We spent today visiting friends. They live a bit further out than us on some acreage. I always love going up to their place, its like going on holiday for a day. We get all rugged up and send the kids outside to ride the motorbikes and play in the paddocks then when we get too cold we head inside to warm up by the fire. For them its normal life, but for us its like going away for a weekend mini break (even just for 5 hours). I absolutely love it up there, the space, the fresh crisp air and the silence, except of course when we are on the bikes then its just bloody noisy. But that's the beauty of living in the country, its you making the noise, not being stuck side by side with total strangers putting up with their noisy bullshit. Every time we come home from visiting them I always say "that's what I want, to live away from all the huss and bussel and just get some peace".
But today it was different, maybe because I know that in 4 weeks we will be living somewhere that is so unbelievably noisy, crazy and busy and I have to tell myself not to get all phsyco about it. And also because I know that when we return from living OS we should have enough money aside that I can finally buy my dream property and settle into my own little piece of the world.
I am starting to get very excited about our impending trip. I still haven't packed nearly enough and have a list 3 miles long, but its not really worrying me as I know that when it comes crunch time I should be organised enough that it all falls into place.
Hubby and monster boy really enjoyed riding the bikes today. Hubby clearly misses riding, he used to go out at least once a month, then he got hit with a bad flu and missed a season, then this job came up so we decided to sell his bike. He will definitely get another one when we get back from OS. Monster boy loves it, he even used the throttle and steered by himself today and he isn't even 3 yet. He cried whenever we tried to get him off the bike, he just loves it so much. He looks so little sitting up there and even princess had a ride with me on the little 4 wheeler. She knew hold to on tight and everything, she loved it. I think I have a little tomboy on my hands.
It was nice to get out and do something that didn't involved planning or packing or arguing about planning and packing. Now we are home, the kids are tired and hungry and all my little post it notes start reminding me of all the work I still have to do. Ah well it was nice while it lasted.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Money Fights
Well had a bust up argument with hubby this morning. It frustrates me that he wont acknowledge that what we are doing is HUGE and it takes alot of planning and organisation. We have just under 4 weeks left and we still haven't packed up the house, the tiler is somewhere out there, who knows, he said he will call me when he has time. WTF! He is cut about me spending money. Well I don't have a summer wardrobe, not for tropical weather. During summer in Melbourne I still wear tracksuit pants and I have been told that bigger sizes in Asian countries are really hard to get, and I don't want to be embarrassed in front of these tiny ladies, the big farang who cant fit into any clothes! He doesn't understand and it hurts a little. My weight is an issue for me and my self esteem at the moment is terribly low. I am so busy getting everything done that I barely have time to exercise let alone eat properly. And now is not the time to start a new lifestyle when we are about to pack up and leave the country. It will be a big enough lifestyle change when we get there. It costs money to get things like Visas, passports, immunisations, medicine, kids stuff, buy electrical stuff for the computer etc as the electricity over there is very dodgy. We are finishing off the house which costs money, and the most important thing WE ARE MOVING THE WHOLE FAMILY TO THAILAND you dolt and it costs money!
Another thing I need to speak about today is how Julia Gillard has just been made our Prime Minister. Australia's first female Prime Minister. I am all for women's rights and I believe she would be fantastic, except for to 2 major things, 1. she is Labour and 2. she is in too tight with the Unions. I like her, she speaks very well, she is strong and doesn't get rattled, but she is just on the wrong team. Well I will watch from afar as to how well she goes and see what happens when we eventually return. Who knows she may be good.
Another thing I need to speak about today is how Julia Gillard has just been made our Prime Minister. Australia's first female Prime Minister. I am all for women's rights and I believe she would be fantastic, except for to 2 major things, 1. she is Labour and 2. she is in too tight with the Unions. I like her, she speaks very well, she is strong and doesn't get rattled, but she is just on the wrong team. Well I will watch from afar as to how well she goes and see what happens when we eventually return. Who knows she may be good.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Bangkok
Well last Tuesday hubby walks in the door after work and says, "Hey we are off to Thailand on Thursday!" Talk about short notice. 2 days to pack and arrange babysitting and clean the house and buy all the things a person needs to travel overseas. Wow! I was a little stressed.
Saying good bye to the babies was hard but I had craved a break away from the kids for so long I was nearly running out the door.
The plane ride sucked! 9 1/2 hours trying to sleep sitting up, cramped, back pain beyond belief and my darling hubby slept like a baby. I wanted to elbow him and make sure he was in as much pain as me. We landed at 5.30am on Friday and our host for the weekend, Mr Thai I will call him, picked us up and thus began our tour of Bangkok. My first impression of Bangkok was the humidity, then the driving. Oh my goodness, they are crazy. The law is...There is no law. Speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, barley missing the other cars, no one checks over their shoulder when merging, they just expect you to slow, stop or flat our swerve to miss them. There are stray dogs everywhere, just casually wandering around or sleeping. Not like strays in Melbourne who once getting their freedom from their backyard run around like crazy sniffing and peeing on everything insight, then realising they are lost they just keep running until being hit by a car. These dogs are veterans of the street. The Thais believe if you stuff up in this life you will come back in the next as a dog, so they tolerate these dogs and feed them just in case it is a relative who was reincarnated from their previous life.
Our apartment was great and I was dying just to go lie down however we had only 4 days to get everything done so we just sucked it up and pushed on. Our host showed us the basics to get around in Bangkok which was really helpful, simply knowing how to ride the sky train was vital. It allowed us to get about by ourselves more confidently. Mr Thai having lived in Thailand for 11 years taught us how to catch a cab without being ripped off, how to barter and the most important he taught us why it is important not to give to the beggars in the street. Apparently begging is a business, some women actually buy small children from Cambodia and Laos and bring them to the city to beg from all the tourists. But the children don't see that money, the so called mother takes it. He said if you want to help them out, donate to charities or to a school to really make a difference. By giving to the beggars you just encourage more begging and make it a viable way to live. It broke my heart to see children on the street, but once I knew what to look for I could see the "mother" not too far away usually working a stall or food cart.
I always knew from the beginning of our decision to move to a foreign country that the poverty and the small children would be my biggest problem. Hubby reckons I will end up wanting to adopt a baby and bring it home with us. And he is probably right, it is right there in the back of my mind. I plan once we are settled to join a group called the Pattaya International Ladies Club who do alot of charity work in their areas. I hope to be able to help out some way, not just live like a Fat Cat.
Anyway back to our trip. After a little shopping for a hat we got a couple hours sleep in our room before dinner. We were exhausted, I had a mini breakdown at this point. The smells and strangeness of this city overwhelmed me and I was wondering what the hell we had gotten ourselves into. I couldn't imagine bringing our babies to this strange country and risking their lives on the roads with all those crazy drivers. But after nap and a swim we freshened up for dinner. For our first night we ate Italian. I know, why Italian when you are in Thailand? I tell you this was the best Italian I have ever had, and living in Melbourne the Food Capital that is a big call. After dinner our host took us to a place called The State Tower. We went up to the 64Th floor to an open air cocktail bar and restaurant with the most amazing views of the city. It was so high up my ears popped in the elevator. I wish I had of worked out how to use the camera properly and got some decent photos.
After a good nights sleep we woke up feeling much more positive and started a new day by getting a foot massage and a bit of shopping. Then we were off down the coast to Pattaya, Sri Racha and Ban Saeng. Our objective for that day was to have a look at the areas and view some housing estates. I wanted to get an idea of what the houses were like and the neighbourhoods. We found a lovely house on a Golf Course just 15 Min's from were hubby will be working, but they would not barter down to our price. They beauty of Thailand is everything is negotiable, even your rent.
We ate like kings each night and slept like babies. But we were sad every evening missing the kids so much. Hubby even got teary at one point. Being so far from them and having this experience without them just felt wrong. After longing for a break from them, I realised that I couldn't bear to be so far away.
We were on a very emotional roller coaster and at first I thought it was just me freaking out but after talking with hubby I realised that he was feeling exactly the same way. One moment I was on a high looking at the lovely homes, eating great food and swimming in the resort pools. Then next I was horrified by the lack of regard for children's safety in cars or near roads and even riding on motorbikes with no helmet and barley balancing on the seat with 2 other people. Little babies having their milk bottle in mums arms while riding on the back of a motorbike weaving in and out of traffic and barley being missed by cars and trucks. And little toddlers up at 11pm at night walking around the night markets amongst the GO GO Bars with their bottles while their mums worked the stalls selling to tourists. All I could think was, Oh my god these babies should be tucked up in bed!
However having said all that, I never saw a sad or mistreated child. They were all happy and getting cuddles and there usually was always an adult nearby watching. The poverty shocked me but after speaking with Mr Thai he told me that its not poverty like we think, its more like a laziness. They only want enough for the foreseeable future. What is poverty for us, is everyday life for them, they aren't hungry as food is unbelievably cheap and abundant. Poverty is misery and they are not miserable. He explained that I will need to adjust my way of looking at life like "our way is the best way" and broaden my thinking to allow for the fact that some people just live like this. And in saying that, so many Thais have new cars, and not little shitty ones, big Hilux's and 4WD's. Cars that us living in Australia would struggle to afford. Thais would rather buy a new car than improve their house or buy a bigger house. It is a far different culture to what I am used to and it is going to take alot of time and work to come to terms with how they live.
Our trip ended back in Bangkok at the same apartments. And funny enough our attitude towards our impending sea change flipped. Our last night we were relaxed, talked more, laughed more and looked more closely at the Thais working and living around us. The smell I could never ever get used to as it is awful but I do believe that after an initial culture shock when we first move there I will begin to enjoy our adventure and even come to enjoy the "Thai" way of living.
We have only 4 weeks now to pack everything up and get organised and it's quite daunting but the excitement is starting to build and I know that having my babies with me this time will make it that much easier (as well as harder). I still cannot believe that this is happening. Hubby said that I always wanted to have an adventure and live a more than an ordinary life. Honestly though I never really thought our adventure would be this big and I don't think our friends believed it either.
Saying good bye to the babies was hard but I had craved a break away from the kids for so long I was nearly running out the door.
The plane ride sucked! 9 1/2 hours trying to sleep sitting up, cramped, back pain beyond belief and my darling hubby slept like a baby. I wanted to elbow him and make sure he was in as much pain as me. We landed at 5.30am on Friday and our host for the weekend, Mr Thai I will call him, picked us up and thus began our tour of Bangkok. My first impression of Bangkok was the humidity, then the driving. Oh my goodness, they are crazy. The law is...There is no law. Speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, barley missing the other cars, no one checks over their shoulder when merging, they just expect you to slow, stop or flat our swerve to miss them. There are stray dogs everywhere, just casually wandering around or sleeping. Not like strays in Melbourne who once getting their freedom from their backyard run around like crazy sniffing and peeing on everything insight, then realising they are lost they just keep running until being hit by a car. These dogs are veterans of the street. The Thais believe if you stuff up in this life you will come back in the next as a dog, so they tolerate these dogs and feed them just in case it is a relative who was reincarnated from their previous life.
Our apartment was great and I was dying just to go lie down however we had only 4 days to get everything done so we just sucked it up and pushed on. Our host showed us the basics to get around in Bangkok which was really helpful, simply knowing how to ride the sky train was vital. It allowed us to get about by ourselves more confidently. Mr Thai having lived in Thailand for 11 years taught us how to catch a cab without being ripped off, how to barter and the most important he taught us why it is important not to give to the beggars in the street. Apparently begging is a business, some women actually buy small children from Cambodia and Laos and bring them to the city to beg from all the tourists. But the children don't see that money, the so called mother takes it. He said if you want to help them out, donate to charities or to a school to really make a difference. By giving to the beggars you just encourage more begging and make it a viable way to live. It broke my heart to see children on the street, but once I knew what to look for I could see the "mother" not too far away usually working a stall or food cart.
I always knew from the beginning of our decision to move to a foreign country that the poverty and the small children would be my biggest problem. Hubby reckons I will end up wanting to adopt a baby and bring it home with us. And he is probably right, it is right there in the back of my mind. I plan once we are settled to join a group called the Pattaya International Ladies Club who do alot of charity work in their areas. I hope to be able to help out some way, not just live like a Fat Cat.
Anyway back to our trip. After a little shopping for a hat we got a couple hours sleep in our room before dinner. We were exhausted, I had a mini breakdown at this point. The smells and strangeness of this city overwhelmed me and I was wondering what the hell we had gotten ourselves into. I couldn't imagine bringing our babies to this strange country and risking their lives on the roads with all those crazy drivers. But after nap and a swim we freshened up for dinner. For our first night we ate Italian. I know, why Italian when you are in Thailand? I tell you this was the best Italian I have ever had, and living in Melbourne the Food Capital that is a big call. After dinner our host took us to a place called The State Tower. We went up to the 64Th floor to an open air cocktail bar and restaurant with the most amazing views of the city. It was so high up my ears popped in the elevator. I wish I had of worked out how to use the camera properly and got some decent photos.
After a good nights sleep we woke up feeling much more positive and started a new day by getting a foot massage and a bit of shopping. Then we were off down the coast to Pattaya, Sri Racha and Ban Saeng. Our objective for that day was to have a look at the areas and view some housing estates. I wanted to get an idea of what the houses were like and the neighbourhoods. We found a lovely house on a Golf Course just 15 Min's from were hubby will be working, but they would not barter down to our price. They beauty of Thailand is everything is negotiable, even your rent.
We ate like kings each night and slept like babies. But we were sad every evening missing the kids so much. Hubby even got teary at one point. Being so far from them and having this experience without them just felt wrong. After longing for a break from them, I realised that I couldn't bear to be so far away.
We were on a very emotional roller coaster and at first I thought it was just me freaking out but after talking with hubby I realised that he was feeling exactly the same way. One moment I was on a high looking at the lovely homes, eating great food and swimming in the resort pools. Then next I was horrified by the lack of regard for children's safety in cars or near roads and even riding on motorbikes with no helmet and barley balancing on the seat with 2 other people. Little babies having their milk bottle in mums arms while riding on the back of a motorbike weaving in and out of traffic and barley being missed by cars and trucks. And little toddlers up at 11pm at night walking around the night markets amongst the GO GO Bars with their bottles while their mums worked the stalls selling to tourists. All I could think was, Oh my god these babies should be tucked up in bed!
However having said all that, I never saw a sad or mistreated child. They were all happy and getting cuddles and there usually was always an adult nearby watching. The poverty shocked me but after speaking with Mr Thai he told me that its not poverty like we think, its more like a laziness. They only want enough for the foreseeable future. What is poverty for us, is everyday life for them, they aren't hungry as food is unbelievably cheap and abundant. Poverty is misery and they are not miserable. He explained that I will need to adjust my way of looking at life like "our way is the best way" and broaden my thinking to allow for the fact that some people just live like this. And in saying that, so many Thais have new cars, and not little shitty ones, big Hilux's and 4WD's. Cars that us living in Australia would struggle to afford. Thais would rather buy a new car than improve their house or buy a bigger house. It is a far different culture to what I am used to and it is going to take alot of time and work to come to terms with how they live.
Our trip ended back in Bangkok at the same apartments. And funny enough our attitude towards our impending sea change flipped. Our last night we were relaxed, talked more, laughed more and looked more closely at the Thais working and living around us. The smell I could never ever get used to as it is awful but I do believe that after an initial culture shock when we first move there I will begin to enjoy our adventure and even come to enjoy the "Thai" way of living.
We have only 4 weeks now to pack everything up and get organised and it's quite daunting but the excitement is starting to build and I know that having my babies with me this time will make it that much easier (as well as harder). I still cannot believe that this is happening. Hubby said that I always wanted to have an adventure and live a more than an ordinary life. Honestly though I never really thought our adventure would be this big and I don't think our friends believed it either.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
The Quickie
Oh my goodness! What a crazy 2 days we have had. Hubby came home Tuesday night after a meeting with his new employer and told me "hey, we are going to Thailand on Thursday!"
At first I am like, WOW yay lets go! Then once I realised I would have to plan and pack for a trip in 2 days with 2 kids underfoot I started to stress big time. If it wasn't for gigantic cans of Red Bull I don't think I would have made it. Saying that it is only 3pm and I still have dinners to make, bathrooms to clean, floors to vac and then get myself ready for the plane. All while keeping it a secret from my son. If he found out we were going without him I don't think he would ever get over it. We have been talking to him about moving to Thailand alot and he knows what is happening and is very excited to get on the "big plane". He is so cute, everyday he asks me if we are going to Thailand today. He has no concept of time. At least he isn't going on and on about Santa now.
So back to our trip, we leave tonight very late, so we land about 6am tomorrow morning and we have the whole day to get stuff done. The plan would be to sleep on the plane, but aside from me knocking myself out with sleeping pills I don't think I will be getting any shut eye. Hubby is more excited about being on a plane with no kids than of the actual trip.
We are only going for 5 days to check out neighbourhoods to live in and to meet the new employers. We didn't have to book for anything so far which is a major relief to me. The director is going to pick us up at the airport and take us to a hotel. I feel a bit special really. Just pack and go.
Hubby doesn't understand all the work involved in us leaving the kids for 5 days. He doesn't realise that you cant leave your house filthy, no food in the fridge and no "how to" lists for taking care of the baby. There is alot involved in taking care of someone elses kids and I want it to be as easy as possible. I just pray to whoever is up there that the baby sleeps through.
I am so pumped, I cant believe we get to go away to such a great place, child free. I am sooo needing this break. I love my babies beyond imagination and I will miss them dearly, but I know that a break for just us 2 to be alone is definitely needed.
We never had a honeymoon, we just got married and started having kids straight away and I really do regret not taking the time to just learn how to be married and learn more about the man I married. Some people say nothing changes once you get married, but I don't believe that. For some reason, people do change. Not for the worse (not in our case) but some of the spark seems to go, and I find its really hard to maintain that feeling of what it felt like when dating someone new and special. I truly believe them when they say that marriage is work, just not back breaking hard work I hope.
So off we go and I know I will have plenty to write about when we get back.
At first I am like, WOW yay lets go! Then once I realised I would have to plan and pack for a trip in 2 days with 2 kids underfoot I started to stress big time. If it wasn't for gigantic cans of Red Bull I don't think I would have made it. Saying that it is only 3pm and I still have dinners to make, bathrooms to clean, floors to vac and then get myself ready for the plane. All while keeping it a secret from my son. If he found out we were going without him I don't think he would ever get over it. We have been talking to him about moving to Thailand alot and he knows what is happening and is very excited to get on the "big plane". He is so cute, everyday he asks me if we are going to Thailand today. He has no concept of time. At least he isn't going on and on about Santa now.
So back to our trip, we leave tonight very late, so we land about 6am tomorrow morning and we have the whole day to get stuff done. The plan would be to sleep on the plane, but aside from me knocking myself out with sleeping pills I don't think I will be getting any shut eye. Hubby is more excited about being on a plane with no kids than of the actual trip.
We are only going for 5 days to check out neighbourhoods to live in and to meet the new employers. We didn't have to book for anything so far which is a major relief to me. The director is going to pick us up at the airport and take us to a hotel. I feel a bit special really. Just pack and go.
Hubby doesn't understand all the work involved in us leaving the kids for 5 days. He doesn't realise that you cant leave your house filthy, no food in the fridge and no "how to" lists for taking care of the baby. There is alot involved in taking care of someone elses kids and I want it to be as easy as possible. I just pray to whoever is up there that the baby sleeps through.
I am so pumped, I cant believe we get to go away to such a great place, child free. I am sooo needing this break. I love my babies beyond imagination and I will miss them dearly, but I know that a break for just us 2 to be alone is definitely needed.
We never had a honeymoon, we just got married and started having kids straight away and I really do regret not taking the time to just learn how to be married and learn more about the man I married. Some people say nothing changes once you get married, but I don't believe that. For some reason, people do change. Not for the worse (not in our case) but some of the spark seems to go, and I find its really hard to maintain that feeling of what it felt like when dating someone new and special. I truly believe them when they say that marriage is work, just not back breaking hard work I hope.
So off we go and I know I will have plenty to write about when we get back.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
So much to do
I cant believe it, I have another head cold! Every 2 weeks I come down with something. I think Melbourne and I are no longer compatible. The poor kids are still getting over their colds, it feels like forever.
I am having trouble getting off my arse to continue packing, we don't even have a confirmed travel date, except for it will be in August sometime. Hubby says we have plenty of time, but I know 8 weeks will fly by and then I will be rushed off my feet trying to get everything done in time. My biggest stress is finishing off odd jobs around the house. I seem to be stuck in the 1950's mentality that the handyman stuff is for the man to do!
Not anymore, I have realised that if I want it done and want it done quickly I need to do it myself. Meaning pay someone to do it. There are all these little jobs we had on our "to do list" that we thought we had years to eventually finish. I need to call in Domestic Blitz.
I think I have found someone to help me find Lance a new family. It is a organisation called Victorian Dog Rescue. I will have to surrender him to them and become his foster mum until they find a family for him. They are super picky who they chose to take on a dog and they also pay all his vet bills to get him ready for adoption. Any if they don't find someone before we go they will keep him with a foster family until they do. I feel so much better, I was starting to panic about whether or not I would be able to find a good enough person to take him. But I can relax a little now knowing that they are working for the sole benefit of Lance.
Better get off my arse and do some more packing. I wish I had some help from hubby.
I am having trouble getting off my arse to continue packing, we don't even have a confirmed travel date, except for it will be in August sometime. Hubby says we have plenty of time, but I know 8 weeks will fly by and then I will be rushed off my feet trying to get everything done in time. My biggest stress is finishing off odd jobs around the house. I seem to be stuck in the 1950's mentality that the handyman stuff is for the man to do!
Not anymore, I have realised that if I want it done and want it done quickly I need to do it myself. Meaning pay someone to do it. There are all these little jobs we had on our "to do list" that we thought we had years to eventually finish. I need to call in Domestic Blitz.
I think I have found someone to help me find Lance a new family. It is a organisation called Victorian Dog Rescue. I will have to surrender him to them and become his foster mum until they find a family for him. They are super picky who they chose to take on a dog and they also pay all his vet bills to get him ready for adoption. Any if they don't find someone before we go they will keep him with a foster family until they do. I feel so much better, I was starting to panic about whether or not I would be able to find a good enough person to take him. But I can relax a little now knowing that they are working for the sole benefit of Lance.
Better get off my arse and do some more packing. I wish I had some help from hubby.
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