#40 – Singapore Diaries part 2.
Hello there – and welcome back to the second part of my Singapore visual diary (you can read part 1 here).
It’s currently winter here in Sydney (well it’s spring now, but I wrote this months ago) – think gloomy days, heavy rain and strong winds – and I’m really missing the warmer climate in Singapore, where I could leave home in denim shorts and a thin, flowy top. And that was exactly what I wore to Lola’s café for a lunch date with 5 guys (ayyy) (you can see my outfit in my reflection if you look close enough) (probably not).
I was running late that morning (as usual) and luckily Chaihao came to my rescue by coming to give me a ride. It’s honestly so good that a handful of my friends now have their license and cars to drive us around (Y). Thanks, by the way. Anyway, we still arrived late and the rest of them were waiting for us.
You guys probably don’t know this, but before I walk in to see you (or even the night before when I joined y’all for supper), I am filled with nervous excitement and I must admit that I smile uncontrollably. Actually, even when I’m sitting down amongst you guys, I can’t help but smile. Again, it’s that surreal feeling of being reunited, being surrounded by warmth and comfort and love. It’s very much still the same, except now you guys talk about army life and I’m more clueless than I already am. Even though half of the time I’m just listening in on the conversation, and I don’t play basketball like a pro (anymore) (but let’s be honest, I was never that good), I don’t know how our friendship holds together, but I’m just thankful it does. I miss being in school with you guys, studying with you guys, playing basketball with you guys, playing pool with you guys, going for food with you guys. I miss my 17th birthday when you guys showed up at mine to play pool, but also came bearing surprise gifts and earl grey ice cream from Udders (except David who was giving me the cold shoulder HAHAHA).
Oh, but David, I was so happy to see you at Val’s party (I’m glad my accent was of some entertainment value). Quite frankly I felt very out of place, but sitting down and talking to you made it so much better. Funnily, I actually missed your crude swearing – I missed hearing your voice. Thank you for sending me home, for filling me in about your life on the long bus ride, for being the same caring, comfortable, easy-going and humorous guy. So much love for you ♡
I don’t say this enough, but thank you guys for accepting me, for including me, for treating me equally but constantly looking out for me at the same time, for making me feel special, for making fun of me, for being spontaneous, for reminding me that I always have people to fall back on regardless of the circumstance. I know I’m sometimes a massive burden, so thank you for bearing with me and being patient with me (and my photo-taking). I love you all so much (the whole group) – big, big love. Thank you for also buying me lunch at Lola’s, heh.
We drove to Queensway after lunch and walked around looking for my white champion keds (to no avail), before stopping for some food. I finally had some muah chee! Ah, soft little pillows of peanut heaven – love those things.
I met Fish&Co. for dinner that night (yes, that’s what we called our clique), followed by dessert at Wimbly Lu – quite average in my opinion, but the ambience was nice.
I made time this week to spend an afternoon at my old study hideout. I ordered pasta for lunch and a Vanilla Ceylon tea latte as I would have usually, took some flatlays (of course), sat down to dig in and planned out study units for uni + did some writing + people watching. It was really nice to be back, to reminiscence a time when I was a lot happier and actually enjoyed studying (more than I do now).
Later in the week the family visited my dad’s workplace and had a mini lunch party with everyone in the office. We ordered in some pizza and a sushi platter, and it was the first time I’ve come across a Starbucks traveller carton of coffee! It’s close to 3 litres and it’s so massive – loved, loved, loved it. Went shopping for my brother’s clothes afterwards because I’m actually his personal shopper (yay).
That night I also went wandering around Chinatown with my mother and her friend (aka my friend Zhimun’s mother). By this time it was the second week I had been back and being late January meant that Chinese New Year was just around the corner! The streets and malls in Singapore are brightly decked out in lights and decorations to set the joyous atmosphere for festivities and ringing in the New Year – this has by far been one of the biggest differences in contrast to life in Sydney. Since moving back to Sydney I’ve missed the bustling atmosphere come Chinese New Year – I’ve missed getting public holidays and seeing everyone dressed up for visiting. So being able to come back and spend time with family and loved ones this year was really special – most of which I spent in Malaysia (more of that later on)!
Chinatown is incredibly crowded around this time. Market stalls are lined up along blocked off roads and streets, the sound of singing and dancing fills the air, along with stall owners and salespeople shouting and using microphones or loudhailers to grab your attention (can’t forget them). You’re squeezing through the crowd, inching along among a wave of people, and it’s like you’re seeing red. Although it’s always crowded wherever you are in Singapore, it’s places and times like these that excite you about the festive period, when you get busy buying things in preparation to celebrate the New Year. My mother and I love going out and taking a look, even if we don’t end up buying anything – but I never leave without a couple of photos.
The next day, on Saturday the 23rd of January, was the 21st birthday of my dear friends Vivienne and Yeenah. While Yeenah took a short getaway with some friends, I attended Vivienne’s birthday party (already the second 21st party I had been to since coming back). Being physically able to be there to celebrate my friends’ birthdays has made me feel really lucky, because I’ve realised how rare that opportunity was – it wasn’t perfect timing, but so amazing that I could be there for her 21st. Love you both so much xx.
And then, Sunday! Sunday I went on a one-on-one date with Chaihao (AHAHAHAH). He came to pick me up and we went back to one of our old study spots: AMK library – not to study, but to have pasta for lunch (only we would do that ayyy). I actually really liked the pasta they served at the library café. It wasn’t restaurant quality, or anything like what you’d get at regular cafés, but it was yummy. Heh. So that’s where we had lunch! It reminded me so much of Secondary school days and studying for the ‘O’ levels – the younger and carefree days. We later drove to somewhere in Toa Payoh because Chaihao had something he wanted to buy, but when we rock up at the industrial looking place in search for a warehouse, it wasn’t there (AHAHAHAH). At least I got some photos.
The next best thing was to go for ice cream, because ice cream is always a good idea. He took me to creamier and we ordered a waffle with Thai milk tea and earl grey lavender ice cream to share. Oh my, it tasted amazing; so, so, so good. The waffle was crispy on the outside, still warm and fluffy on the inside; and the flavours of Thai milk tea and early grey lavender really shone through. I loved every mouthful. Definitely a place you must visit if you ever find yourself in Singapore!
{ Chaihao, I’m so glad we got to spend a day together, I honestly enjoyed every second. No doubt some things have changed, but you still feel the same. I cherish the memories we’ve made together, even though there are so many of them. I remember we met in secondary 3 (or was it 4) when we were both getting class tees done, going to Queensway together a couple of times (thanks for carrying the shirts), and things just starting from there. Next thing I remember we’re always studying together and eating, a lot (wow). Thank you for being my study buddy, for always pushing me to do more, for encouraging me to work hard, for being so easy-going, for being patient and always accommodating me, for amusing me with your lame humour, for being my spontaneous friend, for being a confidant and someone whom I could always turn to. I remember the both of us aiming to go to VJC and NJC after Secondary school, and I know that plan didn’t work out, but I’m so thankful we found ourselves in Nanyang. Schoolmates for another year, and I’m so glad you were there. You know you’re amazing, and that’s why you have so many friends who I’m sure see what a loyal and dependable person you are. I might not be the first person you turn to, but even if everyone turns your back on you, I will be here with open arms. With lots of love, your forever friend, Emily. }
Later that night, we met up with the rest of the guys for a massive Japanese buffet feast in celebration of David’s 21st birthday. Always a great time with them, something I missed and still continue to. Sending you guys more love (if you’re reading this) xx. We also had impromptu dinner and ice cream the very next day (wow, how clingy).
***
So, I realised that I’ve mentioned a bunch of places I visited while in Singapore, and I thought it would be a good idea to list them down at the end of each post. Me being me, I made a long list of places/cafés I wanted to go to, but I didn’t manage to tick them all off – I’ll put a list of the places I didn’t get to maybe in the last part. Since I previously lived there for 8 years, I also didn’t really go to all the touristy places on this trip – but I’ll list some tourist attractions/places that I think are worth visiting in the last part of the diaries as well. And just an extra bit of information: the way I’ve organised these diaries is by week – so part 1 covered my first week, and part 2 now talks about my second week in Singapore, so on and so forth. So without further ado,
PLACES & EATS – PART 2
Queensway Shopping Centre
Chinatown
I've updated part 1 with the places I visited, and you can check that out here.
I hope this will be helpful information and could act as a guide of places to visit and eat at in Singapore (hawker food is a must!) – if my posts give you wanderlust and you ever find yourself in my second home.
Till the next one, xx.
With love, Emily.