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| "I-live-in-the-best-zone-in-Singapore" Sydnrome
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| Monday, March 02, 2009
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 Less than an hour ago, I met some old lady at a traffic junction and she was asking where the nearest supermarket was. Thinking that she might be someone who doesn't get out much, I quickly told her where it was (ok, I was a tad mean to think that way).
But then while waiting for the light to turn green, she volunteered a very interesting piece of information in Chinese - "I've just moved here 2 months ago from Hougang (the northeast part of Singapore) and compared to Hougang, this area seems to have nothing to eat and do!"
I was like... "ARE YOU CRAZY??!! The East is the most happening place and you just DEFILED MY HOLY LAND!"
But I didn't say that to her... I was just screaming at her in my mind.
That got me thinking... Singapore is a tiny island city. Everyone knows that. According to this site,
"Singapore consists of the island of Singapore and some 63 islets within its territorial waters. The main island is about 26 mi/42 km from west to east and 14 mi/23 km from north to south. It's a mostly undulating country with low hills (the highest, 540-ft/166-m Bukit Timah Hill, is to the northwest of the city)." Our tallest hill isn't even a hill! It's like a super large road hump. Seriously. But to me, this is home and most people who live in massively huge countries with multiple states, regions, towns and cities, Singapore is just... one small puny city and think that most Singaporeans are just well, Singaporeans. But what I realised today is that Singaporeans actually function as though we live in a super huge country! Well, I'm guilty of this syndrome too.
Although I was born in the the western region of Singapore, most of my coming-to-24-years of my life has always been residing, developing and growing in the east. All my life, the east part of Singapore is the most happening place to be... we have a great park/beach (although most of the sand comes from Indonesia), loads of great food (Katong laksa, prawn noodles, Geylang frog porridge etc etc) and we have the airport like super close to us. Heck, only the most happening people stay in the East!
But one of my colleagues who grew up in the northern part of Singapore says the same thing about her area too! All along during my childhood, I always thought there wasn't much life in the other parts of Singapore! I always thought that only factory workers lived in the West (because Tuas was there)... Northerners just wanna be closer to Malaysia and well, Northeasterners just need cheap housing in the midst of jungle. It's only the Easterners who are the most happening with all the sports, travelling and food you can get.
Before you think any ill of me, I'm being honest and I'm learning to change my mindset over the years but I still can help having this weird feeling that I've stepped into a different world when I visit the western part of Singapore or the northern part. I start to look at the Singaporeans living there in a weird fashion and somehow feel like a fish out of water when technically, we are all Singaporeans! I think most Singaporeans share the same sentiments... called the "I-LIVE-IN-THE-BEST-ZONE" syndrome.
So if you are from somewhere with many states and regions and stuff and wondering how Singaporeans live, think and breathe, take it from a Singaporean here... we have many "states" too -- just that where you are from, states can be as far as from the tip of your tallest finger on your left hand to your tallest finger on your right hand. BUT IN SINGAPORE, states are only as far as your thumb to your pinkie.
And once I get married, this Easterner here will miss all things great about the East and migrate westward. Thank God I have two years to prepare myself and enjoy the last of what I love about living in the East of Singapore.
Singaporeans are sure funny, huh?
*Shanea Out (being Singaporean) @1:10pm* |
posted by Jasmine Shanea @ 12:34 PM
 
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| 2 Comments: |
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Hee!!
You're back!!
My family lives in the East too. Bedok Reservoir to be exact.
Used to b an AMK girl... I think our move to Woodlands was the worst EVER! Nothing there.. unless you are a devout Muslim or have relatives in Malaysia.
I miss home!
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I get what you mean. After lving in Queenstown for most of my life, we shifted to Sengkang a couple of years back. Can you imagine the shock when it hit me that instead of a mere 15min from the City, it now takes me more than an hour!
Hmm... then again, if you're looking for greenery and jogging trails, the northeast is a great spot.
Cheers,
C K
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Hee!!
You're back!!
My family lives in the East too. Bedok Reservoir to be exact.
Used to b an AMK girl... I think our move to Woodlands was the worst EVER! Nothing there.. unless you are a devout Muslim or have relatives in Malaysia.
I miss home!