Well, it’s been a good four months since I stepped off my big Emirates A380 and called this red dot my home. Fast fact: did you know that Singapore isn’t even the size of Kangaroo Island (small Island off the coast of South Australia)? It’s actually only one- seventh of the size! That said, despite its small size, Singapore is huge in culture, lifestyle, and FOOD!

I have enjoyed and embraced as much as possible. Having lived an expat life for over five years, I have learned to adapt quickly or forever complain, and be miserable. No one likes that “whinny annoying person” – yep we all have one, that lady who compares everything to her amazing home country. #moveon!

Just for fun, here are my top 15 thing that make you realise you’ve made Singapore your home: 

1. You stop caring about people not looking where they’re going. Now, YOU are that person, too! Yep, YOU! Eyes glued to your phone as you zig zag through the streets and MRT stations.
2. Can and Lah become part of your daily vocabulary, even if at first you try not to, it just rolls off the tongue. And everyone older than you is suddenly your Auntie and Uncle.
3. $15 is a bargain for a glass of vino outside of happy hour. You no longer raise your eyebrows at the wine list.
4. Can we eat Dim Sum AGAIN? This is now both my hangover cure and my late night treat!
5. Chicken is a staple — it’s so cheap! And lamb, what is lamb again?
6. You have no problem deciphering acronyms like MBS, HDB, MRT & CBD and you’ve started making up your own abbreviations, too.
7. You will never just say Raffles. You specify an exact Raffles location; because now you know there is a different Raffles something on each corner.
8. Tissues: you do not go out without tissues, how else will you “chope” your table at the food court?
9. You have learned to live without gum, *sigh*.
10. You thought the climate meant you would never wear pants again, but you do. Fashion is fashion after all.
11. Level 1 means ground. I still have to remember that.
12. No price is ever what it seems but you’ve finally figured out the difference between plus, plus-plus and nett.
13. Singapore Sling, yeah you had that – ONCE, on a holiday before you moved.
14. In the 3 months, you have been here long enough to make a great friend and lose them to their own country or a new one.
15. You are no longer offended by the rude aunties and uncles at the Hawker Centres #getoverit. In fact, now you find it endearing.

This is MY top 15 but I am sure you’ve had other experiences. Please share them with me! There is always room for a follow up after my first year!

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