Thursday, 10 February 2011
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Fire! Fire!
Just as we walked the kids back to their classrooms after the eye screening this morning, the fire alarm went off. Linnea's teacher caught up with us just as they were coming out of their room, and took Linnea with her - but Lucas protested when we tried to take him back to his classroom; no, he told us he needed to go to the helipad.
Ok?
Well, turns out, the helipad is the assembly point, and that's where they all have been told to meet. Lucas was the first one there from his class. Another little friend who had been off to the toilet joined him too, but it actually took a while for the rest of their class to turn up.
We were really happy he knew exactly what to do, and had done the right thing by going straight to the assembly point, even though he was by himself.
Nathan and I had to stay as well, until it all was called off. We didn't mind, it was quite nice to experience this. I was impressed by how all the children listened attentively to and followed the instructions, and how well executed the whole drill was.
Ok?
Well, turns out, the helipad is the assembly point, and that's where they all have been told to meet. Lucas was the first one there from his class. Another little friend who had been off to the toilet joined him too, but it actually took a while for the rest of their class to turn up.
We were really happy he knew exactly what to do, and had done the right thing by going straight to the assembly point, even though he was by himself.
Nathan and I had to stay as well, until it all was called off. We didn't mind, it was quite nice to experience this. I was impressed by how all the children listened attentively to and followed the instructions, and how well executed the whole drill was.
20/20
The kids had eye screening today at school. It was voluntary if you wanted your children to do it, but of course, why not? Especially with my bad eye sight, I welcomed a check of theirs.
It wasn't made with any heavy equipment. It was basically just a quick check if they could read at a distance.
Linnea got to match the letters being shown to her, to letters on a sheet in front of her:
Lucas got to read off a proper board, and could do all but the last line!
They both passed with flying colours, no problems there at all.
Phew!
It wasn't made with any heavy equipment. It was basically just a quick check if they could read at a distance.
Linnea got to match the letters being shown to her, to letters on a sheet in front of her:
Lucas got to read off a proper board, and could do all but the last line!
They both passed with flying colours, no problems there at all.
Phew!
Monday, 7 February 2011
Everything is relative
It's another rainy day in Brunei today. All grey and overcast. A bit of a cold one.
I felt quite chilly this morning so I rejoiced in the fact I could wear jeans and a long sleeved top for a change.
It's still 28 degrees. That's cold here.
I guess everything is relative.
I felt quite chilly this morning so I rejoiced in the fact I could wear jeans and a long sleeved top for a change.
It's still 28 degrees. That's cold here.
I guess everything is relative.
Saturday, 5 February 2011
Long weekend
Sushi, Scalextric, books, frozen youghurt, roti, Chinese New Year, cocktail party, pizza, rain, magazines, computer games, ang pao, high heels, tv, more sushi, hugs & cuddles, party bag, dancing, play date, movies, relaxing, fireworks, carrot cake, bubbly, kick boxing, friends, sleep-ins. FUN!
Thursday, 3 February 2011
Boot Camp morning
No rest for the wicked. Even though there is no school today nor tomorrow, Anna and I decided to go to kickboxing anyway early this morning to kick off the day (pun intended!).
This morning it was just us two and one of the local girls. Our session turned into more of a boot camp than just exercise. You see, our sensei doesn't go any easier on us when there are fewer of us, quite the opposite...
Hard work for 1 1/2 h, but really good fun today! We got to work the punching bag a bit and for the first time we did some "proper" sparring against each other. Well, I use the word "proper" very loosely - we are girls after all, ha ha! There was a lot of: "Oh, sorry!", "Oups, didn't mean to hit", "Oh dear, too hard", "Are you ok?" etc.
I felt like I was in some kind of computer game, and sometimes I had to resist the urge of just running the other direction - but I also got some points and some good hits! It was FUN!
And now, I can enjoy my coffee and carrot cake with good conscience!
This morning it was just us two and one of the local girls. Our session turned into more of a boot camp than just exercise. You see, our sensei doesn't go any easier on us when there are fewer of us, quite the opposite...
Hard work for 1 1/2 h, but really good fun today! We got to work the punching bag a bit and for the first time we did some "proper" sparring against each other. Well, I use the word "proper" very loosely - we are girls after all, ha ha! There was a lot of: "Oh, sorry!", "Oups, didn't mean to hit", "Oh dear, too hard", "Are you ok?" etc.
I felt like I was in some kind of computer game, and sometimes I had to resist the urge of just running the other direction - but I also got some points and some good hits! It was FUN!
And now, I can enjoy my coffee and carrot cake with good conscience!
Year of the Rabbit
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Today we start a new year, according to the Chinese - the Year of the Rabbit.
The Chinese astrologers predict the following for our year ahead:
"The year of the Rabbit is traditionally one associated with home and family, artistic pursuits, diplomacy, and keeping the peace. Therefore, 2011 is very likely to be a relatively calmer one than 2010 both on the world scene, as well as on a personal level."
Today we start a new year, according to the Chinese - the Year of the Rabbit.
The Chinese astrologers predict the following for our year ahead:
"The year of the Rabbit is traditionally one associated with home and family, artistic pursuits, diplomacy, and keeping the peace. Therefore, 2011 is very likely to be a relatively calmer one than 2010 both on the world scene, as well as on a personal level."
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!
Oye! Oye! Oye!
Two of the Aussie hashers (channeling Björn Borg?) in their new head bands.
We had a great night tonight at the hash, which was the Australia Day run. Not only was the run itself nicely long and rather challenging with a couple of monster hills, lots of deep water crossings and more than enough mud (...), but the afters were great too!
We got lovely gifts, from Austraaaylia, there was a raffle with exciting Aussie prizes - AND a meat raffle, not to forget!
We also got treated to fantastic 'tucker', with Aussie 'snags' imported in especially, yum, yum, yum!
Monday, 31 January 2011
An unusual day
It's been cold today.
Yes, it has!!!
Well, for Brunei at least...
It started raining just before 10 o'clock this morning, and to everyone's big surprise it continued all day. Quite unusual.
The teachers all looked rather relieved when the school day was over though, as they hadn't been able to get the kids outside during break time all day... :/
I did the school run in shorts this morning but had to put on jeans when I got back - because I was a bit chilly! A nice feeling for a change, if you ask me.
I even made an apple crumble for dessert, on a normal Monday! Felt like a rainy day like today was the perfect day for some comfort food!
Yes, it has!!!
Well, for Brunei at least...
It started raining just before 10 o'clock this morning, and to everyone's big surprise it continued all day. Quite unusual.
The teachers all looked rather relieved when the school day was over though, as they hadn't been able to get the kids outside during break time all day... :/
I did the school run in shorts this morning but had to put on jeans when I got back - because I was a bit chilly! A nice feeling for a change, if you ask me.
I even made an apple crumble for dessert, on a normal Monday! Felt like a rainy day like today was the perfect day for some comfort food!
Sunday, 30 January 2011
JH3 CNY Hash 2011
The Kids Hash this weekend was one of my favourite ones of the year - the Chinese New Year Hash.
Last year for some reason I can't remember now, we weren't allowed to celebrate with Lion Dancing unfortunately; but I vividly remember the mesmerizing Lion Dance from the Kids Hash two years ago, which was so fantastic that I was so looking forward to today.
But first, a hot dog and a drink after the run, as usual:
I surely wasn't disappointed with the lions this year either..! They were amazing!
First they walked around the tent, the cars and all the people to bless them.
Lucas and the lion:
Linnea giving the lion the red envelope, ang pao:
Very popular lions (and very patient too..!):
Linnea and her new friend Emma getting up close:
The yellow and the red lion:
The yellow was doing a lot of tricks...
While the red one was busy "eating" the oranges:
The yellow one jumped up on this platform:
It continued to amaze us with great agility, oaw!
This is what was left of the oranges!
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Last year for some reason I can't remember now, we weren't allowed to celebrate with Lion Dancing unfortunately; but I vividly remember the mesmerizing Lion Dance from the Kids Hash two years ago, which was so fantastic that I was so looking forward to today.
But first, a hot dog and a drink after the run, as usual:
I surely wasn't disappointed with the lions this year either..! They were amazing!
First they walked around the tent, the cars and all the people to bless them.
Lucas and the lion:
Linnea giving the lion the red envelope, ang pao:
Very popular lions (and very patient too..!):
Linnea and her new friend Emma getting up close:
The yellow and the red lion:
The yellow was doing a lot of tricks...
While the red one was busy "eating" the oranges:
The yellow one jumped up on this platform:
It continued to amaze us with great agility, oaw!
This is what was left of the oranges!
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Going, going - gone
The Kids Hash today was at a familiar site not far from us, Morley Movers. In fact, the first hash I ever laid was at that site.
Unfortunately, it doesn't quite look the same anymore. The hash today was mostly through a very gloomy open landscape of ravaged jungle, and acompanied by the roaring sounds of the bulldozers, diggers and trucks working hard.
The destruction is vast, and fast. They are planning to build 4000 new houses here apparently.
It made me feel really sad today walking around what used to be beautiful, lush jungle... Such a shame.
Unfortunately, it doesn't quite look the same anymore. The hash today was mostly through a very gloomy open landscape of ravaged jungle, and acompanied by the roaring sounds of the bulldozers, diggers and trucks working hard.
The destruction is vast, and fast. They are planning to build 4000 new houses here apparently.
It made me feel really sad today walking around what used to be beautiful, lush jungle... Such a shame.
Sk8er boi
Lucas got a skateboard for his birthday, and have actually tried quite a bit to get moving, but it's proving a lot harder than he thought I think.
Yesterday he got some pro advice from Misuzu, who turned out to be pretty good at the skateboard! There is hidden talents in our simpang!
Yesterday he got some pro advice from Misuzu, who turned out to be pretty good at the skateboard! There is hidden talents in our simpang!
Saturday, 29 January 2011
On paper
This is the perfect life - comfortable, easy, relaxed.
We have sunshine every day.
Sea and beaches all around, a boat at the yacht club.
Superb restaurants with cheap, delicious food.
A husband that is more home than at work.
Someone to do the house work.
All the time in the world to myself.
It is the perfect life.
At least on paper.
In reality, not always quite.
We have sunshine every day.
Sea and beaches all around, a boat at the yacht club.
Superb restaurants with cheap, delicious food.
A husband that is more home than at work.
Someone to do the house work.
All the time in the world to myself.
It is the perfect life.
At least on paper.
In reality, not always quite.
Friday, 28 January 2011
Life in Brunei - On the go
I stumbled upon a pretty good blogger tip today at this (Swedish, sorry) blog, about how to get your blog to appear in a more friendly version for the small screens of mobile devices.
So, I'm going to do a little trial and see how it works out. What do you think? You guys who follow me on your iPhones etc, do you prefer this adapted version, or the original web version?
Let me know.
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Teppanyaki delight
Last night the girls and I went out for dinner. We had heard about this new teppanyaki room in one of the Japanese restaurants so off we went to try it out.
We let Misuzu order for us, and we ended up trying some different things from the extensive teppanyaki menu, such as vegetables, white fish and beef. We also had to have "the usual" - some salmon sashimi, sushi, tempura prawns, edamame etc.
I'd only done this teppanyaki thing once before (in Athens actually of all places!) a very long time ago. I remember it being quite a show.
A teppanyaki chef usually would do all sorts of tricks while he cooks, like throwing the knives around, cutting the food in decorative ways, making big flames etc. Unfortunately there was none such actions last night. We weren't too sure if it was because there were only the three of us in the room or if they just wont do those things here.
Maybe I was just young and easily impressionable back in the day, but I remember that meal in Athens as one of my best ever!
Anyway, it was nice to have food cooked fresh right in front of you, it all tasted lovely and was presented beautifully. It was nice to discover a new place to go for dinner. We will definitely return, fill up the room with some more people, and hope for a bit of a performance then maybe!
We let Misuzu order for us, and we ended up trying some different things from the extensive teppanyaki menu, such as vegetables, white fish and beef. We also had to have "the usual" - some salmon sashimi, sushi, tempura prawns, edamame etc.
I'd only done this teppanyaki thing once before (in Athens actually of all places!) a very long time ago. I remember it being quite a show.
A teppanyaki chef usually would do all sorts of tricks while he cooks, like throwing the knives around, cutting the food in decorative ways, making big flames etc. Unfortunately there was none such actions last night. We weren't too sure if it was because there were only the three of us in the room or if they just wont do those things here.
Maybe I was just young and easily impressionable back in the day, but I remember that meal in Athens as one of my best ever!
Anyway, it was nice to have food cooked fresh right in front of you, it all tasted lovely and was presented beautifully. It was nice to discover a new place to go for dinner. We will definitely return, fill up the room with some more people, and hope for a bit of a performance then maybe!
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
The dreaded question
This morning on our way to school, we talked about our UK life and were placing in time when certain things had happened. At one stage, we were talking about something that had taken place when Linnea was in my tummy - and that sparked the dreaded question, from Lucas:
- But Mummy, how do babies get into mummies big tummies?
Ehm...
I didn't have time to start explaining before Linnea answered for me:
- Silly! It's when mummies eat a lot of food of course!
Lucas seemed happy with that explanation, so we have left it at that for the moment! :)
- But Mummy, how do babies get into mummies big tummies?
Ehm...
I didn't have time to start explaining before Linnea answered for me:
- Silly! It's when mummies eat a lot of food of course!
Lucas seemed happy with that explanation, so we have left it at that for the moment! :)
Monday, 24 January 2011
BAM!
I'm not quite sure where the last two months have gone..? Last time I was just remotely 'with it' was in the middle of November..!
It was then Nathan took off to NZ and I was "single mum" for a week; a day after he got back the kids and I went to Sweden for three weeks; the day after we got back Grandma and Granddad arrived - and, it's just now things will (well, kind of, do they really ever in Brunei..?) go back to normal.
Grandma left last night, after over a month here with us - and she has, honestly, had a blast!
You should know that when we first moved to Brunei, all we heard was that she would never set her foot here again, it was - and I quote - "over her dead body" that she would ever return here. She just wanted to move forward, Brunei was more of a "been there, done that"-thing for her.
Well, it took her 3 1/2 years to finally come, but upon leaving last night she said herself that she will be eating some big slices of humble pie when she gets back home to tell her friends all about it. This place sure have changed a lot since her time here, and she really both settled in and fitted in quite nicely in our lifestyle here.
I hope it wont take her another 3 1/2 years to come again..!
It was then Nathan took off to NZ and I was "single mum" for a week; a day after he got back the kids and I went to Sweden for three weeks; the day after we got back Grandma and Granddad arrived - and, it's just now things will (well, kind of, do they really ever in Brunei..?) go back to normal.
Grandma left last night, after over a month here with us - and she has, honestly, had a blast!
You should know that when we first moved to Brunei, all we heard was that she would never set her foot here again, it was - and I quote - "over her dead body" that she would ever return here. She just wanted to move forward, Brunei was more of a "been there, done that"-thing for her.
Well, it took her 3 1/2 years to finally come, but upon leaving last night she said herself that she will be eating some big slices of humble pie when she gets back home to tell her friends all about it. This place sure have changed a lot since her time here, and she really both settled in and fitted in quite nicely in our lifestyle here.
I hope it wont take her another 3 1/2 years to come again..!
Sunday, 23 January 2011
How to spot a real Star Wars
After the initial excitement, and for some, utter chock - over the impressive Star Wars visitors; the kids had many questions for them. Lucas was clever though and found out pretty quickly they weren't "real", because, as he said:
-"If you were real Storm Troopers, you would kill us!"
Linnea took another approach to prove her point. When the guys retired back into the guest room to get changed again, she quickly snuck past one of them into the room, and exclaimed:
-"Look! I told you! They ARE humans, they have shoes!"
-"If you were real Storm Troopers, you would kill us!"
Linnea took another approach to prove her point. When the guys retired back into the guest room to get changed again, she quickly snuck past one of them into the room, and exclaimed:
-"Look! I told you! They ARE humans, they have shoes!"
The big galactic adventure
The winter months are pretty intense party wise for our family. We start off softly with Nathans birthday end of September, then Linnea's in October, Halloween and Christmas of course; then we finish off with the double birthday now in January.
It always feels rather good when it's all over for a while... phew.
The party yesterday was a super hit though. Super hit!
We woke up to a big thunder storm and most of the morning it poured down with rain, something that's not happening very often, usually it rains in the afternoon. I thought, bugger, bugger, bugger... but hey, what to do?
At ten o'clock we were ready anyway, Star Wars music playing loudly, the water slide connected, the amahs in control of the food, the Star Wars spaceships suspended in the ceiling - and all the dress-ups on!
Once all the little jedis had arrived, we took them outside for their first Jedi mission - to control the light sabers. They had to keep some balloons in the air for a certain time to receive their first star - and by now, the sun was shining, so it was all good!
I've never really done party games for the kids before. At younger ages, they tend to be perfectly happy with just free play, but this time I thought it we should give it a try. I was a bit worried, I didn't think I was the "party-game-person", but hey - it was so much fun!
After that while they were playing on the slide and upstairs on the Wii (Star Wars... of course) our special guests arrived, we snuck them in through the back door and they went to get ready in Grandma's room. It took them about 40 minutes to suit up, but gosh was all this secrecy worth it!!
We had organized the 501st Legion to come - and they turned up in full force, with a Storm Trooper, a Clone Trooper, Boba Fett and Darth Vader! You should have seen the kids, the excitement when they saw them come out! They were jumping all over!
We had a bit of a photo shoot with all of them together and the kids got to talk to and pose with all the 501sts. It was awesome!! They looked absolutely fantastic and the kids were electric!
After our special surprise, it was time for the next Jedi mission, and all the kids went outside to defeat the Death Star. Grandma had painted it up on the garage wall, and the kids made it disappear with water balloons. They had so much fun, and it worked like a charm!
The final mission was to find the cake, which had gone missing!
The kids followed a bunch of clues around in the house, upstairs downstairs, inside and outside, to find asteroids to lead them to the cake. Finally they found it on the patio, an amazing cake made by the Kitchen of Jasmine, of course. Yum, yum, yum!
Some more playing, and then home-time. Three hours passed so quickly!
For their goodie bags, I gave them all a photo frame each with the group photo with the 501sts (that I had printed out quickly). All the kids just loved that, and went home buzzing, telling their parents all about what we had been up to.
A great party, we were all very happy about how it turned out, and especially Lucas of course. He had the best time!
I'm just wondering, how are we going to top this next year..? :)
It always feels rather good when it's all over for a while... phew.
The party yesterday was a super hit though. Super hit!
We woke up to a big thunder storm and most of the morning it poured down with rain, something that's not happening very often, usually it rains in the afternoon. I thought, bugger, bugger, bugger... but hey, what to do?
At ten o'clock we were ready anyway, Star Wars music playing loudly, the water slide connected, the amahs in control of the food, the Star Wars spaceships suspended in the ceiling - and all the dress-ups on!
Once all the little jedis had arrived, we took them outside for their first Jedi mission - to control the light sabers. They had to keep some balloons in the air for a certain time to receive their first star - and by now, the sun was shining, so it was all good!
I've never really done party games for the kids before. At younger ages, they tend to be perfectly happy with just free play, but this time I thought it we should give it a try. I was a bit worried, I didn't think I was the "party-game-person", but hey - it was so much fun!
After that while they were playing on the slide and upstairs on the Wii (Star Wars... of course) our special guests arrived, we snuck them in through the back door and they went to get ready in Grandma's room. It took them about 40 minutes to suit up, but gosh was all this secrecy worth it!!
We had organized the 501st Legion to come - and they turned up in full force, with a Storm Trooper, a Clone Trooper, Boba Fett and Darth Vader! You should have seen the kids, the excitement when they saw them come out! They were jumping all over!
We had a bit of a photo shoot with all of them together and the kids got to talk to and pose with all the 501sts. It was awesome!! They looked absolutely fantastic and the kids were electric!
After our special surprise, it was time for the next Jedi mission, and all the kids went outside to defeat the Death Star. Grandma had painted it up on the garage wall, and the kids made it disappear with water balloons. They had so much fun, and it worked like a charm!
The final mission was to find the cake, which had gone missing!
The kids followed a bunch of clues around in the house, upstairs downstairs, inside and outside, to find asteroids to lead them to the cake. Finally they found it on the patio, an amazing cake made by the Kitchen of Jasmine, of course. Yum, yum, yum!
Some more playing, and then home-time. Three hours passed so quickly!
For their goodie bags, I gave them all a photo frame each with the group photo with the 501sts (that I had printed out quickly). All the kids just loved that, and went home buzzing, telling their parents all about what we had been up to.
A great party, we were all very happy about how it turned out, and especially Lucas of course. He had the best time!
I'm just wondering, how are we going to top this next year..? :)
Party you must
(I'm trying the slide shows made straight in iPhoto. I think it's unfortunately a bit small and hard to see. I hope still you get the feeling of the party!)
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