Places That We Have Come To Leave The Most
Adri from Popagandhi.com wrote a beautiful piece on why she likes to go out of Singapore every so often; and compares Dubai with Singapore. There’s this part of the article that feels almost like I wrote it myself, except with the suspicion that I wouldn’t be able to write as well in the literal sense:
But every time I leave my country I feel free.
Not that I feel shackled by anything tangible at home — I don’t. Not that I am desperately trying to leave my family in a bid for premature independence, although my father thinks otherwise — I’m not. I simply feel freer. I find it easier to breathe. The possibilities seem endless the moment I leave the country. Not seeing 20 storey buildings in my peripheral vision might have something to do with that. It simply seems like once outside it, I leave also the packed trains of the MRT and the vacuous eyes of the salarymen in its carriages.
I have felt reborn each time I step out of this country. People tell me that I may regret my desire to be out permanently from Singapore, for I may dislike living long-term in foreign land and be back in Singaporean comforts. My gut feeling tells me I may find it difficult to be back here permanently again once I make that step out, even with the arms of my family waiting.
Evelyn Lim
left some thoughts on February 17th, 2009 3:45 pm
Hmmm…I’ve always welcome the idea of moving abroad, if need be. I also feel sorry that my kids have to spend more time studying. While I am mindful not to pressurize them, there are minimum standards that are unavoidable which we have to comply with in the school system here.
However lately, I am also beginning to see how convenient things are in Singapore. Getting reasonably priced meals is not an issue. We can also have domestic helpers if we need one. I’d be spending my time doing housework and minding my kids, if not for this help. There won’t be any time to pursue my own interests or to blog.
Ivy
left some thoughts on February 19th, 2009 10:36 am
Having lived outside of Singapore for so long, I completely understand where you’re coming from. After deciding to come back to live in Singapore, I felt a sense of dread and doom. But now that I’m here, it’s somehow not as bad as I imagined – although I have to admit, there’s still something stifling in the atmosphere here.
Winnie L.
left some thoughts on February 19th, 2009 10:46 am
Thank you Evelyn and Ivy for sharing your thoughts with me.
I think finding a place to live in is like finding a life partner for marriage. There’s always pros and cons in every place – there is no perfect place. It is up to the individual to find one that is the most ideal….that being said, like marriage, we should never settle for less. :p
That is why I feel that I should not be satisfied living here unless I’ve gone out to experience life in many different areas; only then can I decide which is best for me. Perhaps it may be still Singapore, who knows?
I too like the convenience and the efficiency we have here, but I will have to contemplate whether these are worth giving up the opportunity to breathe a little easier. :)
kelvin
left some thoughts on February 27th, 2009 12:54 am
Hmph. I have these exact same thoughts here too. My take is that Singapore is best for doing some things and not good for some.
Some forms of business thrive best in Singapore. Singapore is a fantastic place for raising kids but not the best place for tertiary education. A lot of foreigners trust Singaporeans more than they should. Also – if you have a business in Singapore and you require foreign talent – it is wonderfully easy to attract high calibre foreigners here.
Of course – Singapore is stifling! It is damn hard to find people who will resonate with your ideas and willing to take risks. It is damn hard to find “interesting” people. They are out there though – you just need to find them. (meetup.com is a good source)
And, once we land on Changi, the orderliness that greet us is surreal… comforting but sterile. Things here just work and it’s… strangely… stifling. ;)
It’s so cheap and easy to fly and work outside of SG. Go – and come back when you need this country for what it’s best at. ;)