Karate

Zac's having his fifth karate lesson and I'm out here waiting for him. He still wants us to go into class with him fearing that we would leave him here himself. But he's enjoying his lesson heaps though.

A junior from convent named Esther just arrived Dubai to join her husband here. I'm so happy to know someone from my hometown. At least there are stuff that we can relate to. Common friends, familiar places to talk about and similar lifestyle growing up in JB. Have yet to meet her yet, but I'm sure we will soon. She's just in the next suburb too.

Life has been tiring as usual. Dave brought us down to Al Ain and we stayed in the Hilton hotel resort, visited the zoo and went up to Jebel Hafeet. The zoo is pretty amazing. Well kept and we could spot most of the animals on display. The time away was a very good one. We played on the water slide in the resort and we also had good Japanese food there. All in all it was a very good getaway.

I'm looking forward to our next holiday.

Down...

Nearly mid August now. Feeling rather down in the dumps at the moment. August is meant to be a good month usually, but this month, it's exceptionally gloomy.

Sis will be having a procedure at the end of the month and I pray that everything goes smoothly and she'll recover in no time. 

As for me, loads of rubbish clouding my mind. It's like I'm in a middle of a storm and the wind is blowing hard. All I can see ahead is darkness and I can hardly keep my eyes open because of the rain and wind. Behind, there's a fierce animal chasing me forcing me to keep running regardless of my circumstances. Ahead, there's the end of a cliff where it's a dead end. I'm getting panic attacks but I just have to bite the bullet and keep running forward. I reach the end of the cliff and the animal corners me. Question now is, to jump or not to jump?

A weird imagery of what I'm going through now, but that's exactly how I feel at the moment.

Dave got me some roses which did brighten up my day abit. I hope this storm passes soon. In the mean time, ill hang in there and not jump.

In total darkness

Laying in bed, unable to fall asleep, I've decided to blog. 

It's close to three months now being here in Dubai. The biggest question I have for myself and Dave is, are we happy here?

Upon arrival, Zac managed to go to school for a couple of weeks to keep him occupied and entertained, while I was able to sort out the new life here with Dave busy at work everyday. A routine was established and things were manageable for a while, until the school holidays started.

Before the school holidays started, I researched summer camps and all for Zac to attend so that he will not become a hermit at home with me. Secured a place for him, but come the first day of it, 

Zac had separation anxiety and wouldn't attend it unless I was in the class with him. I persevered for a couple of days but to no avail. I concluded that I've been too anxious for Zac to fit in too quickly without considering how he felt. New environment, new country, new people and all. He misses his friends and also Norway itself. I should have been more sensitive to his little heart...

Staying home with me and running out of activity ideas, we decided to try some shorter classes so he can interact with other kids and have some fun. We tried karate. Zac enjoyed his classes, but the uncertainty is still there and he expects us to be in the class with him. Hopefully he breaks out of this soon.

We also managed to enroll him in swimming classes which he enjoy heaps. That's really a relief. Now he is so eager to attend swimming lessons that it makes me so happy...because at least we found something he really enjoys. It's a joy watching him swim. 

Is Zac happy? The question can yet be answered because every now and again he still says that he misses his friends in Norway and he wants to go back.

Dave wakes up at 6am everyday to prepare for work and gets home about 5ish 6 everyday. Whenever I see him waking up so early, I feel really sorry for him that he can't sleep in longer. He has lots to learn at work, so that is a consolation for me plus he mentioned that McDermott is a good company to work for. Weekends, he tries to take Zac and I out to do stuff. He is a really brilliant husband in that he provides for us very well and we live I would say quite a comfortable life without much to worry about. The big question of whether Dave is happy or not here...from my observations, I don't think he is that happy being here. Given a choice, he would prefer to stay back in Norway or live in Europe.

For me, life is pretty hectic at the moment with Zac being on school holidays. Dubai is a huge city and to get from one place to the other, you'll drive at least 30 minutes. Sunday to Thursday, he's got swimming lessons. Anytime during the week he can attend karate too. Everyday, it's a driving feat of getting Zac on time for stuff. Apart from that, the household chores like washing and cooking and cleaning need to be completed daily. Before Zac had lessons, I had to think of things to do with him at home to keep him entertained too. Life can get pretty hectic like that. Similar to this blog, my life is pretty much a mess at the moment.  There's no fixed routine for doing things and everything is impromptu. Until Zac goes back to school, I believe that the topsy turvy life will stay. 

People might get me wrong thinking that I don't like spending time with Zac. On the contrary, I love being home with him and spending time with him one on one. The closeness that I have with Zac is something I have now which I may never have gotten if I didn't give up my career more than a year ago. It is something I will never exchange anything with. The bond I have with him now is so strong and I cherish every moment I have with him. Why do I keep talking about wanting him to go to school though people might ask. Zac staying at home with me might be good for our bonding, but not so much his social skills. I prefer him to mix around with his peers more rather than 24/7 with his old mum at home. I prefer him to learn together with his peers new things and embark on different things in his life that he might otherwise not be able to being home with me. I prefer him to release all his pent up energy running and climbing and playing with his peers in a friendly environment. I just love him to bits that I want the best for him. Zac going to school also means that I will have a little bit of time to recharge myself too before giving my all to him and also hubby afterwards. 

As it is 123am in the morning, my mind is all over the place and same with this blog entry. To answer the question of whether I'm happy here, my answer at the moment is a direct and definite NO. I will blog more about the life here in my next blog...

Good night...

Kiddie Ville Al Barsha Mall

It's a hot Tuesday. 44 degrees today and we decided to go to the mall for some super cold aircond and play.

Zac is in Kiddie Ville today for the first time. Similar to Capella Play in Norway. 

As usual he went on the slide first. He was so excited when he saw the playground. The poor thing has been deprived of it for a long time since we moved to Dubai.

Love the excitement on his face when the balls launched into the air. It's such a joy to see him happy. 

Zac shot some balls too. He had loads of fun.

All in all, Zac had heaps of fun. He ran to me and told me 'mummy I stood my ground', which means he stood up for himself when people pushed him around. We always told him that people shouldn't and cannot be mean to each other. When there are mean people, he has to stand his own ground and tell them it's not nice to be mean. 

It's nearly time to go and I'm so glad that he had heaps of fun. 

We'll probably come again. :)

16.5.2013-9.6.2013 Move to Dubai

Ending our adventures in Norway, we boarded KLM business class flights from Stavanger to Amsterdam and then to Dubai. 

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the driver who dropped us to the Dunes apartment hotel which became our home for 3 weeks. The journey from the airport to the apartment opened our eyes to the impatient driving of the residents of UAE. The driver was flooring the accelerator and drivers were speeding and overtaking left and right without indicating.

The first week was jam packed with orientation and house hunting. Driving around Dubai made me realize that I may not be a big city girl after all although I was excited at the many different things that I've missed living in Norway. We managed to secure a house. 

On the Wednesday of our first week here, Zac also attended school for the first time in Dubai. He shed some tears on the first couple of days, but was asking to be sent to school as he enjoys it so much after. I was really glad that it didn't take too long for him to settle in to the Emirates Hill Nursery.

On the Thursday of our first week in Dubai, we were provided with a rented car by Dave's company. I drove around for the first time in the dark grey Toyota Camry in Dubai. Clocked crazy kms on the first day itself! Dave is not allowed to drive until he gets his visa and hence, I am the sole driver available under a visitors visa until he gets his visa and UAE license. To date, I have clocked close to 3000kms which is the longest distance I have covered in a three week period.

Day one of driving...

On the 6th June, we officially moved in to our villa in Jumeirah Village Circle. We bade goodbye to our temporary home in the Dunes, without much emotions. 

Week four in Dubai now, and we are still in the midst of turning our new house into our new home...

Last day in Stavanger

Last day in Stavanger. At Capella Play at the moment. The first playground that Zac set foot in Norway. This would be Zac's last visit here for a very long time. 

The day has finally come for our 'lasts'. Last drive in our little faithful silver car, last walk in Norway's largest shopping centre, last play in Capella, last lunch in the Italian restaurant, last dinner in Sabi Sushi, last sleep in our apartment and etc., until we are back again. I'm gonna miss this place.

It's been a great experience coming here and I personally would come back again. The people, we (Dave and I) agreed are the hardest thing to leave. They are almost like our family here. All the fond memories will last forever  If there were no goodbyes to start with though, there would never have been new hellos. So embracing that thought, we shall venture forward and create new memories...

2 more weeks in Norway

In Leo's Lekeland at the moment with Dave and Zac. Could be our last time here for a long long time. This is a familiar place for the three of us. Its almost a monthly event for Zac and he loves it here. Zac cheekily called this place Leo Parken comparing it to Konge Parken a while ago. This is a kid's haven. Today we met a few familiar faces from our cabin trip to Fogn too. Sidetracked...

One year three months in Stavanger. The journey here is about to end as we embark on another new adventure in Dubai.

Life here has started to become comfortable and familiar after all these months. A tinge of sadness flows through each time I think about the reality of finally leaving this place we called home for awhile.

Scheduled to fly on the 16/5 enroute Amsterdam. Packing not done, cleaning not done, nothing's done really. We are now just breathing in as much Norwegian air as possible before going to the desert. A very huge change in environment and weather and we are full of uncertainties about the move. But hey, we didn't know much about Norway when we came too, but it turned out well.

What do I love most about Norway? The child friendliness of the country. Kids free to roam around the neighborhood without adults' supervision and yet without the fear of their safety. Although I have never taken the chance, nevertheless it's something I really like about Norway. The independence of the children here is really admirable - at the playground, on the footpath, in parking lots, etc.. They always seem to know what the right thing to do is and not many times have I seen parents screaming at their children to watch out for traffic, or to be careful at the playground (though I noticed that the kids here are all dare devils). From our experience, the kids here (or from our neighborhood) are very friendly too. On many occasions, much older boys have invited Zac to join their soccer games down at the park and they were always careful when they played with him. The education system here is pretty good too. They have an everyone's equal kind of teaching and its something I really wish everyone in the world would embrace. Although, there are some who didn't experience the same things we did with the people here.

What do I dislike most about Norway? It would definitely have to be the inability to understand the language. It is really frustrating especially when buying things in the supermarket. To counter the dislike, the people here are really helpful though if you ever need any help. My encounter just buying some baking flour put me off the moment I got here. Standing in the aisle translating every packet of different flour was really not a pleasant thing to do. After a while though, you get used to the things that you buy and need and it keeps getting better. One other thing that annoys me about the language is the disconnection from the world; current affairs, local news, etc.. Watching the television is something I rarely do here in Norway. I'm so used to reading subtitles when I watch something that watching the Norwegian tv annoys me. It's either translated to Norwegian or the subtitles are in Norwegian. What rights have I to complain though??? I'm in NORWAY!!! I should learn the language!!! Period!

What would I miss most about Norway? Firstly, some of the friendships that I've made along the way. The friends that I have here made it easier to get by. Time together and sharing of information and tips and all. They would all be missed for sure. Time is not a measure of the depth of the friendships that I've made here. It's the time spent together, all the memories made and experiences that we have gone through together in this initially foreign land we reluctantly called our home, to a place we longingly call our home after a long or short time away.

One more thing I will surely miss would be the openness and friendliness of Zac's teachers. Zac spent heaps of time with them and I'm really happy to say that Zac has had very good experiences and times in school with them. They will be remembered fondly for a long long long time.

What would be my biggest regret leaving Norway? It would have to be my personal targets that I am nowhere near. I made a few resolutions in the beginning when we arrived Norway. But due to the (excuses) 'hectic' lifestyle, I never got down to doing what I set out to do. It's really regretful and I hope that the next destination will see me pulling off all that I set out to do.

All in all, Norway has been a great experience. No regrets putting everything in Australia on hold to move here. A few years or a decade down the road will see me smiling as I reminisce the memories of Norway.

Are we looking forward to the change? I would have to say a reluctant yes for now.

Upstalboom Hotel Berlin - Fire alarm at 345am

Fire alarm went off in the hotel...weird...