Member Spotlight

Getting to Know our Members Beyond the Usual Chitchat

by Helena A. Cochrane

Phine Sim

Josephine (Phine) Sim is a native of Singapore, though she’s also attended university in the US. She is a vivacious singer and choir teacher, both professionally and as a volunteer. Phine’s Chinese paternal grandparents immigrated to Singapore where they raised ten children. They converted to Christianity, raising their large family to be very God-centric. Phine is deeply committed to this central pillar of her heritage. Phine admires her dad, who in turn raised his own children to love life, art, and nature, and to work hard in any circumstances.

Phine with two rescued bunnies

Tell us about your family and your primary interests.

My husband and I are the same age as Singapore’s Independence and we have two children aged 28 and 24. Our son is engaged to be married. I work as a Ministry of Education Co-Curricular Activities choir instructor and also with Voices of Singapore. I am active in my church and volunteer with some charity and animal societies. Most recently, we’ve been helping with rescued rabbits. Since June 2021, I have been the director of the AWA International Women’s Choir.

What have you enjoyed more about Singapore than you thought you would?

We went to Wisconsin, the land of dairy products, USA, in 1987, for three years. Wisconsin locals are lovely and warm, in contrast to the cold climate. Its snowy forests, wilderness, fresh air, and open spaces are unforgettable. I had to live abroad to enjoy Singapore more. Love our consistently hot weather and unpredictable rain, good government, easy access to all sorts of things from services to groceries. Upon my return, I struggled with the long queues for the majority of things, pre-Covid. My husband and I had to adjust to the rushing around and crazy-busyness. Coming back to the fast pace of Singapore, it took me a whole year to re-adapt to city impatience and crowded everything.

Conversely, what have you struggled with that you didn’t expect to be challenging?

It’s been disappointing to see discontented people complaining. I would love to brag that my country is always awesome and the people are too, but I guess every country has its share of disgruntled people.

What hobby or activity have you finally been able to pursue in Singapore that you had wanted to previously? How has it influenced your time here?

I have always wanted to walk through the whole of Singapore, via its forests and trails. It was something I began with my big brother when we were kids. This past year I started trekking whenever possible along familiar Phine with two rescued bunnies trails and some lesser known ones and I hope to pursue this new hobby until the day I cannot. I go alone or at most with one other person. It is not possible to enjoy basking in a forest with a group: all the yak, yak causes the wildlife to disperse.

What habit(s) make you feel most settled in Singapore?

My neighbors and I trade plants and recipes, grow stuff, buy food with and for each other, share eggs, salt, yeast, flour, and household tools, house-sit or dog-walk, etc.

What advice would you give first-time expats?

Get involved with your neighborhood activities and socialise. Get a pet or grow plants. But, please, don’t abandon your pet when you relocate.