It's been just over two years since we moved to Singapore, and a very (very!) long time since my last post. Daily life had gotten the best of me!
Looking back on the time we've spent here, it's very hard to believe that we are already a quarter of our way into our 3rd year. When we first arrived some of our new friends said, "Watch out - Singapore is a vacuum. You blink and the year has passed." I scratched my head at that at the time, but now I understand. I'm not sure if this is a function of being an expat or if this is particular to Singapore. I have a feeling it is the latter. Perhaps it's the mostly perpetual sunny weather, the lack of seasons - creating a sameness to each day/month/year and/or just the happy lifestyle that sucks you in and makes you lose track of time completely.
One of the things that has remained consistent throughout our stay here has been how amazing the Singaporeans are - generous, thoughtful, and so socially responsible. One particular incident that happened last year highlighted this. Oliver's cell phone slipped out of his pocket and into the back seat of a taxi. He thought he'd left it at a friend's house so wasn't very worried about it. In the morning, we received a call from a friend notifying us that she had tried to reach Oliver and that a man told her that he had his phone. I got in touch with 'Michael' to arrange pick up of the phone. Not only did this man screen me to make sure I wasn't trying to steal Oliver's phone (who was I, how did I have Oliver's number), but he also insisted on coming to our closest subway station to hand the phone over, after having just gotten off the night shift. Upon meeting this man, he asked Oliver to unlock the phone in front of him, just to be sure Oliver was the rightful owner. He had noticed Oliver's screen saver which was an image of our two girls, and had actually bought them a box of cookies and some candies from Mark's and Spencer's (not a cheap brand here). Oliver, before even knowing about the gift, had tried to give him money for his trouble and Michael flatly refused, handing Oliver the gift instead. Even now, months later, when I think back to this incident, I am speechless.
A few months after this experience, I managed to leave my Kindle on a Delta flight (is this forgetfulness also a function of Singapore?). I received a call from the airline after they had discovered the Kindle in the seat pocket. They reviewed the seat assignments to work out who to contact and I was then called and asked if I had lost something? Realizing it only then, I told them and described the item. They couriered the Kindle from the airport for me within 24hours, and actually called me later on that day to confirm I had received it and that all was okay. I know this is Delta, but I would stress that this is Delta as run by Singaporeans. I have no doubt that Delta's JFK lost and found is full of interesting and expensive items, both unclaimed and unreturned.
In our forgetful states, these kinds of things have happened to us more than a handful of times. Oliver has lost his phone here at least 3 or 4 times- each time in a taxi and each time returned either by the driver or a kind passenger.
Is it the sun? Is that what puts everyone in a good mood? Or is it that a majority of people here are fit and as a result, have endorphins racing around and are happier and more willing to do nice things for others?
I know I have written a glossy image of this place, and that is certainly a reflection of how I feel, however I should also mention that I have met a handful of people who have moved here who haven't liked it and with most of their complains valid: impossible to get cabs at peak hours or when raining, tough to understand locals due to heavy accent, the insane expense of cars (a simple VW can set you back about $150k due to various taxes), the humidity of course, the culture of lining up to get into lines, and... well, the list can go on quite extensively depending on the perspective and level of discontent. I agree with these things, but I think all cities have pros and cons and from there, how you look at life is a choice. This is a perspective you feel more acutely out here than back home. An East vs West thing I think... and a good one at that!
