Heart to heart talk

Tried to recall all the conversation that we had on a trip to a concrete plant.

J(Myself): I have been planning to settle down in Singapore. What do you think?

K(The Plant Manager): It's good, but just go for PR. don't go for citizen. Unless you are married to another Malaysian, only one of you should go for citizen, the other counterpart should remain as Malaysia citizen. This is to ensure you could reap the benefits from both countries. This is a good idea, as Singapore citizen can get cheaper education for children, accommodation and etc. It is like a native in Malaysia. As for the wife to remain Malaysian, this is for retirement in the future when the couple gets old.

J: "How much do you think a household income is required to sustain a two children family here in Singapore." I think the curiosity in me has pushed me to ask more daring question to a stranger.

K:" It depends on situation, for average, both husband and wife would definitely need to work in order to sustain the lifestyle and also the high standard of living here in Singapore. I would say it ranges from 6k - 15k per household. Let's do a brief calculation on my expenses."

As he continues with a big sigh, "I spent about 2k-3k per month alone on my children, 4k on mortgages, and also 1.5k on my transport.( he is driving a brand new 7-seater Volkswagen which he bought for about 150k). It is about SGD 9k per month in order to sustain the a family with two children here in Singapore."

I was listening to all these at the cost of nearly nothing apart from my working time, which my boss paid me for it. Looking at all the figures, I think there is some thinking needs to be done over the weekend already. I need to see if is worth the effort for me to stay here and work until I am 70++
I was intrigued with his lifestyle and decided to ask further, " How do you manage your role as a plant manager, father of two, husband and also a son?"

K: I work until 6pm on weekday, fetch my children and have dinner with them. By the time we reached home, it is about 7pm already. After taking their shower, they would have dinner with me and by that time, it would have been 8pm. They then would need to do their school assignment and also enrichment's class home work. Over the weekend, I would need to bring them to tuition and also enrichment class. These are necessary as the education in Singapore nowadays require a lot of effort from parents. Normally there are three enrichment classes for them to attend, each will be 2 hours and there will be a short break in between. I would have to wait nearby the tuition class on that day.This is to ensure my kids are well taken care of. It would take me about 6 hours of waiting hours for them. Bear in mind Jason, not just me that is waiting for the kid, there are a lot of parents that are doing the same thing as I did. I am no more special than typical parents in Singapore.

J:I guess, it is not easy for the child to bear all these pressure from the school and also the parents as well. How can they cope with it?

K: Sadly, the education system here is to squeeze and push the children as much as they can.

J: From my opinion, I am sure at some point, your child will be very grateful with what you have given them .

K: "When?" showing a hint of impatient and slightly agitated, he seems.

J: When he is around 18-20 years old. I answered calmly.

K: By that time I am very old already,as my oldest kid is only 8 now.

To avoid prolonged awkward silence while I am sipping my tea kosong from Giant Hawker centre in Tampines. I quickly asked another question: "How is your children enrichment class?" while swallowing my tea.

K: I think it is very important for a child to attend phonic class. It is basic of all language and it helps in the child entire career.


It is amazing how I had a wonderful conversation as this depth with someone I knew for about 20 minutes. I am looking for more of these conversation to know more what is in life in Singapore from people's perspective.

Australia Trip- 2013

I would like to briefly write down about things that happened over the long holiday in August 2013.

5/8/2013- I just arrived Brisbane international airport around 10 am. I was travelling with my parents from Singapore to Brisbane to attend my brother's graduation ceremony. The moment I walked pass the immigration desk, I somehow felt so much relieved, this is because I was held up by the officer last year for bringing in a pork bun from Singapore. So this year, I even checked with the security if tea bags are allowed just to ensure I would not repeat my same mistake again. 

While I was still enjoying the weather in front of Brisbane international airport, My brother showed up in his jumper and also a cheerful smile. I went up to him and hugged him tightly. I guess the last time I saw him is in May. He drove us to the nearest mall and we had a quick meal and some light shopping. After our meal, my brother drove us to an apartment we rented in the city. It was on the 8th floor. After checking in, I decided to sleep in for awhile after all the jet lag due to time difference and also insufficient sleep while we were all on the plane from Singapore to Brisbane. I guess, there were too much entertainment on board. 

After a short nap, we went to a Japanese dinner in Chinatown, the place is cosy and comfortable. Their sushi rolls really worth our bucks. After our quick and value for money dinner, we went to a cafe called La Dolce Vita for desserts and a second round of catch up session. I had pistachio ice cream and a cup of hot tea, my brother had a glass of hot chocolate. Wyn, Shaun's gf had a coffee drink with a few packets of sugar, while my parents shared an espresso. We also ordered a few cakes just for completion sack. Of course, the bills were rather reasonable. After our dinner, I brought my parents to treasury casino and played a few rounds of table games with my dad. After our social session, we went back to our apartment and have a good rest for the graduation ceremony tomorrow. 

6/8/2013- Brisbane, Midtown apartment, I woke up to a beautiful sunny end of winter midday. It is a day I have long for. Perhaps, staying too long in such a hot and humid weather in Singapore somehow drives me nuts a little bit. Cut to the chase, no work and fresh air are all I need. 

We left our rented apartment around 12 o clock and had a Korean cuisine brunch in the city. The meals were delicious and their service were good. Most importantly, it is the people that I am dining with that matters. After our Korean meal, we went to shop around the city and ready for the graduation ceremony at 5 o clock.

We went back home around 3pm just to get changed, I got my suit, shirts pants and leather shoes up. Putting up my best look for my brother's graduation, although to some rumours, people in Brisbane don't really dress up for their graduation. However, I think it would be better just to dress up than to dress down. 

After we were all ready, we all went to Brisbane convention centre together, Shaun went for registration and to collect his robe while my parents and I were wondering around the convention centre for some souvenirs and photo taking sessions. We took a family photos as well, a photo we should have taken long time ago. My mum was thinking that it was long overdue as she felt she is older now. I think I comforted her by telling her that most importantly is we are all gathered together as a family for this special occasion. 

After the graduation ceremony, we went to sunny bank for dinner as it was too late already. We had mixed roasted pork, hokkien mee and some vegetables. We went for a dessert session in sunny bank, a place where they charge the dessert according to weight which I think is interesting. 

7/8/2013- Woke up about 1130 to a beautiful morning in Brisbane, I guess this is the best thing about Brisbane in August, beautiful weather. Went to queen street and met up with Jimmy Ti, we talked about career, interests, life goals and some relationships things. It was good catching up with Jimmy, as I think he is a good listener. He has interest listening to people's thoughts and feelings which I think it is very important to be a great communicator. 

After meeting Jimmy, I went to the park in QUT and decided to lie on the grass and to contemplate about things that we had discussed for awhile. I joined my parents for shopping and eventually we had a tea time in our rented apartment. 

That afternoon, 4 of us were sitting in the balcony of the rented apartment, windy and prepared 4 glasses of tea, some biscuits and some sushi rolls from Top Sushi near starbucks between queen and adelaide street. We then started our family catch up among ourselves. We talked about life, money, gossip and shared some jokes. That is the good old days, I could have miss these precious time if I had spent all my time working in Singapore.

After our proper catch up session until 730pm. Shaun drove us to a famous steak house in Brisbane for some proper western food. Finally, after so many days in Brisbane, we get to try some proper rack. I miss those juicy and scrumptious steak in the west.

8/8/2013
The 2nd last day in Brisbane, again, waking up in a newly furnished single bedroom. We went to a japanese ramen, Hakataya, in sunny bank for brunch. It is located about 20 minutes drive south from Brisbane city. After our lunch, we went for a shopping spree in Harbour town.

At about 6pm, we drove to gold coast, and I met up with Weng Siu, we catch up a little while and went back Brisbane to call it a night. Weng siu is currently studying his PHD in a university near Sydney. He started 2013 and would like to finish the entire course within 3 years time. He also told me that he will be coming over to Singapore around December for monkey's wedding. He will also be the best man for monkey, a friend I met in Nottingham.

After meeting them, I went back to Brisbane city with my brother, and my parents.

9/8/2013

Last day, we didn't do anything- basically just check out the hotel and check in our airport.

This post sums up my Australia trip for 2013.