Welcome to Penang-George Town Malaysia UNESCO World Heritage City

Arriving at 5am, I decide to sleep on a bench for a couple hours before I call my host. Yes, I do things like this because I do not like inconveniencing people.  My host insists on picking me up so at 7:30am he arrives.  He is the nicest, kindest person from Dubai.  His place is luxurious and peaceful.  We sit and get to know one another while sipping on Arabic tea and eating fruit salad.

Our day of sightseeing starts with the Kek Lok si temple (Temple of Supreme Bliss).  It is up in the hills with beautiful views of the city.  We both light our candles and say a prayer and I place a prayer ribbon at the top of the tree.  It is so wonderful to see him glow with such internal happiness and joy. I can tell it is an authentic and “simple happiness.” 

Next we head to Penang Hill-tourist trap with a beautiful view of Penang followed by amazing Tandoori chicken in Little India with the worst service ever! We then went to the Strait Quays, which is a beautiful waterfront mall that reminds me of Newport beach.  We walked along the waterfront while discussing life and learning about Dubai.  We then went to the Queens Mall to do some grocery shopping as he wanted to cook dinner for me.

It was interesting because he expressed his interest in me and I expressed my disinterest.  He requested to just let him try and prove himself to me and to at least give him a chance.  I decided to let him try as he is so sweet and such a good person. 

We went shopping together and then he cooked an amazing dinner with some great wine.  While he was cooking I was outside swimming in the pool and enjoying a ginger infused sauna.  When dinner was ready, he called me from the balcony and I hopped out of the pool to head up for amazing salmon.   After dinner, we shared the wine and were listening to music.  I thought to myself this could be my life if I wanted it.  Having a wonderful man like this guy who would love me unconditionally, cook, clean, and take care of me.  He has his own business and his almost finished with his Phd, has a lovely family in Dubai, and has nice friends in Penang.  It is too bad the “A” word is missing out of this equation.A-T-T-R-A-C-T-I-O-N. This opportunity has presented itself before, but before they get any chance-Priscilla hops on her horse and runs away.

He was trying to convince me that I deserve someone nice and that I am missing an opportunity, but unfortunately it did not work.  We went on just being friends and having a wonderful time as that because the spark was just not there.

Priscilla Drops the Ball Again

Leaving from Singapore, I heard that I could take the bus to Penang at anytime from Johta Baru. As it turned out, that was false so Priscilla has to re-route again. I ended up going from JB to Kuala Lumpur and planning to take the bus to Penang. It turns out I was at the wrong bus station and had to venture over to the other station on the other side of town. 
Luckily, I met an adorable friend on the bus.  He is studying at a University in KL and he expresses his desire to travel, but also expresses his fear. He says, “You are my hero.” I smile and say, “Why is that?” He tells me he admires my independence and courage to travel alone.  Only being 22, he is like a child to me and I wish I could have him as my brother.  He shares his Cadbury crisps with me and insists that I have them.  And a sugar addict usually does not turn down chocolate so I graciously accept them.

After my mishap, he says his parents can drive me to the other station.  He says I have to act like I met him before so we fabricate a story, which I do not like doing,  but it is for his benefit.  Both his parents are Muslim and just lovely people.  His father recommends places for me to go in Malaysia and his mother gives me a soy milk and some cookies-so cute.  They drop me off and walk me inside the station and make sure I get a ticket to Penang.  What a wonderful family and boy.  While I may drop the ball at times, the ball ends up floating itself into a positive direction. 

My host in Singapore

I had such real conversations with my CS host in Singapore, Ron. He used to work in the 9-5 until he broke free and started his own business. He works from home and lives in a lovely area near Little India.  We stayed up talking about the Singaporean economy and the American economy. We discussed the genocide in Cambodia and how we think it was worse than the actual holocaust. He shot a documentary at the kiling fields and said it was one of the most disturbing things he has encountered. 
 I also shared  with him my ideas of implementation of a travel program to corporate companies and my passion to work with others. He was just lovely to talk with and I enjoyed sharing some fish head curry with him at his favorite local restaurant.  
Another excellent host that makes me very thankful for couchsurfing. 

A Visit to Raffles Hospital Singapore

I had decided to go to the hospital because I thought I had malaria and/or dungue fever. What were my symptoms one may ask? I felt nausea and had an upset stomach throughout the day.  Being the hypochondriac I am I told myself that I had malaria.  I was so excited to go to a nice, clean, top rated hospital in Singapore and I must say I am very thankful for my amazing travel insurance taking care of everything. 

After waiting for about ten minutes in a spotless lobby with a subway and Coffee bean inside, I met with Dr. Ping.   Oh how I love Dr. Ping! She addressed all my crazy concerns and was laughing at me in the process, which most doctors do.  She gave me another rabies vaccine for India, prescribed me anti-malarials for India, and performed blood tests and a standard physical. 

We basically came up with a diagnosis of a traveler’s upset stomach and I was happy that I did not pick up anything from Cambodia.  After all my concerns, she said to me, “Priscilla, are you sure you can be a social worker.”

I laughed and responded, “ Well, I can not help anyone if I am sick so I just want to make sure I am healthy.”

I pondered this statement by her as I have such varied interests or “potentials” a friend of mine put it.  I have such extravagant taste yet I love being outdoors and getting dirt under my fingernails.  I love rooftops and hotels, but I love guesthouses just as much.  I work with populations of people with many illnesses and diseases yet I have difficulty coping with dirt and filfth.

Can I be a social worker? The title of social worker has always bugged me as I grew up wanting to be a clinical psychologist. It is possible to combine both of working in policy to advocate for human rights and do have my clinical hat on where I enjoy psychotherapy in a private practice with others.  I can do both and I will do it.  Now is the time to make a move-to make a name for myself.  I see my natural affects on people-the poor, the sick, the elderly, and children.  They look at me with such hope in their eyes.  One step and one day at a time, I will continue my mission to be of service to others.

As for the germs, I am implementing my own coping strategies to deal with it-aversion therapy being most effective.  If I want to work in third world countries with REAL human beings dealing with REAL problems, I am going to have to face germs, filth, disease, and sickness.  At the end of the day, I just have to let go and remember my life in my higher powers hands.  He will take care of me if I keep living in my purpose. But my issues with germs is a work in progress like any behavior. And I can’t help, but think again and again how am I going to deal with India. 

Christmas Time in Singapore

Orchard Road has one of the top light displays in the world. I have heard from many people that Singapore is a wonderful place for Christmas and from my experience I can confirm that it truly is a great spot for this time of year.  On Orchard road, there are trees galore with different displays and interactive games and photo opportunities.  There are street performers singing Christmas music, dancers, and the parade of elephants.  The parade of Elephants is a bunch of carved and painted elephants lined up in various places.  

The cafes and restaurants have the Christmas themed drinks and cakes. It is pretty much a little run America, especially a little Calfornia. Singapore has taken in many California chains and habits.  It is quite interesting to see the California/Hollywood Glam influence. 

In the Marina Bay area, they also have Christmas decorations and performances.  It really made it feel like Christmas time and I enjoyed being in a place that fully celebrates the holiday.  It made me feel a sense of peace and happiness.  Thank you Singapore!

Singapore and Pleasant Ville

In Singapore, the streets, subways, and buses are immaculate- if you drop a crumb, you feel bad because you know you should be courteous and keep it clean.  The worst crime that happens is someone maybe gets their cell phone stolen.  They are serious against buying, selling, or using drugs, which has strict punishment for drug use.  With a drop of heroine, you get the death sentence.  Although, it is a small country, the principles they have adopted are working. Why can’t the US follow in Singapore’s footsteps?

It is true that the population is significantly less and it may be like comparing apples and oranges, but why can’t we take a look at their system and see what principles are working and why?  Obviously, what the US is doing between the mental health, criminal justice, and health care system is ineffective and costly.  The war of drugs has made a huge dent in the US budget, but we still continue to fight it with addiction still being a big problem.

Being in Singapore was so pleasant and I could not even begin to compare it to the New York.  While learning about Singapore’s political system and their idea of “welfare” it seems to create a better balance between classes.   The government has created subsidized housing for  over 50 percent of the population with limited stigma towards this population.  After 5 years, people are able to own their condo and these people are not labeled or stigmatized as badly as in the US.  In the US, they are separated from working individuals by being placed on welfare including: food stamps and Medicaid all packaged into one.   The stigma that exists with this population may always exist unless restructuring of the system happens. 

Singapore Thumbs up to you.  Keep up the good work!

Singapore Highlights

Singapore Botanical Gardens
Ginger Garden, Spice Garden, Natural healing garden, orchid exhibit, evolution garden, and the Christmas tree displays were incredible.

Reverse Bungee Jumping
So I persuaded my Indian buddy and CS host to do the reverse bungee jumping with me.  He was not interested in paying $30 SD to be shot up into the air for a few seconds, but of course I was ha!
It was totally worth it for both of us and the best part was being thrown around up in the air and my buddy yelling, "Oh eff" "Oh eff" with his Indian accent ha! We got to watch the video played back to us and he looks super chilled out before going up and then up in the air he turns into a crazy mess-so funny!

Orchard Road Christmas Lights

The Quays

One Altitude-The World's Highest Al Fresco Bar

Singapore National Museum

Fabulous museum and my favorite museum in Asia by far! This museum takes you back in time and the audio guide is so interactive you feel like you are being lead through the museum with an actual guide. The food display/videos, local customs/dress, and the historical events are awesome. They let you choose by your preference of learning about the personal stories or historical events.  It is amazing how you take a true walk through history. 

The Dreams and Reality exhibit had some of my favorite French Impressionst paintings and the real guide was wonderful and informative.

One of my favorites

 Over 140 Salon, Realists, Impressionists and Post-Impressionists paintings, photographs and drawings from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century will specially tour to Singapore this year. Titled Dreams and Reality: Masterpieces of Painting, Drawing and Photography from the Musée d’Orsay, Paris, the exhibition explores the reaction of man towards modernity at the turn of the century from 1848 to 1914. The changing social and industrial landscapes of Paris in early modernity forced artists and photographers to rethink their approach to the visual world around them. Their varied responses generated new ways of depicting reality and a proliferation of styles. National Museum Website

My favorites are Paul Cezanne, Vincent Van Gogh, Edgar Degas, and Monet

I truly loved, loved this exhibit!

Bukit Timah Hiking

This was not your typical hike as there really was not a view point, but it had a lot of

East Coast Park

     East Coast Park reminds me of the Santa Monica beach and fair in California.  You can rent a bike and rollar blade on the board walk, enjoy seafood, and go fishing.  I was talking with a local, Johnny, who was teaching me how to properly fish and then it started pouring. We ran to the trees for cover and were laughing as we were completely soaked and I did not get to practice what he was teaching me! He lives in the East Coast Park with a family of five.  I have no idea how someone can afford Singapore with a big family.  He said that times are tough for him and he goes to Thailand to escape from the overpriced Singapore ha!

Going on a food tour-sampling different foods is very easy to do in hawker stations.  The dishes are reasonably priced and you can share a bunch of stuff with a group.  I was by myself, but made friends with the nice couple next to me.  We ended up sharing our food and sharing our stories.  They were such a sweet, simple couple. They said they do not go out much and like to stay home and cook. The girl and I agreed to be pen pals through gmail.  Here we are together=)

My favorite foods: Rojak, Laksa,Chili crab, Ko Teow, sting ray

Sentosa Island

Sentosa is the disney world of Singapore.  It has Universal studios, family activities, beaches, sports, and hiking.  I arrived a bit late and missed the surfing competition, but was there to see the awards.  There were not any waves and I lived in Huntington Beach(surf city)so I have seen plenty of surfing.  My friend and went on a mini-hike and wanted to do the jungle obstacle course, but it was closed because the rainy weather. 

Mount Faber

My host told me that Mount Faber was a nice hike and I really wanted to make it up there before I left.  The only thing was the weather did not want me to do it. It just kept constantly pouring and pouring off and on.  With my rain poncho, I decided to be a warrior and do the hike/run in the pouring rain.  If I ran a half marathon in the rain, I could hike in the rain.  It was actually pretty fun getting absolutely soaked and seeing the clouds surface right above my head.  This is the cable car that goes to Sentosa below, but I decided to take the walk way of course=)

.