Holidays halfway through

Still in Singapore, having a marvellous time catching up with long-time friends, eating, shopping, and piano practising. Sometimes holidays need not be rushing from one sight to another with a map in front of you. It can be as simple and seemingly unexciting like mine. However, I think I am having a pretty good break, and letting my mind and body rest until I get back to my hectic schedule again.

Attended one of my good friends' solemnization on 26/11 and subsequently the wedding on the 27/11 in Tampines. A couple of 12 years, dating all the way back to our secondary school days - Yati and Andi - are finally married. It was a traditional Malay wedding, my first time actually being in one. A real eye-opener, and a different experience too. At the wedding ceremony, I saw quite a few of our old school mates - Shima, Hudah, Fiona, Fadhlina and some other sec. 5 peeps I have no names for but recognised their faces. Other peeps that I also saw whom I am still (somewhat) in touch include Ita, Alifah, Izah, Masherah and Nadia. 

Bride and groom with (part of) the TPSS clan

Then it was bringing my friend, Jay, around in Singapore. Oh my, I am such a hopeless guide, starting with my hopeless sense of direction to my hopeless knowledge of Singapore. After being away for so long, I realized that I have also distanced myself from my hometown. With all the new buildings, roads and even new immigrants (and so many of them OMG) I felt perpetually lost on this tiny island I grew up on. Even though I survived bringing Jay around Esplanade/City Hall/Singapore River/Boat Quay area, as well as visiting Sentosa (which was rather disappointing!), the sense of satisfaction wasn't there. I wonder how Jay really feels.

We did have fun though. Lots of laughs. But leading my friend around in circles wasn't exactly what I'd like to do.

One disappointing thing about Jay's trip is that because of limited time and energy, I couldn't bring her to some really authentic and yummy Singapore food places. Instead, I brought her to the "ang-moh"-nised Lau Pat Sat. The satay was quite good, but the rest were just average. Jay enjoyed them though. As what Andy has told me, "it's good for foreigners because they have nothing to benchmark against". True. 

This trip has sorta been a 'low-profile' trip for me as well. I used to call up everyone I can meet and drag them out for a meal and catch-up. This time round, I only called some of my closest friends, or those whom I've been keeping in touch (that is, really talking to each other online/whatsapp on and off or something). Somehow, my mentality has changed. Many of those friends whom I have been meeting before, we never actually speak to each other at all until my return. In other words, it seems like we only meet just because I asked them to. In other, and other words, we have all drifted apart somehow and have became strangers. 

It has been great so far, catching up with close friends. It is good to see that many of my friends remained the same. In fact, I think that none of us seemed to have aged. We look exactly the same as our school days, except that we have matured in different ways. Haven't uploaded all the photos, but I've done the collages and posted them on FB. I've been that lazy. So lazy to even post pictures one by one onto FB. My stay in Singapore overall is good, except I am missing one thing - I am missing my parents. But later, I will be going to the airport to fly to Qatar to visit them. So I will be with them 24/7 for the next 10 days before I come back again.

Singapore... as much as I really love my hometown, and really want to come back here for good, honestly I am a little bit sceptical now. Especially so after having talked to friends who have been struggling at work, and doing unpaid OTs like they are expected to do it even without being asked. Life is indeed rather stressful, to the point of almost being depressing in Singapore, that many of them envied that I am actually living in Australia. I looked at the new houses here - pigeon hole styled houses with a kitchen meant only for a one-man show, but the prices are shooting sky high despite of its decreasing size. Comparatively speaking, the more affordable houses in Australia that has a lot of comfort and space. Jobs are easier, pay is much higher, standard of living is high but comfortable. Yes, these do explain the reasons why Singaporeans do choose to migrate elsewhere. 

Plus, the massive influx of foreigners are getting on my nerves. Everywhere you go it is evident that the Chinese, Filipinos, Indians and Bangladeshi are invading our space. It's probably not a bad thing for migrants with foreign talents to come in, but TOO MANY will be too unbearable. It feels like Singapore is losing its roots. I come back here feeling as if I am the foreigner (given that I am really bad with my directions et al). Even though the government has tightened its immigration laws, however, I believe as the years to come there should be a lot more changes, be it the people or the infrastructure. I wonder if Singapore will become a place I barely recognise the next time I come back?

Many thanks to my friends who have taken time to meet me as well as bringing me around on an eating spree. And special thanks to Evelyn and her family for their kindness for having me. 

I'll be back in Singapore 23/12.