Due to the holidays and festive season, our blog postings were mainly focused on our travel adventures and a little sadly, mere passing mentions about Baby's development.
The 2 months that I'm on leave have been good for Baby's development. Unless I plan to display significant portion of my bare and hang-out-there belly, not to mention the discomfort of feeling like I'm being squashed into a t-shirt that is one size too small, all the pre-maternity tops that I brought along were now relegated to the bottom of my luggage. Thank goodness for Gap Maternity. I've bought a number of affordable but nice outfits that should see me till delivery and post-delivery too.
And if my friend, Paula's weighing scale is telling the truth, then, I have gained about 5kg in the 2 months that I've been away. Which, coincidentally, is the total weight gain for my entire 6 months of pregnancy.
Today, Baby is now into the 7th month of development and I am at the start of my 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Whoppie! Three more months and we'll finally get to see how Baby will look like and the all important question -- whether Baby is a He or a She :)
Louis and I are having a lot of fun "communicating" to Baby and seeing some response to our requests. Louis' bedtime singing would usually result in a few good kicks from Baby that continues to thrill us to no end. And because Baby is growing, I can occassionally feel the taut stretching of my belly and protrusion of some parts of Baby.
Sometimes, it feels big and round and for all we know, it could well be Baby's head or butt. Unfortunately, Louis and myself are so clueless that no amount of touching could help us determine exactly which part of Baby's limbs were we feeling.
Just yesterday night, we could see Baby's movements through contortions underneath my skin where Baby moved for the very first time. Its kinda like if you wrap your hands under a blanket and move, you would see the movement and shape of your fisted hands.
In another 3 more days, Baby and I would be flying back home to Singapore. Louis however, still needed to stay back for another 2 more weeks before he could fly back. I'm sure Baby would miss the sound of Louis' nightly singing and the comfort of Daddy stroking him/her through my belly.
I've read in some books that some fathers feel a little lost and perhaps jealous of their unborn child for taking away some of the attention that they used to get from their wives. For Baby and me, the whole experience of this pregnancy was made more fulfilling, joyous, tender and at times, poignant with Louis being with me every step of the way.
From the ritual nightly singing or bedtime reading that we've established, to the constant urge to want to stroke Baby through my belly and the many moments of protectiveness that he has exhibited towards Baby's wellbeing, Louis is gearing up for fatherhood and eagerly anticipanting the time of Baby's arrival.
So, to my loving hubby, companion, best friend and soul mate, I just wanna say a big "Thank You" for being there for me every day of our lives together.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Hints of being away too long
In 2006, the family has been travelling quite a bit with Adrian going for training, myself in this job (and Eve following me), dad and mum going to Australia, the kids' first time on a plane, Terence and Cherry going for their hols and also on their jobs. 2007 is starting out to be another travelling year, with Astee going overseas, Terence in his new job.
Eve and I will however, try to be in Singapore more this year, subject to my work assignments, so to make sure we remember our travels, here's a list of things to remind us when we've been away too long.
"You know you've been away too long" when
1. You have a haircut four times overseas
2. When we start ordering General Tso's pork ribs to get closer to home-Chinese food
3. A family reunion of one hour in London can mean so much
4. You have four types of currencies in your luggage
5. Blogs become the primary means of communication with your family and friends
6. You stay long enough in a hotel to order things online and have it delivered
7. You stay long enough in a hotel to know most staff and they know you by name
8. You take a membership at the local YMCA just so you can go swimming
9. Your swimming trunks is getting loose and you're waiting to go to Queensway
10. You have a set of cutlery, can opener etc to use in the hotel
Eve and I will however, try to be in Singapore more this year, subject to my work assignments, so to make sure we remember our travels, here's a list of things to remind us when we've been away too long.
"You know you've been away too long" when
1. You have a haircut four times overseas
2. When we start ordering General Tso's pork ribs to get closer to home-Chinese food
3. A family reunion of one hour in London can mean so much
4. You have four types of currencies in your luggage
5. Blogs become the primary means of communication with your family and friends
6. You stay long enough in a hotel to order things online and have it delivered
7. You stay long enough in a hotel to know most staff and they know you by name
8. You take a membership at the local YMCA just so you can go swimming
9. Your swimming trunks is getting loose and you're waiting to go to Queensway
10. You have a set of cutlery, can opener etc to use in the hotel
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Looking forward to going home
As Eve pointed out, we were glad to be back in Houston. The sunny weather was a great respite from the dark and dreary weather in London.
Nonetheless, Eve and I will be glad to return to Singapore, not lest because Eve isn't able to take any medication here even if she is feeling a little sick. As a result, she has to sleep it out and eat plenty of fruits and drink plenty of water.
In just over a month's time, it'd be Chinese New Year. I'm looking forward to it because it will be a time for reunion and a time when the family can spend an extended weekend together. Terence has already complied a list of family travels. For me, I might have to come back to Houston for a week after I come home on late Jan, but I'd be back for Chinese New Year. Time flies. I am trying to recall what I did last Chinese New Year, but we have trouble remembering.. :)
Nonetheless, Eve and I will be glad to return to Singapore, not lest because Eve isn't able to take any medication here even if she is feeling a little sick. As a result, she has to sleep it out and eat plenty of fruits and drink plenty of water.
In just over a month's time, it'd be Chinese New Year. I'm looking forward to it because it will be a time for reunion and a time when the family can spend an extended weekend together. Terence has already complied a list of family travels. For me, I might have to come back to Houston for a week after I come home on late Jan, but I'd be back for Chinese New Year. Time flies. I am trying to recall what I did last Chinese New Year, but we have trouble remembering.. :)
Monday, January 08, 2007
Two Sick Cats Back in Houston
Its nice to be on a holiday; meeting up with friends, absorbing new sights, tasting new food or reliving old memories. But for all that travelling and living out of a suitcase, its sometimes nice just to be home, even if home for Louis and I is temporarily Magnolia Hotel Houston.
As much as we like London, Louis found the dreary and dark weather to be rather depressing for his moods. Hence it was indeed nice to touch down to Houston on Fri afternoon with bright and cloudless sky and a day temperature of 24C.
I can't believe that I'm now on the final week of my 2 months of holiday. So, we spent my last weekend in Houston frantically buying all the goodies to bring back home and stocking up on Baby's stuff and my kitchen supplies. If only some of these outlets like Pottery Barn Kids or Crate and Barrel would ship to Singapore. I've seen some really lovely kid/baby furniture that I'm not sure I would be able to get back home. But it just doesn't make sense, money-wise, to buy and ship them home.
Anyways, with all the stuff that I have bought over the last 1 1/2 months or so, I'm really not so sure that I would be able to cart everything home on my own since I would be making my way back to Singapore without Louis now that his project has gotten extended. Nonetheless, I don't want to have any regrets about not buying some of the stuff here that I know I either can't get back home or at a much higher price.
Not to sound totally critical of America but having enjoyed all the food we ate in London and Paris, we had forgotten how different food tasted in Houston. No doubt things are definitely much cheaper and reasonable on account of the exchange rate. But Chinese food certainly taste a little coarser and rather localised for the American taste bud. Especially that Louis has been through the gamut of fever, sore throat and cough since New Year in London, and I have just gotten a bout of sore throat, we were really longing for comfort Chinese food. So, on Sunday, we decided that we shall stick with Japanese instead and that was a much better plan. Becos Japanese in Houston is actually quite good and still very reasonable.
Therefore, for my last week in Houston, I think I will stick to Japanese and Vietnamese :)
As much as we like London, Louis found the dreary and dark weather to be rather depressing for his moods. Hence it was indeed nice to touch down to Houston on Fri afternoon with bright and cloudless sky and a day temperature of 24C.
I can't believe that I'm now on the final week of my 2 months of holiday. So, we spent my last weekend in Houston frantically buying all the goodies to bring back home and stocking up on Baby's stuff and my kitchen supplies. If only some of these outlets like Pottery Barn Kids or Crate and Barrel would ship to Singapore. I've seen some really lovely kid/baby furniture that I'm not sure I would be able to get back home. But it just doesn't make sense, money-wise, to buy and ship them home.
Anyways, with all the stuff that I have bought over the last 1 1/2 months or so, I'm really not so sure that I would be able to cart everything home on my own since I would be making my way back to Singapore without Louis now that his project has gotten extended. Nonetheless, I don't want to have any regrets about not buying some of the stuff here that I know I either can't get back home or at a much higher price.
Not to sound totally critical of America but having enjoyed all the food we ate in London and Paris, we had forgotten how different food tasted in Houston. No doubt things are definitely much cheaper and reasonable on account of the exchange rate. But Chinese food certainly taste a little coarser and rather localised for the American taste bud. Especially that Louis has been through the gamut of fever, sore throat and cough since New Year in London, and I have just gotten a bout of sore throat, we were really longing for comfort Chinese food. So, on Sunday, we decided that we shall stick with Japanese instead and that was a much better plan. Becos Japanese in Houston is actually quite good and still very reasonable.
Therefore, for my last week in Houston, I think I will stick to Japanese and Vietnamese :)
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Thanks for the memories
After two weeks, we've come to the end of our Europe holidays. To Ajay, Manisa, Paula, Ian, Meera, Arvind, Prasoon & Raji...thanks for everything!
As some of you know, for the remaining part of our UK stay, we had put up with Ajay, Manisa and Saniya in their very nice home beside the docks, smack in Canary Wharf. Every evening, when Saniya came back with Manisa, she'd be looking for her "eve auntie" and "louis uncle". I think all of us - Abijay included, were happy to see how happy she was. Saniya has grown a lot since Eve saw her in Fonty. She now speaks like an adult and has a mind of her own - what to wear, when to sleep, where to go, what to eat etc. Eve and I are simply looking forward to our next reunion to see how much Saniya has grown again.
Prasoon and Raji threw a small get-together at their newly-owned apartment. The food was fantastic - especially Raji's lemon rice. Prasoon also gave us a rendition of his "pipe" blowing - some instrument that he had brought from his days in Australia.
And it was so nice to meet Ian and Paula again. As Paula later told Eve, it was indeed nice that it seemed like we never left each other. Even though we've not met for a year and a half now, we could still talk about everything. And Paula cooked a fantastic meal of tapas - my favourite was the quiche that she home-made. Eve promised that she'd do it once we're back in Singapore.
As we make our way back to Houston, Eve and I are happy that even though we may not see the folks anytime soon, we are leaving knowing that we have friends for life, no matter where we are.
As some of you know, for the remaining part of our UK stay, we had put up with Ajay, Manisa and Saniya in their very nice home beside the docks, smack in Canary Wharf. Every evening, when Saniya came back with Manisa, she'd be looking for her "eve auntie" and "louis uncle". I think all of us - Abijay included, were happy to see how happy she was. Saniya has grown a lot since Eve saw her in Fonty. She now speaks like an adult and has a mind of her own - what to wear, when to sleep, where to go, what to eat etc. Eve and I are simply looking forward to our next reunion to see how much Saniya has grown again.Prasoon and Raji threw a small get-together at their newly-owned apartment. The food was fantastic - especially Raji's lemon rice. Prasoon also gave us a rendition of his "pipe" blowing - some instrument that he had brought from his days in Australia.
And it was so nice to meet Ian and Paula again. As Paula later told Eve, it was indeed nice that it seemed like we never left each other. Even though we've not met for a year and a half now, we could still talk about everything. And Paula cooked a fantastic meal of tapas - my favourite was the quiche that she home-made. Eve promised that she'd do it once we're back in Singapore.
As we make our way back to Houston, Eve and I are happy that even though we may not see the folks anytime soon, we are leaving knowing that we have friends for life, no matter where we are.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Cost of Living in London
Staying in London with local friends allowed us to get a first-hand account of how expensive it is to live in London.
When we were out and about in London today, it dawned upon the two of us that it was not just restaurant food, but also daily groceries and public transporation that were quite expensive in London. For example, we had paid about 5 pounds for an all-day pass in London and about 9 pounds for two bottles of fruit juice and some shredded vegetables and mushrooms.
When I came back to Ajay's place today, I had a conversation with his brother who is an auditor and who is well-conversant with the income tax and cost of living in London. The long and short is: unless you are really making lots of money (for eg. in investment banking), you will save very little money working in London, compared to the same lifestyle say in Singapore.
The tax rate in London is as follows:
Starting rate:
£1 to £2,150 --- 10%
Basic rate:
£2,151 to £33,300 -- 22%
Higher rate:
£33,301 and above --- 40%
Keep in mind a fresh graduate will earn around 17K pounds. Let's say an experienced professional earns $60K pounds annually, he then pays $18,608 pounds (31%) in tax. If he earns $100K pounds annually, he pays $33,747 pounds (33%) in taxes. On top of this, you also need to pay around 12% for National Insurance (which from what I understand, is a right to be part of the pension plan - it isn't something like the CPF in Singapore where individuals contribute to their own account). In all, you spend between 42% - 45% of your salary on taxes and contributions.
On top of this, there is a 17.5% VAT rate which is essentially a sales tax much like the GST in Singapore.
As such, if you make 60,000 pounds a year (ie 5,000 pounds a month), then you end up with about 2,800 pounds a month. Of which, you spend about 100 pounds for public transport (adding an occasional taxi ride), say about 900 pounds for just a simple, shared one-room rental apartment with utilities. That leaves 1,800 pounds.
An decent cooked-in breakfast, lunch and dinner will cost about 25 pounds daily - which makes 750 pounds a month for meals. That leaves about 1,000 pounds on a very strict allowance for other things such as clothes, reading, exercise etc. And this is just catering for one person - much less bringing up a family.
Am glad to be in living in Singapore :)
When we were out and about in London today, it dawned upon the two of us that it was not just restaurant food, but also daily groceries and public transporation that were quite expensive in London. For example, we had paid about 5 pounds for an all-day pass in London and about 9 pounds for two bottles of fruit juice and some shredded vegetables and mushrooms.
When I came back to Ajay's place today, I had a conversation with his brother who is an auditor and who is well-conversant with the income tax and cost of living in London. The long and short is: unless you are really making lots of money (for eg. in investment banking), you will save very little money working in London, compared to the same lifestyle say in Singapore.
The tax rate in London is as follows:
Starting rate:
£1 to £2,150 --- 10%
Basic rate:
£2,151 to £33,300 -- 22%
Higher rate:
£33,301 and above --- 40%
Keep in mind a fresh graduate will earn around 17K pounds. Let's say an experienced professional earns $60K pounds annually, he then pays $18,608 pounds (31%) in tax. If he earns $100K pounds annually, he pays $33,747 pounds (33%) in taxes. On top of this, you also need to pay around 12% for National Insurance (which from what I understand, is a right to be part of the pension plan - it isn't something like the CPF in Singapore where individuals contribute to their own account). In all, you spend between 42% - 45% of your salary on taxes and contributions.
On top of this, there is a 17.5% VAT rate which is essentially a sales tax much like the GST in Singapore.
As such, if you make 60,000 pounds a year (ie 5,000 pounds a month), then you end up with about 2,800 pounds a month. Of which, you spend about 100 pounds for public transport (adding an occasional taxi ride), say about 900 pounds for just a simple, shared one-room rental apartment with utilities. That leaves 1,800 pounds.
An decent cooked-in breakfast, lunch and dinner will cost about 25 pounds daily - which makes 750 pounds a month for meals. That leaves about 1,000 pounds on a very strict allowance for other things such as clothes, reading, exercise etc. And this is just catering for one person - much less bringing up a family.
Am glad to be in living in Singapore :)
Monday, January 01, 2007
2007
It has been several days since we last posted. And today, I actually went through all the new blogs that came up on ACE's, Rachel and Eileen's and Nell's sites related to 2007. It seems like everyone had a wonderful start to the 2007 and it made me really happy that everyone is remembering to keep the blog posted. As a result, Eve and I have been able to keep updated with everyone. At the same time, I had mixed feelings that we aren't able to be in Singapore this time round to share the New Year with everyone back home.
Being an optimist, I am sure that in retrospect, this holiday of 2006 will be fondly remembered and treasured by Eve and myself. We are ever-convinced that life will be different when Baby arrives in April, and one of the things we will miss is our friends here in Europe and our memories here. Travelling for leisure will also be a thing of the past for us, at least in the near future. Unfortunately, there is always a trade-off that one has to make in life. Being in London also means not being home. And we are constantly reminded when we see the blogs that home is where the heart will always be.
In 2007, one of the biggest thing we're looking forward to is the welcoming of Baby into our family. Not only will Nicole, Anthea and Anders get a new cousin to play with, this also means that the Tan family will sit a family of 11 at future Chinese dinners. Myself, Eve and Baby (3), Adrian, Astee, Anthea and Anders(4), Terence and Cherry (2) mum, dad (2). Fortunately, with Baby still in a Baby Chair, I think we can still make a table of 10 comfortably.
2007 will be the year Eve and I join the league of parents with kids. From all I see, this is a more major jump than joinining the league of married couples from being boyfriends and girlfriends. The foundations however build on the latter. And for all the mistakes and lessons we know we will go through as parents, one thing is for sure - that Baby will be one more reason for Eve and I to bond even closer.
2006 was the year when Eve and I started blogging. We started it first as a means to keep in touch with each other. Then we blogged as a way to keep in touch with friends and family back in Singapore. In 2007, I hope that these reasons will change. Just simply because I hope to be back in Singapore if not all the time, at least, during the weekends. Under those circumstances, our blog will be used more to keep in touch with our friends overseas - friends like Yoonmi for example, whom I know tries to read this despite her busy schedule. Our hope is that because Eve and I will not get to travel as often, that these friends overseas can pass by Singapore when they can.
Our 2007 wishes are thus three-fold: that our small family unit of 3 learns the trials and tribulations of family life with as much love as Eve and I have built this family of 2; that our extended family will continue to be the picture of health and happiness; and that our network of friends globally will continue to be our constant reminders of how rich our lives have become from friendships beyond the family.
Being an optimist, I am sure that in retrospect, this holiday of 2006 will be fondly remembered and treasured by Eve and myself. We are ever-convinced that life will be different when Baby arrives in April, and one of the things we will miss is our friends here in Europe and our memories here. Travelling for leisure will also be a thing of the past for us, at least in the near future. Unfortunately, there is always a trade-off that one has to make in life. Being in London also means not being home. And we are constantly reminded when we see the blogs that home is where the heart will always be.
In 2007, one of the biggest thing we're looking forward to is the welcoming of Baby into our family. Not only will Nicole, Anthea and Anders get a new cousin to play with, this also means that the Tan family will sit a family of 11 at future Chinese dinners. Myself, Eve and Baby (3), Adrian, Astee, Anthea and Anders(4), Terence and Cherry (2) mum, dad (2). Fortunately, with Baby still in a Baby Chair, I think we can still make a table of 10 comfortably.
2007 will be the year Eve and I join the league of parents with kids. From all I see, this is a more major jump than joinining the league of married couples from being boyfriends and girlfriends. The foundations however build on the latter. And for all the mistakes and lessons we know we will go through as parents, one thing is for sure - that Baby will be one more reason for Eve and I to bond even closer.
2006 was the year when Eve and I started blogging. We started it first as a means to keep in touch with each other. Then we blogged as a way to keep in touch with friends and family back in Singapore. In 2007, I hope that these reasons will change. Just simply because I hope to be back in Singapore if not all the time, at least, during the weekends. Under those circumstances, our blog will be used more to keep in touch with our friends overseas - friends like Yoonmi for example, whom I know tries to read this despite her busy schedule. Our hope is that because Eve and I will not get to travel as often, that these friends overseas can pass by Singapore when they can.
Our 2007 wishes are thus three-fold: that our small family unit of 3 learns the trials and tribulations of family life with as much love as Eve and I have built this family of 2; that our extended family will continue to be the picture of health and happiness; and that our network of friends globally will continue to be our constant reminders of how rich our lives have become from friendships beyond the family.
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