end of an era

ok ok, maybe era is a bit over doing it.. but to me, it's really the end of an era. the era of my life where i'm confined to only talking about where to buy the cheapest nasi lemak, which is the best way to soak stained clothes and where i have to second guess everything that's being said in mandarin/cantonese/hokkien. *phew* what a relief!

i never realised how much this has taken a toll on me. the forced camaraderie with colleagues whom i would never foster the same kind of wavelength had i met them anywhere else. i am not a snob; i realise these are sweet, simple and sincere people. probably one of the least threatening and least intimidating i'll ever meet. but then again.. u have got to understand that i need normal human contact!!! ppl of the same background, upbringing and exposure.

i tell you.. after 2.75 yrs here, i have started speaking like this : "you eat what?" - when asking them what are they eating for lunch, "what you did?" - to make the printer jam, and various other mangling of the english language. just so i can communicate my point across. i am so pathetic. talk about falling under the influence.

the infamous phrases i always hear, which always make me cringe:

if someone tripped - "oh you so poor" (erm? i assumed they meant you poor thing and it's got nothing to do with their financial health)

some work thing gets bungled up - "i am back to square" (ok, i think they meant square one here).

it's pretty funny when you think of it. but i am not going to think about it anymore!!! as of march 1st i am outta here!! the place where everyone thinks i am the odd one out, the place where i just can't fit in, the place where i'm the only one who knows what a blog is!!!! wheeeeeeee........

but then again, i am also leaving the place where i can drive out at 10am to get a burger if i'm hungry, where i can come in a bit late if i'm stuck in a jam, the place where i can walk anywhere and get any information as and when i please, the place where anything i say is given weight and where most of my requests are entertained. bleh.

can't believe i'm saying this, but i think i'll miss this place, mangled english and all.