Singapore

This past weekend we went to Singapore! I was very excited to actually explore a city I have been to multiple times but only seen out of the windows of an airplane. It's only an hour flight away from KL, but it doesn't seem that close. The city is much different than that in Malaysia. The main group of people are Chinese. The city is not Muslim, which makes a significant difference in a lot of things. Like real pork bacon on the breakfast buffet and many girls in shorts. The important things in my life are clearly pretty shallow. 

Cute buildings and fountain on Clarke Quay.

A sidewalk. Haha. I thought this showed the western-y look of the city. 

Marina Bay Sands Hotel, where we stayed. Fabulous looking, but it was pretty crowded. Not really the relaxing weekend hotel we kind of expected. With over 2,500 rooms though, there's not really much else to expect. Very awesome to see!

This is the pool on the top floor of the hotel, in that boat. So many people! Sweet view.

We just went for 2 days, but I got see a lot. We saw the Lion King Saturday night. I had seen it once before, so I was pumped. We were first row, which made the whole experience even more spectacular. I am still thinking about that opening song, and will be for a while. 

 My dad, Jackson, and I spent Sunday in Sentosa, a very pretty resort-like area of the city. It was kind of like an amusement park.. it had lots of things to do! We ziplined and rode these little luge cart things.

Jax and I sweating in our fab luge helmets!

I had a Singapore Sling at the original Raffles Hotel! There's a cute story about how this drink was created. Look it up, cause I don't remember. :)

Monday was my interview with the principal of ISKL. He called it a meeting last month, and “interview” has been my own thing.. but omg I’m glad I prepared for it to be an interview. He brought out the questions. He literally quizzed me about Intern 1 and 2 terms and specific situations. After a walk around the campus and a job offer, I left thanking all of my SFA professors. He was impressed- and I only knew it all because the SFA education program is the greatest thing to ever happen. ;) So, I’ll be subbing in just a couple of weeks! For the first time in a while, I actually wish I was older. Malaysia law requires teachers to be 25?! It’s all good though, I’ll take what I can get! This meeting gave me a feeling of relief I didn’t realize I needed until that morning. I’m so happy that my impulsive move to Malaysia is playing out pretty close to how I imagined it.

I got a sweet letter from Ryan on Tuesday and it made me very homesick! I miss all of my favorite people being so close to me. I’m looking forward to school starting so that I can make some of my own friends again. Don’t think that means I’ll quit telling everyone in Texas to come see me. That won’t stop any time soon.

Some fabulous things:

I finally put the feather in my hair! 

 This is what everyone is getting for Christmas from me this year. 

I couldn't stop smiling after seeing this! Love it. It looks like a Churches sign! Wonder if it's the same company? Who knows.

I hope everyone is enjoying these last few weeks of summer! Miss and love you!

Come see me.

Next Chapter!

Even though I have moved multiple times in the past four years, nothing could have prepared me for this! The physical and emotional packing and unpacking that happened in the quick 5 weeks was enough to last a lifetime. Saying goodbye to EVERYONE was weird. I have met some incredible people in my lovely time at SFA, and all of that wrapped into one goodbye was really hard. I know thousands of people can agree with me right now when I say graduating college was the most bittersweet moment in my life so far. I was excited, relieved and so proud of myself. And then the biggest slap in the face: "What's next?!". So, I did what I've been hoping I'd get the chance to do since Christmas.. I moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Even though the goodbyes were hard and the stress caused so many sleepless nights.. I had this dream in my hands, and I knew the whole time that it was one hundred percent worth it. 

I will be living with my dad, Irma, and not-so-baby brother, Jackson. This move was only possible right now because of them. There is no way I would've been able to take this risk without their support throughout the process. The support and love from everyone during the move was so amazing. I couldn't wish for better and family and friends. The trip over went well, and the jet-lag didn't hit me too hard.

This first week has flown by. Lots of errands around the city and me becoming re-familiar with this city I love. It makes it so much easier that I've been here before. The essentials aren't new to me now. I learned how to get a taxi from the mall, and I know where I like to go in the city.. so basically I'm set. Soon enough, I will use these acquired skills. As of now, I've pretty much been tagging along with the family as I find a balance in this new chapter of my life. I wish Christine were here almost everyday. I always think how much more confident I'd be to just go if I had my bff to do it with! 

I haven't been taking that many pictures.. but here's a couple old and new:

 These are the Petronas Towers and the KLCC mall. This is walking distance from the apartment, so it's pretty fabulous.

 A view of the park that's outside of the mall. It's awesome to have this big city with beautiful pieces of green laid out in the middle.

 Jalan Petaling.. China Town! Super cheap purses, watches, shoes, and movies. All fake, of course. We went through the other day to check out a couple of flower shops nearby.

 This is an old pictures from a little stall place that isn't there anymore. This indian dish will forever be a fav of mine. We went a restaurant called Passage thru India and omg they have the best tandoori chicken and naan. The chicken is so soaked up in that epic sauce it had my fingertips orange for a few hours after. (because who uses utensils?!)

 Gorgeous sunset behind the towers from the apartment. 

Now topping the charts as the most beautiful thing I own.. Happy birthday and graduation to me!

Maybe I could've brushed my hair for this?! Who cares.. it's fabulous.

Thank you Daddy and Irma!

And here's an action shot of my main girl cause she'll make you smile. :)

This pretty much applies to anyone reading this: I love you and miss you!