28th January 2015 - Zac's First Time Falling Asleep By Himself

Zac started Prep on the 20th January 2015. He is attending big boy school now. I really cannot believe that he's already 5 years old!

On the 28th January, there was a parent information session in Zac's school. I had to ask mum to come and help with Zac as the session was at night.

When we got home from the session, Zac was in his room while mum was out in the living room. We thought that he had fallen asleep so quickly that night, but we were advised by mum that he said he wanted to sleep all by himself.

So for the first time in his life he actually fell asleep without having us in the room with him. Another milestone reached. He did it again today on the 29th January. He was in his room telling minecraft stories to himself. He came out of the room asking for water a few times after that and to press my computer keyboard out of jest. He's such a champ!

It's a bitter sweet experience for Dave and I because we are so proud and happy that Zac is getting more and more independent. On the other hand, it means that he will need us lesser and lesser now. We are going to miss all these dependencies when one day he is fully grown up and self dependent for everything.

On a side note, Zac read nearly 80 percent of the book titled 'Scary Hair' all by himself. He's really improving by leaps and bounds. He also got level 2 piano books today. He was elated! He just wanted to dive into all the new pieces in the book.

Oh Zac. What would life be without you in my life? I love you so much!

Pictures of him in all his uniforms in school.

4th January 2015 - Zac's First Sleep Over

Today marks another milestone for Zac. He slept with Anne through the night. Although it's with his cousin, but it's still his first. My boy is really a grown up now.

Singapore - A new adventure

After 9 crazy months in Dubai we finally arrived Singapore after a trip to Perth in March 2014.

Upon arrival, the humidity kicked in almost immediately upon touch down. The stickiness was something that I never looked forward to given the hyperhydrosis condition that I have.

The journey from Changi airport to Orchid Hotel in Tanjong Pagar was a familiar yet weird feeling. The streets lined up with trees, less aggressive drivers on the road, thick, white clouds in the blue skies and the Toyotas and Nissans brought back memories of the past both bitter and sweet. There was a sense of excitement of what's to come in the days ahead I'm Singapore.

The first few days were jam packed with house hunting, school visiting, hopping on and off the agents car, trying to decide the best place to rent. After the ordeals in Dubai, alot of thought were put into the decision for our next place in Singapore. After deciding that Zac would be attending the Australian International School, we narrowed down our search to just around Lorong Chuan and decided on Goldenhill Park Condominium.

While Dave started work a week after, Zac and I explored the Tanjong Pagar area, had haircuts, went crazy in the hotel room, ate different local food, perspired bucket loads and finally we got our house keys after 5 days to ease all the craziness.

We moved into our place after our shipment arrived and most essentials were unpacked. Our TV cabinet was damaged during the shipment and we went through another ordeal to get the insurance claim sorted. Apart from that everything settled in smoothly.

Zac started school a couple of days after and settled into Miss Lee's class well. He got on really well with Miss Soo when we first got to class and went in without a hint of hesitation. His first few friends in school were Zhehan and Shihang. We were so proud of him for being such a champ settling into a new environment yet again.

The first week was really a fun time walking to school with Zac. We didn't have a car yet and were still deciding whether we should or should not get a car. Although it was really hot and humid, the time spent with Zac walking to and fro school was really good and it's something that I will cherish as sweet memories forever.

The week after we got our temporary Toyota Axio. Life was so much easier after we got the car. I could finally do grocery shopping without having to worry about how to carry them home in a train.

Dad and mum also came to visit and spent time with us after we moved in to our new place. It is really good to have them near.

Dave and I often ponder, 'Are we really in Singapore?'. The feeling is surreal whenever we walked the streets in Singapore during the first couple of weeks when we first arrived. We never thought Singapore would be one of our adventures away from Perth.

Little Zac who is growing day by day would one day start protesting our frequent moves. But for now, we as a family of three would absorb as much experience as we can while in Singapore. It's a great opportunity for Zac to experience the culture of our roots and I'm sure this would be something that he too will cherish when he gets older.

Singapore, you have a special place in our lives now and when we look back down the years, you will definitely bring a smile to our faces.