Bidding Farewell To My Singaporean Chapter

As you may or may not know, I have spent the past 2 years of my adolescence living independently on the tiny red dot of the world map- also known as Singapore. A year since I left the city with my well-earned Bachelor's degree, I was once again back in town with the family... this time to attend my belated Graduation ceremony.

To say that I was back in the city I once called home and not feel any sense of lingering nostalgia or familiarity would be a clear cut lie. Lord knows how many times I've spent crossing the land border between Singapore and Malaysia during my time living there, so to look around the surroundings and see all the familiar views definitely gave me some sense of clarity and comfort. I remember passing by the arrays of HDB blocks standing tall and proud by the background covered with lush trees, the shifting of red SBS busses from bus stops to bus stops, as well as the distinctive Singaporean blue cabs spotted in the middle of the traffic every now and then.

It gave me a warm feeling of familiarity, comfort and nostalgia to be back, but I was also accompanied by yet another feeling I hadn't been introduced to before. You must understand that when I was still studying in Singapore, the only reason why I had to go back to the city was to continue my studies at the end of every painfully-short semester breaks that I was entitled to. So to end my short-lived summer breaks and return back to the pains of living alone, midnight assignment cramps and exam stress were rarely accompanied by happy feelings. This time, it felt different. This time, I knew I was back in town for the weekend to celebrate the end of my University struggles, as well as to be reunited by some good friends I have not seen for a year. Albeit going through the same routes and roads, I was no longer accompanied by the usual feelings of remorse, rather happiness.

Throughout the journey back, I thought deeper about my time here in Singapore. For me, Singapore has been more than just the place I called home for 2 years in a row. Singapore was also the place that helped raise me to be the mature person I am today. I have been blessed to be given the opportunity to meet and mingle with people from all walks of life throughout my time here, each with their own stories and experiences to be shared with me and vice versa.

Much of the crucial life lessons which I still carry with me to make important decisions were also taught right in the heart of this city. This was after all, the place where I had my first real taste of independent living, having to take care of myself and being solely responsible for my own decisions. This was the place where I learned to live on my own and portion just enough spaghetti sticks for one to boil, this was the place where I fell in love and was actually reciprocated back for the first time, and this was also the place where I learned to stick to my own beliefs and defend myself whenever I felt the need to, because no one else would do it for me otherwise.

Because of the limited size of the city itself, I could very well walk through all the major roads, corners and alleys of Singapore and remember vividly what event happened in that particular spot at which particular date and time. This was why when I revisited some old and familiar places in Singapore, I either caught myself smiling or frowning a little. Whilst some buildings and areas do bring back joyful memories, others not so much. Certain places which used to bring me joyful memories, have either changed entirely or were no longer there. Don't get me wrong, I am forever blessed and thankful to be given the opportunity to live in such an enriched part of the world like Singapore. It's just that... if I were ever to be given the same opportunity again- to be able to reside in Singapore once more, I'd politely decline for at least a couple more years to come.

I loved Singapore, for I would never be half the person I am today if it wasn't for my time there. It's been a wonderful journey of both happiness and sorrows, and no matter how grateful I am to be blessed with such an opportunity, I know that it is truly time for me to move on and discover new places instead, perhaps meet new people, gain new experiences as well as learn new life lessons.

Thank you, Singapore.

#Singapore #Graduation