Things I like about Singapore

Whenever I returned from a long overseas trip, I always see Singapore in a new light at least for a while. It always surprises me that there are many things that I took for granted. Traveling has the ability to let us see things in new perspectives. That's the beauty of traveling.

I met a friend who was studying in Australia and she was lamenting how she loved the lifestyle in Australia and would stay in Australia after her studies. She has developed a distaste for the lifestyle in Singapore.

While I could comprehend the beauty of Australia and the beauty of its more laid back lifestyle, I also develop a sense of appreciation for Singapore as I travel more. There are certainly a lot of things I hope Singapore could improve on - arts & culture, creativity of its people (less homogeneous) , freedom of expression, less emphasis materialism, environmental friendliness etc... And when my travel-mate shared with me about the warm hospitality she experienced in Chile, I really envy the Chileans and hope Singaporeans could improve on that. Something to learn. 

However, these are the things I really like about Singapore:

1. Cheap and Good Food. 

(available anywhere anytime. It's clean!)

2. Efficiency Efficiency Efficiency 

(Things get done FAST and GOOD! I managed to close my brokerage account in hours. It took me less an hour of application time to replace my identity card. I got a reply for my insurance claim within 2 days. It takes only a few hours to incorporate a company in Singapore, how many countries in the world can match that? That's why Singaporean are generally impatient when things are delayed.)

3. Safety

(Any lady could walk on any street in Singapore at 3am and feel really safe. Recently, I was walking in a back alley of a red-light district at night, and a pimp shouted at me when I wanted to take a photograph. I was a bit shock, but I never felt my life was at jeopardy. That's a amazing. )

4. Low Corruption

(There is still corruption, but it is a rarity. I know that I do not need to bribe to get things done.)

5. Kind hearted and Nice people

(Singaporeans might not be the most cultured and courteous people around, but people in general are nice and kind-hearted. Singaporeans are known to get conned easily overseas, simply because we are more simple-minded.)

6. It's always Summer!!!

(I hate cold weather, especially winter. I love my shorts and flip-flops.)

7. Global Connectivity

(While we do not have mountains and waterfalls, those places are only a flight away. There are so many cheap flights available. Being the richest country in our region, we get to travel in beautiful neighboring countries without burning a hole in our pockets.)

Nasi Lemak with Chilli & Curry Gravy.

S$3.50 (US$2.70) only!!!

=)

Cycling with Family

My 3 years-old niece.

One of the best experiences in my life is to watch her grow up. It is an amazing process, and I am glad that I am part of it. She is constantly showered with love and is always very happy. =)

In my entire life, this was my first time cycling with my mum. 

I was quite excited about the whole experience. When I told her to be careful as she was not cycling steadily. She pridefully told me that  when she was young, she helped my late maternal grandma to deliver goods using bicycle. (My maternal grandpa died when my mum was very young). I had nothing more to say.

She also stubbornly demonstrated how she would cycle my bicycle (higher and bigger) even though she could not touch the ground while seated. I was really scared when I saw how she cycled, especially she didn't know how to use brake. Now, I know where I inherited my stubbornness from.

My Dad and my niece spending some quality time playing.

I am learning not to take little things like family excursion for granted.

I thoroughly enjoyed the simple fun.

It is a sense of comfort that is hard to replace.

=)

Why do I keep a blog?

(Taken @ the Great Sand Sea, Siwa Oasis, Western Egypt)

1.       For myself

 It is a way to record down some of the lessons, experiences, inspirations, beautiful things, philosophies, observations, and other things in my small world. Many times, I learnt something great and I forgot about it. This blog is a source of reminder for me about the important things in life. I enjoyed reading and recalling the some of the gems in life.

2.       For my family, friends and others

 It is an avenue for me to share some of the things that I have learnt along the way.  Once a while, I would receive compliments from my friends. I am happy they got something out of reading this blog. Some friends are inspired to travel after reading my blog. =)

3. This is my Work-In-Progress Obituary

One of the key philosophies in my life is “The Impermanence of Life”. I do not know when is my last day on this beautiful World, but I do know that everyday I am a day closer to the inevitable. I have wondered what is the use of a funeral, wake or burial service, since I am no longer around. I am more than a physical warm body. My philosophies, my beliefs, my values, my thoughts, my attitude towards life and people around me, my way of life and my views make up me. And this blog allows me to capture some of these things. When I am gone, this blog would be an avenue for my family and friends to visit me again. That is more meaningful than a tablet or a burial place. It somewhat immortalize me (as long as blogger is still around).

=)

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