55 322
KEPPEL BAY CONDO
55
July14
T
hough she may have lived the
expatriate life since the age of
just seven, Beth Whitten still feels
strongly that her home is Houston,
where most of her family lives. “It’s my base,
and the only place I really feel tied to,” she
says in a soft Texan accent that’s tempered
by her years abroad.
Beth ponders the pros and cons of expat
life as she prepares to relocate back to
Houston for good in September. It’s a city
she has lived in for only two or so of the past
11 years. “As expats, you do get used to
the nomadic lifestyle and it can be difficult
to stay in one place for long. You become
accustomed to knowing people in similar
situations, with similar life experiences, and
you know it will be harder to integrate back
home,” she says. Beth has her parents to
look to; they are now settled in Houston,
after living for years in the Middle East,
Singapore and London.
This last six-year stint has been her
longest in Singapore. “I was here as a
teenager in 1984 and 1985, studying at
the Singapore American School where
my father was posted,” she says. To her
surprise, the Leonie Hill condo where they
lived back then remains standing even after
30 years. “Then, in 2003, I came back to do
a two-year contract here,” she adds.
“Singapore seems so different every
time I come back; I can’t imagine how it
will look in another 10 years,” she says.
“Not only is it changing physically, but
Singaporeans are changing too. Sadly, a
number of unique places are being lost in
the rush to transform the island, as some of
my Singaporean friends will agree.”
With just herself to consider, Beth chose
proximity to work as the main factor in
deciding where to live. She works in the
complex offshore floating production sector
of oil and gas, and her office is within
walking distance of her condo.
Having lived previously in an apartment
off Pasir Panjang, she wanted to stay in
the area, but hoped to avoid construction
noise. “I had seen Reflections being built and
thought it would be far removed from future
construction projects. When I visited the
apartment complex I liked its great views of the
marina, Sentosa, the walking trails and nearby
parks. Some of the Towers have oddly shaped
living spaces that can be difficult to fit furniture
into, so I requested to look at the low-rise units.
The second one I saw had an amazing balcony
and view.”
Beth did the interior styling herself. With her
great knowledge of local shops, she would
be an asset on any shopping trip. She has
a nose for a bargain and reveals an instinct
for furnishing economically, but for maximum
effect. “You have to look around to find good
bargains and great pieces. There are stores that
I have returned to regularly, particularly Far East
Inspirations in Chinatown. The owner has nice,
quality things, and reasonable prices if you’re
willing to do a little bargaining.”
“I like all kinds of décor, but while living here
at Keppel Bay I’ve focused on an Asian style.
Framing Angie framed all the artwork, and she
came with her team to suggest where to hang
the various pieces. She was great to work with,
presenting options in a computerised picture to
give you a sense of what the final framed piece
would look like. I like her style.”
As Beth contemplates the onerous packing
and unpacking of the three-bedroomapartment,
she feels sure that everything should fit into her
Houston home, which will seem a luxury after
apartment-living.
Now counting down the months, she feels
sad about leaving Singapore, but says she
will go with good memories. Having recently
squeezed in a trip to Bhutan and Laos, she
has crossed almost every Asian country off
her to-do list.
“I’ll miss the people I’ve met, the food and
the greenery of this city. It’s one of the better
international assignments: safe and convenient,
easy to meet people, and well located for
travelling to other places in Asia. I’m not looking
forward to unpacking when I get home, but
it’s nice to know I’m going home to stay. It has
been a long time.”
“The cute
setting on the
entrance table
is a Chinatown
find; I don’t
find this style
at reasonable
prices anymore.
The gold drum
from Tangs fills
in the space
underneath the
table and creates
interest, too.”