Thursday, December 17, 2009

11:32 PM

And today my holiday comes to an end.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/01/singapore/jacobson-text

A rather truthful and rather poignant article about Singapore!

Being overseas really makes you think alot about what is home. It's really true that Singaporeans are major grumblers, because we've been born into so much that we don't know what it is like outside. There are so many things we've taken for granted! I may enjoy the sights and the cultures of other countries, but really, nothing is as perfect as it is back home. When I hurry along in the streets at night, I think of how unafraid I would be in Singapore. When I get lost in the mess of winding roads and haphazardly placed traffic lights that virtually encourages jaywalking, I miss the straight and orderly roads at home. I miss the clean streets without abundant dogshit. I miss the flat, smooth roads that don't hurt your feet. I miss the lack of pesky pigeons. I miss the awesome food and predictable weather. I miss having technologies that are up to date (even London's handphones are like Asia's old leftover stocks) I miss feeling safe and secure. I miss the trains and mail service running on time without strikes and closures every few days. I miss having escalators and lifts in every MRT, and knowing that all lines would be running good services all the time. I miss having signs telling me where to go. When I hear about corruption and failing economies, bloody politics and inefficiency, I am proudly reminded of Singapore where all these are merely myths. So what if there's no true freedom? So what if it's overly patriarchal or draconian? If being absolutely free means that I have to constantly worry about being mugged or raped or hurled racial abuses at, or even suffer from train delays/ mail strikes, I can gladly give it up. Really, you won't miss what you never had.

So friends, trust me. Rustic charms and beautiful sights are but for postcard pictures and short holidays. After some time, staying in such places just renders you immune to their beauty. In the end, all you want is peace and harmony and convenience, and Singapore is the best place in the world for that. I never realised what the angmohs meant when they rant about how awesome orchard road is, until I've been in Europe... where you have to thoroughly search for clothes shops in the most random of areas, and where there is such a limited variety of brands in each place.

Of course being overseas is not all bad. For one, I'm VERY happy about having to walk everywhere!!! (: I HAVE NICE SKINNY HOT LEGS NOW WHOOHOO. And did I mention I lost weight??? Okay that part is awesome.

Yay sleep, then back to cold cold London! Where I'll be all alone for 3 days )): zz. Time for self reflection.