This Tiny Little Red Dot

I’ve been living in Singapore for the past 4.5 years now. Count together the 6 months I spent during my junior high here (riot time mah… All Indons who can make it, run to either Malaysia or Singapore) makes it around 5 years. I was wondering to myself what 5 years in Singapore can do to your sanity =P

In short, there isn’t really much you can do in Singapore (this tiny little red dot being this TINY little red dot), but living here for the past few years has changed me somewhat and left a bittersweet impression on me. To tell you the truth, I have a love-hate relationship with this island =P

A few things I don’t like about Singapore are :

First, the people in Singapore are the epitome of rudeness. After living in Indonesia for most of my life, I’m used to the great service they usually provide. It is a common sight to find people going trough the extra mile to serve you. All services are delivered with a smile, and it is not uncommon to find people trying their hardest to please the customers. Even strangers on the street are more open, relaxed, and full of smiles. Singapore, on the other hand, is full with aunties jabbing my ribs to beat me two steps into the MRT, teenagers listening to the bombastic sounds coming from the mp3 earphones (which can still be heard from three seats away), hawker stall owners who shouted at me, sulky shop assistants, and of course the ever so annoying insurance agents on the street. Nuff said.

Second, the pace of life in Singapore is CRAZY with a super big capital. It is quite normal for people to work 50 hours a week. Sometimes even clocking at 60 regularly. Not that I don’t like people who are hardworking, but I don’t prefer myself to be wrung out until I die out of exhaustion. Of course it also makes it harder to have good relations with friends since they are also very busy with their work. Gatherings are always forever postponed. It is very hard to synchronize everyone’s schedule. And guess what, I don’t like it when I don’t get enough dose of friendship.

Third, the high living cost in Singapore. Forget maids and chauffeur, I can’t even afford to buy things on impulse. I must save up for my Master program fee in NTU, my life insurance, my rent, and my meals. I do have a budget to buy books, but impulsive buying will send me to a month long of skipping meals (Reminder to self : must pay the utilities bill tomorrow >.&lt

Of course it will not be fair to talk about Singapore on its bad terms alone. There are a few good things I love from Singapore.

First is of course one of the most efficient public transport system in the world. Anywhere you want to go, there are public transport that will cater you. And Singapore being one of the countries with the lowest crime rate means going out until late at night is not a problem (a big no no in Jakarta where I am not even allowed to take the public transport). And that means I can do a lot of ministry works after my working hours.

Second is the wonderful art appreciation level in Singapore. I have always been a fan of musicals and opera. And Singapore is one of the most advanced in this area among South East Asian countries. I’m not only talking (or rather writing) about the metal Durian, but also about the number of shows and performances given in Singapore. The Phantom of the Opera (my personal favorite), Mama Mia, Madame Butterfly, The Marriage of Figaro, and La Boheme to name a few. Not stopping there, the art museums here are also marvelous. Add in great photography exhibitions and you get yourself a great art heaven. True, it is still a far cry from the Western countries, but Singapore is still one of the most advanced Asian countries in art appreciation.

Third is the development rate of technologies. I know this sounds nerdy, but I need my gadgets and I need them to be working properly. I also need my internet connections to work. Not only does it support my interests (Internet being one of the finest resource to learn about something), but it connects me to what is happening to the world. The connection speed in Indonesia is so hopeless I gave up trying to check my mail when I was on holidays.

Fourth, I love the food. Which explains why I try my best to bear the frustration of talking monkey language to hawker stall owners who can not speak English (yeah, they DO have people who can’t speak English here on Singapore). And if you have me pick up the top reason why I love Singapore, this has got to be it. Hm… Food… *sighs dreamily*

Once I sorted out my love-hate relationship with this island, I realized that for all the good and bad, God has placed me in this tiny little red dot. And be as it may, I have the responsibilities to use my time here wisely. Who knows where God is going to land me on in the future (New York? =P) My days in Singapore are counted and day by day I keep reminding myself that I will not be here forever. I know one day I will leave this island, and I want to make the best of my time here. Learning, making friends, equipping myself, and as always, strife to be a blessing to others.

Have I been a blessing to you? I hope so

We are pilgrims of the world.
We long for a kingdom that is not of the earth.
But we are here still to point the way.
So that others may also come and stay.

Have a blessed day