Singapore Day 3 (July 25) - Back to Work, Work, Work, Work, Work

So all of my Toronto colleagues were very clear with one message before I came to Singapore...don't walk to the office, take the train. So day 1, I decided to walk to the office. Take that. Honestly, it was great and the weather hasn't been too hot (30 degrees, warm yes but it's normally 40 this time of year) so far, which makes the walk perfect. It's a great 15-minute walk with lots to see.

So as some of you know, I haven't been working since Mid May (which was a great time to re-group and get my mind right, not to mention just be with my girls), so day 1 back at work was a definite test when added to jet lag. Well, let me tell you, day 1 at TradeGecko was awesome. It's a young, smart, energetic and friendly team. Having worked at companies big and small I can say they made a great first impression on me, and I hope I did on them. The Office is in a great area with so much to see. I can see now why the founders made the move from New Zealand to Singapore to start the company.


Here are the 5 company values. Nothing wrong with that:

Here is what the five are and what they mean:

• CAN: Relentlessly Resourceful 
• MANA: Power, Pride and Respect (A Maori word that means power and pride) 
• BAYANIHAN: Community Spirit (In the Philippines, Bayanihan refers to the spirit of community. If someone’s home floods, the community will come together to literally lift up the house and move it) 
• GENIUS: Elegance and Simplicity 
• BEST: The Best at Getting Better, Constant Growth, and Learning

After work some colleagues and I had a couple of drinks (Bottle of beer, $15 Singapore Dollars), I told you it wasn't cheap. Paying that much, for what would get you 6 in Canada, makes you feel like you just ran the gauntlet with this guy chasing you...Not pleasant.

So next time you go out in Canada and have an 'expensive drink' just remember this. At least the food is generally less, but not always. Vices, in general, are not cheap here, so I guess there is some logic to it and likely keeps people relatively healthy.

Sorry Randy, still haven't found any 'ladies' yet for you. You will have tom come visit and we can look together.

Day 3 Learnings:

• Jetlag is delayed, but as I'm wiring this on day 4, I feel pretty good. 
• The food is still great and has not disappointed yet. 
• Asia Light, as my colleagues call it, is pretty nice, travel people, see the world. Life is short. 

Singapore Photos, keep an eye on them!

The JLS