Goals

Every so often, I think it's important to set goals in life.  Goals and plans can change (and in my case, they change often!)  But it's still important to have something you are going towards, otherwise you are just going through the motions of life.  My life took a completely unexpected turn in March when I was offered this job in Singapore.  I never, ever would have guessed I would end up in some country I knew nothing about.  The first couple months, I had to adapt to a new lifestyle, new culture, and new job.  Now that I have adjusted well and everything is going smoothly, it's time to set some goals to work towards while I am here in Singapore!  

1)  Save 10-20% of my monthly paycheck until I get to the point I can live for 3-6 months without working!  :)

2)  Pay off those damn little pieces of plastic that I got into trouble with in chiro school...oops :-/

3)  Be the best chiropractor I can be for my patients!

4)  Plan a trip to Europe at the end of my stay here in Singapore: Germany-to see my roommate and friend from here, and Italy-because I've always wanted to go :)

5)  Learn a new skill while I am here

6)  Learn everything I can about running and growing a business while I'm here (and possibly take this model to a big city in the US??)  

7)  Enjoy life to the fullest!!! :)

Visitors!!

Okay, so it's not for awhile but eventually I'm going to have some visitors at the end of the year!  We are in the process of planning a visit for my mom, my cousin, and my mom's friend to come see me in Singapore.  Tentatively, they will be here around Dec 27th-Jan 9th :)  I am SO excited!!  By this time, it will have been the longest length of time I have gone without seeing any family or friends from back home.  I had my first wave of homesickness last week.  It was more like people-sick (not really a term...I know :-P); but I missed the people back in the US more than the actual US.  I have a friend that lives here who has been away from home for almost two years now...She said the homesickness comes in waves for her.  I am sure by December that I will have gone through a couple more bouts of it and family coming to visit me will be just what I need! (Especially right after the holidays!!) :)

Who else is coming to visit me all the way in Sing Sing?? ;-)   

Life

Time is flying by!!  I blink and it's already Friday.  I've always heard that time goes by faster, the older you get.  OH MY, how this is so true!!  I feel like I'm definitely settled into my life in Singapore at this point.  I have my job, my friends, my routines, my weekends of relaxation and fun.  One moment it's the beginning of the month, the next minute it's already the last week of the month.  It's always a little bit scary when you realize this.  It makes you stop and think for a second, is my life going the direction I want it to, am I enjoying life for all it is, am I making the most of my time here?  I am definitely enjoying my life here and where it is right now. :)  I like the direction it could be going; but do we ever really know what direction it's going for sure?  We can plan all we want, but ultimately I think the universe puts us exactly where we are suppose to be in each moment.  And it's up to us to make the most of that moment no matter how big or small.   Sometimes I wonder about the last question.  Am I making the most of my time, is there more I can be doing, if so what else is it that I could be doing?  I think my plate is pretty full right now without overwhelming myself...I think right now I'm suppose to be the best chiropractor I can be and learn as much as possible while I am here, and enoy this country as much as possible while I am here!               

History Lesson

I am not sure if living in another culture has provoked this, but all of the sudden I'm really interested in my family history and where I come from.  I asked my mom about my birth story for the first time in my life at 28 years old.  Is this strange??  Is it abnormal that I've just went about my whole life not wondering about the day I was born??  Currently I am reading this book that my mom sent me for my birthday.  I've never been that interested in history.  I read the back of the book and was kind of like 'yawn', this is going to be booring.  BUT, since my mom sent it all the way to Singapore for my birthday, I figured I better give it a shot.  By chapter 2 or 3, I am fascinated with this book.  It transitions back and forth between the present time and World War II era.  The present time is about the story of this woman who is a history professor that was born during World War II in Germany.  Her mother has always been hush, hush about the past and would never speak of it.  I haven't gotten too far in the book yet, but I get the sense that the present day story is about this woman's journey to finding out about her past and where she came from.  The part of the book that takes place in World War II era, is about this woman's mother who lived during the war with her as a baby.  I look forward to lunchtime every day where I can go sit at one of my favorite lunch spots and read this book. :)

What have I learned so far?  My great grandmother came to the US from Ireland when she was just 16 years old with her sister.  This is something that inspired me the morning I was getting ready to leave for Singapore and was in freak-out mode and thinking, "What am I doing???"  My mom said, just think of your great grandmother coming over to Ireland in the late 1800s on a boat with nothing (well maybe a small suitcase??).  Her and her sister lived with a family that sponsored immigrants; they worked as a cook and a maid.  The rest of my great grandparents were born in America.  So I'm pretty pure blooded American. :-)  I'm pretty sure my last name is English, still waiting for confirmation on that.  To be cont....

Where do your parents, grandparents, or great grandparents come from? :)

Three months part 2

Some more tidbits and thoughts from the three month mark:

I like the simple life, uncluttered by stuff.

I still have no real sense of how long I will be here.  I hope that it will be for about 2 years or so, but deep down I don't feel like it's going to end up being that length of time.

I miss getting into my car, plugging in my mp3 player and taking a weekend road trip to visit a friend.

I'm a city girl at heart.  I sometimes think about what cities I would move to if I move back to the US at some point.

Being so far away makes all the "what's going on" news back home seem exaggerated.  I keep wondering did this much stuff always happen in 3 months time??

It's been 2 and half years since I've seen one of my bests from chiro school.  I miss you D!!     

I still love being a chiropractor.  I think about possibly going to teach at a chiropractic school one day because I also love the academia world also.  Chiropractic school is a journey that changed me forever and what an awesome thing it would be to be a part of the future generation of chiropractors' journey.

I still really enjoy living here. :) 

Three months

Tomorrow marks my three month anniversary of being in Singapore.  I feel like I've been here for much longer than that even though three months is not a long time; I think the longest I've gone without visiting home is about 4 months during chiropractic school.  What have I learned and what kind of thoughts are going on in my head now that I've been here the length of a 'summer'?

• I have a much greater appreciation for the asian culture than I ever imagined I would in my life.  I honestly was never even interested in Asia until I got the job here.  European countries have always been my primary fascination of places overseas.  So it is well known that Americans are the worst when it comes to geography (I didn't even know where Singapore was when I found the job ad).  There's so many Asian countries you hear of but have no idea where they are.  Now I have a much greater understanding for Asian geography and where countries are and a brief understanding of the different cultures of many of these countries.  Asia will forever be a part of me now.
• I have a greater appreciation for my home country and the comforts of America.  At this point, I can't even imagine what it will be like to walk through the airport whenever I come back to visit and be among a crowd of American English speaking white people.  I have become used to being a minority here and am quite comfortable with it now.  It has been a tremendous growth experience getting me out of my comfort zone.  
• I know I talk slightly differently so that my patients and people around here can better understand me.  I am now probably speaking a mixture of Singlish, UK English, Australian English, European English all combined into one.  Whew!  Things that I've noticed I do when I talk: I raise my voice towards the end of my sentences when explaining things to patients.  I omit words from my sentences which probably stems from the Europeans whose second language is English.  I use contractions a lot less; I know this one definitely comes from being around my German roommate. I use words like "lovely" and "pleasant". :)
• I have become a much better chiropractor in just the three months that I've been here.  My boss is very knowledgeable, as she was a nurse in Austria before she moved to the US and went to chiro school.  She has taught me a lot clinically and also helped me become a much better adjuster as well.  I know that we are forever students and I will always be learning over the years, but I feel like there isn't too much I wouldn't be able to handle in the chiropractic setting.  
• I am getting to see yet another way to practice chiropractic.  I have been lucky to have been involved in 8 different practices over the last 13 years: as a patient for 13 years, a CA (chiropractic assistant) for 4 years during undergrad at two different offices, an intern for a trimester, a doctor at 4 different offices.  This doesn't even include observation days and interviews over the years.  If I ever choose to open my own office one day, I will have lots of ideas and tools to choose from! :)
• It is weird that I am so far away from home.  It's unfathomable at times how far away I really am.  The last couple months I was in Ohio, I took for granted how easy it would've been to drive 8-9 hours or less to see some friends I haven't seen in a year or two.  I wish I would've taken advantage of that opportunity...:-/      
• You really realize what the most important things to you in life are.  Everyone is driven by different things in life; whether it be climbing to the top of the corporate ladder, having a fulfilling career doing whatever it is that you like to do, raising a family and having lots of kids, running a race every year, visiting every state in the US, opening a business, whatever it may be.  Traveling and having new adventures drives me.  It makes me the happiest.  Developing good quality friendships with people I connect with fulfills me.  I have been blessed to find that this can happen no matter where I live.          

Day One

I had my friend change my facebook password yesterday in the event that I get tempted one day to sneak on there.  Today is the first full day of not being on there.  I am realizing how much time I really spent on there...especially to fill up boredom time at work.  I am not proud how attached to the site I was... Not having gone on there in the last 24 hours, I feel just a teensy bit less anxious today.  Again not proud, but it's crazy how much more free time I have because I am not on there all the time.  After moving here, I figured it will be a really good way to keep up with people and know what's going on back home.  But I am realizing that the people who really and truly matter in my life; well we will keep in contact via email and skype because we are actually friends and not facebook 'friends'.  Just to show you an example of this point:  I looked up August birthdays to make sure I remembered to email those who are important to me (sorry I don't remember when everyone's birthdays are...), I only came up with 4 people that I really and truly will be wishing happy birthday to over the next month and half.  I even had time to start reading Ukelele for beginners online this morning. :)  Next weekend I will try out my friends ukelele at his party to see if I enjoy it.  Why did I choose the Ukelele as my potential new hobby?  It's small, easily transportable, I learned a couple chords on the guitar before and enjoyed it so this will be similar to that, and you can get one for really cheap here. :-D    

How much time do you really spend on facebook?  What are the positives and negatives about facebook?

Facebook Fast

Facebook has taken over the world.  You can't go on any website without seeing the facebook symbol for you to "like" whatever page you are on.  It is the new source of world news, engagement annoucements, news of pregnancies, who's with who, and how much ppl either love or hate their life.  Once I became a professional I deleted a lot of pictures, simplified my profile, and only posted positive statuses, quotes or big news.  I think I've kept up with that pretty well (or at least I hope!) :) 

I admit that I spend a little way too much time on facebook.  I don't think it's mentally or emotionally healthy to be so consumed with it.  During my long run today I decided that I am going on a facebook fast.  I stayed off for a month, two summers ago and I know it won't be a problem staying off.  My fast is going to be until Sept 1st.  No reason why I chose September 1st; really just an arbitrary date.  Oh what will I do with all that free time?? :-P  Possibly learn to play the ukelele??  I just might..... :)          

This pink one is pretty sweet, lah??

Half Marathon

I am officially signed up for a half marathon Sunday Sept 4th and I am pumped! :)  (I know, I know...who gets excited about running 21K/13.1miles??)  I love the feeling when I cross that finish line....I'm pretty sure I had tears in my eyes last year when I crossed the Columbus half finish line.  You train for weeks and weeks, you have good runs and not-so-good runs, and the day finally comes.  You are excited, nervous, maybe even thinking 'what the h*ll did I get myself into??'  But you signed up, you trained, and now you're there at the start line.  You just have to go for it and do your best!  The adrenaline rush you feel and the excitement of the crowd gets you pumped up before the race starts and it is an amazing feeling.  Then when you cross the finish line, the sense of accomplishment is incredible.  Once I finish a half marathon, my legs are in quite a bit of pain and I usually think, 'I'm never doing that again'.  Then I take the winter off running, I get amnesia as to how much pain I felt after the race, then spring comes and I'm ready to run again.  By summertime, I'm ready to have something to work towards, and I end up signing up for another half.  So here I am again 9 months after my last half, and signed up and ready to go in September!

When I train, I am not hardcore and don't stick to a definite training plan.  For several reasons, a) I never stick exactly to the schedule, things come up and you have to change running days, etc b) I am not doing it for time c) You can't predict when you are going to have good running days and bad running days so I would rather just go with the flow, and finally d) It takes all the fun out of running if I know I have to do exactly this on this day and so on.  My basic goal this training season is to run 3-5 miles 2-3 times a week, then a long run on the weekends, adding more mileage each weekend as I get closer to the race.  A patient told me about this place called the MacRitchie reservoir that has a loop that is 12k around that I plan to check out this weekend when I go for a long run.  I know the MacRitchie reservoir has monkeys too! :) :)     

Have a nice weekend readers! :)

Bangkok, Thailand

I am officially booked for my next weekend trip out of Singapore!  The last weekend in July, I am going to Bangkok, Thailand with my roommate before she heads back to Germany in early August.  Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and one of the top international tourist destinations in the world.  It's only a quick hour and a half plane ride from Singapore.  Bangkok was featured in the latest comedy hit, Hangover 2. :)  It will just be a weekend overnight trip, but I know we're going to have a good time (maybe even too good of a time :-P)!       

Runner's High

Hello my loyal blog readers...I've missed you over the weekend! :)

I have not been happy with my workout habits since I've been in Singapore (or should I say lack thereof).  After my weekend away last weekend, I did not have time to decompress because we got back late Sunday night, just to go right to work early Monday morning.  Now that I was able to relax over this past weekend, it was time to get into some kind of routine.  Originally I was going to join California fitness which has fun classes and lots of equipment.  Gym memberships are quite expensive here in Singapore, so instead I decided to invest in a good pair of running shoes and get back into running.  I would rather use that gym membership money to travel somewhere once a month outside of Singapore :) 

I found a pair of good running shoes in my favorite brand on sale today...Score!! :)  I couldn't delay it any longer, so I knew that no matter what I was going for my first run after work today.  Even if it ended up being a mile, I had to do it.  I have been dreading it because of how humid it can get here.  I get home from work anywhere between 6pm and 7pm, so I figured the humidity wouldn't be as bad since the sun starts going down around 7:30pm. 

Today I got out there around 6pm.  I walked to the streets behind my condo to find a good place to run since I knew the traffic would be less that way.  I found the perfect running spot; there is a loop around a few condos a couple of streets behind my condo.  I estimate it to be somewhere between .5 and .9 mile long.  I know that's a horrible estimate, but I'm not a good judge of distances.  So between running down the streets and around the loop around 5 times, I estimate I ran somewhere between 3 and 3.5 miles??  I did fine in the humidity and had no problems with breathing.  Even though I didn't feel the humidity during the run, it must have been because I was drenched in sweat when I got home (and I do not sweat that much ever).  But It felt absolutely great to run again!  I've ran a half marathon once a year since 2008 and hope to continue that trend this year.  There is a half marathon/marathon in December in Singapore which is huge.  If all is going well by fall, then it will be my goal to run the half here. :)     

What's your favorite workout that gets you going??

Quote

Here is a good quote to supplement my last blog and perhaps my blog in general. :-D




People take different roads seeking fulfillment & happiness.  Just because they're not on your  road doesn't mean they've gotten lost. -Dalai Lama

WEIP?

My dad asked me today on facebook chat why do I hate Cleveland?  I was completely taken aback, I didn't know anyone still thought that.  I absolutely don't hate Cleveland at all.  (In moments of extreme unhappiness, I admit I have probably said these very words.  It is my impulsive and emotional nature :-/)  Cleveland is near and dear to my heart and will always be my home.  When people here make a look, like oh there's nothing in Cleveland, I always defend Cle.  Cleveland is a great place to be and has so much to offer!  There are four seasons for those who enjoy the change in seasons (winter tends to last a little longer that most would like...but then hey all of the sudden it's summer).  Cle has every professional sports team possible.  There are museums and culture to enjoy.  Not to mention the array of fabulous restaurants and clubs downtown.  Plenty of nice parks and trails to enjoy nature.  And you're right by the lake. :)  

It can be hard to explain to one why I am not happy living there at this point in my life, especially when it has so much to offer including my amazing and supportive friends and family who are some of the most fun people to hang out with.  They really are the best anyone could ask for and I am blessed beyond belief to have them all.  Cle right now is very confining and suffocating for me personally.  What thrills me and makes me tick is traveling, meeting new people, and having completely new and unique experiences.  It gives me pure joy.  I feel it is my destiny to be out here exploring what this wonderful world has to offer.  Absolutely for myself and maybe for those who don't have the privilege or desire to. :)  If anything, I hope I have inspired people to not be so afraid of what's out there.  That it's okay to try new things and that absolutely anything in this world is 

possible. :) hdigabtt?

Pulau Tioman, Malaysia part two

Since we were staying on the east side of the island, we decided to get up early and watch the sun rise (I've always wanted to do this!)  We got up quite early and were waiting awhile but when the sun finally came up behind the mountains of the island it was worth it.  Watching the sunset and sunrise are two things everyone must do once in their life, along with star gazing.  It is a beautiful and amazing universe out there and should take a moment in our busy lives to appreciate it every once in awhile. :)  Being among nature can be a very spiritual and peaceful thing.  It's good for the soul :-D

Our resort was a row of little houses where we stayed.  The outside was really cute, the inside had two double beds, a nightstand, and a bathroom.  It wasn't five star but for the price and beautiful beaches, it was definitely livable. :)  The resort also provided us with breakfast and transport to and from the ferry across the island.  It only cost each of us 75 MYR (malaysian ringgit) which is about 25 USD for resort and transport!  Not a bad deal.  

Breakfast was a buffet of eggs, coconut rice w/ hot sauce and cucumbers, fruit plate, banana bread, toast, and coffee.  Again not bad ;-)  After breakfast we all wanted to take naps, two of us headed to the beach for our naps and two stayed in the air con for their naps.  The sun was shining with not a cloud in the sky w/ only us two inhabiting the beach and the occasional beach walker.  I took in the beauty of the island and the sea and said my thanks to the universe for bringing me to this amazing place!  I spent the morning between dozing off in the sun, cooling off in the ocean, and taking in the beauty of the small island.

Our transport was ready to take us to the other side of the island at 12:30 which left us plenty of time for lunch before the ferry took off at 2pm.  The driver dropped us off at little pizza place and bakery less than 5 minutes from the ferry.  I enjoyed a personal crabstick pizza with mango juice.  The rest of the day was a lot of waiting and traveling on the ferry and buses.

Other than the beautiful islands, I don't like Malaysia.  It is a scary place, especially for 4 young white females.  Crime can be really bad in certain areas and stealing/robbery is huge there (I know two girls who visited the capital of Malaysia and got their wallets stolen).  I kept my purse clutched to my side the whole trip including on the island.  I didn't feel comfortable at all when we were off the islands and on the mainland.  Once I got back into Singapore, I could breathe a lot easier and relax.  Going to Malaysia made me appreciate Singapore a thousand times more than before.  It really is one of the safest places I could have moved to.  Stealing and crime is very, very low here.  Once my bank card and a couple other cards fell out of my wallet as I was walking through the MRT station and someone ran after me to give them to me.  My female chiropractic friend left her wallet in a cab once, and someone called her to get it back to her.  My other friend was on the train and had someone let her know that her purse was unzipped.  I'm grateful to be somewhere so safe! :)

Have you ever watched the sunrise or sunset?  Where at? :)                         

Pulua Tioman, Malaysia part one

I went away for my first weekend out of Singapore which was much needed after 2 and a half months of being here!  Singapore is a very small country, and if you want to get away for the weekend you are leaving the country.  We decided to head to an island off of the east coast of Malaysia.  Since none of us could leave till Friday night after work, we chose Tioman since it is not too far to get to.  We left very early Saturday morning for a 3 hour bus ride to Mersing, Malaysia which is along the east coast.  Then took a one and a half hour ferry ride to the island of Tioman, followed by a 20 minute car ride across the island to our resort.  The thing about leaving Singapore is that you are leaving the country and have to go through immigration and customs...I didn't even think about this and was not a big fan of the long lines to go through immigration.  We just wanted to get to our island of paradise since we only had Saturday and Sunday morning!!  Aside from immigration, the bus and ferry ride flew by.  We were at our resort by 2pm which wasn't too bad. :)

We all wanted a nice quiet weekend away from Sing city, so we chose the quietest beach on the island, Juaru Beach.  There really was no one else on the beach both days except a few random travelers walking along the beach.  Once we arrived to our resort, we headed to the cafe right by our little hut for some food.  Everything in Malaysia is SO cheap :)  The food was excellent and the fresh squeezed pineapple juice was delicious.  Then we headed straight for the beach and rented some snorkeling gear.  I have never snorkeled in my life before and was really nervous.  I spent my childhood summers at the local pools so I know how to swim pretty good, but being out in the ocean is a completely different story.  I don't like being far out in the water without a boat or something to grab onto if I get tired.  My friends reassured me I would be just fine with the fins and floating out in the sea water.  We hadn't gotten very far out in the water where we couldn't touch and I started freaking out.  Breathing through the scuba mask was brand new to me and I felt like I couldn't breathe.  I wasn't used to the fins on my feet and felt like they would only weigh me down.  I was wondering how the heck I could tread water and swim out here for a long time.  I was panicking and had to go back and get a life vest or I wasn't going to enjoy this at all.

Once I got a life vest on and got rid of the fins, I swam back out and found my friends.  I made myself calm down and learn how to breathe through the snorkel mask.  Once I did this, I started swimming around with the snorkel mask on and I started to see some fish!  There was beautiful coral reef on the bottom and I started to see different types of fish.  I don't know names of fish but I saw really bright blue, small fish.  I saw yellow and black (or blue?) striped fish.  I also saw leopard spotted fish, sea cucumbers, and many schools of tiny silver fish.  Once I got the hang of snorkeling, it was one of the most calming and coolest things I've ever done.  It was so peaceful floating around looking and the beauty of the sea :)  I can't wait to do some more snorkeling around SE Asia now that I know what works best for me.

Snorkeling was followed by some beach relaxing and shell collecting.  We really worked up an appetite from snorkeling and went back to the cafe for dinner and Tigers (of course....) :)  For dinner, I munched on squid fries which is just another name for calamari.  We found out from the waiter that there was one bar down the beach.  The bar was small but was built really cool; it was two floors with the bar being upstairs, and the whole bar was made up of logs.  There was a very small crowd there, so we just relaxed in the lounge chairs upstairs with some cocktails (did i mention super cheap?!) listening to the ocean and played with the little kittens walking around the bar. :)  Later on some locals were twirling around ropes with fire on the ends (I got some cool pics of this, but you will have to check out facebook for these :-P).  We walked down by the water to go back to our resort and the view of the stars were amazing!!  I have never seen so many stars in my life... We just stood out there for awhile and looked up at the stars.  It was beautiful, heavenly, breathtaking, there-are-no-words-to-describe amazing! :)  PURE BLISS...  It was pure unadulterated joy in that moment.

Have you ever seen anything so beautiful in your life that it took your breath away? :)