Leaving Home
“Home” has changed a lot for me in the last 6 years.
Photo of Chicago, IL skyline.
I wasn’t used to it — I’d lived in the same place, in the same neighborhood, in the same house for the first 18 years of my life. This was common for a lot of people from my hometown, but it was also uncommon. Growing up near Scott Air Force Base meant people were rotating in and out; there was always friends to make and friends to lose, but your core ‘local’ friends were always there ( shoutout to the Nerd Herd - I know, awful name ).
Looking back I think this environment had helped me feel less apprehensive about moving to new places and meeting new people. I’ve always been independent ( to my Parent’s joy and sadness ) which has helped.
In the last 6 years I’ve lived in 3 different cities, 2 different states, and 2 different countries and made numerous friends in each spot. I’ve lived in Mascoutah IL, Rolla MO, Chicago IL, and now Singapore. I don’t really think of “home” as “a place of residence“ as it is traditionally defined; but “home” is where my friends and family are. Chicago and Rolla are home because I have friends there, not just because I lived there. Mascoutah is home because I have family there, also not just because I lived there. Is this the cliché of “home is where the heart is”? Probably. I don’t care.
Moving to Singapore is difficult because I’m not where my heart is. I’m going to miss nights out on the town with ‘the girlies’ tearing up the dance floor and having too many laughs to be healthy that end at Cheesie’s or The Weiner’s Circle. I’m going to crave unplanned, seemingly random weekend nights of clubbing or going to concerts.
I’m going to miss intimate dinners with my besties @Korry Valley and @Anway De. I’ll probably miss the cold, oddly. Also the musical festivals in the summer. I’m already longing for some of best Steak you can get anywhere -at Bavettes, but there’s always more steak to try, right?
I’ll also miss my work friends who have been incredibly supportive and fun to both work and hang out with. It’s also somewhat hard because I won’t be able to see friends from college as frequently, which has been a really nice thing to have recently as a lot of them have settled in the St. Louis area.
I’m especially going to miss seeing my family on the weekend and touring them around Chicago. It’s fun to share my favorite places with them - and it’s also nice to visit Southern Illinois to disconnect and recharge with some of Mom’s home cooked meals.
Grandma and Grandpa enjoying Italian spot near apartment in Chicago, IL
I’m going to miss the people and not the place, is my point. It’s bittersweet, but I’m also thankful to live in a digital world where I can call up anyone, anywhere.
All that being said, I’m looking forward to making friends in Singapore such that it also becomes “home.” I’ve already met quite a few energetic and fun people whom I’m looking forward to getting to know more ( you’ll probably see some of them on here moving forward ). I’m also enthusiastically looking for a travel group with whom I can explore the numerous locations in South East Asia on holiday. I hope to plan some weekend travel here shortly to kickstart this adventure.
Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Singapore
So, if you were to ask me, “Daustin, how are you feeling about the move?” I’d say I’m excited to network in Singapore, learn about different cultures both here and in Southeast Asia, and get out of my comfort zone. I’m very bullish on the whole thing. I want to become as local as possible and give back as much as possible. I’d also say that I really do look forward to chats and visits with family and friends and trips back home. But in a healthy, positive way. Not like an “OH MY GOD I want to go home kinda way” :) aside - why can’t I do emoji’s on here? ;(
So yeah, I’m good. While leaving home can be a big change, I’m in good spirits and am enthusiastic about my time here. My next posts will be about how I’ve been settling in here and the day-to-day life in Singapore, I hope you’ll follow!
Daustin out.
