Another day of nothingness here is the City State. I know some of you think "she must be mad! Living overseas in that exotic place. What's wrong with her?" ( many things actually!) But I attended a class today titled Singapore: irks, quirks and perks. It was good for me to attend and to hear what I already know but somehow hearing it helps reinforce it's reality on me. The class is about adjusting culturally to the area.I know most of the information, but like depression, when you're in it, it's just a murky pool. All of the other participants were having the same feelings of "no control", being lost ( physically), not understanding the culture even though we've read up on it. The gal from SACAC ( Singapore American Community Action Council) who taught the class was helpful in a deeper understanding of the Asian culture beyond what can be read online. Some of the attendees had been stationed in Japan and still felt lost and confused by what is going here. Sounds rather ominous, but it's just so different from other Asian countries, because it such a mix.
Singapore's average temp is 35C (95F) with 84% humidity. Annual rain is 93" for this Lightning Capital of the World, or at least Asia ( Google it!). There are 5.18 million people on this island of 250 Sq miles......Sinking in yet??? About 20K of these are Americans.
The 5 status Cs in Singapore are : Car, Condo, Cash, Credit cards and Club. One must own a car as they are a limited commodity and an annual raffle is held for the limited Certificate of Entitlements handed out each year. One must own/rent a condo and not a state managed apartment. One must have credit cards and not use cash. But you darn well have cash!! Then of course you can join one of the exclusive clubs here. They then put the member sticker on the windscreen so others where you belong. And certainly one is not enough! These things aren't done haughtily, but it is a sign of achievement and success, which is important and esteemed here. But it is so NOT me!!
then there is : gender roles, notions of responsibility, rule of law, values, generational roles, meaning of time (never give a watch as a gift!), role of authority, acceptability of the different, and (lack of ) creativity. These are the culturally things I need to learn, adapt to and apply where I can.
But first...Christmas! The shipment from London of our household goods gets delivered tomorrow. This is huge in my world because we've been living in the bungalow with the rental furniture and I need my own stuff. At the class I was reminded that this creates a comfort zone for me, which has been lacking for over a month now. I know it sounds shallow, but I feel so stripped of myself and any creativity, which is hard for those of us who need to build and create. I've planned, painted and waited and now it will become a reality. there is some trepidation...due to the last shipment sent from San Diego, packed over a year ago which was to be here. I can now tell the true story of that shipment.
Yes, it was prepared last May for delivery of items which we would need here right away, such as warm weather clothes, garden tools, bits of furniture that wouldn't go to London but could be used here. Well, that never arrived. The other, long term shipment come instead. You know, the one containing, skis, power tools, ski wear, radiators and guns... Yup. Guns are illegal to have here. Not only that, but prison for those importing them!! So needless to say, when I say the wrong crates on the truck, I said STOP, made a call and NCIS was here asap. Since then we've been dealing with the Singaporean Government, NCIS, local police getting this resolved and the weapons safely out of the country. As long as they realize it was a mistake and not intended, no one is going to jail. But I suspect we are being watch closely now.
So tomorrow morning I will be like a child on Christmas morn, (hopefully) ripping open boxes and hugging their contents. Some of us never grow up....
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Random-ness.....
This will be a bit of random-ness, just things to jot down, which seem interesting now, but later will probably prove to be dull;
The sun is up, as it is every morning by 7am. It's 7:30 now and the orange orb is glowing outside my window. With all the air impurities, it looks quite beautiful.
But this is pretty much the Groundhog Day experience I have. Wait! Stop, and enjoy the beauty! I find myself refocusing a lot lately and saying this. Find the joy!! I do have so much to be thankful and happy about.
Like new shoes....cheap!!! I had bought a pair of Crocs while in the States a few months back. I wasn't thrilled with them but felt the panicking urge to have some shoes I could wear in this humid climate. While I've always been a "real leather" kind of girl, that doesn't fly well here. After a good rain, your feet are soaked and leather shoes can be ruined. So it's into the faux we go.
So after trying to adjust to the Crocs (my high arch rubbed on the strap) I sold them for S$25 and thought I'd buy some "cheapies" to ruin. Then I found the above!!! Lovely, and they don't hurt or rub anywhere !! Best of all they cost me S$10 - that's $8 US. Simple things for simple minds....
I've been trying to fill time until the furniture arrives (hopefully next week) I've been running around the island with people to see things and find out how to get here and there. Went to IKEA this week. Yes, the island has two!! Reasonably priced goods do well here. (there is Daiso too - the $2 Japanese store. But that's another entry). It was good to be around something familiar. I think this helps people, or at least me, adjust. Just seeing something recognizable resets my inner compass. Of course the restaurant offered some unusual things.
Yes Halal. Big here. Hubby thought he was being so clever and got in the" meatball express" line. Turns out it wasn't that, but the Halal only foods. So I had Halal IKEA meatballs. Don't recommend them. They really need the pork.
So the mission continues to explore and adapt to the new surroundings. Don't think I'm in danger of going "Native" though...
Add on - - forgot to include my new washer! My old set, which I loved is living in my hometown now under new ownership with my sister. Begin a washer freakasorus, I wanted a front loader again. The house comes with an AMerican made top loader. I already shrank a shirt!! argh. so in protest I made Hubby buy me a new one (which we will sell before we leave to recoup some of the cost). Top loaders are SO mush more expensive than the native ones. So I got that instead. It still uses less elec and water than the American monstrosity, but cleans with water jets, no agitator to move the clothes. Coolness.
But this is pretty much the Groundhog Day experience I have. Wait! Stop, and enjoy the beauty! I find myself refocusing a lot lately and saying this. Find the joy!! I do have so much to be thankful and happy about.
Like new shoes....cheap!!! I had bought a pair of Crocs while in the States a few months back. I wasn't thrilled with them but felt the panicking urge to have some shoes I could wear in this humid climate. While I've always been a "real leather" kind of girl, that doesn't fly well here. After a good rain, your feet are soaked and leather shoes can be ruined. So it's into the faux we go.
So after trying to adjust to the Crocs (my high arch rubbed on the strap) I sold them for S$25 and thought I'd buy some "cheapies" to ruin. Then I found the above!!! Lovely, and they don't hurt or rub anywhere !! Best of all they cost me S$10 - that's $8 US. Simple things for simple minds....
I've been trying to fill time until the furniture arrives (hopefully next week) I've been running around the island with people to see things and find out how to get here and there. Went to IKEA this week. Yes, the island has two!! Reasonably priced goods do well here. (there is Daiso too - the $2 Japanese store. But that's another entry). It was good to be around something familiar. I think this helps people, or at least me, adjust. Just seeing something recognizable resets my inner compass. Of course the restaurant offered some unusual things.
 |
| who woulda thunk |
 |
| hubby's feast |
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| they look right, but it's in the taste |
Yes Halal. Big here. Hubby thought he was being so clever and got in the" meatball express" line. Turns out it wasn't that, but the Halal only foods. So I had Halal IKEA meatballs. Don't recommend them. They really need the pork.
So the mission continues to explore and adapt to the new surroundings. Don't think I'm in danger of going "Native" though...
Add on - - forgot to include my new washer! My old set, which I loved is living in my hometown now under new ownership with my sister. Begin a washer freakasorus, I wanted a front loader again. The house comes with an AMerican made top loader. I already shrank a shirt!! argh. so in protest I made Hubby buy me a new one (which we will sell before we leave to recoup some of the cost). Top loaders are SO mush more expensive than the native ones. So I got that instead. It still uses less elec and water than the American monstrosity, but cleans with water jets, no agitator to move the clothes. Coolness.
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| Star Treky isn't it? |
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| inside.. |
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Surrealism.....
Just got back from a night out with the peeps. Ok, it was the admiral, the base CO, us and off we went to the DA . DA? Now let me define. Somehow we have arrived into a circle of people I never thought I'd be in. Once upon a time, I had hoped to but since then I had given up. Now it's all happened, and I dont need it be so. Am I getting to criptic?
Fine....we went to the Defense Attache's party tonight. Yup. Other nationality DAs were there : Sweden, Russia, China, Korea, Japan (no fights), Isreal, Panama, New Zealand and Austraila. Whew. Oh, and our Ambassador stopped by. Met him too.
Very surreal
Fine....we went to the Defense Attache's party tonight. Yup. Other nationality DAs were there : Sweden, Russia, China, Korea, Japan (no fights), Isreal, Panama, New Zealand and Austraila. Whew. Oh, and our Ambassador stopped by. Met him too.
Very surreal
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Cutlural tour...done
Took the tour. It was basic, not as informative as I was hoping. But hey, that's me. Always expecting more....It was nice since they took us to the main regions which people want to know about and visit: Kampong Glam, Little India, Chinatown, and of course Merlion Park.
We started at Little Indian with a large wet market. These are basically daily farmers markets which have veg, fruit and meats, which are on ice. As the day goes on, the ice melts, creating a wet floor. Hence the name. It is a staple of daily life for the locals and many expat, who enjoy the haggle atmosphere involved in transactions. I do not. Tell me what you want for it, bottom line. But that is not how the game is played here...
We are in Hungry Ghost Festival month. It's a time for offering food and monetary gifts to your ancestor who need it in the underworld. They burn paper money, planes, cars and items representing status to their relatives. They also burn incense sticks on the ground, so watch where you step. It is considered extremely rude to step on someones offering.
Back onto the bus, and down the street to Kampong Glam, which is the Muslim area and where Arab Street is located. I had heard so much about this, and how fab it is. A bit disappointed on seeing it. Yes, it is beautiful. I think I got more pleasure at looking at the architecture of the area, than the shops. The street itself is two blocks long and sells mostly fabrics ( silks, batiks, and high end glamour fabrics), rugs, haberdashery and of course has eateries.
It was overwhelming, visually and mentally, trying to soak this all in quickly on a tour. These areas need to be explored slower and not on a timeline. We were then off to the downtown area and Merlion Park. The Merlion is a symbol of Singapore using the historical legend of the lion and combining it with the seafaring heritage ( mermaid tail). Singapura, Singapore's original name means "lion city", as a lion was originally seen here eons ago by visiting Burmese prince. The park sits at the edge of the newer devolved reclaimed from the sea area on the south shore. The Marine stadium is there, next to many new buildings. This part of the island is ultra modern!!
I will need to take pictures of this area again in about a months time. Many things, including the merlion were housed in scaffolding and fences. The Formula One races are in two weeks time and the downtown area is all under preparations for it. The fencing really inhibits good photo taking.
We were getting hungry and it was time to eat in Chinatown. Just south of Singapore River, Chinatown begins. It is a huge area and we saw just a small section.
First stop was the Buddhist temple, which is in the hub of the area. It is also across from Maxwell's a huge hawker market. This is where Anthony Bourdain had his show film when in town. Tain Tain chicken rice stall ( where Anthony ate) had a giant queue. So a few of us opted for other fare. I enjoyed laksa ( finally) from a aged, toothless Chinese gentleman. It was so good. My first laksa in Singapore. Yum!
After lunch we wandered through the many ( and I mean many) stalls which surround the temple. They sell all kinds of touristy stuff. Again this is an area which needs closer investigation and I'm sure that when one ventures out a bit, the finds get more interesting!
Last stop was the temple itself. Huge ( four floors) and old 1800 something...., it is a lovely imposing building. We got a tour from our guide. I believe she said there are over 100K Buddhas in the temple. Did not catch if they were placed as thank yous or answered prayers. On the upper floor is a room devoted to the relic of Buddhas tooth. Yes, it is there on display ( no photos allowed). But this culture really understands beauty and decor.
What a wonderful, yet exhausting day. Back onto the bus and an hour trip home to the north end of the island. I should mention that the island is 26 x 14 miles and has 4.7 million people........think about it. After Monaco it is the most populated country per land mass, I'm told. Who am I to doubt this.
We started at Little Indian with a large wet market. These are basically daily farmers markets which have veg, fruit and meats, which are on ice. As the day goes on, the ice melts, creating a wet floor. Hence the name. It is a staple of daily life for the locals and many expat, who enjoy the haggle atmosphere involved in transactions. I do not. Tell me what you want for it, bottom line. But that is not how the game is played here...
 | |
| just one stall... |
 | |
| offerings for the Hungry ghost festival this month |
Back onto the bus, and down the street to Kampong Glam, which is the Muslim area and where Arab Street is located. I had heard so much about this, and how fab it is. A bit disappointed on seeing it. Yes, it is beautiful. I think I got more pleasure at looking at the architecture of the area, than the shops. The street itself is two blocks long and sells mostly fabrics ( silks, batiks, and high end glamour fabrics), rugs, haberdashery and of course has eateries.
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| Kampong Glam flavor |
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| local shop |
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| details |
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| don't know...but it is beautiful |
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| Marina Sands hotel |
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| the Flyer. like London's Eye |
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| Merlion, not spouting water |
We were getting hungry and it was time to eat in Chinatown. Just south of Singapore River, Chinatown begins. It is a huge area and we saw just a small section.
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| Moon Cakes festival lanterns |
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| native clotheslines, look closely... |
First stop was the Buddhist temple, which is in the hub of the area. It is also across from Maxwell's a huge hawker market. This is where Anthony Bourdain had his show film when in town. Tain Tain chicken rice stall ( where Anthony ate) had a giant queue. So a few of us opted for other fare. I enjoyed laksa ( finally) from a aged, toothless Chinese gentleman. It was so good. My first laksa in Singapore. Yum!
After lunch we wandered through the many ( and I mean many) stalls which surround the temple. They sell all kinds of touristy stuff. Again this is an area which needs closer investigation and I'm sure that when one ventures out a bit, the finds get more interesting!
Last stop was the temple itself. Huge ( four floors) and old 1800 something...., it is a lovely imposing building. We got a tour from our guide. I believe she said there are over 100K Buddhas in the temple. Did not catch if they were placed as thank yous or answered prayers. On the upper floor is a room devoted to the relic of Buddhas tooth. Yes, it is there on display ( no photos allowed). But this culture really understands beauty and decor.
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| Temple Exterior |
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| one room, as example |
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| wall detail |
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| ceiling detail |
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
About town....
What's weird about Singapore, and probably a lot of the orient, is how when you walk by most buildings, there is a faint fishy/fried food smell. Normally this would entice me, but in this heat, it's a bit...."off". Haven't been eating much. Not sure if it's the heat, or the smell, or just needing to live off my own blubber....
Been downtown to Orchard twice now. But I'm holding off to do more till this Friday when we get the cultural tour of the city/island. No need for me to go bumbling around when the is a perfectly good aircon bus, with a guide, to do it for me. So hopes are high for that trip.
Spouses wise, things are a bit of a mess here. So I'm off to meet with some other gals to see if we can get the social club sorted out.
Had "orientation" today and learned all about Singapore and it's law, culture and events. So much to learn and explore.
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| Hubby with street art |
Been downtown to Orchard twice now. But I'm holding off to do more till this Friday when we get the cultural tour of the city/island. No need for me to go bumbling around when the is a perfectly good aircon bus, with a guide, to do it for me. So hopes are high for that trip.
Spouses wise, things are a bit of a mess here. So I'm off to meet with some other gals to see if we can get the social club sorted out.
Had "orientation" today and learned all about Singapore and it's law, culture and events. So much to learn and explore.
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| Already discovered the wonders of Tiger Balm |
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| James, I thought of you ! |
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| My "wheels" for the next three years. |
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