Sorry for my absence. When I went to Wellington I did not bring my computer and then when I got back there was no internet at home for a few days and then routine set in. But in off today and thus would like to share an update with you.
So two weeks ago I was in Wellington with Jason, getting to know my soon to be new home and hoping to find a place to live. In both of those I was successful and I'm very happy about that! For those of you familiar with Wellington, we found an apartment just a 1/2 block off Cuba street, near the Southern Cross. For those of you unfamiliar with Wellington, we're right in the city and very happy for it. Jason was great in making sure we would live somewhere near to where I was likely to work and central so it would be easy for me in the beginning when I will likely be unemployed and as well for us to be close to the action.
We have signed a lease for a one-bedroom loft style apartment that is fully furnished. And when I say fully furnished, I mean fully furnished. It literally comes with everything! Jason moved in last week and hasn't had to buy a single thing for the place. It comes with all the glasses, dishes, cutlery, a vacuum, even sheets and towels (although we do plan to get our own of these). Finding this place, in a great location and completely ready to go has made this whole process so much less stressful - especially for Jason who is already living there, and working 12-14 hours a day and has no time to go furniture shopping! Let alone having to commit to a whole houseful of furniture when you don't even know how long you are committing to a city/country.
All that being said, I'm going to go for the long haul here. I had a job interview yesterday with a hotel in Wellington and it went really well. I will be having a follow-up interview next week and hopefully they will like me enough to give me a job offer. That being said, the visa process for Wellington is a bit different than Singapore and I do need to provide lots of documentation for the visa application, including police records and health certificates depending on the length of time I want to stay in NZ. And with this, I'm going to go all in. I will do all the things I need to do this time around so if we do end up staying a while, I don't have to do it again later. Who knows what will happen, but I'd rather be over prepared than under prepared!
As for Singapore, I've got 17 days left here and they are going to fly by. I've got two more weeks of work, a few off days scattered throughout, and then New Zealand here I come!
I guess one other reason I haven't had time to update my blog recently is because I have been following the news out of Houston obsessively. How sad to see that city under water but what a plethora of heart warming stories coming out of this tragedy. It is always so great to see how humanity really gets it together during a tragedy and people forget about all the hate and prejudice and their difference and work together as best they can for the common good and survival of everyone.
Sending positive thoughts from Singapore!
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Sunday, August 13, 2017
The Sadness is Setting In
It is Sunday night right now, 11:00pm, and I am flying down to NZ in three days to spend the weekend with Jason, get acquainted with my new new, and try to find us a place to live. With the reality of this move starting to come up very quickly (as I have already started to pack up my things so I can take a fair bit with me on this trip) I am finding quite a bit of sadness setting in when I think about leaving Singapore.
Of course, as it always is, I never appreciated Singapore when I lived here. Well, maybe I shouldn't be quite so harsh, but now that I know it's coming to an end, I'm trying to suck every last bit of goodness out of my time here.
This evening I went out for dinner with some friends and when we finished up around 9:30pm, I walked all the way home, over 3 miles, by myself, at night, in the warm weather, and never once did I feel unsafe. What an amazing country this is! Jason keeps telling me Wellington is safe, and I'm sure it is, but I am also sure that I will never live in another place again where I feel as safe as I do here in Singapore. Unless, of course, I were to move back to Singapore.
I also realize, on this nice walk home, that I have spent more of my adult (post-college) life in Singapore than I have in any other country. This has become my adult home, and I am leaving it. There are so many things about my life here that I know could be better, but this is the life I have come to know so well, and it is very sad to see it coming to an end.
I am also feeling the end of my life as I have known it these last 4 years since I left the states. Once I move to Wellington, I won't just have myself to consider anymore, I will also have Jason. I can't just do what I want all the time, I will also have to think about his wants and needs. And I will lose that freedom I have had for such a long time.
But all that being said, I am feeling more and more confident with every passing day that this move to Wellington is by far the best decision I could have made. I no longer feel any hesitation or doubt, I feel only calm and confidence that I have made the correct choice. I am looking forward to being able to share my experiences with someone, to having a more steady and normal life, to being in a new county again (or at least a new part of a not-so-new country). I am so excited to head down this new path, sending my life in a completely new direction once again, and am looking forward to seeing where this new path leads. And I hope I will once again have more time so I an share these experiences with you once again.
Of course, as it always is, I never appreciated Singapore when I lived here. Well, maybe I shouldn't be quite so harsh, but now that I know it's coming to an end, I'm trying to suck every last bit of goodness out of my time here.
This evening I went out for dinner with some friends and when we finished up around 9:30pm, I walked all the way home, over 3 miles, by myself, at night, in the warm weather, and never once did I feel unsafe. What an amazing country this is! Jason keeps telling me Wellington is safe, and I'm sure it is, but I am also sure that I will never live in another place again where I feel as safe as I do here in Singapore. Unless, of course, I were to move back to Singapore.
I also realize, on this nice walk home, that I have spent more of my adult (post-college) life in Singapore than I have in any other country. This has become my adult home, and I am leaving it. There are so many things about my life here that I know could be better, but this is the life I have come to know so well, and it is very sad to see it coming to an end.
I am also feeling the end of my life as I have known it these last 4 years since I left the states. Once I move to Wellington, I won't just have myself to consider anymore, I will also have Jason. I can't just do what I want all the time, I will also have to think about his wants and needs. And I will lose that freedom I have had for such a long time.
But all that being said, I am feeling more and more confident with every passing day that this move to Wellington is by far the best decision I could have made. I no longer feel any hesitation or doubt, I feel only calm and confidence that I have made the correct choice. I am looking forward to being able to share my experiences with someone, to having a more steady and normal life, to being in a new county again (or at least a new part of a not-so-new country). I am so excited to head down this new path, sending my life in a completely new direction once again, and am looking forward to seeing where this new path leads. And I hope I will once again have more time so I an share these experiences with you once again.
Thursday, August 3, 2017
What to do in New Zealand...
My move is coming up now in less than 7 weeks. Yesterday I bought my final one-way flight out of Singapore, destination Welling. With this move I am taking a lot of chances, and a big one is with my job/career. I am leaving a job at a bar that was just named the 12th best bar in Asia to move to country where I have no legal right to work and no leads on jobs. I do think I will probably be able to find something when I get there, but the question of the day is, what kind of job do I want?
I have, for a few weeks now, been set on the idea of getting a job as a waitress at a restaurant, a low-stress job that would allow me a much better work-life balance that I have had for most of the last 2.5 years here in Singapore. But these last few days, maybe the last week, has really had me questioning that line of thinking.
In my current role, I spend a significant portion of my time in the office, doing administrative work and helping to keep the place running for the team. Despite how much I enjoy the working hours this has afforded me, especially when Jason was here and we were able to hang out many nights each week, I have recently started to find my job rather boring. I don't feel like every day is a challenge. I find work quite boring, but I also find that I come home from work exhausted but not tired, my brain feeling like it hasn't been used enough during the day. I much prefer for my brain to have to be working hard all day. When I leave a work day like that, I come home invigorated but ready to sleep. I sleep straight through the night and get up the next day, ready to tackle the next problem at hand.
Working on the floor at a restaurant is generally like this. Every customer is a new challenge, every day brings about another attempt to be as efficient and as effective as possible. With my current job, I don't feel that challenge. And I don't think it is because my job is coming to an end.
Anyways, with this move, this is obviously a great opportunity for me to take a different direction, if I want to. I would like my days to be filled with interesting conversations, readings, learning, and things that I am passionate about. Alcohol, I am not passionate about. It is probably best I do not take another job in a bar.
I am feeling a bit lost at the moment. Lost and bored. I don't find my days intellectually stimulating enough. Work is not a constant challenge. I like to feel pressure but not to feel so overwhelmed I cannot handle it. I like to know there is a lot of work to do, but I also like to know there are some boundaries around my work life. I am bored and I want to be learning again. I want to be gaining new skills, learning new subjects, pushing my brain to work hard every day. I don't feel that is happening at the moment but I am not sure what my next step should be or even what it could be.
I quite often find myself feeling like I don't have any real skills. I'm not skilled in any physical labor jobs. I am also not skilled in any professional jobs - lawyer, doctor, etc... I feel like I am a very capable person, can learn quickly, am very sharp, but I am never going to get a job as I don't have the concrete skills or experience you need to start down any path except for the one I have been on.
Maybe back to school is the answer? I always loved University. Maybe I should study again? But what?
Wow, so much to think about. Before I keep rambling on and on I will bring this post to a close.
Have a great day!
I have, for a few weeks now, been set on the idea of getting a job as a waitress at a restaurant, a low-stress job that would allow me a much better work-life balance that I have had for most of the last 2.5 years here in Singapore. But these last few days, maybe the last week, has really had me questioning that line of thinking.
In my current role, I spend a significant portion of my time in the office, doing administrative work and helping to keep the place running for the team. Despite how much I enjoy the working hours this has afforded me, especially when Jason was here and we were able to hang out many nights each week, I have recently started to find my job rather boring. I don't feel like every day is a challenge. I find work quite boring, but I also find that I come home from work exhausted but not tired, my brain feeling like it hasn't been used enough during the day. I much prefer for my brain to have to be working hard all day. When I leave a work day like that, I come home invigorated but ready to sleep. I sleep straight through the night and get up the next day, ready to tackle the next problem at hand.
Working on the floor at a restaurant is generally like this. Every customer is a new challenge, every day brings about another attempt to be as efficient and as effective as possible. With my current job, I don't feel that challenge. And I don't think it is because my job is coming to an end.
Anyways, with this move, this is obviously a great opportunity for me to take a different direction, if I want to. I would like my days to be filled with interesting conversations, readings, learning, and things that I am passionate about. Alcohol, I am not passionate about. It is probably best I do not take another job in a bar.
I am feeling a bit lost at the moment. Lost and bored. I don't find my days intellectually stimulating enough. Work is not a constant challenge. I like to feel pressure but not to feel so overwhelmed I cannot handle it. I like to know there is a lot of work to do, but I also like to know there are some boundaries around my work life. I am bored and I want to be learning again. I want to be gaining new skills, learning new subjects, pushing my brain to work hard every day. I don't feel that is happening at the moment but I am not sure what my next step should be or even what it could be.
I quite often find myself feeling like I don't have any real skills. I'm not skilled in any physical labor jobs. I am also not skilled in any professional jobs - lawyer, doctor, etc... I feel like I am a very capable person, can learn quickly, am very sharp, but I am never going to get a job as I don't have the concrete skills or experience you need to start down any path except for the one I have been on.
Maybe back to school is the answer? I always loved University. Maybe I should study again? But what?
Wow, so much to think about. Before I keep rambling on and on I will bring this post to a close.
Have a great day!
Saturday, July 29, 2017
A Big Change in the Near Future
I have just looked back now in my blog history and see it has been just over 1 year since my last post. As I have some big changes coming up, I thought it may be a good time for another post as many of you may not now about them yet.
I have resigned from my current job here in Singapore and will be moving to NZ in just under 2 months. The exact date for my move has not been set yet, but will most likely be September 19 or 20. My last day at work here in Singapore will be on September 17, 2017, I will spend two or three days packing my things, and will then be flying off with a one way ticket to Wellington.
This change may come as a surprise to many of you, as it has to me as well, but I am very much looking forward to the future.
Now, how this all came about.... I have met a wonderful Canadian named Jason who has invited me to join him for his next job assignment in New Zealand and after much debate, both internally and between the two of us, we have decided it is a risk worth taking and soon we will be hoping that our grand experiment turns out for the best.
Jason will be starting his job in Wellington on August 15th but unfortunately I am not able to tidy everything up in Singapore so quickly. I will be flying down to Wellington on August 16th for 6 days so we can hopefully find a house together and then will be going back to Singapore for four more weeks of work before my final move.
During the decision making process it was a huge emotional roller coaster, and again even after the decision was finalized. I was so confident that once I finally resigned from my job, and there was no turning back, I would feel much better. But in the end, I didn't, and I immediately started to worry I had made the wrong decision.
That was, until, one day last week when I received the following story in my e-mail box as part of The Happiness Project Blog daily e-mail:
I have resigned from my current job here in Singapore and will be moving to NZ in just under 2 months. The exact date for my move has not been set yet, but will most likely be September 19 or 20. My last day at work here in Singapore will be on September 17, 2017, I will spend two or three days packing my things, and will then be flying off with a one way ticket to Wellington.
This change may come as a surprise to many of you, as it has to me as well, but I am very much looking forward to the future.
Now, how this all came about.... I have met a wonderful Canadian named Jason who has invited me to join him for his next job assignment in New Zealand and after much debate, both internally and between the two of us, we have decided it is a risk worth taking and soon we will be hoping that our grand experiment turns out for the best.
Jason will be starting his job in Wellington on August 15th but unfortunately I am not able to tidy everything up in Singapore so quickly. I will be flying down to Wellington on August 16th for 6 days so we can hopefully find a house together and then will be going back to Singapore for four more weeks of work before my final move.
During the decision making process it was a huge emotional roller coaster, and again even after the decision was finalized. I was so confident that once I finally resigned from my job, and there was no turning back, I would feel much better. But in the end, I didn't, and I immediately started to worry I had made the wrong decision.
That was, until, one day last week when I received the following story in my e-mail box as part of The Happiness Project Blog daily e-mail:
As I’ve mentioned many times, I love examples of someone knowing the right thing to say.
In this case, a doctor said the right thing to my friend — when she admitted to feeling a little let down by the news that she was going to give birth to a boy. She’d been so excited to be having a baby, boy or girl, but when she heard the news, she felt a bit sorry.
He told her, “Of course you feel this way. Before you knew if you were having a boy or a girl, you could look forward to both experiences. Now you know that you’re having a boy. It’s natural to feel regret about the future that’s not going to happen.”
I thought that was such a wise observation. Sometimes in life, going down one path means abandoning another path. And it’s natural to feel regret about the path not taken. That doesn’t mean you’re unhappy with the path you’re on.
Although I'm not having a baby, this is exactly how I was feeling. Before I have totally finalized my decision, I was still about to envision my life going down both paths, 1) here in Singapore, with my great job at one of the top bars in the world, living in the tropics, in Asia, in such an exotic place or 2) taking an opportunity to prioritize my personal life, try to make a partnership work with a wonderful person, have another exciting move that will put my life in a whole new and unpredictable direction.
Once the decision was final, all I could think about was what I was no longer going to have here in Singapore. And many of the things I was starting to worry I would miss, are things I don't even enjoy or prioritize when I'm living here.
After reading this passage, it all made sense, and I was able to stop feeling guilt about my feelings of regret and accept that I can be sad about not continuing my journey here in Singapore but that does not mean that I made the wrong decision nor does it mean it will make my time in Wellington any less good.
As well, a few months ago I hung the following quote up on my wall:
You know, when I was nineteen, Grandpa took me on a roller coaster. Up, down, up, down. Oh, what a ride! I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together! Some didn't like it. They went on the merry-go-round. That just goes around. Nothing. I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it.
This quote is said by the grandmother in Parenthood. I first remember writing down this quote on one of those contact cards you would use in a rolodex when I was in treatment. Looking back now, I 'm sure exactly what I got out of the quote at the time. I do see it may be relevant if the merry-go-round is sticking with my eating disorder and the roller coaster is going through treatment and trying to get better. But anyways, Jason and I always remind each other of this quote now whenever things are feeling difficult, knowing that it won't be so hard when we are back together again in NZ.
That is my update for today.
Hope everyone is well!
Monday, July 4, 2016
I'm Proud to be an American!
Happy Fourth of July from Singapore! My favourite holiday, and once again I'm spending it abroad. Sad to be outside the country for such a patriotic event. But that being said, I just realised tonight that my trip home this fall (yes, a few days ago I bought a ticket to visit in November) lands over the upcoming presidential election. I will land in Minneapolis on Tuesday, November 8th and likely proceed straight to the polling station to place my vote for president. Quite cool that I will be home for this historic event! Depending on the outcome I may need to return to Singapore straight away the next day.... Just kidding I'll stay the whole 8 days I'm planning to be there. But, either way, I'm proud to be American! What an amazing country. I'm sure I never would have made it to this place in my life if not for the mindset I learned and the opportunities I was blessed with growing up in America. And with that, please sit back and enjoy the song you can find here.
Happy Fourth of July! Watch the fireworks, swim in the lake, and enjoy the parade on my behalf.
See you all in November!
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Phnom Penh Day 1
Arrived this morning in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. I'm here for three days on my monthly escape from Singapore. I originally decided to come here on the advice of a customer and after booking my flight and hotel found out there is little to do as a tourist in this city. Since then I have managed to set my expectations extremely low and now after my arrival today have been pleasantly surprised. I did little today. Laid by the pool, went into town and wandered around a bit, found the Foreign Correspondents Club - a well known expat hang out - and set there for 3 hours. Had a snack there with tow Canadian girls and then went our for dinner a well known Khmer restaurant. Wan't impressed with dinner but absolutely LOVED the FCC. Cambodia just really feels like Asia. The capital city is still massively underdeveloped and it's just so nice to be somewhere not like Singapore. Here's a few videos for your enjoyment:
Welcome to Phnom Penh
Walking in Phnom Penh
FCC - Phnom Penh
Tomorrow I am going to see the Killing Fields in the morning. I know very little about this now but will fill in more tomorrow. I believe this is where the Khmer Rouge massacred over 1,000,000 people during their reign. Will get the numbers sorted tomorrow.
Then, in the afternoon, I am going fishing on the Mekong river with a local fisherman. This is gonna be fun! Wait for some videos of this!
For other news, my parents are coming in out in just over 3 weeks and we are going on a whirlwind tour of Asia to include Singapore, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Cambodia. I will be with them about 3/4 of the time with them doing a few places on their own. Really looking forward to this trip!!
And in my outside of work life, I have been reading a good new book, Rising Strong by Brene Brown. Would highly recommend to everyone. It's all about being vulnerable, setting boundaries, etc... Very interesting read.
Welcome to Phnom Penh
Walking in Phnom Penh
FCC - Phnom Penh
Tomorrow I am going to see the Killing Fields in the morning. I know very little about this now but will fill in more tomorrow. I believe this is where the Khmer Rouge massacred over 1,000,000 people during their reign. Will get the numbers sorted tomorrow.
Then, in the afternoon, I am going fishing on the Mekong river with a local fisherman. This is gonna be fun! Wait for some videos of this!
For other news, my parents are coming in out in just over 3 weeks and we are going on a whirlwind tour of Asia to include Singapore, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Cambodia. I will be with them about 3/4 of the time with them doing a few places on their own. Really looking forward to this trip!!
And in my outside of work life, I have been reading a good new book, Rising Strong by Brene Brown. Would highly recommend to everyone. It's all about being vulnerable, setting boundaries, etc... Very interesting read.
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Thursday, February 4, 2016
London and Paris
Here are the four videos I made in London and Paris.
France - Paris - Sacre Coeur Cathedral
England - Oxford - Oxford Cheese Company
England - Oxford - Oxford upon Shropshire upon Avon
England - Somewhere - Nice to Meet you Matt
And here is a video blog diary from today, Wednesday, February 3, 2016. Easier than trying to type everything out. And I realize the lighting in this video isn't the best, will work on that for future dates.
Enjoy!
France - Paris - Sacre Coeur Cathedral
England - Oxford - Oxford Cheese Company
England - Oxford - Oxford upon Shropshire upon Avon
England - Somewhere - Nice to Meet you Matt
And here is a video blog diary from today, Wednesday, February 3, 2016. Easier than trying to type everything out. And I realize the lighting in this video isn't the best, will work on that for future dates.
Enjoy!
Friday, January 15, 2016
Singapore, Singapore, Where to After Singapore?
First off, I would like to star off tonight with another classic Singapore moment.
Tonight, after work, I stopped at the 7-11 near my house to buy something to drink. I live on the 17th floor of a HDB (public housing complex) and my building is one of maybe 10 buildings all in a row. Within this row of HDBs is a three story shopping complex and this is where the 7-11 is located, along with a grocery store and other shops. When I went to the 7-11 it was about 1am, just as I was getting home from work. Almost no one around. If I was in this situation in America - or really any other country - I would be on high alert, walking alone through an empty shopping complex at night. But, here in Singapore, its completely safe. And to highlight just how safe it is, here's a photo:
Tonight, after work, I stopped at the 7-11 near my house to buy something to drink. I live on the 17th floor of a HDB (public housing complex) and my building is one of maybe 10 buildings all in a row. Within this row of HDBs is a three story shopping complex and this is where the 7-11 is located, along with a grocery store and other shops. When I went to the 7-11 it was about 1am, just as I was getting home from work. Almost no one around. If I was in this situation in America - or really any other country - I would be on high alert, walking alone through an empty shopping complex at night. But, here in Singapore, its completely safe. And to highlight just how safe it is, here's a photo:
This photo is of someone's outdoor store/stand that they have simply covered with a canvas over night. It is outside, where people will pass by all evening and where no one is watching over it at night. And, because this is Singapore, no one is going to take anything.
And while I'm typing this it's reminding me that many ex-pats who live in condos here in Singapore don't even lock their door. Of course their building has security but they don't lock their unit. Can you believe this place?
Total opposite of America!
Anyways, now onto the main point of this blog.... Where to after Singapore?!
As you all know, I have to start thinking about, and actually sorting out, if I am going to stay in Singapore much longer, and, if not, where I am going to go. I was chatting with one of my suppliers today at work and he went to Phnom Penh, Cambodia over his Christmas Holidays and said they are desperately in need of quality F&B staff. As the ex-pat population is starting to explode there and the service and standards are unable to keep up. Maybe, instead of going to HK as I was originally planning to do in March, I will head to Phnom Penh and see if I can sort out a job for myself there? Now wouldn't that be an interesting change of pace?!
Now that's all for tonight. I'm off to bed now, or off to watch a movie or something.
And if you'd like to see photos of the hotel I'll be staying at in Phuket, just to make you want to come to Asia, here's the link to the beautiful Burasari Resort at Patong Beach.
Night!
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Long Time No Post
Good Evening Everyone! So it has been a very, very long time since my last post.... let's see, like 5 months?!
I can try to do a quick recap of everything that has happened over the last 5 months but basically it's this.... work and sleep. Since returning back to Singapore after my month long visit to MN I have been very focused on my job. As you may or may not know, from the day I arrived back in Singapore I was in charge of the rooftop bar I have been working at this past year I've been here in Asia. This time has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. I have learned a MASSIVE amount about how to do the job - as it has been little oversight and I've had to learn most things on my own. Some days have been horrible, some days have been wonderful and mostly it has been adjusting to this new responsibility, trying to create a positive working environment for the staff - a place where they feel respected, where we are a team working together, a cooperative and not competitive environment, and a place where together we work to make the customer happy.
After all this hard work I could really use a holiday and that is where this blog comes in. I have just moments ago booked my next Asian adventure - I will be heading to Phuket, Thailand for 3 days in mid-February.
But, before that, I am heading to Europe for a 10 day trip visit Elizabeth in London, including a 4 day stint in Paris, and a big Saturday night out celebrating my 26th birthday on yet another continent (that's 4 different continents over my last 4 birthdays!). I arrive in London next Friday morning and couldn't be more excited, and also more nervous as I've no clothes for the cold weather and am hoping it warms up significantly for 10 days so I can wear my shorts!
I will do my best to get back into the blogging at least for the travels, if not for everything, as I have had a few experiences recently where I've referenced my past blog posts and realized just how great it has been to have this.
And as for coming back to America, I'm not sure I'll be moving back anytime soon but I will most definitely be making it home the first week of August as Kid Rock will be playing the Buffalo Chip at Sturgis this year and as most of you are well aware, I wouldn't miss that for the world! And since I'll be flying literally from the other side of the world for the concert I can say that confidently!
Okay, that's all for tonight. I've much more to say, but if I get started I won't be able to stop for hours. But that does bring to mind a few quick comments I want to share quickly....
1) This past week has made me realize just how much I appreciate my coworkers. Since I started as Manager at the bar, we have not had any changes to our full-time staff. I would like to think this is at least in part due to my efforts as manager. But either way, I have become great friends with my coworkers and I am starting to realize just how much they add to the good times I have here in Singapore. The thought of leaving the bar in April (as I have been thinking I would do for the last 6+ months) is no longer as appealing as it once was. Although a change would be nice, a new place where I can learn new skills, the thought of leaving the team is really sad. I've no plans as of now, but need to start doing some serious thinking. Will update as appropriate.
2) My parents are coming in April or May for 4 weeks and we are going to be doing some major traveling. Good ready for an epic month of blog posts!!!
3) I think my independent nature is building upon itself in a way that is getting hard for me to pull out of. The more independent I am, the more independent I become. The more independent I become, the harder it is for me to be less independent. I've noticed this recently with my traveling and dating life. I now find it harder and harder to comprise on anything. Since I am so capable of doing everything on my own I don't ever feel the need to compromise just because I need someone to join me for an activity. This of course has it's upside, as I only do the things I want to do, and always. But this also has it's drawbacks, as it's hard to build relationships when you're only thinking about yourself. Mental note here: something to work on!
Okay, now that's really all. That is the last 5 months/future 3 months at a very high level. Expect more details in the months to come.
And for one great photo that explains Singapore life to a "T":
I can try to do a quick recap of everything that has happened over the last 5 months but basically it's this.... work and sleep. Since returning back to Singapore after my month long visit to MN I have been very focused on my job. As you may or may not know, from the day I arrived back in Singapore I was in charge of the rooftop bar I have been working at this past year I've been here in Asia. This time has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. I have learned a MASSIVE amount about how to do the job - as it has been little oversight and I've had to learn most things on my own. Some days have been horrible, some days have been wonderful and mostly it has been adjusting to this new responsibility, trying to create a positive working environment for the staff - a place where they feel respected, where we are a team working together, a cooperative and not competitive environment, and a place where together we work to make the customer happy.
After all this hard work I could really use a holiday and that is where this blog comes in. I have just moments ago booked my next Asian adventure - I will be heading to Phuket, Thailand for 3 days in mid-February.
But, before that, I am heading to Europe for a 10 day trip visit Elizabeth in London, including a 4 day stint in Paris, and a big Saturday night out celebrating my 26th birthday on yet another continent (that's 4 different continents over my last 4 birthdays!). I arrive in London next Friday morning and couldn't be more excited, and also more nervous as I've no clothes for the cold weather and am hoping it warms up significantly for 10 days so I can wear my shorts!
I will do my best to get back into the blogging at least for the travels, if not for everything, as I have had a few experiences recently where I've referenced my past blog posts and realized just how great it has been to have this.
And as for coming back to America, I'm not sure I'll be moving back anytime soon but I will most definitely be making it home the first week of August as Kid Rock will be playing the Buffalo Chip at Sturgis this year and as most of you are well aware, I wouldn't miss that for the world! And since I'll be flying literally from the other side of the world for the concert I can say that confidently!
Okay, that's all for tonight. I've much more to say, but if I get started I won't be able to stop for hours. But that does bring to mind a few quick comments I want to share quickly....
1) This past week has made me realize just how much I appreciate my coworkers. Since I started as Manager at the bar, we have not had any changes to our full-time staff. I would like to think this is at least in part due to my efforts as manager. But either way, I have become great friends with my coworkers and I am starting to realize just how much they add to the good times I have here in Singapore. The thought of leaving the bar in April (as I have been thinking I would do for the last 6+ months) is no longer as appealing as it once was. Although a change would be nice, a new place where I can learn new skills, the thought of leaving the team is really sad. I've no plans as of now, but need to start doing some serious thinking. Will update as appropriate.
2) My parents are coming in April or May for 4 weeks and we are going to be doing some major traveling. Good ready for an epic month of blog posts!!!
3) I think my independent nature is building upon itself in a way that is getting hard for me to pull out of. The more independent I am, the more independent I become. The more independent I become, the harder it is for me to be less independent. I've noticed this recently with my traveling and dating life. I now find it harder and harder to comprise on anything. Since I am so capable of doing everything on my own I don't ever feel the need to compromise just because I need someone to join me for an activity. This of course has it's upside, as I only do the things I want to do, and always. But this also has it's drawbacks, as it's hard to build relationships when you're only thinking about yourself. Mental note here: something to work on!
Okay, now that's really all. That is the last 5 months/future 3 months at a very high level. Expect more details in the months to come.
And for one great photo that explains Singapore life to a "T":
At the local mall, a security guard was guarding a fallen ice cream cone and he was taking his job extremely seriously!
And now for the last and final thing, really this time, I got my hair cut today. Hello from Singapore :)
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Last Videos from Myanmar
Here are my last few videos from my trip to Myanamr:
Lunch in Nyuang Shwe (Cut Short by my Limited Camera Memory)
Nyuang Shew A.K.A. The Wild West
A Burmese Train
Goodbye Inle Lake
Goodbye Burma
As a side note, about half way through me trip I thought to myselft, "Wow, I haven't gotten sick yet, this is amazing!" Not I wanted to say something about it on my blog but I didn't want to jinx myself. In fact I never said anything about it out loud at all in efforts not to jinx myself. Either way, I got sick. My last day in Myanmar I felt very sick and on the flight back to Singapore I thought I was going to puke. Now I didn't, but throughout the entire night I had multiple episodes of the scoots. I stayed home from work yesterday to recover. It was the worst sick I have had been throughout SEA so that wasn't too bad. Either way, I am better now. Towards the end of my time in Myanmar all I could think about was how I wanted to move there, or a place similar, but when you aren't feeling well you are very happy to have a nice, first world country to go home to.
Okay, that's all for now.
Best!
Lunch in Nyuang Shwe (Cut Short by my Limited Camera Memory)
Nyuang Shew A.K.A. The Wild West
A Burmese Train
Goodbye Inle Lake
Goodbye Burma
As a side note, about half way through me trip I thought to myselft, "Wow, I haven't gotten sick yet, this is amazing!" Not I wanted to say something about it on my blog but I didn't want to jinx myself. In fact I never said anything about it out loud at all in efforts not to jinx myself. Either way, I got sick. My last day in Myanmar I felt very sick and on the flight back to Singapore I thought I was going to puke. Now I didn't, but throughout the entire night I had multiple episodes of the scoots. I stayed home from work yesterday to recover. It was the worst sick I have had been throughout SEA so that wasn't too bad. Either way, I am better now. Towards the end of my time in Myanmar all I could think about was how I wanted to move there, or a place similar, but when you aren't feeling well you are very happy to have a nice, first world country to go home to.
Okay, that's all for now.
Best!
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Videos from Inle Lake Tour
Good Evening Everyeone!
Today I took a boat tour of Inle Lake. I took many photos, but because of the speed of the internet here in Myanmar have spent too much time uploading the videos and do not have any more energy to upload photos as well. Below are the links for my many videos from today.
And here is one photo I just have to share:
Today I took a boat tour of Inle Lake. I took many photos, but because of the speed of the internet here in Myanmar have spent too much time uploading the videos and do not have any more energy to upload photos as well. Below are the links for my many videos from today.
And here is one photo I just have to share:
You learn about the Kayan people in school, but who could imagine they would ever see them in real life? Not me! But there they were at one of the stops on my boat trip, weaving scarfs. I picked up two - one for myself and one for my mother. I really do not like the idea of people as tourist attractions, it feels to me like a zoo, but with humans in it. But I just could not resist taking a photo to prove that I actually saw the ladies with the long knecks in real life! Anyways, that is all on that. Enjoy the videos below!
Best!
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Bagan (Myanmar Days 3 and 4)
I am currently uploading my videos from the last few days and will spend this time waiting writing a bit about my time here in Bagan. As you can tell, I have switched mostly to a video blog but as I don't capture everything on video I will write a few scentences as well about what I've been up to.
As you likely do not know, Bagan is the ancient city here in Myanmar. There are over 3,000 pagodas and it is absolutely breathtaking. They are literally everywhere (just along the road in many places) and all are accesable. You can walk right up to them, climb all over them, they are in the middle of people's farm land, on hotel property, everywhere. And they are for the most part in very good condition. If I had to compare Bagan to Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia (as many people do) I would rank this much higher. Not only are there almost no tourists here (I am here in the off season), it is not nearly as commercial and popular (yet) as Angkor. Everything is more accessible, more real, and many times you go places people still find a lot of uniqueness in your being white - which is cool.
A few cool things to note that were not captured in any of the videos so far:
- I saw an old man tilling his field this morning with a wooden till pulled by two oxen. I sat and watched him awhile. He controlled them almost totally by vocal commands and he had to manuver the oxen around the thousand year old pagodas in the middle of his farm field. It was like I was looking back a few centuries in time. Amazing!
- I have spent many hours the last two days watching TV in the local restaurants. Both yesterday and today in the afternoon (around 4) I found myself at the same restaurant/cafe in Nyaung U watching Burmese soap operas (or maybe movies). Either way, they were so dramatic I could understand them without problem even though I obvisouly do not speak Burmese. Yesterday I enjoyed this time by myself where as today I was accompanied by a very nice Italian, Andrea, who I had dinner with last night and spent the afternoon and evening with today.
- Tonight, after dinner, Andrea and I went to a cafe in our town (New Bagan). This is the same cafe my "First Meal in Bagan" video was filmed at. We spent two hours there tonight enjoying a tea and bottled water while we watched Rise of the Plante of the Apes with about 30 Burmese men. It is a great set-up here in Burma. All the local cafes have nice HD TVs and they play whatever they want. As a patron you watch whatever is being played (can be a soap opera, the football game, a movie, the home shopping network, etc...) while you drink your coffee. Tonight, I was the only female (as I appear to be mostly when I go to these cafes - I'm not sure where the ladies hang out), we were the only 2 non-Burmese people, and we had a fabulous time! I know this will be something I likely will not forget.
- Not sure if I wrote about this yet or not, but when I was still in Yangon I saw a very young child (still learning to support his own weight as he was leaning on a shelving unit when I saw him standing up) playing with a butchers knife. The child was using one hand to support his weight on a shelving unit and simultaneously holding a cucumber slice against the surface (with the same hand). In the other hand, the child was holding a butcher's knife that he was using to pretend chop at the cucumber slice. I'm not sure how sharp the knife was, but I hope he didn't drop it on his foot. How crazy! I would have taken a photo, but I didn't want to ruin the moment.
- I ran into a Dutch girl I spent Christmas with in Penang, Malaysia last evening here in Bagan. Crazy small world, isn't it?
- We have regular power outages here in Myanmar. I experienced one in Yangon and they have them twice daily here in Bagan - once in the morning around 9:30 (lasted until maybe 11?) and one in the evening at 7:30.
- Today I was ushered out of my hotel quickly by the owner because the government was coming and I couldn't be here. I had come back from some sighseeing around 2pm and dropped off my electric bike for charging downstairs. I told them I would leave at 4 pm. At 3:30 the owner came to my room and told me I eithere had to leave at 3:30 (so immediately) or wait until 4:30 to leave, I could not leave at 4 pm like I had wanted to. She said the government was coming to check the hotel so I either had to go then or stay in my room. I told here I needed to shower and could not leave for at least 5 mintues. I finally got her to agree to this plan. I showered quickly, tucked away my valuables, and headed downstairs. (As a law here in Singapore, foreigners can only stay at registered guest houses. I suspect the guest house is not registered and that is why she was concerned about me being here. I did not check, but assumed it was registered since there were so many reviews online from foreigners. To note, this is only a suspicion. I never found out why they needed me to leave). Anyways, because of my suspicion, I was careful as I walked to the main door in case the government was here. They were not, but as I walked down the stairs they ushered my quickly out the door so "the governement" would not see me there. This country is such an experience!
- (I keep thinking of more things to write about....) I took the overnight bus from Yangon to Bagan. The bus, a VIP bus, was amazing. At one point, about 1 hour into our 10 hour ride, we pulled over on the side of the motorway, one of the "bus hostesses" (as I've named them) got a large item from under the bus, brough it up the front steps, and there in the aisle next to me appeared one of the push carts the air hostesses use on the airplanes. They did one round of snacks and around of refreshments for us. It was amazing! Plus we each got our own blankets, after our dinner stop they passed out little digestion tables (not sure what they really were and they weren't exactly to my liking...), and we had free water bottles. All for only USD$20! If travleing in Myanmar, use JJ Express and take the bus, it is a great experience!
Okay, I think most everything else can be seen in the videos below.
Enjoy! (If you don't watch all of them, at least watch the last two videos from Day 2. They are the best show of what life is like here in Myanmar!)
A few cool things to note that were not captured in any of the videos so far:
- I saw an old man tilling his field this morning with a wooden till pulled by two oxen. I sat and watched him awhile. He controlled them almost totally by vocal commands and he had to manuver the oxen around the thousand year old pagodas in the middle of his farm field. It was like I was looking back a few centuries in time. Amazing!
- I have spent many hours the last two days watching TV in the local restaurants. Both yesterday and today in the afternoon (around 4) I found myself at the same restaurant/cafe in Nyaung U watching Burmese soap operas (or maybe movies). Either way, they were so dramatic I could understand them without problem even though I obvisouly do not speak Burmese. Yesterday I enjoyed this time by myself where as today I was accompanied by a very nice Italian, Andrea, who I had dinner with last night and spent the afternoon and evening with today.
- Tonight, after dinner, Andrea and I went to a cafe in our town (New Bagan). This is the same cafe my "First Meal in Bagan" video was filmed at. We spent two hours there tonight enjoying a tea and bottled water while we watched Rise of the Plante of the Apes with about 30 Burmese men. It is a great set-up here in Burma. All the local cafes have nice HD TVs and they play whatever they want. As a patron you watch whatever is being played (can be a soap opera, the football game, a movie, the home shopping network, etc...) while you drink your coffee. Tonight, I was the only female (as I appear to be mostly when I go to these cafes - I'm not sure where the ladies hang out), we were the only 2 non-Burmese people, and we had a fabulous time! I know this will be something I likely will not forget.
- Not sure if I wrote about this yet or not, but when I was still in Yangon I saw a very young child (still learning to support his own weight as he was leaning on a shelving unit when I saw him standing up) playing with a butchers knife. The child was using one hand to support his weight on a shelving unit and simultaneously holding a cucumber slice against the surface (with the same hand). In the other hand, the child was holding a butcher's knife that he was using to pretend chop at the cucumber slice. I'm not sure how sharp the knife was, but I hope he didn't drop it on his foot. How crazy! I would have taken a photo, but I didn't want to ruin the moment.
- I ran into a Dutch girl I spent Christmas with in Penang, Malaysia last evening here in Bagan. Crazy small world, isn't it?
- We have regular power outages here in Myanmar. I experienced one in Yangon and they have them twice daily here in Bagan - once in the morning around 9:30 (lasted until maybe 11?) and one in the evening at 7:30.
- Today I was ushered out of my hotel quickly by the owner because the government was coming and I couldn't be here. I had come back from some sighseeing around 2pm and dropped off my electric bike for charging downstairs. I told them I would leave at 4 pm. At 3:30 the owner came to my room and told me I eithere had to leave at 3:30 (so immediately) or wait until 4:30 to leave, I could not leave at 4 pm like I had wanted to. She said the government was coming to check the hotel so I either had to go then or stay in my room. I told here I needed to shower and could not leave for at least 5 mintues. I finally got her to agree to this plan. I showered quickly, tucked away my valuables, and headed downstairs. (As a law here in Singapore, foreigners can only stay at registered guest houses. I suspect the guest house is not registered and that is why she was concerned about me being here. I did not check, but assumed it was registered since there were so many reviews online from foreigners. To note, this is only a suspicion. I never found out why they needed me to leave). Anyways, because of my suspicion, I was careful as I walked to the main door in case the government was here. They were not, but as I walked down the stairs they ushered my quickly out the door so "the governement" would not see me there. This country is such an experience!
- (I keep thinking of more things to write about....) I took the overnight bus from Yangon to Bagan. The bus, a VIP bus, was amazing. At one point, about 1 hour into our 10 hour ride, we pulled over on the side of the motorway, one of the "bus hostesses" (as I've named them) got a large item from under the bus, brough it up the front steps, and there in the aisle next to me appeared one of the push carts the air hostesses use on the airplanes. They did one round of snacks and around of refreshments for us. It was amazing! Plus we each got our own blankets, after our dinner stop they passed out little digestion tables (not sure what they really were and they weren't exactly to my liking...), and we had free water bottles. All for only USD$20! If travleing in Myanmar, use JJ Express and take the bus, it is a great experience!
Okay, I think most everything else can be seen in the videos below.
Enjoy! (If you don't watch all of them, at least watch the last two videos from Day 2. They are the best show of what life is like here in Myanmar!)
Videos Day 1 in Bagan:
Windy First Video from Bagan
First Meal in Bagan, Great Little Cafe in New Bagan Town
Inside a Pagoda In Bagan
Out Back of a Beautiful Pagoda
A Refreshing 7-Up in Nyaung U
Videos Day 2 in Bagan:
The Streets of Nyaung U
The Streets of Nyaung U Part II
Nyaung U Local Market
How the Locals Live in Bagan
Okay, I'm off to bed now as I have an early morning flight to Inle Lake tomorrow. I will be leaving the 105* temperatures here for 75* in Inle Lake. Not sure I've packed appropriately....
Best!
First Meal in Bagan, Great Little Cafe in New Bagan Town
Inside a Pagoda In Bagan
Out Back of a Beautiful Pagoda
A Refreshing 7-Up in Nyaung U
Videos Day 2 in Bagan:
The Streets of Nyaung U
The Streets of Nyaung U Part II
Nyaung U Local Market
How the Locals Live in Bagan
Okay, I'm off to bed now as I have an early morning flight to Inle Lake tomorrow. I will be leaving the 105* temperatures here for 75* in Inle Lake. Not sure I've packed appropriately....
Best!
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Yangon Day 2
So today is my second and last day in Yangon. I spent the morning eating breakfast with a German American, Elisabeth, who lives in Michigan and teaches at a community college. Every summer, a week after school lets out, she packs her bag and heads out to see the world, one country at a time. She is here in Myanmar for 6 weeks - what a life! I then went into town and just wandered around, eating street food, drinking smoothies and coffees and juices, and soaking in the sights and sounds of Yangon. I am now back at my guesthouse for a shower and a quick rest before I take the overnight bus to Bagan. Here's one video from today. When I watch it the quality is really bad but I think that may be due to my internet connection here. Hope it isn't so bad for you guys.
I'll try to get photos up in the next few days.
Best!
I'll try to get photos up in the next few days.
Best!
Yangon Day 1
So I am lying in bed right now writing this post and I am extremely tired. But, I just want to make sure I get a few videos up before I totally pass out for the evening.
I have not sletp much - just a couple of hours on my flight and another 2 at my hotel. I have been out sightseeing all day and then ended up out to dinner with 2 people who work for the UN and then for after dinner drinks with one of them and his local Subcontinent friends. (Subcontient apparently refers to India and Pakistan - I just learned this tonight.) I am super, super tired now but to sum up the day: AMAZING! I really just do not know how I could be so lucky that my life has led me to this point. I am here, in Myanmar, on holiday and it is totally fabulous. It really has been occuring to me recently how amazing my life is and I'm just trying to soak it all in. I know that it is due to a my hard work, decisions, and courage, but there must be some bit of luck in there as well and man, I am lucky!
Okay, enough of that. Here's the video's from today:
And just as I am now thinking of going to sleep there is a baby (well at least I think it's a human baby, could be some baby animal) crying outside of my room, somewhere in the street, very loudly. Weird! I'm so tired, however, I'm sure I will still get to sleep just fine.
Night!
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
On My Way to Myanmar
I am currently sitting at Changi airport in Singapore waiting for my flight to Myanmar. As I've been sitting here waiting I just booking my flight to go back to HK in June for 3 nights this time and I'm going to make a day trip to Macau. Already looking forward to it!
So to give you a bit of insight into my life these days, it consists of three things: working, planning my next vacation, and going on vacatoin. I have just the most fabulous life. (If you want to hear me talk more about how fabulous my life is, feel free to watch the video here.) I cannot believe how lucky I am to be living here, in Singapore, in the middle of Asia, at a job I enjoy most of the time, and with the time and resources to go on holidays on a regular basis. Hong Kong last week. Myanmar today. Back to Hong Kong (and also Macau) in just a few weeks. In July I am going to try to get another three days in a row to go to Taiwan. When I am not traveling, I am running here in there preparing (the money changer, getting laundy done, buying whatever I need, processing visas) or spending my time on-line doing research on what to do or where to go or whatnot. I think I am going to get addicted to this sort of life - high intensity, coming, going, here, there, everywhere! I love the thrill of having an idea, doing the resarch, seeing what I can find, planning, researching, deciding, researching, planning, over and over again, booking the flights, booking the hotels, not knowing what is ever really going to happen, and then seeing it through! It's just great.
All that said, Myanmar is going to be the biggest adventure of my trip so far. I have no idea what to expect. I have booked all my internal transportation and accomodations, but I don't really have any idea what I'm getting myself into. I don't know what I am going to be doing during the day, what the food is like, what the country is like at all. This is the most "out-there" trip I have gone in yet to date in my life. And I'm excited to see what happens. Now, I must be off to get ready for my flight and get to my gate. Wish me luck, and I'll post as many videos as possible while I'm away - depending on Internet speeds - and whatever else when I get back to Singapore next week.
Later!
So to give you a bit of insight into my life these days, it consists of three things: working, planning my next vacation, and going on vacatoin. I have just the most fabulous life. (If you want to hear me talk more about how fabulous my life is, feel free to watch the video here.) I cannot believe how lucky I am to be living here, in Singapore, in the middle of Asia, at a job I enjoy most of the time, and with the time and resources to go on holidays on a regular basis. Hong Kong last week. Myanmar today. Back to Hong Kong (and also Macau) in just a few weeks. In July I am going to try to get another three days in a row to go to Taiwan. When I am not traveling, I am running here in there preparing (the money changer, getting laundy done, buying whatever I need, processing visas) or spending my time on-line doing research on what to do or where to go or whatnot. I think I am going to get addicted to this sort of life - high intensity, coming, going, here, there, everywhere! I love the thrill of having an idea, doing the resarch, seeing what I can find, planning, researching, deciding, researching, planning, over and over again, booking the flights, booking the hotels, not knowing what is ever really going to happen, and then seeing it through! It's just great.
All that said, Myanmar is going to be the biggest adventure of my trip so far. I have no idea what to expect. I have booked all my internal transportation and accomodations, but I don't really have any idea what I'm getting myself into. I don't know what I am going to be doing during the day, what the food is like, what the country is like at all. This is the most "out-there" trip I have gone in yet to date in my life. And I'm excited to see what happens. Now, I must be off to get ready for my flight and get to my gate. Wish me luck, and I'll post as many videos as possible while I'm away - depending on Internet speeds - and whatever else when I get back to Singapore next week.
Later!
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Hong Kong Day 2
Here's my Videos from Day 2 in Hong Kong in order of filming. Hope you enjoy!
Argyle & Nathan Street Corner - Hong Kong
Tim Ho Wan Mong Kok - Hong Kong
Star Ferry Kowloon to Central - Hong Kong
View of Hong Kong Island from Star Ferry - Hong Kong
View from the Top - The Peak, Hong Kong
Burger Circus - Hong Kong
Best!
Argyle & Nathan Street Corner - Hong Kong
Tim Ho Wan Mong Kok - Hong Kong
Star Ferry Kowloon to Central - Hong Kong
View of Hong Kong Island from Star Ferry - Hong Kong
View from the Top - The Peak, Hong Kong
Burger Circus - Hong Kong
Best!
Monday, May 18, 2015
Hong Kong Day 1 Videos
Here's a few videos from today:
Hong Kong - First Moments
Hong Kong Yuen Po Street Bird Market
Hong Kong Day 1 Review Over BBQ Pork Steam Buns
Hope you enjoy them as much as I'm enjoying HK!
Best!
Hong Kong - First Moments
Hong Kong Yuen Po Street Bird Market
Hong Kong Day 1 Review Over BBQ Pork Steam Buns
Hope you enjoy them as much as I'm enjoying HK!
Best!
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Hong Kong, I'm On My Way!
Waiting at the airport for my flight to HK! Can't wait.
Made a short little video for you all to enjoy.
Best!
Made a short little video for you all to enjoy.
Best!
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