Comments on: Quarter Life Crisis: Part One (Life as an Expat)

By: heru_w

heru_w — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:24:28 +0000

just like what i felt, when i used to worked at japan.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 07:43:11 +0000

Heru – While I appreciate your comment, please realize a few things. I was not lonely at all – had a lot of friends in Indonesia, not to mention Novita. Also, I wrote this post 3 years ago. I now live in Manila, Philippines. Thanks for sharing though.

By: heru_w

heru_w — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:24:28 +0000

you seems so lonely? why don't you make your bahasa indonesia more perfect , then you can get hang out with indonesian folks. our try to get a trip on country side, to see a landscape. well, i do felt like that too, when i used to worked at japan for 3 years.

By: shanghaiwu

shanghaiwu — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:20:16 +0000

brilliant piece of writing and can relate after years in japan and china

By: Fitri

Fitri — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:38:39 +0000

I enjoyed reading this! It reminded me a bit of my experience, growing up as a diplomat’s daughter, moving from one country to the next…and now, finally settling in my hometown (Jakarta). The anxiety comes from the fact that you have a choice to stay or leave … while I’m (happily) stuck here…

By: Pris

Pris — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 20:23:58 +0000

Wow, that made me teary. Excellent insight on what it’s like to be an expat.
Don’t worry I live in the US and I can already see the ridiculousness of living here compared to other countries.

I can see how my indonesian husband feels now living here in America. I know he misses Indonesia a lot.

Indonesia seems like quite an experience I can’t wait..

Take Care

Pris

By: bebop

bebop — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 02:23:35 +0000

Hi there-
loved your thoughts- we are currently going through the same scenario..we have been living in New Zealand for 12 years now and have been wanting a new adventure for about the last two. We are contemplating going back to the states, too but can’t come up with a good plan yet. All of our family members are still there and we have missed out on a lot being so far away. We have two kids now and feel extended family was a luxury that we took for granted- It may be time to go back so the kids can be a part of everyone’s lives. We have also been coming to terms with the fact that we are adventure seekers-love the newness of things and all that comes with it. This can be so frustrating sometimes- why can’t we just be content?……Anyway, just glad that there are other people out there feeling the same things- that we are not completely crazy.

By: bluenet

bluenet — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 19:44:56 +0000

Nice writing!..I’m Indonesian who lives in th US and I definitely agree with your writing.. it’s sooooooo true

By: bluenet

bluenet — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 19:42:42 +0000

Nice writing!..I’m Indonesian who lives in th US and I definitely with your writing.. it’s sooooooo true

By: km

km — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 06:38:27 +0000

As 20 something year old expat in Jakarta (a minority here, I believe), I’m glad you actually admitted this. Don’t risk being a big fish in a small pond and let these opportunities slip by – or you will regret it too late. Look around, its really to easy to get sucked into the expat trap.

By: Lukim

Lukim — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 01:40:39 +0000

Your thoughts and comments seem relevant to me right at the moment.

I have had 20 years as an expat in a couple of different countries, in Jakarta for the last 6 years and am now beginning to think the time is near to move on.

Funny thing is I sort of want to return to Australia – but also sort of not. Maybe I am just Jakarta fatigued at present and it will wear off.

I became an expat because I wanted a change from what I was doing in Australia, I have moved around because I wanted change – maybe I just need another change.

Time will tell.

By: Roffi

Roffi — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:57:46 +0000

hey brandon,
i found this blog very interesting, btw saya orang indonesia lho.. salam kenal saja!

i’m amazed how you can stand to the way things work in indonesia .. (the government, police n everything).. anyway i’m wondering why is it so hard for you to come back to your country.. maybe a special indonesian lady is holding you back?

By: iduell

iduell — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 15:34:23 +0000

Hey Brandon,
I can relate except I am experiencing my midlife crisis rather than quarter life crisis here in Indo. I have considered celebrating by getting one of those cool 200 cc motorbikes or maybe a sportscar that I could top out at 60 mph on the highway before I hit traffic.
Nice rant. Ian

By: Irene

Irene — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 23:56:41 +0000

Holy shit, that was a long rant, a good one though.. one that I can relate to, strangely enough, because I haven’t lived abroad for very long.

By: Elisson

Elisson — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 23:30:09 +0000

Rarely have I seen the emotional evolution of the expatriate life captured so effectively.

It’s an evolution I can only imagine; I’ve been to many places – including Indonesia – but have never lived outside of the States. Not sure I’d want to do it at this stage in my life, but it’s something to dream about.

Maybe what you need to do is take a few months and travel outside of Asia for a while. Check out Australia, South America, Maritime Canada…something different. You may very well find yourself longing for some nasi goreng and a pizza with a side of sambal late one night.