Last year, I took the opportunity to meet a good friend of mine in Phnom Penh, Cambodia where is he based now as I need to settle some investment.

Another intelligent friend who is far too smart. Did well under Singapore’s education system but too creative and inquisitive to conform.

After several pints of US$0.50 beer catching up on the lost years over dinner, we visited four drinking locations after that with Tuk Tuk being the main transport in six hours. My husband tagged along throughout the whole outing.

I had my fill of affordable alcohol and I watched him salsa with women from at least four different nationalities. This guy is really a ladies man, I thought. It felt like the good old days. He is still a salsa dancing 嘴花花 sweet talker kind ladies man who is finally in a relationship with a very smart woman.

I realised a lot of people I got to know from the old blogosphere are super smart and most are doing well now and I am genuinely happy for them.

So why do I think he is a non conformist?

He did not move to Cambodia as a retiree. He went there to explore and to seek opportunities. Isn’t that self explanatory?

Don’t work for money. Work with a mission.

I believe, 9 out of 10 sets of Asian parents will give their children hell if they don’t work for money.

A lot of comments from foreigners I used to work with is Singaporeans don’t get out.

Many of us don’t even like getting out of our home let alone another country.

Those who ventured out took the first step to change their environment don’t want to come back. Those who never left keep complaining about Singapore and don’t ever leave.

One school of thought is our economy is doing well and all the jobs are here, we don’t have the need to move.

Another school of thought is go out, see and experience the world and it will bring more advantages to you in the future.

From my HR days, hiring managers prefer a well traveled person with overseas experience over someone who doesn’t. That is why we still have many foreigners working in Singapore even though we can do the same job.

Unlike my friend, I conform under pressure.

After graduation, my classmate from China asked me to head to Shanghai to work. Why would people go to China I asked.

Then, I decided not to not to join another friend dealing with e-sports in L.A. because I have a stable job and I thought I met my Mr Right and I wanted to settle down.

I remembered I almost spat my drink when she said she’s “only paying 4K for rent”.

Then, I passed over an opportunity to work in London while working in the bank because I was getting married.

We may have many opportunities but we don’t necessarily take it.

Looking at my friend and chatting with him…

If I can choose again, the world will be my playground.