home

A couple of friends came over on the 22nd, and just left. Friends - technically one friend, since the other was his friend - that I've not met since secondary school. Naturally, I took them sightseeing: Old Montreal, the Old Port, the Olympic Park/Biodome, Jardin Botanique, Parc Mont-Royal, Notre-Dame Basilica etc... the usual touristy stuff.

And yet the highlight of it all (for me) was last night, perched on the railings of a viewing area at the Saint-Joseph Oratory. The scene was awesome, and right out of a postcard: the sun was setting, the city was slowly turning itself on, and we had the entire viewing area to ourselves. After taking photographs of the city, I took a deep breath, and thought to myself, "Where is home?"

And it struck me: Montreal has become my home.

It's become so ingrained in me that I actually think of Singapore as "somewhere else," and no longer "home." When we were talking about our plans after graduation, I said, "I don't think I'll want to go to Singapore again," rather than "I don't think I'll go back to Singapore."

As I lay in bed that night, exhausted from all the walking and climbing, I thought to myself,

"This is my home."

And so, Merry Christmas from my home in faraway Montreal to the people I hold dear and love: my sister, Sarah, Glen, Le Raine and Siew Ling. I hope the holidays were kind to you, and that the new year holds more promises, surprises and fulfilled dreams for each of you.