Return to Singapore

I am back home from the States and have been delaying any posts because I'm just not so sure how I feel about it. Everyone said the first 4 to 6 months would be the hardest...wrong. I actually got through those fairly well and without too much homesickness. (Yes - I'm through 6 months already!)

Going back home in Feb was wonderful to see everyone, feel the same old routine, know what was going on, etc. I really enjoyed my time. Hence the hardship of travelling back by myself.  I try to be positive in my posts because while it can feel good to vent my frustrations, I know it's much more exciting to hear good news.  So I don't want to take any rants to my readers :). 

But I must say that I did underestimate the difficulty of living abroad on my own.  I have pretty much recovered from the pangs of homesickness at this point - the jet lag last week didn't help.  I'm back into my day to day routine and when work slows, I need to make more of an effort to get myself out and about making friends.  I am happy to report that I had to request 14 days of leave (i.e. vacation) before 30 June or lose it.  I've planned a few 3- and 4-day weekends in the coming months and hope I can take advantage of them to do some quick trips in SE Asia (Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, etc.).

Observations from my trip home:

• LOVE the fact that I went 1.5 weeks with absolutely no cash (I could have made it the whole 2 weeks if I wanted, but it was just easier to get some).  You need cash in Singapore.
• The cold weather on a sunny, windless day is still great.  But it gets old real quick once the clouds roll in.
• You really cannot sleep in United economy.
• I quickly forgot the level of humidity in Singapore.
• No matter how well planned - you always forget to pack everything.
• In the grand scheme of things, not much changes (but I manage to still feel a little left out).
• Only 5 lbs gained - seen as a great success as I figured it could be as high as 10.  Sausage and milk for breakfast every morning?? Also LOVED it :).
• I'm getting old, fast.
• Snow removal in Peoria has not improved.
• I miss warm comfy sweaters and blankets.

I think I went the whole trip without taking any pictures!!  Unbelievable I know.  Well here are some older pics of family and friends.  No one was intentionally snubbed - I only had so many pics to work with.  Miss you all!!

My crazy sister Katie at Disney - I did not get to see her :(.  She moved away to SC. 

*Tom, her boyfriend, is not pictured.  He must have been willing to sacrifice her to the zombie hippos.

The cows - we had new baby calves and they all got out one Sunday morning.  Like old times.

My brother Curtis and his girlfriend Emily - he hates taking pics.  We did dinner in Bloomington one night.

Gotta love Mom!

Dad's always working outside.  Don't worry our house is OSHA approved ;).

Some of my great Peoria co-workers...there are more than just these two clowns ;).

Who can live without best friends??  Miss Shaun.

And last but not least, the little cutie pies - Blake and Avery (these are a bit dated - Avery now has a little brother and Blake's got one on the way). I forgot to take current pictures. 

My friends from home, Kristin and Brenna, have wonderful families of their own.  I'm jealous girls :).

My own Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is just around the corner - I think Sunday and Monday this week.  Singapore is like 80% ethnic Chinese so this is a big deal.  I still don't know too much about the holiday, but I do know it is the one time of year when families travel back to see their parents and relatives.  Well, I get to make my own pilgramage back to the States for Chinese New Year :).

I'm going home for work, but I still get a couple of weekends with family and friends.  I leave tomorrow and am packing tonight.  I've made my list ready of things to pick and up and bring back home with me.  Some of these include a new hair straightener, deodorant, granola bars and a dvd player. 

Chinese New Year may be better than Christmas, the commercial Christmas that is.  Everyone gives mandarin oranges and pineapple tarts/cookies.  These both sound good to me :) and don't seem as un-healthy as cookies and pies.  The whole family gets to spend time together (yes, this could be bad as well I suppose).  There are fireworks!  Red envelopes with money are given instead of presents - isn't it always easier to just give money??  You can't clean in order to make sure you don't wipe away the good luck of the new year.  Good for me - I know I hate cleaning.  You get two public holidays in a row, not one week apart like Christmas and New Year's.  The day moves around every year based on the lunar calendar - so those born near the New Year, may not be so near the next year. 

Of course I am missing the local Singapore celebrations, which is a bit of a bummer, and I have no pics to share.  I think it would a fun experience to see all the festivities.  I hear the crowds are shoulder to shoulder.  I'm also sure there is a lot more to learn about the traditions; but I'll have to take that up next year. 

However, I do have another Singapore scout who will be out and about to experience the CNY it all its glory.  I'm sure she'll have great re-caps and pics on her blog if you want to check it out: http://asianredhead.wordpress.com/. 
*Do you remember how I went to Italy a couple years ago? I went to visit a friend and his sister is here studying in Singapore for a semester.  I'm a bit jealous as she's only been here since January and already had lots of adventures!

Universal Language of the Golden Arches

One thing I've found in my travels over the years, is that most big cities you visit will have some golden arches to make you feel at home - yes, McDonald's.  Maybe not the thing we as Americans want to be known for, but it's there.  While I usually try to avoid American fast-food in order to experience more local options;  it's funny how each Mickey D's has some special touches for the locals (i.e. pineapple in Hawaii). 

*Not Singapore; from earlier trip to Budapest.  Piece of trivia: First McDonald's opened in Eastern Europe.

Living in Singapore for 3 years, I've decided I'm going to McDonald's - this is no longer a vacation and when I crave it, I'm going for it.  I've visited McDonald's a few times and noted some of the unique Singaporean qualities to share with you. Would you like any of these to be implemented in your local fast food restaurant?

• No detailed menus - only the pictures.  It confuses me because I think there are other options to oder.  Refer to the next point. *Oh - and NO dollar menus!! (in fact you can eat local food cheaper than fast food)
• Burgers/Sandwiches are double on the picture menu.  No single, regular cheeseburger - only the double (but I'm told you can still order a single).  Of course, I don't special order and get the double - ugh.
• There are also chicken wings on the menu - in addition to the chicken nuggets.  Haven't tried them yet.  Have also seen fried shrimp (prawn) on several fast food menus.
• If you thought the fries were salty in the U.S., they seem to be extra salty x 2 here.
• The large drinks are probably still smaller than our small drinks.  While sandwich proportions are whacked out, drink proportions are much better.
• To the condiments! Instead of two ketchups and a BBQ pump, it's two chili sauce pumps and only one ketchup.
• There aren't mini-cups for ketchup, instead there are these almost tray-like discs.  (see pic)
• Can't find an open table? Just sit where there are open seats.  Yes, you do not have the luxury of finding your own table. Everywhere in Singapore, people share tables and eat with random strangers.  No socializing is required - it's just known that there is not enough space to not share.
• Finished....leave your garbage and take off.  It's common practice to leave your dishes, leftovers and garbage on your table and someone will clear it for you.  At my American restaurants though, I still have tendency to throw-away my own stuff.  Just feels weird to leave it there on the table. 
• Need some quick food? Sorry, no drive-thrus.  I think I've seen 2 maybe in Singapore while there are McDonald's everywhere.  Just no room.
• But......you an get a McDelivery! I have yet to do this (although I frequent the KFS delivery website).  We'll see how long I hold out.

Here are the salty fries (you can see the salt!) and ketchup discs.  This McDonald's is actually asking diners to clean up after themselves.  I'm curious to see how this campaign goes.  Have not seen it before.