A near-Russian disaster and my Singapore arrival

Thirty hours, five episodes of How I Met Your Mother, 2 movies and 1 layover-turned-disaster later, I have FINALLY arrived in Singapore!

Moscow, Russia 

I was lucky enough to have a window seat near an emergency exit so I had extra leg room. I had a two hour layover in Moscow, Russia where I nearly missed my plane. I was tired, it was snowing outside and I had realized I left my carry-on luggage in the plane. I got lost in the Moscow airport because everything was in Russian. When I finally found where I was supposed to be, security wouldn't let me through because I didn't have a "Transit Pass." So after arguing with a man who spoke no English, I was escorted through the airport to some line. I had to go through security again and then I finally got this Transit Pass business. I boarded the plane and found my carry-on luggage, thank God. I fell asleep about thirty seconds after falling into my seat and woke up just before we landed in Singapore.

The Singapore airport is absolutely beautiful. It is carpeted, lined with palm trees (yes, on the inside) and there are flower pots and little fish ponds throughout the gates. I was SO happy to have arrived. Immigration was quick, I found my luggage immediately and got into a cab. The cab driver spoke English and we chatted. He laughed at everything I said (none of which was funny..) and I was laughing at him for laughing at me. It was entertaining.

Immigration at Changi Airport, Singapore

I've spent the past two days at a family friend's house - the Jones. We met the Jones when we lived in England back in the early 2000s. Cathy Jones has been my saving grace. She has taken me all around the country (it only takes 45 minutes to get from one end of the island to the other) and I do not know what I would have done without her. On my first day, Cathy took me to the Singapore Botanical Gardens. It was beautiful. Yesterday, Cathy took me dorm shopping, to buy a cell phone plan, open a bank account and to visit NTU, my new school. We went to a mall called Plaza Singapora which was just huge. The food court was beautiful - it is nothing like an American mall. I saw my first Hello Kitty store where I will be purchasing many souvenirs for a very special 7 year old girl :)

For Sabrina - the Hello Kitty store!

My room at Cathy's house... and yes, that is Gerard sitting on my bed :)

Cathy's beautiful home

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Such a tourist.

Christopherburger's twin!

NTU couldn't be more different than Elon. The campus is absolutely massive. The buildings are huge and modern. My dorm is seven floors high and of course, I am on the seventh floor.  But - I have my own terrace. Yes, you read that correctly. My dorm room is small, clean and new. The architecture of the dorm is indescribable. I get to meet my roommate on Wednesday when I move in.

It took me approximately 35 seconds to adjust to Singapore. The country is just gorgeous. Everything is so lush, green and clean. The people are helpful and friendly.   The weather is hot and humid but I am loving it so far. The food is AMAZING. I even got to eat my dinner with pink glittery chop sticks :)

I've only been here for two days and it has felt like a week. But I'm looking forward to spending the next five months here! I wish my family and friends could be here to experience it all with me. Please send me an email or message me on facebook to keep in touch. I also have a blackberry which I am still setting up, so message me your pins so we can bbm :) I am thinking of everyone all the time!