I’ve got less than three months until the big race. Wii Mario Kart to be exact. And I’m woefully behind because I’m lucky if I drive well on the easy levels. Plus, I’ve been getting reports that my nephew already mastered some of the most difficult levels. Yikes!

I need to figure out a way to cheat. It’s my only hope.

How do I make this dang-nabbit kart go faster?

Corny demonstration

Before moving to Singapore, the tallest building I’d ever lived in was three stories high. So, being up on the 24th floor introduced a few changes. Notably trash duty. That weekly ritual of packing-up the garbage and hauling it out to the curb is long gone.

No more just remembering tomorrow is garbage day while crawling into bed the night before. No more racing to move the trash can to the curb because the garbage truck woke you while picking up the neighbor’s refuse. No more pesky notes posted on your door from the HOA reminding you that empty trash cans blown into your the lawn look unsightly. No more guessing when trash day is when the regular day landed on a public holiday. No more grumbling under your breath because your neighbor continually places his trash can on your curb and not his own. No more picking up trash strewn halfway down the block because the neighborhood kids who, for whatever reason always decide to congregate in front of your house, knocked the can over on a windy day. And, most importantly, no more making up elaborate excuses documenting why you can’t take the trash out that week. And I conjured up some good ones, trust me.

Now, everything has changed. The convenient trash chute right off the kitchen works on an as-needed basis. Just open the door and bombs away. There’s absolutely no need for a trash can in the kitchen.

When I moved here, the trash chute served somewhat as a novelty item. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how much noise I could make while deposing items down the concrete cylinder. For example, I found if I spun two liter soda bottles while dropping them in, they would hit one side of the chute for each floor. But, by far the best is glass… that initial ‘pop’ as it breaks and then hundreds of smaller pieces falling and falling and falling. That still hasn’t gotten old. 

And, it’s great soap. How do I order another bar?

Package from Newberg, OR

Oatmeal Soap

Squeeky Clean

I like to convince myself that I’m more “green” in Singapore. I’ve got on-demand hot water heaters in each bathroom. I use the on-off switches on the electrical outlets to avoid phantom power use. I have reusable grocery bags. I don’t own a car and rely on public transportation (okay, I’ve been getting lazy and taking a taxi most mornings).

But, then I remember about the air-conditioning unit running. A lot. That doesn’t feel so eco-friendly. And recycling just doesn’t happen in Singapore. It pains me every time I throw an aluminum can in the trash. I get this guilty feeling like I’m littering. And worst of all, there seems to be an affinity for plastic bags in Singapore. I have to stop the checkers from putting individual items in small plastic bags intended for larger plastic bags. The fast food restaurants put drink cups in small plastic bags. Fries go into another plastic bag. Then everything goes into another plastic bag. Seriously, a regular take-away meal could net three or four plastic bags. 

I’m not so green after all…

Takes about 5 minutes to heat enough water for a shower.

Switch-on when needed

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

I’m really happy about the actual apartment. Getting used to living in 893sf will be difficult, but the open space-efficient design certainly will help. The master bedroom is good sized for Singapore, and the attached bath is reasonable too. The living room is quite large and spacious. The kitchen was another differentiating factor… all new, stainless-steel appliances. And there’s also a stacked W/D off the kitchen.

Overall, I’m really happy with the result of what seems like an endless ‘house hunting’ search. Still trying to swallow the over 2.5X increase in rent/mortgage for a place over 2.5X smaller. Ouch!

View of the tennis courts, and the fish pond. (not the actual view from the apartment)

Swimming pool in the distance. Fish pond in the foreground.

Kiddie pool… big pool to the right.

Great gym… hopefully will be able to work off the muffin-top.

What a fabulous view! And, I think it looks even better at night. Also, if you look to the right (southeast), you can actually see a bit of the ocean too.

Bedroom. Small.

Kitchen. Fridge and microwave still need to be moved in.

Guest bathroom.

Master bathroom. I’ll be using the other one. No baths for me.