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...

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.

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.

Third Birthday

We celebrated Zac's third birthday on Anne's birthday this year. 11.11.12.

Arnav, Erick and Vanessa came along with their parents, Rajna, Akash, Gabriella, Gareth, Joyce and Chevy.

Zac was happy initially until his toys were moved, board cleaned out and etc. Maybe he was also grumpy because we woke him up from his afternoon nap. But overall I'm sure he had loads of fun. The joy when he saw Erick is priceless! Both jumping up and down. Zac finally pulled Erick into the house. When Arnav arrived, he was jumping outside the house waiting to get in. I'm sure he had fun too. Vanessa was very well behaved and gentle. Happy that they came to celebrate Zac's 3rd birthday with him in this foreign land - Norway.

I'm glad to have organized his birthday party this year. A resolution I have is to organise a party for him every year until he becomes a teenager or until he requests not to have one with his friends.

I love my little champ to bits!

Zac is turning 3

Time really flies...my little darling is turning 3 soon. He's fast becoming a little man.

He holds a conversation really well now and also passes cheeky comments that brighten up my day. I'm already missing him being a little dependent boy as he is so independent now.

He is still giving Dave and I heaps of kisses, classifying them as big, small, pokpok and woodpecker kisses. I hope this will not end for a very long time.

I love my boy to bits!

Pic - Zac taking an afternoon nap