A Choice…
Would I rather teach the summer course at Stanford, or in Singapore? Hehe.
1 year ago - 
3
3 
Dr. Makwa Speaks
Scenes and characters from an unpublished book. Dr. Makwa Speaks does not exist. Refer all inquiries @jvhickey.
Today’s been a bit random. On my way downtown the N trains were stacked four deep waiting at the tunnel at Duboce and Church, so I ran to Market to catch the F. There the Internet came to life and I looked up from my phone and saw one of my favorite tumblrs in the crowded car, miss-she! It’s nice when people from the Internet turn out to be so pleasant in real life. Definitely took the punch out of my frustration with the MUNI, which somehow knows when I have to be somewhere on time…
That place was the Flood Building. Very 1940s vibe inside. Went there for a background check and fingerprinting so I can teach in Singapore. In a week. So I’m going to Singapore! In three days. I’ve never really left the country except for Canada, which I’m told doesn’t count, even though it’s the reason I have a passport. I guess it says something about my life when I can flee the country on 72 hours notice.
Bye San Francisco! (Taken with Instagram at Gate G92)
Traveling
Safely ensconced at a pretty nice hotel near all the shopping malls in the world, apparently. It’s now the weekend over here. Hot outside but cold in the room.
I did not sleep on the plane apart from an hour here and there. I traveled twenty hours. Ten hour flight and then a seven hour one—I’ve heard of longer but that’s the longest one I’ve ever been on. I put my syllabus in order and watched about thirty movies. “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” was especially amusing after 15 hours in the air. So nothing exciting yet! It’s night outside.
Along the Singapore River. (Taken with Instagram at Singapore River)
The Merlion Park, Singapore. (Taken with Instagram at The Merlion)
It’s Always Sunny in Singapore. (Taken with Instagram at Marina South Pier)
Singapore Flyer. (Taken with Instagram at The Singapore Flyer)
On the MRT in Singapore. (Taken with Instagram at M’Bay MRT)
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. (Taken with Instagram at Merlion Park)
Indian temple, Singapore. (Taken with Instagram at Sri Mariamman Temple)
Fullerton Hotel, Singapore. (Taken with Instagram at Cavenagh Bridge)
The work week
It feels good to be in front of a classroom again; it’s funny how it all comes back so soon. Of course, it helps that the school assigned me a couple of very competent, intelligent TAs to do my bidding. I’m still struggling with the time change and we’re already halfway through the course.
At five this morning, a mentor of mine texted to say that my old professor Dan McCall had died, which was sad but not quite unexpected news. Last time I heard from him was a couple of years ago, when we exchanged typewritten letters. I’d never gotten around to sending my novel to him, and I really should have. It had been in the back of my mind these past couple years and now I’ve missed the opportunity.
There hasn’t been a whole lot of picture-taking over the past few days—mostly teaching, eating, and sleeping. Sing dollars are different sizes, depending on the denomination. Food can be cheap or expensive…It’s been a mix. There are a lot of malls in this area—I’ve seen more Cartiers than 7-11s on Orchard. Hoping to get the Little India tonight or tomorrow.
The River Walk. Singapore. (Taken with Instagram at Ricciotti Riverwalk)
Raffles Place MRT, Singapore. (Taken with Instagram at Raffles Place MRT Interchange (EW14/NS26))
