Suggestion #2 - grocery store

One of the suggestions I received for things to blog about was the grocery store.  I think it is a great idea because I try and visit grocery stores in most cities.  I like to see what things are the same and what things are completely different...you can find some crazy stuff in grocery stores.  Obviously I'm quite used to the grocery stores here since I've been shopping in them for the past couple of years.  With that being said, there are still some things that I just cannot stomach spending the crazy amount of money on...remember the dish rack incident of 2009?

**photo disclaimer**
I take pride in the photos that I take and add to the blog.  Unfortunately, there is a big fat sign outside of the grocery store that says 'no photos' so I had to take all of these with the camera on my blackberry.  Apologies in advance that the quality isn't that great and that some of them are a bit blurry.

I'm lucky that I live quite close to four different grocery stores.  This gives me some options but it also means that I will pass one on my way home regardless of where I am coming from.  Since I live in the city none of these are stand-alone stores like back home.  Instead they are in shopping malls and on the first floor of office buildings.

The one that I shop at most often is Cold Storage.  It is the most expensive one in my area but it also has the largest number of US goods.  If I want produce I will shop at the Fair Price because they have a much better selection and are significantly cheaper so it makes it worth it to split the shopping list.

The stores themselves have similar floor plans to the US grocery stores.  The produce and deli are as you enter...

One noticeable difference in the picture above is the sushi counter at the back.  There are 3-4 lovely ladies behind that counter making fresh sushi all day long.  It is amazingly cheap and very tasty.

Most of the fruits and veggies are the same but there are some things that you would never see back home.  A lot of greens for Chinese cooking...there are always fresh mangoes...and always dragonfruit...

There is a decent seafood selection at this grocery store.  I've actually never purchased any seafood from there but it always looks fresh and I see lots of other people buying it.  There are different varieties of fish than back home but nothing too out of the ordinary.  I think the most random thing are these...

Yep, that is a package of two fish heads for sale.  A lot of people here use them for cooking and one of the local delicacies (which I have not and likely will not try) is fish head curry.  We Americans tend to be somewhat wasteful compared to Asia.  Most places that I have been here use every bit of every creature that they eat...not sure how tasty it is but makes sense.

Something a bit odd (and this is not just Asia, have seen this in Europe too) about grocery stores here is that they do not keep eggs refrigerated.  They just have them on the shelves across from the bread...

There are also about 10 million different varieties of eggs...not sure what the difference is...I tend to just buy the cheapest ones.

Most of the rest of the store is about the same as back home.  There is an aisle that has bread...one with cereal...one for pasta...dairy items...frozen foods...cleaning supplies...you get the idea.  However, there are a few aisles that you won't find back home...

That is just a small portion of the options for chili sauce.  And let me tell you...this is one of the things that I will really miss about living here...so good on so many things!  In case you were wondering, chili sauce is to Singaporeans and ketchup is to Americans.

There is also a huge selection of bottled teas.  Remember, this is much more of a tea drinking region than coffee so you can get loads of varieties.

There is also almost an entire aisle dedicated to rice.  Who knew there were so many varieties of rice???  I go through phases where I'll cook a lot of rice at home and I typically just grab a bag and test it out.  So far I have yet to come across some that I don't like.  And yes, they are far better than the rice back home...not sure why.

So...over the past few years you have heard me numerous times complain about the cost of certain things here in Singers.  Just in case you thought I was making things up or being overly dramatic I thought I'd share some of them with you...

chocolate chips for the low, low price of $10.65/bag...

sliced cheese for $7.95 per bag...what a deal...

ice cream for $14.35 per container (that is the normal sized Ben & Jerry's container)...can I just say that this is both awesome and horrible at the same time.  I am an ice cream lover...ask Alan...I cannot have mint chocolate chip ice cream in the house...I eat it all...so having ice cream be this expensive keeps me from buying it which is good for the figure...

and a 6-pack of Budweiser for $17.75...mmm...that better be some good beer!

There you have it...a mini tour of my grocery store here in Singers.  Hope that you enjoyed it and thanks for the great suggestion.  Feel free to keep the suggestions coming...I'm having fun with these...

And I'll leave you with one last photo...

Would you like some seaweed Pringles to go with your beer?

Read more...

10/52

Week 10 of 52
Little Guilin
Bukit Gambok, Singapore

This afternoon I visited Little Guilin in the Bukit Gambok area of Singapore.  The official name of the park is Bukit Batok Nature Park but is named Little Guilin because of the resemblance to Guilin, China. 

Bukit Gambok is located just a little west of the center of the island.  I chose this place for my 52 weeks project this week because it is an area of Singapore that I haven't been to previously.  While the area itself is quite pretty I have to admit that the best part of my adventure today was actually the travel to and from Bukit Gambok.  I took the MRT which once you get out of the city center is an above-ground train so you get to see quite a bit of Singapore that normally you wouldn't.  (For those of you who are familiar with the MRT system, green line towards Joo Koon and then switch to the red line to Bukit Gambok.)  There isn't much country-side in Singapore but you do get away from a lot of the shopping districts so that most of the high rise buildings are mainly residential condos.  On my way back I took the red line the long way around and saw lots of grass, some more water, and even went through a bit of an industrial area. 

Traveling outside of the city center where I live is also interesting to me because you get about 5-6 stops out and it very quickly becomes local.  For a good bit of my trip I was the only Westerner on the train.  I got a few second glances but not too many...I must look less like a tourist and more like a local these days...  When I first starting coming over here I experienced this when I was scouting some condos for a friend.  I remember feeling a bit uncomfortable and being really aware of the fact that I was the one that didn't belong.  Two years later...I couldn't really care less and actually didn't notice this until a Western couple got on the train in the middle of my trip and it triggered the thought of "hey...one of these things is not like the other"...and then I remembered that I was also not like the other...

Back to Little Guilin...
The park itself is actually really small.  The lake and little mountain (I use that term so, so loosely) take up most of the area of the park.  There is a walking trail along the water and a few grassy areas to sit but that is it.  For some reason it was really breezy and much cooler there than in the city.  I'm not sure if the weather is always like that but if so this would be a great place for a little picnic.

Of course when I was there this afternoon it was cloudy and a bit drab.  It has also rained this morning so the water wasn't too clear.  Not ideal for taking photographs but this project isn't just about the pictures...is also about getting me out and about during the week.

When I first saw pictures of this place I assumed it was in the middle of a big park... something that you might need to hike or take a long walk to be able to see...

Picture #1 - 

This was taken standing on the path looking at Little Guilin.

Picture #2 -  

This was taken from about the same place (had to get clear of some trees) but just turning so that my back is to Little Guilin.

I did get to see a little critter hanging out...

I had a good time today riding around and seeing parts of the island that I haven't seen before.  I even have some ideas for some future 52 weeks projects!

Read more...

Gold Class

Last year I blogged about going to the movies and I introduced everyone to Gold Class. 
Here's the link in case you forgot my original post. 
I have been a number of times since that first movie and must admit that I am now addicted. 

Yes, my name is Kate, and I have a problem...

I LOVE GOLD CLASS!!!

I went to see Hangover 2 with my pals a couple of weeks back and we didn't book early enough to go Gold Class...we got stuck in the normal theater...ick!  We had to wait in line at the concession stand, there were no blankets, the seats didn't recline, and there was some strange person sitting...right...next...to me! 

The next weekend I went with another pal and saw another movie...this time...Gold Class!  I am seriously addicted.  How can you not be when they bring wine and food to you at the push of a little button?  I am soooo going to miss this when I move back to the US. 

I remembered my camera last time so snapped a quick picture of what the seats are like so you can see why I love this so very much...

Would you go Gold Class?

Read more...

Suggestion #1 - my commute

A few days ago I asked for suggestions of things that I should blog about...here is the first blog from one of the suggestions that came in...and it isn't too late for you to make a suggestion...come on...you know you want to...

Kate's Commute to work...

I usually try to take the bus to the office.  If I have an early morning meeting or am being lazy I'll take a taxi but most days I am on the bus.  The taxi takes less time but costs about 10 times as much which is really hard to justify.  This is my route to work based on taking the bus...

I start by leaving my apartment...

Yep, that is my front door...and yep, there is a black cat Halloween bag hanging from it.  I put it up my first Halloween here and it has been there since.  It now serves as an umbrella holder...you never, ever, ever want to leave the house in Singers without an umbrella.

That is the outside of my front door...I love my welcome mat...I brought it from the US because welcome mats are one of those things  that are insanely expensive here and also very boring looking...I like fun welcome mats.

Since I live on the 5th floor I have to take the elevator (aka - lift) up and down.  I wouldn't mind taking the stairs but they don't bring me out at the lobby of my building but instead take me out the back.  They also are outside so I end up getting very warm within minutes of walking out my door...not fun when headed to the office. 
Another fun elevator fact...probably not fun...just interesting...there are two...but the buttons only call one elevator at a time.  It is actually pretty common here for the elevators to not be linked which seems a bit odd to me.

That is the walk from my building to the bus stop.  It is just down the road from where those cars are stopped.

You can see the bus stop just up ahead.  I usually pass a few people on the way there but didn't this day.  It was actually pretty quiet at the bus stop.

Can you guess which bus I take?  And I'm actually pretty lucky that the stop near my house is serviced by so many buses.  BTW - I take the #14 to the office.

Me in my seat on the upper level.  Most of the #14 buses are double-deckers and the upper level is typically less crazy and quieter than the lower level.

The bus I was on when I took these pictures is one of the older buses.  But they are still quite clean...just a little more wear and tear... 

I typically get an entire seat to myself unless the bus is fully packed.  I think part of it is because I sit in the aisle seat and not at the window.  I think the other part is because I'm not Asian.  I've seen it time and time again where people get on the bus and will typically choose to sit next to the other Asians before sitting next to any Westerners...not sure why...and I take no offense to it since I get more room...

Eighteen bus stops and about 20-30 minutes after I board the bus I arrive at the bus stop by my office...

There are usually quite a few people who get off the bus here since I work in a place called Science Park.  I'm not sure where everybody was that day...

That is a picture of the overpass I walk on to get to the bus to take me back home.  They recently just completed the cover so now you can get across without getting horribly wet.

I walk between a couple of buildings and then arrive at my office building.  I take a shortcut so I end up coming up from a driveway and don't come to the front of the office.  I realized just now that I don't have a good picture of my office so will have to get one at some point and post it.

The lobby of our building is really boring.  It is a shared space so there really isn't anything in the lobby...and that little television only plays ads which is kind of annoying.  At least here you only have to push one button to call all three elevators.

Me riding to level 3...

And walking to my office.  We occupy three floors of the building and the level that my office is on is shared with the chocolate company Ferrero Rocher...and no...they do not ever share with us...

My commute ends at my office - room 313.

Read more...

9/52

Week 9 of 52
Labrador Nature Reserve
Singapore

Alan and I always laugh that when we are on vacation and out exploring just about everyplace I choose as an activity involves some sort of climbing.  This past Sunday I went and explored Labrador Nature Reserve and in my usual fashion chose someplace that involved a lot of steps and climbing.

The park is located on the southern part of the island and apparently contains the only rocky sea-cliffs on the island of Singapore.  When I think of rocky sea-cliffs I think of the coast of Maine and these were nothing in comparison.  They were also a bit hard to see because of all of the vegetation from the park area.

One edge of the park marks the entrance to the Keppel Harbour area. 

The island on the other side of the water is Sentosa Island.  And off in the distance you can see some of the ships that make Singapore the second largest shipping port in the world.

The park has quite a few remnants from WWII.  Since it is on the southern tip of the island it was considered to be at risk for enemy landing so they built a fort to defend the island.  This such as machine gun posts still remain...

and old cannon posts up high on the hill...

and even an old cannon...

I took the picture looking out through the barrel of the cannon.

On my way up the 400 million steps that led to the top of the hill I passed a couple of elementary school age boys bounding down the steps.  One of them was very excited that there was a cannon at the top.  He told me to keep going and to 'be sure to see it' because apparently it is 'really great'.  He also informed that I wouldn't be able to fire it though, which was 'a bummer'.  I always love these little snippets of interaction from people in passing...this is one of those things that I will always remember when I think of Labrador Park.

At the top of the hill is a nature walk.  Along with nature-type things there are different bits about the old fort and Singapore's involvement in WWII.  It was an interesting walk but man were there loads of mosquitoes...and apparently I was the lunch special!  I read that there are old tunnels that you used to be able to go through but they are currently closed indefinitely for maintenance.  I hope they open up again before I leave Singers because it would be fun to wander through them.

The park area was nice and quite informative.  However, I wouldn't rank it as one of my favorite parks in Singapore. 

Read more...

Houseguest

Guess who is visiting again?

Yep...AliG!

My friend is away on vacation in Europe (lucky her) so I have him for two weeks. 

Remember what he looked like the first time he stayed at my place last year...

While the cuteness of his kitten-hood has gone away I must admit it is nicer to have an adult cat in the house.  He is far more well behaved...except this morning...on my way out the door he decided he didn't want me to go so he jumped up on my leg...claws out...and...I was wearing a skirt so he landed right on my bare skin...OUCH!

It really is nice having a critter in the house.  I know I say this every time he visits me but it really is true.  Tonight when I came home he meowed until I picked him up to cuddle with him...so cute!

Like all cats though he has his crazy quirks.  The newest one is that he only wants to drink water directly from the faucet.  He has a full water bowl right next to his food bowl but he completely ignores it.  Instead, he wants to do this...

Read more...

Some assistance may be needed

I think that based on that title I am calling myself out a bit. 

I have been absolutely horrible about blogging lately.  If it weren't for my 52 weeks project you may not hear from me at all.  Shame on me...

I've thought about it for the past few days.  Am I just not interested in blogging any longer?  Have I experienced everything there is to experience in Singapore?  Am I too busy?  Has prime time television actually been that good?  Am I having such a wild and crazy time that I don't want to blog about it?  Ha...I know you are laughing out loud about that last one.

To be honest, I think I am still interested in blogging but have just let it fall lower (ker-thunk, that was the sound of it being on the very bottom) on my daily list of things to do.  I'm going to try and correct that and blog a bit more.

I could also use some inspiration.  Any suggestions? 

Are you dying to know what my front door looks like?  I could devote an entire blog to just that.

Are you curious what I do just about every Sunday afternoon while I'm here?  I could write one up to let you know.

Do you want to know what my favorite exercise is at the gym?  And yes, it is specific to Asia.

Want me to tell you about my bus ride and taxi ride and MRT ride?  Just let me know.

Curious to know what I still can't justify spending money on at the grocery store?  I'd be happy to share.

Once again, the suggestion box is open.  I believe that blogger prefers it to be called the 'comments' section instead of 'suggestion box'...who cares...use it...let me know...

Read more...

8/52

Week 8 of 52
Sentosa Boardwalk
Singapore

Last night I walked on the Sentosa boardwalk which links mainland Singapore to Sentosa Island.

Sentosa Island bills itself as 'Asia's Favorite Playground'.  A lot of people here really like to go there and most tourists make it a stop on their trip to Singapore. 

I've been there twice. 

To me it is a just a really expensive let down because it is the ultimate tourist trap.  Nothing to really see and everything costs 3-4 times what it costs elsewhere in Singapore.  Now, to be fair, it has now been about a year and a half since I have been there and they have since opened a Universal Studios, a casino, and a whole bunch of other places.  One of these days I may take a wander over there to see what it is like and if it has improved.

You may be wondering why, if I do not like Sentosa, was I walking along the boardwalk?  I went to a movie with a friend at Vivo City which is the largest mall in Singapore.  Don't believe me?  Take a look...

The entire area of brightly colored lights in the picture above is the mall that is Vivo City.  It is huge!

The weather last night was just beautiful and neither of us had ever been on the boardwalk so we took a relaxing stroll. 

Read more...

7/52

Week 7 of 52
Residences 
Tower of London
Somewhere along the River Thames

As you saw from my blog posts earlier in the week, Alan and I were in London for a long weekend.  We had a great time wandering around and revisiting the wonderful city.  Our last day in London we decided to tour the Tower of London.  We had been before but it was years ago and I really wanted to see the Crown Jewels

If you haven't been and you are in London I think it is definitely worth going for a visit.  The entrance fee is a bit pricey but there is a lot to see inside and the tours by the Yeomen are fun.

This place dates back a long, long time but has been pretty well maintained.  Although I find it pretty hard to imagine what it was like to live here when there weren't paved streets or plumbing or heat or air conditioning...boy, we sure are spoiled these days.  It also must have been really odd to live in a place that was a prison and where executions were held.  At least the view was nice...

A few more pictures that I liked from when we were wandering around...

Read more...