Sunday, May 22, 2005

Singapore Sling

I've been out of commission for a week. Was off to brunei to hug the trees before they cut them down. Even including in our report how they should set aside a 'sanctuary' for corporate social responsibility. Its tree hugging disguised as a selling point. I'm getting good at this. Still somewhat overwhelming, but getting the hang of it more or less.

My weekend was great. I stayed over night in Singapore and I tell you, Manila is just..lost. I don't mean in infrastructure, politics, lifestyle and all that jazz..I mean in the variety of people you can meet. Manila is cookie cutter country. We have a few molds and one batch of dough and you either become a socialite (by background) a socialite (by skill but this is to be determined by the socialites themselves), A social climber (usually those who marry into money or white...you choose), the poor (who will stay poor because its easier than trying to change), the worker ant (who will always be an employee and never an employer due to the lack of effort)..and the dramatic..but I think drama is mixed in the dough already.

I was sitting last night talking to a few friends and one girl could not STOP talking about herself and her family (oh how prestigous they are).. I wanted to get up and just leave..considering she is actually a somewhat nice girl..but still..woman.,..move along! I guess this can also be brough upon the fact that I have issues at the moment and didn't want to hear inane crap..but anyway...this is actually leading to something.

SO yes, Singapore, friday night at the local irish pub..and I tell you, here, you are no one. In Manila you may be the most well known actor, model, scientist, fashionista, metrosexual..but in singapore you are just you. Its the same in the UK and even in the states if you keep away from the 'disney' crowd- those who moved from Manila and gravitate around each other.

I was actually talking to a very good friend of mine the other week about the bliss of being no one else where..No social class, no mold to fit in, no pressures...

Suffice to say I had fun in singapore..it was fun, wild and full of shopping. I drank copious amounts of alcohol (thanks to Kev), saw the sun rise from the balcony of Orchard Parade, and beat a local shark at pool..how much better could that have been?

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