Monday, December 31, 2012

Last day of 2012...

It has been a really fruitful 2012 for me. I left my job in BHP Billiton managing a team of six to managing a household.

We came to Stavanger Norway in February this year with four luggages. We settled in our new place in Sola.

Zac had many firsts this year. First time in school, first friends, toilet training, etc.

Zac started school in May 2012 in Miss Joe's class. His new friends were Aisha, Aurora, Henry, Kristian, Gilliam, Dylan, Hulia, just to name a few. He then went on to Miss Jen's class. His friends were Viet, Ishan, Erick, Carlijne, Pearl, Arnav, just to name a few too. He fully mastered toilet training in less than 2 weeks transitioning from diapers to undies. He drank from a cup, experienced his first snowfall, went down the toboggan himself, played with sparklers, painted, all his firsts. He also stopped using the milk bottle this year. It's been a year of developments for Zac. Learning lyrics for new songs like never give up, heartstrings korean song, etc etc. he has really progressed from a little toddler to a little boy now.

Bro got married this year to Elaine too. So we were back for the wedding. Stayed on and caught up with many people this time. Bought a house for dad and mum. It's really exciting.

Dad and mum came to Norway for 1.5 months too. Went fishing, and mostly stated home played games and watched drama serials.

We took a trip to London with dad and mum and did heaps there. Enjoyed our travels there and this would be another memory ill cherish forever.

Dave, Zac and I went on adventures to Oslo, Kristiansand, Amsterdam, Fogn and Alicante. Didn't do enough travels I reckon, but it has been good. We have been blessed greatly.

Dave and I also sat for our driving test and got our lifetime driving licenses. Nerve wrecking taking a test after driving for so many years.

Unfortunately this year the baby dust did not trickle on us. So hoping that it will happen next year.

All in all it has been a great 2012. I'm looking forward to another year of excitement, happiness, joy, laughter and everything positive in 2013!

Pictures of Zac ushering the new year with sparklers.



Friday, December 14, 2012

Alicante, Spain in December 2012

A trip to sunny Alicante was really a treat away from snowy Stavanger.

We went to the Santa Barbara Castle, Postiguet Beach, Saint Nicholas Cathedral and Guadalest.

Guadalest is beautiful! The castle has lots of history from the 1500s. Probably missed a lot of the story behind the building due to everything being Spanish. But all in all it was awesome!

Enjoyed the views from the Santa Barbara Castle too. The climb up was pretty tiring and scary, but the view looking down to the beach and the town if Alicante is fabulous!

The cathedral looks pretty plain from the outside, but the inside is awesome. You can smell 'historic' scent of the ancient building as soon as you walk in. As it is a place of worship, I decided to respect it and not take any pictures.

Postiguet beach is beautiful. Managed to dip our feet into the Mediterranean Sea. It was a bit too cold to swim though. We were the only ones near the water.

Shopping was cool. I would say way way way better than Stavanger. Bought a few tops and pants. Eating was also a highlight for me. The paella, oh so good! Tapas were good too. Managed to sneak in KFC which I can't find in Stavanger and also Macdonalds.

Would I go again? I probably would after all other destinations have been exhausted.