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One Year in Singapore

26 June 2018 in DIARY, SINGAPORE

On this day, one year ago, I was on my way to Hong Kong International Airport, about to depart on a one-way flight to Singapore. I looked at the scenery from the window of my red Hong Kong taxi, now all so familiar, after the annual trips between Hong Kong and Singapore. It also brought back memories of summer 2011, when I was on the way into the bustling city to start my new chapter, knowing that I had at least three years here. That original three turned into six. Six years filled with so many memories. Six years that have defined a significant part of my twenties.

—

The Singapore Botanic Gardens, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, was a regular hangout for us growing up! Last year, when we returned to Singapore, we visited the National Orchid Garden (housed inside the Botanic Gardens) to rediscover this city in a garden! 🏵️🌳🌾🏵️

A post shared by Pretty Days Singapore ☀️ (@prettydayssingapore) on Jun 10, 2018 at 4:03am PDT

Just like that, it’s been one year of my return to sunny Singapore, the first hometown I knew, but really, how much of it did I really know? I’m still settling back in, still pursuing dreams, still exploring. Hong Kong comes to my mind regularly and I miss elements of it frequently, while also being glad to be away from other elements of it. I watch TVB dramas all the time, but also find my Cantonese slipping slightly. It’s so much easier communicating in English, but at the same time, I miss the sight of traditional Chinese characters everywhere.

—

Since it's June 12, 2018 and history is being made as we type this, it seemed fitting to share a grand night view of our cityscape, featuring the Marina Bay Sands area! We are so excited and proud of #Singapore and couldn't be more glad to be here to witness everything happening! #TrumpKimSummit

A post shared by Pretty Days Singapore ☀️ (@prettydayssingapore) on Jun 11, 2018 at 11:13pm PDT

While there has been a lot of new and cultural differences between the two cities I love, I’m letting myself get used to life here. It’s a very beautiful country, Singapore. In a different way from Hong Kong, it inspires me. With that said, I wanted to share a little creative Instagram project my sister and I started, to share the pretty scenes and moments captured here. Do check it out @PrettyDaysSingapore and if you like, we would love it if you share your Singapore snapshots with us with the hashtag #prettydayssg too!

Perfect snapshot to celebrate a long weekend in Singapore! 🍰☕ Yummy cake and drinks from the girly and fun cafe Cake Spade❣️

A post shared by Pretty Days Singapore ☀️ (@prettydayssingapore) on Jun 15, 2018 at 7:47am PDT


—

Other than that, I also miss blogging very much! And I’m very aware how quiet it is around here! I’m going to try harder, I promise. When I look at my own blog, I realise that it doesn’t even seem to reflect that I’ve moved haha! Bear with me, more from Singapore to come!

Some may not realize this, but the Supertrees at @gardensbythebay have real flowers and plants growing up them! It's all in the details. 🌸🍃

A post shared by Pretty Days Singapore ☀️ (@prettydayssingapore) on Jun 19, 2018 at 3:15am PDT

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HELLO, I’M KYLENE

HELLO, I’M KYLENE

I’m a Hong Kong born, Singapore raised city girl. I have lived, studied and worked in both cities and am currently based in sunny Singapore. Welcome to my personal blog, where I share my city adventures. :)
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☀️ Snapshots of city life from Singapore!
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🌷 Lifestyle blog: citygirlcitystories.com

Kylene
☀️ A day in the life: out of office edition ☀️ 

I've been enjoying browsing "a day in the life" posts shared by others, so I thought I'll share one of my own. :) Here's a day I captured, when I was out of office a few weeks ago for a much needed break. 😌 

🍳 Started the day at my neighbourhood Starbucks, eating a small breakfast and started on a bit of blogging again~ 

📚 Popped over to the bookstore @booksbeyond.borders to donate some books and browse more books & wonderful things! 

🍽 📽Off to a buffet lunch! Stuffed myself happy, then dashed to the cinema @theprojectorsg to catch a screening of Angelina Jolie's <Maria> 

🍵 Walked over to @baristartcoffee_sg inside another bookstore @bookxcess and had grand plans to read my book, but ended up contemplating my career instead. 😆 

That's a day in my life (OOO edition), how do you spend yours?
🇭🇰 Hong Kong Diaries 🇭🇰 Before we di 🇭🇰 Hong Kong Diaries 🇭🇰 

Before we dive head first into 2025, my sister @wording_art and I spent a spontaneous few days in our (other) favourite city: Hong Kong! 🌟 

After the craziness of 2024, this sister trip felt like a much needed reset. Thanks HK, for letting us live our best lives. 😄✨️ 

Some snapshots here, more to come~
🎆 January 2025 moments :) 🧧 🎆 January 2025 moments :) 🧧
⚘️ Life lately (August to September 2024): a c ⚘️ Life lately (August to September 2024): a collection of happy moments ⚘️ 

2024 has been full of surprises so far! Mostly in great ways though. 😄 This year has also been one of my busiest ones in recent memory. ☁️ 

In other news, my blog citygirlcitystories.com that I started when I graduated from university turns 10 years old next week! 🥳 Ahh, where does the time go... 😶‍🌫️ Life's demands meant that I took an unexpected hiatus from my blog, but if you'll kindly hope with me, perhaps I could return to it soon! 🍀
🌻 Weekend moments :) 🌻 (Compiled from three 🌻 Weekend moments :) 🌻

(Compiled from three weekends haha, because I have long given up on sharing anything online "on time". 😆)
The first half of 2024 was tiring... in more ways The first half of 2024 was tiring... in more ways than one. Despite that, I had a hard stop in May to take time off, flew across the world and landed in London, a city that has been on my travel list for ages!! 🇬🇧 

A week full of (mostly) British summer weather, incredible art and stunning museums, charming bookshops, the most beautiful libraries, scones and tea, I really enjoyed London! 😊💛 

I hope to catch up with Instagram/blogging soon, which I completely fell off from, and there's stuff from Singapore/Hong Kong/London I'd love to share, but for now, here's two candid photos captured by @wording_art reflecting my happiness on this trip. :) 

🌼 Looks like I'm doing a weird dance but was actually avoiding rain puddles at Kenwood House, one of my favourite places I visited! 

🖼 Visited several of London's wonderful museums and this was at the National Portrait Gallery, where I got to see the famed "Portrait of Mai (Omai)" in person! 🤩 I was following this acquisition story in the news and was especially delighted when I heard that it was on display during my trip. :) 

More soon and here's to the second half of 2024! ✨️🤞
Books are a huge passion in my life and for 2024, Books are a huge passion in my life and for 2024, I plan to try harder to bring more of my book recommendations to my blog! :) For my first rec this year, I'm excited to share "Dearest New York: A Love Letter to New York" by Deirdre Gartner @girlintheyellowtaxinyc 🚕

If you'd like to, I'd be delighted if you check out my review on citygirlcitystories.com As a bonus, I also have a Q&A with the author herself! 🤩 

I'm actually a huge fan of the @girlintheyellowtaxinyc blog and Instagram, so I loved hearing from Deirdre about life in NYC and her experience being a native New Yorker. Do check out the full author interview on my blog! (link in bio) 🍎
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City Girl Reads #2: Seoul’s Fascinating Past

September 2018 Diary: Mid-Autumn Festival, New Eats & Éclairs

Exploring Hong Kong: Sai Kung

Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop: Singapore books & cafe

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