Home Sweet Home

After a very long flight, I'm home. I've flown completely around the world...that's pretty cool. I was so crabby when I landed, and am just now starting to feel like my normal self again.

Clarke Quay

They've gone and air-conditioned the outdoors. I'm so bummed that my pics are not able to be uploaded because this is really an odd site. Right along the Singapore River, about a 15-20 minute walk from my hotel is Clarke Quay. Nearly the entire area is covered by these Jetson-esque translucent umbrellas. Basically, it is an outdoor venue, with two and three story buildings covering several blocks, entirely protected by these giant umbrellas(I'll update this post with the pictures). But, they didn't stop there. The main support for the giant umbrellas is a giant air conditioning vent - It is like nothing I've ever seen before. As a result, Clarke Quay is protected from the direct sun, rain and is significantly cooler than merely being outside.

Clarke Quay has a ton of high-end tourist focused restaurants and clubs. One that stood out, is called, "The Clinic" I didn't go in, but the outside(ish) portion was a hoot. Instead of normal outside seating, the sidewalk was filled with gurneys and IV stands holding IV bags full of liquor I suppose.

Singapore Chilli Crab

I don't know why I was so nervous. Everything went so well. The best part is, that not only have made work connections, I've really made some great new friends!

One of the meeting participants and I went to dinner last night. We set out to taste Singapore Chilli Crab - What an experience! So messy, so unique and so good. I'll post the pics of it as soon as I can.

Dad and Bill - You guys would love this! And, you'd be impressed that I would be eating something so spicy!

A little taste of home...

The food here has been completely out of this world! However, I woke up this morning missing home, Bill, Ghettee and Miss B.

Last night was the closest thing I've had to a full night's sleep since I've been here. I awoke to the sound of the Siren, in the Green 'Starbucks' Circle, softly singing my name - luring me toward her.

I've walked past this Starbucks every morning since I've been here, and not had a desire to go in. Today, I was jonesing for it, something familiar, something to make me feel at home. Iced Venti Caramel Macchiato - It was cool, too sweet, way too decidant - everything I was hoping. As if that wouldn't be enough calories for an entire day - I also indulged in a muffin a US Style Chocolaty Muffin. It tasted a little bit like home - I felt better.

Just in case you are wondering - I asked my group, and they confirmed, there is no such thing as a Singapore Style Chocolaty Muffin.

Just returned from drinks and dinner

I was nervous for no reason. The entire day went wonderfully. The Far East participants were interactive enthusiastic and ready to learn as much as possible.

My inner critic was running wild. So much of me wanted to have all the answers...or appear to have all of the answers. I tried my best to anticipate the questions I would get...however my predictions were off. For a minute, I paniced. I did not know the answers to the questions...the perspectives were completely new, and sooooo NOT American. Funny, I came here to train, to teach - and I'm certain that I will leave here having learned the most.

After my initial presentation, and during the first break, I decided to uphold my new year's resolution. I resolved to not pretend to know something when I do not. It seems fairly simple, but - I can sling a significant amount of BS when backed into a corner.

I came back to present the second half, the part I was confident on, having made the decision to acknowledge what I do know, and what I can find out. Approaching it that way, was wonderfully received! I thought I would lose credibility. But, I think I actually gained credibility with them.

As a group we all went out for a phenomenal dinner, so many stories. So many diverse backgrounds and life experiences...it is overwhelming. But it is all good.

Here's to hoping that I can sleep past 3:30 AM (Singapore). It is coming up on 1 AM. My internal clock is so messed up...it is lunch time where most of you are!

The set up...

In this building

In this conference room

With my jacket, wrinkled from the short walk over

I prepare for the meeting...I'm early

My part isn't even until after lunch.
The lady has already come around to bring me coffee
She'll pop in from time to time to ask if I want more

Getting coffee and water myself would take away her job
So, I graciously accept being served.

Big Day

Well, today is the big day. I feel confident about the material I'm presenting. I've been tasked with taking pictures of the group as well, I'm getting good at it! There is a group dinner tonight at a restruant called Indochine. I'm sure it'll be interesting

Wide awake at 3 AM

After a great dinner and several Heineken (for my back) I came back to the room and hit the sack. The 4 hours later -- wide awake. So, I have plenty of time to prepare for my presentation!

Great Day!

Just a quick note to say that today went wonderfully. It is almost 7PM and the Partner is taking a few of us who are traveling, to dinner. Literally had a blast working today. Got a lot done, way more than expected, I feel confident that tomorrow's meeting will go well.

I am really tired, but looking forward to a connecting with my colleagues tonight.

Monday Morning

I've been up since 4 AM, part time diff part nervous excitement. I've been able to chat with a couple of you this morning (Sunday evening for you). The coolest person I got to chat with was my Godson Phillipp. (you made my day - good luck writing your report).

Those of you who know me well, know that I do not have the decorating gene nor the fashion gene. However, with the help of some kind souls at Men's Wearhouse at the waterfront, I have 4 very sharp work outfits. I feel so - not me -when dressed up, but maybe that will change!

Here we go!

Now that the swelling has gone down...

...and I am not experiencing any adverse reactions. I want to introduce you to this special little caterpillar. It is no bigger than one half inch. The locals, reffer to it as Effin Caterpillar. As in, "That effin caterpillar bit my arm within the first 5 minutes of being at the Botanical Gardens!"

I felt the bit/sting as I was setting up my tripod to take pics of the Gardens. I saw the little guy, nothing remarkable...I took the picture to be able to provide the hospital with a description of what caused my high fever, inability to swallow and swollen lymph nodes...but alas, I'm fine.

Cheetahs in Singapore

One thing I forgot to mention, I ran into a coalition of wild Cheetahs on my walk yesterday!

Well not exactly, they were WILD and they were Cheetah-licious - Any guesses? I bet Angelina knows!

As it turns out the Cheetahlicious bus was parked on a corner, a line of eager children and loving parents snaked over the sidewalk. There were no actual Cheetah Girl sitings, however. The children (and parents) got to go onto the bus, dress in some Cheetahlicious clothes and pose for their very own Cheetahlicious Album cover. Once the phone shoot was over, they moved the kids to the recording studio. There, they would be recorded singing their favorite Cheetah Girls song! When they walked out The had their own CD and of course it was - all together now - Cheetahlicious!

Disney is everywhere!

When in Singapore...

...get a massage...in Chinatown. Well, tomorrow being Monday, my first day at work in Singapore, I thought that I might treat myself. Let me take a few steps back. Last night in Chinatown, among the food, antique, inexpensive-silk, hooka, toy, etc. ad nauseum vendors, I was approached by a young Chinese man peddling - wait for it - The best massage in the world!

Last night I was able to resist. Today however, it was all I could think about. One hour and $45(Sing) was all that was required. Who would pass that up?

After a great morning/afternoon walking tour of Arab Street, I caught a cab back to the hotel. I forgot to mention that the skys opened up and a very hard quick rain began to fall - It was refreshing...but I didn't want to be soaking wet - Taxi!

I freshened-up (full-shower...there is no wash-your-face-and-feel-better here) and began my walk to China town for the best Massage Ever! Now, please don't think I'm naive. I considered every why-this-is-a bad-idea scenario. I'm in exctasy while Mama San is going through my wallet writing down credit card numbers, preparing to sell me into sexual slavery (fat chance), finding a way to convince me that $45 Sing is really $100 US or something like that. But, I was not detered. Especially when I played the best-case scenarios in my head.

On my walk, the skies opened up again. Fortunately, many of the sidewalks are narrow and coverd by the second floor of the buildings they border. I popped into little store and bought an inexpensive yet high quality umbrella (notice I am not saying cheap.) Walked for about 10 min or so and was smack-dab right in the middle of Chinatown.

I weaved in and out of the narrow people-packed streets. Then, like a light from heaven shining down on me, I heard the phrase I came here to hear -only this time it had been down-graded from "Best Massage In the World" to "Really Really Good Massage, You Like, c'mon I show you."

I shrugged, and said, "Okay."

Well, I did not get robbed, cheated, or sold into sexual slavery. I was, however, convinced to pay for another 30 min - I was weak. It was a great massage, San San, took very good care of me. She worked out a lot of knots and kinks and - get this - she told me, "Don't drink ice water, drink warm water" she continued, "And, don't drink Tiger Beer (local Singapore beer), Drink only Heineken, no ice!

After my 90 minutes had passed, I dressed, and in a pleasant almost euphoric haze, made my way from Chinatown to Boat Quay (pronounced: Boat Key) to find some inexpensive Thai food and a warm Heineken. The pic to the right is my view of the Singapore River at Boat Quay.

The pad-thai was grand and the warm Heineken was, well, I guess - good for me! And, while it is not quite the "happy ending" I imagined in one of my best-case scenarios, it was still pretty damn good.

Sunday Morning - Walking Tour

This morning, I finally feel like I'm somewhat acclamted to the time difference. It is about 3:30 in the afternoon on Sunday. For those of you at home it is 2:30 AM Sunday. I planned to walk to the famous Raffles Hotel to have the National drink...The Singapore Sling. I planned my arrival for about noon. Today the temp was lower and there was a nice breeze.

Oh I forgot to mention it is so darn hot here, but virtually no one wears shorts. I walked to a city park that was also an old fort. There were these huge tress, called Heritage trees. They form a canopy and have long, strong branches that come all the way back down to the ground...pics don't do it justice. (I'm running in to some trouble uploading today's pics...I'll try get them up later).

I made my way to Raffles Hotel sat at an open air bar and had a Singapore Sling. I chatted with two very nice people from Cincnnati.

I had originally planned to spend the rest of the day in Little India. The concierge, at the Fullerton suggest I not go on Sunday. All of the migrant workers from India don't work, and that portion of Singapore is jam-packed on Sunday. I'll save that for Friday or Sat next week. Instead, I walked to Arab Street. The Arab/Muslim section of the Island. What a treat! There were streets lined with silks textiles, batiks. It was not nearly as crowded, but everyone was very friendly. Lot's of the hard selling types. I bought something really cool for my Mother in this one small shop...I don't want to spoil it, so I'll say no more.

I'm going back to China town this afternoon.

Jet Lag

The hotel is very cush. The first thing I did was to run a bath and jump in! It is amazing how dirty you feel after sitting on a plane for nearly 19 hours! I wanted to sleep more than anything, but I forced myself to go on an adventure. I hailed a cab and took my tired stiff jet-lagged body to a 500 acre Botanical Gardens! What was I thinking?

It is more humid here than you can imagine! And at temps of nearly 90 degrees Fahenhiet, stolling along to look at all the trees, plants and Orchids (tons and tons of orchids) proved to be quite a challenge! I walked through the grounds sweating from every pore of my body for about 3 hours. I could barely keep my eyes open, so I went back to the hotel and took a 4 hour snooze, I could have used a full 12! But, I didn't want to miss the light up celebration that kicks off the Chinese New Year Celebration in China town.

I'm really glad I did that, China town was great. It was packed with people and hundreds upon hundreds of stores lining the narrow streets. Colored Paper lanterns were hung every where. I have a few videos of the fire-works and a fake dancing china-man...I'll try to figure out how to post them. Later.

The Flight to Singapore

The flight to Singapore was every second of 18 hours and 40 minutes. The service and inflight entertainment was great. I must have watched 5 movies on demand and a handful of TV shows. You were also able to get up, walk around an socialize.

However, the coolest part was the flight path map. If it were not for this map, I would have continued to think we were flying West to get here. Anyway, The map would cycle through different perspectives, showing you which countries you were flying over etc. We appeared to head right toward Iraq and Iran...

but we actually changed course and flew to the

north. This secong picture give an example of that detail.