expiration date 

i’m taking a looooong break from the neverending blanket project, and started that making that scarf above. the old man at the yarn store laughed at me when i brought the yarn balls to the counter. i go to that particular yarn store almost once a week to buy the dark green yarn for the blanket, and he always said, “what? no finish yet? why took so long!”, in strong Singlish accent. i think, this time he noticed that i bought different yarn…

“hey! new colors, ah! finish your old project?”, he asked, still in such strong Singlish accent.

“excuse me?”

“new colors! finish your old project?”, pointing at the balls of yarn.

“pardon?”

“you finish your old project, ah?”

“naah, that one is still a long way to go. i’m taking a break and would like to make a scarf for a gift”, i said, still unsure if i was hearing the right thing.

…

ari told me that my spoken English is deteriorating. i forget words, i substitute present participles with “already” and i keep making stupid grammar mistakes. i thought i’m catching up Singlish, but the old man had to repeat what he was saying three times… even then, i barely understand what he was saying.