First day home

27th May 2007

0810hrs. The plane touch down at beautiful Changi Airport. The aircrew announced that the outside temperature records 37 DC. I went to look for Charmaine at her MAC counter. Her colleague checks the roster, her shift starts at 3pm.

Clearing the immigration was a breeze, with the fully automatic gantry, all you need is your passport and thumbprint. There was no one in the queue. It took 1min. I am back in Singapore officially.

On the other side, the Indian nationals are waiting in line patiently. Whether you like it or not, every country has to distinct between the citizen and foreigners. I recall having to wait in line at so many custom, while the locals just breeze thru. I noticed there are only a handful of Singaporeans on board the flight.

While taking the escalator, Fang spotted John waiting for us. We had no difficulties retrieving our luggage. Thank goodness, my Xiao Ming survived.

Fang was kind enough to give me a lift to church, a 10 mins detour from her place.

The familiar expressways, beautiful trees lining the road dividers. The new Ikea, Courts and Giants are open for business already.

5 mins into the taxi ride, I recognise the HDB apartment of Seng Kang and Punggol ( the much nicer estate). The Merc cab driver exit TPE at Punggol Road.

At the church building, the first couple I met was Jessica and Micheal at the lift lobby. Then Zach and Deon outside the sound room. From afar, I saw my best friend Raymond on stage practicing the songs with other singers. Stephenie and Qiuling are preparing the communion. Eventually, I met Matthew, ZQ, Joey, Siewlay, Berlin.

When the church sings, I wanted to record it on my camera. It seems new to me yet not exactly. In the Kingdom, Be Still My Soul, Be With Me Lord.

After service, I went straight to Jonathan. So good to see him. He told me he’d guessed that I’ll be back today. He knows me well.

Where is Xinglai? I asked Stephenie and was told that Xinglai is attending a funeral wake, a close friend of him. Later, I manage to grab time with him. He was visibly disturbed. I try to find words to comfort him. A few moments of silence and we moved on to talk about my return.