…and this is me:
I feel like this should be a post about all the wonderful things I’ve learned about myself and the world, the new perspectives I have on what it means to be American or a Wisconsinite, or my plans for dealing with reverse culture shock and reintegration into Wisconsin life…or something deep like that.That’s all coming, I’m sure, but as I’m trying to cram my life into suitcases (yes, suitcases, because we’re not shipping anything back), I just don’t have the cognitive energy to reflect on all that yet. Especially with the whirlwind of goodbyes the last few days has been.
It’s been a good run, this year and a half in Singapore. I’ve written and edited a novel, and just gotten an agent for it. I’m well into the first draft for another. I’ve visited: Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia (Bali and Bintan), Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Oh, and Singapore. I may have broken my face a lil bit in Cambodia–just one of many interesting travel stories I now have. I’ve frolicked with elephants. Seen kangaroos, koalas, and kookaburras in the wild. Done extensive field research into vocabulary and spelling differences between American and British English. Made lots of friends from around the world–even converted one English friend into a Packers fan. Got into the Singapore schools a little bit, to teach a creative writing course to local 4th graders and also teach a Saturday enrichment class to local five-year-olds. Spent a year and a half relying solely on public transportation which, thankfully, is pretty great in Singapore. Ended up stopping at at least 47 out of 113 MRT stations (Singapore’s subway). Yes, I was keeping track 😛 Lived being the minority, an Ang Moh, which I think everyone should experience. There’s another post I’ll write some day; it does help you appreciate different aspects of white privilege to be sure. And I could go on and on.
I’ve NOT been as food-venturous as I should have, I’ll admit that. I have this thing about fish. And mayonnaise. And sketchy-looking chicken. And meat on bones. So…that’s my bad. I’ll miss satay and prata and iced Milo (and flat whites, though those are Aussie). I wish I would have explored more of Singapore, as in the Heartlands and parts where expats don’t go. I did a little bit while working in the schools (Pasir Ris and Alljunied areas), but I wish I would have learned more about Singlish and local cultures. I’m sure as I’m plugging back into my old life, there will be many more things I regret as well.
I’m excited to get back to my family and the niece and goddaughter I barely know. I can’t wait to go back to working in the schools and trying to make a difference in the lives of children and families. I’m excited for cheese curds and good, cheap microbrews and snow! Yes, snow! I cannot wait for seasons and cold and being able to run in the middle of the day. And a car. I cannot wait to have a car again. Can I still have one and not pay thousands of dollars a year for it? Not having to make car payments or pay for insurance or gas or repairs has been amazing.
After the dust settles and I’ve wrapped my brain around plugging back into my old life, I’ll write those posts on what being American means to me and Midwest culture and how living abroad changed my entire worldview and self-view. But for now I think I’ll go make some cookies or something 😛 Or maybe I’ll stop by the coffee shop in Chip Bee Gardens that knows my order one last time. It’s a blue orange mocha by the way.
Some of my favorite pictures from Singapore:
To this:
Sarah J. Carlson 
Welcome back to the land of cream in your coffee! Yeay!!! Cher 🙂
LikeLike
haha YES!!!! Hmmmm what flavor shall I buy first??? Suggestions?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hazelnut? Oh my, so many choices, Sarah!!! 😉
LikeLike
I’ve been in Japan for the past ten years. I’ll be moving back to Canada next year with my wife and daughter. My daughter’s never been to Canada. I’ve spend a quarter of my life in Japan, so I think I’ll be experiencing a lot of melancholy leaving a country I’ve grown to love, yet I’m also frustrated about things here. I think life will be easier in Canada, but not as exciting. For a while, it’ll be exciting, but as I get settled back in, I think it may be a bit mundane. Life in Japan has been an adventure. New things all the time, even after ten years. But I expect some reverse culture shock. At least we’ll be coming to Japan regularly to travel and visit family. I have a strong link to Japan, so I must come back. Do you have links to Singapore at all?
LikeLike
Yeah, I can imagine that would be a much more bittersweet move! I think what makes it a bit easier, too, is that Singapore isn’t the best fit for my personality persay. I can do big city, but I don’t love it. I prefer open spaces and nature and to be able to drive out to the country, if you will. I also don’t particularly enjoy shopping and eating, which are the two biggest things to do in Singapore. I’ll definitely miss the cheap, easy travel to other countries. I’ve made friends I’ll miss as well, but I don’t really have any strong links to Singapore. We also knew when we moved here that it was just a short-term thing and then back home, not like many other expats in Singapore who move from country to country for one spouse’s work. I won’t be going on as many adventures in the US, to be sure, but I’m looking forward to exploring more of the awesomeness that is North America 🙂 Cuz we do really have a lot of amazing things.
LikeLike
My wife and I have big plans for traveling around Canada and the US. I’m sure we’ll do some road trips. Of course, we’ll have to make trips to see my relatives, as none of them have met my wife or daughter in person. My sister has met my daughter, and my parents have only met my wife. It’ll be exciting.
LikeLike
All. That. Snow.
LikeLike
I.am.excited 😛 😛 Seriously, never been below 77. The entire time I’ve lived here. I’ve grown up with extreme seasons, so it’s just part of my world. I miss them 😛
LikeLike
Awesome pictures! I hope you won’t miss Singapore too much when you’re back in your, uhm, natural habitat. 🙂
But you’ll draw from the experiences you’ve made for the rest of your life, I’m sure. I’ve settled down in Australia, but growing up, I moved around so much it was crazy. When I was 18, I’d moved at least 18 times, Europe & UK, Papua New Guinea, Australia… The most time I ever spent in Singapore was 3 days, but they were really great.
Are you looking forward to chewing gum?!? 😉
LikeLike
Pingback: So let’s get back to that social media platform :P | Sarah J. Carlson