A Double Life

Sometimes, I feel like I'm living a double life. Or maybe in alternate universes, if you believe in that sort of theory.

One life that exists back home, where everything is familiar and comfortable. And I'm surrounded by friends and loved ones. The familiar faces in the crowds. The blend of dialects/languages that mostly are familiar to the ear. Yummy food and none of the need to explain what is char kuey teow to someone.

Here, it is another different life, familiar as well, surrounded by new friends too. I have gotten used to the culture here, have finally succumbed to the pressure to say "how's it going?" to patients/not well known ppl. Because that's how they do it here. And I found it easier to slowly blend in, to not be so defensive and draw a line between our differences. It goes a bit easier on the heart as well.

I feel that I'm straddling two different worlds, but am able to be comfortable in both - making the switch whenever the need arises - as though it's the most perfectly natural thing in the world.

Sometimes, I wonder, what is real anymore?