So the plan to blog once a week has worked out very well.......

I just read my first Blog. Basically three weeks ago I had no idea what I was in for, and the on site coordinator was not in Tokyo but in Singapore.....I thought I would fix that in case someone chooses to quote me in the future.

Well, I am here settled, happy, and loving bubble tea!! The last three weeks have been one of the greatest adventures so far in my college experience. I think it also helped to be prefaced by two amazing weeks in Montana with my family and friends! I know God has been preparing me in so many ways for this rendezvous since last November, I have been amazed in every way.

A bit of a recap for those that I have not talked with: Arrived July 7th, headed to Bali until the following Sunday. Monday started work. So far I have been put on a documentary media project and a business plan development committee.....NBD;) I have been to the Zoo, the Night Safari, Clarke Quay, shopping in Chinatown, Raffles, Orchard, conquered the MRT (public train transportation), and been thoroughly impressed with Hawker Centers.

Hawk-er Centers= $3SGD for a huge plate of food that is delicious, the trick is to go to ones that do not have AC you get better prices, and the best part of all is the Homemade Ice Lemon Tea. Perfection.

I have a host family here in Singapore:
Mom: the very busy working lady
little brother (Alex, 15)-has a tendency to burst into my room without knocking,
middle sister (Joey, 17) -so wonderful, she makes me miss Zoe
on weekends, oldest brother comes over (Allen, 22)- he does not talk to me but walks through my room to get his guitar so that is some bonding I guess
Dad exists but he works in Vietnam so I have only seen him once,
then there is Grandma, Grandpa, and Annie the domestic helper.

Annie is not exactly thrilled about having another person in house to take care of but who can blame her? Remind me to tell you about the washer experience, and room rummaging when we talk next:)

Moving On: This weekend I had a wonderful dinner at the home of one Kwan and Leon, family friends that I have not seen since I was approximately 5 1/2? Despite the age difference it was INCREDIBLE. Firstly, their home is gorgeous, Balinese style meets contemporary chic! It was a dinner party with all sorts of interesting Singaporeans. The evening began with detoxing Coconut water, wide pepper leaves and lemon grass stuffing, rice cakes and a polynesian dipping sauce. We then moved indoors from the outdoor patio to the actual meal. Red wine accompanied to begin and the appetizer was make your own spring rolls. YES PLEASE:) There were baskets of fresh herbs, a tray of seasoned beef and fresh pepper corn, all ready to be rolled into spring roll sheets. Delicious. Next, pork ribs seasoned with mango and herbs, but it was a very dark curry type sauce yet, slightly sweet. Then there was a fresh greens salad that had been lightly dressed but the greens were so fresh it almost formed a dip. By this time I am in seventh heaven......to conclude the meal portion we had a very spicy soup, traditional to Singapore and meant to burn your lips and mouth, it did the job, talk about cleansing the palette! The precursor for dessert and soothing of the liquid fire that had just been consumed was coconut milk that was chilled and like a pudding. Put the burning lips right to ease......and finally for dessert moshi ice cream topped with fresh pressed mango..........Best thing I have had the entire trip! The dessert Port was lovely and their were white chocolates and green tea to accompany. Talk about a happy girl:) The evening finished around midnight. It really was a great experience!

That was last Saturday night, Sunday began with a skype call to Dad and an adventure to find the Singapore WWII museum. The search was the best part! Cici and Allison and I took off for the unknown location with Cici leading the competition in finding the most people talk to about directions:)
 The museum was found about a mile or so up on a seemingly abandoned road at the top of Bukit Chandu. We were there about an hour or so  and then headed back by bus to Orchid to see the National Museum of Singapore. Today was free admission and the museum was awesome so it was quite the lucky day, quite the lucky weekend if you ask me:)

I will try to update more consistently so one does not have to read so much..........hope you enjoy my adventures. Miss you all!

Eva