LA-draft2

“We will have to pack and leave soon! “said my mother. As my father was sent to Taiwan to work, our whole family had to follow as well. The whole house was in a mess as we packed all the clothing and covered all the furniture with cloths. Back then, I was just seven was extremely excited about the trip to Taiwan. Very soon, we were all done packing and were ready to leave.

We arrived at the airport real soon, and also, boarded the plane. When we arrived in Taiwan, everything seemed so fresh to us. First, we went to our new home and put down our luggage. Then we went to the night market, shopping malls around our new home to familiarize with our surroundings. Everything sold there, especially the food were different to that of Singapore’s . One thing did not change, that is, the price.

On the second day, we began our usual life, including all the house chores that we normally do. It was not too hard for me to adapt as usually, all my matters are taken care of. However, I do notice that my Mother was especially finding all the house chores hard to adapt. Not only the rooms were situated at different places, the water taps were also different to that of Singapore’s! However, what I had realized is that there were now more trash at home. I was told to separate my rubbish to be thrown into the paper, plastic, or metallic waste. I did not understand the motive, but I just did as I was told to.

After the school holiday, I started studying in the new school. Since many students in my class did not know one another as well, and that we were also sharing the same speaking language, it was not hard for me to fit into the school. For the next seven years, it was the way of my life.
I returned to Singapore after seven years.
“Wow! The airport is so clean and advanced” I exclaimed. This was the first thing that strucked me as I stepped into the airport. I walked towards the exit and saw many people rushing in and out, all looking rushed. My family and I hailed a cab and started travelling back to our past estate. Along the trip back, my Mother explained how Singapore had changed all the while we left. Looking at the roads and buildings, even though I do not have a deep memory on them, they seemed very close to me. I long knew that Singapore was a green city and it certainly lived up to her name! I am very impressed by the environment of this country.

We went to a hawker centre near my flat. The smell of the food at the hawker centre was extremely pleasant. Even though I do not remember many times back then I was in Singapore, I certainly missed the food here! I ate a lot at the hawker centre.

After that, we went back to our home. Along the way, I saw many recycling bins, however, I realized that not many are full. Instead, much trash that are not to be recycled are left just beside the bins, or even thrown into the bin! As I moved along, suddenly, a flower pot fell down from the third storey and barely missed me! I expected a strong apology from the owner of the flower pot, however, what came was, “Look out! How can you walk so carelessly just below the flat! Do not cause trouble for me!”

“How can someone be so inconsiderate and unreasonable?” I did not have a great tolerance on such matters, hence, I rushed up and charged towards the unit. I pounded on the door. When the owner of the unit opened the door, I could not persist any further and demanded for the apology. But just as I have expected, the owner of the unit retaliated and refused to do so. We started to quarrel and just before it turned into a fight, I was stopped by my parents.

I reflected again and again, to realize that even though Singapore has many benefits, there are still many areas of improvements to be done. Singapore is extremely successful in building up its country, however, what about the citizens? I feel that the some citizens are extremely inconsiderate. About what I have seen around the recycling bins, I wonder, “Have the residents ever wondered what consequences this action may bring?” The plastic could be easily mixed with the glass, if the plastic is melted together with the glass to recycle, not only pollution will be caused, the glass quality will also be affected. What was worst is, citizens can be very unreasonable, such that they actually blame others for being careless when they cause the flower pot to nearly crash on others. Even though those are only the minority, but it had reflected badly on Singapore.

However, in comparison to Singapore, Taiwan is a less developed country. Many places are also very dirty. But in Taiwan, people seemed to be friendlier in comparison. About the three trash bins I have mentioned, is something that the government had imposed to aid the environment. The use of multiple trash bins is to separate trash made from different materials. Even though it was something compulsory, however, citizens in Singapore would rather take a risk of being fined than to depose their rubbish appropriately.