Laura in Phuket

Two weeks ago, Laura and Tina went to Phuket, home of my dream pedicure, beaches and pools.
Sustainable Tourism, however? Not so much.

Adrian in Singapore

Ok, please don't get confused, Adrian was here in January, but here is a late-emerging picture. I call it Four Overfed Canadians at Steamboat.

Gong Xi Fa Cai: Congratulations and be Prosperous

The god of Fortune and I would like to wish you a happy (belated) Chinese New Year and welcome to the Year of the Rat. This is the biggest holiday in Singapore, whose population is primarily of Chinese origin. Though I missed some of the events, here are a few pictures.

The Logic Behind the Madness

Last weekend, I got a new roommate, or as some would say, I shacked up. Obviously, this is insane, because my boyfriend has left his friends, family and home, sold his posessions and moved across the world after approximately seven dates.

Why, why did Barry do this? Here is the logic. Our eighth date would have happened during Barry's planned vacation here at the end of February. After this, we would have seen each other in the summer. And, despite missing my fantastic friends, I truly do not think I'll be ready to go home to work after my MBA. So, what to do? Wait and see? Give up? Try the 16,000km long distance thing?

Barry is an asiaphile, he speaks some mandarin. He enjoys low tax rates and year-round triathlon training. Ultimately, Barry decided that if he could come here without giving up too much (well, other than his car, home, friends, etc.) that perhaps this was possible without him growing to resent me, and ultimately leave me for a sarong party girl. I am very happy that he is here to enjoy Singapore with me!

Vegetables, only Longer

Last week, I said "screw the limettes, down with the weenanas"! It was time to get me some bigger produce, so I got me some longgplants and extendabeans! I embraced my inner tall-man, I threw my flip-flops, I shouted from the rooftops! (But not after 11pm, of course, since that's against the rules).

The Temples of Little India

Above and below are Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, devoted to the worship of Vishnu.
Below are pictures of Sri Veeramakaliamman, which is for worship of the goddess Kali, the consort of Shiva the Destroyer.
You can see that Sri Veeramakaliamman promotes a "healthy" body image, which for them includes manboobs and stomachs ready for some good eatin'.

Healthcare Surprises

This place can help you with all your needs - perhaps a little weight gain today?

Teeny Tiny Fruits

The fruits of the week are weenanas and limettes. The former has a different name, which was explained to me by the fruit market man, and forgotten by me moments later. Only so much I can learn in a week!

Laura in Bangkok

Here are some people I saw in Bangkok last weekend. See if you can tell which one is Adrian, my Canadian visitor.

Orchids Galore

We now return to your regularly scheduled programming with some pictures of Singapore's Botanical (orchid) gardens.

Laura & Barry: Your Questions Answered

Since there is some confusion, here are answers to your questions:

Q: This man has Asian features, is he a local?
A: Nope, I ordered Barry from the Internet. I'm like a Monet, people prefer me from a distance.

Q: When did this happen? Barry is in Singapore?
A: No, Barry came here in November. I had no idea that people thought the blog was up-to-the minute!

Q: Barry, you dawg.
A: Duly noted.

Q: Are you going to take up triathlons, Laura?
A: Are you crazy? I'm not a masochist!

Q: So Barry spent $2000 to fly there for your first date?
A: Did you think I was a cheap date?

Q: Do other visitors get similar treatment?
A: I can't believe I keep getting this question! While I want to encourage you to visit, please get a grip.

Trans-Pacific Romance

Sometimes, oceans are not as big as you think. I have a new boyfriend who makes me very happy, please click for pictures.

Happy New Year!

Laura and a couple of icons would like to wish you Happy New Year and all the best for 2008!

Laura in Bali

Over the holidays, I went to Bali, which was filled with rain, temples, clouds, sculptures, and greenery. There are more pictures here than average, but you're on holiday, try to strengthen your attention span.

Happy Holidays

Laura in Singapore wishes you all the best for the holidays!

Fruit of the Week

The fruit of the week is the pomelo. Since I'm studying marketing, I've come up with some slogans for the pomelo. Do you see a career for me in citrus marketing?

1) Pomelo, a great big fruit experience.
2) Pomelo. Super-size it.

3) Pomelo. Compensating for something?

4) Pomelo, a freak of natural goodness.

5) Pomelo, kicking the ass of smaller citrus.

6) There's a little Pomelo in all of us.

7) Pomelo, making lil' citrus weep.

The vegetable of the week is shown below. While I believe it is some sort of turnip, googling its Chinese (Pinyin) name yields only, um, nudity-oriented sites. Stay tuned.

Exam Strategies

Right now, I am studying for exams. To help with our grades, my group and I have come up with the following strategies for achieving high exam grades:

1) For all questions, regardless of what is asked, calculate what you know. Then elaborate on said calculation. If no data is available for this, make something up.

2) Once you do that, randomly multiply and divide different numbers available. That will look good and hopefully get partial credit.

3) Do calculations very neatly so as to appear confident and in control. Use a ruler to draw lines places, signifying subtotal, cost, etc. Avoid erasing incorrect calculations. Instead, just demonstrate your subject mastery by re-starting the question via an "alternative approach".

4) Use verbose explanations in between calculations to explain what you're doing. Try not to relate these to actual calculations in order to break up the flow a little. Use words like paradigm and streamline.

5) Carry all incorrect calculations to at least 4 decimal places to prove that you're diligent and accurate in your ignorance.

6) Draw at least one whale diagram, even if the question does not ask about customer profitability. Such diagrams are pretty, and help the marker with his self esteem. Conversely, do not draw the death spiral, no one wants to see that.

7) Liberally use the acronyms and terms between the numbers, that will confuse the professor into thinking that you really know something.

8) Ensure that all 16 pages of the booklet are full of numbers and acronyms for a high quality exam.

Boat Quay

Here are some pictures of Boat Quay by day and night.

Boat Quay is a row of bars and restaurants along the river, at the Elgin Bridge, Singapore's first river crossing. While Clarke Quay has taken some of Boat Quay's allure, Boat Quay is much more romantic.

Monkeys in Singapore

Since I love long-tailed macaques, I went to see them at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, which is a rainforest park in central Singapore. There was more to see in Bukit Timah than the monkeys. This is the view from the highest point in Singapore, whose hills have mostly been removed to reclaim land from the sea.

Surpsingly, the first thing I saw at the park was this sign, which I've used before for our office rules (do not feed the Darryl) so I knew it was serious business. More monkeys here.

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?