To get in the mood for thanksgiving, here is a short story by O. Henry. Be warned the perils of over eating and over extending your means to help others these holiday seasons as everything should be taken in moderation. Especially moderation. oh…also don’t get reckless, or course.
Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen by O. Henry
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is on Thursday but you'd hardly know it since it's not a celebrated holiday here. I guess the English must have made it pretty clear that they would not appreciate the locals celebrating the survival of the original colonists in the Americas. Or maybe if there were a winter here in Singapore it would have been more of a challenge for the colonists to survive through-giving them something to be thankful for. Did the original colonists here just take the easy life in the tropics for granted?...hmmm.... maybe if their first year here was particularly bad for Dengue fever some kind of thanks-giving holiday related to that would have been invented. Actually none of that even really make sense, never mind. It's true origins shrouded in mystery and controversy, thanksgiving is celebrated in the US and Canada and means three things: turkey, football, and the start of the Christmas shopping season. Oh, yes, and also Family. Here's one history of the holiday
Walking home from the supermarket today, carrying a frozen turkey through the rain, I realized two things. The first was how absurd it seemed to be walking home in the tropics during a rain storm rain with a frozen turkey. Ice cream melts so fast here but I figured it takes a really long time for a turkey to thaw out so I didn't worry too much. The second thing I realized was that this would be the first thanksgiving away from my parents. Since my brothers and sisters are now grown, some starting their own families, we haven’t all been together for every holiday but I was thinking- I think I've been there for every one.
So instead, this year I'm going to host a dinner at my place with some friends, but it will be on Saturday instead of Thursday since we don't get a day off work which is one thing I will not get to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I actually wasn't very excited about it this year but some friends convinced me to host a dinner at my place, the main reason being that I have not one but two ovens! which seem to be a rarity in kitchens here. And in these modern times it's so easy to plan a party: Just a few emails, a few phone calls or maybe text messages and you're done! Anyone can do it, like my grandpa here, talking to his peeps planning out the next Thanksgiving no doubt!
Walking home from the supermarket today, carrying a frozen turkey through the rain, I realized two things. The first was how absurd it seemed to be walking home in the tropics during a rain storm rain with a frozen turkey. Ice cream melts so fast here but I figured it takes a really long time for a turkey to thaw out so I didn't worry too much. The second thing I realized was that this would be the first thanksgiving away from my parents. Since my brothers and sisters are now grown, some starting their own families, we haven’t all been together for every holiday but I was thinking- I think I've been there for every one.
So instead, this year I'm going to host a dinner at my place with some friends, but it will be on Saturday instead of Thursday since we don't get a day off work which is one thing I will not get to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I actually wasn't very excited about it this year but some friends convinced me to host a dinner at my place, the main reason being that I have not one but two ovens! which seem to be a rarity in kitchens here. And in these modern times it's so easy to plan a party: Just a few emails, a few phone calls or maybe text messages and you're done! Anyone can do it, like my grandpa here, talking to his peeps planning out the next Thanksgiving no doubt!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Deepavali "vacation"
Thrusday was Deepvali and being a public holiday we had a day off work. Combining that with a vacation day on Friday meant a four day weekend and enough time go somewhere, anywhere, out of Singapore and into the real Asia. The plan was good but the execution was horrible which is why although we left the country before noon we were back in Singapore in time for dinner.
Jogyakarta (Jogja), Indonesia was the destination. It's the arts and cultural capitol of Java and also a short drive to Borobudur one of the largest Buddhist temples (or stupas) in the world. Mysteriously abandoned in the 14th century it was lost to the jungle until rediscovered by Sir Thomas Raffles in the 19th Century (he also founded modern Singapore while passing though the area) . Many say it rivals the temples of ancient Angkor in beauty and interest. I want to see it.
The travel companion was J, a coworker from San Diego also here in Singapore on a work assignment. The problem was, J wanted to come along on the trip but couldn't commit early because of some busy things going on at the office. So it wasn't until Wednesday afternoon that she could commit and by that time although flights were still available, they weren’t the best flight times and they weren’t cheap anymore.
Planning a route wasn't the easiest thing to do either. With limited direct flight routing available at the late timing, I found the best way was to take the 40 minute ferry to Batam, Indonesia then fly out of that airport though Jakarta and then to Jogja. This route also skips the high airport tax at the Singapore airport, and while Indonesian airlines are not known for their great safety records, the flights are cheap, or at least they're supposed to be. Usually about $30-40 USD for domestic Indonesian flights, some of the flight segments were up to almost $100USD by that time and the flight times were bad, too. It wasn't so much the money that made the trip less appealing but the way the flight schedule worked out. Arriving past 8pm on Thursday we'd have to leave around 6am on Sunday to get back for work on Monday, leaving Friday and Saturday only for exploring the Jogja and the temples. I still could have done it, but it was really down to the wire to make a decision and while I was flexible with my schedule and could have taken Monday or Tuesday off work as well, J could not. We decided to cancel the trip. I'll go another time.
Though this experience I learned to exercise caution when extending travel offers because people might just take them up and end up hijacking (unintentionally) the trip and while it's nice to travel with other people I really need to take advantage of my time here visit the places I really want to see.
Despite the canceled trip we were able to salvage the day. We still got on the ferry to Batam before noon with the intention of getting some good Indonesian food and massages. The food wasn't great (but then again, we ate at a KFC! yes. can you believe it? my first choice was to eat at a place called Lucy's Oar House but was overruled by J) but the massages were very great. We both got two. One and a half hours of traditional Indonesian massage and then one hour for Reflexology massage for just $14USD total is a pretty good deal. Plus we got two coconuts for about $1USD each. i thought that was a little expensive but whatever, we were on vacation. We got back on the ferry made some plans to meet some other friends for dinner. We had Beef Quay Teow (also sometimes called Beef Hor Fun) in Geylang, then bean curd form the store next door and finished with some durian. Looking back- not a bad day at all. I went to work on Friday.
Leaving Singapore behind. The view from the ferry
One coconut = 1 dollar
Chugging the entire coconut in one go may have been a bad idea. J is looking a little weary
Durian delights some and repulses others. 
stopping to smell the durian....actually that can't be a durian it's too big, and if you have to get that close to smell it then it's definietly not a durian. It's actually a jackfruit, also very spiky but not as famous or smelly as the King of Fruit- the Durian
Jogyakarta (Jogja), Indonesia was the destination. It's the arts and cultural capitol of Java and also a short drive to Borobudur one of the largest Buddhist temples (or stupas) in the world. Mysteriously abandoned in the 14th century it was lost to the jungle until rediscovered by Sir Thomas Raffles in the 19th Century (he also founded modern Singapore while passing though the area) . Many say it rivals the temples of ancient Angkor in beauty and interest. I want to see it.
The travel companion was J, a coworker from San Diego also here in Singapore on a work assignment. The problem was, J wanted to come along on the trip but couldn't commit early because of some busy things going on at the office. So it wasn't until Wednesday afternoon that she could commit and by that time although flights were still available, they weren’t the best flight times and they weren’t cheap anymore.
Planning a route wasn't the easiest thing to do either. With limited direct flight routing available at the late timing, I found the best way was to take the 40 minute ferry to Batam, Indonesia then fly out of that airport though Jakarta and then to Jogja. This route also skips the high airport tax at the Singapore airport, and while Indonesian airlines are not known for their great safety records, the flights are cheap, or at least they're supposed to be. Usually about $30-40 USD for domestic Indonesian flights, some of the flight segments were up to almost $100USD by that time and the flight times were bad, too. It wasn't so much the money that made the trip less appealing but the way the flight schedule worked out. Arriving past 8pm on Thursday we'd have to leave around 6am on Sunday to get back for work on Monday, leaving Friday and Saturday only for exploring the Jogja and the temples. I still could have done it, but it was really down to the wire to make a decision and while I was flexible with my schedule and could have taken Monday or Tuesday off work as well, J could not. We decided to cancel the trip. I'll go another time.
Though this experience I learned to exercise caution when extending travel offers because people might just take them up and end up hijacking (unintentionally) the trip and while it's nice to travel with other people I really need to take advantage of my time here visit the places I really want to see.
Despite the canceled trip we were able to salvage the day. We still got on the ferry to Batam before noon with the intention of getting some good Indonesian food and massages. The food wasn't great (but then again, we ate at a KFC! yes. can you believe it? my first choice was to eat at a place called Lucy's Oar House but was overruled by J) but the massages were very great. We both got two. One and a half hours of traditional Indonesian massage and then one hour for Reflexology massage for just $14USD total is a pretty good deal. Plus we got two coconuts for about $1USD each. i thought that was a little expensive but whatever, we were on vacation. We got back on the ferry made some plans to meet some other friends for dinner. We had Beef Quay Teow (also sometimes called Beef Hor Fun) in Geylang, then bean curd form the store next door and finished with some durian. Looking back- not a bad day at all. I went to work on Friday.
Leaving Singapore behind. The view from the ferry
One coconut = 1 dollar
Chugging the entire coconut in one go may have been a bad idea. J is looking a little weary
Durian delights some and repulses others. 
stopping to smell the durian....actually that can't be a durian it's too big, and if you have to get that close to smell it then it's definietly not a durian. It's actually a jackfruit, also very spiky but not as famous or smelly as the King of Fruit- the Durian
Sunday, November 4, 2007
rainy night
this is one of the rainy nights common to Singapore in monsoon season. thunder. lightning. downpours. this afternoon was even sunny which was a nice change from the norm lately of overcast skies but after dinner the rain began and continued for hours trapping us inside a bar (yeah okay, twist my arm to stay!). It's not the rainy season officially but it's not surprising since weather everywhere else in the world has been so strange this year. It's nice to see the distant flashes of lightning lighting up the sky once home safe and ready to sleep, and although the rain and lightning aren't at all surprising anymore it still feels like a nice change since it's so rare back in CA.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
anti drug campaigns
In many of toilets, messages from the anti drug campaigns are posted above the urinals. I thought this one had an interesting strategy to dissuade drug use... I guess reflecting just how much importance is placed on the family in Asian culture? 
It's begining to feel a lot like:
(select the best answer)
a) Hari Raya Puasa
b) Deepavali
c) Christmas
d) all of the above
e) none of the above
The correct answer is D of course but there have been even more celebrations than these going on recently. In fact, there have been a lot of lights up all over Singapore since September because there is just so much to celebrate in this multicultural melting pot of a city this time of year. Oh, and if you chose E then you're definitely not living in Singapore.
In late September we had the Mid-Autumn Festival, also called the Lantern or MoonCake festival. There are many ways to celbrate this festival I found out including but not limited to "eating moon cakes outside under the new moon" and "putting pomelo rinds on one's head". Then coming up after the calender new year will be Chinese New year or Lunar New Year- the most important holiday in Chinese culture
a) Hari Raya Puasa
This is the Muslim festival marking the end of Ramadan. During this holy month Muslims fast from dawn to dusk then break the feast with family on this holiday with traditional food and delicacies either prepared specially or bought in the neighborhood markets.
Late night photos of Hari Raya Puasa decorations in Kampong Glam taken with the camera phone
b) Deepavali
Deepavali is a five day long festival of lights celebrated by Hindus and Jains which symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Because of the large South Indian influnce in Singapore it's called Deepavali while in North India it's called Diwali.
Deepavali decorations on Serangoon Road in Little India
c) Christmas
It really is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas around here. I didn't realize how much so until I found my self humming along to "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" walking though Takashimaya yesterday. I didn't even have a second thought about it until I walked out the front door and felt the wave of heat great me. I don't think Singapore's had a white christmas in while. Then again, the weather has been very strange all over the world this year so who knows what could happen
The first christmas tree I've seen this year and it was a big one standing four floors high. Of course the scaffolding is still up since it's still under construction...
Orchard Road is already lined with Christmas decorations and they were up earlier this week even before Halloween. When you don't have the Thanksgiving Holiday to hold back the Christmas Season like in the U.S.the Christmas shopping season can start up with little warning. Also it's fit that Orchard Road, perhaps Singapore's ultimate tribute to consumorism, would have Christmas decorations to celebrate whats become the true meaning of the season here- commercialism of course. Buy lah!
extra credit-
If you're asking yourself 'what about that other festival of lights holiday coming up I've heard so much about called Hanukkah' I don't know what to tell you. Maybe the Jews don't have a very strong lobby here. I don't recall seeing any decorations for this holdiday yet but I'll keep and eye out.
Some extra photos of Little India with the Deepavli decorations
a) Hari Raya Puasa
b) Deepavali
c) Christmas
d) all of the above
e) none of the above
The correct answer is D of course but there have been even more celebrations than these going on recently. In fact, there have been a lot of lights up all over Singapore since September because there is just so much to celebrate in this multicultural melting pot of a city this time of year. Oh, and if you chose E then you're definitely not living in Singapore.
In late September we had the Mid-Autumn Festival, also called the Lantern or MoonCake festival. There are many ways to celbrate this festival I found out including but not limited to "eating moon cakes outside under the new moon" and "putting pomelo rinds on one's head". Then coming up after the calender new year will be Chinese New year or Lunar New Year- the most important holiday in Chinese culture
a) Hari Raya Puasa
This is the Muslim festival marking the end of Ramadan. During this holy month Muslims fast from dawn to dusk then break the feast with family on this holiday with traditional food and delicacies either prepared specially or bought in the neighborhood markets.
Late night photos of Hari Raya Puasa decorations in Kampong Glam taken with the camera phone
b) Deepavali
Deepavali is a five day long festival of lights celebrated by Hindus and Jains which symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Because of the large South Indian influnce in Singapore it's called Deepavali while in North India it's called Diwali.
Deepavali decorations on Serangoon Road in Little India
c) Christmas
It really is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas around here. I didn't realize how much so until I found my self humming along to "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" walking though Takashimaya yesterday. I didn't even have a second thought about it until I walked out the front door and felt the wave of heat great me. I don't think Singapore's had a white christmas in while. Then again, the weather has been very strange all over the world this year so who knows what could happen
The first christmas tree I've seen this year and it was a big one standing four floors high. Of course the scaffolding is still up since it's still under construction...
Orchard Road is already lined with Christmas decorations and they were up earlier this week even before Halloween. When you don't have the Thanksgiving Holiday to hold back the Christmas Season like in the U.S.the Christmas shopping season can start up with little warning. Also it's fit that Orchard Road, perhaps Singapore's ultimate tribute to consumorism, would have Christmas decorations to celebrate whats become the true meaning of the season here- commercialism of course. Buy lah!extra credit-
If you're asking yourself 'what about that other festival of lights holiday coming up I've heard so much about called Hanukkah' I don't know what to tell you. Maybe the Jews don't have a very strong lobby here. I don't recall seeing any decorations for this holdiday yet but I'll keep and eye out.
Some extra photos of Little India with the Deepavli decorations
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