I arrived back in Singapore some couple of days ago and for some strange reason, my heart was racing and I was literally shaking. Up till now, I still feel nervous and some sense of uneasiness is bubbling within me.
While Singapore is a country I spent over 27 years of my life in, I feel like I don’t know this place as much as I did anymore. Sure, things have certainly changed and new buildings have sprung up over the past year, but I suspect it’s less about the seemingly changed physical surrounding. When I do something or say something to whomever, I feel really nervous about how the other party will respond. The Singaporeans on the streets now don’t seem to be the Singaporeans I used to know. I can no longer guess their responses.
I don’t seem to feel that way when I visit a new country for the first time. It’s usually more excitement than nervousness. I’m guessing it might be due to the obliterated line between knowing and not knowing. While everything seems so familiar, there is a sense of unfamiliarity that is not visible to me. Call it a ghost of unfamiliarity if you will.
Though my heart is still beating faster than it should, I think it should return to normal in a couple more days. If it doesn’t, I probably should see a doctor for transient idiopathic arrhythmia.
don’t worry, i guess this is what people called as “reverse culture shock” when a person who lived extensively in another country returns to his/her home country. it’s completely normal. but ultimately, Singapore is still and forever will be your home. relax and just feel the happiness of being home! 🙂 welcome back ~!
so you got to spend national day at home? i celebrated by going for firework festivals around the Kansai area. nothing like a good blast of 花火 to remind a Singaporean of home in Aug ^^ after almost 5 months here, i miss cai fan and speaking in Singlish.
Yea, I did.
I do feel kinda ashamed when I told my friend to take leave on the 9th to hang out and he’s like “er… it’s national day. i don’t have to take leave.”
But I did have a great time eating from place to place. So how’s things been going for you?
You’re not in JET, are you? ‘Cause 5 months here in August doesn’t sound JET.
nope, i’m currently on a 1-year language programme, but am planning to apply for either 1) grad school, 2) JET or 3) ALT for next year. i really wanted to be able to speak Japanese more fluently first ^^
i guess you’re not going to vote this Sunday? i’ll be in Tokyo so i’m planning to go exercise my rights. lol.
Saturday i mean…summer vacation is making me lose track of time…
Ah… nope I’m not voting. I didn’t vote during the GE so my name’s been removed from the Register of Electors.
Anyhow, I’m not receiving enough information about the candidates so I don’t want to make an uninformed decision.