Myanmar or Burma??

First off, 

Happy Memorial Day! 

to my fellow Americans back home and around the world.  

It's a great day to remember those who served our country and are no longer with us.  

This past weekend, I had a quick weekend trip to Yangon, Myanmar (aka Burma), the former capital city.  Myanmar has most recently been in the news for the cyclone that hit in 2008 causing massive damage and the ineffective, slow response of the Myanmar government to help its people in their time of need.  While I don't have all the details, I've heard nothing to dispute that statement.  It's west of Thailand and was about a 3hr flight from Singapore.

It was a quick, fun trip.  Will try to share some more photos and fun stories later in the week (which may turn into the weekend).

Shwedagon Pagoda

Fruit stands on our walk to the major market

Memories from the World

I got my passport what seems like long, long ago - way back in 2002 :).  Passports are generally good for 10 years, and 7 January 2012 has been my closely approaching expiration date.  In Asia, you can't go many places with less than 6 months to go on your passport, so time to get a new one.

This past week, I went to our U.S. embassy in Singapore.  My expectations were low.  I figured it would be an international DMV with security and my day would be sucked up.  I can very happily report that my experience was the complete opposite.  I arrived at 11:30, half an hour before closing time, and was out in 20 minutes or less.  I even had to get a picture in that amount of time.

The U.S. Embassy.  Snapped right before I saw the "no pics" sign :).  Not the prettiest of buildings.

Shakespeare in the Park

The Singapore Repertory Theater is/was putting on Macbeth at Fort Canning Park here in Singapore.  It's been since high school since I did anything Shakespeare related and needless to say, I haven't missed it a bit ;).

from the Singapore Repertory Theater website

That said, I had some intel from others who went last week that you did not need to be a Shakespeare lover to enjoy the performance.  So upon an invite from a co-worker, I gladly accepted.  I picked up sandwiches and some fruit for dessert.

What to do after 30 years?!

A 30th birthday is a big milestone and it seems it gets everyone thinking about doing something they haven't yet done.  Skydiving is a big one, which would go along with bungee jumping. Both are pretty high and I don't know that I'm really up for that.  I've heard 30 countries by 30...I got to 20, so no-go there.  Maybe a tattoo? Yeah, I'm too indecisive for such a permanent item.

I finally decided on something that will be more of an on-going project rather than a one-and-done. There's a little corner inside myself where there's always been this little fighter.  She's peeked her head a few times during my first 30 years on this earth, but honestly not very often.  And while I've day dreamed about getting into a knock-down drag out fight, the truth is that I'm too worried about getting my own butt kicked to actually make a move or provoke anyone.

Taken from Hilltop The Gym website

Very Superstitious??

Having a birthday on the 13th means every once in a while it falls on Friday the 13th, which it did this year.  The last one I remember on a Friday was my golden birthday (i.e. my 13th birthday - double whammy).  Both turned out well :).

I've never met anyone with my exact birthday before, but this year there happen to be two Australians on short-term assignment at work with me, both with May 13th birthdays!  We decided to do a group outing of dinner and drinks Thursday and went to a bar, Altitude, which is an open air bar at the top of one of the high rises downtown (about 60+ stories up).  It was my first time there and a good time was had by all.

After-dinner birthday cake for the three of us.

Bug Buddy

 Good Morning! On my way out the door this morning, I was greeted at the gate by this rather large insect.  About as big as my thumb maybe?  Never seen one before.  S/He didn't scuttle off like a nasty roach.  So I went on my way and figured s/he would as well.

Then I came home many hours later and s/he apparently loves it at my place.  Looked like there was no movement.  Of course it is alive - it moved slightly.

What is it? Will it be there in the morning? I have no idea.  But if it isn't scurrying across my body, flying into my hair, making loud noises or stinking up the place, I think I'm okay to just let s/he stay right wherever they like.

**Prize to anyone who can tell me what this bug is and if it needs to be killed/shooed away :).

Labor Day BBQ

Yep, it's Labor Day and what is Labor Day without a cookout??  Here Labor Day is 1 May, so we got Monday off.  With some impromptu planning on Sunday, we were able to reserve a BBQ pit at my condo and send out some text invites.  I went out shopping for meat, came back with a boatload of stuff, but only about half what I thought I needed :).  In true family fashion, I decided to over-do things a bit.