What is your home away from home?
This was the question posed by DogVacay.com, a dog-sitting service. I thought this was an interesting question, so I thought about it. Hmmm… what is it indeed?
The answer should be obvious, as my roommate was so quick to demonstrate when I asked her the same question and she replied within two beats: “Singapore!”
Well, duh.
But the question really is, I found myself wondering, what makes a place a home? Is the fact that you live there enough?
Then I realized that I had my answer a couple of weekends ago, when my friend Maya came over to my place for a sleepover. She brought Arnold’s fried chicken, which she says is a popular brand here, and a bottle of Moscato, our favorite wine. I brought out Tostitos scoops tortilla chips with chunky salsa and my favorite Ben and Jerry’s “Everything But The…” flavor ice cream.
We put on our pajamas and had a noshing sesh while watching Warm Bodies, a funny zombie movie, which probably was not the best movie to watch while pigging out.
The next day we woke up at noon, headed to a nearby hawker store to eat lunch, then went back to my living room because Maya wanted to sing karaoke. So we connected my laptop to the TV and played karaoke videos on Youtube. We didn’t have a microphone which was fine so we wouldn’t disturb the neighbors too much, but we sang at the tops of our lungs. This is what happens when you’re friends with a singer. Haha. I even volunteered to sing the guy parts in duets, which I can do well, actually, since I have a very low voice for a girl. 😀
Maya microwaved some popcorn and I brought out some bottles of Somersby pear cider, which I love, but which I actually bought because I was enticed by the freebies – scented candles that look and smell like pears. LOL. We also finished the rest of the chips and salsa from last night, or rather, I finished it. Maya thought the salsa was too spicy, but I loved it, especially with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese on top. I had been wanting to try the cute Scoops chips for a while now.
It was the simplest of activities, nothing exciting or glamorous, but it made my heart sing. Probably in a low guy-like voice too.
I don’t have any pictures of us because we were wearing ratty tatty clothes, our hair a mess, our faces bare of makeup, and I am not quite comfortable with showing that to the whole world wide web. There are only a few people I don’t mind seeing me like that.
And this, I realize, is what makes home a home – comfort.
Not just the surroundings, like a place where you can kick back and relax, but also PEOPLE who make you feel comfortable, who make you feel like you can be yourself and not have to worry about acting a certain way or putting on a certain face.
In other words – FAMILY.
Not just the ones we were born into, but the ones we choose for ourselves as well.
Love this. I am with you, what makes a place home for me is largely due to the people who surround me.
I love that cider too!
I have a deep voice too *high five!*<br />I can't answer the "when is a home a home" question because i honestly am yet to find a place that truly feels like home – i feel like everywhere i go is home which is great but also frustrating, because if you feel like you belong everywhere then you also feel like you belong nowhere :/ xx
Wait – I figured out my answer!<br />Home is where the wifi is! xo
I agree with that, Dee. I don't think it's the place so much as the folks around you and a feeling of belonging. A comfort, security and an 'OK to be me' feeling.
This post is making me really crave junk food! Haha I might have to go buy some Ben and Jerry's for tonight! xx
Glad you agree! 🙂
Ha, finally something we have in both Singapore and Sweden!
*High five!*<br />OMG what a funny answer! ;P
Love that term – "ok to be me" feeling
Hahaha oops!
Love that term – "ok to be me" feeling
Love this. I am with you, what makes a place home for me is largely due to the people who surround me.
Ha, finally something we have in both Singapore and Sweden!
*High five!*<br />OMG what a funny answer! ;P
Glad you agree! 🙂
This post is making me really crave junk food! Haha I might have to go buy some Ben and Jerry's for tonight! xx
I love that cider too!
Hahaha oops!
I have a deep voice too *high five!*<br />I can't answer the "when is a home a home" question because i honestly am yet to find a place that truly feels like home – i feel like everywhere i go is home which is great but also frustrating, because if you feel like you belong everywhere then you also feel like you belong nowhere :/ xx
Wait – I figured out my answer!<br />Home is where the wifi is! xo
I agree with that, Dee. I don't think it's the place so much as the folks around you and a feeling of belonging. A comfort, security and an 'OK to be me' feeling.