It is probably the most uneventful Christmas so far.
I just recently joined my church choir again and as usual, Christmas is the time when everybody goes back home for holiday so choir is quite empty. We're basically down to only 10-15 people.
My two good friends went back home for holiday so I decided to skip going to Christmas Eve service and instead had dinner with my family. My new family (husband and PIL) must have thought it is odd that I spent so much time with church activities. On the other hand, I found it hard to balance between the usual 'extra' choir practise and the family gatherings. So I missed some practices and I left early for today's Christmas gathering to attend church service.
I decided not to buy any presents this year for 2 reasons. First, Christmas is not about buying gifts or Christmas tree. Secondly, I don't really like to shop anyway.
Below is an article that I found interesting and good to follow for next year's Christmas :)
Ten Commandments for Christmas
1. Thou shalt prepare early. Don't wait until the last minute to get into the Christmas spirit.
2. Thou shalt keep Christ at the center of Christmas. Don't allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the commercialism of the season. Resolve to read one of the Gospels during December. Mediate upon what it means that Christ came into the world.
3. Thou shalt make Christmas a family time. Do things together: Decorate the tree, play games, bake cookies, shop, write cards, have devotionals, go caroling, attend church together.
4. Thou shalt remember those who are less fortunate. Contribute significantly to an organization serving the needs of others throughout the year. Give a Christmas gift to your church.
5. Thou shalt give thyself with every gift. Put some thought into the gifts you purchase. Give a gift that represents you. If possible, make something instead of buying something.
6. Thou shalt learn to be a good receiver. Many of us have trouble receiving graciously and gracefully.
7. Thou shalt put music into Christmas. Buy several Christmas CD's and play them again and again. Attend church choir cantatas and special Christmas programs. Sing carols with loved ones.
8. Thou shalt slow down. Remember: Christmas is supposed to be a season of peace, not hypertension.
9. Thou shalt remember to worship. The church is the place you are most likely to be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.
10. Thou shalt receive Christ into thy life. Don't just talk about the Christ of Christmas, receive him into your life as Lord and Savior.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
Material Stuff
Whenever I was supposed to be studying, my mind sometimes wander to other things and recently I thought of what stuff that I need to get rid of before moving overseas.
I realised that I easily buy stuff that I want but do not use those stuff soon after the purchase. Here are the list of those stuff:
1. Home Gym -Elliptical Machine http://www.aibifitness.com/pdt.php?pid=1&cid=10
Bought it for $1K so that I have no excuse not to exercise. I could use the machine whenever i watch TV, rather than sitting in the sofa, to burn extra calories. After I got married and moved to a new house, my husband did not allow me to put the machine in the living room and it is sitting in our spare room which is occupied by my husband's uncle now.
I feel less guilty coz apparently my FIL sometimes goes to the spare room and uses the machine.
Need to sell it or move it back to my parents' place.
2. Home Gym - Gym Leg http://www.aibifitness.com/pdt.php?reload=true&cid=6&pid=167
I asked for this as my recent birthday present.
Also with the excuse that any one of us could use it while watching TV and only 1-2 minutes a day. How hard can it be? Well, everybody soon forget abt the machine as it is tucked away behid the sofa. My excuse is that I am not feeling well lately (2-3 weeks of cough) :P
I think the machine is small enough so I could bring this to Australia :)
3. Portable DVD player
I used to take long ride to work so I thought (silly of me) that i could actually use it to watch some DVD while going to work. It attracted too much attention in the train hahahhaa.. But good thing is that it was being used at my best friend's wedding. It's quite handy so maybe I cold bring this there too.
4. Sony Handycam
I bought it for my honeymoon as I prefer video to camera. Captured some Flamenco dance performance when we were in Spain. I think it could still be useful but it is an old model using tapes. I wish I could change the model to the one with DVD.
5. Dance stuff
Over the years of trying different type of dances, I now have 2 pairs of Latin Dance shoes, a pair of Standard (Ballroom) dance shoes, a pair of Flamenco dance shoes (ordered from Spain directly) and 2 Flamenco skirts. I intend to continue (someday, perhaps) Latin and Ballroom dance so those pairs could still be usefull, but what am I gonna do with the Flamenco shoes? I also have a pair of made-to-measure wedding shoes that are dyed from white to black so could be used as Ballroom shoes but the heels are so high I think I would just use it for party wear.
6. Magic Mic Karaoke http://www.magicmic.com/
I really like this Karaoke set as it is a plug-and-play version and is small enough to be portable. All I really need to do is to plug the 3 cables to TV and it's done. It has a lot of songs inside the mic itself and I could buy songchips for songs in other language or additional English songs.
I would probably bring this to Australia as it is quite good for entertainment :p
Looking at the list above, I realised that I am an impulsive buyer but luckily they are mostly related to sports (including dance). I think it runs in the family coz I noticed my parents have a lot of junks at home too. By comparison, my husband's family seems to buy less stuff and live simpler lifestyle.
Right now, I am thinking of buying Wii Nintendo coz I read in newpaper yesterday that it is good for old people. So I was thinking of buying it for my parents so they could exercise at home. If they don't like it, I could bring it home to play.
I realised that I easily buy stuff that I want but do not use those stuff soon after the purchase. Here are the list of those stuff:
1. Home Gym -Elliptical Machine http://www.aibifitness.com/pdt.php?pid=1&cid=10
Bought it for $1K so that I have no excuse not to exercise. I could use the machine whenever i watch TV, rather than sitting in the sofa, to burn extra calories. After I got married and moved to a new house, my husband did not allow me to put the machine in the living room and it is sitting in our spare room which is occupied by my husband's uncle now.
I feel less guilty coz apparently my FIL sometimes goes to the spare room and uses the machine.
Need to sell it or move it back to my parents' place.
2. Home Gym - Gym Leg http://www.aibifitness.com/pdt.php?reload=true&cid=6&pid=167
I asked for this as my recent birthday present.
Also with the excuse that any one of us could use it while watching TV and only 1-2 minutes a day. How hard can it be? Well, everybody soon forget abt the machine as it is tucked away behid the sofa. My excuse is that I am not feeling well lately (2-3 weeks of cough) :P
I think the machine is small enough so I could bring this to Australia :)
3. Portable DVD player
I used to take long ride to work so I thought (silly of me) that i could actually use it to watch some DVD while going to work. It attracted too much attention in the train hahahhaa.. But good thing is that it was being used at my best friend's wedding. It's quite handy so maybe I cold bring this there too.
4. Sony Handycam
I bought it for my honeymoon as I prefer video to camera. Captured some Flamenco dance performance when we were in Spain. I think it could still be useful but it is an old model using tapes. I wish I could change the model to the one with DVD.
5. Dance stuff
Over the years of trying different type of dances, I now have 2 pairs of Latin Dance shoes, a pair of Standard (Ballroom) dance shoes, a pair of Flamenco dance shoes (ordered from Spain directly) and 2 Flamenco skirts. I intend to continue (someday, perhaps) Latin and Ballroom dance so those pairs could still be usefull, but what am I gonna do with the Flamenco shoes? I also have a pair of made-to-measure wedding shoes that are dyed from white to black so could be used as Ballroom shoes but the heels are so high I think I would just use it for party wear.
6. Magic Mic Karaoke http://www.magicmic.com/
I really like this Karaoke set as it is a plug-and-play version and is small enough to be portable. All I really need to do is to plug the 3 cables to TV and it's done. It has a lot of songs inside the mic itself and I could buy songchips for songs in other language or additional English songs.
I would probably bring this to Australia as it is quite good for entertainment :p
Looking at the list above, I realised that I am an impulsive buyer but luckily they are mostly related to sports (including dance). I think it runs in the family coz I noticed my parents have a lot of junks at home too. By comparison, my husband's family seems to buy less stuff and live simpler lifestyle.
Right now, I am thinking of buying Wii Nintendo coz I read in newpaper yesterday that it is good for old people. So I was thinking of buying it for my parents so they could exercise at home. If they don't like it, I could bring it home to play.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Job, baby and adoption
I've been thinking whether to do a contract or permanent role when we head to Sydney.
Looking at my resumé, on average I change job every 2 years. It's bad!! I dread going for interviews as they would ask me the reasons I moved from company A, B, C, D, E and F (you can guess how long i've worked roughly). So I think doing a contract job will probably suits me. I think I like the possibility of changing work environment every 2 years. My only concern is that I would miss out on company's benefit such us maternity leave, bonus, etc.
Today, my hubby and I were in a cab back from my parents' house and we talked to the taxi driver. He's above 40 and just quit (or was sacked, not sure) from his previous job and took on the cabbie role while looking for a new job. He lamented that it's not easy to get a job if you are above >35yrs in Singapore. It hit me that maybe I need to get a 'retirement' job before I'm 35! A job that would secure me an employment until retirement age. It will not be easy to keep jumping jobs when one is getting older.
Talking about getting older, my hubby and I have been trying for a baby for a year now and we have not been successful so far. We have not done much though, just some visits to a gynae, check-ups (sperm check, 'tube' checks, ultra sound). Basically, both of us are not in the best condition to have babies. Gynae suggested a date (Day 12) for us to try for a baby after giving me an injection (to release egg or something) but it was not successful. As expected, we were disappointed when we found out and we did not go back to the gynae since. Instead, we were distracted with our migration project and me with my exams.
My hubby suggested that we try it later in Australia but somehow I feel guilty about not doing anything now or at least make an effort to seek 2nd opinion from other gynae. But I think I will concentrate with my exams for now until November and maybe embark on this baby project again in Australia when we both settle down (read: get a rented place and jobs).
So if by God's miracle I am pregnant anytime from now until then, we will have to decide whether to have the baby here or there. My hubby think we should deliver there as the baby will be a citizen straight away, while if having it in Singapore we will need to apply for PR for the baby again (maybe..). Well, I think it's a slim chance anyway....
Personally, I prefer to adopt than to bear my own child and I have been thinking about adoption since I was in primary school (when daydreaming about growing up)! But since then, I realized that most people don't have the same thinking and they prefer their own flesh and blood. So, I put the idea behind me as I think that most probably most husband will not prefer adoption. Frankly, I dread pregnancies and worse, the pain of childbirth. I made my hubby to promise me that I could choose C-section. I think I like watching a baby grow up, feeding him, teaching him, seeing how he will turn out to be, but he doesn't have to come out of my tummy or have our looks.
Oh well, I don't think adoption is easy anyway and I'm under 'social' pressure (family and friends) to try having a baby the natural way. A 3-mth (or 6-mth) maternity leave would be nice anyway (if I am in a permanent role, that is). I have 2 sets of parents who would help me housework and (if any) babies, so it's easier for me to juggle work and baby later.
Looking at my resumé, on average I change job every 2 years. It's bad!! I dread going for interviews as they would ask me the reasons I moved from company A, B, C, D, E and F (you can guess how long i've worked roughly). So I think doing a contract job will probably suits me. I think I like the possibility of changing work environment every 2 years. My only concern is that I would miss out on company's benefit such us maternity leave, bonus, etc.
Today, my hubby and I were in a cab back from my parents' house and we talked to the taxi driver. He's above 40 and just quit (or was sacked, not sure) from his previous job and took on the cabbie role while looking for a new job. He lamented that it's not easy to get a job if you are above >35yrs in Singapore. It hit me that maybe I need to get a 'retirement' job before I'm 35! A job that would secure me an employment until retirement age. It will not be easy to keep jumping jobs when one is getting older.
Talking about getting older, my hubby and I have been trying for a baby for a year now and we have not been successful so far. We have not done much though, just some visits to a gynae, check-ups (sperm check, 'tube' checks, ultra sound). Basically, both of us are not in the best condition to have babies. Gynae suggested a date (Day 12) for us to try for a baby after giving me an injection (to release egg or something) but it was not successful. As expected, we were disappointed when we found out and we did not go back to the gynae since. Instead, we were distracted with our migration project and me with my exams.
My hubby suggested that we try it later in Australia but somehow I feel guilty about not doing anything now or at least make an effort to seek 2nd opinion from other gynae. But I think I will concentrate with my exams for now until November and maybe embark on this baby project again in Australia when we both settle down (read: get a rented place and jobs).
So if by God's miracle I am pregnant anytime from now until then, we will have to decide whether to have the baby here or there. My hubby think we should deliver there as the baby will be a citizen straight away, while if having it in Singapore we will need to apply for PR for the baby again (maybe..). Well, I think it's a slim chance anyway....
Personally, I prefer to adopt than to bear my own child and I have been thinking about adoption since I was in primary school (when daydreaming about growing up)! But since then, I realized that most people don't have the same thinking and they prefer their own flesh and blood. So, I put the idea behind me as I think that most probably most husband will not prefer adoption. Frankly, I dread pregnancies and worse, the pain of childbirth. I made my hubby to promise me that I could choose C-section. I think I like watching a baby grow up, feeding him, teaching him, seeing how he will turn out to be, but he doesn't have to come out of my tummy or have our looks.
Oh well, I don't think adoption is easy anyway and I'm under 'social' pressure (family and friends) to try having a baby the natural way. A 3-mth (or 6-mth) maternity leave would be nice anyway (if I am in a permanent role, that is). I have 2 sets of parents who would help me housework and (if any) babies, so it's easier for me to juggle work and baby later.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Things I won't miss
This month is the hungry ghost month in Singapore. And I dread the air pollution from the burning.
I know it sounds bad and a bit biased against another's belief or tradition, but I do find it disturbing. The air is polluted, the debris sometimes fly into my living room. Instead of enjoying the breeze, we have to close our window or else suffocated by the smell.
It's a small thing, really. I 'm just trying to make excuses to justify my move to Australia hehehe....
There was some earthquake here yesterday and even today. It was quite strong yesterday that I thought my head is spinning from eating too much Champagne Mooncake. It happened last night around 7pm. I was planning to stay later in the office, skipping dinner after eating so much mooncakes for tea-time (given by the traders, who got them from their brokers). But after feeling the vibration and with everybody's asking us to leave the building, I took the opportunity to leave early :P.... I was in a rush to leave that I left the 2 boxes of mooncake on the table behind me, open with no lids on. Could we still eat the mooncakes after leaving them overnight in the open? Oh well, I had another bite today and no stomach ache yet.
I felt it the earthquake again today during a meeting. My boss was talking halfway and I shouted "Earthquake!". The funny thing is, nobody at home felt the earthquake last night! Either they are not sensitive or my house is shock-proof (naaah....)
Being in a small country, I feel a bit insecure. What if there's a strong earthquake that caused a tsunami and drown the whole island? Hmmm... I think I read somewhere that Singapore is sheltered from open seas so chances of tsunamis are quite slim.
I know it sounds bad and a bit biased against another's belief or tradition, but I do find it disturbing. The air is polluted, the debris sometimes fly into my living room. Instead of enjoying the breeze, we have to close our window or else suffocated by the smell.
It's a small thing, really. I 'm just trying to make excuses to justify my move to Australia hehehe....
There was some earthquake here yesterday and even today. It was quite strong yesterday that I thought my head is spinning from eating too much Champagne Mooncake. It happened last night around 7pm. I was planning to stay later in the office, skipping dinner after eating so much mooncakes for tea-time (given by the traders, who got them from their brokers). But after feeling the vibration and with everybody's asking us to leave the building, I took the opportunity to leave early :P.... I was in a rush to leave that I left the 2 boxes of mooncake on the table behind me, open with no lids on. Could we still eat the mooncakes after leaving them overnight in the open? Oh well, I had another bite today and no stomach ache yet.
I felt it the earthquake again today during a meeting. My boss was talking halfway and I shouted "Earthquake!". The funny thing is, nobody at home felt the earthquake last night! Either they are not sensitive or my house is shock-proof (naaah....)
Being in a small country, I feel a bit insecure. What if there's a strong earthquake that caused a tsunami and drown the whole island? Hmmm... I think I read somewhere that Singapore is sheltered from open seas so chances of tsunamis are quite slim.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Finally
Finally, we got our PR approval! Praise the Lord :D
So excited that I want to get the passport stamped with the visa tomorrow!
So excited that I want to get the passport stamped with the visa tomorrow!
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Things I'd miss
My PIL, my hubby and I just came back from Shape Run (www.shape.com.sg) today. My MIL and I took part in the 5-km all-women run while my hubby and FIL were supporting us by carrying our stuff and taking picture of us before and after the run. Two of my friends joined to run with us; it was fun, although I did more walking than running. The weather is good too, cloudy but bright (read: not so hot)
After the run, we queued for goody bags (the best part!) and boy, it was fun. With the 6000-crowd (plus husbands+kids), it was a challenge to find a place to have breakfast but we managed to find a quieter place, a Hongkong cafe.
I like to do this kind of mass-run, although I hate running and I do not train at all. It was fun to observe people of different age groups, sizes, styles, running pattern all on the road walking, jogging or running. My MIL found her timing is better for this run compared to the 2 previous run we did. Personally, I do not like to run on the highway or CBD, preferring the greener East Coast side as it is more shady and breezy.
So, I managed to persuade my friend to join us for the next run on following Sunday, Run-for-Hope (www.runforhopesingapore.org) in Sentosa. I did this run a couple of years with my colleagues and we had fun on the beach after the run. I'm thinking of bringing beers to drink after the run, but not sure how to carry them while running hehehe... My husband said it is not appropriate to drink beer at charity-run. Hmm.....
I told my MIL that she could ask her sisters to join Shape run next year but I just realized that we may not be here next year. It dawned upon me that this year is the last year I'm going for all these runs. I'm having fun collecting all the t-shirts from the run hahahaha....
Now that it is nearing the Mid-Autumn Festival, marked by the sale of mooncakes everywhere. I'll be going down to the company's cafetaria next week to try all the mooncakes on sale there. My auntie asked me to buy 2 boxes of those mini snow-skin mooncakes in exotic filings (Snow-Skin Rum & Raisin Chocolate Truffle Mooncake, Mini Snow-Skin Baileys Chocolate Mooncake and Mini Snow-Skin Champagne Truffle & Chocolate Ganache Mooncake) from Raffles the Plaza (http://singapore-plaza.raffles.com/z882/restaurant_promos.html), which i'm getting 25% discount from my company. I heard Raffles Hotel ones are good too (expensive,though) so I asked my friend to buy me 2 boxes from there and I'll do a snow-skin mooncake review :)
So I just realized that I'd not do these 2 events next year... running events (I signed up for 6 events this year) and mooncakes.
After the run, we queued for goody bags (the best part!) and boy, it was fun. With the 6000-crowd (plus husbands+kids), it was a challenge to find a place to have breakfast but we managed to find a quieter place, a Hongkong cafe.
I like to do this kind of mass-run, although I hate running and I do not train at all. It was fun to observe people of different age groups, sizes, styles, running pattern all on the road walking, jogging or running. My MIL found her timing is better for this run compared to the 2 previous run we did. Personally, I do not like to run on the highway or CBD, preferring the greener East Coast side as it is more shady and breezy.
So, I managed to persuade my friend to join us for the next run on following Sunday, Run-for-Hope (www.runforhopesingapore.org) in Sentosa. I did this run a couple of years with my colleagues and we had fun on the beach after the run. I'm thinking of bringing beers to drink after the run, but not sure how to carry them while running hehehe... My husband said it is not appropriate to drink beer at charity-run. Hmm.....
I told my MIL that she could ask her sisters to join Shape run next year but I just realized that we may not be here next year. It dawned upon me that this year is the last year I'm going for all these runs. I'm having fun collecting all the t-shirts from the run hahahaha....
Now that it is nearing the Mid-Autumn Festival, marked by the sale of mooncakes everywhere. I'll be going down to the company's cafetaria next week to try all the mooncakes on sale there. My auntie asked me to buy 2 boxes of those mini snow-skin mooncakes in exotic filings (Snow-Skin Rum & Raisin Chocolate Truffle Mooncake, Mini Snow-Skin Baileys Chocolate Mooncake and Mini Snow-Skin Champagne Truffle & Chocolate Ganache Mooncake) from Raffles the Plaza (http://singapore-plaza.raffles.com/z882/restaurant_promos.html), which i'm getting 25% discount from my company. I heard Raffles Hotel ones are good too (expensive,though) so I asked my friend to buy me 2 boxes from there and I'll do a snow-skin mooncake review :)
So I just realized that I'd not do these 2 events next year... running events (I signed up for 6 events this year) and mooncakes.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Visiting or staying parents
I would prefer for my parents-in-law or even my parents to stay wtih us once we're there. But how?
If they apply to visit us, how many months will they be given for their visa? If it is only 3 months and I make an assumption that they would be visiting us 3x a year (3mths each), that would cost us $6K on airfares (1K x 2persons x 3 visits). Is it possble to get 6-months visit pass? Is it possible to extend a visitor's visa when a visitor is in Australia?
I read about Sponsored Family Visitor visa (subclass 679) but it seems to be more unnecessarily complicated if they could only get 3-mths visit terms, similar to visitor's visa. It requires certain security bond ($). But I'm not sure if this visa would help subsequently when we try to apply for residency for our parents.
In the end, we wish to have our parents to stay with us without having to travel in and out of the country. They may get older and travelling would be more and more difficult for them. But I think it would be a long journey to reach there and there's a possibility that they won't even get the residency.
If we decide to leave for Australia sooner, it will be a good idea too so we could satisfy one of the conditions for our parents' residency application, i.e. that we have stayed in Australia for 2 years. I hope my hubby's brother will also go to Australia soon so all my PIL's children are in Australia and their apoplications will stand a better chance.
Until then, our parents will have to travel up and down Singapore-Australia. They would stay with us when in Australia and stay at their other son when in Singapore. Luckily, they are still very active, healthy and strong (they could outrun me and my hubby in any running events), and they love to travel.
If they apply to visit us, how many months will they be given for their visa? If it is only 3 months and I make an assumption that they would be visiting us 3x a year (3mths each), that would cost us $6K on airfares (1K x 2persons x 3 visits). Is it possble to get 6-months visit pass? Is it possible to extend a visitor's visa when a visitor is in Australia?
I read about Sponsored Family Visitor visa (subclass 679) but it seems to be more unnecessarily complicated if they could only get 3-mths visit terms, similar to visitor's visa. It requires certain security bond ($). But I'm not sure if this visa would help subsequently when we try to apply for residency for our parents.
In the end, we wish to have our parents to stay with us without having to travel in and out of the country. They may get older and travelling would be more and more difficult for them. But I think it would be a long journey to reach there and there's a possibility that they won't even get the residency.
If we decide to leave for Australia sooner, it will be a good idea too so we could satisfy one of the conditions for our parents' residency application, i.e. that we have stayed in Australia for 2 years. I hope my hubby's brother will also go to Australia soon so all my PIL's children are in Australia and their apoplications will stand a better chance.
Until then, our parents will have to travel up and down Singapore-Australia. They would stay with us when in Australia and stay at their other son when in Singapore. Luckily, they are still very active, healthy and strong (they could outrun me and my hubby in any running events), and they love to travel.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Cars
I don't like cars and don't understand why people are crazy about cars. But maybe that's because I can't drive..... hehhee...
My hubby started to see cars now. He planned to get a used one for our first car. It seems we can get one at less than $7K. I wonder if we need to go to a reliable car seller so we won't get a bad used car. Are there any reliable place we could get used cars? Maybe I should ask in the 'overseas singaporean' forum one of these days.
We dream of having 2 cars, one for me and one for him. Probably another one for family car. Oh well, it's always nice to dream.... I never noticed about differences in car models. To me, they look alike, four-wheels objects on the road. It wasn't until I saw a striking lime-green Peugeot 306cc passing by my rented house. It was so cute.... the driver had the top open and I knew that I like convertibles. I could imagine myself driving a convertible car in places like Great Ocean Road with my long hair flying here and there :)
Back in Singapore, I noticed another car that caught my attention all the time, RAV4. There is a little fan club for RAV4 too it seems, my friend was one of them. She and her club (and families) drive their RAV4 cars for road trips to Malaysia.
My girlfriend advised me to take driving lesson when I was in Sydney the last round. She even gave the book for me to read and learn. The book was still lying on my table until the last day I was there before I returned it to her. This round, I have my hubby as my driving teacher so I hope I could get around learning how to drive. That's why he is gonna get a used car first, for me to practise and crash.
My PIL would definitely enjoy themselves there. They love to drive and 'kia-kia'... Yoohoo!!
My hubby started to see cars now. He planned to get a used one for our first car. It seems we can get one at less than $7K. I wonder if we need to go to a reliable car seller so we won't get a bad used car. Are there any reliable place we could get used cars? Maybe I should ask in the 'overseas singaporean' forum one of these days.
We dream of having 2 cars, one for me and one for him. Probably another one for family car. Oh well, it's always nice to dream.... I never noticed about differences in car models. To me, they look alike, four-wheels objects on the road. It wasn't until I saw a striking lime-green Peugeot 306cc passing by my rented house. It was so cute.... the driver had the top open and I knew that I like convertibles. I could imagine myself driving a convertible car in places like Great Ocean Road with my long hair flying here and there :)
Back in Singapore, I noticed another car that caught my attention all the time, RAV4. There is a little fan club for RAV4 too it seems, my friend was one of them. She and her club (and families) drive their RAV4 cars for road trips to Malaysia.
My girlfriend advised me to take driving lesson when I was in Sydney the last round. She even gave the book for me to read and learn. The book was still lying on my table until the last day I was there before I returned it to her. This round, I have my hubby as my driving teacher so I hope I could get around learning how to drive. That's why he is gonna get a used car first, for me to practise and crash.
My PIL would definitely enjoy themselves there. They love to drive and 'kia-kia'... Yoohoo!!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Friends and Colleagues
My husband asked if we are going to stay at one of my friend's house when we visit Sydney and when we finally moved there.
I have a few friends there, but whom should I choose? In the end, I decided that it would be more appropriate and more comfortable if I ask one of my girlfriends, rather than any of my guy-pals. So I sms-ed my girlfriend over in Sydney to tell her that I may be going over there next year. She's so excited about it (I think she's more excited than me) and she even called me after work to ask about the details (how sweet...). We talked about many things (time, place, job, baby, car, house rental, etc) and she eventually asked where I would stay when I go over there. I have to be a bit thick-skinned and ask her if I could stay over there and she said alright.
If I looked back, I feel a little embarrased of asking anybody if I could stay over at their place. What if she said 'No'? It would be awkard then.
What if she said 'Yes' and regretted it later?
What if she said 'Yes' reluctantly?
(Hehehe... I'm over-sensitive, I guess. )
When I told my husband the good news that we could stay at my friend's house, he said "Good. I wish I have good friends like your friends over there". Yeah, I have a few friends who would probably be willing to help, like they did when I went to Sydney the 1st round. It's just that I am not good in asking big favours from close friends.
But, yeah... I'm grateful to God for good, supporting friends He's given me. And now we have one less thing to worry, the short-term accomodation for 1st entry and first few weeks after migrating.
On another occassion, I saw my ex-colleague from my ex-bank came for interview! We chatted over the phone after her interview. After some gossips and updates about the people in my ex-company, she mentioned that my senior there is going to move to Sydney office. That's great! Including him, there are 3 colleagues from my ex-bank in the Sydney office. My girlfriend told me that it is easier to get a job in Sydney if you know somebody in the company. Let's hope she's right.
I have a few friends there, but whom should I choose? In the end, I decided that it would be more appropriate and more comfortable if I ask one of my girlfriends, rather than any of my guy-pals. So I sms-ed my girlfriend over in Sydney to tell her that I may be going over there next year. She's so excited about it (I think she's more excited than me) and she even called me after work to ask about the details (how sweet...). We talked about many things (time, place, job, baby, car, house rental, etc) and she eventually asked where I would stay when I go over there. I have to be a bit thick-skinned and ask her if I could stay over there and she said alright.
If I looked back, I feel a little embarrased of asking anybody if I could stay over at their place. What if she said 'No'? It would be awkard then.
What if she said 'Yes' and regretted it later?
What if she said 'Yes' reluctantly?
(Hehehe... I'm over-sensitive, I guess. )
When I told my husband the good news that we could stay at my friend's house, he said "Good. I wish I have good friends like your friends over there". Yeah, I have a few friends who would probably be willing to help, like they did when I went to Sydney the 1st round. It's just that I am not good in asking big favours from close friends.
But, yeah... I'm grateful to God for good, supporting friends He's given me. And now we have one less thing to worry, the short-term accomodation for 1st entry and first few weeks after migrating.
On another occassion, I saw my ex-colleague from my ex-bank came for interview! We chatted over the phone after her interview. After some gossips and updates about the people in my ex-company, she mentioned that my senior there is going to move to Sydney office. That's great! Including him, there are 3 colleagues from my ex-bank in the Sydney office. My girlfriend told me that it is easier to get a job in Sydney if you know somebody in the company. Let's hope she's right.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Keeping it a secret
I was just wondering what will happen if my boss knows about my plan. Will he 'reduce' my year-end bonus? Of course....
Now, the problem is... my big mouth already told a couple (about 4) about the plan. My senior knows about me applying for PR coz i told him about it when he asked (silly me!). The remaining 3 persons know when it will go there.So I realized that I put myself in a difficult situation. I told them to keep it a secret but hey, I wouldn't know if they have told anybody. Sigh, I am even thinking whether I am taking a risk writing this blog, in case any of my boss(es) happen to find the blog.
Just last Friday, while going back home with another Indonesian colleague to MRT, I casually mentioned that I have a long-term plan to go Australia. What suprised me is that she has the same plan too. Both her and her husband plan to go there, but only after they have kids. She said that there is some benefits for children born in Australia. But presently, they think that it is not worth paying the high tax there, and they would earn more over here.
Interestingly, I found an article in efinancialcareers about what the chance is for Sydney to be the next global financial hub (http://news.efinancialcareers.com.au/NEWS_ITEM/newsItemId-10763).The article mentioned several factors that is hindering the development:
1. Taxes and living costs are high: "Sydney is an expensive place to live; add the fear that half [your earnings] will be lost in tax, then talent will also look elsewhere."
2. Senior openings are all too few: "There are fewer head offices in Australia and smaller deals, so people will quickly outgrow this market. The attractiveness of putting your roots down here in the prime of your career is probably less than other markets."
I know of one ex-colleague who is a HongKong born Australian who works in Singapore and got a chance for a few banks overseas (HongKong, Netherlands). He probably has the best of both world, at least in monetary terms, coz he gets to avoid paying Australian tax but he will be able to return and retire in Australia anytime. Now, isn't it a good deal?
On another article, http://news.efinancialcareers.com.au/NEWS_ITEM/newsItemId-10761, it compares career opportunities (more for single & adventurous executive) in London, Singapore and Sydney.
It reminds me of my ex-senior (a Malaysian) who asked for a transfer to London branch, and after a year he found another job in another bank there. I am sure (and a little jealous) that he is getting a good salary there. Although the living cost may be higher, any disposible income would be multipled by 6 when converted to MYR. Definitely enough for hime to buy another condominium in KL. But of course, he is single and he can move to whatever city or job that offers the best opportunity.
Although I am worried about work opportunities and growth over there, especially if I have to compare to my peers here or elsewhere, I think the move would be good for my husband. His industry (manufacturing) is a sunset industry in Singapore. So he is hoping he will get a better job offers over there or open a business over there.
I told my husband of an article that I found (when searching for a 'financial engineering' course in Sydney) that Macquarie University is starting engineering degrees to help tackle Australia's engineering skills shortage (http://www.pr.mq.edu.au/events/index.asp?ItemID=3107). I hope it would mean that he could have variety of job offers to choose from.
So, as a whole, I think our plan to go Australia is still a better choice. If not, it will always be a good experience for us to try.
Now, the problem is... my big mouth already told a couple (about 4) about the plan. My senior knows about me applying for PR coz i told him about it when he asked (silly me!). The remaining 3 persons know when it will go there.So I realized that I put myself in a difficult situation. I told them to keep it a secret but hey, I wouldn't know if they have told anybody. Sigh, I am even thinking whether I am taking a risk writing this blog, in case any of my boss(es) happen to find the blog.
Just last Friday, while going back home with another Indonesian colleague to MRT, I casually mentioned that I have a long-term plan to go Australia. What suprised me is that she has the same plan too. Both her and her husband plan to go there, but only after they have kids. She said that there is some benefits for children born in Australia. But presently, they think that it is not worth paying the high tax there, and they would earn more over here.
Interestingly, I found an article in efinancialcareers about what the chance is for Sydney to be the next global financial hub (http://news.efinancialcareers.com.au/NEWS_ITEM/newsItemId-10763).The article mentioned several factors that is hindering the development:
1. Taxes and living costs are high: "Sydney is an expensive place to live; add the fear that half [your earnings] will be lost in tax, then talent will also look elsewhere."
2. Senior openings are all too few: "There are fewer head offices in Australia and smaller deals, so people will quickly outgrow this market. The attractiveness of putting your roots down here in the prime of your career is probably less than other markets."
I know of one ex-colleague who is a HongKong born Australian who works in Singapore and got a chance for a few banks overseas (HongKong, Netherlands). He probably has the best of both world, at least in monetary terms, coz he gets to avoid paying Australian tax but he will be able to return and retire in Australia anytime. Now, isn't it a good deal?
On another article, http://news.efinancialcareers.com.au/NEWS_ITEM/newsItemId-10761, it compares career opportunities (more for single & adventurous executive) in London, Singapore and Sydney.
It reminds me of my ex-senior (a Malaysian) who asked for a transfer to London branch, and after a year he found another job in another bank there. I am sure (and a little jealous) that he is getting a good salary there. Although the living cost may be higher, any disposible income would be multipled by 6 when converted to MYR. Definitely enough for hime to buy another condominium in KL. But of course, he is single and he can move to whatever city or job that offers the best opportunity.
Although I am worried about work opportunities and growth over there, especially if I have to compare to my peers here or elsewhere, I think the move would be good for my husband. His industry (manufacturing) is a sunset industry in Singapore. So he is hoping he will get a better job offers over there or open a business over there.
I told my husband of an article that I found (when searching for a 'financial engineering' course in Sydney) that Macquarie University is starting engineering degrees to help tackle Australia's engineering skills shortage (http://www.pr.mq.edu.au/events/index.asp?ItemID=3107). I hope it would mean that he could have variety of job offers to choose from.
So, as a whole, I think our plan to go Australia is still a better choice. If not, it will always be a good experience for us to try.
Friday, August 24, 2007
House
My husband is spending his time every night looking at the houses at domain.com.au. I used to do it but I stop the habit as I need to spend time studying for my Nov exams.
I mentioned before that me and my husband has different views of how much is reasoable for a rent. I prefer to rent 'cheap' and save the money for the 'real' house (purchase) but my husband prefers to live in 'style' hehehe... I was shocked to know that he's looking at $400-$500 pw rented houses. Somehow he managed to find out that that's how much some Singaporeans are paying there, through the forum in 'overseas singaporeans'. So there, he justifies his budget.
I'm still not sure whether we want a 2-bedroom apartment near the city or a 3-bedroom townhouse further away from city (20km). My preference is the latter, as I prefer to have an extra room for visitors (eg. my parents) assuming that my parents-in-law staying with us there. Also, I told my husband that it's better to live further away so we will get used to the distance if we buy a house around the same distance (I don't think we'll ever could afford those $1M houses near the city).
Unlike Singapore, renting a flat/townhouse there is usually unfurnished to it means we have to buy our own furniture and fittings. I wonder if they would provide, eg, washing machine or fridge. That leads to the question: Should i bring my furniture from Singapore to Australia? Should I shipped them out altogether? All that depends on how we're going to rent out our present flat. Most probably we will rent it out fully furnished as what is commonly done here. So most probably, we'd buy new furniture there.
Hmm, if I rent a place for a year and the owner decided to sell the house, wouldn't it be troublesome/expensive to move all the things to a new place? We do plan to rent for at least 2 years before buying a house. I hope we could sign a 2-year lease once we found a nice place to rent. Not too sure if it is common or possible to sign 2-yr lease. In Singapore, people sometimes sign 1-yr lease only so we only pay the agent commission for 1-year (which is about half-month rental from the tenant and half-month from the landlord) and we do a casual arrangement with the landlord later for the extension. Well, this only works if the landlord trust the tenant.
Thinking about it, I feel weird imagining some strangers would be staying my flat, would be sitting on the sofa that my hubby boasts of getting a good bargain of, would be sleeping in our room that was painted in purple colour (chosen by me), would be having dinner on my unconventional 8-seater square dining table. I hope they didn't spoil any of the furniture, especially the glass cover of the dining table. But I was told, it could not be avoided; tenants tend not to take care of the furniture as those things are not theirs. Oh well, I maybe getting to emotional about it but i guess one always have strong attachment to one's first house.
I mentioned before that me and my husband has different views of how much is reasoable for a rent. I prefer to rent 'cheap' and save the money for the 'real' house (purchase) but my husband prefers to live in 'style' hehehe... I was shocked to know that he's looking at $400-$500 pw rented houses. Somehow he managed to find out that that's how much some Singaporeans are paying there, through the forum in 'overseas singaporeans'. So there, he justifies his budget.
I'm still not sure whether we want a 2-bedroom apartment near the city or a 3-bedroom townhouse further away from city (20km). My preference is the latter, as I prefer to have an extra room for visitors (eg. my parents) assuming that my parents-in-law staying with us there. Also, I told my husband that it's better to live further away so we will get used to the distance if we buy a house around the same distance (I don't think we'll ever could afford those $1M houses near the city).
Unlike Singapore, renting a flat/townhouse there is usually unfurnished to it means we have to buy our own furniture and fittings. I wonder if they would provide, eg, washing machine or fridge. That leads to the question: Should i bring my furniture from Singapore to Australia? Should I shipped them out altogether? All that depends on how we're going to rent out our present flat. Most probably we will rent it out fully furnished as what is commonly done here. So most probably, we'd buy new furniture there.
Hmm, if I rent a place for a year and the owner decided to sell the house, wouldn't it be troublesome/expensive to move all the things to a new place? We do plan to rent for at least 2 years before buying a house. I hope we could sign a 2-year lease once we found a nice place to rent. Not too sure if it is common or possible to sign 2-yr lease. In Singapore, people sometimes sign 1-yr lease only so we only pay the agent commission for 1-year (which is about half-month rental from the tenant and half-month from the landlord) and we do a casual arrangement with the landlord later for the extension. Well, this only works if the landlord trust the tenant.
Thinking about it, I feel weird imagining some strangers would be staying my flat, would be sitting on the sofa that my hubby boasts of getting a good bargain of, would be sleeping in our room that was painted in purple colour (chosen by me), would be having dinner on my unconventional 8-seater square dining table. I hope they didn't spoil any of the furniture, especially the glass cover of the dining table. But I was told, it could not be avoided; tenants tend not to take care of the furniture as those things are not theirs. Oh well, I maybe getting to emotional about it but i guess one always have strong attachment to one's first house.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Parents' reaction
Last Saturday, my mom asked me to go out with her. She wanted to shop for a new dress for my cousin's wedding back in Jakarta.
So I brought her to Metro Paragon and OG but after a long walk she couldn't find the dress she's looking for. My father (clever of him) wanted to join only for the dinner part, so he went to pick the restaurant and waited for us there. After the meal, they brought up the Australian issue.
They were quite strongly disagreed with my decision to go Australia. The conversation went like this: "With a good stable job and a good flat, why throw it away for uncertainty in a foreign country where you'll be a second class citizen?", "We didn't agree with you going to Australia the 1st time around, see what happened.. you came back", "who's idea was it to go Australia? Must be your husband! Sigh, I think you married the wrong guy...", "what if you can't find a job? Who's going to support us? Remember you have 4 mouths to feed..." (<---refering that my husband and I need to provide for both our parents)
Although I was a little suprised with their choice of words, I was not really sad as I expected their reaction and understand their point of view. I remember what my parents said before sending me to Singapore, "Learn English and Mandarin, but don't be like most Singaporeans who neglected their parents". I think they may have a fear that their children would forget about them. I'm guilty of it sometimes, I rarely call them (they would call me) so I'm pretty amazed when I found out some of my colleagues who would call their parents overseas every day/night. I wish they stay with me or near me.... so I don't have to travel far (far=30min train :P) to see them every week.
I think their other issue is the choice of country. I'm sure they'd feel differently if we go to China or Taiwan instead. In Australia, if they visit us there, they won't be able to roam around as they can't speak English.... well, except Chinatown perhaps. In Singapore, they're still comfortable as at least majority peole here speak Chinese or Malay and they have all the Taiwanese program to watch every day.
So I told them not to worry about it, that I would choose a 3-bedroom flat so both parents could stay with us. If they are sick of staying in Singapore, they could visit my sister in Taiwan during winter and fly to Australia for another round of winter hehehee... My parents-in-law would be able to bring them around Australia if they visit.
My mom actually asked that she keeps all my insurance certificates. I'm not too sure what to make out if it. Either she thinks I may lose them in Australia or... they want to ensure they get something back if something happened to me. Well, I told them that I'm thinking of getting a term insurance and they will be the beneficiaries. And my dad told me "Good, you never know whether a man change after going to a new country" hehehehe.... I think I can classify them as 'paranoids'?
Oh well, a few days later they tried to call me on my mobile but I happened to switch off the phone earlier (low battery). They thought I'm avoiding them or angry with them.... hehehe....
Friday, August 17, 2007
New things to occupy my time
I found an interesting website and forum relevant for my 'research'. It's a government-related webiste http://www.overseassingaporean.sg/ and I went to read the forums for Australia http://www.overseassingaporean.sg/forums/index.php?showforum=85.
From reading the forum, I realised how 'Singaporean' I am. I always thought that I'm foremost an Indonesian and I mix mostly with my Indonesian friends. But after reading the forum, I realised that topics and conversations about Singapore are probably more relevant to my situations, compared to things Indonesian. I could relate to HDB purchase, CPF, long working hours, etc. Suddenly I don't feel so lonely anymore.
I wonder if I hadknown of this circle of singapore friends in Sydney when i was there, instead of just Indonesian friends, would I feel more comfortable there? Maybe. Well, for now I will start reading the forum and later, participate in their discussion and chit-chat .
Also, I have another thing to keep me occupied, my textbooks have arrived!! Yeah.. But quickly, the 1st book was borrowed by my trader who's sitting for the same exams. Oh well, I still have 2 other books to read and I gotta finish them by end of Sep. Yippee! Though I'm going to be poorer by abt $1.5K from the exams fees and the cost of book. But I told myself, it is still cheaper than taking a part-time degree course.
Taking about poorer, I changed some of our savings to AUD last 2 weeks when the rate was 1.293x and I thought I got a steal since it came down from 1.33. But guess what, it's now 1.20!!! Sigh... Well, just need to save up and hopefully it stays low in the next few months. I should've known that Yen unwind would have come later.
From reading the forum, I realised how 'Singaporean' I am. I always thought that I'm foremost an Indonesian and I mix mostly with my Indonesian friends. But after reading the forum, I realised that topics and conversations about Singapore are probably more relevant to my situations, compared to things Indonesian. I could relate to HDB purchase, CPF, long working hours, etc. Suddenly I don't feel so lonely anymore.
I wonder if I hadknown of this circle of singapore friends in Sydney when i was there, instead of just Indonesian friends, would I feel more comfortable there? Maybe. Well, for now I will start reading the forum and later, participate in their discussion and chit-chat .
Also, I have another thing to keep me occupied, my textbooks have arrived!! Yeah.. But quickly, the 1st book was borrowed by my trader who's sitting for the same exams. Oh well, I still have 2 other books to read and I gotta finish them by end of Sep. Yippee! Though I'm going to be poorer by abt $1.5K from the exams fees and the cost of book. But I told myself, it is still cheaper than taking a part-time degree course.
Taking about poorer, I changed some of our savings to AUD last 2 weeks when the rate was 1.293x and I thought I got a steal since it came down from 1.33. But guess what, it's now 1.20!!! Sigh... Well, just need to save up and hopefully it stays low in the next few months. I should've known that Yen unwind would have come later.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Immigration process
Living in an efficient city like Singapore has its bad side effect. We are too used to have everything running smoothly and orderly that we feel upset and irritated when things don't go as expected. It made one more impatient and short-tempered.
I am going to have one now with Australian immigration process. A couple months ago, my husband was sent a letter requesting both of us to do health check-ups and police clearance. Instead of seeing my name in the letter, I saw another similar name (similar surname) in the letter. So we notified the officer of the error and we received an amended letter a week later (but with no apology)
After furnishing them with all the relevant documentation, we received a pre-grant letter stating that our application is nearing completion once all the requirements in the letter is met. My name was wrong again! Worse still, this other 'me' was in Australia so she has to leave Australia and prove the departure with a copy of itinerary. So again, we notified them of the error and we again get an amended pre-grant letter.
This time, we noted that the initial first entry date was someday in the past (early 2007), so we again notified them with the error. And today, I received an email again from them which looks exactly like the 1st pre-grant letter, and with my wrong name (wrong person) again. Grrr!
It's so funny that they keep putting this other lady's name instead of my name. It also happens that there was another lady with the similar name as me in my church. A few months after my wedding, her name appreared in the church bulletin as a bride-to-be. So of course, the church people was teasing that I'm getting married again.
People who know me in church keep asking me if I'm trying for a baby and I am. Some even thought I am pregnant cos I put on some weight after my marriage. So, when people saw my 'look-alike' name appeared in church bulletin's prayer list for pregnant wives, I was being congratulated for the pregnancy!
And a few weeks ago, her name appeared again for delivery of her baby. So, I was teased again for being so healthy to come to church after delivery hehehee....
The funny thing is, this lady who appeared in my church bulletin (nobody I know in church has ever seen the lady before) has the same name as the person in the letter from the immigration. How wierd is that! She's like my shadow... It must be a great coincidence that she got married a few mths after me and also migrating/migrated to Autralia. I even went as far as finding the 'other' me in friendster and found her (though i'm not sure how many pp share the same name)hahahaa....
Moral of the story: make sure you give a unique name for your children.
Now, I just hope she doesn't have criminal records.
I am going to have one now with Australian immigration process. A couple months ago, my husband was sent a letter requesting both of us to do health check-ups and police clearance. Instead of seeing my name in the letter, I saw another similar name (similar surname) in the letter. So we notified the officer of the error and we received an amended letter a week later (but with no apology)
After furnishing them with all the relevant documentation, we received a pre-grant letter stating that our application is nearing completion once all the requirements in the letter is met. My name was wrong again! Worse still, this other 'me' was in Australia so she has to leave Australia and prove the departure with a copy of itinerary. So again, we notified them of the error and we again get an amended pre-grant letter.
This time, we noted that the initial first entry date was someday in the past (early 2007), so we again notified them with the error. And today, I received an email again from them which looks exactly like the 1st pre-grant letter, and with my wrong name (wrong person) again. Grrr!
It's so funny that they keep putting this other lady's name instead of my name. It also happens that there was another lady with the similar name as me in my church. A few months after my wedding, her name appreared in the church bulletin as a bride-to-be. So of course, the church people was teasing that I'm getting married again.
People who know me in church keep asking me if I'm trying for a baby and I am. Some even thought I am pregnant cos I put on some weight after my marriage. So, when people saw my 'look-alike' name appeared in church bulletin's prayer list for pregnant wives, I was being congratulated for the pregnancy!
And a few weeks ago, her name appeared again for delivery of her baby. So, I was teased again for being so healthy to come to church after delivery hehehee....
The funny thing is, this lady who appeared in my church bulletin (nobody I know in church has ever seen the lady before) has the same name as the person in the letter from the immigration. How wierd is that! She's like my shadow... It must be a great coincidence that she got married a few mths after me and also migrating/migrated to Autralia. I even went as far as finding the 'other' me in friendster and found her (though i'm not sure how many pp share the same name)hahahaa....
Moral of the story: make sure you give a unique name for your children.
Now, I just hope she doesn't have criminal records.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Counting down
I think my hubby is geting more and more excited with our 'Australian' project. He seems to be less interested with his 'marine fish' hobby hehehe....I think he's not doing much to his fish tank coz he will need to sell it in less than 1 year's time. Bye-bye Nemo, bye-bye Dory.....
So even though it is still a year away from our planned migration, we both are doing research about jobs and houses. We both subscribed to Seek.COM to gauge the market rate for our jobs. My hubby is much more excited and confident about getting a good job there. I'm less excited coz I hate going for interviews. Hopefully, my ex-colleagues over there could give me a shoo-in hehehe....
On housing, my hubby checks houses/flats for rent and I went to check houses for sale. We both have different opinion on how much to pay for rental. For me, I prefer to pay less for rental even though the place is crappy, since we'll only be there for a short time (1-2yrs). My husband doesn't mind paying $400pw as long as he is comfortable with the place. So what's the solution? Hmm.. I suggested that we start looking from the cheaper range to see if we can find a steal and move up to the upper range if we can't find any.
But my husband's newest hobby is definitely CARS. He is browsing to find the range of cars he could afford to buy over there. His plan is to buy a second hand car first and let me abuse the car as I use it to learn how to drive. He's dreaming of owning a few cars, one for himself, one for me and one for the family.... Well, I'll let him dream on :)
Still, all those things doesn't make time goes by quicker. So I decided to do less research (i run out of things to google abt Australia) and focus on reading up to prepare for 2 exams. I'm still waiting for the results of level 2 CFA coming out end of Aug. If I pass, I will take level3 June next year. I'm still thinking whether to leave for Sydney earlier and study for the exams in Sydney or staying in Singapore until the exams' over. My husband suggested the latter and it sounds like a better idea.
So what shall i do now? I just ordered study guide for FRM for the Nov exams. I've not registered for the exams yet and I'm sceptical about being able to pass it. I'll decide on it after browsing the study guides, which hopefully will arrive by end of next week.
If in the last few months I was wishing time will fly quicker to next year, now I'm wishing that time will go slower as I need time to study for the exams in Nov.
So even though it is still a year away from our planned migration, we both are doing research about jobs and houses. We both subscribed to Seek.COM to gauge the market rate for our jobs. My hubby is much more excited and confident about getting a good job there. I'm less excited coz I hate going for interviews. Hopefully, my ex-colleagues over there could give me a shoo-in hehehe....
On housing, my hubby checks houses/flats for rent and I went to check houses for sale. We both have different opinion on how much to pay for rental. For me, I prefer to pay less for rental even though the place is crappy, since we'll only be there for a short time (1-2yrs). My husband doesn't mind paying $400pw as long as he is comfortable with the place. So what's the solution? Hmm.. I suggested that we start looking from the cheaper range to see if we can find a steal and move up to the upper range if we can't find any.
But my husband's newest hobby is definitely CARS. He is browsing to find the range of cars he could afford to buy over there. His plan is to buy a second hand car first and let me abuse the car as I use it to learn how to drive. He's dreaming of owning a few cars, one for himself, one for me and one for the family.... Well, I'll let him dream on :)
Still, all those things doesn't make time goes by quicker. So I decided to do less research (i run out of things to google abt Australia) and focus on reading up to prepare for 2 exams. I'm still waiting for the results of level 2 CFA coming out end of Aug. If I pass, I will take level3 June next year. I'm still thinking whether to leave for Sydney earlier and study for the exams in Sydney or staying in Singapore until the exams' over. My husband suggested the latter and it sounds like a better idea.
So what shall i do now? I just ordered study guide for FRM for the Nov exams. I've not registered for the exams yet and I'm sceptical about being able to pass it. I'll decide on it after browsing the study guides, which hopefully will arrive by end of next week.
If in the last few months I was wishing time will fly quicker to next year, now I'm wishing that time will go slower as I need time to study for the exams in Nov.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Sydney
When deciding on the city to live in, initially we wanted to go to Melbourne because my husband like the city. But I have some reservations about Melbourne.
I visited Melbourne with 2 of my ex-colleagues when they came and visit me in Sydney. So it was natural that I decided to follow them to Melbourne. I heard that it is the best city to live and I was curious about the trams there. My expectations (again) was quite high of this city and naturally I was a bit disappointed at what I see. I like the trams but I don't like the lines above it, it makes the city views from the trams looking like spider web hehehehe (a bit exaggerating, I know). Only after visiting Melbourne I realise that I am a city girl. I don't like old colonial buildings which I thought would be cool, until I'm surrounded by many of them.
Sidetracking a bit, I notice a pattern here. I thought that I don't like stressful city life but I miss the hustle and bustle of Singapore when I was in Sydney. I thought I like European-like city like Melbourne, but actually i'm so used to new, modern buildings. It seems what we thought we would like may not be the same until we go through it.
So, I convinced my husband that it would be easier for me to find a job in Sydney. I'm not sure i'm 100% right. But, I know of a friend who chose Melbourne as his city of migration coz he lived in Sydney before (schooling) . He couldn't get a job after half-year or a year until he got an offer to work in Sydney. From there, I deduce that it is easier to find banking job in Sydney.
Also, all my friends are in Sydney.
Let's see, 7 friends from my church migrated there in the last 4-5 years and most of them are in the same church as the one I went when I was in Sydney. So I'll get to meet these old friends and we have many things in common. We are Indonesians, we worked in Singapore before and we went to the same church here. All of them are closer friends from choir group or young adult fellowship, and most of them are within the close circle of group e-mail. Of course, it'd be different this time as most of them are married with kids, but it's always nice to know that you know some old friends in a foreign land.
And I made new friends over there, and I hope I could see them again. I hope I could still go to have breakfast at Coogee beach with them before going to the office.
But housing would be expensive there.
We would most probably rent an apt there first. Get a job and try to save up for a house. If we can't afford a house there, then maybe we would explore possibilities of some other cities.
My 'gang'-mate told me that he's going to Brisbane to work and hopefully buy a house. He thinks that Sydney houses are unaffordable and he's finding another place with reasonable price. When he told me that, I started to worry that what I read from the news are really true (you know sometimes news usually exaggerate the actual problem). My husband's friend in Adelaide asked us to consider Adelaide too. With so many choices, I decided that it'd be good to stay in Sydney as job security would be important in the first few years.
I was a bit worried if my hubby could find an engineering job there, but i'm sure he would be happy to be a stay-at-home husband for the first few months or years. Anyway, he's thinking of doing business so i'm going to let him explore in his own time.
If he is desperate for a job, and he got an offer in other cities, I will follow along and it'd be my turn to relax hehehe....
So, we will evaluate the city choices again after 2 years in Sydney if we can't buy a house in Sydney.
I visited Melbourne with 2 of my ex-colleagues when they came and visit me in Sydney. So it was natural that I decided to follow them to Melbourne. I heard that it is the best city to live and I was curious about the trams there. My expectations (again) was quite high of this city and naturally I was a bit disappointed at what I see. I like the trams but I don't like the lines above it, it makes the city views from the trams looking like spider web hehehehe (a bit exaggerating, I know). Only after visiting Melbourne I realise that I am a city girl. I don't like old colonial buildings which I thought would be cool, until I'm surrounded by many of them.
Sidetracking a bit, I notice a pattern here. I thought that I don't like stressful city life but I miss the hustle and bustle of Singapore when I was in Sydney. I thought I like European-like city like Melbourne, but actually i'm so used to new, modern buildings. It seems what we thought we would like may not be the same until we go through it.
So, I convinced my husband that it would be easier for me to find a job in Sydney. I'm not sure i'm 100% right. But, I know of a friend who chose Melbourne as his city of migration coz he lived in Sydney before (schooling) . He couldn't get a job after half-year or a year until he got an offer to work in Sydney. From there, I deduce that it is easier to find banking job in Sydney.
Also, all my friends are in Sydney.
Let's see, 7 friends from my church migrated there in the last 4-5 years and most of them are in the same church as the one I went when I was in Sydney. So I'll get to meet these old friends and we have many things in common. We are Indonesians, we worked in Singapore before and we went to the same church here. All of them are closer friends from choir group or young adult fellowship, and most of them are within the close circle of group e-mail. Of course, it'd be different this time as most of them are married with kids, but it's always nice to know that you know some old friends in a foreign land.
And I made new friends over there, and I hope I could see them again. I hope I could still go to have breakfast at Coogee beach with them before going to the office.
But housing would be expensive there.
We would most probably rent an apt there first. Get a job and try to save up for a house. If we can't afford a house there, then maybe we would explore possibilities of some other cities.
My 'gang'-mate told me that he's going to Brisbane to work and hopefully buy a house. He thinks that Sydney houses are unaffordable and he's finding another place with reasonable price. When he told me that, I started to worry that what I read from the news are really true (you know sometimes news usually exaggerate the actual problem). My husband's friend in Adelaide asked us to consider Adelaide too. With so many choices, I decided that it'd be good to stay in Sydney as job security would be important in the first few years.
I was a bit worried if my hubby could find an engineering job there, but i'm sure he would be happy to be a stay-at-home husband for the first few months or years. Anyway, he's thinking of doing business so i'm going to let him explore in his own time.
If he is desperate for a job, and he got an offer in other cities, I will follow along and it'd be my turn to relax hehehe....
So, we will evaluate the city choices again after 2 years in Sydney if we can't buy a house in Sydney.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Why Australia?
We told a few people about our Australian plan, most of them could not understand why we want to go there. And I can understand why they feel this way.
I think my main reason going there is for my future generation. I have always been curious about Western education so I want to see how they fare over there. I hope it will be better for them over there compared to my own education in Jarkarta+Singapore, hopefully they'd be more all-rounded. Hopefully, they could choose the courses they want to do (eg, Arts), rather than choosing the course based on marketability (eg, Accountants) or prestige (eg Doctors, Lawyers). I think they could probably make a decent living even if they choose to be a ballerina (my wish hehehe..), painter, singer, dancer or librarian, as long as they love the chosen job.
Secondly, my husband and my PIL love Australia. And I love making them happy hehehe....
My husband and my MIL don't really like the warm, hot weather in Singapore and they all are looking forward to live in a cooler country. Both PIL love jogging and I will need to start doing City2Surf again over there.
Third, hopefully we can take things slower over there. Enjoy family time and visit all the cities there. It's like an extended holiday.... a working holiday.... I hope my job doesn't require me to work late. I know it's a slim chance coz banking industry everywhere seems to work longer hours. I remember i worked on Sats and Suns when I was working in Sydney
4th, I hope my dream about being a 'low-maintenance' tai-tai would come true. My husband wants to try doing his own business and I think the survival rate over there is prob higher than in Singapore. We will probably work as employee first, while saving money and looking for opportunity. I don't like owning a business so I'll be the 'fixed income' (pardon the financial jargon), providing steady income; while my hubby would be the 'equity' who will not bring regular salary but comes wiht prospect of great wealth. If he's stable, I could stay at home and do all my hobbies (excluding housework and cooking) and take care of the kids
I know that the tax rate is higher over there, but at least we know we won't die of hunger (with some welfare) if we're really poor. Money has never been a goal so it would be nice just to be sufficient.
I know that travelling would be expensive from there, but I don't like travelling anyway. I think travelling is over-rated and I prefer spending the money taking courses (eg. dance tuition, learning French or Italian or Spanish, learn swimming/cooking/knitting, etc) My hubby has to drag me to go to HK for holiday and I dread the packing and unpacking and visiting...... Well, except if it is to Europe.......especially to Italy.... especialy to Italy to ogle at Italian Men
Shopping closes early but I dont' like shopping either. Btw, i need to cut my hair, buy night cream, buy nail polish..... I'm really bad at shopping. I buy only those that I need and I don't do window-shopping. Usually I'll find the nearest cafe to sit and have coffee+cake. Hmm.. some exceptions.... I keep visiting gym equipment store and keep looking at camcorder models. My hubby asked me to sell my present equipment and camcorder first before buying new ones.
Having said that, I have some reservation about fitting into Australian lifestyle. My English is not very good, and I get tongue-tied and nervous surrounded by 'ang moh'. I think I feel 'inferior' to them. Once, I got scolded in the office once for jamming a program (it was really a lousy program anyway), the support guy came and just screamed his voice over the top of his lungs at me..... tsk tsk tsk... never have a more humiliating scoldings in my working life before. Let's see, I got scolded in a bus once and in the beach once. Gosh, Australians really speak their mind out loud. Or maybe I look like an easy subject? Well, i'll toughen up this time!
Oh, my major concern is the weather. I have always thought i like cold weather. Well, I like sunny cool weather. But I found myself swearing at the sky when it gets too cold at night and in the morning. And I found comfort in hot shower that I was so reluctant to turn-off the tap. I don't perspire easily in warm weather, I'm probably trained from childhood days back in Jakarta. Over there, after a few months, I only noticed that the skin on my legs are so dry I could see the cracks. Gotta get into a habit of putting on lotion. Also, I came back Singapore with freckles!!
Well, my expectation is not that high 2nd time around so I hope I would be able to handle the culture and weather shocks. If i'm in doubt, I just need to look at my husband and my PIL and tell myself I'm a good person by putting their happiness above mine heehehehhe.....
I think my main reason going there is for my future generation. I have always been curious about Western education so I want to see how they fare over there. I hope it will be better for them over there compared to my own education in Jarkarta+Singapore, hopefully they'd be more all-rounded. Hopefully, they could choose the courses they want to do (eg, Arts), rather than choosing the course based on marketability (eg, Accountants) or prestige (eg Doctors, Lawyers). I think they could probably make a decent living even if they choose to be a ballerina (my wish hehehe..), painter, singer, dancer or librarian, as long as they love the chosen job.
Secondly, my husband and my PIL love Australia. And I love making them happy hehehe....
My husband and my MIL don't really like the warm, hot weather in Singapore and they all are looking forward to live in a cooler country. Both PIL love jogging and I will need to start doing City2Surf again over there.
Third, hopefully we can take things slower over there. Enjoy family time and visit all the cities there. It's like an extended holiday.... a working holiday.... I hope my job doesn't require me to work late. I know it's a slim chance coz banking industry everywhere seems to work longer hours. I remember i worked on Sats and Suns when I was working in Sydney
4th, I hope my dream about being a 'low-maintenance' tai-tai would come true. My husband wants to try doing his own business and I think the survival rate over there is prob higher than in Singapore. We will probably work as employee first, while saving money and looking for opportunity. I don't like owning a business so I'll be the 'fixed income' (pardon the financial jargon), providing steady income; while my hubby would be the 'equity' who will not bring regular salary but comes wiht prospect of great wealth. If he's stable, I could stay at home and do all my hobbies (excluding housework and cooking) and take care of the kids
I know that the tax rate is higher over there, but at least we know we won't die of hunger (with some welfare) if we're really poor. Money has never been a goal so it would be nice just to be sufficient.
I know that travelling would be expensive from there, but I don't like travelling anyway. I think travelling is over-rated and I prefer spending the money taking courses (eg. dance tuition, learning French or Italian or Spanish, learn swimming/cooking/knitting, etc) My hubby has to drag me to go to HK for holiday and I dread the packing and unpacking and visiting...... Well, except if it is to Europe.......especially to Italy.... especialy to Italy to ogle at Italian Men
Shopping closes early but I dont' like shopping either. Btw, i need to cut my hair, buy night cream, buy nail polish..... I'm really bad at shopping. I buy only those that I need and I don't do window-shopping. Usually I'll find the nearest cafe to sit and have coffee+cake. Hmm.. some exceptions.... I keep visiting gym equipment store and keep looking at camcorder models. My hubby asked me to sell my present equipment and camcorder first before buying new ones.
Having said that, I have some reservation about fitting into Australian lifestyle. My English is not very good, and I get tongue-tied and nervous surrounded by 'ang moh'. I think I feel 'inferior' to them. Once, I got scolded in the office once for jamming a program (it was really a lousy program anyway), the support guy came and just screamed his voice over the top of his lungs at me..... tsk tsk tsk... never have a more humiliating scoldings in my working life before. Let's see, I got scolded in a bus once and in the beach once. Gosh, Australians really speak their mind out loud. Or maybe I look like an easy subject? Well, i'll toughen up this time!
Oh, my major concern is the weather. I have always thought i like cold weather. Well, I like sunny cool weather. But I found myself swearing at the sky when it gets too cold at night and in the morning. And I found comfort in hot shower that I was so reluctant to turn-off the tap. I don't perspire easily in warm weather, I'm probably trained from childhood days back in Jakarta. Over there, after a few months, I only noticed that the skin on my legs are so dry I could see the cracks. Gotta get into a habit of putting on lotion. Also, I came back Singapore with freckles!!
Well, my expectation is not that high 2nd time around so I hope I would be able to handle the culture and weather shocks. If i'm in doubt, I just need to look at my husband and my PIL and tell myself I'm a good person by putting their happiness above mine heehehehhe.....
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Funding
When we actually plan to move to Australia, I was quite eager to move soon. But my hubby told me that we need to ensure that we have sufficient cash in Singapore for our commitment (HDB mortgage, insurance premium, parents' allowance etc) and enough cash to cover 2 years' expenses in Australia (in case we can't find a job).
But with excitement, we decided to take the risk and reduce our expectation to 1 year's expenses and found out that we could actually move there sooner than we thought. Yeah!
It was such a contrast to when I first tried to move to Sydney 4 years ago. I brought with me A$5,000 cash and I was almost broke before I found a contract job there. I almost took a job to work as a kitchen help in an Indonesian restaurant coz I need the money. My mum was worried that I took the job as a kitchen help cos I never stepped into a kitchen in my whole life! (Ok, I was a bit exaggerating, I cooked instant noodles before)
But this time, it's a bit different. Now, we're going as a couple so we need 2 persons' expenses. As parents growing older by the day, we need to set aside money for rainy days or emergencies. Even our lifestyle has changed. I'm not sure my husband can live in a cheap old rented apartment this time compared to his student days in Brisbane.
Will we be able to find job soon over there? I hope so.
On the other hand, we actually plan to take it easy for the 1st few months, take it as a holiday, before starting to apply for a job.
But with excitement, we decided to take the risk and reduce our expectation to 1 year's expenses and found out that we could actually move there sooner than we thought. Yeah!
It was such a contrast to when I first tried to move to Sydney 4 years ago. I brought with me A$5,000 cash and I was almost broke before I found a contract job there. I almost took a job to work as a kitchen help in an Indonesian restaurant coz I need the money. My mum was worried that I took the job as a kitchen help cos I never stepped into a kitchen in my whole life! (Ok, I was a bit exaggerating, I cooked instant noodles before)
But this time, it's a bit different. Now, we're going as a couple so we need 2 persons' expenses. As parents growing older by the day, we need to set aside money for rainy days or emergencies. Even our lifestyle has changed. I'm not sure my husband can live in a cheap old rented apartment this time compared to his student days in Brisbane.
Will we be able to find job soon over there? I hope so.
On the other hand, we actually plan to take it easy for the 1st few months, take it as a holiday, before starting to apply for a job.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Plan to migrate to Australia
My husband and I have decided to migrate to Australia.
Currently, we're in Singapore and we're still waiting for our Australian PR.
In the meantime, we're using our time to find out more information about Australia, especially Sydney, where we intend to move.
It's quite fun doing the research, although there is a lot of uncertainties and fear about going to another country and continent. It's probably more significant than the experience of coming to Singapore from Jakarta 15 yrs ago.
The waiting seems so long.... so I'm trying to distract myself by focusing on taking exams (CFA and FRM).
I found another blog on another Indonesian who's migrated to Melbourne (see below for link) that compares living in Melbourne and Singapore. I agree with most of what he said. The rest of his blog is quite a good read too :)
http://willwen.blogspot.com/2007/05/australia-vs-singapore.html
Currently, we're in Singapore and we're still waiting for our Australian PR.
In the meantime, we're using our time to find out more information about Australia, especially Sydney, where we intend to move.
It's quite fun doing the research, although there is a lot of uncertainties and fear about going to another country and continent. It's probably more significant than the experience of coming to Singapore from Jakarta 15 yrs ago.
The waiting seems so long.... so I'm trying to distract myself by focusing on taking exams (CFA and FRM).
I found another blog on another Indonesian who's migrated to Melbourne (see below for link) that compares living in Melbourne and Singapore. I agree with most of what he said. The rest of his blog is quite a good read too :)
http://willwen.blogspot.com/2007/05/australia-vs-singapore.html
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