It’s 6am that I’m writing this.
About a week ago this time, I was talking to my aunt who was getting ready to go to work. A few minutes after that, I was on my way to take the bus to go to my parents house. It was still dark out. Looking the faces of sleepy people on their way to work and school reminded me of moments when I was still living in Singapore.
I looked out of the window, knowing that it was my last week there and almost choked up. So many things that I’ll be missing.
It has been four years since I’ve last visited. I would have come earlier, but as you know Covid-19 happened and turned life upside down. It made traveling a lot more challenging and expensive.
And now with the rules being more relaxed, we finally had the chance to travel back. I made a list of things that I wanted to do … but mostly, I just wanted to spend time with my family and friends as much as possible.
A lot of things has happened in four years.
Each time I arrive back in Singapore, it’s like I coming out of a Time Machine. While there are a lot of things that are the same, so many things has changed. I don’t mean by just new buildings erected or old buildings demolished. But even the functions of daily life is different.
Like when making payments, vendors now prefer this new function called “Pay Now”. I was confused for the longest time when some of them didn’t accept NETS. And when going to the library, instead of scanning on the totems, you can now scan the books using an app on your phone. Woah, I feel like I’m living in the future. I’m so excited to see what new technologies that is to come.
But on the other hand, seeing my family growing older each time I visit is quite painful. My parents being less vibrant compared to before. I’m in a state of denial when I hear their ages and think to myself, that can’t be … but the maths check out.
All the years that I don’t get to spend with my siblings – birthdays and other special moments … Just makes me feel this sense of panic and melancholy and want to spend as much time with my family as much as I can.
I guess living so far away has made me appreciate every moment that I have because the time I have is so limited. And I just hope to see you all again soon, in good health and happiness.