Sensible

A New Adventure Awaits

Just as I was lamenting on the new trend that youths set for themselves these days, I was pleasantly surprised to read this article by Joyce Au-Yong in the Star; 3 June 2011. Her decision to pursue another academic calling to alleviate herself out of a mundane, stagnant industry meant her leaving a rather lucrative part-time job and her home. To add further confusion she was offered an opportunity to be based in Singapore 'while handling the Greater China region.' Looks like she has to take the road less taken to fulfill her inner personal achievement which money cannot buy. Yes, I agree she should take the path, go develop herself and see what the world has to offer.

She added that she needed to taste and see the other side of the world when she assimilates into a new society. Then she will truly understand the words of John Ed Pearce : "Home is a place that you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back". You need to leave to assess what you have missed ; vice versa.

Someone told me that many friends of his batch in their 50s are in foreign lands looking for greener pasture for their next generation. They plan well for their sons and daughters; park them there and hopefully they be well assimilated into the new land. They are comforted that their children have finally been given what they deserve and a new formula is formed.

But I see my friend and his croonies finding their way back every now and then; when winters are too much to bear; and I am beginning to suspect that you cannot just leave a place where you grow up without qualms. You will miss the char koay tiow, or -chien, hokkien char and teow chew mee which you can find no where else in this whole wide world. Worst still if you keep coming back to make more bucks to park in your new found home and say this land is not meant for you. Where is the justice for your land of origin? They term it best of both worlds.

Whatever is said , truly your heart will tell you in that still small voice if " Home is a place that you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to."

Where is home?
Home is where your heart is.
May you, Joyce, find your home.