My new apartment

Some pictures from my new apartment with most of my stuff. Still waiting for a couple things in my sea shipment but almost all settled in. Can't wait for my first visitor - Monica is arriving soon!

I also had a tour of the city today. Got to go and see all the local villages: Little India, Chinatown, Arab Street, Holland Village...then we toured all the parks and hiking trails. My favorite is East Coast Park - it's the park along the ocean. I will be doing some running there. We also had monkeys follow us in the botantical gardens. Next I need to try scuba diving! Kayaking too!
Also Robyn arrived to Singapore! So great to catch up with a friend from high school - SVA in Savannah. She is here teaching for a couple months. We are going to visit Vietnam during her stay. It is amazing how you can come all the way to the other side of the world and see an old classmate!

Another week in Singapore then the travels start - China, Brazil, Germany!

My new roomie

Meet Rafiki - my new friend! I found him in Singapore and had to bring him home!



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Location:Marina View Link,Singapore,Singapore

Has the best friends...

Congrats to Marie and Max! So happy for you guys! Marie made the most beautiful bride!
I am so sad I missed the wedding but so thankful for the best friends ever! Thanks Cindy for bringing "Flat Stephanie" to the event and including me! It meant the world to me especially being the world away! Here is my favorite picture with the bride and groom:

Thanks guys! I love ya!
And I wish all the joy and happiness to Marie and Max!

My first week in Singapore...

I have finished my first week in Singapore! Started with checking into the Singapore Hilton on Sunday after the long journey from the States. I treated myself to a facial and relaxed by the pool. Then Sunday night I moved into my apartment! I start each day with a run around the bay - perfect! This is the view from my apartment in the morning:

Monday morning was my first day at the Singapore office. I got my new computer, cell phone, office, and met the team. I learned how to get to the food centers for lunch each day. I also learned that you are supposed to pay before you sit down at the table. Oops!
Tuesday I learned how to take the bus to work. It picks me up right out side my apartment and takes around 25 minutes to get to work. It drops me off right in front of the office. Here is a picture of the office:

I also learned that you need an umbrella every day in Singapore - you never know when the rain will come. I guess when it's a heat index of 110 degrees every day, it will rain!

Wednesday I went to IKEA to get some items for the apartment. I am still waiting for my shipments from States, but a couple plants, pillows, and pictures from IKEA help my place feel like home. My German landlord finished up the motorized doors for the second bedroom and put in a new entertainment center in the family room. Things are starting to look like my home.

Thursday I learned how to use the washer / dryer in the apartment. It was more of a challenge then I wanted! I also explored the Marina Sands - the boat in the picture above. It has a casino, ice skating rink, and theatre which is now showing the Lion King. View of my apartment from the Sands:

The food is awesome here! I am still trying to figure out what some things are, but so far everything is yummy! The shopping malls are every where and always so nice and modern.

Friday I finished out the work week with exploring some shopping malls in search for a wi fi router for my apartment. Now I am all set and can skype!

Saturday I met with Lena, another expat that lives here in Singapore from IL. Thanks Kate for the connection. Lena took me to a great lunch of Chinese dumplings and exploring the Singapore verison of Wal Mart. She also helped with some good insights on where to go in Singapore and what to do! So fun! So kind!

Saturday night I joined fellow John Deere expats from WI for a cookout. It felt like I was in WI! Really enjoyed meeting new people, had fun, and appreciated the invite my first weekend. Everyone has been so welcoming to me - making the transition so much easier!

I take the subway to get around, shopping, exploring, etc and the bus to get to work. Transporation is so easy here, which is so great cause it's so warm here and walking around outside is not so fun! 

Next week my first visitors arrive! I can't wait for Monica to be the first visitor in my guest room! So fun!

More later...

Moved into my new apartment today! I love it! The view, the building, and the people! Hopefully I will meet my new neighbors soon!
I am still waiting for my air shipment but I unpacked my luggage ( Bridget, Stef, and Kim are well aware of what annoyance my bags were!) and started to get my new home set up! Here is a picture with just a few things but I see an IKEA run in the near future.



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Girls weekend in NYC

Annual girls weekend this year was held in NYC. So great to see Bridget and Stefanie. Just like our MSOE days but in NYC. We saw all the sights and went to Avenue Q. Bridget's sister Brenda joined us as well as Erin Y. Great weather too! Can't wait until next year!