Coming Home

Coming home after a 2 week holiday can make you feel a bit disoriented which isn't a bad thing. First of all having forgotten your routine you perform tasks on a need to basis. You go through the huge pile of mail sieving out those which call for immediate action and in the process even jostles you out of procrastination to finish unfinished jobs. When you read the outdated newspapers you are somehow forced to pick up important world/local news only.

When you go out to do your essential grocery shopping you seem to have a new wave of awareness. I guess it is the lingering observation effect, a hangover from your overseas trip, which I kind of enjoy. It is like seeing things anew, the places that you dwell and move around in day after day, the people that you now see of whom you didn't know existed in your neighbourhood, and the behaviour and attitude of yourself and your countrymen that you come to realise more acutely.

In London, we approached one tube station only to meet with cones and tapes barring the entrance and a sign that said train service from point A to B was not in service until further notice. The locals walked away in a hurry when they saw the signboard. A guard was nonchalantly helping tourists with alternative stations and modes of public transport. You are amazed when returning home your local newspapers reported every train service disruption that occurred the day before despite the availability of standby buses for passengers to continue their journey.

Back home you now also wonder with appreciation at how well air-conded our country is after having experienced the oppressing summer heat in the London trains as well as the absence of air cond or weak ventilation in many buildings. In short yes you appreciate how comfortable Singapore can be.

As the observing energy wanes, I revert back to my usual unthinking self after a few days. Perhaps it is the routine, perhaps it is the familiarity, perhaps it is knowing the government knows best and will take care of you, or perhaps it is just in the air. Whatever it is, this oblivious and unthinking habit has to be arrested instead of waiting for the next overseas trip.