Our last Guy Fawkes for a little while

One of the great things about growing up in Scotland is that we celebrate Guy Fawkes night.  I'm excited about celebrating all the great things about Singapore, but this is one thing I will miss about the UK.

This is my last Bonfire Night for two years as I don't think the authorities in Singapore will be too pleased with me lighting a bonfire in the back garden and throwing potatoes into it!

My friends came over to our apartment so that they could come with me to see my Mum participate in the sponsored Fire Walk down at Aberdeen beach where the fire works display is held.  If we were staying in our old apartment we could have cartwheeled over to where my Mum had to go, but seeing as we had since moved we needed to leave over an hour before hand to ensure we were there in time.

Inspire

Mark was unable to go as he had invited a friend over, and because Mark had been working that meant that I needed to get the shopping in and make the supper.  Luckily we had found all of our 'lost' M&S vouchers so I was able to treat the boys!  Oh yeah, I mean it was all home-made.

I had invited some friends to come and see too so they came over once Mark was able to get on the phone and give better instruction's as to how to get to the apartment, apparently mine were none too clear.

The bus into town took forever which mean that I had to run from Broad Street all the way down the Boulevard to meet my Mum coming out of the pre-fire walk motivational talk (for a non-runner this is actually quite a bit to go!)

We all cheered and clapped so hard for my Mum when she did her walk.  It was actually a further distance than I thought it would be.  Although someone behind me in the crowd saw all of the volunteers and where they had to walk and casually stated they could do it.  When their friend told them to try and volunteer last minute they instantly said they didn't want to and they were going to do a parachute jump for charity instead (God forbid they do two things for charity, although I can't believe they would have done either.)

It was amazing and something I just don't think I would have the courage for.  My Mum wanted to make a get away after doing it and headed home whilst my friends and I stayed for a hot dog, some toffee and the fire works.  They lasted a surprisingly long time and made me really proud to be an Aberdonian.  

Good job it was such a clear night and great display as it will be my last Guy Fawkes night for a little while now.

Before the Next Move

Source

After Friday being so gloomy and rainy all day long I wasn’t looking forward to the weekend as much as I should have been.  I had been itching to get outside on Saturday and ended up exploring our new area (having moved once again, back into serviced apartments this time).  Its in an area of town called Mannofield which is full of very pretty houses which were starting to get decorated for Halloween.



Mark had been a little bit poorly so wanted to stay at home and have a little nap, but Daisy and I went out and about.  I had an idea in my head that I wanted to walk over to Hazlehead Park as I hadn’t been there for so long and I roughly knew how to get there so off we went.

Daisy did very well on such a long walk for a little dog with short legs.  She had a snuffle about the houses going up over the hill and then ran along a little path we took which led from Johnston Gardens to Walker Dam.  We walked along the back of houses and that path led out to the playing fields at the park.

By this time Daisy was dragging her little paws every so often, but cheered right up when I took her off her lead.  She threw herself into the leaves happily as I walked along beside her.

One of the (very few) good things about moving about so much is finding new areas that are really beautiful in our own home town.  I don’t know if we ever are coming back to Aberdeen to live, but I feel like if we do we will be able to cast a larger net over places to call home.

Time will tell

Hello, Hello, Sheila here I thought I would actually do a post instead of lurking around just reading lots of Singapore blogs and letting Mark do all the writing.  I have been extremely touched by some kind emails I have received whenever I have commented on peoples blogs.  I have been given lots of advice, or more links to help us and offers of trips and tours so that I can start to find my way even though I’m far from family.

I thought I would list out some things I am excited about and worried about in the hope that all of the exciting things don’t disappoint and all of the things that cause concern turn out to be irrational…here goes:

Things I am worried about:

1.    I really hope that I can start to meet people and form friendships, as I have a really good circle of friends here in Scotland.

2.    I’m freaking out in case I ‘get’ culture shock and end up quite irrational.  This post from The Expat Bostonians explains and I don’t want to  look back at this amazing opportunity and remember being cross and unhappy.

3.    Our little dog Daisy who I really hope doesn’t get too upset on the move.

Our little cottage

Things I am excited about:

1.    The opportunity to travel to amazing destinations we would never have visited from Scotland.  I can’t wait to take full advantage of the airport and ferry links.

2.    Living in the biggest house I’ve ever stayed in.

3.    Being in  a big city.

4.    Being able to save more money for wherever we eventually buy a home of our own.

Cosmo Aberdeen - Asian Dinning at its best

We all went out last night for dinner. It was a nice opportunity to meet up with Sheila's two uncles and her aunty. It was the first time we had all met up since I announced we were relocating to Singapore. We decided to hit Cosmo. Alun and Sheila had been before but myself Richard and Margaret had not.

It was superb. Sheila decided to have some Singapore noodles and Singapore chicken in testament to our forthcoming move! Alun and Margaret suggested that they would come out to Singapore next April for their anniversary - they would be most welcome!