Private Boat Cruise

Although this trip is not going as planned, at least I have some great friends both new and old here in Singapore to keep busy (and at home who are always there to talk to me). On Sunday, Stephanie planned a private boat cruise for a group of us girls. The boat even had a grill on it, so we were able to do a little Memorial Day BBQ. The boat really just cruised over to some Singaporean islands, but it was fun and relaxing day on the water. Man, I really do miss going out on boats!

Here are some pictures. At some point I will post more on Facebook. You can also check some of the pictures out on Stephanie's blog: http://stephyjinsingapore.blogspot.com/

Our Boat! 

The ladies (Me, Lean, Amber, and Stephanie)

These are all the ships coming in and out of the port

View of the city behind an island

This was our float. Feet in the water, beer in hand :)

When we got back from our 4 hour tour, we were able to use the pool at the private marina. It was nice! 

One of the walls of the pool was glass, and these kids were having a blast playing around in it.

Run about town

So, just a little update:  I have been here a little less than a week- so far so good. I think I am getting over the jet lag just now. I am trying to get into a routine to help with that. So far, I have gone on three, three mile runs.  Below are some pictures from my runs. Trust me when I tell you, I have to do these runs. Fraser Suites offers a free breakfast buffet every morning Monday - Friday. I have to learn to control myself. For example, yesterday I had a huge plate of scrambled eggs, tater tots, a mini cinnamon roll, and a mini chocolate muffin. Ridiculous!! The breakfast buffet here is actually really funny. They always have an egg and a potato dish (sometimes even mashed potatoes) but then the rest of the food varies widely. So far, I have seen baked beans, Chinese chicken noodle soup, and sautéed vegetables. Yesterday they even had corned beef hash. My favorite are the tater tots and hash browns (hence the running). 

I just thought this sign was really funny. It is outside of the hawker stand (outdoor food stalls that are very popular here) that is right down the canal from my hotel. Goodness gracious me!! 

This is a picture I snapped toward the end of my run. In it you can see the top of Marina Bay Sands (which is the thing that looks like a boat in the sky), and you can see the top of the shade things (yes, that is a technical term) from Clarke Quay. 

This is toward the middle of my run going back toward Fraser. I just thought it was pretty. So many tall apartment buildings and construction in Singapore!

New Digs

So, I am all settled into my place in Singapore. It is the same place as last year, Fraser Suites, but this year I am in a renovated room. I think it is very nice, but the construction both inside and outside the hotel is extremely loud. I am not sure how I am going to be able to do work here. I guess it is a good thing I bought noise canceling headphones. Anyhow, here are some pictures of the new digs.

 The outside of our building - taken from the canal I run. 

 Kitchen

 Living Room

 Bedroom/bathroom

 Bedroom/bathroom (good thing no one is staying with me because you can see straight into the bathroom from the bed. Although they have put a blind up that you use to conceal the bathroom (and there is a half/bath off of the kitchen)

 My lovely view of construction

 More construction from my balcony

The gift basket they left for me :)

So begins the long journey!

Well, I found a blogger app for my phone, so I can blog on the go. I am sitting here right on my flight to JFK- blogging. Anyhow, JetBlue is awesome, and they waived my second baggage fee because I am traveling overseas (and I asked real nice). They also supposedly checked both my bags all the way through to Singapore. This is amazing because last year, I had to lug all 4 of my bags through 4 terminals at JFK. I am still going to check the baggage claim just to make sure. It would not be awesome not to have my clothes for Singapore. I begin teaching on Monday.

Back to Singapore

I am off to Singapore again for six weeks. I will be teaching the same classes as last year, Human Resources, as well as staying in the same place- Fraser Suites. My flight leaves Buffalo tomorrow at 12:30, and I don't get to Singapore until 6:45am on Friday (that's 6:45pm EST)!!! It is quite a haul to get over there, but Singapore Airlines makes it pretty nice.

Crazily enough, I sold my house and closed on it last Friday. So getting ready for Singapore has been even more stressful because I had to move out of my house too. Thank goodness, I have amazing friends here in Buffalo (and one great one in New Hampshire) who helped me pack and move. Right now, I am homeless, although I have another great friend letting me crash at her place for awhile now and when I get back from Singapore (until I find an apartment). 

So, peace out Getzville! 

I am going to try to keep up my blog while in Singapore, so check in every now and again.