Little Baggies

Singapore makes good use of little baggies. You put your umbrella in a little baggy when you come in from the rain, but don't forget to take it out later!

Takeout, including coffee and drinks (yummy lime juice shown here) is also served in little baggies.

The Merlion

Here I am with Singapore's official tourism icon, the Merlion. While I have seen the Merlion several times from afar, I foolishly failed to realize that the Merlion was indeed half fish. It is confusing enough, I suppose, to understand that the Lion city is so known because it once had tigers. More pictures.

Patriotism in Singapore

This week, we Canadians bid for Canada week (a week at school dedicated to Canada, involving many fun events, see Korean week below). In order to gain votes and seal the deal, we promoted our country based on free Canadian club...

...and demonstrating our support for same-sex marriage. (Oh, the things I do for my country.)

Obviously, we won our week. (The Americans, sadly, did not.)

Me and Stam

Sir Thomas Stamford Bingly Raffles and me. Old and new settlers in Singapore.

Stylin'

Do you think North America is ready for Vietnamese fashion?

Culture Shock Delirium

The other day, I had a taxi driver who frightened me because he looked so much like Shawn Mc. Is Shawn, shown here, perhaps part Asian? Or am I, in my attempted integration into Singaporean culture, losing my mind?

Bonus Features of the Help

For various reasons, I pay four times the rent I did in Ottawa for a lovely condominium with maid service twice weekly. Normally, though I make few messes, I find it pleasing to never do dishes. This, however, is the traumatic story of how I had to do my own dishes yesterday.

I came home late in the afternoon to see shoes at my front door, well after when the usual maid should have gone. I entered, and a maid I hadn't seen before was there, music, fan and air conditioning were blaring. Not only that, but she wasn't wearing any pants. So there was a stranger in my house wearing nothing but a long shirt. I saw cellulite. What exactly is a girl to do? I tried to mind my own business, but then there was a knock at the door, to further disturb my privacy. Naturally, I had to answer it as I was the one wearing clothes. (Furthermore, the maid is Malay and cannot be seen without her hijab on). Anyway, it was a man at the door wanting to give the maid a key. I believe he is the boss of all maids, known as the maid pimp. Embarrassingly, I had to explain that my maid was "changing", which likely made him suspect we were having some kind of affair, though she wasn't really my type. He left, and my maid took off her pants again. I do not believe this is normal in Singapore. After flinging the mop around for a while, she got dressed then asked me if there was anything else she could do for me. Naturally, I decided that it was worth doing my own dishes in order to regain my privacy and sanity.

Happy Divali!

Why is Laura always at festivals? Well, Singapore celebrates the traditions of its people, who come from the world's two most populous nations. This week was the very important Divali (Deepavali), the Hindu festival of lights. To mark this occasion, we ate preposterous amounts of yummy Indian food for about $5. The picture below shows my surprise at learning that this is how big my belly will be after eating. More non-festival pictures of little India coming soon. Pics click.

After School

School's done for the day, where should I drive?

(Yes, contrast with previous post is intentional.)

People in Vietnam

This album is dedicated to Tony, who always wants pictures of the locals. Somehow, this is easier to accomplish in a developing country.