Thursday, July 31, 2008

I swore at a Singaporean and now I feel bad


As a New Yorker, I have a fair amount of confidence in being able to shmooze my way out of many odd situations. Singaporeans won't work with me!

In order to get a Visa, I spent 5 some odd hours at the immigration building only to be told to return later for not having the appropriate forms filled out. I came back later, appropriate forms in hand, however, I did not have a sufficient form of payment (apparently I cannot use cash, credit cards, or bank cards at immigration?) "We only use cash cards, please purchase one at your local 7/11". What the fuck is a cash card? "Who in this world doesn't fucking accept cash? (that was me when I lost it)". I was so mad I was nearly compelled to spit my already illegal gum on the floor! SIDE NOTE: if you get caught with more then three packs of gum in Singapore, you may face hefty jail time for intent to sell. Four 7/11 trips later, I returned to immigration with two cherry slushies, weird chips and a cash card. On my way to yet another line, I was taken a back by an enthusiastic Singaporean woman who shouted "Madonna" as I strutted by. I figured she was yelling this at me since I was the only white person there. I proceeded to wait on three more lines, bada bing bada boom, I now have a Visa.

Dear Sweet Singaporean lady that I swore at...I am sincerely sorry that I raised my voice at you.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Johor Bahru, Malaysia





Ventured into a weird/sad zoo across the Singaporean border in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The sites included monkeys that could be the poster children for zoloft advertisements, tigers being fed raw chickens, domestic animals eating the grub of the wild animals, and birds the size of me escaping their cages. My favorite oddity was the baby monkey and lion living together harmoniously in a cage! The zoo keeper said they were best friends.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Excercise Videos in Bangkok

In the Grocery Store Check Out Aisle, Singapore


(please click on photo to enlarge)

I think this really may be the saddest tzedakah box that I have ever encountered. Its so so sad. Please help this little spastic child when you are here for a visit.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Bintan Celebrations


This little dude to the right just finished reading the Qur'an in May. This was his coming out celebration in Bintan, Indonesia (A Muslim Bar Mitzvah without the glow sticks, motivators and open bar). It was the most beautiful festivity that I have ever attended; delicious foods, rich colors and delightful people. The family has invited me to a wedding in February. 

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Land mine museum, Siem Reap, Cambodia



In January I visited the Cambodian Land mine museum in Siem Reap with my friend George. Enclosed are images of a bear being blown up by a land mine. They are painted by the founder of the museum, Aki Ra. 

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Peanut Ice Kachang


My favorite dessert in the entire world is Peanut Ice Kachang

Does Peanut Ice Kachang even need an introduction beyond its awesome name and beyond the fact that it tastes like an Ice-cream Sunday that is agreeable to people like my sister who are lactose intolerant? I'll simply provide an image and the...

Ingredients:
sweetened beans
sweetened corn kernels
cubes of gelatin
heaping mounds of shaved ice
chocolate syrup
strawberry syrup
a weird colored syrup
peanuts

P.S. Wouldn't it be amazing to have a baby named "little peanut Ice Kachang?"

The best in Singapore:
Annie's Peanut Ice Kachang
Tanjong Pagar Food Center, Stall No. 02-36, Singapore

Tiger Balm Village

Welcome to my first entry. Its a blog!

Although I have not yet made my grand entrance in Singapore, I have decided to post some exciting images from my previous trip out east. I believe these images from Haw Par Villa (established by the brothers who invented Tiger Balm in order to scare youngsters away from performing unethical deeds) strongly portray how brilliantly weird Asia is.