mosi nets, power cuts, loose grasp on the local language - anyone else live off the beaten track??

[liger]

...but with access to Mumsnet obviously, so maybe not that unbeaten a track but...
what do you enjoy, what do you find difficult?

I am a SAHM living in Indonesia, there are good things and bad things about being here with a 2 year old and it would be great to share them, anyone else?

I think this is a long-shot, but I think a while back I saw a Mumsnetter in Nigeria, and one who had lived in Cameroon would love to hear from you?

Happy 1st Birthday to CameroonBaby!

Glad you got all your stuff. It's v exciting when it comes, and the dc rediscover all their toys and books. I just heard a shipment horror story recently. A couple of new families here have come from Malaysia but because Nigeria won't accept shipments from Malaysia their respective goods went to the Netherlands to be put into new containers. Unfortunately, some bright spark thought it would a good idea to combine the two shipments and so the entire lot was put into one container, which has caused merry hell with the Customs people in Lagos!! All the goods were sitting dockside and open to all comers, last I heard.

I'm pleased I'm not the only negligent mother. Mind you, dd tells me lots of her schoolfriends get antibiotics even for a cold.

Right, I'll leave you to your unpacking. Have a great day tomorrow with ds!

hi! on an infrequent visit to MN and saw you 2 had been on here. Been offline at home and busy outdoors since start of April.
Congrats on the walking, CM! What a milestone.
Anyone know Liger's due date? Probably up the thread somewhere but it's been a long day, can't see it...
Doctors. Yes, I'm the same (although obv not living in places as dangerous, health-wise, as you guys), only taking him to docs if absolutely necessary!

hello all!

I'm still here, due date is the end of June so a little while to go - I should really start thinking about getting stuff ready!! I've still got some energy, and having an independent midwife has really helped in calming the anxiety I had at the beginning.

I've just taken on some freelance work that will take me up to early June so I've a feeling time is going to pass before my eyes. I've still got lots of cupboards to sort out, and I did have ambitions of getting some rooms decorated but that may be pie in the sky!

Happy Birthday to CM's babe, walking just makes them seem so grown up. I'm glad the container arrived eventually - now you've really arrived! Any bizarre items that you didn't mean to bring with you, we got to Indonesia and found we had shipped some workmans ear protectors with us! The joy of packing with a toddler.

Suedonim, I hope your dd is on the mend, I think you have a point about over prescribing - even if they are ill it is only worth taking them if there is realistically something the doctor can do.

love to all

Liger

Hurrah to hear from Liger and Wellies!

Liger you sound very mellow and calm. I am quite You are right my baby is no longer a baby, but he will always be my baby, oh god I'm going to turn into one of those mothers that babies their last children and mollycuddles them into staying at home until they are 30 at least...

I really LOL at the idea of finding some workmen's ear protectors in your container. A Somerset yellow pages I fear will not come in too handy in Nairobi

Enjoy the lovely UK weather. How has the little one settled in? Are you a bit depressed about the situation in Burma? It must be a subject close to yours and dh's heart after your time in Banda Aceh.

Wellies glad to hear things are going well for you. How is the business going? Will it be a busy summer for you?

I do love all those container stories in Africa Sue, your poor friends though how dreadful. The headmistress here told me of some folk who had waited like us for 4 months only for their container to arrive totally empty Can you imagine?!

Hello Liger and Wellies! It's great to get all your news, sounds as though life is going well for you. Wellies, how are Mr Cockerel's tail feathers??

Thanks for asking about dd, Liger. She's back to school now and apart from being a bit breathless from asthma she's fine. She loves all the gossip at school and on the school bus. There's been a move afoot to send a parent escort on all the buses (currently they have a driver and a security guard) but dd is implacably against the idea. 'You'd cramp our style, mum!'

CM, an empty container?? At least we can't complain about life being mundane...

If I sound mellow and calm I think its just that hormonal inability to actually focus on anything!! People keep saying 'not long now' and I reply that I really must start to get my head around the fact that this will actually happen. I feel a bit of a space cadet!

My ds has settled in well, apart from DH's new job which requires lots of travel, ds misses dad alot when he goes and it has been hard on him. I'm still in the process of sorting out a playgroup for him, places don't come free until September so we have been going to a few drop in classes. I think once he has a made a few more friends it will be easier.
Thankfully there are no plans for long trips for DH before the babe arrives.

Glad dd is better Sue.

Burma is depressing, especially now they are talking comparable figures to the Tsunami. But to be honest this is how dictatorial regimes treat their people, we know this. I'm a bit surprised that the world is so surprised if that makes sense. I guess with recent comparisons like Zim and Darfur the regimes have been able to play the game enough to keep the shock factor at a point that it doesn't lead to external action.

This was meant to be quick, I'd better get on!

great to hear all your news

Liger

Ah, you must have that 'womanly glow' of incipient motherhood!

Burma is so but yes, what did the world expect? Nothing has really been done at all, afaik. Why doesn't the world community drop aid irrespective of the junta's wishes. What are they going to do ti us if we took such action - wage war againt the UN?

Speaking of war, in a much lighter tone, I had the most astounding Lagos experience yesterday. All has not been well at dd's senior school for some time and yesterday it came to a head. There was a meeting between the board (school is run as a business and board member are self-selected) and disgruntled parents. It all started off ok, but then the Chair made a disparaging remark to a parent and OMG, a riot almost ensued with people rushing the board, shouting, yelling, poking, prodding and manhandling them, while we expats all looked on in !! After that, the board lost control of the meeting and the parents took over. Democracy is alive and well in Lagos. There's to be another meeting next Friday (can't wait!) and I think Something Will Be Done now. But yesterday will be a defining Africa moment - the day the parents were more badly behaved than their children.

Oh bother, dd is ill again. Another stinky cold/throat/chest bug. This is seriously cramping my style!

Oh poor dd and you. So the big question is.....is she ill enough to warrant a trip to the docs?

Nah, the big question is...can I be *rsed to take her?? At this precise moment...nope, hehe. I'm sure it's not malaria or anything so shall do nothing except dole out Calpol etc.

I want her back to school by Friday as I am looking forward to going to the next meeting there to 'discuss' the issues.

How is dd Sue? All ready for getting stuck in tomorrow?

She's producing rivers of snot, grot, phlegm, whatever you want to call it, coughing, snuffling and looking somewhat ghastly. She's asthmatic and that's being a bit troublesome (not so much as to need a Dr, tho! ) so she's not going to school tomorrow. It's half term next week so she'll have a week to get over it. Tomorrow, either dh will stay off or I shall consign her to the care of our steward, lucky him. I'm not missing the meeting, come what may!

Sooooo???? Update please, did you need to call the riot police out or was everyone very civilised this week?

Ooops, I forgot dd Is she feeling any better?

Boringly civilised. The board has addressed all the issues, although I'm not convinced they've tackled them in such a way as to prevent any future problems. I'm pretty sure there will be a parent/teacher/board committee set up, which will give parents a means through which to air any grievances. After last week, though, the teachers have had a new clause added to their contracts - they 'must not disrespect the school'. Which smacks of a gagging order, to me. I don't see what's wrong with telling the truth....

Dd is much better today, thank you. She began eating yesterday and even brushed her hair so has gone out with her daddy for brunch this morning. I'm filling her up with vitamins and hope she'll be restored to full health by the time they go back after half term.

Helloooooo! I am back online and feeling ever so civilised, catching up on the happenings of the world (apparently Big Brother has started again ) and getting back in to my slovenly ways of spending too much time on MN! I've had two months away due to losing our internet and phone line (long story, don't ask - aaarrgh!) and have been ever so productive - I can proudly say that I am mainly responsible for a quarter of an acre of veg, half an acre of fruit orchard, and 20 baby chicks (OK, I didn't lay the eggs but I am their adopted mother!). DH was away working in the UK all that time too so no extra distractions, although I am thrilled to have him back now, as is DS.

So tell me all the news. Everyone ok? Healthy? Happy? I heard a certain someone has broadband now

lovely to have you back Wellies! I'm very impressed with all you've been up to, you must feel very chuffed.

I am healthy and well, and have a large bump waiting to hatch another 3-4 weeks to go, my ds was 14 days overdue and it can perhaps mean this one will be similar so i am keeping very lose on due dates.

I wanted to share what my ds said the other day, over and over as they do 'double gecko bus' double gecko bus!!' as he played with his toy. I thought it was so perfect I didn;t correct him. We still talk about Banda Aceh alot with him so its all very much alive, although he no longer recognised a banana tree when we saw one the other day.

Hope everyone is well

Liger xx

Just to let you know that ds2 arrived safe and sound on Friday 4th July here at home. He was one week late but then came quite quickly, and was born in a half filled pool! 8lb 5oz and very long limbed. Ds1 was there to see him born having watched Bob the Builder for the duration of the labour. We're enjoying the magic first few days.

Liger xx

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad to hear it all went well, and lovely that DS1 was there too. Also important that he got his Bob the Builder viewing in first

What a shame that we missed your post earlier in the month though! So sorry!

Now, talking of babies.... I have little secret to share too...

I'll just wait and see if this thread is still alive first...

ooooh, do tell, do tell!

Hi Liger! How's things going?

I'm pregnant now. Only 7 weeks so very early days, baby due early March 09. We're thrilled. We'll probably move home to the UK for a few months before the baby arrives, spend some time with the family, do some temping, and have baby over there. But it's all under discussion still. Lots to sort out before a move, even a short one.

So at the mo I am more knackered than I ever thought it was possible (I'm sure I wasn't this bad with DS) and the weeds are getting the better of me in the garden . Getting some toilet-hugging days too (also different from the first pregnancy) so self-pity is the name of the game right now!! Never mind, all in a good cause etc etc

Hope everyone is well.

Wonderful news Wellies!!! Many congratulations and wishing you all the best for the months to come. Being tired and sick are signs that all is well, sorry you are feeling so tired. But its worth it!

Will you rent somewhere in the UK or do you have family to stay with? I am so pleased I went with an independant midwife, it was worth every penny.

I am familiar with tired at the moment, our babe is now two weeks old, and my dh has been wonderful support so I have recovered really well. Ds2 is wakeful and feeding lots between 2am and 5am so as expected for the early days, but hopefully it will get better.

Tomorrow will be dh's first day back at work, and he has to go to Vienna for 3 days ! My mum is coming to help thank goodness.

Is anyone else still around, or is there lots of travelling going on now that summer holidays are looming?
Hoping all are well

Liger x

Hey ladies long time no speak!
Have now got 2 x ds, ds2 born 8th May and back here to Zambia on 24th! DS1 loved UK as DH there for 5 weeks, and his grandpa who he adores. DH & I found living with my folks a bit stressful tho, as did they I'm sure...
DS2 is a champion, exclusive BF but ENORMOUS and slept thru at 11 weeks!!
So all is good on that front.
However, 1) DH's dad (81) very ill, dementia and kidney failure
2) due to usual cockups between African govt / donors / DH company we may have to leave here in less than 3 months!! (posting was supposed to be till Aug 2009 minimum) Am totally unprepared for and not a little at this prospect.
Possible contract for DH in Washington DC is on the cards - anyone know anything about this?? Could I work in the US? How much tax do you pay? What's the cost of living like? How the hell do I find any of this out?
Of course by the end of this week it may transpire that it's all fine and come to nothing.....

Ladies! Congratulations on all these new babies, I can't believe I missed you Liger, it must have been the school holidays taking up too much time. I have been thinking of you recently as well. Well done you it sounds like all is going well

As for you Wellies, I had no idea Fingers crossed that by now you are feeling a little better, I bet its a pink one. I felt much worse with dd than with the boys.

Congratulations Zam too! Sorry about your possible last minute relocation, we have some good friends in DC and they enjoy it. I've been there and it's a lovely city.

I've name changed btw since Cameroonmama just wasn't cutting it anymore

Good heavens, an outburst of babies on this thread!! Congratulations to Liger and Zam on your new arrivals and to Wellies on your upcoming new addition.

I'm currently in the UK until 1st Sept. Time is going by v fast, we'll be back to the chaos in less than three weeks.Dd1 is coming back with us for a couple of weeks.

Hi, is anyone still posting on this ex pat thread? I am located in Ibadan, Nigeria, have been since April 08 when relocated with DH and 2 DC from the UK. Currently 26 weeks pg with DC3 and committed to giving birth here (scary thought!) Is there anyone out there I can share my fears with?!