A long bus ride home

Some days I just want to experiment; see what happens when I don't take the advice of the GPS or people around me. I just go with my gut feeling and hope for the best... I took the wrong bus home today. 

I was visiting relatives in the distant part of Singapore called Marine Parade, where the closest MRT (train) station is at least a 5-10 minute bus ride away. This is somewhat rare in Singapore because most residential areas have an MRT station within 5 minutes walking distance, but my relatives are by the beach so that makes up for the annoying public transportation factor. I stayed at my relatives place for about 5 hours, helping my little cousin with her English homework and allowing my aunt sometime to get her hair done while I entertain my cousin. Towards the end though, it was my little cousin who was doing the entertaining. She showed me the beach (when my aunt returned and chaperoned) and then did a magic show for me and my aunt. Then I said good-bye and made my way back to the closest bus stop. 

To get back to my grandparents place, (where I am still residing at the moment), I needed to do one bus transfer. Its a scary thought for a person who has always used a subway system her whole life. Train to bus - ok. Bus to bus - NOT ok. When I had made the transfer the first time, going over to my relatives' place, it was quick and easy because the bus I needed did come right on time according Google Maps. Going home, however, the transfer bus (number 28) went missing. I thought I had missed it so I waited for another round of the same buses. 155, 2, 7, 26... Fifteen minutes passed and still no bus 28. So instead of going by Google Maps, and not asking for directions, I made the decision to go on the next bus that said they were going to Toa Payoh Interchange: Bus 26. 

For the first couple of minutes I watched on my Nexus 7 the blinking triangle (my location) on Google Maps move in the direction I was suppose to go. (Side note for travelers: The Nexus 7 really is a GREAT travel tablet for the price, however it does get annoying with the camera. It's front-facing only and it has low-grade pixelation. Good for Skype, bad for travel pictures for your photo album.) Then I headed into unknown territory - literally. I put away my Nexus 7 and enjoyed the ride of Bus 26. We first went through a crowded area that looked like I had accidentally crossed over into Malaysia. The shops on both sides of the street looked like they were from another decade in Singapore's history and pathways were so uneven that I wouldn't advise handicap people to visit the area. However, the stores and food stalls were crowded with people eating, buying, and mingling. I looked up the area in my trusty Lonely Planet travel guide and it said that the area, Geylang, has some of the best local food around, however the area used to be the red-light district of Singapore. I can believe it...

The bus continued through residential areas on roads with names like Boon Keng Road and Whampoa East. I forgot that Singapore has rivers flowing through the metropolis and on my ride I see several canals and rivers cemented into a permanent position. Residential apartments boarder both sides probably for a good view of "a river," however I'm sure people regret the mosquito bites that come with the view. When the bus turns onto a road called Jalan ("Jln" on maps) Toa Payoh, I almost freak out thinking that I had read the bus sign wrong. I've never heard of Jalan Toa Payoh in my area! I take deep breaths to calm and remind myself that I chose to be on a journey of the unknown. If I get to the end and it's not familiar I can always get on another bus. Thank God for my Nexus! The bus made another turn onto Lorong 6, a road I was familiar with and I gave a huge sigh of relief. I rang for the bus to stop at one of my new favorite landmarks - the community pool - and decided to walk the rest of the way home. I told myself that I was done exploring for the day. That bus ride was one and a half hours long. 

When the stars don't shine

Today has been an unbearably hot day. Sitting in the shade of a tree didn't stop my face from melting. But never mind that, its night time now and the cool air is welcomed. There's even a soft breeze every once in a while. No wonder the athletes of the block stay up late to play basketball or soccer/football. They play their games well into the night because playing during the day could give them a heart attack (true story!). However that doesn't make me happy because their noises keep me from sleeping at normal hours.

But I'm here, standing outside looking at the sky - blank as a blackboard slate. Its the light pollution of the city that hides the stars from my fragile eyes. No worries to the late night pedestrian though, the ground is well lit for you to walk around safely at night. I even see a mother and her infant playing on the playground just below my apartment.

The only way you could ever be scared of the dark around here is if you watched a scary movie and got stuck in the mall for the night, during a holiday weekend.

Target Acquired

I must be out of my mind because I am here at a place called Kraze Burgers. I walked through a fairly large food court filled with local Asian food stalls, but I still settled on this place, Kraze Burgers, because I was trying to be different. As soon as I bit into the soft, meaty, slightly spicy, flavorful burger I noticed that this place is an international chain restaurant and there's one close to my old office back in America. Unconsciously deciding on this restaurant could mean that I am missing home a little more than I had anticipated. For the past couple of days I have been drawn to places that have foreigners like me so I won't feel like such an outsider. 

Two days ago I had wondered into Holland Village, a place that has a mall filled with little hole-in-the-wall shops and outside, rows and rows of small eateries and bars. Holland Village is also home to a lot of foreigners who work in Singapore so you may find a family speaking French as they stroll through the grocery store and then a blond-haired woman sipping coffee, reading an Australian news paper at the cafe. It felt a little like home to me. 

Today I had ventured out to Marina Bay Sands, an integrated resort that combined a casino, hotel, museum and shopping mall all into one amusement area. It is one of the newest tourist destinations in Singapore. While I was eating in the Kraze Burger restaurant, I watched children ice skate in a rink right in the middle of the food court. It's a novelty to the children since it is about 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside. Another remarkable attraction in the mall is the man-made river where you can ride a miniature gondola. You'll feel like you are riding through a high class Venice with Prada, Gucci, and Fendi on the left and Ralph Lauren, Fossil, and Dior on the right. I end up wondering outside of the mall to look at the man-made bay that wasn't there seven years ago (which was the last time I was in Singapore). I try to take in all of it because it's quite intimidating. The tall buildings on the other side of the bay dominate most of the landscape, but there are construction cranes here and there indicating that this land has not reached it's peak potential. Some might call this place "beautiful" since a lot of the buildings are fantasy-like (the ArtScience Museum, which is right next to the mall, is like a large hand cupping the sky, and the hotel is made up of three tall towers with a large "boat" on top). The bay is glittering with little tour boats slowly gliding from one side to the other. I look back at the tall buildings across the way and I notice that a lot of them are bank buildings. There's DBS and HSBC and Standard Chartered. There's even Bank of America in the corner. This is what Singaporeans call the business district because that's what most Singaporeans do - finance. 

I said that I had been re-reading Eat Pray Love in my other blog post. I had gotten to the part where Elizabeth (the protagonist) defines cities and people with one or two words. Stockholm is CONFORM. New York is ACHIEVE. Rome is SEX. That got me thinking what word describes Singapore. I've been here multiple times and I have gotten a better idea about what the culture is like as an adult. So after careful thought sitting at Marina Bay Sands looking out at the business district I finally came to the conclusion that the word for Singapore is ACQUIRE. I won't try to describe my reasoning because you really need to experience Singapore to understand what I mean. (Or just read my blog!) The reason why I bring this up is because I have to wonder if I can be like Singapore and "acquire" that spirit. Hahaha! However, I would rather just enjoy that culture/spirit and move on to the next. Like a traveling writer. What a dream that would be... 

The Traveler

I've seen a lot of quotes about traveling.

"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer."
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."
"I want travel the world even if I have to live out of a suitcase."

The last one sounds a little like "so you want to be a hobo??" But the others tend to inspire young people to do something outside of their typical life. However its always difficult (financially, mentally, etc.) to make that jump into the unknown. You'll never know what new things you'll find out about yourself.

For myself, I wanted to just drop everything and travel after reading "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. I, too, had my fair share of messy break-ups and when I read Ms. Gilbert's take on a jump-started life I was very moved. I tell everyone Ms. Gilbert's book is like my personal "bible" because every time I go through something difficult I look up inspiration in her book. I have notes and markings all over the pages, which I'm very proud of.

When I finally got to Singapore, (a major accomplishment by myself and my family who supports me), I didn't get the feeling that so many travelers say they have - a sense of this is where I'm meant to be. Instead I felt like I took a wrong turn and I kept thinking "why am I here?" I keep asking myself that. It helps me get out of bed, forcing me to attempt at answering the question with "to tour the city" or "to get started with my career." Every single night, though, my mind picks at me and my day and says "are you sure you know what you're doing?" Something isn't right here.

A true world traveler can get up and be excited to go out and do new things that they are not familiar with. A true world traveler can be open to cultures that are totally different than the one the traveler grew up in. A true world traveler, (this is the big thing I forgot), can move on to someplace new and carefully let go of the things and people they left behind... Yes, its great to go to another place, but you have to be ready to leave and not just move.

This trip showed me that I got too attached to my hometown. I can't stay away from it too long. Sadly, I'm not the true world traveler I wanted to be, but if life hands me a suitcase you know I'm going to make lemonade! ... wait.....

Out of your Comfort Zone

On Friday, I went to see the band Fun. in concert. I went alone because I couldn't find anyone to go with me. At first I was hesitant to go because I'm tired going alone to things and I didn't know what I would find at a Singaporean concert. The tickets were probably the most I've ever paid for a concert, but then again I've never gone to a concert where the band was actually popular.

The concert hall was in Sentosa Resort World behind the Hard Rock Cafe. Sentosa Resort World wasn't there a couple of years ago so it was amazing to look around and see Universal Studios and so many fancy restaurants under this fantastic roof. Most new attraction areas are now covered so when it rains people can still wonder around the area without getting wet. Also, there were fountains that had their own shows at different times in the evening. This was so people who were going out for dinner could have a good meal and a show! And that's exactly what I did for the Fun. concert...

I had gotten to the Resort World around 5pm, thinking that I was there early enough to get some food and then go to the concert hall. I was, of course, wrong. Three hours before the concert started, young high schoolers were lining up to get into the concert hall. I didn't feel like being alone in line for that long, plus I was hungry so I went to the Hard Rock Cafe and got myself an expensive sandwich and drink. The food and staff were great so I didn't mind treating myself. I told the staff that I was going to the Fun. concert and they probably thought that I was a reporter from the US since I was alone and had a pen and notebook. Hahahahah! I finished my food and drink and made my way to the end of the already long line. I waited in line with a family (father, mother, and their three children) and two school girls. Just siting in line I was already melting. I was wearing the least amount of clothing that I could because I knew how stuffy it can get at a rock concert, but I saw so many little girls in pants and leggings. I think they were insane. I was, however, more insane for not even thinking about bringing a water bottle (.. I'll get back to that one). We waited in line for about an hour and then when we got into the concert hall we waited another hour standing. The concert hall was not very well ventilated so everyone was already sticky and sweaty by the time the band came on, but that didn't stop us from jumping around, pumping our fists, clapping in the air, and raising our hands "I love you!" to the band. Made you wish that you couldn't smell. 

My favorite part of the concert was this little girl standing next to me throughout the concert. She was alone like myself and she was shorter than most people. She reminded me of a close friend I know back home so I was glad that I was standing next to her. She was vigilant in seeing this band. When the band started singing she shocked me by singing all the lyrics verbatim and with such a happy face. She didn't hold up a sign saying "I'll give you my first born for another song," (yes, someone had that sign), and she didn't wear any memorabilia. She just wanted to enjoy her favorite band - a true fan. 

By the end of the concert I was pretty tired. My feet and back were in pain and I was craving libations. I was hoping to pop into a bar and grab a drink or maybe a cafe for some coffee, but I didn't realize how many people were thinking the exact same thing. This is why I was silly for not bringing my own bottle. (NOTE: If you go to a concert in Singapore, and it's outside, make sure you bring a water bottle with you!) I ended up walking further inland of Sentosa and bought a soda (for caffeine) at a 7-11. I made my way back to the train station to take me back to the main island. The train ended at the top of a mall called Vivo City and the MRT train station to take me home was in the basement. On my way down to the basement I saw a man standing, but resting his head on the railing, next to the escalator. He didn't look like he was able to move, let alone lift his head. I almost walked past him like so many other people, but I made a U-turn and walked up to him thinking that he could use some help. I tapped him on his shoulders and asked him if he was ok. He turned his head and looked at me. It seemed that he was expecting someone else and turned his head back into his arms. I couldn't tell if he was sick or hungover or was going through a depression so I asked the usual questions when you want to help someone: "Do you need a drink of water?" "Would you like me to get you a chair?" "Is there someone you would like me to get?" "Is there anything I can do for you?" He didn't reply to anything I asked so I just told him that I hope he feels better. He then turned back to me and whispered a thank you. I left him wishing and thinking that I could do more for him, but a person can only be helped if they are willing to accept the help. 

Reflecting on that night I notice that I was out of my element. I don't ever got to concerts alone, let alone a concert of a well-known band. I don't eat at fancy restaurants (I do consider the Hard Rock Cafe "fancy"). I hate crowds and I rarely have the courage to ask a random stranger if they need help, but I guess that night was different. I wonder if the night was also different for the little girl at the concert and the man standing next to the escalator. Were they out of their comfort zones? 

Quick note on relationships

I know I don't typically write about relationships, but its actually a passion of mine (in my personal journal. ;-) ). A thought occurred to me today that I'd thought I'd share:

Even if you are beautiful from the inside out, and everyone tells you that you are the sweetest person they ever met, it won't land you a partner in life. Beauty and sweetness is not the formula for winning over your prince charming. Sorry, but its the truth. I don't know the formula but, (caution, double negative!), that doesn't mean that you shouldn't be your best or try harder to be even more awesome. Be the sweetest and stay beautiful from the inside out because you never know when The One will pop up out of nowhere and say "I'm amazed and so happy to have you, of all people in this world, in my life."

The Beach

Right now I'm at a "beach" on Sentosa island. Sentosa used to be an washed out amusement park that all of Singapore thought was something of a sideshow. Slowly the park gained popularity and built up it's amusement selection. As a child, my parents would still take me to Sentosa because it was a tourist attraction  Now, as an adult, its somewhat shocking how much has changed...

I sit on imported white sandy beaches, shores that's no wider than a two lane highway and waves that can barely graze your ankles when you stand next to the water. Back at home I would think this place is pitiful but over here it's very popular. If you visit an island you probably want to see the beach, so here we are!

The range of activities here are endless, but its for the people who don't mind spending money. Its like every other theme park that I've been to but on a tropical island. I paid to go to a show tonight but the system is "down" so I don't know if I'll be able to go to it now. We'll see. I also paid to visit the aquarium but to be honest I just want to stay on this small bit of sand. Maybe dip in the water...? I only reconsider that decision because I see the cargo ships in the near distance. I would DEFINITELY need to take a shower after stepping out into that water!

Careful of wind, my aunt said to me when I told her I would be visiting the beach today. She means, when it starts to blow, a storm might be coming... Its windy now, I see a heavy cloud. Guess it's time to go in...

... My aunt was right! As soon as I got into the bus to go to the Underwater World, the sky opened up and it poured. I managed to get inside the building fairly dry while it rained cats and dogs outside, but I later ventured back outside to see the dolphin show. Don't get me wrong! I think the aquarium part is interesting, and the fish are so beautiful, but I really, really, really wanted to see the PINK DOLPHINS! At first there was only a light drizzle, so little that I didn't need an umbrella for, but once I took my seat in the outdoor stadium (only a tarp-like roof to keep the audience dry) mother-nature said "No pink dolphins for you!" Right now, after a half an hour of waiting, I'm still in the stands, and the stands are still full of people. The show won't start until the rain calms down. I decide to finish off my Subways sandwich (yes, they have Subways in Singapore and yes, I broke down and bought American food!). I watched the pink dolphins bob up and down in the large pool for the show. They seem to enjoy the rain and they seem to say to me "Haha! Silly non-aquatic mammals! We LUV this weather!" (Dolphins say "luv" instead of "love" because they are adorable that way.) And as I write this, one of them decides to beach himself on the platform and show off. Yep, we're silly humans.

...

After leaving the Underwater World building, I decided to get a cup of coffee since the day was really starting to ware me out. I found a cute little chain-café (I forget the name, but is everywhere here in Singapore) and I decided to get a tropical fruit tea (hot - cause the rain made me feel cold). It was delicious! I can't believe I had been going to silly places like Starbucks for my coffee and tea in the past! Note to travelers: If you ever come to Singapore, do your best to eat and drink local fair - 9 times out of 10 its worth it!

I had tickets to see this light and water show at 8:40pm so I needed to kill at least 3 hours... Since I didn't want to spend more money I wondered and apparently 3 hours is not enough to explore the new Sentosa. I will go back to check out more stuff... Like tomorrow because I'm going to see FUN.!!! Got my ticket and now all I have to do is put together an outfit. :-) The light and water show was amazing by the way, but for the younger crowd (and for Singaporeans because the actors in the show sang popular songs in Chinese, Malay, and Hindi). The only down side to going back is that its going to burn a hole in my pocket book. My poor bank account!!!

What a beach!

Night Tourism

Singapore is a city state. It's one of those cities that never sleeps. The "young people" have energy to spare and money to spend from the long, hard work week. ("Young people" can range from an 18-year-old who can have his first beer, to a 40-year-old who isn't married and still has the heart of a teenager.) A typical weekend party starts at 11pm and ends when the sun rises the next day. If one bar closes there's always a Karaoke bar or disco-tech that is still open a couple doors down. Imagine Las Vegas, but on a larger scale and Asian style.

I've been here a month so far and I have tried the nightlife on many different occasions. I've been to a fancy hotel bar that has a club in the back. I've spent the night at a cafe/hooka bar and passed the time talking about traveling the world on Arab Street. I've danced my way through a gay club and then hung out with the Caucasian expats at an Aussie bar. I've rocked out to Journey (Gasp!!!!... I actually HATE Journey) while eating the most delicious Hawaiian pizza in a crowded bar above another bar. I've attended a birthday party and listened to the Oldies at one of my relatives' neighborhood bar... All of this, and I still haven't seen the most popular nightlife places.
I have to thank all my relatives for taking me to all these places because I won't have had the courage to venture out at night. As a young person, it's so helpful to know the nightlife available to me. If Singapore is a city that never sleeps I'd be missing a large chunk of what this country has to offer. Touring doesn't always have to occur during the day time. However, I must warn people who would like to know more about the nightlife here in Singapore: if you don't know your limits and you don't know where to go, you will NOT have a good time. Just my two cents.

Writer's Block Collage

The following paragraphs are outcomes of my writer's block over the past few days. Be glad that I didn't write during those days or else you would be getting a post with a game called "Stupid or Clever move." Best to not ask...

It's snowing back home. I'm not jealous...! However I am not too happy that I'm clammy/oily all the time over here in tropical Singapore.

I wasn't planning on doing errands today but I ended up helping my grandparents with some shopping. I wore my Havannas flip flops, which I am now regretting. I like having soft, un-calloused feet. Havannas apparently do not allow me that luxury because by the time I had walked to the store and back (about a half an hour's time) my feet were in complete pain! I even had to stop a couple of times to let my feet relax from the building blisters created from the rubbing plastic bands on the flip flop. As soon as I got home a layer of skin had been rubbed off from both of my feet (and some how I got some skin clipped off of my finger too... I'm a klutz). Too bad, I was going to go to see Oz the Great and Powerful but since my feet are now in bad shape I'll just stay in for tonight.

I hate hate hate HP laptops because I can't deactivate the touch pad. I just deleted a whole paragraph because my hand accidentally touched the pad while I was writing. It highlighted the whole paragraph and deleted it... well I'll just say this: I went to the Art Museum here in Singapore. Found cool stuff. Here's a picture of a painting of Hitler visiting a soldier who was wounded from an attempted assassination on Hitler. Whatever... I now have writer's block because of stupid technology!

Beauliful

Prepare yourself! I'm going to blow your mind!

Today I went back to Orchard Road for a little retail therapy. I've been a little stressed out lately, for unknown reasons, and so I thought, like any sensible young woman, that the best way for me to relax is to hang out at the mall. I had blogged earlier that I had gone to Orchard Road and was overwhelmed by the prestige and the array of stores available to Singaporeans (post: This is Singapore?). When I went back to the stores this time I felt a little more confident in myself and was no longer shocked about the famous brand names. I saw so many beautiful clothes, but with big price tags. I ended up buying some jewelry as gifts and biscuits from the UK, both things on sale.

In all of these stores you still notice a similar look. The trend now is to wear pastel colors with spikey accessories. The bottom needs to be slimming while the top can be baggy. There's always a trend that I can't stand and this year it's the tight jeans or jeggings. The tight jean trend is intended to show off your curves and try to make you LOOK slimmer. The truth is that by squeezing your body into pants that are "hugging" every part of your stomach it's causing your intestines to be warped and thus your digestive system will not function naturally. (I won't get into the messy details.) On top of that it makes people who aren't slim feel out of place, either by trying to hide their muffin tops or by not being "in trend" at all. However, this is an outcome of the media. Everywhere in Singapore there are ads about having the softest, supple skin, or there are Groupons about hair treatments to stop hair loss. But I have to admit one of my favorite commercials was about a slimming product so that people can fit between car rear view mirrors in parking lots. Very Singaporean! I'm not saying that one shouldn't try to strive to look their best, but I'm saying that we shouldn't allow ourselves to be abused by the fashion hype.

After all the shopping, I got home, gave myself a foot massage and a facial, did some work on the computer and then ate dinner. One thing about my grandparents' dishware is that it's eclectic. The plates are not a full set and, since we mostly drink kopi (coffee) or teh (tea), we drink everything out of mugs. The mug I used today I noticed had a flower and a word written in cursive on the side. On a quick glance it looks like "Beautiful" but on closer examination it says "beauLiful." That happens a lot in Asian products, no one spell-checks. But that reminded me of something I learned today in a course I'm taking online from Coursea (free university courses online). In the course Know Thy Self, given by Prof. Mitch Green from the University of Virginia, the professor talked about Socrates and the Apology, written by Plato. In the retelling of Socrates' judging by the Athenians, Socrates says this "The un-examined life is not worth living." There are of course people who can be good people and go through life not thinking about themselves and just doing what needs to be done. Good for them! But Socrates is not saying that those who don't observe their life shouldn't be living. What scholars believe is that Socrates is saying that we should examine what we are or else we miss out on the value of our life.

If you noticed by now I wrote "Beauliful" as my title for this post. I did that as a test. Did you notice it? Did it bug you? But now you know and now you may be rethinking your thoughts about tight jeans as I have for several months now. I know it's a trend, but seriously! Why do we have to hurt ourselves to be thought of as beautiful people? If you think a trend would make you beautiful maybe you should examine what you think is "beauliful" so you won't miss out on your true value.

Mind blown.