Home (YSM)

These days I always see SM2 students pulling their heavy luggage go out of Eton Hall. It is time for them to go home now. Every day I see their happy faces when they talk about what to bring back home as gifts for relatives and friends, or when they will set off, when they will arrive home. I admire them very much. Home, now becomes a word so far away from me.

Before I came to Singapore, I thought I was strong enough to live alone without missing home. I thought I could do anything by myself. However, thinking is not equal to doing. Until I really live by myself, I finally recognize how hard life is, and how much efforts my parents have made to tend our home. I miss them, I miss my relatives, my friends, my hometown… The weather in Dalian is sometimes similar to that in Singapore, especially when it is sunny and with gentle breeze. At that time, I feel as if I were at home, but when I realize that it is only my daydream, I turn to be fairly sad. Yesterday, I happened to see the newspaper post on the broad in Eton Hall. It suggests some goods of typical Singaporean characteristic to take back to China as presents, like tassajo, tinware, sweeties, preserved fruit, makeup… I even have the illusion that I will go back home soon too. I remembered last time I went to the beach with my roommate, I saw the boundless sea under the sun which was around the corner to set, and was shrouded in a purple color. It made me recalled the days when my family rambled along the sea at weekends, and inspired the feeling of homesick.

Last week, when I chatted with mom, I heard that both mom and dad had some health problems. I got extremely worried about this. Luckily, this week they said they were much better. I felt a little relieved, but still can not set my mind at rest. I begin to think about what I can do for them. First, I will help mom do some housework, like washing the dishes, scrubbing the floor, washing clothes… Second, I want to study how to cook, and instead of waiting for them returning home after work and cook for me, I want to prepare dinner for them. I make a plan to get up early to make breakfast, then when they go to work, I will go to market to buy food, then cook dinner. The rest of the time, I can do some housework, as well enjoy myself doing something I like. Third, I want to encourage them to exercise more. As they are getting older, the condition of health becomes worse, they should do exercises in order to maintain health and keep the physical age young. All in all, I want them to see that after my living alone for months, I am now independent, mature, and can look after myself. So they don’t need to worry for me any more. I intend to let them know that I have grown up, and it is already time for me to take care of them, not on the contrary.

Though sometimes I regretted to make the decision to leave home and come to Singapore, I have to say that it is thanks to this experience that I really grow up as an adult, and understand more of life. If I never lose something, I will never know how much it means to me. That is life.