A great weekend

Last weekend was a lot of fun.  Chris and I started it with a dinner date on Friday while the kids had a fun date with our maid.  Then the Chinese New Year traditions continued as there was a celebration at our complex to bless all of us.  Once the drums started Mason was in a crazy fit to get down to the pool to see the lions for the millionth time.  He loves the whole thing.  Some pics of the fun celebration.

 

 

They run across these poles and at times one is carrying the other.  The dude on the tail end has it rough.

 

 

 

 All the residents following the lions as they bless each lobby of the 3 buildings.

 After they went into a lobby they would chase the kids back out.  Mason thought that was awesome.  Run Mason!!!!

 Way too happy!!!

The kids really enjoyed having the lions chase them.  They did a really good job.

These guys look really happy to be doing this again.  They are very LOUD!  Maybe they are grumpy since they are now deaf?

 

Haley was a lucky one and caught an orange one of the lions threw from its mouth.

 

 

These orange bushes are everywhere and are for good luck.

 

 

After all the fun was over and our buildings were all blessed we decided to head down to Little India.  Sadly the kids were pretty tired after all the excitement that we didn't see as much as we hoped. 

 

 

 There were gorgeous dresses on display so I am little dissapointed with the ones Chris decided to take a picture of.  These are not a good example of all the beautiful fabrics used.  This kinda makes me think of Hawaii and moo moos.

 The wet market there that is very nice.

A lot of fresh fish that made it smell a little too funky for me.  I do not like fish so that didn't help.

We hit up a nice restaurant to let the kids try some Indian food. 

 

Here is a happy Mason enjoying the cheese naan.  The kids were pretty good about trying everything and of course they loved all the different breads.

 This is a very frustrated Mason.  Souvenir shopping was not going his way.  Little India mainly had dresses, flowers and gold jewelry and nothing that he wanted.  Must be rough.  He did like the teh tarik though.  Tea with milk in it. 

After that we braved a trip into Mustafa's which is a crazy place that has pretty much everything and is cheaper like a Walmart.  Actually a lot more crazier than a Walmart and just as frustrating.  There are 3 different buildings of multiple levels with 6 different entrances and a million people.  We did find some souvenirs for the kids there so Mason was a lot happier after that trip.

Sunday was the big day for Haley.  She was excited for her first birthday in Singapore and with all the packages coming from family back home she was ready for the day.  We had a small party for her with her sweet girlfriends from school. 

 Cupcakes made by a girl in our complex.  She gives the profits to a charity.  Definitely have to support her.

 Fun with face painting markers and of course mustaches.

I think Mason had a little too much fun.  ;)

 One very happy girl. 

More silly time.  I think Mason is a little sad to not be in this shot.  All these older girls and they aren't paying attention to him.  Ha!

 

 

This week has been fun so far since I have been driving more to get the hang of it.  Of course I get really angry when a cab is half in my lane and half in his or a million people are trying to get in the lane I want to be in.  The motorcycles cutting in and out all the time is also nerve wracking but I am getting better and not so scared to venture out.  Of course I never leave without my GPS and it is not uncommon to hear "re-routing...".  I have had a little more time to get out and do some shopping for things we need and run up to school as well.  Tomorrow I am going with Haley's class to the hawkers court in Serangoon Gardens so that should be fun.

 

Chris' work schedule has been rough and sadly has been interrupting our weekends so we haven't been able to really plan a nice weekend trip yet.  So this weekend we are headed to Bintan, Indonesia for a quick 2 day 1 night trip via ferry.  We are looking forward to just relaxing on a beach and having some family time. 

 

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Happy Chinese New Year! 

























We had a great long weekend to celebrate Chinese New Year.  Both Chris and the kids were off Monday and Tuesday so we had some time to relax and explore.  Sadly it rained a lot so we spent more time indoors than we wanted. 

Our long weekend started with us leasing a car and we were told this weekend would be perfect for getting out and driving since the streets would not be packed as usual.  We decided to drive on Saturday to the Jurong Bird Park. 

It was very weird to drive on the right side of the car and be on the left side of the road.  Of course the turn signal is also on the other side so we would go to make a turn and turn on our windhield wipers instead.  Ugh!  We both drove a little all weekend and we are feeling a little more confident with it.  We all survived!!! ;)

Our trip to the Jurong Bird Park was great.  It is definitely a must see and we really loved the show.  All the birds were beautiful and they had some that would fly right over your head.  One even talked and sang some songs.  His name was Amigo and he was hilarious and of course Mason loved him.

Of course the park was decorated for CNY and looked amazing.  This was also one of the random places that we happened on another lion dance and ceremony. 

I sometimes feel like I need to put these two in a cage! 

 



 

 

There were many volunteer opportunities throughout the bird show.  I would be afraid of getting pooped on.  Poor Haley did while they held some birds.  She was grossed out.  Ha!

 

 

 I really need this bird.  It was trained to go and take money out of your hand and fly away fast.  Nice!

 

 If you look really closely you will be able to see how close they were flying over our heads.  It was really cool.

This was a very cute little race between the two. 

 

We luckily started to head out when the rain decided to pour down.  We will definitely be going back again soon.  I think the favorite was the night display with all the owls that was very cool as well as the eagles and toucans.  Tropical birds are just absolutely gorgeous. 

 

Our weekend included some shopping since we thought we would take advantage of there being less crowds.  It was a little weird walking around without a million people surrounding you and up your butt trying to get somewhere.  Most of the food courts were closed though so we hit up Chili's and other more western places.

 

Here is our ride.  Ha!  I wish.  There are atleast 5 of these babies on our parking garage level and I was the lucky one who got to back into our small parking space when we came back.  No pressure!  I just really hope to not hit a "super car" in my time here.  I really miss my back-up camera at this point.  All parking spots are very small and you have to back into them or you will never get out.  There are also poles and stuff hanging from the ceiling so you have to really watch out.  I do like how they tell you how many parking spaces are left and at Ikea they have lights above each spot so you can peak down an aisle and know if there is a spot without having to drive down it.  Very efficient!

 

The rest of the weekend we spent relaxing and skyping with friends and family back home.   Chris and I had our first night out and enjoyed a movie and tried a new place for dinner and drinks.  We also got lucky and were able to have another family over for a pool day on Monday.  It was nice to finally have some company over and socialize.  Of course some wine never hurts anyone.  ;)  Today we were invited into a local's home for a CNY party.  It was really nice to be included as well as hear how they really celebrate and some of their traditions.  The kids loved getting the red packets that hold money as well as gold chocolate coins. 

 

May the year of the Snake be a healthy and prosperous year for you all!!!!

So this is the life of an expat wife?

I have been thrown into a strange new life and really had no idea what it was going to be like.  I still have no idea of really what all to expect.  I have barely stuck my toe into the water and my life has really changed.  Somewhat uncomfortable but I can start to see that it will be a pretty nice life over the next couple years.  Here are some of the big changes for me and my family.

We now live in an apartment complex that is older but well established.  Because of it's age we have more grounds to enjoy that are very nicely kept with beautiful trees and so many of my favorite tropical plants.  We feel like we are living at a resort and enjoy walking around here with the kids.  I must admit that on a hot day I love walking into our lobby and having a huge breeze come through.  Wish that happened every day. 

We now have a live-in helper.  This is part of the uncomfortable part for us all although she is very sweet with the kids so I think they are pretty happy to have her here.  They were sad they couldn't tell her goodnight when she was gone on her day off.  The fact that the kids already feel that way after only 2.5 days makes us feel like we made a good decision and picked the right person for our family.  So far we have liked most of the dishes she has prepared and our apartment is very clean so we really can't complain.  Just some small things that can easily be fine tuned.  We are definitely in an experimental stage where she is trying to see what we like and how our family operates and we are trying to figure out what we expect as well as how we will operate with her in our lives.  It is hardest on me since I am the stay at home mom that does everything in the home.  Well, almost everything.  I have to give my hubby credit since he did cook.  I hate cooking!  Anyway, I am used to doing all the lovely household chores.  Lovely, ha!  To hand all of that over to a stranger and then try to figure out what my role is now is crazy.  I have to figure out what I want to do for myself now.  What?  Me?  What do I want?  All moms realize "me" time is rare.  Who gets to spend time every, and I mean EVERY day on themselves?  This new life means I get time for myself and when my husband and kids are home we get to be a family.  That is it.  No yardwork, no cleaning and no fixing this and that.  We get to just have some fun.  Yes, we have to take care of some stuff and there will always be things that will need to be taken care of but 90% of it is off our plate.  Of course my husband works some long hours with all the different time zones he is dealing with.  That is the only negative but alteast his hours happen once the kids are in bed. 

I get sick days.  Yes, I actually get to be sick and not have to do it all.  Today I woke up feeling horrible.  It was so nice to have breakfast on the table and the kids' backpacks all packed up.  When I came back from taking them to the bus I went to bed.  What?  Yes, I actually took that nap that all sick moms need.  Normally I feel guilty about the nap since there is always something that needs to be cleaned, organized, put away or picked up from the store/school/etc.  All moms, working or not,  know what I am talking about.  You feel miserable so you go lay down but it takes forever to fall asleep since you feel guilty about what is waiting for you.  Either you fall asleep for about 10 - 20 minutes or you just get up and you still feel like crap.  I actually took a great nap and did not feel guilty because the apartment was being cleaned, laundry done AND folded and dinner has already been figured out.  I woke up to a nice face offering me a yummy sandwich and fruit.  Yes, I am still sick and not feeling 100% but I feel better and I know that when I get the kids off the bus I won't be a crab and then I can come back and snuggle on the couch with my lil guy while Haley does her homework.  At this point a snack will be brought out and we will smell dinner cooking.  Chris really loves that smell.  ;)

New friends seem to come easy.  Every day I meet someone new and they all are just so nice and very easy to talk to.  Duh!  We have all been thrown into this new life and it doesn't matter if they have been here 10 years or just a week, they know exactly what you are going through.  I finally had my moment, the huge breakdown.  My mom and all my friends that I would call were asleep back in the US.  My husband tried to help but every woman knows that certain things just require a girlfriend who knows just the right thing to say.  And a drink!  I felt ridiculous for having my melt down with these new women in my life but it was so great to have them here.  Yes, they are still strangers but they have had similar breakdowns and made it through.  It is so nice to know that I can ask a question to any of them and get some great answers.  Not always an easy thing to do back home where so many people already have their friends and life to where they aren't letting more "new" in. 

Service calls and deliveries no longer hold me prisoner at my home.  My maid can always take care of this.  Yes, I am so going to be spoiled very soon.  Ok, already a little bit right now.  We have already had a handyman come by and a delivery and I was out.  This is a big one for most of us since these types of things always have to happen at the worst time of day or the one day you really need to get out to the store.  Better yet, it always happens on that one rare day that you scheduled something for yourself.

Babysitting is covered.  Weekly date night is always on the schedule and I no longer have to say no to anything because my husband is gone or out of town.  Seriously?  I don't have to call our parents and ask for help or try multiple teenage girls.  We already have someone here that the kids know well and she knows where everything is and will cook for them.  No pizza delivery unless we just want to get them pizza.  Also no need to make sure we have the cash handy for payment.  It is included in her duties.  Sweet!

Travel is in my immediate future.  Now that we are getting settled we are looking forward to our first weekend trip to Bali.  We just need to sit down and book it.  From what I understand from talking with all the other women we will start traveling monthly since we are so close to so many amazing places.  Then by the end of our first year here we will start planning some longer trips over the kids breaks.  I am looking forward to all the traveling since we really are close to so many amazing places that we would not be able to afford to go from the US. 
 
I am going to take up tennis.  Now that I have some time to myself I decided I will start a new hobby and since we have tennis courts at our place and the coaches come to us I figured why not?  Mason has also expressed interest so I will sign him up as well.  I still need to add swim lessons to the mix for the kids and get hip hop classes on the schedule for both Haley and I.  We are so excited to put on our dance shoes!!!!

There is also hope to join some clubs and maybe even some charity work since there are so many great causes that I could focus on here.  It is however tempting to just lay low for a little while and take some naps and maybe even read by the pool.  Am I on vacation????

We have only just begun this journey and still know very little so I do want to add that this is obviously our experience and not how it is for every expat family.  I have met some who do not have maids or live in an apartment complex.  There are homes here as well as other options but we decided to go for the apartment for hopes of meeting more families like ourselves.

This weekend is the big Chinese New Year celebration.  Both the kids and Chris are off on Monday and Tuesday as well so we get a long weekend together.  Apparently a lot of expats travel this weekend since most of Singapore shuts down.  We better stock up by Friday!  Anyway, we are going to try to catch some of the festivities and maybe try a trip into Malaysia.

Here are some pics from the kids' school celebration.  Sorry they are blurry and not the best.  We hope to see more lion dances since Mason loves them.