess translated that means 9th floor.

Lastly - the day I get a job is the day Kellie and I make our plans to go to Bali - super-stoked for this, but it just wouldn't feel right for my broke-ass to live the lavish life in Bali until then.