Merry Christmas from the Family

My surprise visit home...

Christmas in Singapore

Christmas in Singapore is a HUGE deal...the decorations have been up since the beginning of November! And everyone decorates...the streets are covered in lights and fake holiday candy...apparently this year's theme is Candy Christmas or something like that! Check out the pics!

Yes, that one pictures really is some sort of "kid" in a donut...only in Asia! Sorry the Christmas tree picture is sideways, tried to change it but it's just not working for me today! Anyway, I hope that everyone who reads this is having a very Merry Christmas! Lots of love to everyone!!

Bamboo Scaffolding???

So this week I'm in Jakarta and I was amazed when I saw some construction going on and what unique resources were being used. Yes, bamboo scaffolding...what the hell? I'm pretty sure that I'd be nervous getting up on regular steel scaffolding, but scaffolding made out of BAMBOO??? Who thought this was a good idea? Anyone?! I'm waiting to see some guy fall to his death because the bamboo gives way or the nail holding the two pieces together falls out. Only in Asia would people think this is a good idea! It's like the drink in a bag...yep, people drink beverages out of bags here. And while it's odd looking...it's actually very useful when you're riding your motorcycle around and you want a drink. You can hook the rubberband holding the top of the bag closed to your handles and then sip from your straw at a traffic light. Ingenius...like a cup holder for motorcycles but no cup needed! I do apologize for no pics, but I forgot my camera on this trip to Jakarta...I promise to take some pics soon and update the blog! I hope everyone is doing well! 

Update

To all those out there reading my blog...my apologies for the delay between blog postings. Things here in Singapore are rolling along. Work has been busy and most of my free times seems to be spent at work! So I really don't have any free time! Crazy, I know. Last week we had the Marine Ball here at the Singapore Embassy. It was a great time! My whole office went and it turns out we all clean up pretty well! I went with Adrian, here's a pic of him and me at the ball!

Check out my hair...took about an hour to get it this way! It was kind of big, but lots of fun to have a glam look! 

I got to go to Batam for the first time this past week...it is part of Indonesia. It's about a 45 minute ferry ride from Singapore. There are parts of it that are touristy, but not in the way that most Americans think of touristy! It definitely has a long way to go to be a vacation spot...but there is lots of building going on and Batam is trying hard to become a tourist destination for Singaporeans. From what I understand there are some great golf courses on Batam, but none in the area I was in! However, I did get to hear some fabulous (ok, really bad) karaoke at the hawker stand we had dinner at one night! Ahh...the crazy stuff you see in Asia! 

I promise to try and blog more! And take more pictures so everyone can see my new home! Hopefully my next blog will be pics of my apartment so everyone can see where I'm living! The Shug and I love you all! Sending hugs!

My First Visitor!

Miss Renee became my first visitor here in Singapore! It was so great to have her here...this was the first time in over a year that we've seen each other! Not only did we catch up on old times, but we also did a lot of the touristy things here in Singapore that I had not done yet! 

Here is Renee and her Singapore Sling! She took a picture of me having mine...so when I get some copies I'll post them!

One night we went down and had dinner on the River at Clark Quay, isn't the city background beautiful? Everything gets lit up at night on the water!

This picture is for Mom...we toured the botanical gardens and went into the orchid garden...I have lots of flower pictures for her! But I figured the blog really just needed one!

This is CHIJMES (Covenant of the Holy Infant of Jesus) it is a cluster of restaurants and bars around the courtyard and chapel of an old girls' convent school. You can rent out the old chapel for functions such as wedding receptions.

And of course we had to spend a day going to the Merlion Park to see the symbol of Singapore! the Merlion! He's pretty cool! Renee said she thought he would be little and was surprised at his size! 

I will post more pictures when I get them! Please note I left off most of the drinking pictures...they might be added later, but fear not, Renee and I did our fair share of drinking! Oh,  and on a different but happy note...I will be moving into my permanent apartment on Friday! Yay!! So the vonage will be up by then...please feel free to call and catch up! Hugs to everyone!

Bangkok

So much of my adventure in Bangkok was in the "red light" district...where I made a friend. See the cute baby elephant below! For under a dollar you can buy some snacks and feed her!

Jen, the only other woman at the meeting, and I both made friends with the elephant. 

As a matter of fact, one of the ASACs from NY also befriended the elephant!

And here is my other friend...you know how I love bacon!!!

All and all it was an interesting trip to Bangkok! I drank a lot, shopped a lot and had a great time. Even had one of the dancers/prostitutes tell me I had a "good heart." Not quite sure how to take that...needless to say I was not what she was looking for that evening! Which was just fine by me!!! In the end I survived Bangkok and had a much better time than my previous trip two years ago! 

Oh, and on a side note...my sister has requested that those who read my blog please comment because she feels she's the only one who comments! ;)

Chili Cookoff

For Marine Night last week the Embassy hosted a Chili Cookoff. So Val and I decided to make chili and show everyone that DEA can do more than just drink. I mean, we do that very well...but we have other talents too!  So here Val and I are with our pot of chili...and that would be Josh (one of the Marines) in the background.

We Won! Ok, so maybe we didn't get first place...or second...or third for that matter. But we did get 6th and with it a bottle of champagne. So really, we made out better than we thought we would...we won free booze!! Oh, and a nice leather wine case...Sweet! 

Tiger Brewery Tour

On Friday night I went with a group from the Embassy on a tour of the Tiger Brewing Company. Obviously I couldn't resist an opportunity to have my picture taken with the tiger!!

Here I am enjoying my Tiger beer! We had three hours of free flowing beer as part of our tour...excellent! We got to taste some other beers too, like Guinness and Anchor. 

Check out this sweet glass...if you come visit me you might see it again... I love anything with a tiger on it!! 

Land of Black Hole Toilets

So last week I went to Indonesia and let me tell you, if all your coworkers are men, you will have little to no warning about what you're getting into. I walked off the airplane and needed to pee...so I get through immigration at the terminal and decide to visit the bathroom. Well, what to my wondering eyes should appear? But a hole in the ground and one role of toilet paper outside the stall! Yeah, that's right...Indonesia loves hole in the ground toilets. I however, need  a bit more practice at using them! I'll be taking donations for wellies for my next trip!

Other interesting things in Indonesia include an ACE Hardware store...one in Jakarta and another in Medan. I bet most of you didn't even know there was a city named Medan in Indonesia...yeah, me either. Medan REALLY loves black hole toilets.  Below are some pictures of me and my coworker Steve at a great dinner in Medan...fresh fish grilled with amazing spices and tastes!! It was a bit messy, as eating with your hands is also very popular here!

Another interesting thing was the beer...the local Indonesian beer is Bintang. It is made at an old Heineken plant. The best part...Bingtang is served in 40s...yes, that's right ladies and gentlemen...I drank 40s all week! I mean, I am from the ATL...note the picture above, with Steve's hand for comparison. 

One final bizarre thing from my trip was the chocolate mosque at my hotel in Medan. Yep, that's right, there was a giant chocolate mosque in the lobby of my hotel. It was very interesting...

Good Friends

The past week or so has made me realize how much I love and miss my good friends. It is amazing how much you rely on the network of friends and family you have to get you through even the smallest of incidents. 

I appreciate them now more than I could ever have if I didn't move away. However, great inventions like the internet keep us close. I can chat with Ann and Jac on Skype and laugh out loud in a room a lone like an idiot when we have great "conversations." I can also get a tear in my eye when I see that Denine posted a picture for me or a quote from our 5th grade year book. But it's great to know they miss and love me too! Just a quick blog to let you all know I miss and love you lots! Thank you again for supporting me in the crazy adventure. 

And no, this isn't the last blog...just a quick sentimental one. ;)

Singapore National Day

Saturday was Singapore National Day...celebrating 43 years! It's sort of like our July 4th. There was a big parade and fireworks display...so of course all the expats used it as an excuse to drink! I joined a party at Heath's house...check out the view!

Mark and Nicole in Heath's living room...isn't this an awesome view?!

Me and Sky, my Canadian friend!

Heath, our host!

Sky decided we should all give a speech about how much we appreciated Singapore or what Singapore had brought us...she was the only one that gave a speech. The rest of us just drank.

Me and Heath...this was before we went out to the bars to continue drinking. It was a fun night that ended for me around 3 am...I'm getting too old for this sort of thing!

Shug Comes Home!

The Shug finally came home! I missed her loads and am soo happy to have her back with me! She might look a little unhappy to be hugged in this picture, but it's just the angle of the camera. ;)

Here is the Shug checking out her new digs...our temporary digs. And finding a good hiding place under the bed! She enjoyed her first meal in the new place...complete with treats!! So far she is adjusting to the new place and very curious about it. I'm just happy to have her back and know that she's healthy and safe! 

So Far So Good....

Check me out...banging the gong at the Night Safari!

Things so far in Singapore are going very well. I've made some friends and gone out to see a bit of the city. The other night I went to the Night Safari. It was pretty cool, you can ride a tram around and see the animals under lights that allow visitors to see the animals but not bother the animals. The only negative is that the pictures don't turn out because you can't use your flash. :( 

I've also gone out with friends to happy hours. There are some very cool bars here in Singapore. One is called "The Clinic" and you sit in wheelchairs and drink your booze out of IV drips. I know, it sounds weird...but it's pretty funny! I don't have any pictures of it yet, but I'll be sure to post one of me with my IV! 

There are also expat parties at different bars almost every night! I'm going to become a raging alcoholic if I'm not careful! Everyone is super nice and I'm really enjoying getting to know people and making new friends! I miss everyone back home and hope y'all will visit! 

Lizard

My first run-in with reptiles here in Singapore was a lizard, thank God it wasn't a snake...as it would have ended tragically. (for the snake)

So I decided I wanted some cookies (the hotel left me a package which I'd opened a day or so ago) well, apparently a lizard decided it was a good home...needless to say I ditched the cookies and went for the ice cream. And here I thought I was safe from reptiles being more than 2 floors off the front desk! But you know what assume means....

The Shug

I finally got out to see the Shug today...she is doing very well. She was VERY happy to see me...purred and drooled all over me. She scored a pretty nice "kitty condo" in the cattery at the quarantine facility. She's on the side with a window. The "kitty condo" is a pretty decent size, she's got a wide ledge to sleep on in front of the window, her litter box and food and water bowls. She's pretty quiet, which is strange for her considering how talkative she usually is. Even the guy at the quarantine facility commented that she's a quiet one. Imagine that! Although I'm sure once she's moved back in with me I'll get an earful! I would have included a photo of the her in quarantine but it's illegal to take photos in the facility. Very odd. Maybe they are concerned about people casing the joint and breaking out their animals? 

By the way, this blog is mainly for Dan who was hoping the Shug would be hating me!

Send Q-Tips

I recently discovered that Q-tips here a bit different than at home...these things here are like sticks with a small threat of cotton on the end. Like sticking a blade in your ear...not fun. So, if anyone wants to send me a care package feel free to include Q-tips. Oh and I've also learned that you don't get napkins here...if you dine out at the mall or hawker stands you have to supply your own napkins! 

I had my first day of work today, nothing too exciting. It was the usual first day stuff and of course my computer system isn't up and running yet...I'm sure all my friends back at HQ can understand that! Hopefully I'll be up and running soon! And it turns out I'll be living in temp quarters for quite some time...like until October. :( But the place I'm moving into is very close to the Embassy and I'll be able to walk to work. 

Otherwise things are good...going to visit Shug tomorrow. My boss has offered to drive me out to the quarantine station to check on her after work tomorrow. So I'll be sure to post a blog tomorrow and let everyone know how angry the Shug is with me! 

I am in Singapore!

Hey everyone...just a quick blog to let everyone know I arrived safe and sound in Singapore. I will try to blog more tomorrow, right now it's very late here and I am exhausted! Miss you all lots!

There were so me requests for this...my new mailing info and vonage telephone number.

Megan Barnes

Unit 4280 Box 30

FPO AP 96507-0030

770-755-5121

The Only Non-Honeymooner

So as it turns out I was the only person under the age of 50 on my flight from Chicago to Hawaii who was not on a honeymoon. Ok, so maybe there were some families on the plane too...but you get my point. However, there was also a priest on the plane so I guess if there had been some hot eligible bachelor I'd have been good to go and gotten married on the plane.  hehehe.

Hawaii is beautiful and my new coworker and his family are here. They are super nice and have invited me to snorkel and dine with them this past week. 

My hotel is very nice...highly recommend the Hawaiian Hilton Village. It has flamingos, penguins, fish and parrots...oh, and a peg-leg pigeon. Please enjoy the pictures below of peg-leg pigeon, who actually strolled into my hotel room this afternoon while I was on the phone with the Jam. She wanted to know if he had a little parrot that sat on his shoulder, as you can see...no. He was very friendly though. 

Preparing to Leave

Can I just say there is nothing quite like driving an hour and a half to watch two innings of baseball. Thanks Kara for driving all the way to Hagerstown so I could say farewell to my bro! Even though we didn't see much baseball, the behind the scene tour and QT with Paul was well worth the drive! (Not that I drove...but the ride was worth it!) And the beer was cheap! $5.25 for 32oz of good beer (not just Miller Lite or Bud Lite)...that's the best baseball park prices I've seen in a while. Clearly you can tell I had a few...hehehe! 

And thanks to everyone who came out last night! I had a great time and it was wonderful to visit one of my favorite bars before I left and spend some time with good friends! I will definitely miss the Pour House and all the good times I had there!

So I'm here in my hotel room relaxing and doing last minute packing before I head out for my big adventure. Tonight is bittersweet because while I am excited about my move I am also sad to say good-bye to DC. I have made so many wonderful memories and met some amazing people in my two years in DC. I hope everyone knows that I even if I didn't have time to visit you (friends and family in DC and back home in ATL) that I wish you all well and will miss you more than you know. Please keep in touch and come visit anytime! 

Quick Update!

The Shug has arrived safe and sound in Singapore and is currently in her kitty condo at quarantine. I'm sure she's thrilled and has begun plotting her revenge on me! 

Someone Stole My Stuff!

Ok, so maybe no one stole it...but it's all gone. Four crates later all my worldly belongings are ready to head off to Singapore. Hopefully everything will arrive without too much damage. Please keep your fingers crossed.

I began the day with movers crating up my stuff and cleaning the apartment and ended it in Savannah, GA. The drive down was interesting...to say the least! First, don't buy gas in Alexandria...it's cheaper pretty much anywhere else in the FREE WORLD! Second, the drive from Alexandria to Savannah is never ending...Thank God for cruise control! I will be back to DC tomorrow...yes, my world-wind tour of I-95 is over much too quickly!  And thanks to everyone who helped me pass the time with good/random conversations! 

The Moving Adventure

Today the move really began, or at least I thought. In truth it really only began for the cat. For me the packing happened and that was it. Foolishly I was under the impression that my move would be one day...could be because the manager at the moving company told me it would be one day, but who knows where I got this crazy idea! Instead today was just the packing of everything I owned, including the Shug. 

Yes, Sugar the cat is now a world traveler. She departed Dulles Airport for Amsterdam (not to worry I told her to just say no!) where she will spend a few hours resting from her flight and then board a flight to Singapore. The Shug will arrive on Wednesday afternoon and begin her 30 day quarantine period. I miss her terribly but must admit I will enjoy waking up to the alarm and not before the alarm to a hungry cat! 

As for me, I'm hanging in my Marriott hotel in downtown DC contemplating the beginning of this adventure. So far it hasn't been too bad and I was lucky to have good friends help me through the tough spots today...thanks to Pete and Rachel (the wine was just what I needed!). 

Hopefully I'll have some exciting news to share with this great adventure! I hope y'all enjoy reading all about my trip to Singapore!!