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I have been living in the Merlion City for a year now.

Hooray!

In the beginning, it’s as if I were living in a dream, in a perfect world. I have seen it through the eyes of a tourist, a worker and a devoted admirer, aware of its flaws but fascinated by its beauty.

There are trees and plants everywhere. The sidewalks and the streets are all clean. People abide by strict rules and live neatly in their own worlds. They communicate in their own languages with their free minds. But amidst all these, I think of them as a facade revolving life more on physical and material things.

Everyone knows that the this developed island is congested and stiffing with immigrants and foreign workers. Work is so much the demand. In the name of excellence and world-class standard, working for progress and money is like a pressure cooker without an outlet.

Only God knows when it will explode. There is so much to do in so little time that caring and reaching out to others personally is almost next to impossible. People pause for coffee or tea only to stimulate the weary mind and get it over to work again.

Moving on, here are my answers to three BIG questions people mostly ask me.

Question # 1: What are the things you will miss about Singapore?

Answer: I think these are the ONLY five:

1. Comfortable public transport

Avoiding cabs is a good rule of thumb, if you don’t want to pay unnecessarily. If you’re using a smart phone with GPS on, you’re surest you won’t get lost. Use your legs, walk and take the MRT or bus whenever possible. Here, interesting finds can be located in almost every corner so walking, quite literally, gives you better chances to explore.

Everything I needed is just a stone throw away. The transport system is so efficient. Pedestrians are guided with traffic lights with countdown timers and maps in bus stops and train stations. Small piece of advice, though: learn how to use the maps and your GPS well.

The last thing you want to have is “I don’t know” for an answer. Yes, many times I’ve been on the road (Redhill, Chinatown, Aljunied, Orchard, Punggol, City Hall, Bugis and Raffles Place are all I can remember now) feeling lost. I asked locals who man stores and stalls, thinking that they should be most familiarized with the nearby territory of their work area. But alas, all of them have replied “I don’t know” or “不知道” then pointing to others (or coach me to the wrong direction) 100% of the time. Aigoo.

2. Clean and filtered water

When you get thirsty, take advantage of the clean and filtered water from the faucet. You can go to any public toilet and drink from there. A bottled water from any convenience store is expensive (at least to me). Water from hawkers also mostly requires some payment.

3. Being safe

Security is undoubtedly the best attribute about this place. Here you can you take a stroll down the streets in the wee hours of the morning without worrying about being mugged or drugged. Also, there are no earthquakes (yet), forest fires, landslides and volcanic eruptions.

4. Free copies of newspaper

I take MyPaper and Today every day to work. I don’t mind if I can’t get unpublished contents that are censored. I just want something to read. Hey, at least I’m informed of some news after all.

5. Workmates and church mates

If I were to go to Singapore again in the future, the reason is definitely not to rekindle the stressful moments, tour around for the attractions or the food but to visit the people I’ve made friends with. These are real people who cared for me who had always given me strength and support.

Question#2: What’s the best Singaporean dish?

Answer: There’s a lot of tasty treats. But as a pescetarian, I can only recommend dishes which are safe for me that I know. Local Singaporean dishes to try are: seafood char kway teow, carrot cake (not exactly carrot but radish), chili crab, fried prawn noodles, sambal stingray, laksa, oyster omelet, fish soup or congee and fish head curry. Don’t go to fancy restaurants. Eat on the cheap. Dine in at hawker areas.

Question#3: Where’s the best place in Singapore?

Answer: To me, it’s our house. Haha. Apart from it, I like hanging out in Orchard even though I don’t shop there. This is just because it’s near to our house and I could hear many people talking in Filipino making me feel like I’m home (in the Philippines).

Also, it’s nice to watch people of different races walk and converse there. Sometimes I just sit and observe how they act, joke, share, get mad, smile, frown, laugh, conclude…in restaurants, in the malls and even outside in the street. I watch them, appreciating the beauty of life and all His creations. I’m just fascinated with the whole thing. I feel the pulse, settle in to the pace.

I took the day off from work last Thursday, very excited. I slept almost all afternoon to prepare myself else I’d be so sleepy past midnight. Her plane was set to land at 11:55PM. I left home four hours earlier. I had dinner and also bought for her. She must be hungry; I knew she has not eaten before or during the flight. My sister accompanied me via Skype while I was waiting in the arrival area in Changi airport.

Scanning silhouettes, I tried to remain inconspicuous about my search. The time was right but she has not gone out yet. What’s taking her so long? I knew I couldn’t miss her from the crowd. I came with a jacket on but air conditioning in the budget terminal was not enough. Sweat began to form on my forehead, so I removed my jacket and blended with everyone else. At 12:25AM, she met my gaze, coming out from the exit.

MOMMY! ♥ 

I didn’t really expect myself to be jumping up and down quite so giddily. But I was pretty excited to see her (with knots in my stomach and everything). After giant hugs and lots of talking, finally we headed home.

For the many past months, I’ve been saving a lot for this occasion: her visit. I planned to treat her to many restaurants and just let her choose whatever she likes. I’ve been like a soldier, composed and disciplined, who didn’t worry about my personal comfort but was set on pleasing only my “commanding officer,” never forgetting what is due to my honor.

My mom is really the sunshine in my life when I’m a stormy cloud, even when we’re far from each other. We fawn over each other and get so deep into these conversations of outpouring affection but then try and pull ourselves out, for fear of being too cliché. We finish each other’s sentences, sometimes thinking we’re mind readers.

My mom is so quirky and bubbly that whenever I see or hear her, I smile. She always gives me that insta-smile or insta-laughter. She reminded me what being happy is and has shown me that I’ve been missing out on happiness for far too long. 

So what was in our itinerary? On the first day, I toured her around Novena: to the nearest SingPost, IRAS, Velocity@Novena Square and Novena Ville. We had breakfast in Burger King and went into FairPrice and Cold Storage where she checked items repeatedly but happily. Groceries are like her Disneyland. Grocery items amuse her, especially unique vegetarian stuff for Daddy.

We had lunch in Fish & Co. and then traveled to Little India where she found more vegetarian diners. For almost every one she saw, she’s reminded of my dad and hoped that he could also join us here to taste and experience all food delights. Sheng Shiong at The Verge was our next grocery endeavor where we bought a number of varied frozen vegetarian products not found in the Philippines.

At 3PM, we checked in at Fragrance Hotel-Ruby in Aljunied and took a bus straight to VivoCity, HarbourFront. My original plan was to purchase the Sentosa Noon Time Play Pass but time was not enough for my chosen four land activities. Instead, we roamed around the island, enjoyed individual passes and laughed to our hearts’ content. The two growling tummies were satisfied after having dinner at Din Tai Fung and Food Republic’s Thye Hong for the famous local flavor: fried prawn noodles.

On the second day, we set forth to the West: Clementi Town Centre, Clementi Mall and had lunch in Shin Tokyo (Ramen Ten) inside CityVibe. Mommy bought food vouchers from JuzToday.com last year, so we had Japanese sushi buffet, free ramen and green tea for S$15/pax (S$18 off). Our next stop was in IKEA, Queenstown, where we stayed for like three to four hours pleasing our eyes with exquisite designs and functionality of pieces of furniture.

We passed by Chinatown, Clarke Quay and Nicoll Highway shortly on our way to Esplanade: The Millenia Walk, Marina Square and Theatres on the Bay, the premier destination in the waterfront area of Singapore. My ultimate purpose of us going there was for her to try cereal prawns in batter with curry leaves in the nearby Glutton’s Bay (Sew An food stall). I bought her two packs of those cereals to cook at home.

Full again, we needed to lose the calories at once. We walked to the Helix Bridge, an engineering marvel replicating the DNA structure linking us to Marina Bay Sands (Bayfront). The balls of my feet went dead after walking around all day through night but surprisingly Mom was still okay. How could she defeat me?! I didn’t cry because of that; I did when I thought all my sacrifices had paid off. They were worth it, seeing how happy I made my mother. When she said that never in her life had she dreamed of being in such a spectacular place, I was moved to tears and so was she.

On the third day, we checked out of the hotel in the morning and packed things up back at home in Newton quickly. We rode a bus and MRT to Botanic Garden and Haw Par Villa. It was my first time to the Tiger Balm Garden. Indeed, it’s an odd theme park and considerably one of the most offbeat tourist spots in Singapore. It was a good thing that my mom has some knowledge on Chinese mythologies so she had some appreciation on the freaky statues and such weird colorful elements.

We had our late lunch in Holland Village: Sumo Salad and Holland Village Market and Food Centre’s Pontian Wanton Noodles and the long-queued chicken rice stall. Next, we alighted at Promenade for another grocery escapade at Carrefour in Suntec City Mall and went to Suntec exhibition hall’s IT show to look out for technological gadgets on sale.

Mom thought of buying a blu-ray player but after much comparing of prices decided to just buy one online from eBay. Immediately after, we headed North to Somerset and Orchard for window-shopping and dinner. We met with Ahia Gilbert, Achi Kathy and Achi Cely in Marché, bought stuff from H&M, Paragon’s Market Place and Takashimaya’s Cold Storage.Back at home three hours before her flight, we packed her bags and got ready to the airport.

Achi Cely accompanied us from Kallang to Changi. In the departure terminal,after seeing that the bag was overweight, we transferred some of the things inside the luggage to the hand-carried bags. I didn’t want to take a cab home so I must go back before 11:30PM to catch the last train. It was already 11:15PM then. Because of the rush, we didn’t have our last dramatic episode but exchanged hugs and goodbyes.

Time was 11:45PM when I reached the MRT. Of course, I could not take the train anymore. Thank goodness, a bus came that drove me straight to opposite Orchard station. I was home after an hour, tired but gratified.

In this whirlwind of life, there are those moments (often few and far between) when things just magically fall into place, when everything is just as it should be. These are times when you just want to press pause and inhale the moment into your being.

My mom’s visit has been a fast but magical one. I cherished every moment of it and I’m thankful that for once again in her life, she felt comfortable having me lead the way.

At last it’s over!

I was on leave today to get prepared for the wushu performance tonight. I changed my form last two weeks to an iron fan chop-chop routine and only got short time to practice.

Thank God, my efforts were applauded with great fervor by the large audience. Ex Singapore prime minister Goh Chok Tong was there at the very front table as a VVIP (very very important person?). But I don’t know his face (haha) and my eyesight is poor so I couldn’t really see the people.

Venue was at the Fond Garden Restaurant inside Kallang Theatre near Stadium MRT Station (Circle Line).

We (me plus 7 other FGA members) arrived at 6:30PM but since my number is second to the last one, we stopped over at the mall beside the theatre to have dinner and to “standby.” I saw this giant helium-filled Chinese man and thought it’s really cute. Douglas helped me take a picture:

In three minutes, there’s a clean slate to dream on, a beginning that is tangled up in the bedsheets of an end. Yesterday, today and tomorrow are all just words that melt together in the space between 12:00 and 12:00:01. Blink, and a new day is born.

Tomorrow we’re going to Peirce Reservoir and Pulau Ubin: pure nature. I will take close-up photos of grass and plants and green living things to make me remember to see. It is therapy to notice the beauty in the chaos of nature, to predict what happens next in the seasons even though each year it’s different, to believe in a God who holds everything in His hand.

Good night.

Lunar years of the Snake are 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2013.

I’m not a grave believer of astrology, feng shui, horoscopes or anything of related sort; I just find their accounts marvelous. It’s interesting how the different accounts for different people and settings are created—with various angles and meanings.

I’m not insanely devoted to read and analyze all of them. I only selected the predictions for my sign—a few which seem sound—and summarized them. If you’re an Earth Snake (born in 1989) like me, then maybe you can benefit and learn from the findings I got below.

What’s ahead for us in the year of the Water Dragon?

Here’s what Chinese astrologers had to say.

The prediction:

For the past couple of years, things were good for you but in this year 2012, your fortunes and luck prospects decline sharply. You will face a tough year as the stars and energies in 2012 are not in your favor. You will encounter misfortunes, obstacles, mishaps, loss and the general bad.

My 2 cents:

I shall strive to overcome and subdue these negative energies. We may not be responsible for the things that will happen, but we are completely in control of our attitude and reactions. The best we can do is to adopt a policy of optimism and joy. I’m a firm believer in mind over matter. Our attitude affects our actions, so choose a positive one!

The prediction:

Your inner chi is unstable and your confidence diminishes. It’s a year better to consolidate than to take financial risks. You should also be concerned with manifestations of accidents, financial losses or obstacles in your path of growth.

My 2 cents:

I shall think things through before making decisions and conclusions.

The prediction:

Health and relationships will be good.

My 2 cents:

I shall thank God and have greater faith. Despite the loads of incoming negativity, if I’d still be empowered with good health and good people to count on, then all of the adverse will be weakened. It’s the people offering up love, silence and laughter that make the days filled with mind-numbing uncertainties and exhausting pain a bit more bearable.

The prediction:

The intrinsic connection you share with the Dragon will create some unique opportunities for you! Your zodiac allies are the Ox and Rooster. They will bring you much luck so mingle with them more often.

With their help and support (especially the Rooster), obstacles will be less overwhelming, good fortune will be multiplied and success shared will be so much sweeter. Your horoscope secret friend is Monkey. This is someone you can always depend on, someone who will stand by you during tough times.

My 2 cents:

I shall stick with people having these Chinese horoscopes more often. Haha. The closest Monkey, Rooster and Dragon to me are as follows:

Happy Chinese New Year to everyone!
恭喜发财，万事如意，主里蒙恩！

Marina Bay Sands leaps into festivities as it welcomes the Year of the Dragon as well as the opening of Bayfront MRT station at its doorsteps on January 14. Train commuters can arrive directly at the integrated resort via five different entrances at Bayfront MRT station, including Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Sands Expo & Convention Center, and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. –SoShiok

Today marks the opening of Bayfront MRT station and I just had to be there. My primary purpose was to go to MBS The Shoppes, Asia’s leading shopping and dining destination, without tiring myself to walk down the Helix Bridge. I was not planning to buy anything from there; my intention was to claim Achi Kathy’s prize from a scratch card (received from registering to be an MBS member).

the prize

I gave mine to Eva, my backpacker friend, last month as she wasn’t able to get one. In turn, Achi Kathy gave me her claim card and told me to get her prize for my own in my next visit to MBS. Sadly, the prize was already forfeited.

As consolation, I just enjoyed touring around Bayfront, Promenade and Esplanade. The Spring festival / Chinese New Year displays in the malls enthralled me. I was also able to watch a Japanese person demonstrate ikebana (art of flower arrangement) in Suntec City. Ikenobo, its origin, is celebrating its 550th anniversary this year.

Back at home, I thought God must have pitied me so much for not taking home any actual reward that he sent Ahia Gilbert who gifted me an 8-GB flash drive in a shape of a card. Yayayayay.

Life as of late?

在工作方面, we’re in transition phase, wherein I’m handing over my responsibilities to my colleague so she better be prepared to take over before I leave the company. We’ve been so busy doing rounds of system testing and content development once again. My eyes blurred at many instances; I just wanted to go home and sleep right away.

But I also have pending tasks for my writing job that must be accomplished and submitted on time, so I had to spend less time sleeping in order to get to my goals. I thank God for giving me strength and persistence required of me. After 1.5 weeks of being much occupied, 終於辛苦了!

Last Thursday, our company director had treated another employee who’s soon leaving and me to a farewell lunch, along with our HR manager and accountant. I felt the pang of realization the next day that I only have 1-2 months before I’m out.

I’m anxious about is my upcoming wushu performance. I never asked for it. But since the chance was given, even if I’m not totally prepared, I said okay, I’d go for it. It will be a solo performance for a Chinese New Year 2012 celebration, here in Singapore. I’ve been thinking about what form to present two weeks now.

Since I don’t have any weapon with me (e.g. broadsword, cudgel, straight sword, dagger, etc.), I’ll just be performing with bare fists. I need time and concentration to practice. It’s tempting, I must admit, to back out. Can I make it without embarrassing myself? I looked up to the sky and asked the clouds, but they didn’t answer. Anyway, I still got three weeks before d-day.

To motivate myself, I bought my costume last week in Chinatown. Hahaha. It was my first time to go to the night market in Pagoda Street and to wander around Chinatown, Singapore. I really felt like I was back home—in the Philippines. Sweet.