It's in the Journey

On one of my plane trips back to Singapore, I watched the Singapore Food Channel. They highlighted different "secret gems" to eat in different parts of Singapore.

One of them was Punggol's Container Park. This is like an outdoor eatery where the restaurants were made of containers that you would find on a ship. The cool part is they higher low income and people that had been in prison and are getting back on their feet. This is part of Singapore's Social Sustainable Living Initiative.

I just had a curiosity to go one day...

... and today was that day!

I was meeting one of my friends for church at her place on the east side of the island which was not too far from Ponggol.

--- Side note --- The church I attend doesn't have a building, but we are close knit enough to meet at different people's houses around the city and commune over zoom and watch the service together online. --- end of side note ---

So, that was the plan... well...semi-plan...especially when I venture places I have never been, I'm okay figuring some things out as I go.

My friend suggested I see Sam Leorong road that was close to her place. To get there I walked past some cool places...

Including the Mustafa center which is always a busy area in the Little India district. I love the vibe and the business in this area.

I got thirsty along the way, so I got some fresh coconut juice! They placed it in a great carrier cup for me!!

I forget how spoiled I am with all the fresh tropical fruit! When I went to see my brother a few weeks ago in the States he asked if I wanted fruit and I kindly asked what it was. He said, oranges and pears. But when I looked, it was in a can and I was kinda confused. I love my brother so much! I love his heart. For a second, I honestly think I forgot that fruit still is canned. --- this may be sharing too much on how my brain works --- sorry if I offended any canned fruit eaters --- forgive me --- I still love you!

Anyway... next stop was finally the iconic Sam Leong Street:

I love the colors and character of the streets!

This was not my final destination, however. And boy, I didn't actually know how far I had to go. Apparently, the Punggol Container Park is one of the MOST northeastern parts of Singapore!

I was on my way back to the MRT (Singapore metro) to Punggol!

Once I finally got there to Punggul, I realized I had to take a LRT (Local MRT cable car). That was an adventure that I will talk about later:)

Anyway...I got close to the closest LRT station to the Container Park. I was a little confused, but the only way to get there, it looked like I had to walk through a garden shop. Sooo... that's where I went...

Once the associate saw I was a bit confused and picked up that I was not actually buying flowers. I told him I wanted to go to the other side. He said, "You need to go to the other garden shop." I thought to myself, "Of course, the other garden shop! When you first don't succeed, go to the other garden shop next door." --- yes, my brain works in interesting ways ---. The associate was so nice to help me, I just have a habit of humoring myself in my mind especially when I am traveling to new places.

So the next garden shop had the secret passage way to the other side...

Clearly...it had an even paved pathway and everything!

And now on the other side I arrived at... the carnival???

Of course, I have completely planned on going to the carnival, who wouldn't??

I was actually pretty hungry though and really wanted to find the Container Park, so I kept walking...

... and instead, I end up on a nature walk near a very pretty still river. Yup, let's just say I planned that too!

It was pretty nice to observe people's way of life here. Kids, parents, uncles, and aunties enjoy outdoor workout equipment, walking, running, and riding bikes on the trails.

"Auntie and Uncle" are a way of addressing people more seasoned that you in Singapore. It's actually a sign of respect.

... but.. ooohh... I could feel it, I was so close!

....and all I had to do was turn around and there it was... the Container Park:

A pretty happening place, I loved that atmosphere and the food!

I think the toughest part of the journey was actually finding diary-free gluten-free food at the outdoor eatery! haha... I found something

I know one of the things God has been working on in my heart is for me to enjoy stay focused on the prize at the end, but also embrace the journey. I keep hearing this message from different people in different places and in different books in the last couple of months. I think before this, I was always more concerned with what was next instead of enjoying now. In elementary school it was all about going to middle school then high school then college then a job then... then... and the list goes on.

With all the twists and turns to get to the small niche in the Northeast, I would have been agitated and frustrated that I didn't take the most straight path. My path seemed to zig-zag a bit.

I actually learned a lot about how to get around in Singapore and about different people and cultures that opened my mind as I took some zig-zags.

Looking at successful people that have achieved a lot, all of their stories involve some zig-zags. But that's what makes YOUR journey unique. And maybe YOUR journey and path could be a testimony and encouragement for someone ELSE.

One thing I thought was funny as I laughed to myself...

While I was taking different trains and buses to and from Punggol which was likely a total of ~2.5+ hours total... There was this odor that I thought was from people around me. But every time, I thought it was someone else. I took a total of ~ 10 buses/MRTs/LRTs throughout the day and walked 4.65 miles. When I got to my apartment (where I am the only one who lives there)... there it was again!

And I realized, nope, it was just me. It was hot, I'm human, that's it. I laughed inside for quite a while :)

It made me laugh and think back to something Andy Stanley said --- that we are the common denominator in our lives. We may want to blame everyone else for our repeated frustrations, but it is actually us that needs to take responsibility for things we may be discontent with. We can take responsibility and make even the small steps to bring our lives onto the course we are looking for.