Well, I’ve crossed SG50 off my “To Do” list. And what an experience! I went to the Gardens by the Bay with a friend to see what we could see of the fireworks. They were happening in Marina Bay, so we were located behind them. I thought we had a pretty good view until I saw photos from friends who spent way more time and energy than we did, managing to get into the Marina Bay area. However, we enjoyed seeing the Gardens by the Bay all lit up! I’ll have to go back soon in the daylight to tour and explore the Gardens. I think you’ll see why in a minute. Intriguing and unique, to say the least.
A quick note: These are iPhone photos taken in the dusk and then the dark. Quality is terrible. I should have brought my real camera, but alas, I forgot it.
For those wondering, this is Marina Bay Sands
Check out the flags! (Also the best way to tell that we’re on the backside)
Singapore Flyer (I wonder how much those pods cost for the night?!)
Hello, Singapore
If you’re still unsure, those mushroom things are the Gardens by the Bay. Mitch and I talked about going once but we never made it there. Looking forward to exploring further!
Today is National Day in Singapore, which commemorates Singapore’s declaration of independence from Malaysia in 1965. Singapore enjoyed 23 months alongside what is now Malaysia before Singapore decided it would rather be out on its own (or was kicked out during a period of social unrest). The stark differences between the countries today definitely reflect that they were not meant to be together. Since this is Singapore’s Jubilee year, National Day is hyped up more than usual. There are parades and fireworks displays, ceremonies and festivals in numerous neighborhoods, sales on all sort of items all over the city, and promotions of all kinds. My favorite part so far is that we have a four-day weekend. Monday is a public holiday to make up for National Day’s falling on the weekend, and the prime minister declared Friday a public holiday a few months ago, so we had that, too. Majulah Singapura, as they say!
As I went about my business yesterday, I took some photos of National Day decorations. I also got a couple pictures of the promotions going on, but I felt weird about taking pictures of signs in stores; people in the US don’t tend to like that and I didn’t really want to start an argument with anyone.
Outside a church near my apartment
My friend’s very fancy MRT (subway) card
Donation to a good cause (I’m unclear on what that is) gets you a keychain!
That lion is the Merlion, a famous Singaporean statue that appears in pictures on t-shirts one can buy in Chinatown. However, an episode of The Amazing Race revealed that no one actually knows where it is!
It’s hard to believe that I’ve been in Singapore for a little over a week! Time has gone very quickly and I’ve accomplished quite a lot. In addition to learning my way around my very large school in Singapore, I’ve also met about 100 new teachers, made a whole lot of friends, set up an apartment, sorted out WiFi and cell phone, opened a bank account, and navigated shopping for household goods. I will be fully moved into my apartment tomorrow and I can’t wait!
School has been a lot to take in, of course. I’m teaching MYP and IBDP for the first time, which is my biggest concern now that my housing is taken care of. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, right? I’m teaching psychology again this year and trying to get back in that mindset. We haven’t spent very much time discussing curriculum, but I know it makes the most sense to do that in department groups anyway. The returning teachers are due back at school Monday, so I hope my questions will begin to be answered at that point. I have to keep reminding myself that even if my courses and curriculum are new to me, teaching is not. The subject material is not. Pedagogy and assessment are not. I still know how to teach in a way that helps students learn, and I’m good at it. It’s easy to lose sight of that when everything is new.
So far, life in Singapore is substantially easier than life in Malaysia. Being in a school that is actually set up as a school, as opposed to a business, makes it better. Being in a school that set up my immigration appointment for me (for Monday!) is both refreshing and a relief. Now that my personal life is sorted out, I can focus fully on three things: a) teaching, b) immersing myself in Singaporean culture, and c) finding my place here with new friends and colleagues.
As hard as it was to leave home again, especially because Mitch is there, I’m excited to have a real international teaching experience in a much healthier environment. I feel much more optimistic about everything coming up than I did even a week ago; I’m grateful to my new friends and school for helping me head in that direction.
This weekend promises to be full of moving, visiting friends’ apartments, drinking wine, and possibly watching fireworks. I’m definitely looking forward to it!
I’d just like to leave you with a few snapshots from the week:
Singapore, keeping the unsuspecting public aware of the scary world for 50 yearsThe #2 reason my sister should come visit me in Singapore (me being #1)The adorable presentation for my coffee at Drury Lane, a cafe in Tanjong Pagar
Photos, travels, musings, and ideas on education by someone trying to make the world a better and more peaceful place
By Rebecca Michelle 