Globetrottie
Realtor.Investor.Lifestylist.More.
I grabbed my husband and went straight to the migration agency, paid up the exhorbitant fees and said, "TAKE US OUT OF HERE!" (No, those weren't our exact words cos we are soft-spoken Singaporeans. It went something like "er, can you let us know how we can move over to Australia please?")
Many would be satisfied with a simple $3000-$4000 salary, with weekends off to spend with their family, and luxurious holidays thrice a year. That's a beautiful thought. Yes, I am talking about all of you, model employees.
But then there are those who would like to be a little different- I wouldn't go so far as to say these people would like to "leave a legacy", so cliche! Anyways, they want to build a business, a system, develop a land, create a social enterprise. There are the crazy ones who don't take NO for an answer, actively searching for answers that can help them achieve what they want. Like salmon, they go upstream to accomplish something, and die. That's a fulfilling life, isn't it?
Anyway, one other reason is also because of my husband. He is an awesome hubby to me, one who doesn't mind my whims and fancies. He gets harsh with his words when he is hungry, but I think he is trying to change that. He has great passion in social work but I don't think he can get a decent pay and career trajectory in Singapore. He could be a great emergency worker too, having seen how he bounced into action while rescuing his drunk friend by the side of the road, and my sister who was having a stomach cramp at the side of a busy road when NO ONE STOPPED TO HELP.
He could be amazing, but who would know, if he'd never be given a chance to explore such. Victor has a high regard for life. He would never squash a bug, but instead catch and release it. I would kill a cockroach any day, but not him.
Did I mention that he is a great iphone ipad app developer as well? Various abilities he has, but I feel bad he never got to explore them because I asked him to do real estate together with me. He gave up his dreams to build my dream, and now it is time for me to give back. I don't ever want him to live with regrets, ever. (He is doing really well in real estate though. Our sales figure together is constantly higher than some TEAMS with 10 people. Lol. BUT IT IS NOT ABOUT THAT ANYMORE. )
So in Australia, he'd get the chance to do whatever, without having to deal with people's expectation and financial constraints. There is a minimum wage law there and I think we most likely would get by. I really hope so.
And if we really do well, then I guess we will have a baby next year or the year after. Maybe. We'll see! I'll keep you guys updated!
Perhaps the problem indeed lies with me. I have been a person who wants to maximize my gain with little effort, little time and little restriction. Many people have told me this expectation of life is pretty unrealistic, and in Singapore, it is.
There is little work-life balance unless you are at the top of the corporate food chain, and I find it to be a meaningless pursuit of money and power. I mean, corporate jobs over here, you work from 8am-6pm, and not to mention unpaid Over Time hours you slave over the computer.
Being smacked in the middle of Asia, our neighbouring countries supply us with lots of love, yes this love comes in the form of chefs, IT specialists, retail customer service workers... and we love them all. However, when these foreign talents start to opt for a lower pay scale, pursuing our passion in Food, App development, Customer Service have become financially illogical.
Many would argue that we can start our very own business pursuing our passion, yet starting up would require two crucial aspects. Hands-on knowledge of the business and Capital $$$. While accumulating the knowledge by being under a mentorship or working in a shop, the pay is so watered down that you would only be able to cover your monthly expenses. So, what capital would you be able to accumulate?
We are looking for a less crowded place, with less cars, with fresher food, and lesser work hours for a better family life. How many realtors have dropped dead in the previous decade? Each time something like this happens, it makes me question myself if we would be next. I mean, 4 years in the industry, I am feeling body and joint aches, and I am only in my 20s. I am only 26!(in 2014)
Last year during the Haze period, I have had it. NO MORE. NO MORE OF THIS SHIT! (Yes, the picture is a lady defecating in the entrance of a subway in one of most "high-end" fancy areas in town in 2014. Singapore wasn't like that 10 years ago... )
Why we decided to move
