2002-01-13 - 2:17 p.m.
I had a 35-day ticket to Singapore.
35 days for hellos, namecard collection, trading stories, goodbyes.
I got on the plane
7 hours and a Jeanette Winterson book later,
Was greeted by an aunt and the usual film of gross humidity.
I started to think of ways to truncate my stay.
Attempting to shrink these 30-something days into a page is impossible;
I could write a book about all the people with whom I had breakfasts, lunches, dinners and suppers.
I was surprised at the laid back attitude I took on-
I had, afterall, not been back for 2 years.
There were places to return to, many old friends to catch up with, shoes to buy.
The days went by quickly, almost too quickly.
I sometimes wished I had more time.
But I'm grateful.
My memories of the stay are warm and happy,
Although I did not see everyone I'd planned to, nor did I take many photos to keep as concrete reminders.
The goodbyes this time around were difficult.
There seemed to be some sense of finality involved.
But I braved it,
Sobbing, and clinging on to everything pre-23.
I remain thankful.
