Part-time mom, part-time artist, part-time entrepreneur, part-time author and illustrator and now part-time blogger.
I am a South African born British mom of two about to leave my safe, easy and idyllic life in Singapore, travel 19 hours across land and sea and start a new adventure in New York City.
My husband and I moved to Singapore in December 2007 as two carefree spirits keen to explore Asia, live in a foreign culture and earn as much money as we possibly could. We arrived New Years Eve and just loved the outdoor island lifestyle which Singapore had to offer. We travelled nearly every weekend to exotic locations and when we weren't working we were by the pool or river soaking up the sun. Why would anyone ever leave this place?
In February 2009 our son William was born. Singapore is made for having babies. Everything from changing facilities, taxi's, public transport, shopping centers, sidewalks, restaurants and bars are designed for baby. Not only do they accommodate them everywhere but what's better -you don't actually 3have to bring them anywhere. Singapore is home of the foreign domestic worker and we soon jumped on that band wagon and got ourselves one. Six days a week we had someone clean up after us, pack away toys, feed us, clean up after us, shop for us, cook for us, clean up after us and babysit for us. She was amazing. She is amazing.
Just before William turned 1 I discovered I was pregnant with baby 2, otherwise known these days as Emma. Pregnancy with both kids was a breeze and because I had someone to babysit William most days I got to spend much of my 2nd pregnancy (as I still hadn't returned to work) by the pool or lunching with my girlfriends. I went from lunch to a pedi to the labour ward. It is just so easy.
It's November 2011 and the kids, now aged 2 and 1 seem more difficult than ever. William dislikes Emma touching anything in the house, doesn't understand the concept of sharing, toys and attention, and is always incredibly emotional. With the help of our amazing helper however instead of sticking around most days to hear cries over feeding, screams over being made to sleep and moans during bath time I find myself at the gym, at a friends having wine or stuck in my studio painting. I come home to a calm clean house with fed washed children and a meal on the table. So why the f*ck am I leaving?
Despite the joys and obvious advantages of living in Singapore, apartment living isn't for us and we've decided it's time to move back to the 'real world'. It might be the most stupid decision we've ever made but what better place to make it in than New York City.
So Bye bye Singapore, bye bye humidity, bye bye Fely (our helper) and hello New York, hello freezing sub zero temperatures and hello full time motherhood. God help me!
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