JK in Malay

Transplanting myself across the world. What could go wrong?

[jonkayinmalay]

Am back home for a little bit. Suburban California is just lovely, ain’t it? Grew up a couple miles from Ronald Reagan Presidential Library--an exquisite site in Simi Valley.

[jonkayinmalay]

An active and fun weekend in Singapore, with Lauren as my partner in crime. After waffles at Maple & Market in an HDB building near Geylang, Lauren and I took the Circle Line to MacRitchie Reservoir.

Though it was Lauren's first time at the park & I consider myself a bit of a MacRitchie pro, there have been a few instances with the animals (namely monkeys and a snake) that have left me—let's say, tentative. Today there were plenty of monkeys, but they were mostly young ones with the moms. Very cute, but still kept our distance.

There were some light gray clouds, but nothing too threatening for our short hike. Before I knew it, Lauren turned me and asked, "What IS that?" We heard rumbling from about 500 meters away, then 400, then just behind us. It might sound dramatic, but it was basically just like a horror movie—we couldn't see anything but it was getting closer and closer.

Then, just like that—a massive rainstorm (you can hear it here). After 30 seconds, we were soaked and decided to continue our hike as if nothing were different. There were some intrepid runners but many others found shelter under the few structures. We were muddy, wet and a bit tired, but it was awesome.

Coming out the north end of the park, we raced to our afternoon activity, a prata-making workshop at Casuarina Curry Restaurant. Roti prata is a type of pancake that can be served by itself, or with sweet or savory ingredients. I will not tell you how many of these I eat every week, because it is not something one says in polite company.

It was actually more of a prata-flipping workshop. You have to learn to roll them right and then flick them, kind of like pizza dough (it's all in the wrist!). I think I made 1 correctly and about 9 ended up with holes or completely unstructured. Others in our group were superstars, though!

By far the best part of the workshop was the 'free-flow' prata afterward. You can see the lovely chocolate prata with strawberry ice cream in the photos, but don't you worry—there were plenty of savory prata beforehand.

And last but not least, we got certificates! We are official prata pros.

[jonkayinmalay]

Visit Original Link

Caught completely unawares while hiking in Macritchie. After 1 minute, my friend Lauren and I were soaked, so we decided to just keep trudging along. We were very muddy and wet when we got to the prata-making workshop.

[newyorker]

Is creativity something that you’re born with, or something that anyone, with practice and dedication, can acquire? Maria Konnikova examines a series of studies.

Illustration by Rachel Levit

[criterioncollection]

R.I.P. Gordon Willis.

[jonkayinmalay]

Love ya, Manhattan. 

[if-i-were-a-penguin]

…after that sentient lightning bolt struck him and give him the strength of two jeeps and the intelligence of a heavily concussed Rene Descartes.

One of my fave podcasts. Welcome to Night Vale (via troyrichison)

[timeshaiku]

[jonkayinmalay]

Love this. timeshaiku:

A haiku from the article: Carrot Purée

[craigslistmirrors]

[jonkayinmalay]

New fave Tumblr.

[jonkayinmalay]

Efficiency Before My Very Eyes

While at work on Sunday (usually a quiet day), I used the restroom twice, the visits three hours apart. During that time, every towel dispenser in the office building (17 floors x 2 restrooms) had been replaced without a sign of anything happening.

This pales in comparison with the change to the Somerset MRT station, the subway station next to my office. Between Sunday and Monday, three large "top-up" machines (where you can get fare cards for public transit and add value to them) were moved from one side of the station to another. In addition to the jarring sight on Monday morning, there were no signs of how this happened—no peeled paint, no uncovered power outlets or dangling wires, no plaster or tools left around. The machines were now on the south side, and a wall had been constructed on the north side. Done.

There are many more examples of how efficient Singapore is, but my favorite has to be what happened to the T.G.I. Friday's inside my office building. One day in early October, I went downstairs around noon to grab some lunch, passing by the T.G.I. Friday's, looking as American and silly as always. About 6 hours later, I knew I'd be at work late and had a hankering from some greasy food. I got in the elevator, turned the corner, and instead of burgers, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks greeting me, the entire restaurant had been walled off, floor to ceiling, without announcement or any acknowledgement that this is something strange.

Efficiency!

[jonkayinmalay]

Without Words

I had originally planned to write about the events of 1 year ago today: an electrical fire in the apartment below me caused by an overloaded power strip; the firefighters with sledgehammers standing over me in my room yelling to wake me up; the damage to my apartment; and being displaced for 3 weeks as the apartment was cleaned and fixed.

As I landed in Singapore after a trip to Los Angeles and New York, though, i heard news that there was a fire in Hell's Kitchen (New York). Immediately, my eyes darted to a familiar name: Daniel McClung, the 27-year-old playwright who died in the blaze. Not just a victim, or a playwright, but a friend from New York. His husband Michael (they were wed just this past summer), also a friend, was critically injured in the blaze and is being treated in the hospital.

The Wall Street Journal notes that this fire was also caused by an overloaded power strip.

This has been a very, very tough day. Please hug your family, your friends, and your loved ones.

[jonkayinmalay]

On Receiving "The Complete Maus" as a Secret Santa Gift

A quick update from holiday season here in Singapore. Christmas is a Very Big Deal here, with decorations, sales and special events around every corner, even though less than 20% of the population is Christian.

Orchard Road, the very luxurious shopping street, is covered in decorative lights. While in years past, these were in every color--green, red, blue, yellow--according to The Straits Times, drivers were confusing some of the decorative lights with street lights with some disastrous consequences. This year, Orchard is lit up entirely in blue and white, and the lights were up by early November. That made this Hanukkah observer quite happy.

I've also participated in my first-ever Secret Santa pool. As a caveat, in Singapore and in my office, I've been a fairly vocal Jewish person. When the High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) came around this year, a few coworkers asked me about their importance.

Starting during Rosh Hashanah and through Sukkot and Hanukkah, I've wrote up mini primers on the holidays, which include historical significance and modern traditions, and have also brought in traditional foods. Colleagues enjoy these insights into Judaism and a number of them have told me that I'm the first Jewish person they've ever met. It's been a nice way to bring some of my traditions to Singapore, and also for my colleagues & friends to learn a bit more about me.

When I unwrapped my gift at my table in the corner of the Christmas party, the first thing I caught sight of was a swastika. Quite alarming. I lifted up the object and pulled out The Complete Maus, the collection of Art Spiegelman's famous graphic novels about the Holocaust, Judaism, and memory.

I was quite shocked for a few moments, my mouth actually agape. I thought about for the rest of the afternoon and realized that the book was really not that unusual, and is even appropriate. It's a lauded, award-winning book that is important to many people, but is especially relevant to Jews. Which it is--I have 2 other copies at home in the U.S.

I put the gift back in the bag and enjoyed the rest of the Christmas party. An open bar will make you forget any such small discomforts.

[jonkayinmalay]

First Week Down, I Need a Break

My first week of work was (predictably) tough, with very little orientation time, and projects that needed my attention last week at the latest. Most jarring are the long, long work hours that Singaporeans put in. Even though there were no ultra-pressing projects that would normally require a late stay, I was in the office until 9 pm my first day, and between 7-8 pm every day thereafter. Many people were in the office until 9 or 10. Quite a change, even from NYC.

Needless to say, I needed a breather, and I got it today. I traveled to the massive East Coast Park (ECP), that wraps around Singapore's southern and eastern coasts. Only Changi Int'l Airport stands in its way.

Here's a quick (15-sec) video introduction to ECP.

Massive numbers of Singaporeans were biking, walking, running, reading, camping (well, pitching their tents for the day at least), fishing, and generally just enjoying the beaches.

In addition to enjoying the heck out of my bike rental (3 hours for S$12 = $9.50 USD) I marvelled at the hundreds of boats and vessels anchored in the Singapore Strait. I presumed most were waiting to dock at the Port of Singapore, the world's second busiest port by shipping tonnage (just behind Shanghai).

You can also check out my video intro to Bedok Jetty, a very popular fishing jetty that protrudes from the park into the strait.

I found a nice, somewhat-hidden beach. In the panorama below, you can just make out shipping vessels lining the water in the distance.

ECP even has a cable-ski park (!) for when you need to practice before making a fool of yourself. Here's a not-very-good video.

There's even some fun art.

It made sense. The clouds were gorgeous.

Finally, if this isn't the face of a revitalized biker, I don't know what is

[jonkayinmalay]

This past weekend was not only my first in Singapore, but it was also Eid al-Fitr  (Hari Raya Puasa in Malay and thus Singapore), a holiday that marks the end of Ramadan in the Islamic world.

(To round things out, it was ALSO Singapore's 48th annual National Day, a celebration of the country's independence).

I was lucky enough to join friends as they visited the houses of family and friends (the hallmark activity of the holiday, in addition to prayers). Click through to see some pictures from both a Malay family as well as an Indian family.

The Malay celebration took place in the west of Singapore while the other celebration was almost 2/3 the way across the island. It took just about 30 minutes to drive this distance. A small island, for sure.

Malay and Indian food was offered until I had to refuse with just my eyes, as sugar shock from Indian desserts left me speechless.

[jonkayinmalay]

Nothing Accomplished, Everything Eaten

 Let's just dig right in.

The flight to Singapore from the US is so long (about 21 hours over 2 legs) and the time difference so dramatic (12 hours' difference from New York, 9 hours from Los Angeles) that by the time one sets foot in the city-state, any jet lag is so extreme that you've just about rounded the clock again and are just about set up on Singapore Time.

I landed at 4 am, set myself up in temporary digs and, after a short nap, made it my mission to have the most productive day imaginable. I'd set up a new cell phone with SingTel, would check out the 2 biggest gym chains, stop by my office early, set up a Singapore-based bank account, all with time left to spare.

Needless to say, the only task I could complete was visiting my office, and my colleagues welcomed me and promptly started to fill my open schedule. Everything else requires a physical work permit/visa. Even with a digital copy in hand, I must wait until my appointment at the Ministry of Manpower (!) later this month.

Frustrated and feeling that nothing of import was accomplished, I wandered over to Little India, which is exactly what it sounds like. Aromas of produce, spices, and fresh food fill the street only in the nooks and crannies where discount airfares, SIM cards, and unlocked smartphones are not being hawked.

I sat myself in a tiny restaurant on Dunlop Street ("Veg & Non-Veg") and pointed to a few already-cooked items. My muscles were sore and I'd gotten nothing done. At least the rice bowl and quail were warming my stomach. Before I'd taken three bites, the proprietor came over, took the fork out of my hand, and dumped the contents of my bowl onto the papered-over tray. He motioned that I should mix in the sauces and spices and, with a nod to the other patrons, that I should scoop the concoction into my mouth with my hands.

I still used a fork, but my tray has never been messier. A good first day.

[jonkayinmalay]

I’m not really sure what this space will be, but I hope to document my move to Singapore in an somewhat amusing and edifying manner.

Read along and if you’d like, comment on what you'd like to see here..

Welcome to my adventure! —JK

Edward Gorey book cover courtesy of Brain Pickings.