Sexy, Innocent Child-Woman

Live from Singapore!

Well, I've been here in Singapore for the past four days, but I didn't get to update my blog till tonight. I'm staying in my younger sister's apartment. I'm with my mom, my older sister, my grandparents, three of my aunties, and one of my uncles. My sister has a roommate, whose friend arrived last night and is in and out of the apartment. Isang barangay talaga kami dito. As you can see, I don't really have a lot of time to myself, let alone privacy.

My vacation is going smoothly. Singapore reminds me a lot of Makati, as well as the more cosmopolitan areas of Cebu. I like the way everything is accessible by public transportation. And I do appreciate the cleanliness and orderliness of this place--although I can see the tradeoffs of living here (naman!). I've visited several places, like the Asian Civilization museum, the Merlion, Sentosa, Orchard Road (a must-see on Sundays). I've also had a taste of the nightlife here. I would have wanted to do more sight-seeing, or even make a side trip to Malaysia. But I can only do so much when most of my relatives prefer to go shopping (which happens to be my least favorite activity). Or when my grandparents can't visit that many places for obvious reasons. Or when there's this unspoken rule about visiting the same places as much as possible.

I have to admit that this vacation has also been a "stretching" experience for me. After living in the States for four years, I've gotten so used to having my own life and being able to just go off and do my own thing. I'm not used to being around so many people or adjusting to so many people's needs or preferences--even if I'm dealing with my relatives. So I'd get really uncomfortable if someone would move my stuff around without my knowledge, or if I'd be told to move from one place in the apartment to another because I was supposedly in the way, even if I was just using my laptop, or if I'd find out we couldn't visit to certain places because some relatives were too tired to walk around.

After being away for such a long time and not spending that much time with my relatives during my vacations in the Philippines, I've also realized how much I've grown and matured in terms of my beliefs, and how I view the world differently, compared to most of my relatives. I don't have to apologize for my views, but I've had to watch my mouth so many times...like when a relative who shall remain unnamed would extol the "virtues" of martial law, or refer to the women prisoners or indigenous people I visit in such a condescending manner. I've been tried for my patience in so many ways. Weirdly enough, there have been times when I felt like a total stranger around certain relatives. At least I'm honest about my feelings.

I have no regrets about being here, though. I've bonded so much with my younger sister, and I'm glad I got to meet her friends and see her world. Of course I've also bonded with my mom and my older sister. And I got to catch up with my relatives. That has to count for something, since I don't really get to spend that much time with my extended family whenever I go home.

I'm going back to the Philippines in two days, so I'll get my life back before I know it. And when I go back to the States, I know I'll miss my family, period.

found herself @ 11:32 PM