Last day at preschool

Went to daughter's school today. Had a little farewell party with all the school staff and teachers. Parents were invited for an aperitif and snacks.

It's the last day our daughter went to the Petit Prince preschool. After summer holiday she'll start elementary (école enfantine). Daughter is lucky to have some friends who will go to the same school who's currently her classmate in preschool, so the changes wouldn't be so drastic as she'll recognize some familiar faces.

Summer holiday for the canton of Geneva starts tomorrow July 1st and will end on August 25th. The new school year 2006-2007 will starts on Monday August 28th. Happy Holidays! :)

Daughter's school play

Venue: July 13th last week. We all went to daughter's end of year school play in the Aula College de Saussure, Lancy. Since morning, she asked "is it 6 pm yet, mom?" she couldn't wait to go there! everytime she looked at the clock she'll ask the same question. Good thing is, now she's begin to get to know how to read the clock on the wall, so she'll shout: "one o' clock", 2, 3 ,4 and finally 5!!! yep, that's the time we got to be prepared to go.

We went by bus, only about 4 stops to reach the place, but because that day was the world cup match of Swiss-France, seemed like there's a heavy traffic near the area around Geneva stadium, so our bus came a bit late. But thank God we've made it on time and went straight to the Theater in the basement of the school building.

All kids should wear WHITE clothes as their main costume and so did all the teachers and assistants. The play started about 5 to 10 minutes late, but all kids seemed happy to go on stage at last. Fist part of the show was from kids in morning class, followed by afternoon class and finished all kids together, dancing, singing, shouting out loud!!!

It was a wonderful evening, me and husband were so proud of her (well, all parents should) because they were all true artist! Bravo.

ps: more pictures can be viewed HERE!

HAPPY

Got an email from a friend, saying: HOW TO KEEP HAPPY. quotes:

Keep only cheerful friends.
The grouches pull you down. (Keep this In mind if you are one of those grouches).

Laugh often. If you have friends who make you laugh, spend a lot of time with them.

Keep learning.
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

Enjoy the simple things. Surround yourself with what you love.

Cherish your health:
If it is good, preserve it.
If it is unstable, improve it.

The tears happen.
Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life is ourself. Live while you are alive.

There's something about the ring..

We never had an engagement ring.. nor a wedding ring when we got married 9 yrs ago. So I was surprised when out of the blue husband said that he'll buy a diamond ring for me NOW, after all these years. Of course I'm thrilled, and yesterday I picked up my lovely present from him.

A ring. That small bling-bling thing in my finger could take me back to those years.. that time when we decided to get married. We never had and wore any ring in our fingers.. that's why sometimes when we met new people, especially when we live in western world and still a young couple without kids, people would asked: "are you married??.. you don't wear a wedding ring.." That remarks, sometimes made me uneasy.. and I would think, mind you, I'm happily married and you better believe that!. Some people would think "negative", like, maybe I did it on purpose, took off my wedding ring and try to act "single" especially when husband is not around. But, NO! I wasn't looking for trouble, I just don't have a wedding ring, that's all!

The story behind the ring travelled back to the time when we planned to get married. A ring could raise more problem that was already huge back then. You know, sometimes I wish people back home could start to help couples who want to get married, make their life easier these days.. I know that we have a richer cultural and traditional wedding ceremonies than the westerners, but the thought of getting married could become a burden to many couples I knew, including us 9 yrs ago.

We wanted a simple wedding, but family wanted to celebrate it just like many people usually did, with all the traditional ceremonies and a fancy reception afterwards. My late mom & dad said, it's because my wedding was the first wedding in my family (although I have a big sis and bro before me).. other thing was, they don't want to make BIG family dissapointed by only celebrate their daughter's wedding at home, for example.

In the other hand, we wanted to make it as simple as possible, because eventhough we're both working that time, we couldn't afford all the expenses like hiring the reception room, catering, decoration, souvenirs, and the family "uniform".. if you know what I mean... those are a standard stuff we need to prepare for a wedding in the country, right?..

Another reason we wanted to get married sooner, is because my then boyfriend and now husband will be moving to Bangkok for a professional reasons and a project he had to finish there. Preparing all the wedding things would put another heavy weight of problem on his shoulder, and it will took months before we could actually wed. If we did it in KUA, for example.. we'll be husband and wife in just a couple of minutes, or hours.

So why is the ring will bring more problems?, husband said that in Islam, a man should not wear any jewelleries, well, at least that what he's been told by his parents. I could wear a wedding ring, but not him. I thought, if he doesn't wear any, what's the point? so I won't wear one. And that was it. I won't argue just because of a ring. But that didn't keep me from asking my mom, should I wear a wedding ring or not?..

She said that it's not an obligation, my mom too, didn't wear a wedding ring. She had one when she got married decades ago, but when time got rough and tough, she sold it. She also said that a "ring ceremony" isn't our custom, anyway. It addapted from a western culture. I was relieved after she told me so, but somehow my mom took me to a jewellery store one day and she bought me a gold ring anyway. She said, it's yours.. you can have it. But I didn't have the ring that mom gave me anymore, instead now I got a new ring from my beloved husband...

Last weeks of pregnancy.

A note and reminder to myself as I'm entering the last weeks of my pregnancy.

Week 36
Your baby
Your growing baby is approximately 44cm, and at any time now, her head might move down into the pelvis or ‘engage'.
You
As your baby drops down to the pelvis, you'll probably find it easier to breathe. Raise both arms above your head to help with rib pain. Try doing some foot circles to relieve swollen ankles. See you GP at once if swelling is severe. Check and DONE --> I use supporting kneehigh-socks everyday, from wake up in the morning until night before bedtime.

Week 37
Your baby
Your baby is taking up all the room in your stomache and has snuggled into one position. Both feet turn in, and his legs are bent at the hips and knees, crossed over one another. He's about 45cm.
You
Can't stop spring cleaning? Don't worry, it's just the nesting instinct kicking in. Lock up your ladders and ask your partner to do any climbing or heavy lifting from now on. Already experienced this.. can't help tidying everything and I really need to scrub the kitchen floor soooo badly!!!

Week 38
Your baby
If your baby's head is engaged, her movements will be limited. You'll probably only feel her legs kicking and jabs from her arms. Some women say they feel like their baby is using their pelvic floor as a trampoline. She now measures around 47cm long.
You
Sleeping may be hard as you struggle to find a comfy position. Try having a warm bath before you go to bed to relax you. I undergoing this too, already... *sigh*

Week 39
Your baby
He's grown rapidly and is three times heavier than he was 11 weeks ago. He's plumped out and measures about 48cm long.
You
Make the most of as many lie-ins as you can; you'll need all your energy once the baby arrives. Say ‘yes' to all offers of help (why NO ONE bother to ask?!?) Cook healthy meals for the freezer. Once you're baby's arrived the last thing you'll feel like is cooking yeah... I'll do it later...

Week 40
Your baby
She's ready to be born. Most of the fine hair, or lanugo, on her body has dropped off, but she may be born with some. She is roughly 50cm long.
You
You may feel a familiar pre-menstrual backache just before labour begins. Most women worry they won't recognise the signs, but you will! Only 3% of babies arrive on their due date, but 80% are born within 14 days. OH BOYYY.... here it goes, ready now???....

What to pack?
It’s best to have your bag packed four weeks before your due date, in case you go into labour early. A guideline of what to take into hospital :

For ME:
* Toiletry bag - with flannel, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, shampoo, soap, hairbrush etc.
* Towels - one small and one large.
* Sanitary towels - two packs of large, absorbent towels. Do not pack tampons.
* Loose, comfortable clothes to wear during the birth - a loose T-shirt or roomy night shirt would be ideal.
* Other nightclothes for before and after the birth
* Dressing gown and slippers.
* 2 or 3 nursing bras (if you are going to breast-feed).
* Disposable pants (about 6 pairs)
* High energy snacks - fruit bars and drinks for you and something substantial for your partner.
* A camera or a video camera if it's allowed.
* Personal comfort for the labour room. Water spray and sponges. Sweets.
* Books, magazines.
* Change for the phone, a phone card. (as you might not turn on your mobile in the hospital), address book.
* Your birth plan and letter of insurance guarantee.
* Comfortable clothing to wear going home.

Don't pack anything too tight - your stomach isn't going to shrink overnight! hehehhe....

For my baby:
* Newborn nappies
* Cotton wool
* 3 vests
* 3 babygros/sleepsuits
* A cardigan
* Shawl or blanket for travelling home
* Hat, mitts and bootees to travel home in, unless it's very warm out

Today number: 666

Have anyone noticed that today's 6/6/2006?. Some people believe the 666 numbers is scary. The followers of the theory of Armageddon believe that the 6th days on the 6th months of the 6th years of the new century announced the end of the world, the judgement day.

But, in the US 666 is a brand of a cough medicine!. In China 666 is the lucky number carries happiness (well, 888 also!), many people want that numbers for their car's licence plate. And the 1st Apple computer (Apple I) was sold for the price of $ 666,66.

It's up to you, whether you would believe in such superstitious thing or not...

Enjoy the long weekend

These couple of months we're really spoilt by holidays. Great! we do need vacancies, a bit time to relax from everyday's hassle.

Saturday morning, our planned trip was to Baby 2000 in Centre Comercial de Carouge, not too far from our place, about 7 stops if we take a tram. We bought a new baby stroller. We can't use the old one that Annisa used when she was a baby, it's a 3 wheels buggy and it's too big to go inside our apt lift. So we need to buy a smaller one that fits perfectly with the small size of the lift, and thinking to sell the 3 wheels buggy online.

The shop assistant mounted the new stroller in the shop, so it's easier to carry around. That day, we took the new stroller everywhere with us, went up and down trams and buses, like trying how it feels when the baby actually born and Annisa still needs her stroller too...

Sunday, time to relax. We only went out in the afternoon, just walking on the riverside, and stopped at the Carousel in the Place de la Madeleine, in the old town. We let daughter took a ride in the merry-go-round.

Monday, we walked in the forest nearby, it was late in the afternoon but we're lucky as the sun shined all day. Summer is here at last, sunset around 10 pm. We have the feeling at 8 pm just like 3 pm. Even I found that my bump makes me more difficult to move around now, it was a nice weekend after all..

Balancing..

We've been away from our country since 7 yrs ago, for some people that number is still young. I mean, if it's a child, 7 yrs old he/she would still in the primary school, learning how to read, write and count.

We still don't know when we'll be able to leave the current place and go back east though... People said, at the moment we'd better stay put. Some even said that we're crazy if we want to leave it all behind, the struggle, gained experiences and achievements, the place that our kids were born and grew up, etc.

Friends and family wouldn't understand if we tell them we're thinking of moving back, they would ask: what do we expect back home at the moment? many people would love to exchange places and live here like we do and if I have to tell you the truth, I never had the correct words to answer. We know and we're thinking about the consequences of taking such decision and risk now with our growing little family.

But I know better than anyone and understood that, the only thing that could make my other half happy right now is the thought of comming back to Asia. Even if only the slightest chance of heading back east.

When we moved to europe, there's only the two of us, we're still in our late 20s and we'd never think twice about anything, just go get lucky.. we think less on failing. Now, I feel as we grew up to a more responsable adults (and maybe because of the thought of our kids too) we feel it's much harder to decide on something that will give a big impact to our family... The hard part of the decision would be school for children. Here, school fee is free in public intitutions and the quality is fairly good.

But I think, everything has its good and bad side.. So let's make some bad list first, maybe this way it would help us to see much better perspectives and could help us decide NOT to stay here any longer...

Okay, 1st top on the list: The living Cost.
It's very very expensive to live in Switzerland if you're just an ordinary salary man and not a sheik of a rich arabian country or a royal family member, or a wellknown celebrities.

Medical insurance fee is very expensive, eventhough company paid a part of it. Doctors fee are also pricey, that's why you need a good insurance coverage.

Groceries, foods, eating out, etc are more expensive than the neighboring european countries, but now as euros become a stronger unique currency in EU, Swiss Franc is no longer give much benefits if we shop across the border. So weighing this point is almost equal, not too bad but not too good either.

2nd point on the list would be: The job.
It's not so easy to find or change jobs if you're not european or holding a C permit (a permanent residence of Swiss) or you're fluent in both: french AND german language (italian could be a plus too). If you could only speak english and french, you'll be stuck in the french speaking cantons and your chances are very limited, because the the heart of the economic & business are in the german speaking cantons.

3rd: The mentality of people/Social interactions.
Let's just say, many people here is just as cold as the weather. Although some people we know and some neighbors we meet are very kind, but most people prefer to don't have to do anything with foreigners. No matter what we did, we could never be able to change our face, our skin and maybe our accent when we talk. Maybe we need to change our name and dye our hair blond?... We're so wrong if we once thought western people are all open and broad minded.

4th: Family and friends
Number of family living nearby?: Nill. Friends?.. what friends?, true friends we could only count with fingers in one hand.

5th: Islam
Lets face it, be honest now, since 9/11 moslems everywhere in the world is like enemy number one. Very often judged as an extremist if not a terrorist. Let alone wearing a "hijab", people could have some kind of prejudice only by knowing your name or family name.

Religious education for children? Not any, if we're not frequenting the PTRI or Mosque. Adzan to remind us that the praying time is come? never heard of it anymore. We have to print the praying schedule from the Islamic Center or from web. Moslems are a minority and no Islam celebration ever celebrated, you could only celebrate it with fellow coutrymen living here.

That's some of the price we have to pay here. Good side list, that I have too. One obvious example is the quality of public services, the quality of healthcare, hospital, etc. We really need to weigh it all so any other point of view or input are highly appreciated...

Maybe it's true that one indonesian proverb said: "sejauh-jauhnya bangau terbang, akhirnya hinggap di air juga"... no matter how far we go, someday we'll be back to a place where we could really call home.