Singapore!

So indeed, Singapore has become my new home (unofficially, as far as the authorities are concerned... ssshh!).

I arrived today, after a cancelled flight last night due to a typhoon that caused hundreds of flights to be diverted, delayed or canceled. I was at the airport at 10:30am for my 1:30pm flight, and waited until 7pm, which is when they announced the flight was cancelled. After nearly missing my flight this morning, I've now settled into my large, one-bedroom serviced apartment (for which the company is paying for the next month) and I'm rewarding myself with duty-free scotch!

I hopped into a cab at Changi International Airport and was nearly overcome by the driver's stinky feet - nice as he was, he really shouldn't take his shoes off to drive people around. The apartment is on the 22nd floor and has a large living room with dining area, a decent sized kitchen and a bedroom with ensuite. I reckon it's about 800 sqft. I'm facing south-east, with a view of trees, the sea and my office building!

I popped over to the office (the building's right next door, but it's at least 500m away) to sign a few things and to pick up my SIM card, which the company is paying for too. Hooray!

I was here about 2 years ago and liked it a lot, and I've got to say that I'm very ready to call this home for at least a few years. The food is great, it's close to great dive spots, close to [my other] home and, let's face it, the girls are pretty!

Alisha get's here next Friday. By coincidence (or divine providence), she's taken a job here after having just graduated from business school. We know each other from Beijing, where we'd met when I was helping her then-roommate move. When she answered the door, I was smitten. Just like that, I knew that I was going to try the hardest I'd ever tried to charm a woman. After about a month of intense, laser-guided wooing, she finally agreed to see-/go-out with-/become involved with- me. What on earth do you call it these days? I'm out of touch. Anyway, after 9 short months, we split up in light of her impending departure for b.school, though we stayed in touch and are still good friends. I'm looking forward to catching up and having a food buddy. You can always count on her for going somewhere for good food!

Well, it's now officially the start of my first weekend here so it's time to go and see what's about. Life is an adventure!