Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts

Thursday, January 29, 2015

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.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

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...