Currently Playing: Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova - When Your Mind’s Made Up.
(I’ve had this on loop for hours. I hold Widaad wholly responsible)
So. Singapore.
How might one begin?
Observations were made and lessons were learnt, to sum everything up.
The primary observation made was the good nature of the people who work at the Singapore Mediation and Arbitration Centres (SMC and SIAC respectively). They received us in such a accommodating manner we felt comfortable and right at home, despite the Med Centre being situated in Singapore’s intimidating, futuristic, Gattaca-like Supreme Court building.
I expected a very formal visit, but the air was easy and everyone who welcomed us made very gracious hosts. They made their introductions and gave us tours, answered our questions patiently and provided us materials and souvenirs for keepsakes. Honest to goodness, I wholeheartedly enjoyed the visit to both centres. Being an educational trip, I’d say that’s a first.
I suspect that the key to the success of both SMC and SIAC is their PR skills. I give high points to top-notch professionals who are willing to come down to the field and level of mere students. Hats off to all of them!
As for lessons learnt, I was taught some valuable ones which without a doubt, I will take with me for the rest of my living years.
Like how one would find it possible to change clothes flat on one’s
back in a moving train when using the toilet is simply out of the
question.
Like how tipsy one is inclined to appear when taking a long night walk
on the said moving train. I term it ‘night-bouncing’, and looking at
the pic Daad took of us during one such occasion, I think that’s the
best description I can give.
Like how irregular bathroom trips are made when the fumes from train toilets are enough to make you pass out, so you hold it in no matter what.
Like how people are generally capable of taking baths just about anywhere, as long as its clean, has water and secured privacy.
Like how some boots are simply not made for walking. I made the
mistake of wearing the usual black ones for the official visit to both SMC and SIAC, but a lot of walking had
to be done. My feet are still sore, even as I write this.
Like how the sarong can be put to many good uses.
Like how I now know that my shoulders are fit and strong enough for backpacking.
Like how certain situations can bring out different sides of people, and they prove your misconceptions of them wrong in a good way.
Like how some Singaporeans can be the nicest, kindest and helpful of people, while the rest are just plain clueless.
Like loving Malaysia is only possible when we’re away, even if it’s only for a day.
Like crazy taxi people and nice Chinese ladies and Indian pakciks and Malay bus drivers.
Like drama phone calls and gaining celebrity status.
Like laughing non-stop at mindless antics, most of which was contributed by Abg. Raihan.
Like laughing in the face of absurdity.
Like the feeling of sticking together.
I’ve also learned that when I’m faced with a laugh-or-cry dilemma, I will laugh and laugh until I cry.
Singapore. To paraphrase Naj, Gisele’s heroic run indeed.
I don’t think I’ll ever forget the time I had there.
Yeah, and neither will half of Singapore’s island population, I gather.
Enough said here.
