Dashing through the Bubbles...

...in a one way double-decker bus... :)

Christmas in Singapore. Something I never thought I would experience in my lifetime! It all starts back in oh….October as Orchard Road turns into Tinsel Town with lights, trees, Christmas cottages, stages, floats and verses lit up on the sides of Mega Malls. People are walking around in their summer splash wear (that’s for you Kendra) and passing the wonder land décor. It’s quite the oxymoron, but a site to see! The other night I was walking on Orchard and as I looked ahead I thought, “Wait, is that SNOW!?!” I get closer and watch the children running and throwing what looks like snow at each other and realize it is in fact, bubbles! As I received pictures yesterday of my California ranch covered in 6 inches of snow, it blows my mind that I am here in Singapore experiencing Bubble land.

Of course I will miss the traditions at home this year. I’ll miss the cool weather and skiing in Colorado. I’ll miss the ugly Christmas sweater parties and cookie exchanges. (ok ok so I’d always cheat and go buy them, but still!) I’ll miss decorating the tree with the ancient ornaments we’ve had since I was born. I’ll miss seeing all my family on Christmas Eve with our insane Christmas gift guessing game that goes on for an Eternity. I’ll miss waking up early with my family and enjoying the morning of gifts next to the crackling fire. I’ll even miss the ridiculous traditions of watching Prancer and White Christmas! Yes mother, I said it! :) But I WON’T miss Kenny G’s Christmas album you play relentlessly Every year since…oh….1990. It’s amazing to think that I’ve had the same traditions for Christmas over the last 20 years. I don’t know Christmas any other way, until now….

Of course in time we experience new traditions and memories. This week several churches will come together on Orchard with impressive Christmas floats and productions- it practically becomes Bethlehem over here! Dave and I just went to a Christmas party where we dressed up 90’s attire (pictures to come!). It was so refreshing to go to a Christmas party where the hosts made it important to spend time singing Christmas Carols and worshiping the Lord together. Wednesday night we'll head to a Christmas Eve service and enjoy Christmas day with Dave and his family. They typically have their traditions set in New Zealand, so we are making our own traditions together this year. They have been incredibly warm and hospitable to me as I make this transition.

So there you have it! I just want to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and pray that you all are able to really Enjoy the true meaning of this season. If there is anything I can advise you on this year, it is to never take the time you have with your family for granted. And if you are like me and are in a entirely new environment this Christmas, enjoy the newness and those around you to the fullest. Love you all!

My first Chinese Wedding!!

This is for you Tracy! :) New friends...

Darius egging me on to eat some good ole' asian mussels...

taking the mussel plunge...

this is me swallowing the slimy mussel and trying to take it like a true asian...at least it made Darius smile :)

This is Hemdi, fellow co-working at Equipping Leaders for Asia, but she's leaving soon!

This was a fun night of dinner and dancing- the First time Singapore saw the Kelsey Moves! :) (Kirby- you would have been proud!) Not sure if Singapore can handle me, but we will see in time... I DO miss country line dancing however. Someone go cowboy up on my behalf!

Thanksgiving!

Alli, Kate and I

Crazy Mark

Rugby 7s

Nightlife

My 1 Month Anniversary of Living in Singapore!

Well today I have officially been here in Singapore for 1 month. In many senses, it feels like I have been here longer! I'm slowly getting my barrings and finding my way around, learning which Asian food I like the best (probably Malay), coming to a decision about a job (the leadership org. most likely), and getting used to dating Dave in the same time zone!

People ask me, "Has the adjustment been hard?" And I tell them, "Honestly, it has been the smoothest transition I could have imagined, (also fully aware that I am still in the adjustment stage)." The people I have met have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome and at home. Some have even taken time out of their schedules to take me out or spend time networking for me for possible job options. And even after 1 month, I feel that the world here in Singapore is quite small! The other day my roommate said to me, "Man Kelsey, you know Everyone!"

My roommates (when I see them) are so comfortable to be around and live with- which is truly a blessing. We are hosting a Thanksgiving shin-dig on Sat. night for all the Americans here who will be craving some Turkey and Apple pie. It won't be the same as being at the ranch killing the turkey and going around the table with tissues sharing what we are thankful for, but it will have to do. Or maybe I should carry that tradition with me here!?? :)

But it is that time where I start to think about all of you and really miss you...and my car. :) How is my Jetta doing at the ranch mom? There are moments when I just wish I was around people that Really knew me and where I can be 100% myself, but that will take time. In the meantime, I am just enjoying the newness of the city and meeting new people from around the globe!

Indonesia was a BLAST. It was obvious that the Lord wanted me there. My 6 girls in my cabin were so easy to connect with (most American) and spent the weekend doing Crazy games, dancing, singing, and sharing about the Lord. It was fun being a kid at camp again!

If I haven't caught up with you lately, lets make it happen. If anything I'd love an email from ya hearing what is going on in your corner of the world in the last month!

Indonesia Young Life Camp Pics!

The camp- all on one long dock!

cabins!

my roommate SarahMae

Sunte and Selena!

getting points for wearing the most layers!

my roommate Cindy

my other roommate Kelsey #2!

My girls!!!
Aren't they CUTE! ?

Indonesia here I Come!

So tomorrow I head to Indonesia for the weekend to help the Young Life Camp that my roommates are organizing! I was unsure if I was supposed to go, but as my roommate and I were discussing it, I literally received an email at THAT MOMENT that was from my friend Suzanne who I met in Colorado. She had told me ages ago, "Kelsey, you have to meet my friend who is in Indonesia while you are in Asia!" Well Suzanne sent the email saying:

Kels - my friend Selena who i told you about lives in Indonesia. She divinely said she had a strong feeling that you were coming and asked me if you were traveling to Indonesia this weekend and wants to meet you...

I froze. I read it, looked up at my roommate and said, "uh, you gotta read this!" She read it and said, "Well, looks like we need to pray about this!" Selena had no idea I was contemplating going there or even knew my connection to Young Life. THEN I find out Selena works at the place we are going to, And all of my roommates have met her before! Such a small world.

So I'm off! I'll update this next week with pics and stories... Can't wait to report back to ya!

Til then,
kels

A look at Obama from this side of the world

Well I'm sure you are all sick of talking/hearing about the election by now. I can say it is a different perspective being on the outside looking in. Watching Obama's speech from my couch in Singapore made the U.S. feel so far away...and CNN did a great job of romanticizing this moment in history as a new beginning: the Time for change. And it Is a time of hope as the U.S. is in fact beyond segregation and division. However the newspaper article in the Singapore newspaper declared this election as the "...fate of the world." Quite a strong statement, don't you think? Or do you think that is true? Does the U.S. control the fate of the world?
If the fate of the world is in the hands of our western politicians, then we do have reason to be worried.

Enough of that! So I have officially been in Singapore for over 2 weeks now and it has been a whirlwind of activities and emotions. Those of you who know Dave know that he will Never bore you! Nope! In fact we have to Schedule time of "rest" so we don't get too burnt out. We go from small group to swing dancing to Rugby games to meeting friends for lunch to mission trip meetings to going downtown to church to girls night to getting Lost! (Ok, those last 2 are mine but I am getting better at directions!) I have had a fun-filled time so far and in the midst of it all I have met some quality people. What I love is the Diversity of race, interests, professions, and culture! We all know that Colorado is not known for being diverse, but being here I realize how much I love and need diversity! (Luckily Kendra was dynamic enough to fill my diversity quota for those 4 years! ;) hahaha kidding. But there is something unique about this city. It draws some pretty incredible people and I can already feel comfortable around them after 2 weeks. That is an answer to prayer! Of course I can't be 100% Kelsey Young yet, and I am missing those who can draw me out (You know who you are!). Just know that I miss you... a lot.

As I have been seeking and praying about where the Lord wants me to work, I have really wrestled with what type of job to seek. I have an opportunity to work for a leadership organization that would stretch me and challenge me in new ways, but for some reason I don't have a peace about it yet. I had to let them know I needed more time to search out other options in order to be confident in my decision (with dave's support) and I feel really good about it. Most of you who know me Know that I go full speed ahead with my life. I jump in head first. So it would make sense that I would take that job right away and start tomorrow! But the Lord is being very clear as He is speaking through many people around me to seek other options, so that is my plan! Pray with me as I connect with various people and desire to only be where the Lord wants me to be for this chapter in my life. I want a job that will allow me to be balanced with everything else in my life (dave and ministry)- and I trust that there is something out there. For example, Dave is leading a team to Indonesia in the beginning of Dec. and I would Love to join the him and the team. It will most likely be Very difficult for me to find a job and get that time off, but it is opportunities like this that would be wonderful to experience...

So that is the latest report live from Singapore! It is now 1:12 am and time to crash, but wanted to include you all in on where I am at. More pictures to come. I will get downtown this weekend and get some of the city. Then you can book your ticket!

Botanical Gardens, in my backyard!

Kelsey just made her first Sushi Roll!

I made it!! It has taken me a while to set up my laptop, but I am finally connected at my place! I arrived in the middle of the night on Thursday with a tired Kiwi waiting to pick me up. I walked out of the airport as if I was walking into a sauna...I still feel like I'm breathing in steam! Not quite like Colorado right now, I am sure! Any snow yet?

I am slowly getting settled at my new place and yes, my room is Quite Pink! The girls here are so helpful and gracious to help me as I sort through things. Of course I am Oblivious as to how to use the bus system! (Those of you who know me KNOW i'm horrible with directions, right matt?) So Dave and the girls are helping me get around town. The second day I arrived Dave took me to a GORGEOUS park where we did a tree top walk and hung out with the monkeys and comodo dragons! It's amazing that you can be in the middle of a metropolitan city and then get away to parks like this!

So for the past 4 days we have been meeting Dave's friends, Sprinting around the city to make the next bus, eating spicy asian couisine, seeing the sites and enjoying being together in the same city! Pretty surreal actually. It has been the smoothest transition and I'm excited for the plans the Lord has for me here. I've met an enormous amount of internationals already and fun to hear how they all ended up in S'pore. It is quite the hub!

This week I am working on meeting people with connections for possible work opportunities. The Second DAY I arrived I had a 2 1/2 hour interview with Equipping Leaders for Asia, which went Really well. The guy basically offered me the position, but am looking at all options at the moment. I would be training youth on Leadership principles and recruiting churches in the area to get plugged into our training. I would enjoy the position and definitely be challenged in new ways- but just want to make sure that is where the Lord wants me for now. So I'm off to meetings today and tomorrow to seek what is out there. Please pray with me on this as I make a decision!

All in all, it has been a fascinating first week of firsts! My first bus pass, first true asian meal, my first time attending a traditional Hindu celebration with a European soccer game on in the background :), first time making sushi from scratch, my first time attending an asian bible study, first time I have been in a white house (they opened it for the Hindu holiday), and my first time living in a tropical heater! :)

I'll be working on taking more pictures and posting them this weekend. You have to get a grasp of the downtown area which is just unbelievable...stay tuned. :) Thank you for all of your prayers and support as I make this transition. I just wish you all could be with me to experience this! hope to hear from you...

6 Days and Counting!

On October 21st I head off to my pepto bismo pink room in Singapore! (Which will be painted soon.) :) As I am sorting out what to pack and finishing last minute details, I can only imagine what lies ahead. As most of you know, I am more of an African girl. I’m typically off to Uganda or Kenya with organizations like World Vision, and now I am off to Asia to engage with organizations like World Outreach! My Uganda Pastor said to me recently, “Kelsey, you are like the trinity. You are an American, an African and now an Asian!” Well I wouldn’t say I’m anything Like the trinity, but I am excited to explore this part of the world I would have never traveled otherwise.

So here are the major updates: I have an Amazing living situation. I will be living with 5 American girls all around my age who are either working for Young Life or Teaching at an International School. They graciously offered for me to stay in their extra room (happens to be pink with daisies) J and I eagerly agreed! The house is in a Great location near the Botanic Gardens and close to Dave and downtown.

I have a few job interviews lined up when I arrive, as well as several people to contact when I get there. Jobs vary from leadership development to communication and marketing. Pray with me as I am making these decisions in the next few weeks…

Other than that, I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving for all my friends and family that are so supportive. Driving away from Colorado was tough, really tough. All the Colorado memories flooded my mind as my dad and I drove out on I-70. I just got back from a family wedding in Seattle where I was able to see all my family members together. So now it is just last minute packing and anticipation to get there!

Dave and I are excited for this next chapter in Singapore and hopefully this blog can give a glimpse into what it will be like! So the next time I write, I’ll be about 14 hours ahead of ya in 90 degree heat!!