Globetrottie 

We left everything we knew to be true

 

11/1/15 I landed in Australia and today is the 29/1/15.

 

I have been here for only 18 days and I miss Singapore already. It is as if time has stopped the moment I left, and all I do is count down to the day I next see my family. It's difficult and to all those who have moved to foreign lands, I FEEL YOU. 

 

Perhaps it is the forgone comfort of the past. The recognition we receive from our peers, the fact that we don't have to cook our own meals- it is in fact quite affordable to eat out in Singapore but the cheaper foods are often not too healthy. And probably the fact that we had a decent income (no, not an obscene income, trust me. We have lots of running costs.)

 

In Singapore we were well-fed and somewhat getting by. We had a social life, we could afford most things, our company was good- we had made a name for ourselves. However, our work was stressful and it did put a lot of strain on our marriage due to the lack of communication. I mean, if you want to pick up every single call whenever it comes in, it is going to create gaps in the relationship. Then again, many of our clients love us just cos we patiently answer their questions over the phone, even if it takes 2 hours or more.

 

My point is, we excelled in work but not so much in family life. The decision to choose work over family was not made consciously. It was a slow degradation day-to-day, and it just adds up. We have had it, and I made the decision.

 

(Yes, some of you were wondering who asked to migrate first. ME lah.)   

 

People work slower here in Canberra. We can get pushed around to a few departments but still can't get any answer that we are seeking. This is always the case in government bodies, even in Singapore. Just that here, they push you around slower. Imagine kicking a ball on land vs on water- you get the idea. 

 

Other than that, life is pretty alright. Essentials are pretty available in all the stores like Big W, K mart, Target, Coles and Woolworths. New experiences are always good for the soul! The sky is often inspirational. Someone said that the sky is as beautiful as in Singapore, I seriously beg to differ. Show me a sky in Singapore with 7 different colours, changing shades every 20 minutes during sunrise and sunset! Impossible. 

 

When people ask me how's life is Australia, I often feel rather perplexed as to how I should answer. The food's fresher for sure, and the climate allows fresh foods to last longer without unwanted preservatives. The sun and the wind, the hills and the clouds, the fact that we have a gym, a pool, and a jacuzzi in our master room bath, these things make me feel better about the move. It is the luxury of time which I never got to experience are finally within my reach! I really do enjoy these things!

 

It is just that I feel my life is right now on a pause button. Everything stopped- no, wait, if I seriously think about it, actually this "everything" is actually my real estate work in Singapore. In fact, nothing else stopped! I have made more friends, learnt more about real estate investments and experienced more of life! Perhaps my mind is still fixed on the dollars and cents, which is very very Singaporean of me. I need to get rid of that! Give me strength!

 

Pictures below are our foodie pictures, parties, friends, clients who surely we don't deserve. Oh the foie gras satay! (Don't flame me, Foie gras and Sharks'fin protesters. I'll stop eating them already!)