American Club 60th Birthday Party

John and I were lucky enough to snag event tickets to a big annual bash at the American Club. The theme was that you should dress of an era 1950's-1980's. We went all out 1980's. For the most part I would have to say it was a pretty unimaginative crowd, not everyone dressed up. We ate the best food we have had in Singapore -it was a mix of both Western and Asian. The music was top notch- two live bands. There was also fake tattooing, a tarot card reader, and a photographer running around snapping photos that you could pick up at the end of the night. All in all it was good old fashion fun!

Bird's Nest Advert (click on photo to enlarge)

“Malaysia Truly Asia” –Malaysian Bureau of Tourism

About a month ago joined John in Malaysia for part business and part fun. I flew Tiger Airways, an Asian budget airlines with no thrills and a nickel and dime you attitude. They are so budget that they don’t even fly out of the main terminal here in Singapore. They fly out a 1970’s orange and white hanger. The waiting area feels more like a bus terminal than an airport you even walk across the tarmac to the plane. Once on board I was upgraded to an Emergency Excited seat, that’s right up graded. Had I chosen this seat when I was booking my flight I would have been charged extra. A quick 45 minute flight and I was in Kuala Lumpur. Now I had been to the KL airport once before but I had forgotten the exact workings of the place. Immigration took nearly two hours to get through, no sweat I wasn’t in a rush and I had time to notice all the Chinese with surgical masks waiting the quarantine area –no idea why, but glad wasn’t with them! After getting out the airport I booked a taxi and was off. The airport is about an hour outside of the city and I must say Malaysia seems to have a very modern highway system.
Arriving at the Ritz Carlton around dinner; I didn’t know it then but it was turn out to be, “The worst 5 star hotel ever.”(JM) The hotel was one big fat disappointment and we had a list of complaints a mile long: broken sink, missing luggage, missing robes, hand prints in the bathroom that weren’t ours, constant miscommunication with staff and no follow through, and incessant noise –just the tip of the iceberg. Thankfully, the hotel was very reasonable priced, guess that should have been a clue! The most interesting part of staying at the hotel we stayed at were the amount of Arab tourist. I could probably write a blog just on this subject. It turns out after 9/11 Arab travelers no longer felt comfortable in the USA or Europe and they started to flock to KL. I was in what I would say is the most luxurios mall in South East Asia and all of the Arab tourist were snapping up jewels and handbags. The experience was very culturally eye opening.
We had a chance to meet up with an old family friend of mine. Rohan worked for my father about 10 or so years ago when he was a student in Malaysia. He now is happily married with twin boys! He and his lovely wife took us for a traditional and delicious Indian dinner just outside the city, where Rohan grew up. Hopefully, we’ll be able to meet them again the next time we are in Malaysia.
Besides seeing the famous Petronas Towers we also took a tour outside of the city to the Batu caves. These are very scared in the Hindi religion. We walked up 272 steps to reach the opening of a cave that became a natural Hindu temple. One of the fun and kind of nervous aspects of the adventure was that we were surrounded by fairly aggressive monkeys the whole time. I think my biggest problem was that I had seen "Outbreak" one too many times!

So how is life in Singapore?

So how is life in Singapore? I have yet to post any personal thoughts on this very professional blog that Margaret has set up for us, but perhaps that is because I am not sure what to say. I do, however, know that I have an answer to the question “how are you and Margaret doing?” The answer is a simple but all encompassing “great”. While we both share an intense longing for our family and friends back home it is surprising to me how we have come half way around the world and yet feel right at home together.
Together Margaret and I like cooking, reading, swimming in the pool, playing rumicube and watching House or Ugly Betty. We also go out to eat and yesterday went to see the new Batman movie at the Gold Class Cinema, which is a movie theater with only 24 lazy boy recliners and waiters who deliver you food and wine. Intellectually, we like discussing global politics and economics, Singaporean/SE Asain conundrums and family & friends.
One of the best things about Margaret, is how she loves to try new things. This is perhaps self evident in her decision to move here with me, but it means that we are both able to get along very well and enjoy our experiences together. In some cases she is even more outgoing than me. Today, for example, she is volunteering at one of Singapore’s abundant shopping malls to help raise money for the SPCA. Something I think very few Westerners or Singaporeans would choose to spend their time doing. You wouldn’t get me into a jammed packed mall on a Sunday even if my life depended on it.
While finding a job in Singapore has proven to be difficult for her, Margaret has recently been hired as a consultant to work on a 1 week project at a very reasonable wage. In fact she and I were totally surprised at how quickly the company was to engage her, which speaks to her abilities and value. We are hoping that it may lead to a more permanent role, which would most likely see her working from home. Thus, in retrospect, one of the best decisions we have made may have been moving into an apartment close to my office. The fact that it is so close means that I can come home for lunch and share time with Margaret during the day, and if we also decide to foster a puppy for the SPCA I can help take care of it. It also means that the small 2 bedroom apartments we were looking at would have been much more confining vis-à-vis our 3 br place.
For those who are curious about my new job, I cannot comment lest I fall afoul of my company’s HR department. But, let me just say I am happy to be in Singapore. Hopefully you can come and visit soon.