Leah Goes to Singapore

This week was the first week of classes, and there has been one headache after another! The fact that it takes at least 45 minutes to get ANYWHERE is really hindering me, since I'm used to allowing approx. 5-10 min for travel time to get most places. I used to think that Peabody's offices were very inefficient, but they run like a well-oiled machine compared to the administration of NUS. To make a long story short, I spent hours and hours of time trying to get into Chinese Class (which I don't think succeeded through no fault of my own), getting the school to give me my stipend (still has not happened), getting my library card to work, getting into the computer system so that I can book practice rooms, getting my bank account running, and trying to get my students pass. Not fun stuff! Also, since it takes 45 min at least to go between home and school, once I leave for school in the morning, I don't get back here at night usually until around 11 pm. I will need to get used to these long days. I think that once all the administration stuff is settled and I get accustomed to the school, everything will be much easier.

However, musically the first week of classes was very exciting! I met my teacher, and she gave me a lot to work on. She is a fantastic teacher and performer, and I think we will work really well together! I also had my first coaching and orchestra rehearsals, and so I have a lot of repertoire to keep me busy.

I also have still continued to be a tourist when I'm not at school, as you will see from these pictures!

These are all from Malacca, Malaysia:
Photo credits go to Jolene and Emily

Emily and I in the dutch quarters

There are stray cats in Malaysia too!

view from our hotel

we LOVED this cafe!!! delicious food, great coffee, and really nice waiters (such as the one in the picture) who told us all about Malaysian food. We went there twice and hope to go back again!