for singapore

Okay, call me provincial, but I love, Love, LOVE that there's a person in Singapore who reads this site on a regular basis. (Hello, Singapore!) I love what that represents -- that connections can be made across geographical and temporal and cultural boundaries. I love that the stuff rattling around in my head and falling out across these pages makes sense even on the other side of the planet, even if it's only to one other person. Of course, for all I know, that one other person may be a thirty-year-old chick from the States, working as a communications liaison for an American company while simply living in Singapore. But still.

Everyday, I meet people who live in my neighborhood, who generally share my cultural background and yet when we converse, I have to lean in closer to listen for fear of misunderstanding their intent. And even leaning and listening and squinting my eyes, (because squinting my eyes helps me listen better), I sometimes leave shaking my head in an effort to untangle the meaning of their words. Conversely, I've seen my fair share of blank stares on confused faces as I explain my needs and wants in what seem to me to be very clear terms. I've seen those blank stares on the faces of people I love. On the face of people who love me. At times, on the faces of people who raised me. And yet there's someone in Singapore who's clear. It's crazy, don't you think? Wonderfully so, but still, on some level wackadoo-nuts.

Last summer, when I was in Spain, I met a girl named Marta. Her English was better than my Spanish, but as I was in Spain, I was determined to communicate in my stumbling three-week old Spanish and so the conversations we shared were, shall we say, rudimentary at best? And yet, after five minutes we were the best of friends. A year and a half later, we still are. There's something between us that transcends language, just as in some ways, at times, language can't overcome core personal differences.

So what am I trying to say? I guess I'm saying that there's a person on the other side of the world that seems to get what I'm saying, even when at times I'm just putting stuff out there to get it out of my head. Stuff that in its as-yet-uncompleted-state, I'm not even sure I completely understand. And that person is going on this ride with me. And I am most grateful for the support. And there are a few others of you out there, though for the most part you've reached out. Which I think is very cool and if I had a door prize to give, I'd give it to you.

But, Singapore, this entry is for you. Just to say you make me think about Singapore more than I ever have before and thanks for spending time here. When you are so moved, drop me a line. Send an email. You know my story. I'd love to know yours.