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A Grateful Farewell

It is hard to believe that my experience in Singapore is already at its end.  There are many reasons for which this experience has been unforgettable, but more than any are all the people with whom I shared it.  I would like to thank all of you in Singapore for showing me the ways - the places, the eats, the know-hows, how to improve my marketing, how to think about water and water issues, how to navigate the transit and enjoy the city, how to hail a bus or cab, how to eat durian, sting ray, and mee goreng and so many more...and of course how to feel at home in Singapore and with SDWA. 

And now, I would like to thank everyone with SDWA.  Everyone was extremely kind and welcoming, and helpful in every way.  To Kalyan and the SDWA gang, I have some fantastic memories with many of you that won't soon be forgotten.  All I can say is I wish I had more time to hang out with all of you and know you better, but I really appreciate getting to know as I did and hanging out as we did.

I would like to thank Sae'dah, who worked very hard to make sure our paperwork and visa process went through and to make sure we were all set to come.  She was equally as helpful here during my two months time.  As kind as anyone I've ever met, always smiling and great to talk to...thank you!

I would like to thank Sally, for helping us in our marketing efforts and allowing us to participate in such a wide range of opportunities.  And I would like to thank Sally and Anne, and Anne's family for hosting a BBQ party for us.  Like Sae'dah, I couldn't have worked with two people as kind as these two...thank you!

I would like to thank Vladan for extending this opportunity, without whom this experience wouldn't even have been possible.  And on the US end of that, I owe a big thank you to Linda who was equally influential in getting me here. 

A big thanks of course to Henry and Meghan, my partners in crime, it's been real!

I would like to reiterate my thanks to all the folks back home for the support.  My sweetie P, mom and dad, and all my friends and fam.

And of course, whoever you are, wherever you are, thanks for taking the time to read along with this blog.

What will I remember most?  

1) Marina Bay.  This includes the Marina Bay Sands, the skyline, the Esplanades, the laser show at night, the bay itself of course, and the food - sting ray, mee goreng, crab, and coconuts.   I couldn't tell you how much time I spent at the bay.

2) The food.  Singaporeans are self-proclaimed food lovers.  I have never experience anything quite like hawker stalls.  I learned that I love Indian and Malay food and some new fruits like mangosteen and lechees.  I even learned that I enjoy the challenge of spice!  I'm really glad I got to eat a lot of awesome new stuff.

3) The parks.  Be it Fort Canning, Botanic Gardens, Bukit Timah, I really enjoyed my time in the outdoors hiking around and witnessing a nature that is very beautiful and much different from that back in Wisconsin.

4) The museums.  Singapore National Museum.  Enough said.  Loved the history, the special exhibits on modernization and local history.

5) Learning about water and hanging around with SDWA.  Be it SIWW or checking out NEWater and just day-to-day interactions at SDWA, it was a fantastic education and 101 on water issues.  Neat stuff.

On the flip side I have only one regret.  I never did confront a wild monkey.  Perhaps I will this weekend, but if that ends up being my only regret, I can live with that. 

Though I do not know where life will lead next, I know that I hope it will hold more wonderful experiences like this.  I came to Singapore knowing virtually nothing about it beyond the very basics, be it history, tradition, ethnicity, modern composition, what have you.  Now as I prepare to leave, I leave feeling as if I could be an ambassador for the city.

Thanks again to everyone who helped make this a memorable trip.  For those of you in Singapore, I will see you again someday, I'll be back, count on it.  In the meantime, stay in touch - email, Facebook, Skype or anyway that comes to mind.  And if you choose to come overseas to the US, the door will be open on the other side. 

Thanks for reading, much appreciated.

Signing off for the final time - Chris

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PS an update of the list

1. Projects are underway and I should finish Friday.
2. No monkeys.  They are so elusive!
3. Went to the pool, and it felt darn good even though it was short.
4. Still need to get back to my favorite outdoor places and the bay. 
5. Eating as much good Singaporean food while I can; can't get it (Indian & Malay) this good in the States so I have to cram it in!

Looking out my window

I live on the 9th floor of a flat.  Sometimes I forget that I have quite the view.  It really is an amazing scene, and seems fairly typical of Singapore.  There are flats all around somewhere in the ball park of 10-30 stories tall (of course you will find smaller, but you will certainly find bigger in Singapore).  And they sit row after row, and line up front and back.  Through buildings lay raised train transport lines that weave between buildings down the streets. 

Then there is a complete contrast right along side.  The Bukit Timah Nature reserve is a mere few blocks away.  Straight across the street sits another mass of forested land untainted.  Amazing. Such contrast, yet both have beauty.  Am I living in a metropolis or jungle?  Of course I could also add the question should we primarily think of Singapore as an island on the sea? 

 

Mango Lassi

Greetings on a Wednesday morning.  I would like to just begin quick by clarifying briefly yesterday's blog.  The intended message was not that I do not love and miss the folks, places, things back in Wisconsin.  Rather, that I make the best of the opportunity that I have, and that I see the positive in everything when I am abroad. 

I would like to thank everyone back in Wisconsin for being patient with me while I have been away.  I appreciate the support and understanding that goes into seeing someone spend a chunk of time away, wherever they may be.  Thanks to my gf, parents, family, friends, and everyone in Badger country.  I very much look forward to seeing you all soon...

Last night I met up with Daniel again and he took me out for dinner at a Vegetarian Indian restaurant.  I ate or drank this thing called mango lassi.  I think it was some sort of mango yogurt.  Anyways, it was orange and thick, and had a sweet and sour taste.  Very interesting, very weird, and very good.  But I have to say, something about sucking down a cement like drink with dinner is a bit weird.  Even so, my friend Daniel was correct, the drink is cool and soothing when eating Indian food, because it can be spicy!

As I head into work today, I will be hammering out to last minute projects.  With my last day being Friday that means it's really go time.  I still hope to find some time to go to the pool, hike and explore the parks that I wish to see one more time.  Saturday should be ideal for that.  Sunday I will probably have to pack.  So let's hope I can find the time in between!

Singapore fun fact day 52: it will take 10 years for the salt to settle altogether in Marina Bay Reservoir.

Sentiments of Living Abroad

For some, a few weeks can be a long time to be away from the place we call home.  For others, they are able to pack up their lives and move for a lifetime to a foreign country.  Whatever we believe likely comes from our experiences, our upbringing, and families.  There isn't one way which is right or wrong, just a way that's right for you, and a way that is right for me.  As for me, what am I?  Well I am somewhere in between.  This is my third time living abroad, with the other two occasions both being in France.  This is also the shortest of my abroad stays at exactly two months.  In any case, people always ask, is it hard being gone so long, and don't you miss home?  The answer, no, but read further with me and let me qualify that.

Whatever phase of life I have been in, I have always made the best of it and enjoyed it.  For me, the wealth of life is about experience - novelty in culture, places, new faces, new education and new opportunity.  I always look forward to the adventure that comes next because I know first hand all of the amazing wealth in experience it can bring.   This is not to say that I do not miss you all at home.  But home is not a place, home to me is people.  And therefore home is in Wisconsin, Florida, all over the US, France, Europe, Singapore and even China.  

And so, even though my roots lay in Wisconsin, had I never left home I would not have some of the wonderful and lifelong friends and relationships I have had and still have in Iowa, all over France and Europe, and Singapore.  So I do not regret in anyway, any place I have ever been or lived or having to spend some time away.  I also know that when I do come back to Wisconsin, I will still have that solid group of family and friends - a group that understands the importance of these experiences for me. 

The glass is half-full. Period.  Never focus on what you don't have, only what you have and have to gain.  I don't miss not having a cell phone, I appreciate the opportunity to be free from some technology.  I do not miss American food, instead I choose to appreciate the great new food I get to try and eat here.  I do not miss American sports.  I choose instead to enjoy football and netball and the crazy new sports they enjoy here.  I do not miss my car.  I choose instead to appreciate the impressive transportation system they have here and feel good about being green. 

Whatever phase in life comes next, I'll get there when I get there, and I am alright with that.  My Uncle Tom once told me, there are two ways to get from Milwaukee to Madison, I94 or Hwy18.  One is quicker, but the other offers much more to see, and you still get to Madison in the end.


Thanks to Henry and his mother for the inspiration for this blog.

Final Days in Singapore

It is my last week in Singapore, but there are still a few things to do.  At work there is some simple wrapping up to do, and one little task of preparing a new welcoming board for the department.  Should be easy and simple to do.  Of course the other sad task will be saying goodbye to many wonderful people I have gotten to know.  But there is still a few days before that will occur.  I will also need to use up some passes at the NUS pool.  This should also be quite easy to do.

Outside of work, I still need to encounter a monkey.  This has been difficult though I have tried.  I intend to do at least one more serious hike in the Bukit Nature Reserve, let's hope I find one, that is let's hope I finally get close to a monkey!  I would also like to visit the barrage at Marina Bay, and revisit a few areas such as Chinatown, the Chinese/Japanese Gardens and as always, I love going to Marina Bay.  I was there in fact tonight (Marina Bay) with Henry, Meghan, Daniel, and Stacy.  Once again, I had the bbq sting ray.  I cannot tell you how good this stuff is!  Now correct me if I am wrong, but I do believe it might be endangered in the US?  I have been assured, however, that is not the case here, and in fact at one time sting ray was considered poor man's food.  That however is a very foolish statement as the taste is fit for a king. 

So please sit back and enjoy the final few days of blogging Singapore with me.

Post SIWW & ASC Opening

What a week!  I was so exhausted in fact that I slept in until 9AM today!  After the closing of the expo last night, Rich Meeusen CEO of Badger Meter took us out to eat at a local place on the sea, along with some other Badger Meter folks and folks from the Milwaukee contingency.

It was a great way to cap off a long week.  This is by no means a complaint against the work we had to do.  The experience of both hosting the booth at Singapore International Water Week and the grand opening were great, but the hours were long, there was stress involved, and together that made it all quite fatiguing.  So it was very nice to sit down and have a great meal with some folks from home and sure nice of the Badger Meter folks to take us out.

Two guys from Badger Meter who are Singaporean set it up, and new all the good stuff to order.  We had shark fin soup, king crab, chilly grad (a whole new crabby experience - it rocked), shrimp, grouper (I believe) and a number of other items on the side. 

The conversation ranged from jokes, to career advice, to business items, to skiing, to Milwaukee the Singaporean life.  I think I can speak for the group when I say it was a fantastic time and a fantastic way to put a cap on the internship and a long an busy week. 

Tonight we have a BBQ with the SDWA staff, and we are also looking forward to that!  After that, there is just one week to go of wrapping everything up here before saying goodbye.

Live Blog SIWW 1PM

1 PM

In addition to marketing, this has been a great opportunity for me to learn about water issues and the water industry.

One question I had asked is, "the world is full of water, why are there so many water issues?"  Today's daily SIWW publication puts an answer to that. 97.5% of the world's water is salt.  Of the 2.5% that isn't, 2/3 of that is frozen in glaciers and ice caps.  Water uses are increasing and needs and interests alike for water grows in modern and developing countries.  More countries are demanding and desiring these interests and needs that perhaps previously were not.  What's more, the world population is growing, and not only in areas where water sources are plenty.  How can water needs be met in such areas? 

Desalination is one method.  This is defined as removing dissolved solids from water, salt namely, mostly for purposes of producing drinking water.  Yet, this method is expensive and government subsidies are often needed to make this method functional.  Waste water treatment is another method, and this method of recycling and reusing water has been a source commonly spoken about (at least as far as I can see) at this water week.  Purification processes and products such as membranes, filtration, pumps and so on are hot items.
 
Quick notes - Kalyan and the Milwaukee Water Council were both highlighted in the past two days in the SIWW daily publication. Kudos!

Live blogging from SIWW

10AM

Live from SIWW on my Blackberry phone.  It is the final day of Singapore International Water Week already, though it hard to believe.

Quick overall impressions:
There is a lot of emphasis on technology.  In particular I have seen and learned much about ultra filtration, membranes, and UV as means for cleansing. Other technologies I have seen here include filters, pumps, meters,  camera systems for pipe viewing.  Much of this technology is directed towards drinking water and recycling and reusing.

Booths are arranged in delegations from various regions.  SE Asia, Canada, Japan, Netherlands, Milwaukee and so on are examples of the various regions represented.

There are a number of companies and organizations that have gone to great length to produce glamorous and expensive booths.  I imagine it would be quite fun to design and produce such a booth.

more to come.

Opening Ceremony - Aquatic Science Centre @ Pandan

I am exhausted.  There is no other way to explain it.  My day began at 7 when I headed down to man the booth at Singapore International Water Week.  We had a good amount of visitors interested in the research we are doing which is good.  After a quick lunch at noon, I had to round up the folks at SIWW and get them ready to head over to Pandan for the opening ceremony.  Many of the guests were attending Water Week and since they were there, we arranged for them to be transported over there.  In all about 60 folks to the buses.  

I was happy to get to this point, having got most folks over to the Pandan Science Centre.  But at the same time, I was very nervous, because this event was one of the main events for which we had been marketing.  So under the heat of the sun, we watched guests arrive, and hoped that all the marketing, planning and preparation we had done would be effective and run smooth.  What would the promotional materials look like and how would they be received?   How did the set up, the stage, and all the arrangements look and how would they be received?  Would the Grand Opening Moment work and be well received?  These were just some of the questions that ran through my head.  Meanwhile, it was a hot and sunny day, and we were all panting in sweat just hoping everything would run smoothly. 

Thankfully for us it did...for the most part.  Nothing ever goes to the plans 100%.  Three screens in our backdrop went out temporarily.  But beyond that, we had a great draw, our plans were carried out effectively, the promotions looked good, and all the work seemed to make for a strong opening ceremony.  I feel good about our efforts and proud of what we achieved and feel we made a positive contribution to Singapore-Delft Water Alliance.  Hopefully they feel the same. 

Here are some pics of today's opening ceremony.

Singapore International Water Week - Our SDWA Booth Pics

Singapore International Water Week Opening Ceremony

At about 5:30 the three of us (Henry, Meghan, and I) arrived at the opening ceremony and dinnerfor SIWW  at Suntect Expo Center.  This "lounge suit" event turned out to be a pretty neat event.  All the way from the United States, Linda Reid UW-Whitewater professor, mentor and friend, met us along with a number of other folks from a Milwaukee contingency. 

The guest of honor was the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugarantman.  Yes, that is a very hard name to say.  Entrances and statures are very important here in Singapore. So the Minister arrived 30 minutes late to Star Wars like fanfare music - I'm serious.  The gentleman next to me to whom I chatted for a good while explained to me that these were just normal cultural proceedings, meaning the lights and fanfare entrances and status queues such as this were common in Asia whereas some western countries e.g. the US, find this a bit silly.  That aside the speech went very well and included a specific name drop to my organization and the opening of our ceremony for our aquatic science center tomorrow.  We were one of only two or three organizations to be referenced in the evening so it was quite a nice piece of publicity.

My estimates held a few thousand delegates present at the opening event.  I will let the following pics show you all a bit of what it looked like at the event.

Singapore International Water Week Booth Set Up

Today (thus far through 3PM) was busy.  It was booth set up day.  This in itself took a few hours.  Of course before that I had to run to NUS to put together some last minute posters and and do some last minute preparation tasks.

At Singapore International Water Week security is tight.  Passes are needed to do anything and everything and we had to finish all set up by 3 PM so the bomb squad could go through due to all the government officials and persons of note who would be attending.  To put a figure to this, the price of entry per person is s$1000+.

The set up of the booth wasn't a 100% smooth process.  Our velcrow holding the posters to the booth walls decided to be challenging and had to be reapplied.  Additionally, we had to reorder a few posters.  The printing company botched a few of our posters which at the dimensions of 100cm x 180cm for s$100 is significant.  To make matters worse they arrived quite late in dropping these reprints off at 2:15.  So that was all a little tense, a little too tense.  But we made it through with hard work and A LOT of sweat...the AC in the expo was not running yet to save energy.  However, setting up in an area the size of two football pitches with no air circulation, no windows or fans for breeze, many human bodies and lights for set up purposes made for a very sweaty situation. 

Tonight is the opening ceremony & dinner for the International Water Week.  We were lucky enough to score three tickets.  Thanks Sally!

Singapore fun fact day 42: This is the 5th annual Singapore International Water Week

Singapore International Water Week Day 1

In the United States, July 4th is when we celebrate our independence.  Let me first take a quick moment to say happy 4th to everyone back home.  Singapore national is obvisouly not the same; their's is August 9th.  But this year, July 4th is significant in Singapore nonethelesss because Singapore International Water Week begins today and runs through July 8th.

22 Founding Sponsors, 14 International Group Pavilions, 8 Key Water Market Business Forums and a myriad of networking opportunities - All at ONE comprehensive Water Expo.  Amongst these will be my organization, the Singapore-Delft Water Alliance.  For this year's event, I, along with Meghan and Henry designed the booth.  The exposition aspect of water week begins tomorrow, but today is set up day.  So momentarily I will be heading out to the Suntec Expo Arena to help set up.

It shold be noted that there will be a large contigent from the US and Milwaukee in particular at this event.  A full list of participants can be obtained at this Web site: http://www.siww.com.sg/

The expo aspect of Singapore International Water Week is a trade show that focuses on innovations, products and services as well as best practices, successful case studies and the practical application of water technologies that are suitable across all industries

NEWater

Singapore is an island surrounded by water as far as the eye can see.  Yet, water and specifically drinking water is a chief concern for Singaporeans who number over 5 million.  Currently there are four sources of drinking water in Singapore: water catchments (reservoirs...you all may remember one of my older blogs about visiting Upper Pierce Reservoir), imported water from Malaysia, desalinized water, and NEWater.  Reservoirs comprise water from rain, ground water, and natural streams, but this source alone is not enough to meet Singapore's needs.  Importing water from Malaysia is expensive and renders Singapore reliant on a foreign source.  There are currently two water contracts with Malaysia, one of which expires this year, and the other in 2061.  Desalinized water is unpopular for drinking due to the taste.  However, for bathing and cleaning purposes, at least in my mind, this is a great source.  NEWater is treated water which is purified through treatments centers.

So, this past Friday, Meghan, Henry, and I went for a plant visit to NEWater.  (See above for an outside shot of the plant). 

IPU - this acronym stands for indirect potable water.  When NEWater is purified for IPU usage, it is either put into reservoirs to be remineralized, or it is used for industry.  Industry means that certain labs like clean water for experiments and the like.  This purified water is as close to being distilled as possible making it an ideal choice.  Other industry uses include decorative usage such as fountains and man made water displays.  A portion of NEWater is also used for direct potable use.  I drank two bottles on the spot!!!

The real fun was learning how the water purification process worked.  The first step in the purification process is called ultra purification.  (Not pictured) Hundreds of tiny holes many times smaller than a human hair line clusters of filters that look like spaghetti noodles.  Water molecules are small enough to get through, but most others are not.  The water moves through the system by being sucked up, just like the action of using a straw.  Our guide Ilya, told as that even after this initial filtration, most of the impurities have been removed.

The next step in the purification process is called reverse osmosis.  (See photo directly below).  In this phase, high pressure pushes the water through the collection of membranes.  This is done twice.  Here, the membranes serve as sponges.  Again like the prior step, only the water molecules can get through, while everything else cannot.  By this phase, everything besides water molecules has been removed.  But because people may be drinking this water source, the purification process has two more steps. 

The next step involved is ultraviolet light.  This light kills any remaining particulars.  Water only passes through this phase for a second or two, but it is long enough to do the job. 

Finally, a small amount of sodium is added.  This is because the water at this point is slightly acidic, and this is mostly a precaution to protect the water pipes. 

So there you have it, the NEWater process.  Thanks to the new technology which is only two decades old and constantly improving, there is this new water source for drinking use.  This along with desalinization are aspects of technology at its best, helping humans survive in numbers in which would not have been possible previously. 

Singapore fun fact day 41: NEWater is run by PUB, a government agency

Arab Street

Last Thursday night our friend and colleague Sae'dah kindly invited us out for a meal on Arab Street.  We all hopped on the bus at NUS together, transferred to the MRT train line, and walked the rest of the way.  This is what people here called taking the BMW. 

The meal itself was a lot of fun.  We were in great company, with great food, in a great ambiance.  Our table was ground-level; well, maybe more coffee table level.  We sat on cushions on the floor.  All around us, the sides were enclosed with silk (or silk-like) drapes.  The multi course meal we ate began with humus and babaganous (which I likened to humus, and Meghan thought derived from eggplant).  After that we had soup - I selected the chicken option.  Following this was the highlight, the main course.  I ate Kofta for dinner which is rolled lamb meat pieces which included some tasty spices.  And finally for dessert...well the name now eludes me, but it incorporated honey and butter into a tasty little cake.

For two hours we talked of work, fun, our respective countries and general life.  I was a real pleasure getting to know Sae'dah better and hearing all her insights on Singaporean life.  I don't often eat meals like this either by cuisine type or eating style.  And I have to say it was a lot of fun.  I really enjoyed the laid back social atmosphere created by sitting on cushions and lounging around the table.  If you haven't had a meal like this before - either in terms of seating or the actual food, I would recommend you try.

Update: Learning on the Job

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the latest addition of my blog.  Today it rained.  And then it rained, and rained...and rained.  And then it rained.  So much in fact that instead of taking bus 184, I opted for bus 700 in connection with the MRT train service to avoid arriving at worked looking like I had just gone swimming.  After two hours of floating to work in the bus (yes it took that long), I finally arrived and began another day of work. 

It was the big meeting day for the opening of the research center, ASC Pandan, which will happen next week.  The entire crew attended this meeting.  Set up, personnel roles, transportation, seating, rain precaution, ceremony aspects and so on were all discussed. What it really meant for me, was that all the planning we have been doing is soon to be tested.  We project 200+ people at this point - and hopefully it will be quite a show.  Quite a rain free show, otherwise the canal on which this research center sits might wash all of us away.

For me there remains now just under three weeks.  Work wise, we have covered a lot of ground from even and booth planning, design, creation, and organization, to the creation of promotional materials, to work on the opening ceremony the science center to working exhibitions for sustainability.  It has been a great engaging experience thus far, not only in terms of the various project involvements, but also in terms of learning about office communication, deadlines, budgets, and sometimes how to resolve conflicts. 

Today, I started applying for internships/work in the fall.  All of the above has in a way helped me to further refine the parameters of the type of job in which I would like to be.  As it stands now, I am looking at three crucial components... a job in which there is a creative marketing element - creating, designing, and producing marketing materials, events and campaigns...a job in which there is a management element - planning, organizing, and managing events, campaigns, projects...and of course, an international element in which I can utilize my cultural knowledge and skills in adaptability and serve a global client base. 

Beyond that I know now how important communication and office personalities will be.  I have also learned to be proactive and the importance being self-confident in offering up proposals and ideas.  And perhaps most important, I have learned I can be successful being me.  There are still a few weeks to go, and still a few things to learn and experience, of this I am sure.  But so far, the learning experience has been pretty sweet - well worth the 4000 miles and time zone flip!

Singapore fun fact day 40: the National University of Singapore was founded in 1905

Funny Signs!

 the fist reads "do not assault the bus captain"

Urban Sustainability R & D Congress

It is my first day post-moustache.  Don't worry, I will be alright.  In more serious news, this week, we (Henry, Meghan, and myself) are representing the Singapore-Delft Water Alliance at the Urban Sustainablity R & D Conference at Biopolis.  The convention is set-up in order to provide a platform for the public sector, industry, and researchers to come together and discuss urban sustainability issues.  Of course networking is large part of this event, along with booth exhibits and speakers.

Our new friend from work Kalyan, was quite fun to work with at this event.  He comes from the research and scientific side of the isle and offered us a great deal of insight.  Most of our work at this events included representing the organization, distributing pamphlets and information, and directing intersted parties to further information where they requested. 

It also happened that a French girl worked a booth across the way, so I even got in a few minutes of French conversation.  How convenient.  Finally, the fact that the food was on the house, was also I nice perk to this event.  As we move forward in the week, we will be working hard to finalize plans for the opening of ASC Pandan, the science center, next week.

Singapore fun fact day 35: August 9th is Singapore's National Day

BREAKING NEWS: The End of an Era - Goodbye Mr. Moustache

Today, after great deliberation and sadness, I cut off my moustache.  It was a difficult decision, yet knowing that networking opportunities and important events await in the near future, I decided to say goodbye to Mr. Moustache.  We were together when I first arrived here in Singapore through the hostels phase, through Malaysia, many meetings, and a convention.  Through the highs and lonely times alike - there was a moustache.  On monkey quests and jungle hikes - there was a moustache.  But now, that moustache is no more.

I have always been an unfortunate product of the wrong generation.  My fascination with sports, history, and especially music would have been better matched in decades of the prior generations.  Not to be missed in the allure of prior generations, is the popularity of the moustache. 

It became a presence in my life, attracting all kinds of attention at work by friends, colleagues, and strangers alike.  But like all good things, this moustache's days came to an end.  The world may never see such a magnificent moustache again, at least not until I turn 35 when it is socially acceptable to adorn one. 

Mr. Moustache RIP

May 23 2011 - June 27 2011

Singapore: from Third World to First World

From third world to first world in 50 years.  That is the drastic and impressive feat of Singapore.  I spent the afternoon on Saturday back at my favorite Singapore museum, the National Museum of Singapore, and was there specifically for the temporary exhibit all about the economic development of Singapore.  And referencing my previous blogs praising the city for free to the public events, this too was on the house.

So just how did Singapore rise to where it is today?  It was a combination of government's push to industrialize, promote for investors, and of course the workers themselves, to produce a diversified and competitively global economy.  At first the country was welcoming in any and every type of production including musquito coils and hair wigs.  But as time moved on more advanced production began to occur.  Precision engineering  - watches, TVs, electronics, cameras and so forth are all examples.  The government of course added making Singapore a welcoming and attractive place for foreign investors.  Texas Instruments is credited as the first big name to come over.

Eventually it became less about preforming labor, and more about learning skills, abroad in many cases through government sponsored programs and bringing knowledge back  to Singapore to further develop.  Service was eventually emphasized and today the economy is capital, labor, and innovation driven.  One specific example of this transition in Singapore is the pharmaceutical industry here.   Singapore first established the trust and ability to be a regional producer and manufacturer of drugs in Southeast Asia.  Eventually R & D came to be and research in the Biopolis Research Park is now a major role player along with hospital service. 

I came away from the experience with a new appreciation of how government and smart and organized economical and development planning can shape a country.  Couple this with the work the government has done towards revitalizing neighborhoods, and waterways such as Marina Bay and the Singapore river, and one can begin to appreciate the magnificent transition that is Singapore - from third world to first world in 50 years.

Singapore fun fact day 34: the GDP per capita in Singapore in 1960 was SGD 980, today it is almost SGD 60k!

Elvis Concert

I had such a great time at the National Museum of Singapore on Friday, that I went back for more on Saturday night to watch Elvis in "Elvis: That's the Way it Was" - a rockumentary about the preparation and first shows in Las Vegas in 1970.  They cranked up the sound - it was awesome.  Take a look...

Outdoor Movie at the Museum

Somedays not everything goes well.  One of our projects have proven especially difficult to get in motion. Today, even after a media meeting, meeting with the event production company, and a meeting with the director we are still struggling with a particular element for the opening.  So it is a good thing it was Friday.

Singapore can be an expensive city.  It can also be done cheaply and offers many options of the latter to the public.  I have done Marina Bay lazer/light, opera at the Botanic Gardens, heck I even heard a band at Marina Bay at a free concert last week that I heard on the radio yesterday.  Friday night, I learned the National Museum of Singapore was doing an outdoor movie presentation, part of there interntional and classic movies exhibit.  They we showing Viva Las Vegas with Elvis.  What a cool combination - old films, outdoor films, musuems, and Elvis.  It definately lived up to the billing, and I had a great time. 

Internship Update

Yesterday at work generally speaking, things went well.  I have learned the hard way about difficulties that communications and budgeting can play in an organization.  But through networking and and quick work, I was able to get a vital piece aligned and approved for our booth at Singapore International Water Week.  An additional connection element we were working on was also finally approved and ordered yesterday.  It was a great feeling.

Today we have another media meeting with the heads here followed by a meeting with the event production company for the opening of the Aquatic Centre we have been working towards.  With only two weeks remaining before the grand opening, we are working out some final details and hoping all kinks can be resolved in the next few days. 

This Saturday I hope to grab lunch with a friend and perhaps some time at the beach/pool/Botanic Gardens in the afternoon.  Sunday we will be setting up for another expo - the Urban Sustainability Congress, and will then be working the booth Monday and Tuesday.  Full speed ahead!

Tropical Storm Malaysia

The end of the first day around 5PM a storm seemed to arise from nowhere.  Five minutes is all it took for this storm to blow from the mountain beyond to the beach where I bungalow stood.  Thunder shook the earth, rattled it, as rains drowned the skies and sea.  It was a very impressive burst of nature's power.

check out this sequence!

Malaysia

Two city buses - one hour.  One coach bus - 4 hours. One ferry - two hours.  One car taxi - 30 minutes.  It was a long trip, but a trip filled with scenery and new images to the likes that I have never before seen.  Malaysia - it is an up and down country with hills and heights abounding, and I was amazed to note that the land was seemingly covered from one end to the other with palm trees (palm oil is their chief export).  There is a certain randomness to the country.  Buildings, shacks, and roads at time seem randomly placed and organization seems in places wanting.  The paint-chipped or paintless cement laden buildings stand next to dirt roads, or haphazard entries.  What the stores contained in these buildings cannot always be discerned, but they all seem very local.  Tin sheets covered most roofs and waterways seldom had walled banks to which I am so accustomed. 

Roads or highways - they seemed one in the same.  At times we were moving well, other times at mere crawls.  Mopeds, bikes, cars, and trucks alike shared the roadways, each at its own speed.  Nor was it uncommon to see dogs, cats, cocks, and monkeys also walking along the roadways as we wound through the fields and fields of palms. 

The ferry ride into Tioman Island (and back for that matter) was not one for the sea weary.  Fifteen foot swells made it impossible to stand.  It was a real roller coaster at times.  Once arrived at the island, we then had to take a car over the mountains on a road with a grade steeper than any I have ever seen.  It was a single lane cement-blocked route - with two 4" x 4" foot blocks placed side-by-side most of the way. But like the ferry, it was a truly beautiful ride.  This especially going through rainforest jungle.  "Did you see the size of that leaf," I would say to myself.  I never have seen at 30 foot palm leaf.

We made it to the tiny village on the island's isolated east side.  It truly was the first time I was on an isolated beach.  A few huts and homes of those who ran the places stood, but the population couldn't have surpassed 100.  It was a lovely time of soaking up the sun on the beach, in the aqua-colored ocean, in hammocks, and under palm trees.  The family that owns the bungalows where we stayed served food as well.  Dining experiences included pineapple curry, coconut sambal and chicken sambal (a Malaysian specialty that was as spicy as I could handle, my breath was fiery), coconuts, fruits, and yes, a few beers. 

I cannot tell you how many hours I spent in the ocean, too many to count.  The water never got too cold and remain a constant aqua-green-clear.  Behind us the view of jungle mountains was mystic with clouds floating out of hills side.  Mysterious vegetation sprang out of every angle from everywhere.   Frisbee was our game of choice.  Body surfing was a favorite of mine too.  One night we went to a treehouse-like bar, in which the owner had a monkey, cats, and birds hanging out.  He played music, dawned lights, and later into the night  spun fire on the beach.

It was a great adventure, a relaxing pace, a new experience of scenery, imagery and life for me, and all of it was wonderful to intake. 

Monkeys where art thou?

It's hot, it's Friday and there is an itch in the office.  Work due, closed quarters, and the planned weekend to Malaysia's Tioman island are all equal contributors.  The day began with meeting for our final proposal for the grand opening of the ASC center in three weeks.  Beyond that, it was a day of this and that in getting ready to be gone for a few days.  After work I grabbed some currency, changed some, bought some food for the long trek tomorrow - peanut butter, bread, trail mix, a few canned goods, and water, ate dinner and returned home.  Of course, I am not leaving until tomorrow.  So before spending the evening packing up, I embarked on day three of my monkey quest.

There are monkeys all over my new neighborhood, or so they tell me.  I saw a few from the bus heading into the reservoir at Upper Pierce last week, but I am looking for a close encounter.  So the last few evenings I have set out in the near by woods in pursuit.  Yet so far, nothing.  These primates elude me.  Oh, but I know they are they!

Unfortunately this also alters Operation Banana Bribe.   

Another evening gone, and once again...no monkeys.  Upon returning from Malaysia, a tactic change will need be.  Perhaps mornings or afternoons.  But I remain confident to encounter these monkeys!

So I am off to Malaysia to drink coconuts, exotic fruit, and seafood on some isolated bungalow on the beach.  I hope to see you all right here next Monday.

Happy Father's Day to my Dad, Grandpa and all other dads

Singapore fun fact day 25 - Singapore formerly belonged to the state the Malaysian Federation

A Community

It is an interesting perspective to live amongst the people of Singapore, in a area that is truly tourist-free and as far as I can tell representative of Singaporean life.  In a city with a population nearing 5 million in only 263 square miles space, one might wonder just where all the people live.  What is more, 23% of that area is comprised of reserves, rainforest and resevoirs.  I make this point merely to point of the shortage of land, as
certainly these things are important.

The answer - they build up.  Thousands of flats stretch across the island everywhere one goes.  In spite of the land constraints, people and local communities seem vibrant.  The local shops stalls and foodcenters bustle.  In the community areas I have seen already in my short time out here, entire buildings of people gather to watch basketball games, and gather together for community meals.  Of course part of life is death, and yesterday I saw a funeral ceremony in the commnn space below one of the blocks for someone who died who must have lived in that buikding.  A day prior, there was a wedding in the same manner one block over.  There are no individual lawns, no individual gardens, no individual pools, nor basketball hoops, nor really anything.  Rather, people seem to share and use all that is collectively and happily with one another. 

It is a certain change from back home, where everything is so spread out and isolated in many ways.  A change that assures one is rarely alone.  Of course if one wants to be, he or she has simply to walk to a nearby park, resevoir, or reserve.

A look into Singapore's politics and issues

http://audiovideo.economist.com/?fr_story=925a7d91bea37fdc5e8db6d480ca7cc31566032e&rf=podcast

Pics of me and my rainforest hike

the vegetation

 the summit

 the vines

the aftermath - one heck of a hike!