Good Summer to You



Every year around this time, I moan endlessly about Summer. When Wee Tuck, the Singaporean dude who was 6 months into Perth told me he was looking forward to the infamous Perth summer heat, we almost laughed in his face. For we knew how it felt like working under an almost green house effect-like condition in the workshop during the most challenging 42 degrees Celsius day last Summer. He wouldn't like it of course, when it eventually falls on us. That wouldn't stop him from looking forward to it. I had platoon mates in my NS days who looked forward to IPPTs because they figured out that after two annual IPPTs, they would have served enough to be ready to fuck off. And I know someone who look forward to Monday because the next Saturday wouldn't come without it. Fine. Optimists and their thing.


For the past 3 years, summer gatecrashed and overstayed. Oddly enough, we are still experiencing rather cool pleasant air of Spring 2 weeks into Summer, much to the disappointment of Wee Tuck who has been rubbing his hands in greedy anticipation as an exception. The rest of us are grinning quietly and counting our blessings. Yes, Summer will eventually arrive to scorch our sorry asses. Till then, every day is a bonus. At least for now, I have been a happy Summer man.


This would be the third Christmas I am spending away from Singapore. To be honest, I missed the experience. The Chinese New Year novelty wore off gradually as I hit adulthood but the Christmas season remained enjoyable for me. For one, the weather was usually nice and cool in Singapore around that time. With nice carols being played wherever I go, there was this lonesome romanticism in the air that I enjoyed. Of course, the pace at work tend to slow down a bit as left for their holidays. Even the obnoxious crowd everywhere I go didn't seem that hateful for that brief few days. It was also the only time I didn't mind about people singing about their Gods. All in all, coupled with the fact that Perth has been a searing plane around this time for the past years, I think of my family and the streets of Singapore more often around this time of the year.


For the first time since I came to Perth, I am taking a few days off during the Summer holiday weeks to spend some time with my little family. I have been using my annual leave for my Singapore trips. In case you don't know, rather than regenerate, these returns wore us down. Activities were always packed in hectic schedules and time seem never enough for everyone, much less rest. I wouldn't go as far as saying I didn't really have a proper rest for 3 years but it was close. Jen seemed happy and began to surf the net like a little girl to look for where to go. It will be the first (short) road trip on our own. I hope for a quiet time without dramas. Good Summer to you.

5 comments:

  1. The great sour then is great. Abroad trip all the way to Albany and spend nights in different small towns along the route will be awesome.

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  2. Congrats to your 3rd Christmas in Perth. Time flies. It's my 4th overseas. I totally know what you mean about tiring returns in Singapore. These days, when I visit, I block out my time and save it for my immediate family only. People are naturally curious about our lives overseas and want to meet us. I know I can't meet everyone and that is how it will be. Holidays are meant to be relaxing.

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  3. Lol. I think it's the curiosity of how it feels like to have the temperature in the 40s. I'm just thankful for each day that remains below 30s.

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  4. This will be my first Christmas in Perth. Really pleased it is still relatively cool now and hope it stays this way.

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  5. When the summer heat is bad enough to melt your high quality Lindt chocolate (not the Cabrury one) ib your home with no a/c then you know it's lagi hot

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