with yahoo messenger, msn messenger, sms messaging, super low international calling rates, oh hell, even skype, its hard not to keep in touch these days.

and that's what we're counting on. there are less reasons for tearful farewells and emotional partings, and more reasons to get online and chat away.

but its not a cure-all - webcamming and typing a conversation can only take you so far. and that's the hard part of course. there are many things we will miss, and many people. and while the internet makes things easier, its only the sweet in sweet sorrow.

Sorrow is not being able to grab a roti prata on the way home from work, take the neighbours' kids out to play with the dog, talk cock with family over xiao long baos and with friends over teh ping. Sorrow is not grabbing a drink at emerald hill with plans only to stay till midnight but far exceeding that deadline, is not being able to try pepper crab all over town, scare foreigners with durians at joo chiat, or with a day trip to haw par villa. Sorrow is not trying to convince friends to go to zouk only to be talked out of it, or gab away with taxi drivers who know everything. everything.

this is my last post from singapore for awhile. tomorrow, we arrive in france and maybe i'll post in a pretentious french accent. if you ask nicely.