The Cynic's Year Blog

Phang Nga Bay in Phutket

2009-01-03T17:49:00.002+08:00

To unwind after 2 months apart, Courtney and I went to Phuket for a few days break. A highlight was the spectacular Phang Nga bay where limestone islands jut from the sea. After haggling for a 40% discount (not having enough cash gave me motivation) to hire a long boat we were off with the sea in our faces.

I wish I knew more about the geology but from what I gather, over 300 million years ago, the entire Southeast Asian region was a huge coral reef. Then through a combination of plate tectonics, sediments from the rest of Thailand, rising sea levels and tourism...voila!

More at: http://www.seacanoe.net/naturegame.htm

We stopped at the famous James Bond island (which is smaller than anyone expects, certainly not enough to house a solar death ray).

Courtney also found this fabulous resort that had a soft opening for almost 50% off. Great to relax and chill out. The only downside? Courtney got food poisoning.

How an apartment becomes a home

2008-12-31T22:21:00.004+08:00

Here's how we found it.

Our stuff arrived and we made do with what we had.

Courtney made it home. More metamorphosis images

The view from our study
More Pictures

I spent 17% my year in Indonesia

2008-12-31T22:04:00.004+08:00

Indonesia is the 4th most populous country in the world. There are 17 thousand of islands on the archipeligo, 300 different ethnic groups, glorious glorious food. Jakarta is home to around 10% of the population and on the island of Java.

I wish I could say I saw more of Indonesia in my 2 months here but I really spent my time between work, the hotel and in a taxi among the mass of humanity in this enormous, pulsating city. The people feel like they come from another time, yet thrive in our modern world. I cannot fully explain it, only that the spectral footprints of those who came before, the ancients, the arabs, the khmer, the chinese, the dutch--these all seem to infuse the consciousness of the society like incense. And time wafts between the tendrils of smoke and mirrors, and shadows and lights.

Now, the mystical aspect aside, Jakarta was a challenging experience, workwise, environmentwise and being away from Courtney. I have even fewer pictures from my time here, all are random.

There is a safari near Jakarta. We were trying to get to the botanical gardens. Got to love these tour guides....

Nothing really stops here. I didn't capture the motion blur but those vehicles are speeding towards the pedestrian crossing at full speed. Life is cheap here. Especially for the fool who crosses and takes a picture in the middle of the road.

Whew where'd the time go?

2008-12-31T18:15:00.002+08:00

I started work in September, then went to Jakarta on a project in October. I spent about 2 months there and just rolled off beginning of December. In the interim, Courtney's set up the home, visited Indonesia, went to Australia and found organic veggies. We relaxed a few days in Phuket. Spent Christmas in Bangkok. Where did all the time go? I'll put a few of the best memories up over the new year's break.

Went to Malaysia

2008-09-19T22:13:00.004+08:00

Here's a restaurant in Malaysia I last went to almost 12 years ago. Fried tofu. Sweet and Sour Fried Fish. Steamed Fish Teochew Style. Kang Kong veggie. Butter Prawns. Mmmm...

.

It's by the sea. It sits on stilts. The seafood is fresh and...'seafoodie...'

2008-09-13T22:28:00.002+08:00

Lantern Festival Time. It's all about the moon. The lanterns appear to represent the moon. They serve moon cakes.

There's the goddess of the moon.

First haircut in Singapore

2008-09-13T17:45:00.003+08:00

They really get it. Fast, cheap, efficient. And I really look 'ok'.

Try the non-salon barbership. Buy a ticket. "Queue" in line. Then get your hair cut. Options: Short. Medium. Long. Then, rather than shampoo, get all the excess hair "hoovered" (ie vacuumed) off you. I kid you not. It works. 10 bucks. You won't be a trend setter but you can't look bad. After all, everyone who cuts their hair at QB House looks just like you.

http://www.qbhouse.com/concept/index.html

I Miss Open Spaces

2008-09-07T23:20:00.006+08:00

Satay at East Coast Park

2008-09-07T22:55:00.002+08:00

Did you know that all the beaches in Singapore are technically public beaches? Now, this means the choicer spots are all part of the Singapore Park Service. With that come places to eat, picnic tables. Courtney and I had the benefit of trying our the East Coast Lagoon Hawker Center (now known as Food Village).

Satay is kind of a Javanese Kebab served with crisp cucumbers and onions and a spicy peanut sauce. Mmmm...

The Monaco of Southeast Asia

2008-09-07T22:48:00.004+08:00

The Singapore Grand Prix brings F1 Racing. Most of you in the US won't catch it. Nascar is too popular. But like Soccer, the REST of the world is really into it. Singapore hosts the Formula 1 Race and has will shut things down come late September. More at: http://www.singaporegp.sg/

Factoid: Formula 1 racing consumes about 3 miles per gallon. That's about the same as an M1 Abrams tank. For my money, I'd prefer a cannon with 3 mpg.

Apparently the best place to work

2008-09-07T22:43:00.003+08:00

This is my first week at my new job. Everyone's been friendly and helpful. I'm not entirely sure what my first project will be. However, I'm sure it will stretch me, challenge me, and get me drinking the Kool Aid quickly. (They don't wear suits here, by the way. This is probably the first and last time you'll see me in a suit in Singapore....it's an occupational health and safety issue. Too hot!)

Dim Sum at Shang Palace

2008-08-31T18:46:00.001+08:00

It’s good, it’s yummy.

Courtney and I had dim sum at the Shang Palace. The roast pork was DIVINE.

Here’s a great blog we found on another person’s experience.

http://www.camemberu.com/2008/07/weekend-dim-sum-brunch-at-shang-palace.html

Dangerous Peacocks

2008-08-31T11:21:00.000+08:00

The peacocks on Singapore's Sentosa Island are dangerous to your cars!

First week in Singapore

2008-08-31T09:34:00.000+08:00

We have been generally lying low first week here. Thanks to Mum and Pa for letting us stay at their place. They live on the East Coast of Singapore. Their apartment overlooks the sea. Look at all the ships!

We're looking for an apartment somewhere nearby.

Saturday, we went to Sentosa, a small island to the south connected by a causes. I've not been there for almost 15 years. It's definitely more interesting than before. We took the Sentosa street luge downhill then rode a cable car back up to the top at sunset. We then ate fresh at Subway Sentosa.

I start work tomorrow.

The Story Thus Far....

2008-08-25T15:59:00.000+08:00

So, to recap, here’s what Courtney and I have been up to since we decided to move to Singapore.

July 2008

· Accepted a job with a leading management consulting firm in Singapore

· Remodeled our condo and put it on the market

· Quit our jobs

August 2008

· Had a party for our friends

· Got rid of ALL our stuff (ship to Singapore, ship to KC, donate/sell/give away)

· Went to KC to hang with the Carlsons (Thanks mom and dad!)

· Went to Omaha to visit Creightonites. (Thanks for the expensive convertible ride, Ryan)

· Flew to Singapore

We Arrive in Singapore!

2008-08-25T15:15:00.000+08:00

After about a day and a half of travel through KC, Denver, LAX and
Singapore, we land with over 300 pounds of baggage.

Somthing I'll miss in DC

2008-08-21T11:07:00.000+08:00

Walking down the National Mall.

Singapore Going Away Party

2008-08-21T10:59:00.000+08:00

We had a great party with some of our friends at where else, Singapore Bistro, Washington DC. Thanks for coming ya'll.

Remodeled

2008-08-13T11:13:00.000+08:00

It was a lot of work but it was worth it right? More pictures at www.dwightanddavid.com . We love our realtors.

Grandma and Art in Florida

2008-08-13T11:11:00.000+08:00

It’s the right thing to do. Visiting Grandma and Art in Florida was great because Courtney and I needed the change of pace after the frenetic remodeling and other last minute stuff.

Last Restaurant week in DC

2008-08-13T10:19:00.000+08:00

Can't believe this is our last restaurant week in DC with Anne and Bill and Sue. We went to www.tabaqdc.com.

This is how it begins...

2008-08-13T06:08:00.000+08:00

First, you have to demolish everything! Our old kitchen….

Transitions

2008-08-13T05:55:00.000+08:00

We are moving to Singapore. Lots of transitions in Courtney and my life right now.