Making the trek: Leg 2

Well, it's all part of travel, isn't it? Flights get delayed. We were ready to take off and the captain announced there was something wrong with one of the plane's tires and "planes need tires." So there was a delay. Then a rerouted flight plan to avoid some nasty weather. Long and the short of it, my 7:00 arrival turned into 8:30. By the time I got my bags,  got my shuttle and got to my hotel (trying the new boutique Club Quarters) it was 9:30pm.

My original plan had been to catch the F-line to Fisherman's Wharf and have chicken parm at Cioppino's... but remember, it feels like midnight now to my Buffalonian brain, so the Elephant & Castle pub adjoined to the hotel lobby looked pretty swell. Here's hoping for some decent pub grub!

I'll have to get my fill of San Francisco during a morning stroll for breakfast tomorrow before I begin Leg 3!

Stay tuned!

Making the trek: Leg 1

When I tell people that I work in Singapore, I often get questions about the travel itself. What is it like? How long does it take? How do I keep from losing my mind? I thought I'd write a multi-part series of posts chronicling the travel process, and I'm going to try to keep it as "in real time" as logistics and increasing jetlag allow.

Let's address the first three questions:

1.) Arduous, but adventurous, too.
2.) From Buffalo to Singapore, or Singapore to Buffalo, about 30 hours total, give or take. But I always break it up.
3.) Food.

Today I started my day off right - with a breakfast out at Cracker Barrel with my mom and dad. They saw me off at the airport, and then I started on Leg 1. To keep my airfare falling within my allotted travel budget, I opt to take flights that have a few stopovers. This may not save time, but it does save money, and to be honest, I prefer to get off the plane and eat stretch my legs often, anyway. Domestically, I usually fly jetBlue Airlines or Southwest. Internationally, for these trips, at least, I fly Singapore Air. You'll see why when I get to those posts.

This morning I've just flown from Buffalo to Boston. I've gotten to know different airports by their food. I have a theory on traveling and food. All other days of my life, I try to save money. When I'm traveling and hungry, all bets are off. Here's the thing: You can eat fast food in the food court, but it is probably not going to be very good, and it's probably going to be pricey, anyway. Why not go to a nice sit-down restaurant and have a really decent meal? You're probably not going to look back at the end of the day and say, "Wow, I'm glad I saved $20 and ate that McWhatever for lunch." But you MIGHT look back and say, "Wow, that lobster roll was delicious!"

And if you're gonna be in Bahston, you really should be eating lahbstah.

So when I'm in Boston, I make the most out of my 2 hour layover and go to Boston Beerworks in the airport and get myself a lobster roll. You can't beat it. It's $17 well spent. And I always feel better about getting on a flight - especially a domestic flight where the food can be slim pickings - with a full, happy tummy.

Next leg: Boston to San Francisco! Oh, there's food to be had there, too!

A Whirlwind Trip to Japan!

Whew! Well, it's happened again - the semester is flying past me before I have a moment to breathe! I had the amazing opportunity to visit my friends in Japan a few weekends ago. They generously hosted me and took me to see the Winter Festival in Sapporo! After a few weeks in Singapore's equatorial heat, I was thrilled to get a little time to go walkin' in a winter wonderland! It was a whirlwind of a trip; I took a red-eye flight on Thursday night, arriving in Tokyo at 6am on Friday morning. From there, I met my "Japanese mom and dad" and we flew together up to Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost (and coldest!) point.

Once we landed in Hokkaido, we hit the ground running! We left our bags at our hotel and set out to explore the snow festival. This was the 65th Snow Festival in Hokkaido. At a high of 8°F each day, I was glad I brought layers (and added a few more along the way!). This was one of those experiences where being a little cold to see something this utterly amazing was worth it. When I heard "snow sculptures," I wasn't really sure what to expect. Certainly nothing of this size! There was a replica of the Tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daula crafted meticulously out of snow, and standing at 12 meters high and 23 meters wide and was lit up at night with colored lights. There was a slide made of snow for children to climb on. There were larger-than-life characters from children's television programs, and a bas-relief mural of winter sports in honor of the 2014 Sochi Olympics and the 2017 Sapporo Winter Games.

After a few hours of walking around and taking photos, it was time to get something hot to eat. And that's when I had my very first bowl of real honest-to-goodness Japanese ramen. This Hokkaido ramen paid tribute to the crops that this agricultural region of Japan is known for: potatoes and corn. The broth was rich and buttery. As I was eating it, chunks of snow kept falling off my hat into my bowl. I felt like the Campbell's soup kid in the commercial where the snowman gradually melts and there's the boy eating his soup. It was a fabulous experience.

We checked in to our room at the beautiful Tokyo Dome hotel and took a short rest, and then set off for the Shiroi Koibito cookie and chocolate factory. It, too, was a magical wintertime experience. We were able to sample these delicate butter cookies that sandwiched a slice of melt-in-your-mouth white chocolate. We shared some amazing desserts together. I feel like I successfully ate my way through a chocolate factory, I Love Lucy style.

We returned to the city of Sapporo and ventured out to the second major viewing area, the Susukino Ice Festival. These ice sculptures were placed up and down the busy city street, transforming an urban laneway into an icy wonderland. Many of the sculptures were sponsored by advertisers - there was the Coca Cola polar bear next to a seafood restaurant's display of fish frozen in time, next to a larger-than-life ice bottle of beer filled with amber liquid. It was remarkable. We ate a sumptuous multi-course dinner at the Tokyo Dome Hotel overlooking the fabulous Tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daula as it was lit up by multicolored lights. Then I positively passed out for the night.

The next day we took a one-and-a-half hour train ride to the base of Mount Asahi where we went to the Asahiyama Zoo. The train ride was in itself a wonderful memory on this trip. It was fascinating to see the changing landscape as we traveled. Hokkaido is to Japan what the midwestern "American heartland" is the USA. Even the use of space reminded me strongly of the American midwest. There was a certain tranquility traveling on the quiet train over the snowy landscape that resonated with me.

We arrived at the zoo and walked to where many people were lining up, waiting for the "penguin walk." I really didn't know what to expect; I knew I'd be seeing penguins, and that was enough to fill me with the same level of excitement as a six-year-old at Disney World. We all lined up with our toes behind a red line. We were told that the penguins needed exercise during the winter, and so they would be let out to walk down this makeshift lane that we had created by

lining up at the ice. If they didn't want to go out, they didn't have to; this wasn't a performance, rather, it was an opportunity for penguins to take a leisurely stroll, as penguins like to do. And... out came the penguins! It doesn't get much more up-close and personal than this! It was a delight. 

After a delicious lunch and a visit to the polar bear, hippopotamus and giraffes, we took the train back to Sapporo. That evening, I had another cultural first - SUSHI at an authentic Japanese sushi restaurant. There was so. much. good. sushi!

We spent a fun evening shopping around the underground shopping center (this is a uniquely Japanese concept - entire malls can live under airports, train stations, city blocks - beautiful, bustling, brightly lit malls.). I had to use great restraint not to buy more than my limited luggage could handle going back to Singapore!

I was sad to see my time in Japan come to an end, as I had enjoyed seeing my "Japanese parents" and I've truly come to love Japan like a second home-away-from-home. I feel lucky that living in Singapore has afforded me the ability to jet out to another incredible part of the world for a matter of a weekend. And I feel especially lucky to have such special people in my life who would invite me to do so and make it all possible. As I journeyed back to the tropical Lion City, it seemed hard to believe that this snowy wonderland even existed. Was it all a dream? Until the next time - Sayonara... for now!

Odd change...

I just emptied my wallet and found myself amused at what I have been carrying around in terms of coins. It made me pause for a moment and take in the bizarre, global lifestyle I'm so fortunate to be enjoying.

I've got American coins, from having just passed through San Francisco from Buffalo (no doubt change from buying some yummy falafel in the fabulous San Francisco airport), Korean coins, from my traditional 1-hour layover in South Korea (dash through customs, use the well-appointed rest room facilities, browse a gift shop or two then grab a latte from Starbucks to drink while I quickly check and respond to emails before reboarding the Singapore-bound plane), and naturally, lots of Singaporean coins - both this most current 2013 release and ones from years prior, from day-to-day spending. Change from Cold Storage, the grocery store I shop at, change from a vending machine selling isotonic drinks, change from a taxi driver (called "taxi uncles" here), change from the book store, change from a local kopi shop...

...And it also might explain why I've been so stymied when, under pressure, I've tried digging in my wallet for change for purchases!

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy Chinese New Year!

Hand-cut paper art representing the Year of the Horse

I'm going to blend New Year customs and celebrate the incoming Year of the Horse with a resolution: I shall make the time to update my blog more regularly so I can keep on sharing my experiences living and teaching in Singapore. To do this, I've come up with an idea: Shorter, more regular posts.

New Year gift from Fraser Place

When I write posts that attempt to capture every. single. experience. that I have in a given semester, they become very long posts. Then, I feel like each time I write, I must achieve the same length and breadth of the previous post. Then, when I find myself getting super busy (which just seems to happen a lot!) I just don't post at all.

I'm planning to break this chain! So expect more regular posts, but short 'n sweet! Like this one on Chinese New Year.

The year of the snake is on its way out, and the year of the horse has begun! Red and gold decorations have turned Singapore into a blazing, dazzling display of festivity. I returned from school the other day to a gift from Fraser Place, the serviced apartment that is generously provided for us.

The package contained traditional shortbread cookies (yum!!!), two oranges (two being an auspicious number) and two plush, winking oranges.

Last night I went to dinner with a past student, Zena. We went for dim sum on Sentosa Island and took an after-dinner stroll to see these gorgeous, massive horse lanterns up close. They're absolutely stunning.

Larger-than-life horse lanterns on Sentosa Island

Stay tuned for more updates on my life in the Lion City!

And summer passes at the speed of light...

It's been such a busy summer session here in my home-away-from-home. My time has been spent largely between my apartment at Fusionopolis and the Singapore Institute of Management, teaching a 400-level public relations course to 100 undergraduate students. Teaching 15 weeks worth of material in 5 weeks was quite a feat, but in the end, a very enjoyable, action-packed time!

Though time was tight, I did get some great experiences in! My friend Cheah invited two friends and me to an opening of a restaurant, Carnivore at Marina Square Mall. Having never been to a restaurant opening, here OR in the States, it was a great experience! Lion Dances, an opening show by Kumar, and lots... and LOTS... of great food made it a memorable evening. This Brazilian barbecue featured a wide array of buffet items, from fresh-carved meat to seafood, fresh veggies and fruit. I'm definitely planning a return trip!

One weekend I went to Marina Bay Sands with new friend and colleague Allison, where we quite accidentally stumbled upon one of the rehearsals for Singapore's National Day. What a sight! What patriotism! What a lucky right-time-right-place experience! Even though I'll be missing National Day, I felt fortunate that I got to see the rehearsal!

And of course, every day I had the joy of getting to know the students of UB-SIM. This semester, I felt lucky to have several returning students from past classes as well as newcomers. 

From new games to new food, every day is a joy. To the left is a student, Hui Ying, who surprised me in my office with traditional char siew (barbecue pork) and wanton noodles for lunch from her family's food stall. What a treat! To the right, I've just played my first round of a traditional Chinese card game called "Four Colors", or Si Se Pai 四色牌" with students Isaiah, Charissa and Vivienne. The game has similar elements to Rummy, and I'm afraid I had a bit of beginner's luck!

"Majulah Singapura" is Singapore's national anthem and means "Onward, Singapore" in Malay. I saw this scene this morning and it epitomizes, to me, the culture of this nation - always building, always growing; as cranes reach skyward in the early morning light, so the country marches on, reaching ever upward. Happy early National Day to my Singaporean friends (I'll be flying out on Thursday) - I'm looking forward to another year of memories together!

Japan!

I really can't believe how fast this semester went. However, I have news: I have signed another one-year contract with SIM-UB, so I will be here for another year! My intent is to be a lot more regular with my blog posts. This semester was positively a whirl-wind. Let me catch you up, loyal readers, on the happenings of my life on this side of the planet.

Immediately after regaining my voice, we had Chinese New Year week off from classes. My mom and dad flew from Buffalo to Japan so that we could all spend time with our friends, my "Japanese Parents" for eight wonderful days. I co-wrote a series of blog posts with my "Japanese mother," Nozomi, in her travel blog. She wanted to capture the sight-seeing we all did together around her country, so she collected hers and her husband's photos, my photos, and my mom's photos, and compiled them into a great series of posts. Then she sent them to me and asked me to add my commentary. Click on the captions below the collages to read about my adventures in Japan.

"Amanda's Family Visit to Japan"

"Japanese House"

"Kamakura"

"Tokyo and Yokohama"

"Hakone"

"Osaka"

"Kyoto"

"Golden Pavilion"

"Kiyomizu Temple"

"Sagano & Arashiyama"

"Uzumasa Movie Village"

"Farewell"

It's impossible to sum up this trip with words or photos. We had so many breathtaking, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and we enjoyed one another's company for all of these moments, which was the greatest gift of all. I hope to return to Japan next year, and Nozomi, Tetsuji and my mom and dad and I also hope to travel in the future again together as we made a great group of travel companions!