Whoa, three weeks!

So here's the deal. It's been three long weeks since I've posted any blogs. I'm disappointed in myself, especially because I really do have so much to share on here! So I have written some stuff below, but throughout the next week my goal is to post a number of blogs with pictures so you can see everything in more detail...

All of a sudden it's been three weeks in Singapore. Where has the time gone?! I've spent the last three weeks leaving the house (and I use that term loosely since I've stayed in three places so far) before 7am and not getting home until after 10pm. Not even work is consistent since I'm leaving to do things like look for places to live or get my employment pass and visa sorted out. The good news is that we have found a place to live and move in around July 1st!

I'm a bit bummed I haven't written very much. I've had so much to write about and each day has been an adventure on it's own. There are so many times I think of ways to describe what I see, or describe Singapore in general, but I know that most of them will escape me now. Overall, there is no better way to describe Singapore than unique. Every corner brings something unexpected, but at the same time you're somehow not surprised by it.

It's things like food courts. In America, if you go to a food court in a mall, for example, you don't really think great things about it. But here, it's where everyone eats. You are lucky to find a table at any time of day and you get good food for near pocket change.

It's things like going to East Coast Park, a long stretch of paths along the beach east of downtown. At first glance it looks incredible, but then you realize the hundreds of ships just off shore waiting to dock at the world's largest port. The constant line of airplanes that fly above. And the annoyingly strong smell of pollution from all of the above.

It's things like walking into endless amounts of air conditioned malls. The smells of every kind of food constantly filling the air of every street corner. Towering sky scrapers and condos that seem to never end. A growing land mass every year due to man extending the island. Yet at the same time, the little parks and temples amidst the quiet nooks of Chinatown. The ability to take a bus to a nature preserve and trail run with turtles and monkeys. The long promenade along the river with endless views of the skyline. You even see people saving their table by putting their wallet on the table top while they go get their food.

It's a place where convenience is king. Taxi rides are cheap. Maids are common and affordable. You always leave all of your plates and trays on the table where you eat and they clean it for you. Trains are impeccable and pristine compared to any other city. There are more swimming pools per capita than any other place in the world. There are free facilities and showers at parks where exercise is common. There are even plastic carrier bags for take-away drinks. Everything is just easy here. And everything is clean and pleasant as well.

To be honest, I didn't have the highest expectations for Singapore itself. I thought it was going to a good place to have as a base for traveling other places; and I'm sure it will be. But I'm having the time of my life here. Part of it is the friends I am lucky enough to have here already, and part of it is that the city provides a place for us to have an amazing time. Every night we're running along the riverfront with extensive views of the CBD and the spitting merlion. We're exploring a new part of town by foot or riding meters high on the tallest observation wheel in the world. We're sitting by the pool surrounded by palm trees at a condo or viewing the skyline from a rooftop bar. All, of course, while eating food. A lot of food. And a lot of different kinds of food.

Come back soon...