Things I Miss About the USA

1. Good food. (Cheap food, even if it is Asian, just isn't the same.)
2. Clean bathrooms.
3. Clean showers.
4. Clean hallways.
5. A well-lit, clean shower, without bugs.
6. Izzy and Bob.
7. Window screens.
8. Carpeting.
9. Boots and sweaters.
10. Being able to walk around campus. (Buckley to Northwest has nothing on NUS.)
11. Not having to climb an average of 50 flights of stairs per day.
12. A printer.
13. Driving.
14. Not having to rely on public transportation.
15. Not having to budget a minimum of 30 minutes to travel anywhere.
16. Bus drivers who understand that there are people standing and trying to balance.
17. Being able to sit on buses.
18. Patient drivers.
19. Crossing the street fearlessly.
20. My entire wardrobe.
21. All my shoes.
22. Unlimited texting.
23. Texting KC about anything and everything.
24. A fridge.
25. A microwave.
26. A futon.
27. Snuggling under comforters.
28. Salads.
29. Cereal.
30. MILK.
31. UConn.
32. Class grades based on your own performance, not your performance relative to others.
33. Students who know how to have fun on top of studying.
34. Forever21 that is affordable.
35. Being able to take out money at an ATM not in increments of $50.
36. Store 24, Wings, Husky Pizza, Starbucks.
37. The study lounge.
38. 50 minute classes.
39. My cozy dorm room.
40. 3 ring binders.
41. Spiral bound notebooks.
42. Gum.
43. My cat.
44. My friends.
45. My family. (Even though they're here with me now!)
46. And the list goes on...

Some things I actually like about Singapore:

1. There's always something to do.
2. Never-ending shopping.
3. Every Nation Church Singapore.

Fun With Haga

This weekend promises to be a fun and exciting one, so before I get too ahead of myself, I figured I should keep everyone updated! Pam turned 21 a couple weeks ago, so to celebrate her birthday we went to Kusu Island. On the way, Gina, in all her friendliness, befriended a lone Japanese traveller. Who decided to hang out with us for the rest of the day. This is Haga. Unfortunately, I did not take many pictures with my camera, so the one picture I have of Haga is not very good. (He's hiding there in the corner.)



Here is a better picture of Haga that I stole from Jayne:

Haga is the short little man all the way on the right. Holding Jayne's hand in one hand, and reaching all the way to Gina's shoulder with his other hand. There are too many Haga stories to tell here, but basically he was a lone 39 year old Japanese traveller, carrying with him cubes of cheese and business class Japanese cookies, who barely spoke any English. It made for quite the interesting and exciting day.

The other main highlight of Kusu Island was the plethora of turtles. Kusu does mean tortoise after all.

Last weekend, as if we hadn't already eaten enough during Chinese New Year celebrations, Pam and her dad cooked us a five-course Italian meal. It was by far the best food I have eaten in Singapore so far. Unfortunately, I don't remember the names of all the dishes, but they all looked amazing and tasted just as good.

That's all for now, I'll try to check back in after the weekend. Hope everyone at home is staying warm!

Love,

Reb

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Happy Chinese New Year from Singapore! It's totally different celebrating this holiday in Asia vs. the US. At home, we don't get two days off from school that's for sure! (Although everyone at UConn has had more than enough days off this semester.) Despite popular belief, there is really nothing going on in Chinatown on the eve of Chinese New Year. Marina Bay is where it's at. We saw the most spectacular fireworks at midnight against the best backdrop ever. Apparently, the fireworks show is repeated every night for the next few days so I'm sure we'll be back sometime soon!

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous new year!

Love,

Reb