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!!