Dad's classic story

Mum shared with me a photo of my dad, her and the gathering of some primary school friends. My dad has been friends with them since primary school.

A joke was shared by an old friend of my dad's. When my dad was about 16 or 17 years old, he had a maths teacher whose arm was a bit bent. My dad being a super cheeky student, one day said "Sir, draw your gun" (with the action of drawing the gun from the waist) to the teacher when he entered the class. After that he was punished by the maths teacher...

Hearing this joke made me crack up so much just imagining my dad doing that.

A picture of my handsome dad and his primary school friends.

Joel and Zac

My two precious boys...One is 6 and the other is nearly 6 months although 10 weeks old corrected.

Words cannot express how much I love them both. Just wanted to capture this memory into my blog of the two of them with the rest of the family members.

I love you both.

My favourite picture of Joel

This is my current favourite picture of Joel. His eyes wide open and sucking on a "pacifier".

Some said he looks like Zachary, some said he looks like Dave. Whoever he looks like, he's my charming little boy like Zachary is.

I love him so much already. I'm just waiting for the day he gets discharged and goes home with us.

I love the three boys in my life. I also love the one little girl Hannah who was in my life for a few days but who will remain in my heart forever.

3rd September 2015 - Hannah left to be with the Lord

Our most precious daughter Hannah left to be with the Lord on the 3rd September 2015. We embraced her after she breathed her last. We had her memorial service on the immediate Friday and her cremation service on the Saturday after.

Cell and church friends from FCBC attended her services and sent her off for the very last time.

It is painful to have to send your daughter off. A daughter whom you've not done anything for, a daughter whom you've carried for months with you doing everything. A daughter so precious that nothing can replace.

I had so many plans and stuff to do with Hannah. It will only be in my imagination now. Every time I think of her, my heart bleeds. It really does.

How do we get over the death of someone so dear to us? Someone who is so close to our hearts yet foreign to us? The answer is we will never ever get over that someone. We will only be able to hold her dear forever in our hearts. Occasionally when we think about her, we will probably cry. That's the best we could do after losing someone so dear to us.

4 April 2015 - Found out that I'm carrying twins...

We just came back from a Japan tour yesterday. I was so exhausted during the trip and we walked so much it wasn't funny. Overall it was a good trip minus the fatigue.

When we touched down yesterday, I was feeling awful due to the turbulence in the plane. We were sitting right at the last row of the plane and it was swaying left and right plenty of times. I felt so nauseated during the whole plane ride that I didn't even eat my meal in the plane. Bad idea as that meant that I had to suffer even more headache due to gastric pains.

After touching down, we headed straight home in a cab and went out for dinner. While talking to the friendly cab driver about Lee Kuan Yew and his policies and all, I felt that I was gonna puke. I quickly asked for a plastic bag and out came my guts and everything that could come out of my empty stomach.

At dinner I felt a strange gush below and wasn't feeling that great. Got home, was preparing myself to shower to find that I was bleeding bright red blood. I immediately told Dave. Zac was such a sweet boy as when he heard me saying that he came and asked "are you alright mummy?". After phone calls to the hospitals we ended up driving to Kandang Kerbau Hospital.

The doctor did a scan and said that everything looks ok and it's quite normal to bleed in early pregnancy. She showed me the baby's heart beat and that was my first encounter with the little one.

Next day, which is today, I called my doctor to find out if I should come in to see him. Scheduled an appointment and went straight to see him. More than an hour of wait as usual.

When I finally saw the doctor I was rather nervous. I want to know that the baby is doing well. I want to know that everything is fine. Doctor did a scan and did a measurement. Baby measures at 6 week 3 days today. He also measured the heart beat. They were beating at 150bpm. After I got off the scanning table, he then mentioned that I'm carrying twins. I was elated. Excited. Happy. Thrilled. I couldn't believe it as the day before the doctor only saw one sac.

Now we pray hard that both babies will grow up healthy and strong and happy. I can't wait to see you babies. I love you both already even before meeting you. Daddy, mummy and koko are looking forward to see you both. Stay healthy and happy in there.

Finally tested positive...

Today is one of the happiest days of my life. I've been undergoing infertility treatment since Norway, to UAE all the way to Singapore.

I was on the edge the whole of yesterday obsessing about whether I would test positive or not. Contemplating if I should get a HPT kit. But I told myself to just wait another day since mum and dad would be coming in with my HPT kit supplies.

Last few nights, I have been having cramps and twinges in my abdomen. At times the pain felt quite strong. I was happy to have some symptoms than none at all. As I am writing this now I am feeling the cramps in and off. I've also been feeling cramps om my toes for some reason. My body must be lacking of some nutrients.

This morning, poor little darling Zac was running a fever so he didn't go to school. He must have been bored all morning and during the car ride to pick dad and mum. I feel so sorry for him. But he behaved really well today and didn't kick a fuss although he was unwell. He is my little champ, always and forever. I love him to bits. Hope he will fully recover by tomorrow so he won't miss out on all the fun in school.

The moment I got home after picking dad and mum, I went to the bathroom to test. I was staring at the result initially and felt rather disappointed because I didn't see the second line immediately. However, after about a minute and the test was saturated, the faint line started showing. I looked at myself in the mirror and gave myself a grin and said "oh my god! Two lines!". I couldn't believe my eyes. I messaged Dave immediately and gave him a call immediately to tell him the news. He was having lunch with his VP so he didn't sound exactly excited and told me not to put our hopes too high.

Anyway, I was elated! I just couldn't believe my eyes and kept walking to and fro the bathroom to make sure that the second line was still there.

To convince myself that the HPT test I first used is not malfunctioning, I decided to run another test since my dearest mum got me 5 tests. So I went to the bathroom again to test. This time too, I got worried. The liquid didn't flow smoothly to the test screen and I thought it was gonna be another dud test. But after waiting for a little while for the thing to settle, the second line appeared even brighter than the first test! I grinned to myself again in joy and happiness and asked mum to witness that I am not seeing things. She verified that she also saw two lines on both the tests.

I am so excited to share this news with Zac. But I'll keep it in for a little while longer to make sure that everything goes well and give him a surprise news. Zac would be thrilled to know that he's finally gonna be a KOKO.

I'll remember this day forever till I die. It's a happy day for me.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.