To be honest, I'm not quite sure how I feel. I'm excited for the future and the new experience, but I'm also sad about having leave somewhere where I was so comfortable to have to start from scratch once again. I can only keep reminding myself that moving somewhere new means new experiences, adventures, maturity, a fresh start and the knowledge that you are embracing all life has to offer. What's the point of living in one place forever?
Leaving Singapore a few days ago was much sadder than I ever thought it would be.
We arrived at Changi airport at about 8am, all ready to check in when we spotted our Singaporean church friends waiting for us. We all rushed over hugging each other and had a final catch up before we boarded our flight.
As I was chatting to some of my friends I noticed a familiar face appear out of the side corridor. I was so excited to see that a few of my Uni friends had surprised me and come to farewell my family!! I have always loved the idea of having friends farewell you at the airport, but it had never happened to me before. For the first people to be my Singaporean friends, I was very very pleased!
It's hard to describe how I felt in these final moments before we boarded the flight. I was just so happy to be with the people who had made my time here so much better than I could have ever imagined. I am incredibly thankful for them. I tried to push my sadness as far down as I could, just so I could really savour these last moments.
To think that even though my family had been living in Singapore for just two years, let alone myself for just one year, and we had around 20 people at the airport farewelling us is really and truly amazing.
We all said our final goodbyes and my family moved through to customs. As we looked back for the last time at the amazing people who had filled our hearts with so much joy over the last few years I couldn't help but just cry. Even one customs men said to my mum, "Wow, I've lived in Singapore my whole life and I have never seen expats farewelled with such a crowd, especially after only two years."
To be able to now look back at my time in Singapore with no regrets and only love and happiness in my heart really is the most perfect way to end my time there. I did not initially want to move to Singapore when my dad told the family we had to leave Australia. I was petrified of starting from scratch, moving to a foreign country and knowing noone, but I am so so thankful I dived headfirst into this new experience. I can't imagine how much I would have missed out on if I decided to stay in Sydney.
It has been an absolute privilege to come to Singapore and meet these amazing people. In addition I have had my eyes opened to other cultures, people and the ways of communities around the world which is something priceless. I got to see and experience some amazing things whilst living in Singapore. I got to travel around Asia and visit some of the most incredible countries from Japan to Indonesia (I will miss travelling SO much!!!). I attended university in a foreign country and I even got my p's (drivers licence)!!
Coming back to Australia I now realise even more how blessed I was in Singapore with my friendships and my surroundings. I am certain I will long for the beautiful country of Singapore for many years to come.
I hope I will continue to be reminded and be humbled by my experience in Singapore, especially as I begin to settle into my new home. I will treasure this experience and the knowledge I have gained forever.
For now it is sadly goodbye to Singapore, but I have no doubt I will be visiting very, very soon.
Thank you to everyone who followed my journey in Singapore. I loved seeing how many people would read my posts each week. I'm hope to continue this blog as I move to Queensland.
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