What? Classes? Responsibility???

Here, to the right of my writing is a picture of a random spot on the National University of Singapore campus....stunning really. I still am slightly in shock sometimes that this is indeed where I live now; for a year I live here. I show this picture because it may give some insight into why I am having a hard time switching gears from holiday, craziness and perma-vacation mode into "oh my, I am here to study and learn and further myself academically" mode. Classes began and I enjoy them. I have four of them and by far, the most difficult is Chinese 1201...intro to Chinese language. NOT AN EASY LANGUAGE!!!! I know that I am not dedicating as much time to it as I could be. The hard part is that the class moves very quickly because there are a lot of students in the class who have definitely been exposed to Chinese in some form another. The majority of this is the students who speak Cantonese. Granted, I know that it is different from mandarin, but it is still clear that all of us crazy exchange kids in the class are bug eyed and feeling kinda slow. There are good websites though that I must frequent more regularly if this to become a language that I even capable of having a minor conversation in. Chinese works with a systems of tones. Tones 1 - 5 either flat, ascending, descending and ascending, just descending or neutral. So, for example, depending on how you pronounce "ma" it could mean either horse or mother. I love my mother and by no means do I want to accidentally call her a horse, so I must learn. At this point I can count pretty well and I can say me, you, day, year, and some other things too...other random vocabulary that was taught to me before I came over here. I do feel like I am treading water but my legs are getting very tired. Luckily, many people around here speak Chinese so..I am in the right place to get it right. I do have other classes though.

In Performance and Popular Culture I am learning the difference between performance and performativity. I won't go into it, but the class is very much a mixture of philosophy and sociology type things and thrown in is the context...popular culture. So, needless to say, my presentation will be on Mamma Mia and my paper could be on the Spice Girls or Friends...the sitcom.

In, Performance and Social Space, I am learning about how we perform in the cities we live in and how we react, create change and make our own spaces within those cities. This class will conclude with an essay film about a topic with which we are able to go off on tangents about and film, add music, and narrative to. Should be fun as I think it is Singapore themed.

In Praxis and Performance Theories we will be putting on a play at the half way point. This play will be based on exercises we do in class and will experimental in nature. I will enjoy this class as I am a tad tired of typical theatre these days. Audience pays for tickets, enters the theatre, sits there watches the play which either makes them feel something or not. In this case, we will break down the norms and make a play less about narrative more about an experience in a theatre...something I have been interested in awhile now. Mixing multimedia, movement, sound. Theatre - deconstructed.

So, I am in school, yup. Here I am, in Singapore being taught by a mix of local professors and a Brit. I am enjoying it a lot and I couldn't have chosen a better location to come to. Today, and every day really, it is at least 26 Celsius and more so like 41 or 42. I am approaching rainy season but, hey, you can't have everything you want in this life.

I may be doing a bit part in some sort of opening sequence for an American show. It is filming here, does not pay and it would be fun to do something creative so, I just may.

I hope all is well for all

12 Little Indian Orchards

So, before I left I was given a book. This book is titled "The Lonely Planet Guide to Experimental Travel." The book outlines many ways to see many places beyond the normal tourist attractions and expected routes. For example, "Backpacking at Home." In this activity you ask a friend to leave you at the airport in your city, make your way downtown to a backpacking hostel to check in, eat backpacker meals like pizza or take out, sight see, go online and meet with people in the city as friends..or whatever, go drink with random people who you meet and sleep at the hostel, then, find the route back to the airport as a backpacker would. (in Toronto you would take the godawful TTC and use a bus for an ungodly period of time to arrive at Pearson Intl.)

I chose to "Twelve Travel."

With this method of travel you, for example, take a train that leaves at 12:12 and get off at the 12th stop, walk or swim on the 12th line of latitude, stay in room 12 in a hotel, etc....

I, with limited budget, cannot partake in some of these activities. So, I did a budget version of this activity. Here is the breakdown of my activities:

• I left my room at Raffles hall at 12:00noon
• I selected a playlist of every 12th song on my ipod (more musical theatre on there then I thought)
• I got off at the 12th MRT station which was called Farrer Park
• wandered through the area which is Singapore's Little India
• used the Lonely Planet Singapore guide book and did the Little India walking tour
• flipped through the guide book twelve times and arrived at the Orchard Rd. section
• walked through orchard road area and counted down to the 12th mall (yes, there were actually more than 12)
• I was then quite hungry and was looking for somewhere to dine for $12.00SG and was tapped on the shoulder and handed a voucher for......$12.00.
  
  
  I chose that fateful moment to end my 12 journey because I felt as though that random, crazy occurrence was a suitable place to stop. HOW WEIRD??? $12.00, not $10.00. God was telling me that I chose the right experimental travel plan.

Since arriving in Singapore I have met some pretty awesome people too. It is amazing how being in a new place causes one to lose all inhibitions about just approaching people and having a conversation. I was also in Singapore for National Day. This was held at the Esplanade, a hug durian (Singapore's national fruit) shaped building complete with a theatre and studios and a library. There was a lot of spirit and patriotism going on, fireworks, army demonstrations, helicopters, music and many, many people cheering at random points throughout the night.

I have also begun my classes. I am taking Performance and Popular Culture, Performance and Social Space, Praxis in Performance Theories and Beginner Chinese. I will, of course, write more about what I do in each of these classes.

C'est tout pour maintenant.

I guess I should do some readings for class since the extended holiday has ended.....or has it? This place rocks my socks right off (literally because it is too hot to wear them here)

Where Am I?

Hello,

So, after my crazy adventure into Singapore I have now visited quaint yet sleazy Macau and bustling and shopping crazy Hong Kong. I must disclose first that I, at the point of my departure, felt very uneasy about going (the lost luggage actually still not showing up, the being at res for one day and sleeping with ants, the fact that my classes are still not finalized) BUT I am so glad that I went. I arrived into Macau and had, of course, another blast of heat slap me in the face and say "you're crazy you foolish Canadian, put on some shorts and get inside." Macau is beautiful and seedy all at the same time. I mean, anywhere that has gambling as its main source of entertainment is seedy and kind of sad. Also though...beautiful. There were points when I really could not tell if I was in Portugal or China.

(not a village in Portugal...Macau)

So, after playing a few slots at Wynn Casino we realized that no one was drinking..no one. Why would you not when every price you see can be divided by 7 to get the Canadian price??? The highlight of Wynn was by far the fountain and light show. A series of choreographed water jets spraying and blasting to the tune of Shirley Bassey's Remix of Goldfinger. SSSSssssssssizzling!

Next to Sands Resort and Casino! So much better. Three floors of gambling goodness, great Chinese food and a show featuring "Blue Jupiter" from the USA. I wonder if they have a website. An a capella band that was, well, lacklustre at best. I think I should market a show to Sands and be there for awhile. The day ahead brought us to the ruins of St. Paul's and the fort which was alongside it. I love feeling like I have stepped into the 16th century. Pretty crazy that the facade of the church had stood for close to 500 years. They don't build things like they used to.

Total Canadian spent gambling $100

Total Canadian lost gambling $100

NEXT STOP! HONG KONG:

So in Hong Kong it became very clear that shopping is very important for everyone. Tourists and locals alike. I guess maybe it's because they want money and lots of it. Similar to what I saw in Dubai, building and construction is massive there. I did not see one, single detached house. Every apartment was at least 30 floors tall. The MTR puts the ttc to shame even more than London's tube. So clean, quick, messages to tell you when the next train is arriving. I will murder the TTC when I move back home. The highlight of my time in Hing Kong was visiting the Big Bronze Buddha. There, was the first place I truly felt a sense of calm since leaving Toronto less than 2 weeks ago. The size of this thing was insane and remarkable. Also, the walk of wisdom which layed out, in Chinese of course, the foundation of Buddhist faith was filled with windy trails and scenic views that over looked the ocean. I was overcome to be honest. Filled with emotion, I almost cried. Yet, being there, I had the sense that all will be fine and I am over here and it is fantastic.

XO

Michael

Yes it goes on and on my friend

Well,

I just landed in Singapore a mere 3 hours ago and this has been the longest journey of my life. Allow me to share a few highlights. My flights were all relatively easy. EXCEPT for all of them involving Emirates Air. I know I know...the food..AMAZING. The leg room and entertainment console...AMAZING. The late connecting flight to Dubai and the lost luggage upon arriving in Singapore....NON AMAZING!! This journey is sooooo long. I won't go into all the details but let's just say. I had to ask what day of the week it was on more than one occasion. I'll divide the next section into three parts

Toronto:

A lot of crying, a lot of sighing. A very lacklustre meal and terrible entertainment system on the flight.

London:

Arrived in Heathrow at 630am and had a city to explore and went straight to it. I saw many tourist sights and ate what very well may be the worst breakfast I have EVER eaten. Cold eggs, runny beans, hash brown patties and lots of mushroom and tomato yuckiness. SO BAD!!! And..the price 8.50 pounds. Which is equal to about $20 CAD. Wowza! I walked a lot and my back realllllly hurt after lugging around my carry on. London really is beautiful. I love how one building is from the 17th century and next to it is one from last week. The TATE modern museum was outstanding and had an awesome exhibit about the future of the world's cities. Watch out....here comes over population. The tube...so clean and efficient. Loved it a lot. It puts the TTC to complete and utter shame. Last stop...pub..fish and chips and a pint. So good, they really know how to do it. At Heathrow time keeps slipping and my optimism about my flight leaving on time diminishes...quickly. We leave an hour and a half late and I have....1.5 hours to catch my connecting flight in Dubai..NOT GOOD!

Dubai: 9:00 pm arrival. My connecting flight departs 9:25pm

Needless to say, I was put up in a hotel in Dubai and stayed there for a night on Emirates. At this point I am beyond sleepy. I have a shower and head to Dubai City Centre to buy some new clothes to wear. I SMELL REALLY badly by this point. I get great DU-BUYS!! HAHA so funny. Great shops and a massive mall. I saw no camels but a lot of cranes building and building. This place seems to want to grow fast. It seems to be succeeding. I didn't see much of Dubai to be honest. I saw the mall and the airport and the hotel really. Next time I am there I'll have as much time as I want to spend.

FAST FORWARD to my arrival in Singapore after a nice flight on Emirates.

What?!?! I checked two bags not just one. Where is it? They have no answer. I am now put up in a hotel in Singapore Chinatown...once again on emirates.

As I write this I have now seen a lot more of Singapore. An awesome girl named Maryam took me around tonight. I went to Ikea to buy some sheets and a rug and stuff to lightly furnish my room. The room which has little red ants in abundance and a slight smell of urine. Outside the room currently are herds of 18 - 20 in a courtyard doing some sort of frosh activities. Am I rude for not joining in? I feel like..no. I am too old for frosh in any country really.

BUT....As I write this I must say that my bag? FOUND. I was half hoping it wouldn't be though. New wardrobe and speakers for my ipod and a few other things would be great.

Alas, I must to bed as I am flying out to Macau tomorrow and then to Hong Kong as well. I truly cannot wait.

I trust all is well for everyone in Canada and elsewhere and I will write more at some point soon.

When I get a telephone number I'll let people know. It should be at the end of next week.

XOXOX

Michael