This is a bit of a long post, but only because there's so much fun to share :)

Day 17

The adventures begun before I’d even got to work today. As I walked into the kitchen to get my breakfast, I saw all my apple cores from yesterday’s apples thrown across the kitchen as if it had been hit by the wildest thunderstom. But after a moment, I saw the culprit. A rather large bird had managed to get into the kitchen through the window and was flapping around like crazy. So for the second time in my life, I took on a bird until it eventually flew out. (The first time was when a pigeon flew into my room at uni and I forced it out using my big clock, and this time, I had to use someone else’s frying pan... So again, almost like the Friends episode where Rachel manages to capture the pigeon! But I wasn’t quite so skilled sadly).

Work was slightly less eventful – I worked on my report about student engagement and read some really interesting theories about how to (sneakily) change people’s behaviour. For lunch our office decided to have a staff outing, which was quite exciting actually. We got into a car and off we drove out of the university campus and to a huge traditional food court, which was (of course) very yummy.

And the evening was equally tasty, as I went back to the Thai restaurant which I’d visited in Holland Village in my first few days here. This time, I was with another friend from home (Singapore is definitely the meeting room of the world at the moment!) We had a really great catch up and exchanged every thought and impression of life in Singapore whilst laughing away and sipping ridiculously bright pink dragon fruit juice.

Day 18

I actually managed to finish off some things at work today, which felt quite good! Over lunch time, we somehow managed to develop an extensive spy plot about one of our colleagues, which may sound a bit random but for some reason was absolutely hilarious (because it involved him stealing one of the huge paper owls from the university’s sustainability campaign along with other equally GREAT plot lines – I think that says it all about our novel writing ability really!)  

After work I went to an exhibition about heritage in Singapore which my friend had taken part in. It was so interesting to read more about some of the areas which I’d been to, and to hear the narratives which have been sidelined by my guide book!

I can’t stay in my room for too long because it’s quite warm, and this meant that it was time to find yet another new place to explore. Everyone keeps saying that Singapore is so safe that I could just get off at a random train station and see what I find. I was also getting a bit tired of using the map and planning routes, so I decided to test this theory out! In terms of safety, it was 100% true. But in terms of what I found... I found a huge area of warehouses, cranes and other building related things and ended up walking along a footpath lining the motorway for quite a while. I guess it was yet another side to Singapore which I hadn’t seen yet! But eventually I came to a cool area which I recognised to be close to the centre, where there were lots of very fancy hotels and elaborate buildings (so the plan wasn’t completely silly J)

Back at home, it was after midnight – the perfect time to do some laundry! I wondered around the crazy accommodation until I found the washing machines. The machine swallowed up my money several times without switching on (who knows what I was doing wrong) but was happy to take money from my transport card – I don’t know what the link between transport and washing is, but my clothes emerged clean!

Day 19

The weekend was here again, and the sky was a brilliant blue (it had been a bit stormy the past few days). This was great news because we’d arranged to go to the beach today, so it was sun cream on, sun hat in hand and off I went. We strolled across the footbridge to Sentosa, the island which is home to the Universal Studios along with many other things, and there we found Palawan beach. The sand is all imported, but when I saw how wonderfully white and soft it was, I didn’t really mind. And there were palm trees of every shape and size! J

I was introduced to another lovely local and the four of us just spent the day relaxing on the beach until our hearts were content. The water was refreshingly gentle and they decided to bury me in the sand (which was very hot, but also very funny). As the day went on, we walked along the shoreline to see the other beaches of Sentosa. We stopped at Siloso beach, where we watched a sunset which looked just like the postcards of incredible tropical beach sunsets which I’d seen (only much better!)

When it got late, we wondered back to mainland Singapore and had an amazing dinner on the roof of the Vivo shopping centre, from which we could observe the flickering lights of Sentosa along with the perfectly clear night sky.

Day 20

Today I took a trip back to the Botanical gardens, which seemed like a different world to the gardens which I’d got lost in on a night at the beginning of my trip! This time, they appeared pristinely maintained and filled with plants to suit every personality. My personal highlights were definitely the healing garden and the ginger garden (who knew that there were so many different types of ginger!?) My friend and I had fun following the winding paths until it was time to find retreat from the scorching sun (in the form of lunch J)

I spent the afternoon in a café with my book, which was exactly what I needed. I’m reading Memoirs of a Geisha, which I’m finding to be a beautiful and very moving read. Then I met a friend from home to explore Geyalng – an area in which everyone seemed to be relishing life amongst the colourful market stalls and endless local eateries. As well as seeing a few temples, here I experienced a tropical fruit education like never before. I finally tried Durain (which is considered ‘the king of fruits’ here), along with so many delicious others (longan, lychee, mangosteen…), some of which I previously didn’t even know existed!

We took the train to another station – Lavender – for a deliciously nourishing noodle-soup dinner and then wondered through the residential area, getting a feel for local life. After a weekend of basking in the sunshine and yet more Singaporean fun, a long sleep was very welcome indeed.  

Day 21

Hmm I think I managed about one hour of proper work today. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, we had the whole week ahead to get things done (and the boss was on leave... Not that this last reason has anything to do with it J)! At around 10ish, the girls from our office and I went out for a yummy fruit snack, then I replied to some very important sustainability-related (and Facebook mediated) correspondences and before I knew it, it was lunch time. Naturally, to fit the mood of the day, we had a rather long lunch and used our time wisely to discuss every world issue which came to mind. I’m finding Malaysian politics especially interesting (mostly because of the entertaining way in which one of my colleagues tells all of his stories)!

After work I'd arranged to meet a local Singaporean friend who I study at uni with. Him and his friend promised me a 'foodie adventure', which is exactly what I got! Not that I want to keep writing about the food here, but it's just so good J I especially loved the presentation of rice in woven palm leaves! After several stops at different munching places, we walked through the local area and I enjoyed the relative peacefulness of the place compared to the busy and exciting central areas. The evening flew by, and luckily I just made the last train home!

Day 22

Back to work today! I had a mini meeting with my boss in which I filled her in on some of my ideas and findings, and she gave me yet more things to work on. At least having lots of things to do means that I can choose which ones to work on depending on my mood... However, sometimes online research is very conducive to distractions, especially when I click on the 'related pages' which are only veeery distantly related to the topic I'm working on.

To celebrate a colleagues birthday, we went to a fancy Chinese restaurant for lunch. My food education is deepening further as I'm learning that there isn't just 'Chinese food', but different types of food in different regions (food + geography = perfect!) 

I've brought my flute to Singapore but somehow only got round to playing it today. And even that didn't last long because my room was just too hot! So I went for a lovely long walk around the university campus instead, and then had a great skype chat with my super-sis.

Day 23

Having lots of projects to be working on means that I have to decide which one to start with, which is tricky! First I worked on developing some 'sustainable living tips' for their sustainability postcards (which are so cute!) and then did some work on my Eco-foodcourts project.     

I decided that I couldn’t abandon my bunny hopping buddies, so despite the ridiculous heat, off I went into Clarke Quay after work. I survived another week, even though everyone admitted that today’s routine had been even more of a killer than usual. BUT I didn’t mind because tonight I had something to look forward to afterwards – I knew that I would be spending the evening at the club at the top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Now, this is no ordinary hotel, but arguably the most iconic and architecturally stunning hotel in Singapore. The club is in the sky park on the top, which is floor 57, and I think that says it all. The view of the night-time Singapore was absolutely mesmerising! And to add to the greatness of it all, it was ‘Ladies Night’ which meant free entry and a free drink, to a place which is usually very expensive. What can I say, go ladies, and thank you very much! J

I met two wonderful girls in the lift on the way up and we had an amazing time dancing before I found my other friend. We moved on to another club a bit later (bearing in mind that this is Wednesday!) and had fun there too, but there is nothing quite like that view on the top of MBS...

Day 24

I actually woke up before my alarm and made it to work before 8.30am. Who needs sleep? But I dooo... My level of productivity wasn’t great today, but I tried my best (haha) J I had delicious Indian food for lunch (and they again laughed at me because I ate it with chop sticks, which is weird... apparently!)

In the evening I went to see a film screening of Les Miserables, which was just the right thing for tonight. I wasn’t convinced by the singing at first, but then I got into it and enjoyed it very much... And of course my friend and I walked home filled with emotion and a strong desire to sing all the songs rather loudly (which is exactly what we did.)

Day 25

Today was the actual birthday of one of my colleagues, so we went out for a great lunch (again!!) For his birthday I made him a mini person/robot out of fully recycled materials J so today was quite chilled once more (again, this is clearly unrelated, but our boss was on leave today too...) On the way to the lunch place, my colleague and I actually managed to come up with some great Eco-foodcourt messages, so let’s assume that some important work got done today. And anyway, it’s Friday, which means that there needs to be a work pause (even in the world of eco-warriors, who have a duty to spread their message wherever they go and whatever day it may be... which is what I’m trying my very best to do actually).

In the evening, I realised that life can be a very funny thing; even though I’ve thought this many a time before, I never cease to be amazed at some of the things which happen.

I’d seen a poster for a soloist violin concert for this evening, and at the last minute decided to go along. I went straight from work and it took me a while to find the place, but finally I arrived (10 minutes late, having ran from the train station and having managed to step in some paint and slightly anger the painters in the process). The venue was a wonderfully cosy music and arts centre which had only recently been set up. Luckily the concert hadn’t started yet, and a lovely lady welcomed me in and showed me around the place.

The concert was very moving and a real treat, both to the ears and to the soul. Then, as I looked around, I soon realised that the event had a rather familiar Russian feel to it. As it turned out, the performer was Russian and that many Russians were behind the setting up of this centre. The violinist’s Dad is a professional flautist (yay!), and on top of all of this, the performer’s friend who came to watch the concert is a Singaporean who now lives in London!! Such a small centre, and so many unbelievable links... So I chatted to everyone (in Russian and English) and enjoyed the grandma’s delicious Russian cooking – so now I’ve had Russian food here too!!

After the concert there was an art workshop, in which they sat us all down at easels and taught us about drawing apples (of all things!) It was fun, and really interesting to learn some proper drawing theories and techniques. Then the violinist, his London friend (who also turned out to be a musician) and I carried on our conversations in a great little bar, where there was soothing live jazz and tropical cocktails. So there we are, I’ve now met the Singaporean-Russians, and what I’d planned as a short concert and a quiet night in, turned out to be a really special evening after which I only just made the last train home (again!)