My life in Singapore is somehow a déjà vu of my life in Cagayan de Oro City during my college days (almost 10 years ago!!!). Things that are the same were my being far from home (family, friends, and boyfriend/now husband), doing house chores, trying to keep within budget and recording my expenses.

But, everything else is up-scaled.

For food, my all time favorite, Lucky Me Pancit Canton (abbreviated LMPC by my friend) - Php4.00 was replaced with Mee Poh Dry - SGD 0.50 or Php 15.00. Blue Bay Tuna or 555 Sardines - Php13.00 replaced with Lee Chao San Si – SGD 1.50 or Php 57.00. Iced tea is SGD 1.6/Php 51.20 but in a big bottle. Usual meal ranges from SGD 4-6 or Php 120-180.

For transportation, jeepney fare of Php4.00 (if I remember it right) is now a one way bus fare of a minimum of SGD0.70/Php 22.40 or Mass Railway Transit (MRT) of SGD 1.20/Php 38.40.

For accommodation, my “studio” type room of Php 1,200 per month with utilities is now SGD 450/Php 14,400 (whoa!). (Luckily, my supposed roommate has rescheduled her trip and I have the air-conditioned room solo.) Handwashing is replaced by the washing machine and dryer, rice cooker now paired with microwave oven and gas stove.

I remember my first cellphone, a Motorola Modulus, with free SIM card and text messaging, and Php 12.00 per minute cellphone call, not to mention my trips to the local telecommunication center for cheaper landline calls of Php8.00/minute. Here, I got my SIM for SGD 8.00/Php 256. And to think SIM cards in the Philippines are usually at Php10.00 or given away, free! But thanks to the Internet, I use Yahoo! and Skype to call home,free. 

Unlike before, my relocation purpose was to continue schooling for me to have a brighter future. Now, purpose is still for a brighter future but for me and my family, with “up-scaled” responsibility (and risk). But, like before, I still have the unwavering support of my family and friends, I miss them so much.