Amee was one of the first people I met when I came to Houston, with her living in Singapore, there has been a huge hole in my social calendar. I’ve missed her dearly, I’m so glad she’s back!
Where were you born? Dallas, Texas
How long have you been there? Almost 2 years
How long do you expect to be there? Til mid July
Where else have you lived? Houston, New York City, Florida
What you love about where you are living? How safe it is, extremely low crime and totally safe for the children.
What is the worst thing about where you live? I miss BBQ and mexican food. I miss my comfort food. And Walmart, and Target. Everything is expensive here.
The hardest part of living where you live? When I arrive back from the US, it is hard to transition back but after a month, I am usually settled again. And then within a few months we are back in the US, so I don’t feel I’ve really had an opportunity to make the break with home. Unless this is what it feels like to live abroad.
What has surprised you most about where you live? The taxi drivers, they are worse than NYC taxi drivers! Also it is surprisingly safe. I have to switch on the radar when I leave here.
Your biggest lesson learned? You have to accept your environment, accept that I am not home and things are going to be different.
One reason you wouldn’t have missed living there for the world? The opportunity to live abroad and I had an opportunity to see Hong Kong, which was on my bucket list. The chance to travel and see different countries we otherwise would not have had the opportunity.
The best food? Din Tai Fung and Morton’s Steakhouse
The best sight? Looking out our balcony in the morning and seeing a pink sunrise over the Singapore Straits.
Your biggest fear for the future? Trying to keep my son safe. It is so safe here for the kids. I mean you can never take anything for granted but it like Shangri-la here. I’ll really miss that, you can’t buy safety.
Funniest incident? Taxi driver incident- Okay so like when it rains here in Singapore, you cannot catch a taxi. They just do not stop. Something about liability and being in a accident with a passenger is much more than without a passenger, obviously. So they don’t stop, but that’s when you need them the most, right? Of Course. I was picking up my son from school and it was pouring like it does here in Singapore during the rainy season. I thought I’d do the smart thing and stand out with my puny umbrella and flag down a taxi driver to come into the school so I wouldn’t be standing out there trying to do that with my 3 year old son. Well after about five available taxis passed me by (and one that did stop and asked me where I was going, then shook his hands and drove off (!!!explicative)), I finally was able to successfully flag one down and have it drive into my son’s school. Now mind you, they do not have a circular drive way and for the cars it very difficult to drive in and park, collect your child, and back up whilst others are trying to do the same, all driving out through the same driveway. So the teachers seeing what I’m doing have Michael ready, and I have folded up MIchael’s stroller only to turn around and see another Mother and her child getting into our taxi!!!! OMG!!! I couldn’t believe it! Explicative, explicative! So she sees this and instead getting out of my taxi, asks me if it was my taxi as if to share (which I should have probably taken her up on it). I say ‘no’, after muttering under my breathe, and let her take my hard won taxi. Well of course I can’t flag down another taxi, and I am drench by this point, and after waiting awhile with the teachers and other parents under the canopy, the rain finally stops enough to walk in. Long story short, we end up catching the usual bus home instead and when I finally arrive to the subjacent island we live on, I usually walk the rest of this way, the sole of running shoes comes off! So I’m drenched, walking lopsided through a rather posh area with everyone looking at me. My husband’s ears must have been on fire!
What NOT to do in your location? Chew gum, eat food or drink on the subway or buses. They are very picky about that.
The person who has inspired you most where you live and why? Priscilla Ollre. She is/was our SSA coordinator and she has amazing grace in handling so many different personalities that come through, yet remains friendly, personable and informative. They are actually moving back to Houston, so we’ll be seeing them soon.
Best piece of advice you could give to newbie expats? Sign up with your local SSA. The information they have attained will be the best help you can have at your location. They have usually been there awhile and can really help with any questions or concerns you might have.
Read previous interviews, here:
#1 Sarah, from Ireland, now in Houston
#2 Melanie, from England, now in Houston
#3 Corinne, from France, now in Switzerland
#4 Frances, from England, now back in England
#5 Alison, from Ireland, now in Houston
#6 Mary Ann, from Australia, now in Houston
#7 Jennifer, from USA, now in Stavanger
#8 Mimi, from France, now in Houston
#9 Marie, from Australia, now back in Australia