American Roots

Sadly, this blog starts on a bit of a downer, but it's still a positive thing. Sunday night, I spent the night at the Koch's, so that at 2 AM, Raye and I could wake up and watch the Cowboys' game live. The downer part is of course that Dallas got demolished. Still, we had about as good of a time as you can have watching a 34-3 thrashing in the wee hours of the morning.

After going back to sleep, I woke up and was able to call my cousin Zack for a little bit. In another, long time no talk, I had the pleasure of talking with Kevin Young and Emily Andes for about 40 minutes. They seem to be settling in very nicely down in Jackson, MS. Talking to them reassured me that everyone coming out of college goes through a new period of meeting people. It's just such a different world. In college, you build relationships that are so tight, because let's be honest, there's not that much else to worry about. In the real world, people have to go to work and collect real responsibilities. It was great to talk to them - man those college friendships are great.

The Koch's live in a great part of Singapore, right in the thick of the city. I like to think of it as the Manhattan looking part of the city-big buildings, lots of shops, really large city feel. One of the malls right by them is called Takashimaya and it's fantastic. Downstairs, they have one of the best food courts. Some of the stalls are a tad more expensive, but it's still so reasonable. I had the best food court meal so far there. It was simply a beef and noodles dish with some green veggies mixed in. I ate till I was full and there was still plenty left.

Tuesday's food story really is a culmination of a couple of different stories. I'd been craving a good hamburger for about a week at that point. The timing to go hadn't worked out until Sunday. After work, I went to try this place some people had suggested for "Real American" food. This place is called Botak Jones and their website looked legit. When I got to the restaurant, I realized it's not really a restaurant, it's a fancier stall at a hawker center. I had to try it though, in search of a good burger (it's research-come on now haha). Let's just say, it did not hit the spot. Halfway through eating this thing, I felt gross all over. The meat just didn't stay together like a hamburger should. Bottom line, my burger fill was not really met. Raye suggested a place called Brewerkz and well, she hasn't led me astray yet, so why not.


The restaurant is right along the Singapore River by Clarke Quay. Walking in was just like being at a restaurant at home. First of all, I love microbreweries, they are just some of the best places (the combo of good food and good beer is deeeelightful). I ordered a normal hamburger and it was exactly what I wanted. The taste was great-it sent me right back to Flat Branch. The beer was an added bonus. Because it was early in the day, a glass of beer was only 5 Sing dollars (~$3.50 US). I only mention the price, because that same glass of beer after 3 o'clock is 10 bucks and it gets more expensive later at night. The wheat beer was very tasty.

That night, I went out for my friends Kiersten and Meir's birthdays. We went to this swanky little rooftop bar called Loof.
The bar had a great view and I met a couple of more people. I had to work in the morning, so I couldn't stay long. It was great seeing everyone though.

Wednesday and Thursday weren't too exciting. I worked both days. Part of the reason I called this blog American Roots is because, as you can tell, this week was a lot of American stuff (Cowboys, Burger search), but this is easily the most embarrassing part. I've started watching American Idol. They advertise for it so much here, it's hard not to want to watch. It's been okay so far, I'm not addicted but it's fun to watch.

This should be a good weekend. I've got a couple of days off. The big goal-to finally see the real Merlion.

Hopefully, Sunday's post will have some more goodies.

Michael