Welcome to my Farewell - Singapore Series

Its official now! I got my itinerary for travel to India. Next week same time I would be home. I am not sure whether I am excited or scared or happy. Last two nights went sleepless, while I was trying to find my closure. I know its going to be ok. It’s just the anxiety and discomforts of the transition stage that's flipping me out.

Near Espalande Singapore 20 december 2007
It’s hard to summarize two years of my life here. I learnt cooking, washing and also the one thing I thought I would never do, the thing I hated for my entire life – Ironing. I learnt more about myself through difficult times, because I was all by myself. Living away from family would teach you more lessons than any college will.

I missed my family in the first few months and also had a terrible break up from a long time relationship. I vividly remember breaking down in the toilet of an amusement park. Albeit, it’s all those things that sculpted ME and I am grateful for it.

My office building.
On the flip side, Singapore gave me many things to remember by, especially my mom’s visit here. If you are a middle class Indian you would preciously understand the feeling of showing abroad to your parents. This advertisement was my dream few years back.

Sentosa island , July 2008
This year I have done more travels (for holidays) than I ever did in my entire life. I even went on a cruise ship that looked like a small city. Thanks to the insurance, I got my sinus operated (100% free) in the top class hospital. The last 6 months I lived with my colleagues, made up for the hostel days I never had.

The view from my current home in Tampines, Singapore
In these last few days of my stay here, let me tell you how beautiful this place is and what not to miss when you come here. Welcome to Singapore!

Comments

Swaram said…
Firsttt! Ahh I hd even forgotten the spelling after being fashionably late on all posts ;)
Swaram said…
Wow! U sure know how to have fun in any place Sri :) Love ur positive outlook too :)

Am so glad u started this series! The view from ur home is plain awesome :)

Its always nice to do something different for parents and see them enjoy it na .. my parents took me on my first foreign trip though :P So, it shud hv been their turn to see me happy then :) Nevertheless, I am happy they r so independent and well-equipped to do things they like and hope God keeps them that way :)
RamNarayanS said…
What a start!!!

Heartfelt. No more words to describe your post.
Annam said…
wellu cummu to india:)
Aarti said…
As they say, every new thing we try is an experience... we learn from it... :) and u've beautifully penned ur thots and journey in Spore down...

Here's to a whole new adventure as you come back in india...!!
Aarti said…
oh no... i gotta go look for pori urundais... !! ;)
Anuraag said…
hi srivats
well i hav happened to be a middle class indian and i do understand ur feelings and feel touched..
i confessed on 2012..hope it got ur attention.. :)
gils said…
ad gummu...loved it..vaada vaa...indiala ethanaal iruka paakren :D enakenamo max rendu masathula thirumba moota katitu odiruva nenakren :)
Prats said…
Very touching and beautiful post. I can totally understand and relate to the feeling. Hope India exceeds ur pain to be away from S'pore
savitha said…
:) Best wishes for all that awaits you!!

You'll be missed in our meets,henceforth!!(the lectures you make, the food you unearth from the shelves and fridge, the blending for rasam etc).

Take care, and have a great life,Sri!!Whatever heights you reach, I wish the thirst for life that you have, is preserved!!

Keep in touch! :)
Smita said…
Staying alone teaches you so many things!!! It makes you independent!!!

And I can make it out from your words that you have grown very fond of this place, enjoy the last few days there :-)
@ Srivats

I liked that...U learnt cooking..and ironing...well this counts a lot in life!!

I enjoyed ecah chapter of your journey and wish that you explore perhaps the unknown...in India!

Must be having a feeling great...comming back to India!
Wish you all the best in Life!!
Emotionally touched!I can understand exactly what you are feeling Sri!Everything will be alright.It takes time to adjust with the change.But you"ll do it Sri!
G3 said…
Wow.. How did I miss that ad !!!

That was really cute :))))

All set to read ur sgp series :))) Pottu thaakkunga :D
jehan said…
hi Sri! i loved "the advertisement"... i wish to also finally invite my mom here and show her around--especially the shoot locations of her favorite Korean drama series...

i somehow felt guilty the first time i washed my mom in law's clothes. i couldn't remember washing my mom's clothes. she'd always make sure she does it herself... i also cooked Filipino dishes for the first time here.. so those are my firsts here... how i wish i could go back, have a vacation and be able to serve my mom too...
Karthik said…
welcome back.. welcome home! :) :)

am going through the things you have said in this blog minus the good ones.. wish im mature enough to take them as you do..
Vidya said…
I came over to your blog knowing that you are counting down your days to relocate to India.

I know the feeling you describe about the parents' visit. I felt the same way too when my parents visited me!

Here's to another journey in India!
TheUncanny said…
Man you simply rock!!!!
I cant say more..the pic of u and ur mom was adorable..the adv had me in tears...
Ur positivity towards ur life and others has always stunned and shocked me same time...I owe u bigtime for all ur optimistic comments in my blog when I was going thro a tough phase myself.I stumbled upon ur "Bookshelf" jus when I was losing trust in ppl and life...Cant be more happier to be blog friends!

U will rock where ever u are...

Singara Chennai welcomes Srivats!!!! :)

Regards,
Kavitha.
bittersweet said…
Finally.. the Singapore I've been dying to see. I've been waiting for this for so long!

On the other hand, I totally understand all the jitters and anxiety of leaving Singapore and moving back to India. I've had those a lot moving back and forth to two countries, each time there is a certain degree of permanence. Just ride with it, it's meant to be like that. You've had your phenomenal years in Singapore and I'm sure you're gonna have even more spectacular ones in India. I've always admired your courage to get out of your nutshell and chase your dreams. Keep on chasing them where ever you are! And don't forget to 'pen' your amazing experiences along the way.
Ramesh said…
Hey Sri, wishing you all the very best as you wend your way back home. Its a poignant moment when an expat returns home - however short the time overseas has been. Your parting travelogue from Singapore would no doubt be the usual Sri masterpeices and we will eagertly look forward to your travelogues from India. Good Luck
very touching.. all the best for whatever u want to do in life Sri.. god bless..
deep said…
Best wishes..on your journey back to homeland... :)
sri said…
@ Swaram
//my parents took me on my first foreign trip though :P So, it shud hv been their turn to see me happy then :) //

Cool so lucky :P

//I am happy they r so independent and well-equipped to do things they like and hope God keeps them that way :)
//

I understand completely Swaram, Sometimes even I wish my parents were independent, not because of any other reason, but because its good for them to be that way.

@ Rammm
:) I know brother

@Annam
Varen varen party thara thappatyoda readya erunga

@ Aarti
U cant escape better keep them ready I am coming :P it would be nice to have a lunch together.

@Vishal
hey buddy , I glad we could connect. I am sorry abot the last comment, I happend to notice only yesterday after I read this one, blame it on the sheer lazyness hehe :P pardon me please.

@Gils
Ammanda enakkum therla parpom whats in store.

@ Prats
Glad you could understand it brother. Thanks for the wishes

@ Savi
Lectures, I got to tone it down, I could be better in trainings and presentations LOL , I know savi how your words are so stright from your heart and I can surely count on them. Thanks for everything!
Aarti said…
:) zat ees a done deal...
sri said…
@ Smita

//Staying alone teaches you so many things!!! It makes you independent!!!//

Very well said , I didnot write it here although that was on my mind! Thanks for ur words :)

@ Rachana

//ironing...well this counts a lot in life!!
//

Oh it does, it really does! :) Thanks for your wishes

@ Aruna
That was great support, your words have reached deep into me , Thanks so much!

@ G3
Sema add ellai ? enakkum marandhu pochu AJCL dhaan gyaabagam apduthenaanga.

@Jehan
Please bring your mom soon, whats stopping you :) enjoy the kick of it

//i somehow felt guilty the first time i washed my mom in law's clothes. i couldn't remember washing my mom's clothes. she'd always make sure she does it herself... i also cooked Filipino dishes for the first time here.. so those are my firsts here... how i wish i could go back, have a vacation and be able to serve my mom too...
//

those are very honest words you have spilled here, and I wish you a vacation soon enough to be doing what your heart wants you to be doing :)

@ karthik
Thanks a lot kanna, maturity is what comes after you go through all da ( I guess i can call u that :P) Dont worry all will be fine. There is so much to life isnt ?

@ Vidya
Thanks a lot for remembering and I am glad you could relate to what I have writtern here, such a pride it is!

@ Theuncanny

hey Kavitha

// owe u bigtime for all ur optimistic comments in my blog when I was going thro a tough phase myself//

That was the best and most welcomed outcome of my writing and If I have created that change , I guess taht would be the success of it! :) U made my day now LOL

Romba romba nanri kavi, Hope to catch up with all our blog friends sometime.
Unknown said…
Most of the learning in life really happens when away from parents. And guys really need to know washing and ironing :P Lol.

The ad left me teary-eyed. No, really. Not kidding. The 2 lines about middle-class indians getting their parents abroad... I have no words.

Annndddd... welcome! :)
sri said…
@ Mybittersweetkoreanlife

//Just ride with it, it's meant to be like that. You've had your phenomenal years in Singapore and I'm sure you're gonna have even more spectacular ones in India./

Thanks a lot for the lovely wishes! :) I am hoping exactly the same!

//I've always admired your courage to get out of your nutshell and chase your dreams. Keep on chasing them where ever you are! And don't forget to 'pen' your amazing experiences along the way.
//

Advice duly noted! :P Glad I made such friends who would support me in all times of my life, Thanks a lot Emma

@ Ramesh
As always your comment left me all senti :) Thanks a lot Ramesh I appreciate your care and confidence in me

@ AJCL
:P Vengaya kolambu and pundu rasam eating is what I want to do now

@Deep
Hey nice to have you here, thanks a lot for your wishes :P
sri said…
@ Anu

Oh ironing!! I got to post a special post on it alone! haha

Yes that advert is brilliant, one that we can all relate to thats why long after many years we still remember it!

:P glad you felt it.
sri said…
@ Aarti

deal a no deal pakreenga pola
FunScribbler said…
hey dude, all the best for ur future!! rock on:) always stay happy and funky. alrite!!
Charissism said…
Oh Sri! Gonna miss seeing you in the office. No more IM chats for us.:( Dont mind me, I'm such a drama queen anyway. hahaha

You're on your way to a whole new world Sri. Just ride the carpet and enjoy the ride. hahaha Aim high and strike it! :)

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