It's been a year

It's been a year plus since I decided to relocate myself to the Netherlands. Realised that i haven't been blogging for awhile and had a sudden spur to do so. I was partly inspired by carrotcake's blog. He started blogging and decided to blog about his travel trips. We have the similar hobbies, enjoy running, loves outdoor activities and love travelling.

So some of you must be wondering whether I made the right decisions to move to Holland. I would proudly say without hesitating that YES i have made the right decision. Truthfully, there are such moments whereby i complained and rant about Holland, however nonetheless, I enjoyed this experience very much. One of the most common questions that people will ask me, "How long are you going to stay in the Netherlands?" Well, very often i provide them a very diplomatic answer, is that until i am out of job. Or perhaps a very cheeky remark, that when i have had enough fun. But come on, for me the fun never ever ends. A very honest and brutal answer is that eventually i have to return, because my dearest partner is waiting for me back home.

Refreshing FB pages and seeing that my friends around me are tying the knot and being proposed to,  do make me wonder time and time again what will actually happen to me if I have chosen to remain back at home. Will I follow what the many Sgreans do? Ballot for a HDB flat, change job for a better pay jump, getting married, saving up for the massive banquet. Goodness, this is getting too overwhelming for me. I still long for freedom.

And this jumps back to the point to explain why I am enjoying my life here. Yes, there are countless of disadvantages. I miss my friends and family dearly. On top of it, I am miles away from my partner and suffer through the agony of a long distance relationship. Missing the hawker food and warm sunny island, in turn shivering in the cold winds everyday and eating cold sandwiches. However, being here, i enjoy heading to work everyday. I gain confidence day after day when interacting with seniors and managers. The working environment is youthful and vibrant. I have a team of international minded colleagues working along with me. Getting twice the number of annual leave, having a work life balance. These are the intangibles that i can never get back home. Some of you may think that I am here for big bucks but I do wish to clarify that if i had decided to stay at home, i would have most probably be able to get the same range of salary. I am here basically for the experience and I am glad to say that the whole experience is fulfilling and enriching.

Back here, i get to enjoy my life, travel more regularly and indulge in activities that i like. Cycle to work, staying near the beach,cherishing the sun shine, smelling the sweet flowers along the road side, drinking cheap beer. Little things like these sums up the many happiness i get everyday.

I made a promise to return back home to my partner once my project is over. But will I eventually have the guts to do that? Will I have the energy to survive back home in the rat race? I am afraid and skeptical of my capabilities....