Earrrrthquakkkkke

Last night Matt wrote, "It might be my imagination, but I think this building is swaying around. The windows started creaking. Maybe that was an earthquake. I'm sure I'll hear about it. People do not look too alarmed down on the street." Several minutes later he emailed, "There was a 7.9 earthquake off of Sumatra, about 250 miles from here. That is what I felt. Cool! I heard that some highrises were evacuated in Singapore. Not mine, though. Still standing."

A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia on Wednesday, revising the preliminary reported 7.9 measurement.

Events Outside

Recent excitement outside had me snapping up photos.

Matt's spider friend sleeping.

No, it's really dead. It spun it's web too close to the door and too close for my comfort.

Get off of my table!

Oh, hello my friend with funny spots. It kept meowing at me.

More Wheels, Less Meals

More photos from the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix qualification race.

Fast car, blurry car.

Fash people, blurry people.

An F1 emergency assistance vehicle.

Meals and Wheels

Food courts are a common sight in Singapore and one conveniently across from Matt's hotel. 

It's a very popular place.

Noodles, fish balls and a Coke.

Breakfast options.

Fish Congee.

Congee is a type of rice porridge that is eaten in many Asian countries primarily as a breakfast food or late supper.

Matt's hotel was in close proximity to Little India. 

Khansama - "Probably the Best North Indian Restaurants in Singapore." Matt noted, "At least they don't make any false claims."

Different looking scooter.

With a little help from a friend, Matt was able to obtain a Formula 1 ticket. Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix is a big deal and a real money generator for the area. Loads of Americans and Europeans arrive and stimulate the economy. 

Approaching the F1 track.

Zoe's Finally Noticed

Zoe's finally noticed that Matt's missing. She's stopped eating and started protesting his departure. It will take her several days to start eating regularly again.

I noticed he was gone when we said our good-byes downtown. He, on his way to the airport, and me on my way to get vaccinations so that I won't get sick when I visit him later. As we parted, I did not hear his luggage wheels rolling against the pavement and fading into the distance, but the loud animal rights protesters chanting, "Fur is murder."

The Gateway to Asia

Singapore is often times considered the most Westernized country in Asia and the gateway to Asia. Singapore is made of different ethnicities like Chinese, Indian and Malay, but as Matt's colleague explained, "It's all one big Chinatown, mate." You may think Matt's colleague is Australian, but he's actually Irish.

Matt said these ants were big, looked like the kind you would find in National Geographic.

As modern and Westernized Singapore is, it is also one of the most strict countries, but consequently very clean and very safe. There are cameras in most public toilets, and you can be fined if you don't flush. Yellow is not mellow; flush it. You can get fined for gum chewing and littering. There have zero tolerance for drugs. Drug trafficking is punishable by death. If you get caught with a joint, you can be executed within a week. No courts, no nothing. Matt's colleague said people get executed on a regular basis for this, even foreigners. As you can imagine, they do not have a drug problem.

This Takes Some Getting Used to

Like a modern day nomad, Matt travels from city to city for work and food. Primarily, Matt's days consist of work, eat and sleep.

No one has to get up and turn off the lights because this hotel provides a room control console. Nice.

It's a toilet.

Toto Washlet. Control panel for the toilet.

Matt reported that seat and water temperature controls are neat and take some getting used to.

Now This is Flying

To say that Matt flew to Singapore is slightly inaccurate. Matt lounged to Singapore is a closer description of actual events. Due to the fact that the plane was completely business class, he was seated both next to a window and an aisle. His seat was so spacious, this was the first time he was able to really stretch out on a flight. His feet couldn't touch the footrest.

During the 17-hour flight, Matt was pampered with a plethora of reading materials and glasses of champagne, well maybe only two glasses. With work to complete, Matt only slept for four hours.

Caesar salad with roasted Cajun spiced chicken.

Seared Turbot fillet in green peppercorn sauce with sauteed mint-peas and fingerling potatoes.

Fruits in season. Matt probably didn't eat this because he thinks melons are gross.

Breakfast consisted of a egg square, potatoes and mmmmmm bacon.

Back from Hiatus

Zoe likes chewing on her toy's bikini. Her toy smells like the inside of Zoe's mouth. It kind of stinks. This photo was taken at our old place. 

Since the last post, we've moved! We moved from a studio apartment to a three bedroom apartment. We've easily gotten used to the new space and love it. Sadly, we still have things, lots of things, that haven't found their place in the home.

I tried to give Zoe some apple. I moved it closer to her mouth. She was too tired.