A few years ago, I was shocked when I heard one conversation: In Australia, if the relationship break up  after you have lived together with one boyfriend or girlfriend for  a couple of years, then the rich side will lose half property by giving to the poor side unless the agreement is made beforehand. In order to confirm the exact time period, I asked one Aussie friend, instead of answering my question, he sent me a link regarding De facto relationships, my god, I was nearly fainted, how can it be so complicated?

You know me; the most subject I hate was law at the Uni. I am here only for writing a blog for confirmed information, anyway, no worries how long. But one thing is certain, please don’t tell me you heart is breaking one day if you surprisingly receive a letter for attending the court, as a result, you might either have to sell your property or give half of money to the other side even no marriage relationship. I had one Aussie lady told me: “Don’t trust guys, they are all lazy and hopeless” after she lost her half house. And one Aussie guy said: “ All women are bad.” when he lost half of his fortune, as he is a very hard-working man and his wife is a drunk, they just being together for many years for having 1 kid with no marriage certificate. The situation is the same married or not married. So please don’t try to change your fortune from marrying a rich person, rich people are more cautious for being cheated, they are not stupid.

In this case, a rich person is not necessarily as fortunate as a poor one. As a poor person, someone loves you, most likely that’s true love, for a rich one, you never know, someone is interested in yourself or getting benefit from you unless the financial status is similar for a couple.

I used to hate regulations very much, as I mentioned in one blog “I love my home in Melbourne”, I rent an apartment the first 2 years. I was really frustrated the time when I moved in. I had to book the date with our reception for moving my furniture, and the time was limited: must move after 8:00am, no weekends available (now it’s getting better), the problem was the furniture I bought at IKEA, I was informed the delivery time was before 8:00am. How it could be possible, one before 8:00am, the other was after. I discussed with both side, the response was: “Sorry, we can’t change time.” That stressed me out, I hate this country, and I really hate it. Lucky enough, that day, the delivery from IKEA was delay because of accident happened.

However, every year when I was on holidays in Shanghai, I felt very uncomfortable whenever I saw the scratches or marks on the stairs or the elevators from both mine and my parents’ apartment. I was wondering why it was so careless, where’s the body corporate? Were they on duty?  Why they left common area look so dirty without considering paint it new every a few years as the labour is not that expensive in China.

I gradually realizing and appreciating the rules in Australia. For making appointment purpose of moving, because the elevators can be protected from damaging after covering all the sides. And there’s time limitation as most employees need to get work on time before 8:00am including myself at the moment.

 Again what I wrote on “I love my home in Melbourne.” I was annoyed for being checked rooms twice a year by the real estate agent guy as that’s the law, you can’t say no. or even the owner ask you move out, they will have to send you a notification letter 60 days earlier, as a tenant will give 30 days’ notice for ending contract, and you are supposed to keep the apartment as clean as the time you moved in. I remember I paid AUD250 for someone cleaning and steaming the carpet when I was gonna move out. The real estate guy was satisfied after I showed him the invoice for the evidence of cleaning. I was not happy about paying such amount of money only for cleaning.  However, since I was an owner, I see things differently, and I recon the tenant should keep the room clean and tidy, just show your respect and duty.

 On the other side, In China, I don’t think it is as restricted as in Australia. Sometimes you will find it completely a nightmare when someone moves out, the tenant might mess up everywhere, and they would have never had a sense to clean it before return the key. Where you can complain? There are such a big population, the law is not so specific, and nobody cares much about law.

 Once you are used to the laws, you won’t feel it exist, you will be very uncomfortable if there’s no regulations. At the beginning of this year, when I was in shanghai, I made a plan for running every day from my Parents’ place to my apartment, but after 1 day, I gave up as I found it was too hard for me walking on the road, nobody stopped for me, even the green lights were on sometimes. I felt relief after back to Melbourne, whenever I walk along the pedestrian crossing, cars will stop immediately. Some drives are kind and nice waiting for you pass, but the most important element is law. If the drivers don’t stop, they will get fined or even worse at the risk of losing driving license.

 Where there’s law, the opportunities are equal, no matter you are new to the country, or how low your social status is, you will be treated the same as anyone else. If you can’t afford a lawyer, there’s free ombudsman who can protect you under certain circumstance. I like it this way, now I can’t live without laws.

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Morning view from apartment -- I wish i could be brave enough to take a hot balloon one day