Happy being busy!

I am so busy these two weeks! S came from NYC for a 3 week holiday and since she was such a good host to me during my time in USA, I had to reciprocate the favour. What’s more, it’s been so long since we saw each other, I’m glad for the opportunity to catch up with her.

Last Friday S wanted to go sun-bathing, so we went to Sentosa. I was such fun! This is my first time sun-tanning and because it was a weekday, there are less people at the beach. Most of them are Caucasians too. Had a good time ogling at bikini girls and guys (not that they’re very good looking). S was not satisfied until she caught all the sun and made sure that she’s very tanned. We stayed there for 4 hours. I think I caught a heat stroke. When we were leaving, I nearly fainted. Good thing I brought water and managed to finished it all and so avoided an embarrassing moment. Was apologetic to S though. I’m so weak! Anyway, I had a great time at Sentosa that day. I don’t mind going there again next time to sun-bathe. I just have to make sure I bring lots of water to keep myself hydrated!

This week, I had to relief teach at Canberra Pri on Monday and Tuesday. They’re both in the morning and I had to wake up very early! Not easy for me, who’s so not a morning person! Anyway, S called me up during Tuesday morning to meet her for lunch. She had two friends from NYC who are on a tour of South East Asia and happened to be in town. I was very tired and planned to go home after school to sleep my day away but I’m so glad that I went to meet them! Being with S and her two guy friends, I’m like transported back to my days in the States. They all spoke with an American accent and I find myself using my long-forgotten accent also. Also, since I used to live in the States, we had a lot of topics to talk about and I find myself no longer the one to just sit and listen, as I do so often with my own friends. It was so natural to find myself contributing my opinions and thoughts. I guess one thing that being in USA has taught me is that if I don’t open up, I would be ignored. Americans are very vocal and they can go on and on and if you choose to remain silent, they would not ask you to voice out or ask you what’s wrong. If I choose to remain quiet, they would respect my choice.

After being tour guides to the two American friends, we met up with another two friends of one of the two and went to a bar at Devonshire Road. I was so tired then from lack of sleep and had a splitting headache. What’s more, I was having that time of the month which makes it real uncomfortable. But I find myself also enjoying the time just talking and getting to know all these people. Our topics can range from politics (the recent hoo-ha about the Presidential Elections), differences between men and women and very often, differences in social attitudes in Singapore and USA. It was such am enriching night and we never run out of topic to talk about. I was able to also offer my opinions freely because all of us have been around both countries and have common understanding of issues.

I’m so glad to meet up with S again. She’s thinking of seriously moving back to Singapore from NYC. If she does that, I can envision us doing more fun things together. Being Westernised, S doesn’t bring with her the usual conservative notions that I’m used to with other Singaporean friends. I can unleash my other adventurous side with her, that I can’t with others. I really, really hope things will go well with S and to see her in Singapore soon!