I wanted to post at Thanksgiving, but time got away from me. Either way my thoughts have been of Thanks, family, friends and the things that make me happy. I thought that since we will be embarking on our first trip back to the US it is a good time to write.
So, what is home? Like they say, "home is where the heart is". But what if your heart is in more than one place? My heart is with my family in the US. Thoughts of my sister in Charlotte, my parents in PA and my family members spread out over the US brings warm thoughts like marshmallows melting in rich and creamy hot cocoa (which I am looking forward to BTW). My heart is also here with the friends that I have met here in Singapore. As I think about what I am grateful for I would include all the wonderful friendly people that have helped to make Singapore a home for me. Yes, I said home! I must say that I think I feel at home here now. I think the trip back to the US is feeling like a fun vacation. When we come back, I have plans with friends or family almost every day! It will be constant fun and entertainment, and if anything I am hoping that I don't wear myself out. So, what really makes somewhere home? A feeling of belonging, friends you can chat with just because, a routine, knowing where you are going and how you might get there, security in knowing your family will be healthy and taken care of. I think the past few weeks have brought that "feeling of home" to me here. And, can't your heart be in many places? Mine is!
I think the first thing was when I went out on my own one day when E was at school and I went all over town running errands all without at car. I rode the bus, the MRT and a cab to get where I wanted to go. All in about 3 hours. I know that might not be a big thing to some, but to me it was empowering. I didn't get lost or frustrated. I came home and was proud of myself. The next day I did the same. I think knowing that I can get around and do what I want was liberating. Honestly, public transportation can be much faster than having your own car. Not to mention cheaper and environmentally friendly.
Friendships are the icing on the cake. Life can be just fine, but with friends it has that special something. Just like I think sharing your life with someone (my hubby) makes life more entertaining. Hanging out or having a chat with a girlfriend seems to put me at ease. There is something about being an expat that encourages you to let down your guard. People want to know each other. They want to share and be a part of one another's lives; they want to belong. That is a beautiful thing!
OK, so maybe we don't have the seasons like the rest of you out there reading this blog, but I know what to expect. Maybe there is some comfort in knowing what the weather will be like every day. The only thing you have to be prepared for is the rain, but other than that you know that it will be hot and humid pretty much every day. There are some advantages to that you know. Only having to have one wardrobe. This is actually kind of nice. No switching of clothes with the season, wondering if you need to wear long or short sleeves. If anything you may actually wear out your clothes before they go out of style. Packing to go home is much easier. All of our warm weather clothes are back in the US, so packing is light. If we want the seasons we just go somewhere to get it. (Ok, I still miss the cooler weather, but I am warming up to the idea of a hot and humid climate - pun intended!)
I think the other thing is knowing that your family will be safe and healthy is another very important thing to feeling like home. Yesterday I took E to yet another doctor's appointment for her asthma. The good thing is that I found a new doctor's office that I just love! It is the International Medical Clinic. Ok, I knew about it before, but for some reason I felt it was too far to go. Maybe now since I'm not afraid to venture out in the city, it took away that fear of going to far from home. This place felt like home! Everyone spoke English that I could understand. It was clean and not crowded. You could make an appointment and you didn't have to wait! At the place E was going before, we couldn't get in last minute and when we did we had to wait no less than an hour. It was located in a mall, so while you waited you could take your "sick" child walking around in the halls of the mall. Humm, something is wrong with that. I also got to talk to the doc at the new clinic; he had just moved here from Tennessee. I told him I was an RN and that gave me some of the inside scoop. He informed me of how well the clinic was run and how since they are still new (less than 2 years) they are open to improving their business and accepting new ideas. (almost made me want to work there!) He also told me of some of the advantages of practicing and dispensing medicine here in Singapore. There are medicines that you can give here that you can't back home. I also think that having a more worldly view of medicine can give a better perspective in providing better care. Love that! Maybe there are lots of advantages of living in Singapore!
So, in just 2 days we leave for the US. (Get there in 3 days) We are all VERY excited! E has had a great attitude and I think just the anticipation has put her in a good mood. Me on the other hand have been planning for over a month. I have ordered my favorite clothes and shoes from my favorite stores online (can't buy summer stuff in the stores there), ordered christmas presents for E, and made a list of things to bring back that is so long is takes up 3+ screens on my iPhone! To be honest, if I have room in my suitcase I am going to load up on whatever I can. The hubby and I have already talked about smuggling some pepperoni in our luggage. (maybe they won't find it or care). Yes, I am bring some gum back with me. (haven't chewed gum in 4 months) Oh, the list grows!
So, what am I looking forward to when we go back? (not necessarily in this order of course)
- A beer and a choice of beer that doesn't cost $13 - $15 a glass
- A good bottle of wine!
- Chatting with my friends and catching up on life.
- Cold weather!
- Driving a car (yeah, I do kind of miss it)
- Hugging my sister!
- A good NY style pizza with REAL pepperoni!
- Trader Joe's
- Home Depot (for some reason I miss walking through home improvement stores)
- Uncured Pepperoni from Earthfare
- Wearing boots and wool socks
- My hair not frizzing when I walk out the door
- Food that isn't hawker fair (although I do like hawker food)
- My sister's BBQ ribs
- Being able to understand everyone (without having to stop and listen really carefully)
- Pandora
- Watching TV and having a plethera of shows to watch
- Sharing a meal with family (all of them!)
Until next year! Hope to see you soon!
