Eight Months!

We left Austin on July 27th.  Today, is March 29th.  We've been in Singapore for 8 months.  It's interesting to think about the transformation we've all made in that time.  When I really think about all of the details, life is both the same and different here.  I've settled into my new life and it all seems so normal now.  I've been neglecting my blog.  I'm struggling a bit putting into words the feelings I have as to why that is.  I think part of it is my feeling of normalcy about life.  I'm not so excited each day about what new thing I'm going to see.  I"m used to the cultural differences and so they don't seem worth comment.

I also feel more disconnected from my old life in Austin.  When I first was here, my blog was my life line. It was like my best friend that I needed to tell everything to.  I needed to share that I went to the grocery store and that there were flowers on the sidewalk and when we all felt happy and sad and every other little detail.  But, now that I feel that life has become normal, I  am struggling to decide what to share.  What is interesting?  What is noteworthy?  I feel very privileged and lucky to be here.  How do I share without sounding like I'm boasting?  I've seen the articles recently on Facebook and Reddit about how social networking makes people unhappy.  I want to document our life but I certainly don't want to make anybody else unhappy.  These are just some of my thoughts...  If you like to read my blog and there is something you'd like me to talk about, please post it to me in comments, or on Facebook or in a personal email or message.

Tomorrow is the last day of the first term of school.  That means the girls are off for the next 2 weeks!  Whoo hoo, it's spring break.  We are all ready for it.  The kids are exhausted!  I can see it in their eyes.  They've been working very hard.  Their little brains have been growing and learning and they are both very good girls at school.  They need a few days in their pajamas.  They need to sleep as late as they want.  They need to forget our schedule and relax.  So do I.  We are all looking forward to the break.

We've been doing some trip planning...!!!  Traveling in this region is one of the major benefits to living here.  Singapore is really easy to travel in and out from.  It would be a crime I think to live here and not take advantage of the amazing travel opportunities.  It's been taking up a lot of my time.  I am trying to balance family fun and cultural experiences.  I want the trips to be comfortable and easy with the kids but also affordable.  So, here's what up for us....

Next week, we are going to a small island in Malaysia called Rawa.  It's in the South China Sea and it has a little rustic resort on it.  It's another beach vacation.  We'll be there for Easter.  I'm planning an Easter egg hunt on the beach.  We'll be there for 4 nights.  The resort is sending a car to our condo in Singapore to pick us up and drive us to Mersing where we will then catch a ferry out to the island.  It's our first driving trip out of Singapore.

At the end of April, the kids have 3 days off from school.  We found some really cheap tickets and thought it'd be a great time to head over to Cambodia.  We're flying in to Siem Reap and we are going to check out the temples around Angkor Wat.  We're very excited!  I'm trying to find some ways to teach the kids about the history of Cambodia and specifically Angkor Wat.  We've watched a 3 part National Geographic series on how and why the temples were built.  Lily seemed especially interested in it.  Does anybody else have good ideas?  I thought I'd try to find a way to have the kids build a replica of it out of paper and blocks.  Maybe do some sketching while we are there.  Included in our hotel accommodation is a private Tuk Tuk driver for our entire stay (4 nights).  So cool!

In the end of May we are going on a 1 day excursion to Johor Bahru.  We'll be visiting an organic farm and petting goats.  I don't remember what else, but it sounded fun and it gets us out of the city for the day!

In June, after the end of Term 2, we are heading over to another little island, this time in Indonesia.  It's called Nikoi Island and I've heard is beautiful.  A friend of mine calls it Pirate Island and it's a favorite family holiday.  The staff set up treasure huts for the kids and they will climb a tree to cut down a coconut and then carve it into a princess crown for the little girls.  It's all about fun family time and relaxation.  No planes needed for this trip either...  We'll take a ferry from Singapore and then a taxi ride across Bintan, Indonesia and then another ferry.

This is where our already booked/made plans end and we have to make some decisions about the rest of the year.  In June/July, the children have 4 weeks off from school.  So, it seems a good time to make another trip.  I think we might head over to Vietnam.  It's cheap and easy to fly into Hanoi.  We thought we'd spend a couple of days in Hanoi, it is considered to be the cultural capital of Vietnam.  I want to see a water puppet show and visit some of the many temples there.  Then we've been told that Ha Long Bay is amazing.  We can stay on a boat and explore the many beautiful sights to see there.  Maybe some kayaking, not sure how that would work with the kids, but worth a shot!

For the break between Term 3 and 4, we're planning to go to New Zealand.  I've been doing some research, but I haven't made any decision on what to see/do there.  Advice?  I know at least a couple of you have been there!  And finally, after term 4 we'll be heading back to the states for the holidays.  My kids have 6 weeks off from school at this time, so we will be able to visit both Arizona and Texas. Scott can work some in the Austin office at that time, so he doesn't have to take vacation days for the entire time we are there.

Whew...  Well, I didn't mean for this post to be a wall of text.  I haven't been taking many pictures lately.  I think it's part of my getting used to living here thing...  I'll work on it!  I love hearing from all of you and I'd love to hear what you are up to!