Susan's family visits Singapore

My family came to visit Singapore for Christmas - Mom, Dad, Bob, Julie. It was great to show them around the city I've been living in for over a year. We did the Night Safari, walked along Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, went to Chinatown, we all went in for reflexology (though not everyone enjoyed it), went to a hawker center on East Coast, drove down Orchard road...all the typical Singapore touring. We also relaxed with a couple home-cooked meals including Christmas dinner with the Spences. Click on the photo for more.



On Christmas day we took a 2 hour flight to Bali for 5 days. We arrived to some torrential rains which lasted through the following day. It had been a pretty bad storm - with so much debris, logs, branches, coconuts, trash washed up on the beach. But we did took advantage of our time there and toured around the island. The weather eventually cleared up. The highlight of the trip was a bike tour from the top of a volcano (on the outside!) through rice paddy fields and little villages. It was so nice to see the part of Bali that wasn't built up and so congested. Click on the photo for more.



We came back to Singapore in time for a New Year's celebration at my boss's home, and then up at 4am for the flight back to the States. It was so great having them here!

I've been tagged

I've think I've been "tagged" by Kim F (still not sure if I'm Susan "M", as I still naturally consider myself to be Susan "C")... Anyway, being tagged by another blogger means that I need to post 7 interesting things about myself on our blog. I'll cheat a little bit and include interesting things about Mike too.

1.) I have a life goal of staying above my age in the number of countries visited. So far I'm at 43 (with S Korea and Maldives coming up in the next month I'll be at 45), so I have a few years to rest up if I like.

2.) Mike and I once had a contest that started the very first semester of college: whoever got the highest GPA by graduation would get treated to a Boundary Waters trip by the other. We compared GPAs every semester with Mike ahead at first, then Susan pulling ahead 1st semester senior year. It finally ended in a complete tie! - down to the 5th decimal place. It was a bit anticlimactic, but we did hold true to our Boundary Waters trips - for 14 years so far.

3.) Mike and I were 7th grade cooking partners. It is there I realized his artistic talents - he preferred to DRAW the food instead of cook it. He has definitely change over the years - he has assumed the cooking responsibilities and is always on the lookout for good recipes - esp good marinades.

4.) I once met Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf. A Pakistani Cargill colleague invited several of his co-workers to his wedding in Pakistan. My colleague's was a general in the army and General Musharraf was at the wedding. We all met him and had our photo with him. This was in 2000 before his name became recognized worldwide.

5.) Mike holds a St Olaf track and field record for the one and only time he has done a pentathalon. He has decided to train for a triathalon in Indonesia this coming May. Knowing Mike, he'll probably win that too.

6.) I have a really bad memory - my family reminds of this all the time. Other people in my life can remember exact dates of snowstorms from 20 year ago, who they went to movies with 5 years ago, and every ingredient in a recipe they made 2 years ago. I have a hard time remembering what I ate for dinner last night.

7.) Mike's very first job was at Dairy Queen (if you don't count his paper route). Every time we hit a Dairy Queen he reminds me how much that Peanut Buster Parfait cost 20+ years ago. He also claims to have sold the very first Blizzard in Minnesota.

Now, my other blogger friends, you are now tagged! Rob S, Joshua, Carrie M.

Sport & Zoe come to Singapore

Their journey began on November 7 when they were rudely woken from naps, placed into travel cages and sent to the airport. After lenghty layovers in New York and Amsterdam, they arrived at the Singpaore airport, were inspected and transported to the quarantine site. There they endured 30 days together in a closet-sized room (cell number 32) with little to do but daydream of better days chasing birds. After a month they were released and brought home, a little worse for the wear. Upon arrival, they inspected nearly every square foot of the condo (including the balcony ledge) and found it to be suitable. Sport and Zoe are now happily situated in their new den. You might notice in the photos some changes in appearance from beginning to end of their month in captivity... Click on the photo for more.

Party Time

Mike arrived just in time to partake in Cargill's annual holiday Dine & Dance, with a Musical Masquerade theme this year. The highlight no doubt was Christina's heart-wrenching rendition of "Hopelessly Devoted to You". Video available upon request. Click photo to see more...

Thanksgiving

We enjoyed not one but two Thanksgiving feasts this year. An outdoor potluck buffet with roast turkey on Thanksgiving day was followed by grilled steaks with the Spence family on Friday. The only thing missing was some quality time on the couch watching football.

Mike arrives in Singapore!

So after a few hectic weeks of wrapping up business and saying farewells at work, enjoying some final Nook burgers & Cosetta's pizza with friends, sending off the cats and packing up the house, I finally boarded my plane with my iPod and the new Vince Flynn novel in hand. Twenty four hours later, I landed in Singapore, was met by Susan at the airport and we headed to our new home.

In the photo, I have just polished off a filet at the Raffles steakhouse (thanks Tostruds). You may notice that I am a much faster eater than Susan...

Susan's Birthday

I had a fairly mild birthday, which was just fine by me since we had been doing so much celebrating lately, and my new hubby is not yet with me in Singapore. My colleagues took me out to lunch. Afterwards we walked around the Fountain of Wealth (three times for luck). Click on photo for more.

Our Wedding

We had an absolutely wonderful day, despite the torrential rains (I actually loved the rain!). Thanks to all our family and friends who shared the day with us. Thanks also to all those who traveled from so far. Click on the photo for a sneak peek from our awesome photographer. We'll be posting more soon.

Boat Party from United Family

Mike's clinic arranged a farewell and congratulatory party for us on a Mississippi paddle boat. We were really amazed at the whole event...the turnout, the fun, the speeches, the singing, the food, the cake, etc. It really made me realize how much Mike will be missed when he moves to Singapore, and I know he will miss them too. Click on the photo for more.

Pre-Wedding Events in Singapore

Arranged by my old friend Christina, some new friends in Singapore took me out for a Hen Party (a.k.a. bachelorette party). My Treasury team also arranged a fun girl's night. I was given some fun girly things for the honeymoon! :) Click on the photo for more.

Some recent Singapore events

In August Singapore celebrates its National Day - the day Singapore gained independence (when Malaysia kicked them out of their country). I enjoyed the evening with some good friends Ali (and his family) and Rahul at a bar on the waterfront next to my condo. There were fireworks all weekend - taken from my bedroom window. Click on the photo for more.



In early September Cargill had a "Family Day" when every employee could bring their family up for a resort weekend in Malaysia. It was a bit rainy as you can see, but that didn't stop the avid golfers. Click on the photo for more.

Indonesia Plantation Visit

I had another trip to a Cargill plantation in August. This one in Indonesia. Click on the photo for more.

We're Engaged!

Mike popped the question while I was back home for some meetings! He'll be joining me in Singapore in November ~ and we may just have the wedding before then!



And just for fun... photo from senior prom almost 20 years ago..yikes!

Another visit from Mike

Mike came for another visit in June. It was a quick but really fun visit. These photos are from a little excursion to one of Singapore's other islands (city of Singapore in the background). Click on photo for more.

Singapore Twister

Yesterday there was a huge waterspout off the coast of Singapore, not far from my condo (my condo window is in lower right hand corner). I wasn't lucky enough to have seen it myself. :(

Cabin weekend

Megan and I went up to the cabin for the weekend - a nice, relaxing time, though a bit chilly! We helped Bob put in the dock and boat for the summer.

Visiting friends back home

While I didn't have a lot of time to see many people I'd like to, I was able to see a few. Here are some photos from a visit with Sandra, an outing with my godchild Ben, and a BBQ with my gradeschool classmates. Click on photo for more.

Mother's Day

I was lucky enough to be back in the Twin Cities for some meetings for a couple weeks that spanned Mother's Day weekend. So I didn't have to break the annual tradition: Race for the Cure and brunch at the Yacht Club.

Papua New Guinea

Last week I went to Papua New Guinea to visit one of Cargill's palm oil plantations. It was a great experience. In all the years I've worked at Cargill, I have just started seeing our facilities, and this one was a highlight. I was able to go with Christina and a couple other colleagues. Traveling to and from the remote location took a bit of time (8 hours flight to Australia, 3 hours flight to Port Moresby Papua New Guinea, 2 hours flight in prop plane to Alotau Papua New Guinea) - but all well worth it. The area is very remote, so the company must house all employees and build its own schools and clinics. We have over 1,000 workers at this plantation and four schools and clinics. Click the photo for more.

New Delhi, India

The finance leadership team had semi-annual meetings in the New Delhi offices. I was a bit tired because I flew straight from Australia - Singapore - New Delhi - but was a good meeting. We had a couple dinners with the local teams and had a few hours to tour around Delhi. But it was HOT! About 42 degrees that day. Click the photo for more

Australia - Ryan Scanlon's Baptism

Jen and Antony asked me to be the godmother to their first child, Ryan Cullen Scanlon, born on December 20, 2006. The baptism was on a gorgeous day April 14. It was fun to see so many people that had come to Minnesota for their wedding. I also stopped by to see the Kennys, dear family friends from Mom's growing-up days in Sydney. Click on the photo for more.

Easter Egg Hunt

On Easter Sunday I hosted a brunch for some friends and their kids: The Spences, The Guptas, The Patels, Ali Syed. It was a Christian holiday celebrated together with my Christians, Muslim and Hindu friends. The kids loved the easter egg hunt.

Treasury Team BBQ

I had my Treasury team over for a BBQ and cards on April 5. Click on the photo for more.

The Scanlons come to visit

Jen and Antony came through Singapore on their way to Australia. It was great to see them and meet my new godchild. I'll post photos as soon as they send them to me!

The Wedl's come to visit

My dear dear friends Megan and John Wedl came to visit in February during Chinese New Year, and yay, Megan's sister Ann came too! We had such a fantastic time touring around Singapore and taking a side trip to Phuket, Thailand - ahhhh. I was so sad to see them leave, but look forward to their visit next year.

Kristy and Lesley visit

In January Treasury had a global meeting here in Singapore. My friends Kristy and Lesley stayed with me the weekend prior to explore Singapore. We further explored with the full treasury team during the week. Click for more photos

Minnesota in January

I went to Minnesota for a quick week of meetings (too short to see many friends), but was able to see my Pea Green Palace Gals, and make a trip up with Mike and family to the cabin in Grand Rapids. There was no snow, so ice skating 8 miles across the lake and back was no problem! Click photo for more.

Christmas with the Spences

My very good friends Christina and Rob Spence moved to Singapore about a year before I did (it made it quite easy for me to decide to move as well!). They have two adorable kids, Liam and Nolan. We conveniently live in the same apartment complex. It was great to spend Christmas with my Singapore family! Click the photo for more.

My apartment

This is my apartment at Pebble Bay - fully decorated thanks to Mom's help! Click on the photo for more.

Mom came to help out

My came in December to help me get settled. She came all that way for just five days, but boy, did it make a difference. Thanks Mom!

This is photo of Mom with Christina's son, Nolan.

Thanksgiving

I had some meetings back in Minneapolis in November - perfect timing to get to Florida with my family for Thanksgiving!!

My first visitor!

Mike came to visit even before I was in my new apartment. What fun to have someone to explore the city with! Click the photo for more.

Something about Singapore

Here are some photos from around Singapore - just to give you a feel for the place.

Finally some communication!

Well it's been 6 full months that I've been in Singapore. Time flies, doesn't it? It's been a good 6 months....exciting to get settled in new place and start exploring the region. Since leaving Saint Paul in mid-September, I've been to Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam, Indonesia (twice), Australia (twice), Thailand, India and London. A couple work trips back to Minnesota and several visitors to Singapore have made me feel sometimes like I never left home. A Saint Paul phone number and a Slingbox (a contraption that let's me watch Twin Cities television from Singapore) also help to make the world feel a lot smaller than it is. Now, if we can only figure out how to get us all on the same time zone...

I never thought mass-communication like a blog would be my style, but since I've been so horrible with communication I'm going to give it a try.