I've spent just over four weeks here in beautiful Singapore - a month from tomorrow, I was flying into Changi Airport for the very, very first time. I still remember a little bit of those first 24 jet-lagged hours: the confusion over whether or not I should tip the porter (if you're wondering, the answer is no), seeing our lovely flat for the very first time, and the late evening walk by the Esplanade, complete with blurry photos that I was too tired to frame better. I can't remember what I ate for lunch.
And now it's very, very nearly been a month and we've survived two weeks of school already. I'm quickly learning that working in a school is much, much different than working at a hospital - there are very few things you can predict, occasional uneventful hours, and other times when the office is invaded with chaos (or sixth grade boys).
If you ever worked with me on 8 North, let me tell you that I'm incredibly thankful for what my years with all of you taught me: how to stay calm when you're concerned, the ability to grab what you need and take off running, triage questions, the value of watching and waiting, how to appreciate a conversation, and how to wrap an ACE-bandage. ; )
In two weeks there's been plenty of excitement too: a bloody nose, allergic reactions, a couple bumped heads, and the usual variety of fevers, headaches, scrapes, and puke with a little local heat over-exposure thrown in. I pulled a tooth. I've called plenty of moms and dads. I'm basking in the delight of the short conversations about summer vacation, pink shoes, puppies, sports, and kids' lit, among other things. Today I got my biggest scare - if you're in the medical field, you know the words "come right now" are never a good thing. I don't want to downplay a broken arm, but let me just say I was relieved when I had to get a taxi instead of an ambulance!
It's also been a joy to be around kids again. I want to write so much, but I think "joy" sums the feeling up pretty sufficiently.
On a final note, I also got pranked today. I'd offer some advice on how to better convince me you've severed two fingers, but I'm a bit concerned someone would actually try to see if the methods worked. ; )
Friday, August 27, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Singapore: 2 Weeks Down!
I've officially been in Singapore for 2 weeks now! I'm better at navigating the bus and can now identify bus newbies when they try to board from the wrong door. I've tried more new foods. The office is beginning to feel a little bit more like my office.
Things I Really Like:
Being able to walk around alone at night and still feel safe
Hearing more than one language on a regular basis
Trying new food almost every day
School people
Seeing kids walking around in uniforms
The nice people in our neighborhood
Hearing more than just American music in malls
Things I Like that I Didn't Think I Would
Boxed milk
Living high, high up in the building
Learning a new currency
Things I Don't Like:
Broken aircons
Feeling gross almost all the time
Crazy expensive American food
Walking into a bathroom and realizing there are no Western toilets
Things I Really Like:
Being able to walk around alone at night and still feel safe
Hearing more than one language on a regular basis
Trying new food almost every day
School people
Seeing kids walking around in uniforms
The nice people in our neighborhood
Hearing more than just American music in malls
Things I Like that I Didn't Think I Would
Boxed milk
Living high, high up in the building
Learning a new currency
Things I Don't Like:
Broken aircons
Feeling gross almost all the time
Crazy expensive American food
Walking into a bathroom and realizing there are no Western toilets
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
S'pore - Week 2!
So I've officially been in Singapore for a whole week! This place continues to present me with new experiences, challenges, and especially new food. I'm definitely enjoying all the Indian food and am working up some bravery to branch into the more unfamiliar Chinese cuisine (fish balls, anyone?). The flat is starting to feel like home: a few days our power went out and we went on a scavenger hunt for the fuse box (we ended up having to call someone else to look...but met some of our Singaporean neighbors in the process!). We saw (and Kara killed) our first cockroach. I've successfully plugged the sink, but haven't figured out how to unplug it (whoops!). We don't have hot water in the kitchen, so to do dishes we carried water from the bathroom. After we learn how to work the stove/range, we should be able to just boil water on the stove for cleaning. We continue to learn the bus system a little more every day (I think I can finally recognize when to push the buzzer for our school stop...).
We also started school orientation this week and I've been spending plenty of time tidying up my office and getting first aid kits ready for all the classrooms. My cupboards are full of all kinds of pharmaceutical and bandaging goodies and my goal is to successfully complete a supply order by the end of tomorrow - it's a challenge because all the brand names for products are different, and medical supplies are usually referred to by their brand names. I'm used to coverlets, kerlix, and Band-aids...not the mysterious "elastoplast" and "helioplast" ("-plast" is a great ending around here, apparently...).
Tomorrow I have an appointment regarding my green card/work pass and sometime in the next few weeks we'll be working on getting me recognized as a registered nurse in Singapore. For the time being, I'm a First Aid Officer. Whoop-whoop! Your prayers that this process would go smoothly would be appreciated!
The returning people from school continue to be absolutely wonderful: I feel like we're constantly going out to eat with people or having a meal at someone's house. There's such a great feeling of community and I absolutely love it. The new people are awesome as well! It's fabulous to have people drop into the office to say hi or to be able to peek into the junior kindergarten during a break. Today a group of us ate lunch at the hawker center near school...more delicious Indian food.
Did I explain hawker centers? It's basically a huge complex with tables for eating and tons of food and drink stands where you can get something to eat. There's no aircon, but the food is super cheap ($2-$6 SG) and there's plenty of different things to try. The hawker near school is huge: there are also tons of shops, a bakery, and a wet market (fish smell!) nearby.
Tomorrow's goal: learn to do laundry. Our washing machine is itty-bitty compared to the commercial washer back in Wisconsin, and we don't have a dryer. Get ready for an adventure!
I realize I still haven't posted photos...NEXT TIME! (I think I've taken about ten photos total...sad!)
We also started school orientation this week and I've been spending plenty of time tidying up my office and getting first aid kits ready for all the classrooms. My cupboards are full of all kinds of pharmaceutical and bandaging goodies and my goal is to successfully complete a supply order by the end of tomorrow - it's a challenge because all the brand names for products are different, and medical supplies are usually referred to by their brand names. I'm used to coverlets, kerlix, and Band-aids...not the mysterious "elastoplast" and "helioplast" ("-plast" is a great ending around here, apparently...).
Tomorrow I have an appointment regarding my green card/work pass and sometime in the next few weeks we'll be working on getting me recognized as a registered nurse in Singapore. For the time being, I'm a First Aid Officer. Whoop-whoop! Your prayers that this process would go smoothly would be appreciated!
The returning people from school continue to be absolutely wonderful: I feel like we're constantly going out to eat with people or having a meal at someone's house. There's such a great feeling of community and I absolutely love it. The new people are awesome as well! It's fabulous to have people drop into the office to say hi or to be able to peek into the junior kindergarten during a break. Today a group of us ate lunch at the hawker center near school...more delicious Indian food.
Did I explain hawker centers? It's basically a huge complex with tables for eating and tons of food and drink stands where you can get something to eat. There's no aircon, but the food is super cheap ($2-$6 SG) and there's plenty of different things to try. The hawker near school is huge: there are also tons of shops, a bakery, and a wet market (fish smell!) nearby.
Tomorrow's goal: learn to do laundry. Our washing machine is itty-bitty compared to the commercial washer back in Wisconsin, and we don't have a dryer. Get ready for an adventure!
I realize I still haven't posted photos...NEXT TIME! (I think I've taken about ten photos total...sad!)
Saturday, July 31, 2010
In Singapore! (Lonnnnng post)
Today was Day 4 in Singapore! I wanted to blog the first few days, but jet lag sucked up all my motivation & I'm definitely still in watch and learn mode. But if you want to know what I was up to:
Monday (WI time): I headed for Minneapolis, departed at about 9:30 pm, landed in San Francisco and then started my longest flight yet...I thought Paris was long, but Hong Kong ate up an entire day (well, 14 or 15 hours)! I spent about an hour walking around in the HK airport (free wifi!) before heading on to Singapore. I don't have any plane photos because I was in the aisle seat & it was dark for almost the entire 24 hours I traveling (35+ when you count in the time change).
Wednesday (SG time): I landed at about 11:20 am, was picked up at the airport by the awesome Kendra C. & my equally fabulous roommate, Kara. Saw our wonderful flat (apartment), took a shower, and then headed for school! I ate all Western food the first day: Subway for lunch and pasta for supper...but I was too zombie-fied to care. My memory from the day is pretty hazy, but I'm pretty sure we also set up my phone, walked around by the Esplanade, and...yeah, I can't remember anything else. I think my brain had checked out by around 8:30 pm, but my body managed to stay awake until 10!
Oh! And I got to see my office. HUGE. Since coming to Singapore, I've felt strangely large and awkward (even if in the States I'm short & average) so maybe in such a big room I'll feel small-ish again (doubt it).
Thursday: What did we do this day? I don't remember what the morning involved (did we go to school?), but we went to Vivo City towards afternoon & had lunch at Food Republic (visit #1). Vivo City is a GIGANTIC mall and Food Republic is it's all-Asian food court (various Chinese, Indian, Korean, etc. food). After that we saw Inception (definitely recommended if you like complex movies...loved the use of repeated line). In Singapore, you choose your seat when you buy your movie ticket - nice system! Unless, of course, you're one of the last people to get your ticket. : ) Kara and I also found a grocery store within walking distance of our flat! Not sure if I remember exactly how to get there now, but I'll figure it out!
Friday: This was medical exam day. A batch of us were "chosen" to get exams before getting our S-passes (green cards/work permits)...I imagine that since I've been exposed to all sorts of glorious organisms, they wanted to make sure I'm not diseased. Had my first chest x-ray ever (the RN in me wanted to type "cxr"), blood tests, and the fastest interview with a doctor ever. If they were doing an H&P on me, I think it would be a sentence or two. Afterwards, we headed back to school and then I got my first taste of Indian food & it was delicious! ("Where have you been all my life?" feeling...all the Indian residents & doctors back home should definitely push to get a place open in Marshfield!) After that a couple of us headed to Sim Lim Square (electronics paradise, if you're into that) and then...back to Vivo City again. Found a huge & lovely bookstore (Page One), but all the knitting books are exactly the same as the ones back home (just more price-y!). Had my first dish of chicken rice (Singapore food!) at Food Republic (visit #2) and then saw Inception again. Seeing a movie twice in a row is very, verrrry untypical for me...hope it doesn't turn into a habit. : )
Saturday (today!): All of the new staff met at school for a Singapore Scavenger Hunt/Mission ("mission" sounds so much cooler than "hunt"). We were all over the place & I started to wish I had a pedometer to keep track of just how much we were walking around. We also took the MRT (subway/train), bus, and taxi. Where'd we go? Vivo City, yet again...and guess where else? Food Republic (visit #3). I tried more Indian food (murtabak chicken with curry sauce...which may just convince me to transition back to eating eggs again)...good again. After Vivo, we headed onwards to Chinatown (cheap stuff galore!) and then Clarke Quay & the merlion fountains. We had to take LOADS of photos (thanks Kendra!) so you may just be able to see some. ; ) After all of our hunting around, we had a staff dinner at Chili's (dear French fries & ketchup: I like you a lot). And now...chilling out with the aircon in my room.
I think that's all...sorry for an absolute truckload of information. It's been a very full four days in Singapore and there's plenty more to come!
Monday (WI time): I headed for Minneapolis, departed at about 9:30 pm, landed in San Francisco and then started my longest flight yet...I thought Paris was long, but Hong Kong ate up an entire day (well, 14 or 15 hours)! I spent about an hour walking around in the HK airport (free wifi!) before heading on to Singapore. I don't have any plane photos because I was in the aisle seat & it was dark for almost the entire 24 hours I traveling (35+ when you count in the time change).
Wednesday (SG time): I landed at about 11:20 am, was picked up at the airport by the awesome Kendra C. & my equally fabulous roommate, Kara. Saw our wonderful flat (apartment), took a shower, and then headed for school! I ate all Western food the first day: Subway for lunch and pasta for supper...but I was too zombie-fied to care. My memory from the day is pretty hazy, but I'm pretty sure we also set up my phone, walked around by the Esplanade, and...yeah, I can't remember anything else. I think my brain had checked out by around 8:30 pm, but my body managed to stay awake until 10!
Oh! And I got to see my office. HUGE. Since coming to Singapore, I've felt strangely large and awkward (even if in the States I'm short & average) so maybe in such a big room I'll feel small-ish again (doubt it).
Thursday: What did we do this day? I don't remember what the morning involved (did we go to school?), but we went to Vivo City towards afternoon & had lunch at Food Republic (visit #1). Vivo City is a GIGANTIC mall and Food Republic is it's all-Asian food court (various Chinese, Indian, Korean, etc. food). After that we saw Inception (definitely recommended if you like complex movies...loved the use of repeated line). In Singapore, you choose your seat when you buy your movie ticket - nice system! Unless, of course, you're one of the last people to get your ticket. : ) Kara and I also found a grocery store within walking distance of our flat! Not sure if I remember exactly how to get there now, but I'll figure it out!
Friday: This was medical exam day. A batch of us were "chosen" to get exams before getting our S-passes (green cards/work permits)...I imagine that since I've been exposed to all sorts of glorious organisms, they wanted to make sure I'm not diseased. Had my first chest x-ray ever (the RN in me wanted to type "cxr"), blood tests, and the fastest interview with a doctor ever. If they were doing an H&P on me, I think it would be a sentence or two. Afterwards, we headed back to school and then I got my first taste of Indian food & it was delicious! ("Where have you been all my life?" feeling...all the Indian residents & doctors back home should definitely push to get a place open in Marshfield!) After that a couple of us headed to Sim Lim Square (electronics paradise, if you're into that) and then...back to Vivo City again. Found a huge & lovely bookstore (Page One), but all the knitting books are exactly the same as the ones back home (just more price-y!). Had my first dish of chicken rice (Singapore food!) at Food Republic (visit #2) and then saw Inception again. Seeing a movie twice in a row is very, verrrry untypical for me...hope it doesn't turn into a habit. : )
Saturday (today!): All of the new staff met at school for a Singapore Scavenger Hunt/Mission ("mission" sounds so much cooler than "hunt"). We were all over the place & I started to wish I had a pedometer to keep track of just how much we were walking around. We also took the MRT (subway/train), bus, and taxi. Where'd we go? Vivo City, yet again...and guess where else? Food Republic (visit #3). I tried more Indian food (murtabak chicken with curry sauce...which may just convince me to transition back to eating eggs again)...good again. After Vivo, we headed onwards to Chinatown (cheap stuff galore!) and then Clarke Quay & the merlion fountains. We had to take LOADS of photos (thanks Kendra!) so you may just be able to see some. ; ) After all of our hunting around, we had a staff dinner at Chili's (dear French fries & ketchup: I like you a lot). And now...chilling out with the aircon in my room.
I think that's all...sorry for an absolute truckload of information. It's been a very full four days in Singapore and there's plenty more to come!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
QUILT-ZILLA IS COMPLETE! Also, bye Wisconsin.
I've been working on a quilt for over a year (long story) and finally finished the binding today. I worked on it in the car, during intermission at Cinderella, and at other random times in between everything else happening during the last week. Pictures someday.
I spent...hmm...roughly 18-20 hours driving between Tuesday and Saturday, and I'll be in the car for a 3 hour drive to the airport tomorrow. I was blessed to see many wonderful friends...so good. The week also included:
Eating sushi for the very first time (stickier than I assumed...)
Searching for a match on State Street to light a cupcake candle
A poem about an onion
Driving in the rain & fog & sunshine
Going for coffee and consuming no coffee at all
Dilemmas involing the La Crosse Family Restaurant
Home-made bread and one absolutely good-natured baby
Pancakes in taxidermy central
A new baby, new paint, and introducing a small child to the word "whack" (not pertaining to the baby)
Getting an impromptu bath during a hibachi/teppanyaki dinner
Giggling at stick-on mustaches
Washing the same white pants two days in a row
Crazy woman glasses
A family picnic
Neon ugly step sisters
Lots of hugs & good-byes
Last night in Wisconsin for a lonnnng time. Stars and moon, I like you from this side of the world. Looking forward to seeing you yet another way. : )
I spent...hmm...roughly 18-20 hours driving between Tuesday and Saturday, and I'll be in the car for a 3 hour drive to the airport tomorrow. I was blessed to see many wonderful friends...so good. The week also included:
Eating sushi for the very first time (stickier than I assumed...)
Searching for a match on State Street to light a cupcake candle
A poem about an onion
Driving in the rain & fog & sunshine
Going for coffee and consuming no coffee at all
Dilemmas involing the La Crosse Family Restaurant
Home-made bread and one absolutely good-natured baby
Pancakes in taxidermy central
A new baby, new paint, and introducing a small child to the word "whack" (not pertaining to the baby)
Getting an impromptu bath during a hibachi/teppanyaki dinner
Giggling at stick-on mustaches
Washing the same white pants two days in a row
Crazy woman glasses
A family picnic
Neon ugly step sisters
Lots of hugs & good-byes
Last night in Wisconsin for a lonnnng time. Stars and moon, I like you from this side of the world. Looking forward to seeing you yet another way. : )
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Packing...
Because my original plans for today didn't work out, I spent the day packing.
Oh. My. Goodness.
I totally stink at packing. I know many of the rules of Good Packing, such as:
-Roll your clothes
-Put heavy things at the bottom of your bag
-Cram socks (or, in my case, skeins of yarn) wherever they'll fit
-Etc, etc, etc
However, when it comes to minimalism, I'm kind of a failure. I know that in theory, there is absolutely no reason for me to need eight sweaters in Singapore. Hello? It's hot there. But I like the green one and the red one and the white one and the other white one and...do you see the problem here? Something tells me I really need to work on my clothing coordination skills. Very soon.
Sorry, Buddy, you can't come with.
Oh. My. Goodness.
I totally stink at packing. I know many of the rules of Good Packing, such as:
-Roll your clothes
-Put heavy things at the bottom of your bag
-Cram socks (or, in my case, skeins of yarn) wherever they'll fit
-Etc, etc, etc
However, when it comes to minimalism, I'm kind of a failure. I know that in theory, there is absolutely no reason for me to need eight sweaters in Singapore. Hello? It's hot there. But I like the green one and the red one and the white one and the other white one and...do you see the problem here? Something tells me I really need to work on my clothing coordination skills. Very soon.
Sorry, Buddy, you can't come with.
Friday, July 16, 2010
RAFT Building 101
fI've been home in Wisconsin for almost 2 weeks now and I've got...10 DAYS LEFT! Crazy! Can I effectively pack in 10 days? We shall see, my friends, we shall see.
While I was at PFO (which I now realize I never explained...) we had a wonderful talk on leaving your home country, along with several on moving to a new place, entering a new culture, etc. One very important concept covered in this session was the necessity of building yourself a good RAFT.
Very quickly, the "R" stands for reconciliation: if you've got issues with somebody, it's important to resolve them before moving away. The "A" is for affirmation, or letting your special people know just how awesome they are. The "F" is for farewells and "T" is for Think Destination.
I'm in a crazy combo circle of affirmations, farewells, and - you bet - I've got Singapore on the brain almost 24-7. Last night I had dinner and three great hours of conversation with a long-time friend (Hannah A., if you're reading, you're fabulous!). This weekend I'll be saying good-bye to several relatives (after driving 8 hours together, maybe we'll want to say good-bye?). And next week...well, it's going to be a little insane - but maybe in the best bittersweet way possible.
You can thank David C. Pollock and Ruth E. Van Reken, authors of the book Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds, for the RAFT concept.
While I was at PFO (which I now realize I never explained...) we had a wonderful talk on leaving your home country, along with several on moving to a new place, entering a new culture, etc. One very important concept covered in this session was the necessity of building yourself a good RAFT.
Very quickly, the "R" stands for reconciliation: if you've got issues with somebody, it's important to resolve them before moving away. The "A" is for affirmation, or letting your special people know just how awesome they are. The "F" is for farewells and "T" is for Think Destination.
I'm in a crazy combo circle of affirmations, farewells, and - you bet - I've got Singapore on the brain almost 24-7. Last night I had dinner and three great hours of conversation with a long-time friend (Hannah A., if you're reading, you're fabulous!). This weekend I'll be saying good-bye to several relatives (after driving 8 hours together, maybe we'll want to say good-bye?). And next week...well, it's going to be a little insane - but maybe in the best bittersweet way possible.
You can thank David C. Pollock and Ruth E. Van Reken, authors of the book Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds, for the RAFT concept.
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