(no subject)
Regardless of the extent to which I loathe my life in Singapore, there is always this initial nostalgic yet fleeting feeling of returning home when I am about to leave the United Kingdom. Normally, this comes from my lack of social interaction in this country; the absence of friends to engage in conversation with. I was truly alone in my three years of doctorate studies as I was practically treated as invisible by the rest of the phd students. But in London, things changed. One of the best decisions I made in my time here, was to join the gym near my flat. The pick-up basketball games that I participated in has made me less isolated. For the first time, in a long while, I have friends/acquaintances to joke with, to laugh with in the context of the game. I felt included as part of a group. I don't play exceptionally well, the competition is after all genetically and naturally stronger and bigger than me, but I do hold my own weight. For the last few months, I have been playing almost every weekday, normally four times a week with players from Greece, Belgium, France, Lithuania and of course, Britain. There is a certain connection that develops when you play with the same people for a long time; a chemisty that evolves naturally and instinctively. As such, I do feel at home here in London now that I have something to feel passionate about. If not for the fact that I have some administrative matters to take care of back in Singapore, I would not go back home this time round.
At the end of the day, perhaps this is really all I need, friends in this country.
At the end of the day, perhaps this is really all I need, friends in this country.