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.