He was just on his way home on the train, listening and enjoying the company of his music, when something caught his eye. Three friends talking to each other; a Singaporean chinese, an indian, and a Chinese ex-patriot, all just chatting away, and laughing at the jokes the indian was telling. But the thing which caught his attention was that a few other Filipino and malay strangers around them were also silently chuckling to the jokes.

When an elderly man boarded the train, he looked around for a seat. A young punk, with his up-tempo techno music, saw this and gave up his seat for the elderly man to sit down. Another man was sitting down with his laptop turned on and was busy doing his work, not minding the stranger next to him looking on curiously, wondering what he might be doing with his laptop on.

He just stood there,not expecting such things to happen on a typical train ride home. How people of so distinct and diverse backgrounds talking and joking around, not minding laughing along with strangers, or how a young juvenile would so graciously give up his seat to an elderly man, or how open-minded a young businessman can be, to let a total stranger look at what he is doing. All these thoughts ran through his mind, and he realized how a modern society can live so harmoniously together; it was Singapore afterall. A place where foreigners come to seek refuge, or just hoping to look for a safehaven, away from all the racial discriminations and economic wars constantly happening everyday. A place of racial harmony and social security, where a train or bus ride will not end up being blown up by extremist groups.

He was glad he had friends of different races, friends from different countries as well. He was glad he knew them, and that they are safe. He was glad he was a Singaporean. He was glad he was born into a safe country. He was glad how blessed he is to be in such a situation.

I'm just glad to be......me.

~moey out~