A Fine City. The Red Dot. Lion City. And my personal favorite: My Second Home... Singapore goes by many nicknames but regardless of what it is called, it still holds a special place in my heart. This small little island in South East Asia between Malaysia and Indonesia hosts residency to many different races such as the Chinese, Malays and Indians (just to name a few). Along with these many different races, Singapore also is home to my entire maternal side of the family. I am so privileged to be spending a good bulk of my summer break in Singapore being surrounded by relatives and exploring all new spaces. Although I have been here plenty of times in the past, every visit always leave me speechless and wanting more out of this little country. And even with spending almost my entire summer here (June 10- July 29) there are so much more I wish I could see and could do! But allow me to highlight my trip and show you my home away from home.

PART ONE:

An institution that integrates the talents of all forms of art with the powerful knowledge of science, the ArtScience Museum of Singapore is a treat to all museum enthusiasts of any age. Located in the tourist hot spot of the Bayfront, right outside of Marina Bay Sands Hotel/Mall, this lotus flower shaped gallery is the world's very first art science museum. From the looks of the exterior, it begs any wandering eye to explore what exhibitions may be held within those petals.

The entirety of the space hosts one permanent exhibit and three featured exhibitions, all worth weaving in and out of and discovering the beauty behind some of the world's truths. During my visit the exhibitions held for display were: HUMAN+ The Future of Our Species, FutureWorld, and The Universe and Art. These are all amazing exhibitions to let your thoughts be challenged and push the boundaries that once existed.

Luckily, I was fortunate enough to have my own personal tour guide being that I had a friend who works in the museum itself. He walked my cousin and I through all the exhibits, going a little further in depth behind each artists' intentions and how art and science collaborated. Going in this museum I had no idea what to truly expect out of an art science museum. I have been to many art and science museums (respectively) but never both at the same time. I wouldn't want to spoil what holds inside the lotus but I must say it is a worthy visit in Singapore.

Nothing else feels like Ramadan in Singapore unlike the sightings of bazaars popping up from mere grass. What is a bazaar, you may ask? A bazaar in Singapore is a massive outdoor marketplace that is commonly found available during the month of Ramadan where anything and mostly everything can be bought. From classic Singaporean comfort food to new hipster, trendy treats; clothing to electronic goods; cars to furniture -- the bazaars of Singapore has you covered.

In Singapore the biggest bazaar that is a popular destination to visit is in the heart of the Malay neighborhood: Geylang Serai. A giant marketplace that stretches for several blocks, it is most eventful at night after fast has been broken. Like most bazaars during Ramadan, Geylang Bazaar is decorated in colorful lights, just like Christmas in the Christian (and Capitalistic) faith. Throughout the market there are be various vendors luring customers in creative ways to try their cuisines, buy their goodies or just entertain those who are passing by.

A bazaar's atmosphere is fast, friendly and welcoming. The unity of all kinds of Singaporeans in such nightly festivity definitely highlights the culture that this small little country has. Getting to experience this environment is for sure not comparable to what a farmers' market is like back in Chicago. As being one of Singapore's happening spots at night, Geylang's bazaar hosts over hundreds of visitors, leaving you shoulder to shoulder with the crowd. Needless to say, you get to fit in with the locals (literally) when ordering any foods or beverages. But one thing's for sure, you have to be quick because once Ramadan is over, bazaars tend to disappear along with them ... until next Ramadan. 

Following after the fasting month of Ramadan is the month long celebration known as Eid Mubarak. During this time, muslims all over the world celebrate with friends, family and lots of food; allowing it to be a time for forgiveness of sins and renewal for the next year (following the Islamic lunar calendar). Each muslim culture celebrates it similarly but yet unique to their culture and environment, so a muslim in Saudi Arabia may not celebrate Eid Mubarak the same way as a muslim in Australia might. But nevertheless, it is a month long celebration that tends to lift the spirits of many.

Growing up, I was raised as a muslim in America. However my family was not that religious as most muslim families were. I did not have that much of an enforcement on religion therefore I don't value it as a high priority as do most people. But I never thought about how environment changes that perception of religion until I celebrated Eid Mubarak this year in Singapore. In the Chicagoland area, there's a strong Malay community presence, enough to have grown up with plenty of family friends that act as stand ins to my real family. Here in Chicago, my nucleus family is all I have while my father side is in California or Laos and a good majority of my mother side is in Singapore. So when it came to holidays such as Eid Mubarak (or how the Malay culture calls it 'Hari Raya') I strongly relied on my Malay family friends to fill that void.

Typically in Chicago when Hari Raya comes around, on the first day of the month there's a huge prayer in the morning then my family goes house hopping to visit family friends. During this time usually we all just eat food and spend time with one another. On a following weekend, one designated family will open their house and have it be a huge open house for the entire Malay community to join. At this giant open house, along with copious amounts of food, adults would give out money to children to reward them for the days they have fasted and for their behavior throughout the year.

This year, I got a taste of something so much better. Being in Singapore, I was able to spend Hari Raya with actual family members. The first day of Raya, my entire mother side came over to my Aunt's house for lunch and the exchanging of money for all the children. To able to see all my family members together for a holiday that I never truly appreciated really puts everything in perspective. Aside from seeing my mother's immediate family members, I also had the privilege to meet other family members I had not seen (or remember to had seen) since I was an infant. For example, the amount of second cousins I have is uncanny. Truly to be blessed by the experience of being surrounded by unconditional love is remarkable. Growing up absent from all the potential memories I missed out on truly pains me to think about any future Eid Mubarak I will have back in the United States. But nevertheless, it just encourages me to come back for the next Raya.

END OF PART ONE