#42 – Singapore Diaries part 3
Quite frankly, other than wanting to share the images I captured – to show you Singapore through my eyes – I write these visual diaries mainly for myself. It’s for me to document the things I saw, the places I went to, the people I met and everything in between; for me to relive and reflect on the month and a half that I had so eagerly looked forward to for 2 years; for me to look back, glance at a photo and instantaneously remember what I was doing and feeling in that precise moment. I’d hope to string together words that will help me remember how 20-year-old me was feeling – the realisations 20-year-old me made – while being back in a country which I once made my world; a country I so dearly, dearly miss.
As you’d expect, I spent everyday of this third week catching up with friends – some really close, others whom I didn’t see often, but all whom I had missed.
I ventured out to the NUS campus to spend some quality time with my deer Adeline (that wasn’t a spelling mistake). We met for lunch and then spent the afternoon in her hall room just talking, catching up and enjoying each other’s company again. I still remember how she was so amused by my accent when she came to pick me up from the bus stop and heard the words that were coming out of my mouth for the first time in a long time – so much so she had to take a video of me talking. So, so much has changed since we donned our secondary school uniforms; since we would laugh hysterically till we’d literally drop to the ground. Oh, and how we’d study together at your place, play iPhone tug-of-war, and head to the children’s playground (I still have those embarrassing photos of you pulling ugly faces).
I’m incredibly proud of all you’ve achieved and everything you continue to strive for – you’re doing amazing things, and I have no doubt you’ll be an inspiring teacher and touch the lives of each person and student you cross paths with. Love you deer Ade, and looking forward to when I next see you x
Oh, and happy 21st birthday love ♡
While I was on the NUS campus, I dropped by Sheares hall and got to see Charline, Zhangyi, Crystal and Xiaowei. It was so lovely to see you girls – each from a different chapter of my life; and the reaction I got from my surprise visit was absolutely priceless ♡
The following day I had also travelled to NUS to meet Yaole, Gwyneth and Enping for lunch on campus + reminisce good ol’ secondary school days.
That week I had also met Belinda for lunch at a vegetarian café in Clarke Quay, after which we took a little stroll along the river, talking about anything and everything, filling each other in on all the life events and details we had missed out on. I’ve really missed being able to sit across the table from my closest friends, to share stories and tell jokes while in their safe and comfortable presence – it was a great relief and a nice change from seeing their faces and hearing their voices through my laptop. Somewhere in between time differences, clashing schedules and a huge dose of heartbreak, it feels as though we’ve still been growing and maturing together despite being miles and miles apart.
Later that day, it was Pearlyn’s turn to put up with my photo-taking requests and waiting for my camera to eat first before we could. I dragged her to Boufé Boutique Café – which was admittedly a little hard to get to (especially because it was pouring with rain on our way there). I had seen photos online and really wanted to visit this very pretty café – and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
The outdoor patio was absolutely gorgeous and so dreamy, I just had to linger a while longer to capture the space that felt like magic. I’m such a sucker for fairy lights – wouldn’t you agree that they’re the prettiest kind of room décor ever?
You can also click here to see the flatlay I took of our scrummy food before it got devoured.
I didn’t take any photos for the remainder of that week, although I probably had my camera with me all the time.
Went for a round of pool followed by dinner at Chomp Chomp and waffles + ice cream at Oblong on Friday night with Marcus, Wei Jie and Jordan; dinner and karaoke with the guys till the wee hours on Saturday night; prata brunch with Team Esperanza followed by a day out with my girls Vivienne and YeeNah on Sunday; and a little shopping for my brother on Monday.
It was a magical and memorable week; a week that reminded me what home truly feels like.
PLACES & EATS – PART 3
Chomp Chomp Food Centre @ Serangoon Gardens
It’s been taking me a while to write + get blog posts up with all this busyness and everything that’s going on, but hopefully I’ll have all of my Singapore + Malaysia visual diaries up by the end of the year (still so much backlog!). I hope it's been somewhat enjoyable/interesting to read so far!
See you back here soon! xx
With love, Emily.