- That Mexican food is edible and pretty decent
here. Not amazing Californian good or in Mexico good, but commendable. I also should have stolen more Taco Bell hot sauce. My love for sauciness (in food and in life) has cost me the better part of my rations and now I’m going to settle for Picante or some quasi, crappy version of hot sauce that they call ‘Mexican hot sauce’ over here. Trader Joe’s Jalapeno Hot Sauce, I miss you. - That my best friend named wine, and I are taking a forced break. I knew it would be expensive here but surely for $22 a glass you’d think the glass would be more than two sips. I’ve had to hold myself back on instructing staff what a ‘real pour’ is. Instead, I’ve thought better of it and just licked my glass clean when my husband and servers aren’t looking.
- Alas, liquor is not any better my shot-loving friends. I spent $32 on a Singapore Sling here. That’s one drink! Best bring a full flask when you come to visit me friends – you’ll be sharing! #ThankGodForDutyFree
- That media is not censored as much as I thought it would be and I still get to stream my beloved Netflix. I had visions of a stranded island situation where I could only watch G-rated movies or listen to Celine Dion for the next two years here, but it turns out I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I can get my favorite magazine (but they cost like $11 each) and cozy up on the couch to listen to Spotify while watching Netflix and it’s like I’m back in San Francisco except without the wine.
- I need a Kindle stat. Books are crazy expensive like $65 on two books expensive not to mention the emotional toll of listening to my husband complain about the price for two hours after – it’s almost not worth it. It was also real helpful to hear from my Mom that if she would have known, she would have given me one of her Kindles. Thanks, Mom for offering one of yours AFTER I already moved. Let it be known, the woman has three.
- That there has been barely any real transition from life in San Francisco to Singapore other then me calling friends and family in the morning because that’s their night time. Sadly, I don’t get to call after a boozy night and say “heyyyyyyy” anymore. Some may benefit more than others from this – you know who you are.
- That vitamins are so damn expensive. Why do these little pills cost enough that I need to knock off a bank to afford them? As a kinda vegetarian who eats fish, I need my vitamins. When trying to find some they all range from $60 and up. That’s for one bottle – I typically take three kinds at a time. I guess I’m going to be cash poor, but vitamin rich? Feel free to start sending care packages at any time.
- That flip flops/thongs/sandals, whatever you want to call them, are easy to find if you have lovely, petite feet. I do not. My Mom used to call my feet clodhoppers which I guess was slang for big feet back in her day (i.e. the Dark Ages). I’m still holding out hope that I find some flip flops that fit out there in the crazy-crowded shopping mall wilds but perhaps this might be a job for Amazon Prime.
- That I want to eat all the bread here. The baked goods here are legit and plentiful. My ice cream guy (yes, I have an ice cream guy) told me the whole baked good thing has really exploded here in the past 10 years. He said before, baked goods were only for special occasions. This is a lucky and happy development as it’s part of my duty to stuff my face with as many baked items as possible. I mean if I don’t who will be able to tell my visitors which ones are the best. I get a free pass because I’m helping – seriously though – it’s super thoughtful of me.
- That Starbucks is crazy popular and crazy expensive. Call me a spoiled American but if I see more than three people in line and the cost of my hot tea which is basically hot water and leaves is above $7, that’s money I’ll be saving to put towards something more sophisticated and fun – you guessed it, probably my old friend wine who I haven’t talked to in a while.
#expat #Singapore #topten