Its official - the good people of the Australian government have approved my family's move to Australia. Everyone except me (i don't want to leave at this time because i have so much to do here) will be leaving for Dubbo, Australia on 7 May 2003. The move promises to be a major change in the the lives of everyone in this family, regardless of those who are going or staying behind.
Dad is a brilliant medical doctor. He's written hundreds of papers, presented at dozens of international conventions, has his own website that garners hundreds of thousands of hits a month, and is one of the few doctors in this country to specialize in infectious diseases. When he was awarded his full professorship at the age of 39, he was the youngest doctor to ever receive that position in Malaysia. With his credentials, its no wonder that the Australian Department of Health and Ageing want him, and want him desperately. To work and live overseas for an extended period of time has always been his dream and i'm very happy that he's now getting that chance. He's deserved it.
Mom, the ever-faithful wife, is very happy to follow him, not because its necessarily something she wants, but because she's supportive of dad's dreams. And knowing mom, she'll be as busy as a bee over there in no time at all. There has been talk of her lecturing in the local unis, or perhaps opening a Malaysian-food restaurant.
My sisters... they will benefit from this move the most. The Australian government has promised them the same education granted to their own citizens - i can imagine young ladies of my sisters' calibre will flourish and thrive in such an excellent (in comparison to what they could get here) educational environment.
As for me? I'll be here. Plowing my trade, doing what i do best. Perhaps, when my contract at PETRONAS expires next year, i'll decide not to renew it or accept the offer of a permanent position. Perhaps, i'll leave too, pursue my Phd (my dream) and manage my mom's restaurant there. But that's in the future - right now, right away i'll have to adjust to the prospect of living alone. Most kids move out of the house when they're old enough - for me, my parents are moving out. How strange.
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