Hi everyone

[jinkel]

Thanks - will contact you if the need arises....

[hellothere]

wow...sounds like u gals are pretty busy shopping around for good deals.

There are nothing much in Singapore though......lookalike malls everywhere and food courts.
Maybe u should try nightsafari and Sentosa when u have the time.
Perhaps we can meet one day for a chat.


Regards,
Angeline

[Matney]

Hi,Ladies!! I have been since CHristmas. My children are older (teens), but understand the problems of getting out with little ones. How I wish Target was here or WalMart for that matter. Giant at Parkway is larger than the one at Bedok. I just started back to work full time after having 15 years off to be full time Mom, but if I can help out I'll try.

BTW, I'm American and have spent the last 15 years in Australia--Melbourne & Sunshine Coast. [/list]

[jinkel]

I can't tell you how cool it is to be in contact with you ladies! Already I feel less disconnected from the world. For that, THANK YOU!

hellothere - of course I would love to get together sometime for a chat. Maybe in a few weeks? Still settling down, and figuring out how to get here & there.

Matney - Wow, you are quite the world explorer! You're the first person I've seen who lives anywhere near my neck of the woods (I live in Kembangan right across the street from the MRT station). Again, makes me feel way less disconnected. Very cool! Are you happy to be back working again? What type work do you do? (and what part of the States are you from?)

[Matney]

Yes, I'm glad--well most of the time. This is was the first week-end I just took it easy...other than cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping and of course laundry!!
I am a teacher with 21 second graders. Keeps me busy, but they are great students!
Grew up between Kansas City, MO and St. Joseph, MO, lived in Deleware for 2 years. And where are you from?

[jinkel]

A teacher! Awesome. Do you teach at local school, or an international one?

Raised in Oregon, lived 10 years in NY (Long Island), 2 in L.A., and the last 4 in Nevada (Reno). Never lived out of the U.S. before now, though! Well, it makes for an interesting way to mark my 35th birthday, at least .

So....a question for you. Will there ever come a day that I am not sweating my <insert bodypart here> off? I honestly have NO idea what Australia is like (although I always pictured it as quite dry), but after living in Nevada (desert) and L.A. (again, VERY dry), I am melting. The trade off is that this is such a beautiful city. Very green. As opposed to everything in Nevada, which is just different shades of brown.

[Matney]

International school.

Melting, perspiring....consider it normal! I thought I was the only one in a constant state of wetness. Glad to know I'm not alone!

[felicityue]

yes

[jinkel]

felicityue -

So sorry! I've already forgotten what life is like w/a toddler (or baby).

It's easier for me - - my son doesn't nap during the day anymore, so there's zero risk of him falling asleep on me. Also, he's old enough that the few times I have to ask him to get out of the stroller (i.e., there's stairs, or we're getting into a taxi) he's old enough to understand the reason, and is 99% of the time agreeable to it.

Is your daughter light? Have you tried a sling? When my son was younger I used a sling to carry him everywhere. It left my hands pretty free, and he loved it of course, 'cause he was being carried. Or how 'bout a baby backpack? Again, he liked it 'cause he had a bird's eye view of everything.

Also, for around $5 delivery fee, you can order your groceries from Cold Storage (http://www.coldstorage.com.sg/mall/). I've had pretty good luck with them. They've even done a pretty good job picking out the veggies & fruits I ordered. For me, the delivery has been awesome! That's just one less thing I've gotta drag my kid to. And once I factor in the MRT fee, the taxi back (I don't drag all my bags of groceries onto the MRT), and the time spent, the $5 is a BARGAIN for me.

I don't know if you still nurse your daughter (or ever did), but the La Leche League can be a wonderful source of support (even if you don't breastfeed). The moms in those groups tend to be more into baby wearing (i.e. sling or backpack) and *may* have used ones to buy, or even borrow. They also may have additional helpful suggestions for getting around with a little one. The Singapore LLL website is: http://lllsg.tripod.com/id13.html

These are certainly not cure-alls, I understand. But every little irritation that can be eased will help in the transition process. It's a lot more difficult to enjoy or embrace a move to a new country when everything seems so difficult. I hope things get better for you. If there's anything I can do, please let me know.

[hellothere]

The weather can be killing at times..especially in the middle of the year..about 35 degrees. Otherwise, its averaging between 31- 35 degrees. Can u imagine...I had been here since birth.

Its so awesome that u gals can travel around. Its been great surfing this forum. Just a piece of news for u...Singapore is currently promoting good customer svc. Hence, u should expect top svc quality when hunting around for stuff.

[riversandlakes]

hail, may i join in with a bunch of newbies to singapore?

[jinkel]

hellothere - actually...being fresh from the States, my standards for customer service are pretty low. Thus, so far most of my CS experiences here have been more than acceptable.

r&l - the more people I "meet" (cyber or in person) here in Singapore (whether "newbie", long-time expat, or lifelong resident), the more at-home I'll feel. I've seen several of your posts, and have no doubt that you have many friends in this forum already, so thanks for taking the time to say "hello" in this post.

[felicityue]

Jinkel thank you very much for your warm words and suggestions!
i really appreciate that.
i have another question. did you find a doctor for your son? have you gone to see the doctor lately? how's it? i need to bring my daughter to do her check up next month. do you have any suggestion?

i am a little frustrated since sometimes i can't underestand their Singlish. i want to go to school later, i don't know if i can manage it or not. btw, what's your plan?

[hellothere]

Hi felicityue,

I do have this doctor that is pretty good. The clinic is located at Bishan. Its called Children's Medical Centre. They cared for my daughter till she is 6 years old. They are pretty professional and has great service.

Talking about Singlish....its all about "lahs, lee, lohs" and lots of abbreviations. This is due to the different races and the different dialect groups that we have here. Hence, nobody speaks pure English. This is why Singlish was invented 8)
You will soon be able to speak like one or at least get used to it.

Speaking of you going back to school....thats awesome. I am sure u will pull it off.

[hellothere]

[quote="jinkel"]
Raised in Oregon, lived 10 years in NY (Long Island), 2 in L.A., and the last 4 in Nevada (Reno).

Really... My husband...used to liaise with Microsoft at Nevada.