Singers

Apparently locals call Singapore, Singers... I guess that means that we can too! So far, so good here in Singers. Cody and I are really, really loving our time here. This place is so rich in culture and yet so westernized. It's probably one of the best places for an American to live in Asia- you can disappear into one of the local neighborhoods and feel very swallowed up indeed, but a 5 minute MRT ride and you're right back in the middle of a shopping center full of brands and eateries that are easily recognized.

Meeting Quinn and Dawn at Boat Quay (Pronounced Key)

Early morning run (ok walk, more of a walk)

The Merlion

We spent our afternoon yesterday hanging out by the pool. Since we're right on the equator the two of us need to remember our sunscreen! Not exactly the tannest couple anyone knows over here, but we're working on it! 

We decided to head down to Chinatown for dinner in search of the best dumplings in the city. It's sort of a big deal that we both like Asian food; I imagine we'd be having a really tough time if that wasn't the case. I spent some time reading reviews and picked a place that looked really authentic! Our hotel is on the City Hall MRT station, but we're just a few stops to Dhoby Ghaut where you can change lines and head on down to Chinatown!

Shopping area in Chinatown

As soon as you go outside you feel like you're in China

Oranges bring good luck- Chinese New Year

The Eating House

Steamed Pork Dumplings- Xiao Long Bao

Pan Fried Seafood & Pork Dumplings

Lotus Seed Pancake Dessert 

Chrysanthemum Tea 

The Streets of Chinatown

We went to bed early so we could get up for church today; we chose to attend Thompson Road Baptist Church and absolutely fell in love. It's incredibly close to our (hopefully) new home, but only took about 15 minutes via MRT from our hotel. I don't think I've ever been so moved at church. I was overwhelmed to tears at the sound of different languages worshipping my same God. I realize that, that shows my close-mindedness, but it's not every day that happened to me in America. This Sunday they were having their annual missions update- all about how we are called by the Great Commission to go out into the world and tell others about what God has done in our lives and who He is. A Taiwanese preacher spoke in Mandarin, but was translated to English.

(Six Perspectives of Witness for the Gospel)

1. Heavenward Witness (Identity): Our Citizenship is in Heaven, not limited to country or Earth.

2. Centrifugal Witness (Geography): Christianity has always spread, no central location. 

3. Trans-Cultural Witness (Culture): We should cross all barriers to witness: color, religion, status.

4. Deepening Witness (Theology): We shouldn't be stagnant in our faith, need a new testament to share daily.

5. Authentic Witness (Authenticity): From doing to being. We are called to BE salt and light, not create it. The Holy Spirit transforms us. 

6. Witness in Dispersion (Church): A church should be focused on dispersion, not on gathering. While gathering breeds criticism and evaluation of pastors, programs, events, location, attendance....Dispersion is concerned about what happens when the doors are opened. How we can go out into the world and how our walk is during the week.

We just loved our day today. Praise the Lord for all that He has done and for letting us experience His church all over the world! 

Love,

Christie and Cody 

Moving on up

For the last two days Cody and I have been working with Joanna, a realtor that works with Crown Relocation, to find a new home. Not that I'm complaining about where we are- The Swissotel is the bomb. We'll be here another week before moving into our new place!

Hotel Lobby

The Executive Club has great snacks! 

So grateful for this amazing opportunity- and a smart husband.

Joanna took us to see a few different apartment options here in Singapore. Mostly located in the Orchard Scotts area or District 9...makes me think of the Hunger Games. Every one that we saw was so beautiful! Bigger than I expected, but since I heard we were moving to Asia I think I've been imagining a matchbox!! 

We had lunch at Wee Nam Kee...Chicken Rice was delicious. 

Yesterday we also got our EZ-link cards set up. That's how we'll travel around since we won't have a car. The subway system and buses are all interconnected and very easy to use...kinda exciting! (Since they drive on the other side of the road, with the wheel on the right side of the car...I'm glad we're not even trying.)

Today we went to view several apartments at the building that we liked the most. The rental process here is very different than it is Stateside. You're typically renting from a landlord that is represented by their own agent. That agent and your agent, in our case Joanna, work out the lease details. It's a pretty high pressure situation and we, "made an offer" immediately after viewing one this morning. We won't know for a few days if it's been accepted, but we sure hope so!

The agents making a deal

We had lunch at Ikea after shopping for
new furniture...Cody found
ice cream.

As I'm typing Cody is researching churches so I'm sure we'll be visiting one this weekend! This evening we are going to meet with Quinn and Dawn, a couple that have given us lots of advice on moving to Singapore. They're also Aggies and we've been e-mailing with them for a few weeks. Should be fun, we're excited to make friends.

Love,

Christie & Cody

Singapore

Today was our first real day in our new city and Cody's company arranged for us to be given a private tour. This morning we were picked up by Susie and her driver; the car was freezing, but given how hot it is here it was really nice. (This is the "cool" time of year--LORD HELP US!!!)

They took us all over Singapore! Cody spent most of the time making notes on his phone so that we would remember all of what she said (Thankfully). We visited Chinatown, Little India, Arab Street, Hawker Stations, and the coast. Because Singapore is a blend of four major cultures (Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Thai) it felt like we were in several different countries all in a matter of a few hours.

 I can't get over how beautiful everything is. It's a combination of early colonial architecture, jungle vegetation, and new developments. I found that Susie's style of guiding was actually really interesting (I tend to get bored on tours). She took us into two of the major temples, both for the Hindu and Buddhist faiths. Singapore is religiously free, but it seems those two are more prominent. The opulence in both of those temples was incredible - two totally different styles: colors, deities, designs. Pretty soon we'll be finding our own church home! We're praying that God will lead us where we're supposed to be.

I am the year of the Tiger and Cody is the year of the Ox. We share a Buddha protector. Here we're at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.  



Women must cover their legs in the temples so here I am in a sarong.

Taking my shoes off and walking barefoot was a necessary evil in the temples. Hello Purell (Sanitizer). 

Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown

We ate lunch on Arab Street and had spicy Malay food. Coconut Soup with vegetables, Beef Rendang (spicy beef with lemongrass), Begedils (potato cakes), spicy prawns, and chicken with rice.

Post enjoyment of Indian Ginger Tea (Teh Halia -- in Malay) and Curry Puffs on Arab Street

We're already so in love with this place and are beyond thankful for the experience! 

XOXO-Christie & Cody

Living in Austin

Two years ago Cody and I moved to Austin, Texas. He started his career there with PMBHD, a public accounting firm, but after one year moved over to AMD. I started working with Boundless Network, first in sales support, then in recruiting. I loved working there and can easily say that some of my closest friends were people that I spent 9-5 with as well.

We first lived in an apartment in Westlake- a tiny place, but with beautiful hill country views. (Just down the road from my best friend too.) In October of 2011 we bought a house near Oltorf/35. The house was new, but in a developing community. We quickly learned to love eating the local cuisine... Super Burrito was a favorite...just trust me; it's awesome. We also liked being so close to downtown as my office was on 6th street it made for an easy commute and we were always close to the action.

Homebrews and Concerts. Boat Parties and Best Friends. Our sweet puppy Lauren. Kickball team and a new Place.

Over the 2 years that we spent in Austin, God answered a huge prayer. We found a church group at Austin Stone; a missional community full of new friends. We have been so blessed by these individuals and meeting with them has brought both of us closer to the Lord and challenged us in our marriage.

I know without a doubt that Austin was where we were supposed to be, but as many of you know we have a big relocation announcement....SINGAPORE!!!

I guess that means that we're on the road again.

Love,

Christie

Sweet Lauren

Boat Party

ACL 2011

MJTMKB Champions! 

New House

Snoop Dogg- We danced on Stage. 

Amazing Boundless Friends + Cody

My boss- Jason Black

Grace Girls in Fort Worth

Pi Phi Friends at a Fundraiser

Decorating our 360 Tree

Boundless Christmas Party

New Years Eve 2011

I got a new Cousin, Amanda, Love this girl!

Best Friend, Christina gets engaged...we go to Cabo! 

Gig 'Em Aggies

Too old for Chilifest?

My work friends are beautiful

Grace girls go to float the river- we all survived! 

Christie and Christina in Wine Country

Merry Christmas from The Cooks!

Hopefully you're reading our blog because you got our Christmas card in the mail this week! You may have noticed that our return address was a little different; big announcement-we're moving to Austin! We're really looking forward to exploring a new city together for the first time and couldn't be more excited that our new city is right in the middle of the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

For the past several months we've been packing, traveling, interviewing, etc. Finally, everything is in place for our big move. Our official date is January 5, 2011. Right before that we'll have our family Christmas celebrations and then we'll be in Denver celebrating New Years with some close friends!

Thank you for checking up on us! We'll try and update more from Austin than we did living in Houston; I have a feeling that learning a new city will provide us with lots of opportunities to do that. I've attached some pictures of what we've been up to over the last few months. Come back and I promise to show you all the highlights of our move!