Without all these little stories, Singapore’s history will only highlight times of turmoil and strife. The most crucial part of appreciating our past, is celebrating its happiness. But as we trudge on forward with the nation, and as skyscrapers grow taller and cast its modern shadows over the ang sar lee houses of yesteryear, we will forget our past. It is inevitable. Every uniquely-Singaporean childhood experience will fade to nothingness at the mercilessness of time. And that is perhaps why this book is so incredibly important. Not only to me but to the nation. (It) seeks to capture and immortalize the hidden histories and forgotten memories of our past that do not have the privilege of making it into academic literature, starting with Serangoon Gardens and perhaps continuing in a systematic marathon around Singapore. Because without these documented memories, what unites us Singaporeans is merely the vague silhouette of nationalism. To truly love our nation and appreciate our past, is to learn the little tales that make up the bigger story. And this all starts, in this book, with No Place Like Serangoon Gardens.”