i must say i am astounded and jealous of the adventurous lives some people live.

i'm sure most people know of the visa advertisement where there's this cute plump guy dancing (imo horribly) in every country.
anyways, here it is:


besides that, did you know that the guy, Matt Harding came from humble beginnings. hahahaha. i'm amazed that i only realized about him now. yes i probably know about the advertisement long time ago, but didn't make a connection that he was endorsed by Visa to make the advertisement. i thought it was some advertising campaign and he was a hired actor. ohhhh, the sheer ignorance i have sometimes.
anyways, come to think of it, how would one even know about it unless someone passes it on or by some sheer coincidence.

and by some sheer coincidence, i've stumbled upon his humble beginnings. i never knew that Matt was just a guy who quit his job in February 2003 and used his savings to travel around Asia till it all ran out. i mean cmonnn, who in this day and age would do that?! its something remarkable i must say! if only i had the luxury of doing so. i guess its all in the mindset and coming from Singapore, i guess i've been hardwired that such a lifestyle is meant for the rich and famous...

here's his humble beginnings


to think that someone featured on a Visa advertisement only has 35,000,000 views. Singapore only has 6,000,000 people so that's a mighty awesome outreach. thought peanuts compared to Bieber's 500,000,000 which is half a billion. i must say, to think that something as innocent as random dancing perked the interest of companies, especially MNCs.
reading about Matt has touched me, it has enlightened mean that success isn't always defined by the amount of money you have nor the cars you have nor the position you hold at your office. its more of a mindset and lifestyle. being a Singaporean, im quite certain that most Singaporeans will shudder at the thought of using all their savings to travel around to world. to immerse themselves in culture, tradition, language or even different socioeconomic background.

you might say i'm naive to even feel touched by this. but understand this, coming from a country who's whole history has been circling pragmatism and eclecticism, the luxury of such a lifestyle and the unlikely outcome of it - success, isn't something that i believe in. this has shown me an alternative to success.

oh by the way, his website is here