Singapore–As soon as I entered Tokyo-Narita airport, I heard the malay-english accent behind me. that’s the first hint of singapore. then while waiting to board my plane back to singapore, the waiting area was filled with singaporeans. and the best identifying trait? long queue waiting at the boarding gate before the boarding starts. KIASU! and when i entered the plane, i was trying to stuff my bag into the luggage compartment, and the air stewardess spoke in a familiar yet distant accent. She must be singaporean! as my plane approached singapore, i feel really sad. tt spells the end of my six-month dream. i am suddenly being zapped from the clouds (literally) and back into reality. no more independence, no more travelling, no more squealing in delight at everything foreign. no more america. no more accent, no more good customer service. but only my family and friends and my old lifestyle, standing to embrace me as i touch the soil. no more GIP friends (whom i have forged a bond already). our lives before GIP seemed to be put into a vacuum as we forged a new friendship and lifestyle that surrounded and depended on each other. suddenly, we are zapped out of it and back to our old life. as we finally touched down and got out of the plane, the rush of damp warm air greeted us. and after 6 months of cool dry air, we can’t help but proclaim: “woah! so hot!!!”
i was really excited to see mikey standing there in anticipation of me. tts the reason why im home.
but i cant bear to leave my american dream behind.
becoz of so much i have learnt and experienced that formulate who I am now.
And here’s a summary of survival skills and experiences for the past 6 months.
1) speak english like an american: they are bound to respect you more, though some say they like our accent. some tips for speaking like an american: use your diaphragm, speak slowly, roll your Rs, silence your Ts, talk in a question tone, and use superlatives for everything you love: ‘oh, that’s so awesome” without having to describe what made it awesome. and some conversation starters u need: “hi how r ya?” reply: “good, how bt ya?” and the conversation will stop. it’s just an extended HI. “you” is usually pronounced with a “c”, like “wouldcha like…”
2) Immerse yourself totally into the culture: avoid hanging out too much with the singaporeans as it will defeat your purpose of an exchange, make friends with the locals, take the initiative to have lunch with them. these are the people that are going to make your experience american. be it good or bad. at least you are involved in the way of life. don’t be a hermit.
3) Be outspoken in class: show that that singaporeans can speak GOOD english (better than them) and that we are as good, if not better. don’t let people look down on us just because we are Asians.
4) It’s okie to pack your food:american portions are big. take advantage of that, eat half, take it away for your next meal and you can save tons of money too!
5) DRINK UP: everyone walks with a starbucks coffee in hand.
6) wait for sale for your fave grocery: most grocery stores have buy 2 for 5 bucks deal. wait for that as in the next couple of weeks, that item will definitely be on sale.
7) Travel: try to arrange your time-table in such a way that you can have a long weekend so as to extend your travelling time. weekends are precious, DO NOT use it to study!
Take the initiative: Press on for your rights, fight for what you want. this is america.
Some stats reflecting changes about me:
1) Amount of weight piled on: 2 kg or 10 pounds
2) Appetite increased by 25%!
3) American tastebuds increased too. i love chips, salsa, spinach dip, sandwiches, and salad and all meals are complete only with desert. i am more into starbucks.
4) cities visited: Portland, OR, Vancouver, BC, Las Vegas, Nv, Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, New York, NY, Toronto, On, Victoria, BC, Chicago, IL, San Antonio, TX, Yellowstone, WY, Philedephia, Washington, DC, Boston, Massachussets, Miami, FL, Tokyo, Japan and not to forget SEATTLE, WA!
5) Number of airplanes I took: 23. (which is considered a miracle as I used to fear taking aeroplanes!!!)
6) Grades: very very good!
7) Local friends made: Huy (best friend!) (American-vietnamese), Yuna(korean), KC (seattlelite), Sarah (texas), Khair (Indian), n many many more that i only met once or twice, but thanks for shaping my experience!
Number of times appeared on local/community/campus newspaper: 3 times. (one each)
9) amount of time spent average in grocery store: an hour per week
10) fave grocery store: Trader Joe’s! organic and cheap with nice deli and free sample and coffee and nice paper bags.
11) number of cups of bubble tea drank: more than 20.
12) number of self-made sandwich eaten for lunch and dinner: close to 80.
13) amount of time alone: 70%
14) amount of time wishing that i didnt have a XXXXXXX: 80%
15) shopping: DON’T ASK!
16) the average temperature i was in: 6 degrees celsius. RAIN!
All in all, as i looked back, i am glad that i made the step to go for GIP. when i applied for GIP-UW, I had done no research, just anyhow whack. I was half hoping that i dont get it becoz i was afraid of travelling so far alone. USA was like a big unknown to me, and i would have never imagine to go there in my whole life, much more live there. it was like such an honor to be in the states, and many a times i still ask myself if i am dreaming. i love the usa becoz there is where i am free, free from parental control, free from church responsibilities, free to be who i am. it is like starting a brand new identity. true enough there were times i was lonely, but it only made me more independent, more outgoing as i didnt have to answer to any of my friends.
i love the thought of discovering new things everyday as i live in a new and strange country. i call myself an anthropologist.And i did a lot of crazy stuff that would prob make my mum flip. but its all worth it!
but usa is not without its flaws. people are racists, though not in seattle where there are so many asians. people talk down to u or change their attitude just becoz u r not white.but it only makes u stronger, or meaner, when people give u an attitude, i will give it back to them becoz i dont want them to think that i dont understand their insinuations or asians can be bullied.
i love to be back one day in usa, but maybe i shall venture ahead to europe, where i heard the people are nicer. but i love my experience in usa enough to say that i love usa!
i have no regrets spending that money, lending myself in debt for these incredible six months!
fentastic seattlelite.
