Although she is Dutch, the 28-year-old looks like the girl next door. The practised explanation of her American accent goes like this: She was born and raised in Amsterdam, Holland, the only child of immigrant parents - her father is a Dutch Singaporean, her mother a Chinese Indonesian.

By the time she was 22, she had attended boarding school in London and graduated from Virginia Tech University in the United States. She worked for four years in the television and film industry in Toronto, Canada.

She finally chose to settle in Singapore in November 2005 to 'get connected with my Asian roots', working in the media industry here. Living in her private apartment in Bugis, she says, she feels more at home than in her hometown of Amsterdam.

She savours Singapore in a way most air-conditioner-loving locals would not.

'I try to walk everywhere just so I can enjoy the city's sights and sounds.'

Eventually, she adds: 'I hope to become a permanent resident one day and it would be great if I could buy my parents their own HDB flat and bring them back to Asia. I think that is my ultimate dream - to be able to give back to them.'

Q Your family left this part of the world for Holland decades ago, during World War II. What were the first things they told you about Asia?

A I grew up in a very strict Asian household with the Dutch equivalent of kaya toast and eggs in the morning, nasi goreng for lunch and dim sum for dinner. My parents were forced to leave at a young age because they were fleeing the war. My mum kept telling me how much warmer and happier Asian culture and climate was. My dad kept telling me that chilli is best when it's freshly made.

Q Speaking as a single expat woman, what are the differences in the dating scene?

A I'll give you a few catch phrases to sum up. In Holland, it's 'Would you like to go Dutch?' and in Canada, 'Would you like to meet for coffee?' In Singapore, it's 'I would like to date you out, lah.'

Q By the time you were 22, you had lived in England, Canada, France, the Czech Republic and the United States - that's a lot of different cuisines. What does it take to have the stomach of a global citizen?

A GET READY FOR LOTS OF PO CHAI PILLS!!! No country beats Singapore when it comes to serving a good portion of bee hoon goreng and cheese prata. However, I have yet to find that yellow 'Singapore fried bee hoon' which is served at every single Chinese restaurant around the world BUT Singapore.

Q To tourists, Amsterdam is noted for its red light district - The Rossebuurt - where women offer all kinds of services for a fee. How does that compare to, uh, Geylang?

A I almost lived in Geylang because the vibrance of it reminded me of downtown Amsterdam. That's when I learnt the meaning of 'duo shao?' (how much in Mandarin) and realised it wasn't the best place for me. It's probably one of the few places in Singapore that isn't clean. Then again, isn't the most 'happening' place now Joo Chiat?

Q Amsterdam does not criminalise soft drugs, prostitution or pornography, whereas Singapore has been dubbed 'Disneyland with the death penalty'. Compare.

A Nothing shocks us. If Holland would implement the same rules and penalties as Singapore, our population would probably quickly shrink from 15 million to five. If Singapore becomes as open- minded and liberal as Holland, I'm sure the rental prices will go up even more - there will be so many people coming here to enjoy life the Dutch way, but in a tropical climate.

Q You've sampled life all over the world. Why did you pick Singapore?

A My grandfather was a Peranakan Singaporean. He was assassinated by the Japanese during the war and my family left for Holland during the turmoil. Growing up as a second generation Asian kid in a generally Caucasian society, I've always wanted to know what it would be like to live in a country where everyone 'looks' like me.

Q How would you describe the relationships you've made here?

A Lifelong.

sereneg@sph.com.sg

Tip

Geylang uncles who come up to you with a friendly smile saying they are lost, don't want you to show them directions.