Drunken Soybean

The plane tickets are booked, the seats have been sat in for what feels like four hours, and the last thing I told myself was, “Well, this is it! I’m really working in Singapore!” No turning back now. A one-way ticket isn’t exactly pocket change, so it’s either full speed ahead or cry in the airport. Guess I’ll trust in God’s plan — because, yes, even God made it into the mix!

Although I’ve traveled around the Philippines, including various cities in Cebu, moving away and working far from home isn’t completely new to me. But working outside the country and with people from a totally different culture? I wasn’t mentally prepared for that. Looking back, my interactions with Singaporeans during previous visits were limited to ordering food and asking for directions. That’s about it. But now? I’m here to work with them and figure out the local workplace culture. Gurl, I wasn’t there yet. I was just here for the money — and that’s it! I wasn’t ready to dive into the whole “lah lah lah” thing. I was nervous.

Thankfully, I’m blessed to have my sister and her family here in Singapore. They’ve been my anchor, providing me with that familiar Filipino culture and comfort when I get home.

And of course, I knew I’d eventually meet fellow Filipinos at work. Which I did!

The First Few Months – A Tour of the City!

As a broke girl, the first thing on my list was finding all the free stuff and attractions in Singapore — starting with the Merlion!

I’ll forever be a fan of how clean and neat Singapore is. Seriously, look at the streets! It was a total culture shock for me. They’ll fine and even jail you for littering or making a mess anywhere in the city. The level of discipline you don’t really get in the Philippines, especially when it comes to things like loitering. Singapore really lives up to its nickname: “The Fine City!”

Off to our next stop – Haji Lane! It is a vibrant street in Singapore’s Kampong Glam district, known as the city’s Muslim cultural hub. Lined with colorful shophouses, it’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists, featuring independent fashion boutiques and cozy Middle Eastern cafes. The lane got its name from Arab pilgrim-brokers who once helped Muslims arrange the Hajj.

A photographer’s dream, Haji Lane offers a blend of history, culture, and a trendy food scene. Don’t miss nearby attractions like the golden-domed Sultan Mosque and the Malay Heritage Centre, both of which add to the area’s charm.

After exploring the hippy vibes of Haji Lane, we made our way to the Esplanade, stopping to snap a few photos of the stunning buildings and hotels along the way. My eyes sparkled when I saw the towering buildings. I’d never seen anything like that before until I arrived in Singapore. I was literally looking up the whole time, and my neck started to ache! Back in the Philippines, we have wide malls, but since we have so much more land, the space feels completely different compared to Singapore’s packed skyline of skyscrapers.

I genuinely enjoyed my first few months here. The scenery is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I’ve only seen tall buildings in movies, but seeing them in real life was mind-blowing. And the food? Even better! One of the things I was most excited about working and living in Singapore was the variety of food, especially vegetarian options. I remember feeling thrilled to try new vegetarian Mala and Yong Tau Fu shops and it went on for months. My love for Mala and Yong Tau Fu is forever! ❤ I thought I’d never find anything too exotic — until I encountered Stinky Tofu.

I don’t know what’s in that sauce or that tofu, but it’s like fermented socks?? I don’t even know! It literally burned my eyes and I started crying and almost vomited. 😂  On the brighter side of things, my allergy didn’t react.

In the Philippines, we have balut (fertilized, steamed/boiled duck eggs), but honestly, our balut is nothing compared to Stinky Tofu.

And let me be clear: Never in the world would I ever put that thing in my mouth.