17
Khoo Chen Hsung, 30s,
EQUITIES ANALYST
Chen Hsung thinks they are still
learning to appreciate each other’s
cultural backgrounds without letting
it get in the way of supporting their
choices. “Marriage is and will always be
an ongoing learning process,” he says.
“Our challenges in the early days
of marriage arose from the different
expectations of the roles we play in the
family. I had conventional expectations
of what a wife should be. Ironically, they
clashed with her sense of independence,
which was the very quality I admired
when we were dating!”
What works for the couple is their
willingness to give in to each other.
“Before getting married, we had planned
to pursue our graduate degrees in
America,” relates Chen Hsung. “After
the wedding, I didn’t want her to be
studying in a different city from me.”
To shorten the time the couple
spent apart, Riwa delayed pursuing her
degree till Chen Hsung was done with
his MBA. Then, she compressed her
two-year programme into a year. “We
stayed apart for that year till she
completed her degree,” says Chen
Hsung. “We were so glad when we
reunited in the same city again.”
Riwa Akiyama, 30s,
ORGANISATION CONSULTANT
Well-travelled and educated, Riwa
values her independence when it comes
to making important decisions on
nances, where to live and even when
to visit her family. Marriage certainly
changed all that. The biggest has to be
her move to Singapore six years ago.
“My husband’s work then was
based out of Singapore and he
really enjoyed it. But I had a job offer
in New York and it was dif cult for
me to give it up,” she says.
“Still, it was clear we wanted to
stay together and I wanted my
husband to pursue work that he truly
enjoyed. He has always supported me
to do the same too.”
“It seemed like a sacri ce at that
time to give up my independent ways,”
she adds. “But I gained something I
couldn’t have earned by myself – a
trusting and loving relationship, and a
deep sense of belonging and acceptance.”
Nationalities aside, the mother of an
18-month-old girl admits that she and
her husband are completely different
individuals. “He would place his family
rst, while I devote more time and
energy to my close friends,” she says.
She’s independent, he’s conventional
They’ve made it work for: 10 years
I had conventional
expectations of
what
a wife should
be.
Ironically, they
clashed with her sense
of independence… the
very quality I admired
when we were dating!
COUPLE ONE
... or so the saying goes. What happens when different
interests and cultural backgrounds collide with matters of
the heart? Find out how these couples work around their
differences to stay happy – and happily married.
– KHOO CHEN HSUNG, 30S,
EQUITIES ANALYST
Photography Vee Chin Styling Martin Wong Hair Celia Tham, using Redken Makeup John Lee, using Urban Decay Outfi ts Gap & M)phosis Location HortPark and the Southern Ridges
Upon approval
Please sign:
Name and Date:
04MCYStp-featureCOUPLES v1.indd 17 2/23/11 3:32:23 PM
Manymanuals.com
Manymanuals.de
Manymanuals.fr
Manymanuals.it
Manymanuals.pl
Manymanuals.cz
Manymanuals.es
Manymanuals-pt.com
Comments to this Manuals