Indian food and the Olympics

 Well, the Olympics are done and over with.  If you are like me you are very sad and disappointed due to only catching highlights of events after the results have already been braodcasted over ESPN.  Watching the Olympics in a foreign country was very different, because I found myself being the only one cheering for the United States alot... can't imagine why.  I was very proud to see we did so well, and even Singapore got into the action.  They took home two bronze medals in table tennis, and that caused a lot of commotion among the locals.  I guess its just a lot different when you come from a country that is expected to win a ton of medals,

Fish-head curry

to a country that is just excited to win two.  I also got a chance to visit the Youth Olympic games museum this week.  For those of you who don't know, the inagural Youth Olympic Games was held in Singapore two years ago.  I walked around the museum, saw the torch, and even got a picture of their mascots.  Lyo and Meryl.  If you couldn't guess, one was a lion and the other a merlion.

We went out to dinner in little India the other night, and had ourselves some "Authentic-Singaporean-Indian" food.  All of the locals told

Look of regret after eating an eyeball

us that this place was a must try, so we went after work.  You are served on a banana-leaf placemat, and the food comes out family style.  We got to sample some of the delicacies, from fish-head curry, to tandoori chicken, to stewed mutton and fishcakes.  The great thing about Indian food is that it is bursting with flavor and can be very spicy.  The bad thing is that if you haven't eaten all day and then inhale your food, your stomach does not like you very much.   Everything we ate was delicious though.  It was a great dining experience, aside from the stomach issues immediately following. 

Meryl and Lyo

 I am off now to check out the botanical gardens by the bay, so I will make sure to let everyone know how it went with plenty of pictures.  Miss you all and talk to you again soon!

I'm on a horse.

Fat pigeon statue

Holidays, Hooters and Hookers...

It’s been so long I am sorry!  I hope you didn’t think I forgot about you guys.  I am here now don’t you worry.  So what have I been up to lately...

Well as most of you who saw my video on my Facebook page know, it was National Day last week!  Singapore’s Independence day landed on a Thursday, which gave us all the day off but we still had to go to work Friday...wtf?  I know, pretty lame.  Anyway, spent my day off relaxing by the pool and getting more of a tan on my already naturally-tanned Egyptian skin (that was for you pale people out there in Oregon).  At night we went out to the Coast to see the fireworks.  This was much different than any 4^th of July fireworks show I have seen in the past.  The fireworks were big and beautiful like normal, but they only went in like 3 minutes spurts.  They went off for a few, then stopped for a few, then went off again.  Overall, the entire thing lasted maybe 15 minutes and that includes the stops.  I was not that impressed.  They did have most of the buildings lit up in red and white (the country’s colors) and that made it look really nice at night.  Contrary to my video, Singapore did NOT seem keen on spiking the population that night.  At least not in public.  I will not say that I offered my services to better the country’s future, but I will also not say I didn’t.... Either way I went home alone.  Overall it was a good National Day though.

So one of my co-workers pointed out over the weekend that there is a Hooters here in Singapore!  Being that I am a man and love good wings, I love Hooters.  Even though it is not that great in the states anymore because the service is always terrible and it takes an hour to get your order.  We decided to give it a try Singapore-style though, and I was pleasantly surprised.  The wings tasted very similar to the ones in the states, though they didn’t have all the same flavours.  The prices were somewhat comparable but a little more expensive here as well, which is to be expected.  The girls however left something to be desired.  I don’t think they understand what the name Hooters is supposed to stand for...  Turns out I was more “equipped” to have the job more than almost all of them.  Oh well at least the wings came out a lot faster than in the states.  Good time at Hooters!

After Hooters we all went to play pool at a bar a few doors down.  We were having a great time until some of the “working girls” came in to try and find clients.  Dressed to the nines, these girls were on the prowl for anyone who would buy them a drink.  It wasn’t that busy, so they decided to play pool since it was an open table and you had to sign up and take turns.  I guess they must spend a lot of time in pool halls for some unknown reason, because they were GOOD.  Needless to say, some members of our party did not want to lose to a hooker.  Completely understandable, though I was more worried about sterilizing the cue stick when it was my turn. We did not fare too well on the felt, though I was triumphant in beating the hooker (wait... that doesn’t sound right) when i played her, so I went home feeling like a champion. (And wanting to wash myself in purel.)   So next time you are in a pool hall in Singapore, always remember that if she looks like a working girl, she will probably beat you.

Nice try Matt

Hooters!

Random

     

So this blog is pretty random, but I didn’t want to just keep waiting for something exciting to happen before blogging about it.  You, the people, deserve to know about my time no matter how uneventful or boring it may be.  So here we go people:

I was attacked by a bird this morning.  I was walking to work, minding my own business when I came across a bird who was sitting in the middle of the sidewalk.  As I got closer, I assumed the bird would just get scared and move out of the way.  I was about 3 steps from the bird and it remained in its same spot.  As I took another step I started to wonder “Am I going to step on this stupid bird?  Why isn’t it moving?” The bird turned to look at me as I was preparing to take another step that would have me landing right next to it and all of the sudden it flew up and HIT ME IN THE FACE.  The bird flew into my face in what I can only assume was an act of aggression.  As you can probably imagine, the ensuing scream and flailing arms were completely justified and the laughter from the cab driver watching this all play out was unnecessary.  I felt like George Costanza when he didn't understand why the pigeons weren't honoring the agreement on Seinfeld.  Apparently birds out here have an attitude.  Either that or what I thought was a pigeon was really the honey badger.

I rode in a car elevator the other day!  It was the strangest thing, and I don’t know why I was so excited about it.  Maybe it’s because I am new to the sensation of moving up and down in a car, as im sure most people are.  There is a parking garage near one of the million malls on the island that uses a car elevator to take you up to the top levels.  While it took forever to get on and off, it was still a really cool experience.
 

I found out that there is delivery for almost any kind of food here in Singapore.  Since it costs so much to have a car here (a compact version of a Honda Odyssey minivan is $200,000) I guess people would rather just have food delivered than pay for a cab to go get it.  While searching the online database for food options, I came across McDelivery... delivery service for McDonalds!  I was shocked, but also intrigued.  While I didn’t order from it (seriously thought about it though) I envisioned what their tagline could be: “McDelivery... obesity is now a phone call away.” I cannot wait until this hits the States, because it would be taken advantage of so much.  How fat do you have to be to order in for McDonalds???  (Again, I did not order it, but considered it)

NBA Clinic

The NBA has landed in Singapore!!!!!  ...and hen promptly left the following day.  On a stop during their South East Asian leg of their NBA Fit tour, Miami Head Coach Erik Spoelstra came out to teach a coaching clinic for local coaches and encourage kids to stay fit and exercise.  When we first spoke with NBA Asia a while ago, we discussed them making an appearance in the country to inspire locals to participate in basketball and raise awareness.  The people around the office are not the biggest basketball fans, so when the NBA said they were bringing a "high profile coach we were all sure to know" I wondered just how many would actually know him.  The confirmed it would be Spoelstra, and no one had a clue who he was.  I spent the rest of the day educating the office on who he was and what his accomplishments were.  I shouldn't be surprised, when most people in the office don't know how coach K is. 

Coach Spoelstra arrived and we got our clinic set up.  The people from the NBA were great and they jumped right into the clinic.  I had the chance to speak with Spo and we chatted about Oregon since he is from Portland, and how he should come back to Eugene for a game this year.  I also asked him what it was like to be coaching arguably the SECOND best player in the league?  I made sure he knew that Kobe was still the best player, and tried to hide my Laker bias as much as possible when he made the kids huddle up and say "Go Heat" before starting the clinic.  It was great to get the kids involved, and everyone seemed very motivated from him being here.  Lots of pictures were taken, and lots of autographs were signed.  When asked why I didn't try to get his autograph, I reminded my coworkers that the Heat suck. 

Da Beach

Oh happy Saturday.  Being a beautiful day, we decided to head back down to the sunny island of Sentosa to visit the beach.  As you recall the last time we went it was raining and did not get to enjoy all the island had to offer.  The place was littered with tourists, but that did not stop our excitement.  We hit the beach and got in the water.  Being a hotter day than normal, the water was very necessary even though it was warmer than we would have liked.  It was a bit warmer than the Atlantic Ocean, which I still can't understand why it is warm and the Pacific Ocean is warm.  Science. 

After laying out for a while, we noticed we were right below a giant zip line, which caused Rachel to decide that is what we were going to do next.  Being uneasy with heights, I wasn't so sure but we went up to check it out.  It was 450 meters long (damn you metric system) and apparently is the largest zip line in Asia.  We got up there just as the weather was starting to change and clouds were forming.  It looked like a storm was coming, so this was of course the perfect time to go hurling down a wire.  Before getting harnessed up, they had to weigh us to make sure we didn't exceed the maximum capabilities.  Surprisingly Rachel and Prashant made it through.  After getting a concerned look from the lady operating the scale, I stepped on and heard her hold her breath.  To both of our surprise, I was within the capabilities and was then strapped into my harness.  Now I have been in harnesses before, don't ask, so I knew what to expect.  It was extremely tight in places that I did not want it tight in, mainly the crotch region.  When she started tightening it, I had to stop to ask if she was enjoying herself because I was pretty sure you arent supposed to take pleasure in making a grown man squeal.  One harnessed up, I was fidgeting around with the harness and realized I had a hole in the bottom of my swim trunks.  (Bad time to not be wearing underwear)  So the rest of the time in said harness was spent with my legs together.  We got up to the top of the zipline lookout and my nerves tried to get the best of me but I pushed through if not for the sake of the video Rachel was taking.  We were attached to the zip line by a very small bungee cord that gave me doubts it could support me, but I didn't have time to worry about it because before I knew it we were flying down the line with Rachel screaming the whole time.  It was so much fun and I am glad we did it.  Once finished we proceeded to wait for Prashant (the theme of the day) and then went to explore the rest of the island. 

The rest of the island was littered with shops, hotels, a million 7-11's and a casino and universal studios.  Interesting enough, the person who suggested we go into 7-11 was our good friend Prashant.  He was in the mood for a slurpee (couldn't make this up if I tried) and I can only assume he got some sort of family/employee discount.  After the 7-11 we went into one of the largest candy stores I have ever seen in my life.  After stopping to take pictures with the M&M's, we walked in to find every kind of candy imaginable.  I started to get a Willy Wonka vibe, and if an oompa loompa has been stocking shelves I might have had a heart attack.  Rachel ran straight for the jelly bellies after proclaiming "If they have jelly bellies I am gonna die".  She did not.  But she did use the self-serve jelly belly machines to create her own concoction of flavors, only to realize she poured too many of one flavor and would now have to pay $15 for a bag of jelly bellies.  So after getting the bag tied off and being told to head to the cashier, Rachel decided the money wasn't worth the bellies, and ditched the bag in a stack of reese's peanut butter cups and ran out the front door.  This incurred a shout out of "that's going in the blog!"  I make sure to say this phrase to remind my companions when they have done something dumb, and it will live on in infamy via my blog.  No one is happy to make it into this blog, and yet they still keep doing things that warrant it.  Oh well more for my readers! 

We left Sentosa after posing for more ridiculous tourist pictures next to the Merlion and random fountains, and went home to get ready to go for dinner.  We met up with our coworker and Singapore tour guide extraordinaire Sarah who took us to one of the local Singaporean hawker centers to eat.  Apparently this is one of the oldest ones in the country, and they specialize in Pork.  Thanks Sarah.  We each went and got our own food and came back to chat about work and how we liked Singapore so far.  It was good food and conversation, as well as entertaining to watch Prashant eat his crushed up peanuts that came with his pad thai separately, because he does not want to mix them in.  Apparently it is also too difficult to use a spoon, because it so much more rewarding to try and eat crushed peanuts with a fork for 30 minutes.  Sarah then proceeded to tell me which celebrity I reminded her of (always a fun game) and the answer was Homer Simpson.  Gotta love that Singaporean humor.  Im pretty sure she meant to say Jason Statham but it just got lost in the translation.  Anyways it was a fun day of exploring and we took a lot of pictures.  Be sure to watch the zip line video on facebook because if you can ignore Rachel's screaming the whole time its a really cool view.  Hope everyone has a great rest of your day, and lets go Team USA! (I am trying to stream the olympics online with limited success)

Sentosa Beach!

Expected to see Billy Hoyle playing here.

I was waaaaaaaay up there waving.

They have a fave wave machine, it was pretty cool.

One of the many 7-11's we HAD to stop in.

In 7-11 you can buy mashed potatoes.  Why wouldn't you?  (The red light on the left actually says POO)

Walking Stereotype

The happy couple

Where we landed.

Admiring some Jim Beam Activations.

The mighty Merlion.

It's been here all along.

I can't resist a woman in green...

It looks like they are feeling me up.

"Candy Heaven"

They sold these in kids sizes.  Dad's blood pressures all over the world are rising.

Fasting and TV

Hello all!  It has been far too long, I know I shouldn't leave you all without something to entertain you for a few days so here I am!  Not a lot has really happened around here lately, but I will share the anyways because I now you are all dying know what what I am doing.  Its understandable, I am really that exciting.  Anyways, Ramadan has started, and that means it is officially my least favorite month of the year.  For 30 days I will not be eating or drinking anything from sunup to sundown.  I am really glad that I happen to be in one of the hottest places on earth to try and survive the fast this year.  Its not like I am constantly dehydrated on a daily basis as it is, lets just throw this on top of it.  Today we just finished the 5th day of fasting and it is not getting any easier, but I am surviving.  It actually helps that a lot of people in the office are fasting as well, so I don't get offered to be taken to lunch as much as I normally do back in the states.  This means that everyone around the office is really cranky at lunch time and we all just want to go home and take a nap during the day.  Misery loves company.  The good part about fasting in Singapore (yes there actually is a good part) is all the food bazaars that are happening around town!  At night some streets are just lined with vendors selling cheap food to all the binging fasters right after sundown.  As you can imagine, I am right in the thick of it boxing people out and making sure I get my food.  I was really hoping I could try to drop a few pounds this month, but with as much as I tend to eat at night I don't see that happening.  Regardless, I am looking forward to this month being over and eating my way to obesity like a normal American should. 

So I think its safe to say I am a pretty big TV watcher.  I can't help it, I get caught up in shows and I have to see where they go.  I have not watched TV in a month!!!!  We do not have a TV in our hostel, and I am losing my mind.  You know how there are people who can live without cable but get by watching netflix or hulu or something?  Try not getting by without anything! None of that streams overseas! People who say they live fuller lives without TV are insane, I need my shows.  I am so happy that I get to housesit for my boss soon and I will have access to a TV again!  So if anyone knows whether the blind chick from Masterchef was kicked off yet, what the twist was on Big Brother, or if Dwight Howard is finally a Laker DO NOT TELL ME!!!!  I look forward to catching up on everything soon.  I miss you all very much as well, not just TV just to be clear.  But I needed to vent.  I mean I can't even watch the Olympics for crying out loud.  Daddy needs his Hope Solo. 

Here are some pictures that I realized I had on my phone and dont know if I ever actually shared them yet:

No man should be seen with this small of a backpack.

My office!  Who needs a window.

Pool and Ping Pong at work.  Token white girl on right.

Racist?  Nope!  Incidentally they sell a lot of rugs here.

Not making friends on the subway.

Walking by the Marina.

Thai restaurant called Porn's. Don't worry I ate with protection.

Clarke Quay (pronounced "key"-wtf?) at night!

Literal translation of an ice cream sandwich.  Not bad and cheap.

Common are in my hostel.  (Guy did not know he was in this shot)

Common area again + our billion maps and pamphlets (How is that green?)

My bunk!  I have that bottom bed with the towel draped over it.

My roomies at night! (Weren't happy about the flash)

Typical Singaporean food court.  Yes that orange is a fire.