June 27th
First post work-weekend in Singapore and it was definitely hard to wake up. I was planning to get up early for laundry and go for a run and my body was just too tired for that. But overall today was pretty productive. I vacuumed and dusted the whole house since Annie Aunty asked and also did laundry. Also, tried some of the Vietnamese iced coffee Luan brought. It was different than what I have normally had in the past in SD but good. Then got ready for today’s class and actually managed to straighten my hair. I was late leaving from the house but I just power walked it to and through the MRT stations but managed to reach Eunos somehow at 2:30. Slight side note: wore a skirt today for the first time in Singapore-like the freedom of movement but there was a breeze today and so I was mostly just holding my skirt down and I hope I didn’t flash anyone but honestly whatever; if someone got butt, congrats for them. We took a bus from there to Paya Lebar (first time on a bus in Singapore btw- basically like the MRT but a little more confusing for me personally) and went to a special studio for the Henna Lesson with Syra Skins. We learned basic designs, got to practice it, did the designs on a rock with acrylic paint (we would get to keep these eventually), and then had henna done for us. Mine was pretty and on my palm and it’s actually a lot darker now than when it was first put on my hand. There is literally science to henna placement and how henna works- oxidizes with air and that’s why it gets darker and it stays the longest where the skin is the thickest) It was really fun and I am really glad I went. We also got to bring a couple of cones home so I hope to practice a bit on myself when I get the time. It was also nice to interact with the non UCEAP people and get to know them. We met a couple of them today and I really hope that we get to hang out with them. It’s always nice to have a big group for going out and the like. After this, we (Tracy, Lucky, and I) were all pretty hungry so we decided to go explore the Paya Lebar bazaar. My understanding of Paya Lebar is that it’s a largely Muslim area of Singapore and so, the bazaar’s point is to be super active in the afternoon and evening hours as people are getting off the daily fasting for Ramadan (they can eat following sunset). There was so much food! And there were also a million other stalls selling everything else you could think of- carpets, henna, hijabs, etc. And there were so many people everywhere. Tracy got takoyaki (need to try that before I leave) and we got to see them make it too (there is literally a skill to this btw). And then Lucky and I got these shawerma wrap things. Absolutely delicious for just $5. 10/10 would buy again. Potentially multiple times in the same day. After this and some getting lost, we were about to go on the MRT at Paya Lebar but decided to explore the mall a bit since we were crazy sweating and also thirsty. And had free time to spare. Tracy and Lucky got watermelon juice (remember the legit juice is much better than the syrup based drinks- if you see the actual fruit, it’s legit juice) and I wanted guava juice but ended up getting GCM Melon Tea with Pearls from Gong Cha (recommended by Hafizah btw) which was good. Ended the night with an MRT ride home, a dinner of fish and paratha, a little mani-pedi for myself, and some OITNB Season 1. A good day altogether. It’s about 1 ish and I am pretty exhausted so it’s bedtime for me. Good night >_<
*Note to self: Eat the watermelon; Try takoyaki; Also do ETA and deal with grading option; Get rent answer from Julie and Natalie.
