Ale's Space

So, it’s been a while since I last put anything up here – why is that? Well not having anything earth shattering to put up here for one, secondly, a bit of laziness. Add in there the continued frustration of having my internet drop at any moment and you get a recipe for no updates!

But things have been happening. I’ve had a few more interviews and it looks like I’ll be joining Fujitsu as a technical pre sales specialist/ project manager. Nothing definite yet but we’re in the process of negotiating a salary. It looks like it going to work out to be about 91000 SGD per year, or about 30K GBP. Given that rent is a little bit cheaper and that there is less tax this isn’t too bad. I could probably have waited for other jobs to come along that would pay slightly more but there is no guarantee.

The other big news is that Sandra and I have moved in together in our own ( well rented ) apartment on the east coast of Singapore. It’s a gorgeous 3 bedroom place, and the pool is barely used, so I have a 25m pool effectively to myself. The only downside is that it is out of town, not far away – 15 minutes by taxi and half and hour by bus or train. My potential new office is the OTHER side of town though so yesterday I spent some time trying to find the best way to get to the office by bus and I hope I’ve found a way to get there under an hour.

Anyway, all the furniture Sandra and I have ordered has arrived, and although I’m biased I’ve got to say we have a pretty damn impressive looking apartment. There is a guest room so you are all invited to come and stay anytime!

Enough for now, I’ll pop some photos of the place up soon but it the mean time take it easy, don’t work too hard and start planning when we’re going to meet up next!

Ale

Hey All!

Nothing fantastic to report today. I'm still actively looking for work. Am I bothered that I haven't found anything yet? Not really to be honest. I'm enjoyng not having to work and I'm busy trying to buy bits and bobs for my new apartment. I move in on the 7th June and it is effectively unfurnished so I've been busy buying furniture. I've spent a small fortune (should I do this without having a job you may ask??) but there is a big sale on, I'm saving 30-50% on everything I buy so it is spend now and save long term - I hope.

So yes, I've bought a bed, dressing table for the bedroom as well. A day bed ( instead of a sofa at the moment), a dining table, a couple of benchs, some nice banboo lights and a couple of screens. It all has a slightly oriental look, but is all modern and stylish. Am I nervous about buying this without a job yes and no. I'm using savings now that I hoped I wouldn't have to use, but I'm planning to stay out here for a while, and I don't think I can afford  think that I WON'T get a job. So yes, I'm going to get a job, so with that in mind I need to get stuff to live with! But I'm still nervous abous spending lots of money!! It will all look fabulous though and you'll all have to come over and visit me to find out how nice it's going to look!

What else? Well, I've had another couple of interviews/meetings and nothing definate work wise. I'm confident I'll find something and I'm applying for a job eveyrr day or two. It all just takes time!

The other thing - I've bought some cards to send home. I know it's Ben's and Clare's birthdays soon. I really want to start keeping an address book again so if you read this please send me your address! If I get an address I'll stick some thing in the post for you! How about that? Resorting to bribery - classy!

Anyway - going to get a couple of hours sleep now. I'm getting up to watch the Lieverpool game tonight/morning. kick off 02:45 am here so an early start.

oh yes, one of my cousins arrives in Singapore for a few days tomorrow as well so i have a busy few days showing him around!

Take it easy though and hopefully speak with you soon!

Ale

Yes, I went to see Star Wars, and yes it is worth seeing. FINALLY, a new Star Wars that does justice to the originals.

All the loose ends are tied up, and the story feels complete!! Oh, yes, being 8 hours ahead of you lot means I was watching it as you were all still at work!! hahahhahaha

On a very different note, Sandra and I are moving in together and have found a fabulous apartment with a great pool. Am spending lots of money at the moment buying furniture as it is unfurnished! So, bye bye savings hello furniture......its a bit of a shock or me having always tried to save, but it is good to see the apartment come together. So come visit and see what we've got :)

It's been a good day today. The glandular fever is getting better. I've been to JB, just over the Singapore/Malasyia border to see what it is like and to get a new stamp in my passport.

I'm also all fired up about getting a job now. After, frankly, taking it all a bit easy, I've decided that it is time to stop relying on the recruitment agencies to find me something it's time I started looking and giving them a little help.

What has brought this all on you may ask? Well, Sandra and I went to look at a few apartment recently and we have found one to rent that looks fantastic. top floor apartment, with great location and a 25m swimming pool. Compared to the one I'm in it is a dream. The one I'm in is more central ( but when you're staying somewhere the size of Singapore this doesn't matter too much), but it is a very old and unloved block now. There are ants everywhere and more than our fair share of cockroaches. I also hoped to get to know people through my flatmate, but due to the hours he works I never get to see him. He gets up about 1 in the after noon and goes to bed about 5 am every morning. So although I don't want to loose him as a friend, I think that a move to my own apartment might be in order soon. The rent for the new place is 1400 Sing $, or just over 400 UKP per month. But bearing in mind I'm paying 200 UKP for a sing room at the moment this is a pretty good deal.

I don't think I'll be taking the job that I've been having the interviews with. I think the offer is still there, if it was ever actually offered to me at all.... but there do seem to be other jobs around. This one just isn't quite what I want ( though I know nothing is ever perfect ) but he momey is a little on the low side compared to what I can get and what the job would be expecting. I'm in no rush to get the momey, but I can't rent anywhere without an emplyment pass, so if I take the apartment it will be in Sandra's name!!

Sorry for this being a bit of a ramble but why not??? Things are good - I'm motivated and I've just eaten so things can't be bad can they????

Take it easy one and all and if you know anyone with a job going in Singapore you know who to call :P

Well, for all the antibbiotics I have been taking for the last week or so, a frantic visit to a hospital and a blood test has shown that I have Glandular Fever. I am now covered in this lovely looking red rash - head to toe...

So, it's nothing too serious. 2-6 weeks of being "extremely fatigued" but no long lasting effects, aprt from life long immunity!!

So, I now have 4 sets of medication to have at various times during the day but I'm starting to feel better already. I'm also meant to be meeting Sandra's parents for the first time tomorrow. This should be interesting because my face is a blotchy red and I have all but lost my voice - should be interesting don't you think???

I just want apologies for all my spelling/grammar mistakes in my posts so far. They are always written really quickly and I never have time to check them. Lazy I know, but one of the consequences of having an internet connection that disappears all the time and looses my work!

Anyway, I see a few of you have visited my pake, thanks for that I hope there is something interesting here for you.

Rest assured that life in Singapore is good, even though there is no chewing gum :P

I'll try to stick some more photos up soon but there really aren't many to add so far! - UPDATE : one and a half hours later but this is done!