Singapore Living

Well, I am joining the 21st century I guess by putting up a blog. As most all of you know, I am currently in Singapore working at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (www.siiaonline.org). It has been a good first 2 weeks, though it is hard to believe that I have been here that long. So what am I doing?

Well, firstly I am working on a paper related to conflict and conflict prevention in Southeast Asia. It is interesting and I am just getting into the meat of it after spending a good deal of time staring at excel spreadsheets filled with conflict and war data. Very exciting.

Then for the first part of this week I was at a conference for the Eisenhower Fellowship recipients. Not terribly exciting. A lot of people patting themselves on the back for being important and being Eisenhower Fellows. Then I got to listen to a lot of important people say meaningless things. It is a difficult question... What is more worthwhile? Discussions by people that have the power to act but are not in the position to say anything interesting? Or a bunch of academics that don't have any power but enjoy engaging in really dynamic discussions?

Otherwise, I have been hanging out here. It is hot and humid everyday, and the only time I get out to explore is on the weekends. Last weekend I went to Chinatown and Little India. Little India was much better as far as food, but Chinatown was more interesting period.

Anyhow, there is a small introduction into what is going on here. More will come later once I actually figure out how to work this whole blogging thing.

Cheers all.