Why living in Brussels was difficult for me and how I adjusted

Brussels is the EU Headquarters and was an interesting place to live in, even though my time there was all too brief. Out of all the countries I've lived in, this place tested me in many ways. I needed to find that happy medium during the periods of adjustment that every expat goes through when moving to a new country. Some places are easier than others. Brussels was difficult for me. 

Some of these reasons are typical of an expat and periods of adjustment but mostly my personal experiences...

1) Language barrier. Brussels is a French speaking city for the most part and there is a small section that borders the flanders section which speaks Dutch. Having a small knowledge of both French and Dutch, I thought I would be fine. It was certainly challenging! Even small things like asking where the eggs, oatmeal, bread, dishwashing liquid are became an adventure. Grocery shopping was like a jigsaw puzzle for me. Knowing some Dutch words and some French words, I managed to find my way around the store. Google maps was my friend and luckily wifi was easy to find. 

2) Safety risk. I was actually fearful of a terrorist attack when I moved to Brussels for an internship and then I heard about safety issues in general that plague the EU headquarters. I was stubborn and still chose to move to Brussels even after there was a lockdown on the city a week after the Paris attacks. Looking at the news from afar was definitely fear-mongering and how much can we trust the sensationalization of the media these days. I minimized my risk by choosing to live near my office outside the city center so I wouldn't have to ride public transport during the morning rush hour and didn't go to crowded places very much. I dislike crowded places and rush hour traffic anyway.

3) Knowing no one. Most of the places I've lived in in the past, there was always someone I knew or an educational institution which made meeting new people and making friends very easy. Brussels was completely foreign to me. I only knew the people that worked within close proximity to me. Eventually, I started to slowly create a routine for myself going to the gym, taking a dance class, and signing up for a Swedish language course which had quite a small eclectic group of International people. When an acquaintance from Singapore moved to Brussels with her husband, I managed to meet up with them for some lovely brunches. Though it was difficult at first, I grew very comfortable with spending a lot of time alone. 

4) Adjusting to desk life.  I have always been very active in the art of the hustle working in performing arts and creative industries. It was quite the adjustment to working in an office with other people sitting nearby typing away on computers doing tasks that contribute to a large company. It was  a glimpse into corporate world for me and quite a different working culture than I was used to. As a creative go-getter that gets a lot of things done with an ability to multi-task. I felt like my previous skills were being put to good use. However, my eyes certainly felt tired at the end of each day. There was even a few days where I would come home and put sliced cold cucumbers over my eyes to let them relax.

5) The weather was unpredictable and gloomy. I moved during winter in Belgium and the winters there can have some very ugly wet days with strong winds. I have lived in New York City for most of my twenties and sometimes the weather in winter can be pretty cold, windy, frigid, wet, and also the appearance of blizzards! I never experienced seasonal depression much as I prefer when the weather is a bit colder and crisp. I think fall is the best season but I didn't dislike winter. I actually like snow and winter sports. BUT... I was certainly not prepared to experience the unpredictable weather of Belgium. In a single day, one can experience, rain, fog, snow, hail, strong winds, and sunny skies. On the rare days that the weather and skies were clear, I would grab the opportunity to go and explore! Those are also the days that I really appreciated the sunny skies.

I had a few more serious problems living in Brussels that I won't divulge here but when I left Brussels, I really began to miss it. I missed it a lot! When I returned a few months later for a few days, I was quite happy to be back and took the opportunity to enjoy what the capital of the EU had to offer in those few days. Perhaps I was adjusting to living there and making a new normal. As a third culture kid who has lived in numerous places around the world since I was a child, it seems every country has its unique challenges. The journey of life and where it takes us is not one to take for granted. Every ups and downs are meant to be lived through and experienced. Like the unpredictable weather, one needs to experience both to appreciate the good that happens. 

J'adore Bruxelles!

A Bourgeois guide to eating, drinking, shopping, and pampering in Singapore

Scrambled eggs and bacon on a flaky croissant from Populus Cafe

My friends will probably laugh at the title. I've made some lovely friends online from the travel blogger community groups but one thing was bothering me... I'm not a backpacking hostel type of female traveler nor am I into full-on luxury travel. I fall somewhere in between and I think a lot of you do too. I like a bourgeois way of life that is not overtly luxurious or bargain hunting for the cheapest hostel around. Its the middle of the road for me. I also do my research for the best places to eat, shop, drink.

I enjoy good food whether its from the corner street stall at the hawker centres commonly found in every area of Singapore to fine dining. As long as it tastes good. ;-) I like a good massage but it doesn't have to come from the most luxurious spa. I will take public transportation but if its raining or too hot to walk outside and I have to look presentable then I'd take a taxi or Uber car. You get the picture...

PS Cafe Petit at Robertson Quay

Black fried carrot cake and fresh watermelon juice at Makansutra Gluttons by the Bay

Food & Drink:

1) P.S. Cafe at Robertson Quay
I've grown to love this homegrown chain of restaurants for the food, ambiance, design aesthetic of the restaurant, and locations they tend to open. My favorite location is P.S. Petit Cafe at Robertson Quay. The location is a bit on the residential side but close to Robertson Walk where there are a number of al fresco dining options. A very chill vibe in this neighborhood that reminds me of life in Europe but more tropical weather. The restaurant is also beautifully designed with a design hipster sensibility i.e. white exposed tiles, cake displays, handwritten chalk boards, flower arrangements. Order the parmesan truffle fries! I've not had a bad meal at P.S. Cafe so you can't really go wrong.

2) Wild Honey at Mandarin Gallery
You may start to notice that I like quiet, chill, eclectic type places. The decor at Wild Honey is eclectic, colorful, yet has a hip grandmother-feel to the upholstery and choice of dining room furniture. A good place for brunch and catching up with girlfriends over strong black coffee and eggs.  I like the eggs benedict.

3) Imperial Treasure at Ngee Ann City
This is my favorite Chinese restaurant in Singapore. I really like the dim sum here. The ambiance is less chill and beautiful design-centric as the other two but like I said, the food is good. Be prepared to wait for a table when it gets busy for dim sum lunch. They also have really good Chinese food. I like to order the Beijing dumplings here. The pork and scallions with a hint of ginger is addictive!

4) Satay club at Makansutra in the Esplanade
This curated outdoor food centre is particularly lovely at night after a performance. The Satay is made Malaysian style served together with a peanut chilli sauce. Wash the satay down with a fresh juice from the juice stand then take a walk towards the bay. The views are wonderful with the backdrop of the city lights from the Central Business District and the behemoth Marina Bay Sands hotel and casino.

5) Manhattan bar at The Regent Hotel
This is probably the most expensive from this list as this bar is a top-rated luxury hotel bar. But for the discerning drinker who likes a smooth negroni, only the best mixologists will do. I don't come here often but I have been here a few times over the past 4 years. I threw my birthday party/going away party here a couple years ago. The food here is good but overpriced, the drinks are phenomenal but overpriced but on the same level as other bars in Singapore of the same caliber. The dark interior and leather reminds one of being inside a cigar room for dapper gentlemen or a speakeasy of the 20s. A great place to have a birthday or a date.

6) Cedele at Wheelock Place
This chain of restaurants and cafes are found throughout Singapore but this location is a sit down restaurant with a chill vibe and views overlooking the fountain and the busy road intersection from above. The food here is pretty good and they have a focus on nutrition and wholesome food. My favorite things to order here is the caesar salad, pumpkin or butternut squash soup, and earl grey with fig ice cream. Prices are middle of the road so you won't break the bank eating here.

7) Boon Tong Kee at River Valley Road
A fairly clean chicken rice restaurant that has renovated itself to be a full fledged restaurant from the chicken rice joint that it once was in the 90s. I still like the chicken rice and its my favorite place to get chicken rice in Singapore. They also serve other dishes that are found in Chinese restaurants. I like to order chicken rice to go but if I eat here, I order steamed chicken with chicken rice, a veggie dish, and an appetiser to share with my dining companions.

8) Bar hopping on Club street, Ann Siang Hill, Keong Saik Street
I never really know where I'm going when I meet friends in these areas for drinks. There are so many bars and restaurants on these streets. After work hours are the most popular times. This area is also good for people watching. Some bars to look out for: The Library, The Cufflink club.

9) Sanpoutei Ramen at Holland Village
I like my ramen noodle soup at this casual ramen place because the noodles are springy, thicker, and the soup is a nice rich broth. When this place first opened, the broth was a bit too fatty for my tastebuds but now I know not to order the tonkotsu (pork bone broth) and all is well with the world. I like tonkotsu ramen but not at this place. The shoyu or the tori + miso ramen broth works really well with the springy noodles.

Yoga Movement at Robertson Quay

Getting foot reflexology at Natureland

Shopping and Pampering:

1) Jurlique Spa and the shops at Wheelock Place
The Jurlique products and the facials at the spa keep my skin refreshed and glowing. When I'm in Singapore, I try and fit a facial appointment here to rebalance my skin out. The change in temperatures while traveling can really mess the moisture levels of my face.
The shopping centre is a curated experience of smaller boutiques and they are fun to poke around in because some of them have a focus on local designs or hard to find products.

2) Natureland at Robertson Walk
There are a few rituals in Singapore that I do when I'm in town. I book myself a foot reflexology appointment because my feet take a beating from walking miles and miles, exercise, and dancing up a storm in studios. Foot reflexology is my time to unwind and get all the kinks out. When I was teaching over 48+ hours of dance, this became a necessity. My feet and legs were taking a massive beating and I needed this badly. My foot reflexologist is based here and the space is relaxing but not too posh. I like that I can use the free wifi and catch up on blogging while getting my feet massaged!

3) Mandarin Gallery Shops
I like wandering around this little shopping centre in the middle of Orchard Road because the air conditioning is strong, quiet and peaceful, and the shops are not your run of the mill shops that you can find in any other mall in town. However, they did just open a flagship Victoria's Secret so I don't know how quiet this place will be or a sign that more mainstream shops will occupy the stores inside eventually.

4) Kampong Glam boutique shops
In the Kampong Glam area around Arab street there are some adorable little boutique shops and cafes that have opened up in the recent decade. It is the place with an eclectic mix of styles that border from hipster cool to urban fashionista. Definitely a fun place to walk around.

5) Far East Plaza
This old shopping centre houses some eclectic boutiques, nail salons, eateries (the rojak shop is good!), and hair salons. I like browsing some of the shops here for the eclectic and quirkiness that other new shiny malls lack. This place was also a favorite place to shop as a pre-teen for baggy jeans, flannel, and used books. You can still find some really good deals here. There are also tailors here that can do alterations for not exorbitant prices.

6) Manicure and Pedicure at Holland Village Shopping Centre
There are so many places in this complex. I no longer get manicures or pedicures done regularly because its easier to keep my nails looking neat and healthy by keeping it short and no polish. Also because I'm traveling quite a bit that its difficult to maintain a pretty polish from looking chipped. When I do feel like a little pampering, I come to Holland Village Shopping Centre and get my nails done. I like I love Nails for efficient service, affordable prices, and they do a pretty good job. Its a no frills place so don't expect a spa atmosphere.

7) Yoga class at Yoga Movement
I started to go to weekly yoga classes again this year and it has been wonderful to find yoga classes during my travels. When I'm in Singapore, I go to Yoga Movement. The classes can be purchased per class or by a class card. There are a lot of yoga studios in Singapore but most of them require some kind of membership which doesn't work for travelers like me. Thankfully Yoga Movement has been expanding throughout the island and opening up new studios in different locations.

All of the places mentioned in this post are my own opinion and suggestions. If you like my post please follow me on Facebook and Instagram. I am also available if you would like to do a collaboration post or sponsored post, just drop me an email

CHAMELEON: A TCK/CCK experience : A need for communication and peace

CHAMELEON: A TCK/CCK experience : A need for communication and peace:
There is a need for communication, peace, open hearts, paired with lots of art, food, wine/drink.

Communication because misunderstandings happen all the time. 

Peace because there's enough strife and conflict. 

Open hearts because we've become isolated, distrustful, fearful, and scared. (I'm working on this one.) 

Art because it strikes a chord with the emotional, thinking, feeling, perception, and diffuses difficult conversations with beauty. Dance, sing, act, paint, draw, sculpt, etc. 

Food because who doesn't love gathering around with good food. 

Wine because the complexity of personal stories pairs well with complex wines!

We need peace.

Talk to people, make friends, hear other people's stories.

Stand up for your own beliefs if you feel threatened. 

Summer part four: Foodporn in Singapore (and seeing some friends!)

Sweet and sour pork

Oh Singapore! People travel the world over to eat and drink here. I always half-joke, what else is there to do in Singapore!? I grew up for 9 years of my life here as a kid/teen and spent most of my time busy with school, dance, figure skating. My days were packed. Over the years, Singapore became a pit stop to eat, see family, some friends, and visit some old haunts (if they still exist!). 

Crispy peanut pancake washed down with fresh watermelon juice

Chocolate cookie sandwich with marshmallow fluff

Iced black coffee

Singapore's weather has a reputation for being unforgivingly hot and humid. For the traveler who has never experienced equatorial, tropical, or extreme heat and humidity. Please carry a towel, cold drink, fan, and deodorant when venturing the streets of Singapore. Its hot and my AC is constantly set to the coldest temperature of 18 degrees celsius. I'm always drinking iced coffee, iced fresh juices, iced water here except when I'm eating Chinese food or Japanese food at an air-conditioned restaurant, then I order hot tea. Fresh fruit juices are available at food courts in shopping malls and hawker food areas. Quite inexpensive and definitely worth it. There are new juice stands that are popping up selling cold pressed juices, smoothies, etc. which cost much more than the fruit juice stands in food courts. 

Smoke and Mirrors bar at National Gallery Singapore.

On the subject of drinking. Alcohol is VERY expensive in Singapore and bars can charge about $20-30 SGD for a cocktail. I really like a well made drink so this can really wreak havoc on my spending. Luckily, (or unlucky... ) I'm sort of a lightweight drinker and the older I get the more I like the taste of my Negroni or glass of wine and DISLIKE feeling hungover the next day so I tend to not drink very much these days. Being hungover tends to feel worse as I get older. 

Chinese "bolognese" noodles

Singapore has changed a lot since my adolescent years. The country has become increasingly commercial and expensive. The real estate market is through the roof! New malls, hotels, eateries, bars, areas are being developed. I spent 11 years living in the US and when I returned to Singapore I had massive culture shock. I just didn't know my way around, social customs, rules and regulations (there are plenty), and Singapore's landscape had changed. I had also changed and grew up. Needless to say it was a tough adjustment period and I didn't adjust well. I missed my friends and life as an artist in New York City. I worked a lot and felt out of touch with myself, my passions, and grew increasingly restless. Long story short, I didn't know who I was anymore. Traveling became my hobby and every chance I get, I just left. I haven't stopped since. There are places that remain in Singapore that I take comfort in returning to. There's a little dumpling and noodle restaurant in an office building on Orchard road that makes the best Chinese "bolognese" noodles and the dumplings are also pretty solid. I'd been coming here since I was a teen for meals after long training days at the ice skating rink (I used to be a figure skater) and at the dance studio. A nice bowl of piping hot noodles and a plate of pan fried dumplings. Its a comfort food and this place still exists! I take comfort in knowing that it is surviving the expanding F&B industry in Singapore.

Gentrification and hipsters have been "invading" a unique area of Singapore called Tiong Bahru for the last few years and so many cafes, restaurants, boutiques, and a few bars have popped up in this sleepy enclave. Black and white old apartment buildings have become trendy. If vintage is the new hipster trend, then why the big fuss? The hipsters change the demographic of an area and pricing out the older residents. This is the reason why its such a conflict of interest. That being said, the area is encouraging young entrepreneurs, artists, designers to revitalise the area. The Tiong Bahru market is known among residents as a place to get a cheap, yummy, and clean meal. I met up with a friend of mine for a plate of fried carrot cake (not the dessert you're thinking of but rather a savory turnip cake) and rojak (a sweet fruit and vegetable salad). After lunch, we were exploring the area and stumbled upon this little alleyway with beautiful paintings of old Singapore and the market at Tiong Bahru. 

To be truly honest, Singapore has become incredibly commercialised and the model for capitalism is alive and speed rolling through Singapore that having pockets of art, hipster revitalisation, and anything not mainstream (a.k.a. artisanal anything) is a welcome change. 

Bacon Vanilla Ice cream

One of my favorite spots to visit in Singapore when I want to feel a city vibe is by the Esplanade waterfront. It has a million dollar view of the downtown Central Business District (CBD) and the now iconic Marina Bay Sands (MBS) hotel and casino. Esplanade is the premier Performing Arts theatres in Singapore and has an annual Dans Festival in the Summer/Fall which has pretty good programming. The centre also houses a library, restaurants, outdoor amphitheatre, outdoor eating area called Makansutra Glutton by the Bay. I recommend eating there post performance for some satay and fresh juice. (Don't eat there before a performance because you may smell like food during the performance and its not pleasant for other concert goers.)

A couple years ago, food delivery sites were very rare and now it seems Deliveroo, Foodpanda, and Uber Eats has taken over the island. This is great for those lazy Netflix and Chill evenings (there were plenty of those! Especially after sweaty sessions at the gym). Singapore is becoming more convenient like NYC now with these food delivery companies and now the competition for grocery deliveries are becoming more popular. When I lived in NYC, I used to use Seamless web for food delivery and Fresh Direct for grocery deliveries (really helps when you buy in bulk! or want something special like fresh pasta!)

Little enclaves like Tiong Bahru, Martin Road, Robertson Quay, Duxton Hill, Ann Siang Hill, Dempsey, Arab Street are a welcome respite to the more commercialised areas. Though one may argue that the gentrification and hipster takeover is ruining Singapore. Here's one thing to note, Singapore is a new nation and has history and culture but isn't as deep-rooted as some older cities. It is also a country of change and progression, so these little pockets are creating sub-alternative cultures to the mainstream. I just wish a nice cup of Americano coffee wasn't $6-10 SGD! 

One of my favorite restaurants in one of these enclaves is PS Cafe Petit on Martin Road near Robertson Quay. The restaurant is beautifully designed with a loft-like appeal, a bakery, a wineshop, and exposed tile and leather chairs. Its luxurious, modern, cozy, and I could spend a leisurely afternoon sipping a cool iced tea and reading my kindle. 

Dancey-dance. My friend invited me to attend Melissa Quek's latest site specific dance piece one day and though it rained heavily right before the performance the show went on in the light drizzling rain. The old adage of The show MUST go on definitely rang true that day. Then the sun came out and we were able to walk with the dancers to each location of the piece in downtown core of Singapore. Despite the rain, quite a good group showed up for the performance. It is great to have this kind of support for local artists. I think local artists around the world need to feel supported and what was nice was the informal Q+A after the performance. To make art, one must be able to have an open dialogue with audiences to continue growing and create a sense of community. When I left NYC, I mourned the loss of my community. In Singapore, I felt a bit out of place and didn't feel like creating. One could say, I had a bit of choreographer's block. I had to force it out for my survival and sanity. Looking back, forcing it out wasn't such a bad thing because I don't think any of the choreographed dances I created for my classes or creative artist life was terrible. I just felt really challenged and soldiered on. Perhaps it could be that I was missing a sense of community where one was allowed to experiment, have open dialogues, critique each others' work in a safe haven instead of competing. I just didn't find that. 

I have a small group of lovely students in Singapore that consistently attends my classes whenever I hold them. They keep me sane and I feel inspired and supported by them. They are the reason I continue to teach because they WANT to dance, laugh, sweat, play with movement. It is a joy to watch them grow as movers. I like teaching students that choose to come to my classes because it feels like a little family. Through my difficult times, I know I can count on these students and these classes to keep me sane. :-) I also taught a small group while I was studying in Switzerland that reminded of this small family and I hope to always be creating inspiring little dance families around the world. (Alaine's contemporary dance classes)

Sometimes people treat people in service-oriented industries as invisible. This is a bit too real in Singapore. Probably why the turnover ratio for retaining employees is so high. This is a bit unfortunate because making people smile is one of the reasons why I love hospitality. I have actually always worked in some kind of service industry whether its in dance, beauty, events, or F&B and at the centre of it all, I like to make people happy and satisfied. In the grander scheme of life, if one does not work in all kinds of positions, how does one be a leader and motivate team members? 

In a country like Singapore, where people seem to judge you for your job position, the clothes you wear, your family background, and finances, its a tough environment to swallow some pride and work from the ground up but I think about the lofty dreams I have hope that one day I'll be the kind of team leader that inspires others instead of a dictating boss (though I can be a bossy at times but I know I will always roll up my sleeves and be proactive). I think people never stop learning and should continue making life colorful. We are not meant to live in one location, one career, one way of life. I hope I inspire my readers to go out in the world and seek different experiences. 

CHAMELEON: A TCK/CCK experience : Digital Nomadism for this TCK

I wrote two poems on my TCK blog. Check it out.


CHAMELEON: A TCK/CCK experience : Digital Nomadism for this TCK:

A vicious cycle for a TCK: Packing up, Unpacking, Moving, Transporting, Goodbyes and Hellos

Places I've been to so far..

I've grown up in different countries and cultures. I've also travelled since I was a fetus in my mothers' womb. I know you're curious about how many places I've been to. 

Marina barrage, Singapore

Asia Pacific: 

Singapore

Jakarta 

Bandung 

Bali 

Bogor 

Kuala Lumpur 

Malacca 

Bangkok 

Chiang Mai

Manilla 

Hong Kong 

Tokyo

Kyoto

Hiroshima

Osaka

Hakone 

Guangzhou
Taipei
Kaohsiung city
Alishan mountain 

Australia: 

Sydney

Blue Mountains 

Wollongong
Melbourne
Adelaide
Barossa Valley

Rockefeller center, NYC

North America: 

Los Angeles county

Lake Arrowhead

San Diego

Santa Barbara

Solvang 

Silicon Valley (Redwood City, Palo Alto, etc.)

San Francisco county

South Lake Tahoe 

Las Vegas 

Salt Lake City

Park city

Houston 

Durham-Raleigh

Orlando 

Washington DC

Philadelphia

Atlantic city 

New Jersey

Stamford 

Cornwall

New York City

Boston 

Tarrytown 

Toronto

Montreal 

Niagra falls 

Ottawa 

Montreaux, Switzerland 

Europe:

Ystad

Helsingborg

Bordeaux

Munich

Zurich 

Zermatt 

Berlin 

Milan

Crans Montana 

Innsbruck 

Sierre

Sion 

Visp

Domoldossa 

Montreaux 

Bluche Village 

Vevey 

Bern 

Geneva

Copenhagen 

Malmö

Lund 

Göteborg 

Stockholm 

Brännö Island 

Sandhamn 

Fjäderholmarna 

Amsterdam 

The Hague 

Rotterdam 

Brussels 

London

Edinburgh 

Dresden 

Prague 

Vienna 

Malta

Helsinki 

Rovaniemi 

Oulu 

Annecy 

Barcelona 

Valencia 

Seville 

Granada

Lisbon