Tag Archives: Singapore

Office Space: Singapore

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Wow, has it been 2 weeks already?  My scheduled has been so packed with not only work, but sightseeing, happy hours, and sitting in airplanes/airports that this past 2 weeks has gone crazy fast.  I really do not want this adventure to ever end, but at some point it must.  I am not really a crier like others, but I can understand how she feels.  It seems like I have been planning this trip forever, and I thought it would never get here, and poof, I am just about finished with my stint in the Waggener Edstrom Singapore office.

Just a few members of 'Pod Awesome'

So believe it or not, I have been working while here in Singapore.  It has not really felt like work, as it is not my normal day to day job, instead I have been meeting with my cohorts in Singapore for brainstorms, 1-on-1 discussions, pitch reviews, group lunches to hawker stands and more.  Work here has not felt like work at all, because it has been such a fun experience and I am absorbing as much as I can and loving every minute of it.

Hard at work

Just being here I feel like I have learned a lot and broadened my views on different cultures and ways of thinking, which is priceless knowledge if you ask me.  Sitting in on meetings where we have to think about so many different languages and cultures really startled me at first.  Also, working in a smaller office, but for the same Agency was a neat experience.  The Portland office is so large that everyone has a very niche task they focus on, while here in Singapore everyone wears multiple hats to get the job done.  I am not saying one way is better than the other; it was just cool to see and observe differences in the offices.

All in all, everyone in the Singapore office has shown me a wonderful time, and I enjoyed getting to know them all better.  I cannot thank them enough for the kindness they have shown, and I only hope I can return the favor someday.

You here that Singers?  If any one of you make it to the Portland office, you better look me up.  By then we would have stories to catch up on and beverages to consume!

Okay next stop, Thailand.  I know it is a rough life, I will get by somehow.  Let’s just hope there are no tatoos to the face involved in this next adventure.

I ride subways for fun

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Today I realized I had not ridden the infamous subway system yet here in Singapore.  I say infamous because everyone talks about how clean, and efficient this subway system is here.  Perhaps I need to revisit the definition of infamous, but I digress.  So after work, I decided to take the Subway, to the National Museum of Singapore.  I wanted to check this museum out; because when I travel to far off places museums are one of my favorite ways to learn more about the culture I am visiting.  The museum was okay, but as weird as it sounds the subway was more exciting to see.

National Museum of Singapore

So far I had mainly been getting around on foot, taxi or by bus, which are all very popular ways to get around Singapore.  Taxis are absolutely everywhere, and are cheap modes of transportation with most rides costing somewhere between $5 and $10 SGD.  But the anticipation was killing me, and it was time to jump on the subway I have been hearing about.  So off I went, down the Clarke Quay escalator to board this bad boy.  First thing I notice is all the marble floors which are stunning, and the long air conditioned corridors.  The place is packed with people, but things run efficiently and effortlessly with no chaos to speak of.

Look at those shiny floors!

Once I purchase my ticket, I take one more escalator down to the boarding platform.  I expect large pits where the subway rolls down the tracks like you see in London, but not here in Singapore.  Instead you see long walls with several sliding doors keeping you from crossing the train’s path.  There are signs all-over telling you what time the next train is coming, and which train is heading in which direction, so for a newbie like me it was pretty easy to figure out.  With a whooshing sound, I know that my train is approaching, and sure enough it rolls in and all the sliding doors open.  Off I go, fulfilling my need for a subway ride in Singapore.

Boarding the subway

Looking around, I swear you could eat off of the floors.  If I spilled my chicken and rice dish on those floors, I would say the 10 second rule would apply, they are that clean.  The subways cars are practically spotless, and you do not see any graffiti or tagging anywhere which is amazing.  All in all, it was really cool to see a system set up that gets so many people around so efficiently and pleasantly.

I have been trying to go see as many sites as I can while I am here and there has been a lot to take in.  I went out to drinks with my co-workers one night, went to lunch with others on multiple occasions and have loved every minute of it.  Such a great group of people, and what a great place to visit.

Tonight, I take off for the weekend to visit Hong Kong, where I meet up with A Chick Named Carl.  I am sure there will be lots of adventures to be had.  Stay tuned…

They only come out at night

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I’ve seen a lot in a couple of great days here in Singapore.  I am glad I came a little ahead of starting work, so that I can get acclimated to the time change, and see some sights.  The jet lag did not hit me too bad, but I do keep waking up at weird hours wide awake ready to start the day at 4 am or whatever.  I am sure that will subside quickly.

One of my favorite things about Singapore is the Clarke Quay area along the Singapore River.  It seems to be a boarded up town during the day, but as soon at the sun goes down, the temperatures cool, and everyone hits up all the restaurants, bars and shops.  Both dinners I have had there were quite good, especially the Indian food I had the first night.  Every restaurant seems to have outdoor seating right along the river, which is a wonderful spot where you can feel the cool breeze blow.

Tour Boat trolling up the Singapore River

There is so much going on along the river at night, it is great for photographs.  From the tour boats trolling up the river, the adventure seekers screaming as they prepare for launch in the reverse bungy catapult, to the fireworks shooting off of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in the background, I was working on filling up my memory card quickly.

Amazing view from the Singapore Flyer

Yesterday I got up at out the door early to catch one of the many double decker tour buses in the area.  These tour buses are a cool idea because they make frequent stops in all the tourist locations I wanted to explore.  You can jump off at any stop and catch the next bus at whatever stop you want, and they run every 20 minutes.  Some of the sights I saw while jumping on and off the bus were Little India, Botanic Gardens, Orchard Road, and the Singapore Flyer.  I walked through Little India, and that was an amazing experience for this American.  Also, I took the ride on the Singapore Flyer, which gave some amazing views.  I definitely want to go back at night for another ride, but a daytime ride did not dissapoint.

Tomorrow I start work at Waggener Edstrom here in the Singapore Office.  Really looking forward to that experience.

This isn’t Kansas anymore

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Wow, okay so that was a really long flight.  Just when you think your butt cannot sit any longer, you look at your watch and you only have 6 more hours to go!  But I do not mean to complain, I am super excited to be here.  It really makes you realize how big this world is, and how far away Singapore is from the sprawling metropolis of Portland, Oregon.

Taking the Singapore River boat tour

On the other hand, the world, really is a small place.  When I was boarding my flight in Tokyo bound for Singapore I was in my seat, starting to flip through my Singapore guidebook, looking like a total tourist.  The guy sitting next to me asked me if it was my first time visiting Singapore, and I nodded.  I asked his what his story was and he said he lived in Singapore.  A little further into the conversation we started talking about how I was coming down to Singapore for work, and that I worked for Waggener Edstrom.  His eyes got huge, and it turns out he used to work there, and I know this guy through past projects we have worked on.  So weird, but it was sure nice to chat with someone familiar and get their advice on what to do and see in the area.  Shows that you can never have too many connections, as you never know when paths will cross.

Today I amazingly woke up bright and early, my first day in Singapore.  I decided to get a jump on the heat and get outside and start walking around to see what kind of trouble I could find.  I started walking along the Singapore River which my hotel sits on and decided to take a boat tour which it looks like every tourist flocks too, but it was a great way to get my bearings and see how this place is laid out.  It is a beautiful place, take a look at this panorama to see for yourself.

Singapore River View

After the great boat tour, I decided to hit up a Hawker Stand in China Town and get a taste for the chicken and rice dish that Singapore is so known for.  That was a hustling place with so many people scrambling to their favorite food stand.  Lunch was pretty good and I will be back to try out other dishes before I leave.

Chicken and Rice dish at Maxwell Road Hawker Center

Alright, time to go hit up the pool.

Singapore Bound

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Right now I am sitting in PDX ready to catch my flight to Singapore of all places. I am lucky enough to have been selected for this journey by my employer, and it has been months, heck years in the making. When I first started at Waggener Edstrom 3 years ago I learned about this global exchange program and have applied for it every single year with great hopes of maybe, just maybe being selected.

Ready for takeoff

Well folks, this year my work aspirations came true and I am still pinching myself! I so look forward to meeting my work colleagues in both Singapore and Hong Kong and brace myself for all the upcoming eye-opening and mind-blowing experiences that I am in for.

Stay tuned for lots of incriminating photos of my journey.