I return home after a long day of work at the hospital. "Dinner's ready," mum says as she breezes by into the kitchen. Dad sits in a corner watching animal videos on YouTube at full volume.
I go into my room and change out of my scrubs. As per mum's instructions, these go into a separate pile for de-germing with Dettol before joining the rest of the family's laundry.
"You forgot to switch off the lights when you went out today," my mum remarks as she picks out chilli padi with her chopsticks. "And remember what I told you about the charging wire? Hook it over the armrest of the couch - don't just leave it dangling on the floor like that."
"Yes, mum," I sigh.
After doing the dishes, I go into my room and try to meditate. The screeching of macaws from the living room reminds me of my earthly existence.
As much as I love my parents, there are times at home when I have to involuntarily shut my eyes for a moment and breathe.
Living with your parents as a grown adult is difficult - ask any young person and they would agree. As we shed our skins from our plump pubescent days and hurtle towards an age of aspirational independence and solidifying personhood, it is only natural that we demand greater autonomy over our daily routines, living preferences and lifestyles.
In many countries, translocation is part and parcel of young adulthood. People uproot themselves from their home towns to attend university in big cities and frequently shift between states in search of better jobs or opportunities.
Singapore is unique as a society on the moving-out front, with 97 per cent of unmarried individuals between the ages of 15 and 34 residing with their parents as at 2013, a statistic unheard of in other countries.
Denne historien er fra September 22, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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Denne historien er fra September 22, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
BLACK DAY FOR BRITISH PUBS
At her London pub, landlady Kate Davidson has taken to issuing Guinness ration cards, but the beer still ran out amid a British shortage of Ireland's national drink.
Her Last Gifts
It was exhausting, he sighed. But Carol insisted; her name being what it was and his, she said with a big grin, being Chris. Remember, this is the blessed spirit of the season, to give as we have been given.
When You Think About Me
She empties the last drawer and, between stray baubles, there's the cookie tin, the one hunted down from some narrow shop in Liverpool because it didn't ship here.
Gift Of The Magi
Let's say you never intended to use Magi. Let's say you know about all the scandals: the accusations of stolen data, the EU lawsuits, the CEO's abhorrent behaviour. Let's say you don't even believe the outlandish social media claims that the app is magical, like actual magic. You know it's not possible it reads your mind, plumbs your soul, knows your heart's desires. You're not so gullible.
Ho Ren Yung: Steering global brand evolution of Banyan Group
Ms Ho Ren Yung, deputy chief executive of Banyan Group, oversaw the company's brand relaunch in a bumper year of 19 openings in 2024. These included Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto in Japan and Angsana Tengchong in China.
Jury-rigged Hotpot
The Japan Home folding table was just big enough to accommodate two.
Tales of love, peace and hope
The Sunday Times invites five authors to pen short stories around the theme of A Christmas Gift
Japan: Taking centre stage in Singapore and beyond
Scroll through your social media feed this holiday season, and practically everyone you know is in Japan or making plans to vacation there.
UOB: Most influential patron in Singapore art scene
UOB's \"day job\" is handling loans, deposits and a wealth of diverse portfolios. But the bank cemented its role as the most influential patron in the Singapore art scene in 2024, investing good chunks of cash in both arts and arts education.
Fong Chi Chung: Putien restaurants make dining out more affordable
In a year where diners made themselves scarce - preferring to spend their strong Singapore dollars overseas, and leading restaurant owners and chefs to despair over empty dining rooms - this power lister made a power move that others in the industry are watching closely.
