CHRISTMAS DAY 2007

Best things about Christmas this year??

1. Mum is still alive!

2. How nice for us to have Christmas together as a family in Singapore.

3. We were able to donate all the "Santa presents" for 4 children whose father is unemployed. It was great to do it completely anonymously, we've never met the family andthey've never met us. I bet there were a few extra smiles on four little faces on Christmas day.

4. We were blessed to enjoy Christmas through Mya's eyes.... including all the curly questions about "Is Santa real?" and global traveling within 24 hours...etc etc etc.

5. Our two friends who have had tumour removed are doing well and we wish them completely good results this week. We are praying for you both.

We spent the morning opening the numerous presents.... (for a family that was going to do just Christmas for children this year, our tree skirt could hardly be seen for the presents).

Santa was very generous to Mya, as were all our friends. Thank you to you all.

We had lunch at Raffles Hotel - a first for us to have Christmas away from home.

We came home and all had a nice long rest/sleep to recover from a sensational lunch.

Simply a wonderful day.

We'd like to share our our joyous day though our photos with you......

And this was before Santa arrived!

Mya listening to and reading the stories of the Miracle of Christmas and the Nativity in her new reading chair which was her present from her Mum and Dad.

She spent hours swivelling around in it, hiding under the white cover on the display floor at Ikea,

so we knew it was going to be a hit.

Raffles Hotel always decorates itself magnificently.

A great choice for lunch.

The Main Christmas Tree at Raffles Hotel.




The Tatoo (for you observant people) is only a temporary butterfly.




Mya made Bonbons for all the children and Santa. He was shocked - he'd never received a present before giving one. She was very gentle and generous with the children too.





Doesn't she look so grown up?






Happy chappies









In the forecourt of Raffles.


Note the Dim Sum Steamers on the right corner?
We still had traditional Seafood, Turkey and Ham though.









Chocolate, chocolate everywhere.

Can you see the detail? See-saws, children's playground and wishing well?





Well, when at the LONG BAR, what else does one do, but have a Singapore Sling?

MMMM, I've become quite partial to them. Very Patriotic don't you think?




Q. How much chocolate can you eat Mya?

A. How big is my mouth Mum?



My two favourite people on earth.

Carollers in the forecourt of Raffles Hotel finish a most enjoyable Festive Lunch.

Thanks darling for everything.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Merry Christmas one and all.

Well I'm surprised - very pleasantly surprised how many people are still checking out the blog for news. THANK YOU!!

Mum is doing very well. She has visitors every day - sometimes 3 lots of friends a day. She recently invited 2 couples - friends of mine who have adopted her (Sue and Tony, Pam and Gary) for dinner and she cooked up a Greek storm for them all - yes 85, cancer, heart attacks, angina and dinner parties (unbelievable isn't she????) She also recently hosted a get together of her 10 neighbours in the units to say thank you for being so welcoming and warm and yes....- she catered! Believe it or not, she still drives - with her doctor's blessing. The only problems she is facing is that she continues to lose weight, is very boney and therefore cannot get good rest in bed. When her carers come back from sick leave and holidays I'll talk to them about getting something more comfortable, so she can enjoy sleeping and actually rest her body.

Now to us. George only had one business trip this whole month and that ususally was a short one. Mya and I took him to the airport and she had a complete meltdown on the way back to school. Some time with her friends and she was back to her happy self. School is just holiday programme at the moment so lots of fun.

Christmas was rather limited this year as we decided to just do presents for ourselves. It was fun. I went to my favourite store and put aside everything I wanted and George and Mya followed after the signaling phone call and bought them from the cashiers. George bought his from duty free on his trip to the Philippines and I had to sneak out and buy Mya's whilst she was at school- hers is a large children's swivel chair from Ike and it's been driving around in the boot of the car because she'd find it in the house.

Now the story about the Christmas cards. We did do some Christmas cards until our steam ran out. They were ready 2 weeks in advance full of creativity etc etc and I had some left over Cardboard Christmas trees I'd cut our so I took them to school for Mya's teachers to make up with the kids. They asked for our cards to show the children. That night I forgot to pick them up and the following day was a weekend, and the following day was a student free day at school, so on Tuesday I drove Mya to school, forgot them again and drive back and picked them up. I finished addressing them and found out where the best post office was with parking. I picked Mya up after school and we went to the post office and Murphy's law... there was no parking because they were repairing the ar park. So I drove around the block, around the back and parked illegally. It was pouring down rain and again Murphy's law the umbrella had just broken. We ran to the post office envelopes getting drenched, and got in the door to see at least 20 in the queue. The only two slow postal workers in Singapore were working at this post office and therefore we had a good 20 minute wait. We were only one person away from the counter, and my gorgeous little sweetheart who had been patiently reading whilst we waited in the queue pipes up....."mum, I need the toilet and QUICK!" I grabbed her and we ran back to the rain further drenching the Christmas cards and raced for our home 10 minutes away, just making it to the toilet in time......and the letters were NOT sent again. SO I figure everyone can get their cards late this year- due to 6 year old bodily functions taking priority! SO here we are - her interpretation of Christmas.

We are having a quiet Christmas, just the 3 of us at Raffles Hotel for lunch. I think we are going to have to get up before Santa arrives to open all the presents in time to make it to lunch. THANK YOU to everyone who has sent Mya presents. Our Chrtistmas tree is looking a lot fuller underneath since the previous blog picture. Thanks to everyone for undestanding I can't do the Christmas present rush this year.

Yesterday Andrea and Rachelle came to lunch - it was the first time I'd really cooked since I got back. We made minced pies for George and choc chip almond muffins. MMMM Missed my cooking and baking. Last night we were all invited by Cecilia and Ohmo to my Singapore family's birthday celebration for my Singapore mum. George came back too late to join us. There were 40 family members, Mya and me (the only Caucasian) they were so sweet, I am very honoured when they include us in the "family-only" events. ... my Singapore mum turned 75 - we went to the Changi Beach club and ate and ate and ate till 10.30. It was lovely to watch the tide come in under the restaurant where we were eating.

Oh I have something funny to tell. Mya's been a bit reluctant to go to school - occasionally since we returned to Singapore and she asks to stay home with me. The other day was a public holiday and school was closed. So we stayed home and I told her she had to help me do my chores. We spent the WHOLE day just cleaning her bedroom, and sorting what she didn't want any more and putting aside good clothes for a family we're being Santa to this year (they have 4 children and an unemployed father). About half way through the day, she says, Mum if I don't go to school, do I always have to do your work. "Yes" I said, "and no play and no play dates and no videos like today". "Ok Mum" she says...... and I could see the cog wheels in the brain ticking away thinking "I'm never going to say I don't want to go to school again."

Another classic was that Mya has been vying for a pet. George said he had a German Shepherd for many years. Mya, quick as a pin, trying to impress us that she would be a good pet owner said "If I had a German Shepherd, I'd teach him English straight away Dad".

Have a great Christmas if you are celebrating it, and may 2008 be a happy and healthy year for all.

FAIRY SKATEBOARDER:

this photo is a blurry one sorry - but it's gorgeous. Mya in her fairy dress that Yaya gave her last year, with her protective gear on her skateboard, barefoot in our lounge room!

Here's Mya's interpretation of Christmas. She's delighting in the festivities and Orchard Road as usual has a fantastic light display which we've driven through several times. We love Christmas.. The best part of bringing Mya up in Singapore is that she is brought up respecting Islam, Buddism, Christianity and other religions equally. She was praying in front of Buddha the other day..."dear God"......... Well, we all have more to learn in our lives.

And last but by no means least, a picture of our new home. We so look forward to moving in early January. The address is on the bottom of your last e-mail. Take care.xxxxxx

BACK IN SINGAPORE..TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY - JUST A BIT BUSY TO AT THE MOMENT...

Well it HASN'T been as smooth sailing as we had hoped. Mya took a lot of readjusting again with outbursts aimed mainly towards me. We're both tired and run down and emotionally and physically depleted. It came to a head for me in the first week back when after 2 lovely days off on the weekend after we arrived- I felt completely overwhelmed by the need to find a school, a house and a helper. George left for India on the Monday and within a few days I was completely not functioning. He flew back immediately and was here to help. We also had help from our good friend Colin M.



I received this lovely floral arrangement from George's colleagues at the office which was very very sweet of them.

(Mya and I are still having serious discussins as to who owns the flowers - she thinks she does because she hasn't got her own garden.... Hmmm children and their egocentric logic. You know who will win this one don't you!!)

In a few days Mya started adjusting back to the routine of school (temporary as it might be) and life in Singapore. Her demeanor improved and we're almost back on track. Our neighbours upstairs continue to wake us nightly with their stomping and trying to catch up sleep during the day is interrupted by occasional jack hammers or dogs barking, You can see I'm sick to death of this place - almost literally, through sleep deprivation we have had a few very scary moments which I won't go into, but one of them shook me to the core. We have to move before something does happen. Luckily our lease finishes next month and I pity the new tenants coming in who have to pay twice our rent for this hell hole with it's constant roof leaks, consequent mould, shoddy cheap repairs by the landlord and incessant noise.



On the school front - Yes the Australian International School did not come through with a placement for the beginning of the scholastic year in January. They have however had the audacity to ask for more fees - bringing the total so far to $10,000 without Mya even getting her toe in the door until mid scholastic year - JUNE next year!!!!! We're pretty disappointed that they seem to be more interested in their infrastructure and buildings fees than actually giving children on the waiting list an education. I rang 7 other schools in Singapore and none of them had any places for Grade one. We either have to drop her down a year or escalate her without the proper foundation education. So we're opting for the former and leaving her where she's happy until June.



I went to re-visit another Australian curriculum school, but it left me for completely cold, even on the second visit, when I knew it was the only alternative that would see her education kept consistent. This situation is a reflection on the great education and environment she got in a government run school in Australia - which by the way were without these exorbitant fees.




Anyway we have decided to leave her where she is at Lorna Whiston where I had her in September, because she is happy there, adjusted to their routine (even though it's quite local in its set up - like showers and naps during the school day- which Mya doesn't do!!), but mostly when I leave her there in the morning, she's instantly happy, the staff are smiling and I leave feeling happier than when I arrived too- that says a lot!!! And their art work is fabulously creative. SO the Australian school will have to bring her up to their standard in a few short months - not a problem I created. They have 22 kids on a waiting list for grade one - taking in $220,000 in fees now, certainly they could find a classroom somewhere on the island and employ a teacher for that amount of revenue.





As for house hunting - it's been absolutely heart breaking. All the rents have risen by double and triple. Many people are leaving Singapore to go back to their countries of origin - so sadly I am losing some lovely friends. Others have to downsize or move further to the outskirts. But most companies are wearing the costs. With the rents rising 100- 150% our company has raised our allowance by tuppence hapenny. We were looking around areas we wouldn't live in in Australia and areas so far north we thought we'd need our passports.... we were nearly in Malaysia. Hopefully we will find one soon. Even if we have to downsize and move out to other areas. The other option is too scary and too disruptive. Because the Landlords have the upper hand, they are taking whoever can give the most and we don't have the most - we lost a gorgeous home the other day. It's called gazumping, and it's rampant now with rents rising through the sky.



As for the helper, we haven't even got there yet. We have Cindy who is a lovely local lady coming a couple of times a week, and occasionally for babysitting. It's the baby sitting that's the most important because I can do our whole house in a few hours. But Cindy’s not available very often and certainly not at short notice for baby sitting, so we'll have to get a full-time live-in helper - (which we don't like) but are forced to - so that we can run our lives here with some social life and some freedom. When you don't have family as a backup you need someone constant. With George away a lot I need some free time to meet with other adults. So we'll start looking as soon as the house is found.



Going to health. Mya's been quite off colour and off school several times. She's currently home with a virus. My health issue has been put down to "that time of life". And George is healthy - thank goodness. Mum is doing so well at this very minute she's entertaining her 8 neighbours in the attached units to hers. She's apparently lost more weight which is worrying, but is in fine spirits. She's a better adjuster than we are. I suppose we're doing it so often it becomes less than novel! Anyway our health and happiness is all that counts in the long run, so if all is not bright and shiny right now, maybe it will be in a few weeks time when our lives are back in place, back to routine, in a nice environment, with enough support to have a life outside the four walls of our home.



We put up the Christmas tree last weekend. We invited Mya's best friend in Singapore and a young neighbour - they had a ball for about 10 minutes and then we had to do the rest. We decided it already looked "over the top", so chose not to get the second box of decorations out of storage. Given we'll be leaving in the first week of Christmas for another house - the less packing the better.

We're head on into making our own Christmas cards this year, but soon running out of time. So we hope you'll understand if our Christmas cards don't arrive by post this year - we've kind of had quite a bit on.

Please note we're not doing Christmas presents this year. We're trying to get back to the REAL reason for Christmas - celebration of life, NOT COMMERCIALISM. I get so disppointed when I hear the common groan "I hate Christmas - its' so busy, just running around buying presents" . Well I've always loved the Christmas season and I'm not forcing myself to run around the shops buying manically and worrying if someone will like what I've bought them or not. My family and friends are not dependent on my buying them gifts. We are just giving presents to Mya - which is really easy because she's not into "Girl things" this year. Santa will bring her "Boy things" like Spaceship Legos, maybe a microscope or a mecano set and definitely Transformer toys - her eyes almost pop out when we go down the BOY isles in the toy stores.

And from her Mum and Dad her Christmas present from us will be a special book as we do each year, and tickets to a live theatre show- which there are three fabulous ones to choose from this year (as always in Singapore the Arts are really wonderful). Last year we went to Disney on Ice and she loved it. She's missed a lot with her move in and out of Melbourne. She was selected into the Singapore School of Dance, but we left just after the audition and selection notices came through. Maybe this year our little ballerina can find her feet in the right country at the right time.

Like a friend of mine said today. If God isn't shining on you this minute, there's always Buddha and Allah, and all your friends are praying for you. So thanks everyone. - Just a slight glitch in life's interesting pathways, and we still have a lot to be grateful for - especially that we still got great friends and a sense of humour. Here's a friends' interpretation of an Australian Christmas!!!! I got a belly laugh out if it. I hope you do. Remember Christmas is about celebrating life, not shopping trolleys full (or empty) of presents.