It’s my 2nd visit to Sydney Australia, the first thing I noticed was how COLD it was, it dawned upon me that Winter has come! I didn’t really prepare any winter wear so I was worried that I cannot take it, as crazy as it sounds; I really like how Hot it is in Singapore! Thank God Susanna’s dad, uncle Ronald passed me some winter clothing. it was really a blessing to see her again! I enjoyed visiting several interesting land marks with her. We went to Blue Mountains and the 3 Sisters. It was REALLY formed in the shape of a woman, but like what I said, it was really COLD!
This time, I wasn’t as amazed as I was in 2010, perhaps Singapore is progressing so fast that what ever they have, we already have it. Example, in 2010, I was quite intrigued by their self-scanning and payment device, when you purchase something from their Super markets, you can use this machine and scan it to make payment. You don’t even have to approach the cashier, you’ll just use the machine! But now, the super markets in Plaza Sing or Orchard already have it haha, but I think it isn’t used to it’s full potential, Singaporeans still prefer the old method of payment.
One thing that still appeals to me is Australia’s food. A typical meal I consume will give me 40-50Gs of Protein! I’m not a Carbohydrate person hehe! I prefer meat, vegetables and lots of Protein!
One phenomenon I noticed was that time seem to pass very quickly in Australia; that is because it turns dark at 5PM, so my brain perceives it as a day has ended. I think it makes me lazy! =P
I think Australian culture can either make you a lazy bum or give you opportunities to progress significantly, a lot of China and Indian Migrants made use of the system to go very far. Speaking of which, I found out that a lot of Indians migrate to Australia and China people like to migrate to Singapore! But they are all doing quite al-right, even those that cannot study can earn $15-25 an Hour as a waiter or any blue collar worker.
Again, their political and financial systems are very different. Quite interesting but it certainly won’t work as well in Singapore. They are HUGE, they can afford it. They have something call Minimum Wagers, which dictates how much an employer must pay. I recall watching the news months ago and they was discussing if this approach should be taken in Singapore, I don’t know if it should be implemented, but fortunately it’s not up to me to decide =P! Minimum Wage can make a student like me very wealthy(or at least in our context), my friend works 1 day a week for 8hrs (which is 32 per month) at earns $600!
Blue collar jobs are already $14, and if they can’t get any jobs, they get to claim $1000 a month! To me, being a Singaporean (as in how I was brought up), that may seem to cultivate a sense of laziness, of course I’m not firing arrows at those who really needs it, like those who are paralysed, sick or really can’t find any suitable job. I mean, people may cheat the system.
Taxation is high here, but still, the final gross income should be able to provide a comfortable lifestyle. An Engineer will probably earn 4500 a month, after taxes it will be around 3500-3800 left. The good thing is Cars are cheap here, though rental is expensive. I find the drivers are really nice, they will allow you to cross the road and people move to the side when the trains arrive.
Perhaps it’s the culture, people are brought up with a different emphasis. I asked God why Singapore is so fast paced and we are all trying to get a good degree and jobs. God showed me that it was because when SG and Malaysia “broke apart”, LKY and GKS needed to quickly build a nation. And they needed a lot of White Collar workers, those highly skilled ones like Doctors, Engineers and Bankers were part of the formula. In so, the system and culture were modelled differently.
But one thing I know is this, SINGAPOREANS will trash people from other countries in terms of Academia haha! With the exception of China and India lol! Most of the scholars and top scorers in Unis at Australia seem to Singaporeans,Chinese and Indians!
OK anyway, I have to go to the gym now, I will study both Australia and Singapore to see what works and what can’t……
Elv_Elijah_Wan's Blog 