Eight months ago, my husband I boarded a plane in San Francisco, bound for Singapore.
We had just spent a three day honeymoon there, and anxiously sat down in our seats, unsure of what was waiting for you so many miles away. We had just gotten married a couple weeks before moving. Needless to say, the summer of 2016 was a hectic one. Capping it all off by saying goodbye to family and friends was a tear-jerker. We listened to Tom Waits' "We sail tonight for Singapore" a lot before moving here.
We arrived in Singapore in the middle of the night. The moment we stepped outside of the airport, the thick, humid night air hit us like a brick. My glasses steamed up and my husband immediately understood what I meant when I'd kept saying: "It's humid there. You'll sweat instantly." We checked into our hotel, and at 3 a.m., went out to eat noodles. Our first time in South East Asia.
What followed in the next couple weeks is probably something most of you recognize: endless condo hunting mission. Figuring out the MRT. How do we get a bank account? IKEA. How do you pronounce that item on the menu? IKEA. "Let's go swimming at night. It's not even cold!". IKEA. Our first stroll in Little India was a little bit overwhelming. Senses overload.
We'd go to hawker centres, and not knowing what we were ordering not how to pronounce it, we'd point. Afterwards, I'd be nervous about sitting down, worried that I might have not seen someone's "chope" token.
Eight months ago we moved here, anxious yet excited. But from day one, we still had so many questions. Affordable wine? Is that a thing here? Eight months later, I still wander around, in a state of disbelief that I live in Singapore now. Things are growing more familiar though, like the concepts of "auntie and uncle", Singlish, chope, etc.
Eight months later, our condo is an IKEA showroom... but not as pretty. Slowly, but surely, we now see familiar faces when we're out and about. We've become "regulars" at a few restaurants (and... *cough*, bars.)
Moving to Singapore is exciting. It's confusing. It's hot. If you are about to move to Singapore, or are a newbie, know that there's a big network here! Groups such as Expat Choice can answer even the most simple questions. Enjoy yourself! Do the touristy things too - we're slowly checking them off: Singapore Flyer: check. Sentosa: check a few times.
A year ago, freezing in a Canadian winter storm, I never imagined that I would be here. I now live in on a equatorial island, and going to Bali is, let's face it, pretty easy. Mind. Blown. Every time.
But I still can't naturally say "lah" in a sentence. That's all for today!
I'm curious to find out from other expats about their first few months here in Singapore.
