Singapore

[pupsiecola]

Hi all,

We've been here 2 weeks and are really enjoying it so far. My husband flew to Korea today for a few days so we're on our own. I'd been thinking it was good to have such a long break before the boys (9 and 7) start school as it will enable them to get used to living here and have some fun too. But they're missing friends and I think it would be good to sign them up for something. I'm thinking about either a swimming club, cricket, football or tennis. We're living off River Valley Road. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,

K

Welcome to Singapore!

There is a morning tennis & swimming club at Raffles Town Club, at the top of the Botanic Gardens, 9-12 every day through the summer. The expat clubs tend to run summer camps, often open to non-members, and I think Camp Asia is running at the moment (try googling it, but I think it's on the Aus school campus).

There's a lot going on through July, the summer camps tend to end at the end of the month though. Otherwise, many of the expat cubs offer a summer membership for a few hundred dollars which gives you access to the pool and facilities with other kids there.

Camp Asia is great - my daughter did a week of it earlier in the holidays. It's run by Cognita, which runs the Australian School and also Stamford. They'll meet lots of Stamford kids there (I think that's where you decided to send them?). There are also open gym sessions at some of the gyms, which might be good - there's one I'm thinking of called JWT, I think (gymnastics etc). Condo pool? That's where we made our first friends!
If they play rugby or cricket the sports clubs might still be operating even if school sports are off for the holidays.

What a pity we can't be splashing about in the pool already, we could've met up. See you when we get out there, hope you find some activities soon.

Thanks very much everyone. I tried Camp Asia, and yes the boys are going to Stamford, but they're full with a wait list. They're doing Camp Magic in a couple of weeks with our friends' children. I actually found a fab thing for next week - iCamp. Involves Lego and computers and is only 2.5 hours per afternoon. Perfect for what I was looking for!!

London - when are you due over and how is hubby getting on? Did he make it to Taylor B?

K x

Bloke is Skyping from echoey white-walled apartment every evening, over a plate of shop-bought chicken noodles. Waiting for gas connection so he can start proper cooking. Went to a work bbq yesterday which was nice. Been in pool a few times but says our condo is still fairly empty - better get busy before we get there, that was the whole point of a condo for me! He has rental furniture, we are shipping most of ours, and for the bits we are buying he is waiting til I'm there, bless him.

Work is going well and he loves it over there. As for me, I am melting down with the insanity of what is to be done, alone, over the next few weeks, esp as DS breaks up on Weds from school. Have a few bits of camp planned but my priority is seeing friends before we go and to do that I have to finish all the admin. Which, as we all know, is insurmountable.

I just want to be there. I hate all this stress. I have to keep asking myself what we are doing this for.

Oh, and friend-cat-fosterer says another one has run away (the skinny adventurous one did this last week but came back; now the plump sedentary one has done a proper runner).

Ho hum. Seem to have gone all me me me again - sorry! Just want to be out there now.

Have fun with the Lego camp!

Have you got a date to come out London? Have to say it's probably the worst possible time for you at the moment and it's so overwhelming. It's sooo much better being on the "other side". I know I had my hubby around unlike you, but I did most of the logistics by myself and it's draining, both physically and emotionally. That last week was a real rollercoaster. But it's so worth it -we've been here 2 weeks but if feels like 2 months. I can't believe what we've achieved in that time - bank accounts, mobiles, credit card, moving from our friends' place into our own place (picture me and the boys wheeling various suitcases over the road 3 mornings in a row!!).

Once you get on that flight you just get on with it and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as we seem to. The efficiency here is astounding. Everyone gets back to you when they say they will, or before. Well, so far that's been my experience.

Hang on in there. You just have to get through this bit, and keep imagining yourself sat by the pool in the sunshine :-)

Whereabouts are you living again? We must meet up!

K

We fly on aug 12, arrive next day, school starts (Dover) aug 27. We've a condo in Holland Village, so only up road from you. Can't wait. Def meet up when we're out there... 5 weeks to go, put the ice on!

There are soccer and I think tennis for kids up at Turf City. You could join a club, though probably not so necessary if you are in a condo with pool, tennis etc. Hollander Club is nice with sports for the kids like Tennis, swimming club, judo and also stuff for the parents.

So jealous you are there already Pupsie!

I am in the same headspace as London at the moment. DH is off this month until he flies on 30th, and then it will be little 'ol me to finalise everything before I follow. Just want it to be over and to be there already. Dismantling our life here is really tough - had my first good-bye on the weekend and eneded with my friend and I sobbing....we were tired and a big hungover, but still....it doesn't bode well.

So much to do!!!!!!!!!!

Nice to hear how things are on the other side....keep the updates coming.

X