This 2015 election was an extremely unique experience for me. It was the first time I have ever been overseas during an election period. I love election season and would have been very excited to attend rallies this year, if we were back home. Election season 2011 happened when I had 2 newborns in the home and found it difficult to venture out to partake in the rally festivities
But alas, I was to miss them again...
Fortunately, there was a good level of interest in the event here. Singaporean friends here in Evanston have been talking a lot about the elections, everyone following the rally speeches online and keeping up with the news. In fact, this morning, I spent my entire time on the treadmill discussing the elections with a fellow Singaporean friend who lives in the building.
Woke up this morning, went to the gym, headed home, had breakfast, tuned in to CNA live and watched the entire election coverage, up till the announcement of the Aljunied GRC results, which came on about 2pm or so here. My wattsapp was abuzz with commentary from back home, slowing down as the night, in Singapore, wore on.
I was as surprised as anyone to see the swing towards the PAP island wide. It was quite surreal watching it unfold here, in the US, because everything I had been reading, watching and sensing was telling me that PAP was in for an equally challenging time as in 2011. I felt I was really missing nothing from not being 'on the ground'. I guess I was wrong.
I am a pretty superstitious person. During one the last rugby world cups, I was showing off push-ups to my brother when my team (the Wallabies) scored a try. From then on during the tournament, i would do push ups every time the team was on the attack. Yeah...so my lil superstitious mind, wondered..."Hey, perhaps PAP's great performance has something to do with the fact that this is the first election ever that i'm not in Singapore and not voting?" Maybe, I can get the party to sponsor an overseas trip for my family and I every election season? lol...that'll also mean I get to skip election duty, which I've been lucky to have been able to avoid over the years. Ha ha!
I miss you Singapore and I am going to miss the chatter about what transpired last night!!! To my friends who ran and won- congratulations?
To friends who ran in the opposition camp, or volunteers and worked hard in support of them- Thank you so much for giving us Singaporeans a chance to vote.
Till the next one folks!
With love from Evanston,
Eveeleva