Life back in Singapore

Today is 19 July 2010, its more than half a month since I touched down back in Singapore. I done a couple of meet ups with my peers here as well as rushing my butts off to and from one interview to another which turns out to be either insurance or multiple level marketing or data mining jobs. Job aspects was not that fruitful for a marketer inspirer, the openings are mostly for people with exposure in that area and the stress and reality of Singapore were falling on my shoulders, urging me to plunge back to the very world that I once left and to accept the way it is. At some point of time, it got me stress and snacking a lot. But luckily, I have my little note with me that has my reflections in Auckland as well as my thoughts at every moment in my life which allows me to maintain and lost one kg since I got back here. It acts as my motivation to stay strong as well.

In my next post, I might discuss about the power of having time for self reflection. But back to the topic that I want this post to have: The life back in Singapore.

Firstly, I did not really find Singapore the same back as the way I left it for Auckland. I mean things seems different. So what does it feels like? Here are some illustration:

1. Switching on the television for the first time since you return only to find the very channel that was familiar to you has a feeling of being foreign to you.

2. Totally piss off by the language that the locals speak and feel like shutting the television off after hearing them speak for some time.

P.S: Before I get bashed by readers, it is a fact that our English need to improve. When I was in Auckland, I came across my friend's blog and in her blog was a post about what a local choose to introduce to the class, Singlish... not the magnificent structure of our esplanade, our casino to be at Marina Bay Sands, our newly universal studio or our largest shopping center Vivo. Singlish was introduced to the class about the uniques of Singapore. Well I did not really want foreigners to remember Singapore this way. The way we speak with the la, hor, ar all that stuff. I want people to remember Singapore for its culture of how people treat each other or its world class buildings that somehow one could feel proud of. The other point of view as feedback to me was that Singaporeans spoke like a train with no stopping and lump their words all together. In Auckland, I was always to prove myself different and that I am from Singapore, a country that has more to offer and unique than Singlish. But, there is no denial that Singlish is what makes us unique and we could not bash the very aspect of it.Well for me, I will continue improving the way I spoke as I am more comfortable in speaking english now as well as confident in it.

3. Finding the main meals here too full for my consumption and hence it will be more worth off for me to cook at home.

4. Missing the english spoken in New Zealand as well as the servings of food there.

5. I miss my walkings there! and finding it hot in Singapore and cold in some of the shopping centers which i never felt that way.

6. Feeling unfamiliar with the streets of Singapore which I am suppose to be familiar with.

7. Finding clothes expensive and miss clearance of clothes in New Zealand but then I actually could save alot as my mum's old clothes could be worn by me now which save me lots!

8. Cotton on is my to shop list since it would be easier for me to find the size of clothes.

9. Fruits, vegetables has it cravings on me but not the others.

10. I snack at home but not when I am out as there was no crave for snack when I am out.

In a nut shell, my stage of life back here was like realizing how much I have changed, so much so that my views and values were different. Sometimes different from the main stream. My dress codes has changed and my old habits were minimum. I was finding work to do! Cleaning the house all day like what I did in New Zealand. Was it boring, not at all, it just give me a sense of satisfaction and that mum could rest more. Its been hard on her taking care of all the housework as well as my ever playful Ban! Well he matured too but still as playful and sometimes you just laugh at him.

Smile was like an everyday must do. Smile at my reflection or in the mirror, taking self portrait and smiling at the photo that I have taken. The best thing in life was to be able to smile again. Once you like your smile, you just love yourself each day even more. This is what keeps me motivated. Because I love who I am now, I will not do things that I do not felt happy with. The ability to smile again and pass that warm to others is dear to me now and I would do all I can to have that ability. Think about it give a smile to anyone and lighten up their life, as they smile back to you, your spirits gets lit and you feel good. It does not cost much to smile but its priceless to feel happy and good.

As feedback, I might have a slower readapting ability but facts are that I just not want to move back to the mainstream and be back at square one. Its my weapon to fend off the negative aspects of this very country. People tend to bend to reality and its negativeness and at times, its unhealthy to your soul and heart. I learn that whether a day turns out to be happy or sad, its really my choice.

So what are my new habits you might ask?

Well firstly, I spend less time on computers and more on housework.

Listen to BBC news to the very english accent that I missed.

Have a target of breaking to a smile everyday.

Oats, yogurt, milk for breakfast. None for lunch or a beverage during lunch and then some side meals such as buns or vegetables for dinner. No fast food, fried, oily or junk food (its good for the skin okies)

Reading Eat, Pray, Love currently. Yes I bought that book from popular. Reading it out loud to pratice my English.

At least jog, climb the stairs each day. A fruit a day or two?

Writing my feelings in my by the side notebook so that I know what I feel and what I want to be able to not bend myself into reality.

'Today is a fairytale' is my everyday must listen song because it brings smiles to me and to remind me to seek living life each day as a fairytale and that how bless life is for me. Life does not need to be in reality, it could be in a fairytale with positiveness and smile at situations. Nutshell: Enjoying moments of life as much as I can

More time with my family as I realized how much they mean to me when I was in Auckland. Life's never been this great!