Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Laura in Singapore

Through the scaffolding and construction, here is the best view from my apartment.
My first week here was about getting joy out of solving simple challenges. How will I find food today? How do I get this water to be hot? Why have I just poured water into the wrong crevasse of the rice maker and drenched myself? Why am I lost again?

Life is humid. When it's 100% humidity and 33 outside, and it starts to rain on you, are you getting wetter? Soap is "lightly medicated" (ah! against what?) and clothing detergent is antibacterial. I begin to understand, as the blister on my foot doesn't heal. My dryer, not properly vented, serves no purpose.

Life is verdant.. Flowers accost. Orchids, Birds of Paradise. Lizards scurry. Vermin threatens. Fumigation is on Tuesdays. This album is of flowers taken only in and around my condo complex. I know, flowers are boring for some of you, so wait for the next post.
Groceries of Wonder and Mystery. I went to four grocery stores in my first three days here, sometimes just to look. While all of the interest of any foreign grocery store holds, it's all clearly explained in English! Malaysian, Chinese, Indian, Thai. I ate some mythical mild Indian sandwich that in a few minutes cured my cold. But I worried about whether it was polite in Singapore to blow one's nose in public (memories of "What, you ate in the street!").

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Laura Leaves Canada

Sunday August 19, my last day in the country, my friends and I went to the Saskatchewan prairie for some perfect Canadiana. I do not know how to begin to thank my friends for all the help and support during my move, and in making my last few days in Canada so spectacular. If I tried, the music would play and I'd get kicked off stage. I miss you very much and hope that I can survive here without you.
Click to see the pictures.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Post-wedding Takedown

Sadly, at the end of the wedding, there was an incident involving compromised identity, so my boys had to eliminate Jason's sister. She'll surely learn to be more careful around sensitive matters in rural Mongolia.
For once, the most embarrassing pictures weren't of me. So Barry, what did you think of the wedding?

MCT time

One of the things you can do on your way to Singapore is to MC a wedding, like this:
You know you're doing ok if Peter approves, he's a tough critic.
The bride and groom seemed to enjoy the show.
Other than prepwork and an updo, the reason that MCing went so well is shown in here holding the props.

Margo & Jason

On August 18, 2007, Margo and Jason got married in Saskatoon. The weather cooperated, the venue was beautiful and the guests had a lovely time.Please see Adrian's pictures, Karen's photos (email her for password), the rehearsal and the pre-wedding preparation.

Friday, August 24, 2007

MCT Arrival

Saturday, August 18th, the wedding MC arrived at Margo and Jason's wedding in Saskatoon. Upon my arrival, there was an unfortunate incident with the paparazzi. Luckily both camera and photographer were destroyed.

Laura in Saskatoon

On Thursday August 16th, we flew first class to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Is there vermouth in your martini, Barry?
I travelled light: my luggage filled the back of a Suburban.
And I tried to stay calm about my wedding MC preparation.