Singapore – A Mixed Bag of Emotions

I just recently had the pleasure (no sarcasm) of going to Singapore for work.  I was on the ground for almost 48 hours and it required two full days of travel to get there and back, but I was pumped…  I had never been to Singapore, it had been over a year since I last left the US and it had been over 7 years since I was last in Asia.  And while I was only there for two mere days, I was able to experience a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings that normal people would experience in a month.  Here they are, in no particular order:

Excitement and maybe Self Importance: Like I said, I was excited to be traveling again, and there is something about travelling for work that makes it so much more special.  That feeling of “yes, I am that important that I needed to fly here for work for two days…don’t you wish you were that important too”. I wish I were more humble, but sometimes it feels good to be needed and valued. 

Homecoming and Familiarity:  So while I know I have never been to Singapore, there were moments throughout my trip that felt so familiar, almost like home.  From stepping out of the airport and being embraced by the tropical humidity like a welcome- home hug of a long lost friend I was immediately put back into another time, another memory.  And feelings of comfort and home did not leave me the entire trip…I am guessing due to the striking similarities of Singapore with so many other cities that I love: the Casinos of Las Vegas, the spotless, clean and overly priced international banking hub of Zurich (including countless men in business suits and $30 martinis), the hospitality of my co-workers which included a perfect lunch of chili crab and other local treats, and the constant allure of shopping similar to New York.  

Chili Crab!

Decadence: I was fortunate enough to stay at the Marina Bay Sands hotel…the three tower hotel that has a “ship” designed park that spans the tops of all three buildings.  From the infinity pool on the 57^th Floor overlooking the city’s financial center on my first night in town, I was struck by how ridiculous my life can sometimes be.   It was just earlier that day that I was able to get a 30 minute massage for free in the office compliments of my company…and there I was ending the evening with a gorgeous view and overpriced drink.

Marina Bay Sands from the 57th Floor

Pure Panic:  With an 8:30am meeting on Thursday morning…the whole reason for the trip…I woke up with a start and in utter panic at 8:20am.  I had slept through my alarm.  With disbelief and minor heartburn, I raced to get ready: shower, teeth, make-up, clothes and was out the door by 8:25am….I had promised the controller I would be to the office by 8:15 to set up and get ready.  I was screwed, and what was worse, I hadn’t activated my phone to work overseas so there was no way to let them know I was running late.  I arrived at the office at 8:32 and somehow made it up to the conference room by 8:38.  I was completely disheveled and it remained with me the rest of the day…But at least I hadn’t slept through my wake up call for my flight the following morning. 

Yearning for Adventure and Something New:  As if the wake-up call wasn’t an adventure enough, I also was yearning for a shock to my cultural senses.  I wanted an out-of-the-box experience, the “holy-crap this is new, I am clearly not at home” realization.  I wanted to eat at a Hawker Center…those Singapore-unique centers that sell street food.  Against the recommendations of my co-workers to try out the safer hotel version, I went to Maxwell Court.  I wanted Chicken Rice and a Lime Juice to make my trip complete.  It was mid-afternoon so not nearly as crazy I was hoping for, but I did manage to order the traditional meal and grab a seat to take in the experience.  It wasn’t until half way through my rubbery chicken that I realized that maybe the concerns of my co-workers weren’t for my lack of adventure but for my foreigner “weak stomach”… they did keep mentioning my flight the next day.  In the end I was fine, but the rest of my meal was spent with less enjoyment and more trepidation…but it was a new experience so I think it counts. 

Maxwell Hawker Center

Although in town for only 48 hours, I think I accomplished plenty, but there was and is still some much to do and see in Singapore.  A follow up trip is in order and hopefully the next time around I will able to spend a few more hours and experience a few less emotions.

The Wedding Diet

I have not been known to exercise restraint when it comes to food.  Poor Martin all too often hears me complain of eating too much after a good meal.  Nor am I known for getting up early to hit the gym.  So while I would like to think I am going to have a rocking body for the Big Show, I am a little too realistic.  I am already prepared to fail the wedding diet.   And all necessary precautions will be taken. 

I purposely bought a wedding dress that has a little give around the mid-section and will hide the late night beer gut that is inevitable.  I will begin a spary tanning regiment weeks before to allow enough time to make it look natural (because well all know that tan fat is more attractive than white flab) and Martin and I have started a “diet plan”...although overall the weight loss plan includes the “get skinny while you sleep” diet (which includes getting 7.5 hours a sleep a night and no carbs after 6pm) and possibly some yoga (which, in my case, can sometimes include sleep during the meditation phase).  Clearly, I expect to work very hard for this “perfect image.”

Overall, I don’t care about dress size, what the scale says or how I compare to my ridiculously fit sister (my matron of honor)…my true benchmark is if I am able to touch my toes.  I don’t think it is too much to strive for to be more flexible than I was back in sixth grade.

32 Years and Few New Traditions

I guess it was bound to happen, what with marriages, nieces and nephews and an ever-growing family that now spans two continents…after thirty two years of spending Christmas Eve at home with the family, enjoying cracked crab and home-made raviolis, Martin and I started our own new Christmas traditions this year.

The day started as most do, with a nice big European style breakfast, and lunch was skipped in favor of coffee and cake.  Although on this special day, we enjoyed the Breuer Family Christmas Eve Frankfurter cake, which was traditionally made by his grandmother and now his mom, and always eaten on Christmas Eve.  The cake was a decadent, three layer piece of art work that took two days to make, made a complete mess of the kitchen, included butter-cream frosting, marmalade filing and caramelized nuts and resulted in Martin exclaiming “being a German haus-frau is hard work”

After coffee and cake, the unthinkable happened…Martin had previously convinced me to attend Christmas Eve service and, for the first time in 10 years, I went to church.   After researching our options, we settled on the Norwegian Seaman’s Chapel in Russian Hill.    Martin goes fishing in Norway every year, so it seemed perfect.  Situated on the cusp of Russian Hill and Fisherman’s Wharf, the old mansion provided beautiful sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the Bay Bridge. Arriving early, we were able to enjoy the views and spend time with both the pastor and organist, both tall stoutly blondes with hospitable smiles and general good cheer.  And after answering the obvious question (why two non-Norwegian speakers chose to attend a Norwegian service) we were immediately welcomed into the fold (complete with coffee and waffles). 

Enjoying the views from the balcony

The service was beautiful (both in the native language and those parts translated into English) and I was able to practice my Norwegian under the cover of singing…below is one of the Pslams we sang!

We ended the night in my favor, with a yummy meal, a bottle of Dom Perignon and a night cap.  And in accordance with Martin’s traditions, we opened up our presents that night, under our decked out Christmas tree.  While it was something new, I loved every moment of the day and our new traditions.

Oh, and that crab dinner we missed…We ended up having it on Christmas Day with the family…and again on that following Thursday.

Spending Time at City Hall

San Francisco’s City Hall is a beautiful building.  It was re-built in 1915 after it was completely destroyed by the 1906 earthquake and its dome is the fifth largest in the world.   The main rotunda is especially beautiful with its sweeping grand staircase and overall, the building provides for some perfect photo opportunities.    

Prior to this November, I had never been in the building. This month I made up for the lost time.  

With some major life events occurring this year, including the condo conversion of our home, the immigration filing for Martin and the additional paperwork required for our upcoming nuptials, I have spent numerous days in the City’s headquarters paying fees, completing paperwork and walking required documents back and forth between numerous offices.  My favorite trip involved paying our property taxes for the condo conversion process which included two trips to the Tax Collectors Office and two trips to the Tax Assessors Office all to make one payment and receive one receipt. Man I love this city and government!  At least everyone was incredibly helpful and nice.  

For those who have never been, I would recommend the trip!