It's still a bit surreal. I've been trying to post this since we arrived on Saturday but between jet lag, adjusting to the cold, exciting shopping trips to Macy's, exploring our neighbourhood (near Times Square) and housework I've been slightly distracted.
I'm so glad that the last ten days of packing, moving, goodbyes and the dreaded 19 hour flight are finally behind us. I never want to do that again.
When we first moved to Singapore four years ago I loved the concept of living an expat life, being a tai-tai and traveling Asia. I never thought about the downsides especially the goodbyes once our time was up. Saying goodbye to my friends and to a city that I had grown to call home was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I cried the whole way to the airport.
So a brief breakdown of the past 6 days...
The 19 hour flight was bearable- actually the first few hours were quite fun. You just gotta love business class. I'm not sure if it was the blood shot eyes, the 17 suitcases we were carrying or the fact that Emma was just being her usual cute self but upon arriving at the business class lounge we were quickly ushered aside to the First Class Private Room. 10am in the morning and champagne, Tiger Beer and as many cookies as my kids have probably every dreamt of, on tap. It was a really lovely way to say goodbye to Singapore.
As much as I loved being in business class and enjoyed the champagne, fillet steak with mustard crust, boiled veges and endless yummy chocolate, cheese and red wine, flying with kids in business class is just not the same. We tried to order kids meals prior to our flight- turns out the system didn't work so Will and Emma where left with the same food options as us, which also included Lobster thermidor; steak tartar or tuna tataki. William ate six bread rolls, Emma nine. Easiest $14000 Singapore airlines ever made.
We arrived at Newark airport at 5pm Eastern Standard Time (?) and I couldn't believe it was dark already. What? Why did no one tell me it was just like the UK with days beginning at 8 and ending at 4? It came as a shock to the system, as did the 2 deg wind that hit us in the face stepping out the airport building. I did laugh at the time as both Will and Emma burst into tears at exactly the same time.
It's been five days since we got here and it feels like weeks. There are so many things I'm completely overwhelmed by. I forgot how moving country just seems to take over your life. In a nut shell :
- double prams (strollers/ carriages) don't fit through doorways in New York
-Santa Claus at Macy's now knows William would like a biscuit for Christmas
-Macy's is the largest store in the world yet doesn't sell prams/carriages (not convinced)
-House hunting with 2 kids in tow is NOT fun
-Order a brownie in America and you get six.
-Times Square after mid day is impossible to walk around
-Duane Read sells everything
-Housework is completely overrated
-Central Park is awesome
-Two people today asked me if I was the nanny
-Need to learn fahrenheit to celcius conversion before I give my kids hypothermia
-I must remember not to leave paint pots close to the stove when trying to cook dinner
-Must not get into a habit of putting on my pj's at 3pm just cos they're warm and comfy
Today was Pete's first day in the office and at 8.30pm he's still not home. Bit of a change to Singapore when he strolled in the door before 7 most evenings. Tonight's also the first night since we got here that I've managed to stay up past 6pm. Pity I've had no one to talk to. It's been a great first half week here but I am really missing all my lovely friends.
More news to come soon...
So a brief breakdown of the past 6 days...
The 19 hour flight was bearable- actually the first few hours were quite fun. You just gotta love business class. I'm not sure if it was the blood shot eyes, the 17 suitcases we were carrying or the fact that Emma was just being her usual cute self but upon arriving at the business class lounge we were quickly ushered aside to the First Class Private Room. 10am in the morning and champagne, Tiger Beer and as many cookies as my kids have probably every dreamt of, on tap. It was a really lovely way to say goodbye to Singapore.
As much as I loved being in business class and enjoyed the champagne, fillet steak with mustard crust, boiled veges and endless yummy chocolate, cheese and red wine, flying with kids in business class is just not the same. We tried to order kids meals prior to our flight- turns out the system didn't work so Will and Emma where left with the same food options as us, which also included Lobster thermidor; steak tartar or tuna tataki. William ate six bread rolls, Emma nine. Easiest $14000 Singapore airlines ever made.
We arrived at Newark airport at 5pm Eastern Standard Time (?) and I couldn't believe it was dark already. What? Why did no one tell me it was just like the UK with days beginning at 8 and ending at 4? It came as a shock to the system, as did the 2 deg wind that hit us in the face stepping out the airport building. I did laugh at the time as both Will and Emma burst into tears at exactly the same time.
It's been five days since we got here and it feels like weeks. There are so many things I'm completely overwhelmed by. I forgot how moving country just seems to take over your life. In a nut shell :
- double prams (strollers/ carriages) don't fit through doorways in New York
-Santa Claus at Macy's now knows William would like a biscuit for Christmas
-Macy's is the largest store in the world yet doesn't sell prams/carriages (not convinced)
-House hunting with 2 kids in tow is NOT fun
-Order a brownie in America and you get six.
-Times Square after mid day is impossible to walk around
-Duane Read sells everything
-Housework is completely overrated
-Central Park is awesome
-Two people today asked me if I was the nanny
-Need to learn fahrenheit to celcius conversion before I give my kids hypothermia
-I must remember not to leave paint pots close to the stove when trying to cook dinner
-Must not get into a habit of putting on my pj's at 3pm just cos they're warm and comfy
Today was Pete's first day in the office and at 8.30pm he's still not home. Bit of a change to Singapore when he strolled in the door before 7 most evenings. Tonight's also the first night since we got here that I've managed to stay up past 6pm. Pity I've had no one to talk to. It's been a great first half week here but I am really missing all my lovely friends.
More news to come soon...
We miss you too!!! xxxx
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