To bid farewell is always never easy. This is especially so when it is bidding farewell to your home country Singapore. Love her or hate her, the fact remains that Singapore has been my home for so many years and she has given me the opportunities to become who I am today.
Life is never static. No matter how good or how bad yesterdays were, we still need to make choices today for a better tomorrow. My family has decided that we have enough of the rat race in Singapore and so we are moving to a new land where we believe it will be better for our family life .and our children's future. And so, it's time for me to say goodbye to Singapore and the friends & relatives that I am leaving behind.
To all my friends who have in one way or another influenced my life, inspired my thoughts, shared my joys & sorrows....I thank you for being part of my life experiences. While many friendships were lost along the life journey as we seek different routes in life moving from primary to secondary school, college, army, university & working life, the precious memories will always be in my mind. For those who remain in contact & have given me farewell lunches & dinners, thank you for your the kind thoughts & well wishes. Hopefully we can remain connected via technology and meet up again some day.
To my siblings and in-laws who have been a pillar of support and a fountain of overflowing joy & love, I thank God for putting you all in my life. Unlike friendship where we can have a choice to make, we cannot choose who we want to be our brother or sister or for that matter, our in-laws as they come in a package! Yet God has given me amazing sisters & in-laws who have shown much love & concerns for me & my family. I cannot ask for more. The beautiful & precious memories of family gatherings, Christmas celebrations, Chinese New Year celebrations....etc will always ingrain deep in my mind. I look forward to be able to host you all in my new home in beautiful Canada and re-visit those special moments of family gatherings & celebrations.
To my late parents who are in the best place in heaven, I thank God for the life & memories that you had given me. Some experiences were painful and difficult, but I do not doubt now that they happened only because you were also struggling to grapple with your own difficulties. As a father myself now, I begin to understand how much you loved the family. My only regret is that both of you are not around to share and experience with me this new chapter of my life. As I stood in front of your niche with your grand daughter recently to bid farewell, I know you are both at peace. We will always missed you both where ever we are.
To my country Singapore, I am grateful for the many opportunities to learn, grow and build my career. I have achieved much and experienced the high life that many would envy. But my perspective in life has changed. While you continue to re-invent yourself to be the best in the world, I have found this pursuit quite meaningless. Now, I do not measure my success in term of economic value and achievements. I am contented to live a simple life and my priority is having quality time with my family and giving my children a better future. I wish you will continue to grow & prosper and benefit every Singaporean. I look forward to visit you one day.
So, quietly I left my country of birth with a few close family members sending me off at the airport. While it was sad to end this chapter of my life with the departure from my beloved country, it also signaled the beginning of an exciting new chapter of my life in beautiful Canada.
So farewell Singapore....till we meet again!
.
Life is never static. No matter how good or how bad yesterdays were, we still need to make choices today for a better tomorrow. My family has decided that we have enough of the rat race in Singapore and so we are moving to a new land where we believe it will be better for our family life .and our children's future. And so, it's time for me to say goodbye to Singapore and the friends & relatives that I am leaving behind.
To all my friends who have in one way or another influenced my life, inspired my thoughts, shared my joys & sorrows....I thank you for being part of my life experiences. While many friendships were lost along the life journey as we seek different routes in life moving from primary to secondary school, college, army, university & working life, the precious memories will always be in my mind. For those who remain in contact & have given me farewell lunches & dinners, thank you for your the kind thoughts & well wishes. Hopefully we can remain connected via technology and meet up again some day.
To my siblings and in-laws who have been a pillar of support and a fountain of overflowing joy & love, I thank God for putting you all in my life. Unlike friendship where we can have a choice to make, we cannot choose who we want to be our brother or sister or for that matter, our in-laws as they come in a package! Yet God has given me amazing sisters & in-laws who have shown much love & concerns for me & my family. I cannot ask for more. The beautiful & precious memories of family gatherings, Christmas celebrations, Chinese New Year celebrations....etc will always ingrain deep in my mind. I look forward to be able to host you all in my new home in beautiful Canada and re-visit those special moments of family gatherings & celebrations.
To my late parents who are in the best place in heaven, I thank God for the life & memories that you had given me. Some experiences were painful and difficult, but I do not doubt now that they happened only because you were also struggling to grapple with your own difficulties. As a father myself now, I begin to understand how much you loved the family. My only regret is that both of you are not around to share and experience with me this new chapter of my life. As I stood in front of your niche with your grand daughter recently to bid farewell, I know you are both at peace. We will always missed you both where ever we are.
To my country Singapore, I am grateful for the many opportunities to learn, grow and build my career. I have achieved much and experienced the high life that many would envy. But my perspective in life has changed. While you continue to re-invent yourself to be the best in the world, I have found this pursuit quite meaningless. Now, I do not measure my success in term of economic value and achievements. I am contented to live a simple life and my priority is having quality time with my family and giving my children a better future. I wish you will continue to grow & prosper and benefit every Singaporean. I look forward to visit you one day.
So, quietly I left my country of birth with a few close family members sending me off at the airport. While it was sad to end this chapter of my life with the departure from my beloved country, it also signaled the beginning of an exciting new chapter of my life in beautiful Canada.
So farewell Singapore....till we meet again!
.
I'm a want-away-Singaporean ever since my 2 year stint in USA in 2005-2007. Chancing upon your blog post about how you are leaving Singapore at this stage of your life makes me feel hopeful of my chances of eventually getting out of here.
ReplyDeleteBon voyage and may your family find peace and joy wherever you end up.
I didn't mean to say you are old though...just that people around me keep saying I'm too old (32) to do the crazy-drop-everything-and-go 'nonsense'..
ReplyDeleteWishing that you have an easy and smooth settling down.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and a happy new year with
many more to come.
You have not lost anything, in fact you just found what is most precious in your life. Many Singaporeans are at the cross-road because they lost their home due to influx of foreigners. As long as Singapore continue to rule by one Party, many Singaporeans will join in canada or anywhere in other part of the world where space and dream are abundant for their childrens.
ReplyDeleteMy utter envy of your new chapter.
It is never too old to follow your heart & your dream. At 32, you are at the prime of your life! In fact, you have plenty of time to explore & make mistakes. There will always be a way out. Do not be caged in fear. I took the first step & am amazed at our things are unfolding.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the well wishes & Merry Christmas! Unfortunately from weather report, I will not have my first white Christmas this year :-)
give your children a better life?
ReplyDeletei think you have just exposed your children to undesirable western culture.
Your children will be influence by western culture.
They will have sex early, have children early, take drugs and exposed their body like no other people business. Nude photography, porn.
James,
ReplyDeleteYes, there is fear and uncertainty (including Western culture). Actually it is hard to see the end from where you are. I guess you can only enjoy the way reaching there. Whereever we are, we can't insulate ourselves from all sorts of influence. I envy those who have migrated and see the fruits of their risky venture. I have also heard of cases of people who didn't do as well as they had expected and returned to their country of origin. I guess the only insurance we can buy is in Jesus our Lord, who was, who is and who will be in every situation of your life and mind you, HE IS READING YOUR BLOG TOO!
Blessed Christmas and a 2012 with Bountiful Blessings to you!
@Anonymous 21 Dec must be living in the historical era, thinking that only the western culture is full of sex & promiscuity. Today, China is probably the biggest supplier of prostitutes & countries like Japan & Thailand are well known for their sex trade. So much for eastern cultures! With internet, nobody escapes from these exposures. Ultimately it is still the family upbringing & support that will determine if your children end up on the wrong side of the fence. Don't blame on western culture! From Ang Mo
ReplyDeleteYou are not a quitter. You are a traitor. You make use of the country and then left when you are rich. While the other Singaporeans suffer, you left. Your actions are the same as those foreigners whom are here. Get the fruits and left. And for those who kept talking about god, I think you need to wake up. Your religious attitude is annoying. Everything needs to involved god. Sometime, I think that you behave more like a cult. That is scary.
ReplyDeleteI am typical Singaporean caught in this rat. I hate it but problem is I have no choice. no $$$ to go so far..envy you. i think you are bold and brave. i am very excited for you. i hope to have a chance to go overseas and immigrate like you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments & concerns.
ReplyDeleteIndeed whether my children can adjust to a different culture is a major concern for me. That is why I have chosen Canada after doing my research & I am pleasantly surprised that it has turned out better than I anticipated so far.
Unfortunately I have to correct anonymous@23 Dec that I have left S'pore a rich man (I wish he is right). While I had earned good income, the expenses from hidden taxes such as car & housing were equally if not higher. Many S'poreans will understand what I mean. This is precisely why I feel it is meaningless chasing after the wind & at the end, I still achieved nothing. Although many Singaporeans may be suffering, I do not imagine whether I leave or remain in S'pore will make an iota of difference.
To me, migration is not about money. If it is, then I will remain in S'pore. Nobody will ever think they are too rich. To me, migration is about a change of lifestyle which I think will be good for my family & I. It is a big risk to take and I am still grappling with all the challenges. It is not the end as if I have made it & everything is now perfect. It is only the beginning of a new chapter of my life journey & I will need God's wisdom & guidance every step of the way.