Being Singaporean

“Why?” I wailed. “Why are we moving?”
“My dear, your father-” My mother started to explain.
“I don’t care if Dad got a job opportunity overseas! There are many more right here!” I exclaimed.
My mother, without answering, spun around and slumped onto the sofa behind her, burying her head in her hands. She looked so pathetic that my anger slunk away and I sat down gently beside her and put my hand around her shoulder. Instead of being comforted, however, she broke down and sobbed uncontrollably, tears falling from her eyes like glistening jewels. Desperate to comfort my mother, afraid to see her in this state, I assured my mother that I did not mind moving, that I would try to adapt to the environment overseas. Upon hearing that, she looked up and forced a watery smile, but it was enough. I threw myself into her embrace and winced as cold, renewed tears hit my shoulder. However, I held on to my mother as she cried, held on and tried to whisper comforting words of encouragement to her at the same time, which was not easy.
The day of which I have been dreading arrived. A warm spring morning, with the occasional breeze, seemed to mock me and add to the list of what I was leaving behind. I took one last look at the newly budded leaves and turned my back as the glass double doors of the Boston Regional Airport closed behind my back.
On the plane, I was extremely moody, and kept staring out of the window, trying to get a last glance of Boston before we passed it. My mother noticed this and looked ready to cry again, and abandoning my fruitless attempt, I gave my attention to her again and she smiled. Approximately 17 hours later, the plane touched down in Changi Airport in Singapore.
Immediately after we got off the plane, we went to the arrivals section and began to wait for a taxi at the taxi queue, which was quite long. Five minutes later, we were in the back of a yellow taxi. The driver was very friendly and we chatted until we arrived at our destination, the Fullerton Bay Hotel. After bidding the driver goodbye, we paid our fare and got down, struggling to drag our extensive luggage behind us. Arriving at the hotel glass automatic doors, it slid open and my father went to the counter to book a room for us to live in temporarily while we looked for a more permanent residence, preferably a condominium. The porters were very friendly and respectful too as they helped us bring our entire luggage up to our room. Going up to our room in a lift, we met a family of Singaporeans who were here for the holidays and we started chatting. I began to feel very at home, almost as home as I was in Boston, in this country which was, until recently, strange and alien, an unknown entity. However, I find the people here perfectly friendly, nice and willing to help.
Two days later, I started in school. The teachers were extremely patient, kind and understanding. My classmates were helpful as well. Save for a few unpleasant kids, I was absolutely content with my school life. I had a very good time in school, made welcome by the teachers and classmates, able to fit in perfectly. Among them were two, who would become my best friends for years to come. Their names were Daniel and Spencer. They approached me on the first day of school and introduced themselves, taking me on a school tour, so that I would not get lost. Singapore seemed such a small country on the world map, but how it could hold a school this big was still a mystery to me. I stared around in wonder, taking in all the facilities that I doubt even one of Boston’s most prestigious school had. Having given me the school tour, we sat down and began chatting. It turned out that we had much in common. We soon established a close relationship and became best friends.
The next day started uneventfully enough. The weather gave no hint about what was going to happen later in the day. As it was a Saturday, I called my new friends, Daniel and Spencer, to ask them out for lunch. They agreed almost immediately. At one in the afternoon, we met at McDonald’s at King Albert’s Park. After finishing our meal, we began our journey to the bus stop. All of a sudden, there came a shrill, drawn-out, high-pitched scream. We did not, however, even have time to turn around before a man barged past us, clutching a handbag and racing away. As I came to my senses, I suddenly realised I was standing alone. I looked forward and saw that Daniel and Spencer had taken off immediately to chase what I believed had been a snatch thief. In my heart, I secretly admired them. It must have taken a lot of courage! I also noticed many passers-by go after the snatch thief and manage to apprehend him in the end. Soon after, the police arrived on scene and took the snatch thief away. The lady got her handbag back and thanked all the passers-by profusely.
I was touched by this happening, and after this event, I am proud to include myself among the helpful, kind and caring Singaporeans.