02/02/2022
After a year and 8 months, I made a trip out of Malaysia.
This is easily the longest I've been back in country of origin since I was... 9? 10? Maybe even longer than that.
Being back in Singapore, the old stomping grounds, has been good. Bit of a bumpy ride, with the various restrictions on things, and travel requirements, SOPs, and more. (If anyone has questions on the Malaysia-Singapore , feel free to drop me a line.)
But it's been good. To be working with people and to be challenged to think differently about my own work, to catch up with old friends, to be able to conveniently take public transport around, and walk on sidewalks that don't disappear into the rear ends of cars that use them as parking lots, or sometimes just disappear. (I'm looking at you, Malaysia).
And yes, to find open spaces to dance in, with floors that are really quite clean even though they're outdoors. That's been nice.
Things have changed, though. The underground Esplanade Square is undergoing some renovations and the periphery of said square is swamped by skaters. Loud, and not very safe for spinning on your head. The fancy Japanese supermarket that used to be at Marina Square's ground floor is now yet another Haidilao hotpot place. The SMU underpass is closed for practice and where there was once music and dancing and people just hanging out is quiet, and the lights aren't even all on (at least in the times that I've walked past).
Oh, and those rent-a-bike things are back. Ofo and Mobike have been replaced by green Anywheels.
Things have changed.
It's been a curious pickle, this trip. One that I'm thankful for.
Happy CNY, everyone.
