Naomi keeps commenting on how every (almost) sink has two taps. Rose says the cold water is too cold and the hot water is too hot! (I agree!)
Naomi also dislikes sitting on the cold toilet seat. I tell her it's only going to get worse.
Rose can't believe we get toilet paper in every toilet we use.
When we went to get petrol, Josh was surprised: "you have to put the petrol in yourself"!
The things we get used to without realising!
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Friday, 17 June 2011
New School
Yesterday we got the news that Rose and Joshua have got their places at Far Forest School. So this afternoon we went on a family outing to visit the school.
I really liked the headmistress. She was lovely and has a great philosophy. I think the kids are going to be very happy there. She was also very excited that we have been in the Philippines and sees that as an opportunity to broaden the awareness of the school kids which I thought was very positive.
They will start on the 4th July - and we told the headmistress it was Rose's birthday so she said they would celebrate it that day.
Another piece fits in the jigsaw.
I really liked the headmistress. She was lovely and has a great philosophy. I think the kids are going to be very happy there. She was also very excited that we have been in the Philippines and sees that as an opportunity to broaden the awareness of the school kids which I thought was very positive.
They will start on the 4th July - and we told the headmistress it was Rose's birthday so she said they would celebrate it that day.
Another piece fits in the jigsaw.
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Reverse Culture Shock: driving
I thought it would feel natural to move back to driving on the left side of the road, to drive on the right hand side of the car but as I drove today I automatically drifted to the right. Steve and I keep wanting to change gear in the car door too.
The other culture shock with driving is how few cars are on the roads. Our kids keep commenting on it too. And how fast we drive here because there are fewer cars.
The other culture shock with driving is how few cars are on the roads. Our kids keep commenting on it too. And how fast we drive here because there are fewer cars.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Reverse Culture Shock: clothing
Today Naomi made us laugh when we told her to put on a jumper and she said "What's a jumper?!"
It's hard to get them to wear enough layers - they don't like the feel of clothes on arms and legs but they get cold if they don't have enough on. We keep saying "Will you be warm enough?"
It's actually quite warm when the sun is out but it can be cold when it goes behind a cloud and the wind cuts through.
It's hard to get them to wear enough layers - they don't like the feel of clothes on arms and legs but they get cold if they don't have enough on. We keep saying "Will you be warm enough?"
It's actually quite warm when the sun is out but it can be cold when it goes behind a cloud and the wind cuts through.
Monday, 13 June 2011
Reverse Culture Shock: temperature
It's only been 48 hours and we are suffering from dry skin and chapped lips. One of our first purchases has been lip balm!
That too, was a culture shock. We went clothes shopping and I could handle that - probably because we desperately needed some items to wear! But then we went to the supermarket and I felt rather overwhelmed. None of the brands are what I am used to, there is so much choice for everything and I cannot get a grip on prices or what is a reasonable baseline for products.
Plus, I am unsure how much tiredness is from jet-lag and how much from dengue. I am finding it hard to be disciplined in doing as little as possible.
That too, was a culture shock. We went clothes shopping and I could handle that - probably because we desperately needed some items to wear! But then we went to the supermarket and I felt rather overwhelmed. None of the brands are what I am used to, there is so much choice for everything and I cannot get a grip on prices or what is a reasonable baseline for products.
Plus, I am unsure how much tiredness is from jet-lag and how much from dengue. I am finding it hard to be disciplined in doing as little as possible.
Sunday, 12 June 2011
We've Arrived
...but not without further incident!
When checking in Steve was told that we had 2 seats together and the other 3 were spread out all over the 'plane. Because we had booked for wheelchair assistance we were unable to check-in online whereas the vast majority of passengers had done exactly that. Also, a British Airways flight had been absorbed into our flight so there were families from that flight in the same position. It almost got ugly at the desk when boarding as families sounded off about the stupidity of asking small children to sit by themselves. Thankfully, as families boarded first in economy most of the issues seemed to be resolved happily.
We actually decided not to use the wheelchair this time as it was easier for me to push a trolley and I was feeling stronger. Rose, bless her, had pushed one of the trollies in Singapore when we arrived and although she did a good job, it was a bit difficult for her.
Naomi was struggling to stay awake as we went through the departure lounge and laid herself out on the row of chairs and conked out about 15 minutes before we boarded!
Naomi and Joshua slept most of the night portion of the flight. Rose not quite so much.
And so we landed in London with it being 8 degrees!! As we waited for dad to pull the car round, we all felt rather chilly.
It rained all day. But it did not matter because we spent the day with my family and Steve's sister. It's good to be back.
When checking in Steve was told that we had 2 seats together and the other 3 were spread out all over the 'plane. Because we had booked for wheelchair assistance we were unable to check-in online whereas the vast majority of passengers had done exactly that. Also, a British Airways flight had been absorbed into our flight so there were families from that flight in the same position. It almost got ugly at the desk when boarding as families sounded off about the stupidity of asking small children to sit by themselves. Thankfully, as families boarded first in economy most of the issues seemed to be resolved happily.
We actually decided not to use the wheelchair this time as it was easier for me to push a trolley and I was feeling stronger. Rose, bless her, had pushed one of the trollies in Singapore when we arrived and although she did a good job, it was a bit difficult for her.
Naomi was struggling to stay awake as we went through the departure lounge and laid herself out on the row of chairs and conked out about 15 minutes before we boarded!
Naomi and Joshua slept most of the night portion of the flight. Rose not quite so much.
And so we landed in London with it being 8 degrees!! As we waited for dad to pull the car round, we all felt rather chilly.
It rained all day. But it did not matter because we spent the day with my family and Steve's sister. It's good to be back.
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Water Park
Our friend Susan - who is here on a course - kindly offered to take the kids to the water park this morning so that Steve could have a rest too after a manic week. He picked up all the responsibilities for packing and organising our departure after I became ill. It was tiring for him and he appreciated the gesture. I think Susan had a great time too and enjoyed being aunty for the morning. We actually had a lot of rain at the guest house but it seemed to miss them which was good for them.
Then, as the guest house was not providing dinner tonight, we headed to the hospital at the bottom of the road as a close place to eat! We went to their foodcourt and DeliFrance.
And then, it was time to truck out to the airport. The taxi who dropped us off on Weds had arranged to come and get us and he was very punctual.
The kids are super excited - and tired - our flight leaves at 11:30 p.m. A deliberate attempt to encourage them to sleep for the most part.
Then, as the guest house was not providing dinner tonight, we headed to the hospital at the bottom of the road as a close place to eat! We went to their foodcourt and DeliFrance.
And then, it was time to truck out to the airport. The taxi who dropped us off on Weds had arranged to come and get us and he was very punctual.
The kids are super excited - and tired - our flight leaves at 11:30 p.m. A deliberate attempt to encourage them to sleep for the most part.
Friday, 10 June 2011
The Zoo
Steve took the kids to the Singapore Zoo. We had planned to do the night safari while in Singapore, but as with our last week, our plans had to change. I got the dubious privilege of staying by myself and snoozing while the rest of the family went and had fun. I know I need to take it easy - and I am very glad that we had booked these few days as it is a great place to rest and relax and is away from our normal routine and duties - but it is hard not to be able to do things while in this new place.
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Foreshadowing
Today we got a glimpse of how our kids will cope with transitioning and making new friends.
As soon as we were up, dressed and breakfasted Rose announced she was going to the kids' room to see if there were any friends. Naomi followed her and we didn't see them again until lunchtime.
Joshua stayed in the room with me and played on the computer and did not want to socialise with the other kids.
Eventually, in the afternoon, when some friends who used to live in the Philippines but now live in Singapore came over, he began to circle on the periphery of the game the other kids were playing and slowly moved closer and closer until he was drawn in.
It was most interesting, although not a surprise, to see the different ways the children dealt with the new situation.
As soon as we were up, dressed and breakfasted Rose announced she was going to the kids' room to see if there were any friends. Naomi followed her and we didn't see them again until lunchtime.
Joshua stayed in the room with me and played on the computer and did not want to socialise with the other kids.
Eventually, in the afternoon, when some friends who used to live in the Philippines but now live in Singapore came over, he began to circle on the periphery of the game the other kids were playing and slowly moved closer and closer until he was drawn in.
It was most interesting, although not a surprise, to see the different ways the children dealt with the new situation.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Singapore
Here we are! We made it.
None of the plans we made for our last week happened, but we did make it onto the 'plane. Although, that was an adventure too with our first experience of "medical assistance" - we booked a wheelchair so I didn't have to walk through the airports (a very good idea), and our flight delayed for 2 hours as a storm was passing through Singapore and no aeroplanes were flying.
For some reason we did not end up having to pay our immigration leaving fee so we used it to stay in the lounge instead. Another great idea - two of the kids were free - and we got food. And the kids packed away the fish nuggets so we definitely got our money's worth! It was quiet and had very comfortable chairs.
So we arrived in Singapore later than we anticipated and were glad to get to the comfortable guest house.
None of the plans we made for our last week happened, but we did make it onto the 'plane. Although, that was an adventure too with our first experience of "medical assistance" - we booked a wheelchair so I didn't have to walk through the airports (a very good idea), and our flight delayed for 2 hours as a storm was passing through Singapore and no aeroplanes were flying.
For some reason we did not end up having to pay our immigration leaving fee so we used it to stay in the lounge instead. Another great idea - two of the kids were free - and we got food. And the kids packed away the fish nuggets so we definitely got our money's worth! It was quiet and had very comfortable chairs.
So we arrived in Singapore later than we anticipated and were glad to get to the comfortable guest house.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Dengue!
Weds I woke up feeling awful and achy and it only got worse. Naomi spent the afternoon at Sarah's and Steve had to come home with Rose and Joshua. Thursday, Naomi was in preschool in the morning and then she went to another friend's for the afternoon. I stayed in bed all day, feeling feverish and wanting to curl up in a ball and sleep.
Thursday night I decided I needed to go to the doctor and skyped our OMF doc who was in Singapore and she agreed. A good friend in our mission took me at 11 p.m. I had blood tests and some saline to rehydrate. We left at 1:30 a.m. but at least the traffic was good at that time!
I have spent the last few days between the settee and the bed, sleeping a lot and Sunday I went for another blood test to check for dengue fever. A nasty mosquito borne illness. The fever lasts about 5-7 days and then the recovery is, on average, 10 days with a few weeks post-recovery to get right. At first our doctor wanted us to delay leaving for a week but as my fever broke two days before our flight we were cleared to go to Singapore as planned.
One of the blessings has been the way our friends have rallied around and helped by cooking meals and driving me for blood tests and taking the kids swimming in the afternoons.
The sad thing is I did not get to say goodbyes to my class or colleagues. It is a strange finish to the term.
Thursday night I decided I needed to go to the doctor and skyped our OMF doc who was in Singapore and she agreed. A good friend in our mission took me at 11 p.m. I had blood tests and some saline to rehydrate. We left at 1:30 a.m. but at least the traffic was good at that time!
I have spent the last few days between the settee and the bed, sleeping a lot and Sunday I went for another blood test to check for dengue fever. A nasty mosquito borne illness. The fever lasts about 5-7 days and then the recovery is, on average, 10 days with a few weeks post-recovery to get right. At first our doctor wanted us to delay leaving for a week but as my fever broke two days before our flight we were cleared to go to Singapore as planned.
One of the blessings has been the way our friends have rallied around and helped by cooking meals and driving me for blood tests and taking the kids swimming in the afternoons.
The sad thing is I did not get to say goodbyes to my class or colleagues. It is a strange finish to the term.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)