No longer a lonesome dove

What a week! First, I make either the best maneuver of my career or the biggest mistake after speaking up at a strategy meeting and being asked to run with a project that has the potential to make me or break me here. No pressure or anything. Then, I meet with the biggest producer in the country, a notorious hard ass, and he decides that he not only likes me, but invites me to his Chinese New Year party (which I have NO IDEA what I'm supposed to wear to). Next, after meeting my new friend last week, he decides to invite me to a pretty happening sake & italian pairing shindig at one of the coolest restaurants here, where I not only meet amazing people that invite me to events at some of the best places in the city, but I meet my new gay bestie from Chicago! Who I'm now going to hot yoga with this weekend and then shopping for a new purse (since mine has decided to wither and die in the humidity here).  Every girl knows nothing is better than your best man-friend, but how about when you add the fact that he owns his own club here and is a sommelier?  That means fun party nights, amazing wine and lots of new friends. Perfect.  But alas, while I am not normally a Negative Nelly, there is this small nagging naysayer in the back of my brain saying - just you wait girlie, the other shoe is going to drop. Here's to that shoe staying firmly suspended. 

On the work front, definitely starting to get a sense of how it works here and I have to be honest, it's not all as wonderful. First of all, when I say something aloud, my team just runs with it. No questioning, no feedback, no hey dumb American that is a terrible idea - nada, nothing. Just go and get it done. For those of you that have worked with me, you know what a shitstorm that can be because I happen to be one of those annoying people that literally thinks out loud. So when I think I'm just brainstorming, my team thinks I'm giving a directive. Today, I walked into work to see that we switched up our customer feedback forms to a horrendous light puke green after I happened to mentioned earlier this week that a white feedback form does not lend itself to getting a client's attention. When asked what color would, I mentioned casually that a color that pops would help - like maybe a green that would pick up the company's colors.  Then I walked away, making a note to discuss it at the next staff meeting. Instead, my team thinks okay, crazy Acker says we need green, but we only have the terrible puke green paper that no one else will use since it makes your eyes tear, so let's make 300 copies and do as she said. Now, while I of course appreciate the effort, I'm used to people around me that either know I'm just talking out loud and that there is no reason to actually listen to me, or they will look at me, tell me what a dumb idea that is and walk away with absolutely no intention of doing it. Instead, I'm looking at 300 copies of a feedback form that you can barely even read, and I have to be appreciative and make sure no one loses "face". Face, for those not of the Asian culture, is VERY important here and means you don't embarrass someone in front of their colleagues or peers and that you always try to keep an even keel on the situation so as to not upset anyone. So, what's the rub you ask? My entire career has been all about being perfectly comfortable upsetting people when needed to get things done! And about collaborating with people on ideas, arguing with someone and then going to lunch together with no issues because we know it's just business, and having a constant reminder that your britches aren't quite a big as you think they are. So, needless to say this is going to be a "learning opportunity" for me.

But you know, I do realize how unbelievably lucky I am and I'm grateful to even have a team that even cares enough to listen to what comes out of my mouth, so I'll just shut my yap and keep on trucking ahead. Should be an interesting few months as I learn the ropes.  Let's hope I don't get rope burn.

Oh, I guess I should've worn sunscreen

I'm starting to get into the groove of life in Singapore, but apparently it's a slow process.  A few things I've learned the hard way this week:

1. Singapore lies only 1 degree away from the Equator. Now, I of course knew that, but what I didn't know is that lying by the pool in a city pretty much at the center of the earth means you can get a mean sunburn in about 60 minutes. Especially when you move from New England, where the last time your skin saw sunlight was about 4 months ago. I am a walking tomato. Lesson learned.
2. Napkins are for sissies, and if you try to sit at a table at a food hawker station that has a pack of tissues on the seat, you're opening yourself up to be yelled at by someone that does not have any desire to speak English to make your life easier.  Bring your own napkins, and save your seat with the pack. Got it, lesson learned.
3. Cars drive on the opposite side of the street here. Again, something I already knew. But what I didn't know is that looking left is so ingrained in my brain that crossing the street here is pretty much a daily death trap for me. Look RIGHT, then you won't die on the front of a taxicab. Since I really like living, hopefully lesson learned.
4. Elevators are lifts, trash is rubbish and when someone says "can can" when you ask a question, it doesn't mean they are asking for a container or think you should dance. "Can can"= yes, you silly American.
5. Being the minority can suck. While stuck in an off-the-beaten-path area of town this Friday, around midnight with no clue where I am or how to find a taxi (long story, but starts with me not paying attention and ends with me getting lost in the predominately Muslim section of the city), I realized suddenly that people were staring at me not because my zipper was down or that I was inadvertently showing some cleavage, but because I was CAUCASIAN.  Talk about a weird feeling.  Certainly gives a whole new perspective on how you see yourself in the world. Tall, pale white girl does not equal the majority here, and when it's midnight on Arab St. and you're the one that doesn't belong there, it starts sinking in. Lesson definitely learned.

I am certainly getting my education in world studies here!  But what else have I been doing besides almost getting killed by a taxi and getting the sunburn-of-all-sunburns this week, you ask?  I've started exploring! (Click on the pics below for new pictures!) It's Chinese New Year here and it's amazing - the whole place gets really into it. It's a big deal, a major holiday, and everyone is very focused on the occasion and going all out to celebrate. I even get a 4 day weekend to celebrate properly during the first week of February! The city is beautifully decorated, with lots of gold and red (auspicious colors for the New Year to bring luck) and everyone is out in full force.  I was lucky enough to have a new friend from work invite me to check out Chinatown with him today - it's only about a 5 minute walk from my place and it was amazing! Thankfully I went with a local - it's total chaos, with thousands of people and people loudly hawking their wares everywhere. Henry, my new local buddy, took me to the best stalls, helped me find some gorgeous handmade chopsticks, made me try to Chinese minced pork bbq (delish!) and made sure no one ripped me off when negotiating. I can't wait to go back and explore some more. It's literally like being in a movie.

On the work front, starting to get make some real progress.  It's fantastic - crazy busy, stressful, exciting and best of all, everything I hoped for. I'm getting the opportunity to help drive real change, work side-by-side with senior management to guide the company to a new level and develop a new service vision for the company. It's going to be long hours and the pressure is going to be intense, but I'm absolutely loving it. My first major test is building a concierge team (hello VA Valet!) for our new high-net worth focus, something that will be a leader in our industry here. It's risky and is a completely new way of thinking for our company - just how I like it. As for peeps at work, I'm starting to fit in and make some friends, thankfully. Even though it's only been 3 weeks, I'm not feeling like such a newbie. I'm shaking things up with my team, and about half of them seem to really like it, and the other half either have no idea what I'm trying to do or just don't want any part of it. It's going to be an interesting few months.

On the personal side, I'm starting to make friends outside of work and even have dinner plans this week! It's surprisingly easy to meet people here because there are so many expats - everyone is in the same situation that I am and trying to meet friends.  I'm hoping my new friend has lots of other friends, because while I like myself just as much as the next person, hanging out with just myself is getting old very fast. I've discovered I'm actually rather boring to talk to when no one is there to respond. So let's get this social party started!

Off to bed to start a new week. I'm up on Skype now, so let me know if you want to chat! Talk to you soon!

How in the happy hell do you use this thing???

So I'm at a Chinese New Year event and I'm standing in line for the bathroom. It's crowded of course, so I take the first stall I see open. Now, I want you to close your eyes and imagine with me if you will for a moment. Because suddenly I'm in a bathroom with just a hole in the ground. That's it, just a nice little hole with very nice tile all around it. I am dumbfounded and just stand there looking at it. What am I supposed to do with this?

Suddenly, Slumdog Millionaire comes to me. Didn't I see something like this in that movie?? And it hits me, like the ignorant American that I am, that you're supposed to squat over the damn thing, like a 3 year old watching ants under there feet. Yep, squat just like that.

Needless to say, I left that particular stall and waited for another, as people quietly laughed at me. Silly American you could practically hear them say. But you know, I'm just going to have to be ok with that.

Anyway, it got me thinking. What do you do if your legs are tired? What if you're wearing pantyhose? What if you have a tender sprained ankle and squatting like that will put you in excruciating pain? I guess you just hold it.

I've been a bad blogger, I know it

Dear Readers, please do not think I have forgotten about you! It's been a crazy few days - I got a wicked bad sinus infection (welcome to new germs!), my job is speeding up quickly, I moved into my new apartment and I found a friend, all in the span of about 5 days.  But, I agree, I've been a bad blogger and there is just no excuse.  So, to show you my undying appreciation of you, I have finally posted pictures (see below- just click for more)! It took me FOREVER to figure out how to do it on this damn thing, but it looks like I may have actually figured it out.  Please enjoy a little taste of my first few days here in this amazing city - there will be plenty more coming!

Ready for an update on the crazy life of Acker? Well, let's see.... last time we checked in we discussed the..ahhhh.... tension at work, yes? I am happy to report that while the "tension" has not abated, I am starting to fit in, find allies and make  good impression (I hope). I'm absolutely obsessed, of course without the stalking part, with my CEO. She is a total rockstar.  I'm about the 4th new senior management person she's brought in in the past 6 months, with another on the way, and things are starting to take a new direction.  She is ready to shake things up and has mighty big plans for our little Singapore office and I am so excited to be a part of it! After talking these past few days with the management team, it is clear that while I have my work cut out for me, there is a lot of support and excitement about me being here and I couldn't be more relieved and pumped to get started.  Next step, winning over my team.  That's going to be an interesting challenge, but you remember of course my saying about Kim Kardashian's mascara and my love of a challenge? Well, bring it on Ms. Kardashian, bring it on.

On the personal front, I'm finally in my new apartment! (Finally.... like I've been here for months or something). It's unbelievable, so check out some of the early pics.  In fact, I'm enjoying a nice glass of red wine on the 31st floor terrace at this very moment. After I'm done, I'm going to hop into one of the jacuzzis that overlooks the city and relax my very tired brain. I feel like I'm in a dream -please do not wake me up! I can't believe I have been given this opportunity. I feel so lucky it's ridiculous.  

Some deets on the apartment - one bedroom loft on the 11th floor, 25-foot ceilings on the first floor with floor-to-ceiling windows. My apartment overlooks the unbelievable pool (pics soon) with my bedroom and bathroom on the 2nd floor. The pool is the size of a small country, with 6 jacuzzis, aromatherapy and yoga bays and a great gym on the 31st floor.  PLEASE DO NOT PINCH ME!  And the best part? Lots of expats! I can't wait to start meeting people. I think I'm just going to start tackling people in the elevator. That should win over people instantly.

Oh, I've even made a friend! I got invited to go watch the dragon boat racing this weekend. Now, I clearly have no clue what in the hell a dragon boat is, how to cheer them on or any of the rules, but if my movers can get out of here in time for me to go this Saturday, I will be down at the river screaming like only someone who has no clue can. 

Last but not least, I've had a few people ask me about the biggest differences here in Singapore, so I've put together a quick list on what's I've seen so far. I"m sure more to come as I actually start exploring the city, but here's my early observations:

 - Calories are called "energy" here on the packaging - isn't that fantastic? Makes you feel like you're doing something awesome for your body by just eating.

 - No such thing as diet here - it's Coke Light, milk light, etc. Still can't get used to asking for Coke Light, but I'll get there eventually.

 - Fruit is super cheap, wine and liquor is not, All liquor is imported, so it's a hefty increase.  Probably good for the 'ole liver after my last month in Boston though.

 - Shopping is a national obsession.  I really can't even say that word strongly enough. The shopping "plazas" here are out of control, they're everywhere and you can get anything from Manolo Blahniks to cheap knock-offs.  My pocket book is weeping already.

- Air conditioning is called "aircon" and it is very important here. I even have a timer for my aircon units so I can come home to a nice cool apartment. I of course can't figure out how to work it yet, but when I do, watch out cold air!

 - Eggs aren't refrigerated at the grocery store. Not sure how I feel about that yet, but I'll give them a try.

 - The subway system (or MRT) puts Boston to shame. On time, very quiet, always on time and you don't even have to hang on to anything the ride is so smooth. And it's air conditioned, of course!

 - McD's is 24 hours here and it DELIVERS. How's that for after-bar munchie heaven?

- Staff at stores overwhelm you with service. This is going to take some getting used to - I feel like I should buy something just because they're so damn nice.

 - Tipping is pretty much non-existent. You only tip porters at hotels and occasionally your taxi driver if he's super cool, but otherwise a 10% surcharge is added and pooled by everyone and tipping is not the norm. What I save on tipping is going into my new shoe fund.

The jacuzzi is calling my friends, so I'm off to relax for a little while.  Now that I'm settling in and ready to start really exploring, I'll be back soon with hopefully some interesting stuff. If not, just remember I'm not a writer, I'm just pretending.  

Hugs and kisses!!!!!!!

New pics are in!!

Check out some of my first round of pics - you'll see some pictures from my first, unbelievable flight on Singapore Air (hands down the BEST airline I have ever seen), my New Year's Eve celebration, some shopping (the national past time here) and my new apartment.  More new apartment pics will be posted next week once I move in.

Update - suffering from my first Singapore cold right now, but pushing through.  Luckily, my office has a doctor's office in it, as the people here just think of everything to make life easier.  He even gave me gum!!! Apparently gum is not actually illegal anymore, it just can't be sold.  So I can get it from the pharmacy to "keep my teeth fresh". Gotcha, right, right.  The doctor thought it would help me with any homesickness - how freaking cute is that?

Going to get my new cell phone today, so I'll post my new number as soon as I have it.

Made it through the first week of work and guess what my dear readers?? I'm making friends! While one of my direct reports is still clearly unhappy that I'm here, I think the other one is coming around and we're starting to click.  I feel the battles coming, but I look damn good in armor, so I'm ready to get started.

I'll post more soon and give some insight on the many things I'm experiencing that are so different from the US.  XOXO

Just like the first day of school...

You forget how weird it is to start a new job until you're suddenly standing in the lobby of a brand new building, watching people walking by that you've never seen before and trying to figure out where in the hell you're supposed to be going.  This is me this morning. So, I just did what any normal person would do- I jumped on the elevator and introduced myself as the "new American" to the first person I saw (ok, so normal for me). The gods of first days were totally looking out for me because lo and behold, the person I introduced myself to happened to be the head of HR.  Insert palpable relief here.

So, what was my first day like in a new country, new culture and new business you ask? JUST like your first day at a new school.  You know what I'm talking about - you're excited and eager to meet people, but really want to just stand in the corner like a complete loser while also hoping that your new teacher is not only nice, but also sits you next to someone that doesn't pick their nose with their pencil.  Luckily, while I definitely got stared at quite a bit (pale, tall, temporarily red-heads tend to draw the eye here), my new boss seems fantastic and I've already made a friend and been offered the most delicious mango treat I've ever put in my mouth.  Yes, I know Caroline and Traci, I'm allergic to mangos. But it was just so yummy looking I could not help myself, and when you're the new girl you'll take what love you can get!

Now, I can't lie and put a totally positive spin on the whole day because that would just be less-than-honest and I am committed to giving you the whole truth about my time here or else why the hell should you even bother to read this thing, right? So here's the dig - my new direct reports are NOT HAPPY I am here. I could practically read the "who the hell is this loud american girl think she is coming over here and taking my possible promotion from me??" on their foreheads.  So, while my new boss thinks I'm the cat's meow, my team is definitely in the still very unsure about this american chick mode. But you know what, I love a challenge like Kim Kardashian likes mascara, so bring it on! Let the influencing, politicking and silent-arm wrestling begin.

On another quick note - I found my apartment!!!!! It's ridiculously amazing and I cannot wait to post pics. (which I swear I will do as soon as I can find a cord that connects to my camera over here, but I did post a new pic of the outside of the building on the site) I move in next Tuesday and suffice it to say that I am ecstatic. Loft apartment, massive pool, amazing location and lots of expats - just what the doctor ordered.

A little house keeping before I go - my new email address will be up and running tomorrow.  I'll be sacker@manulife.com going forward so be sure to update your contact book.

Lots of x's and o's to everyone.  Please write (email or comment here) and let me know how you're doing!!