Week 1

We made it through week 1! It was a pretty crazy week adjusting to time zones, and Nick was busy at work which made for some long days. But, we made it, and are starting to figure things out more and more every day.

It took 3-4 days for Emmeline and Corabelle to adjust to the time change (Emmeline woke up at 3am, 5am the first few days), and by day 5-6, we were 100% back on track with schedules.

Even though it's a pretty easy place to be a "newbie", here's a few of my observations so far:

*Immediately stepping off the airplane, it was apparent to me that we're now the minority. It's actually been pretty eye-opening to reveal what biases I have. Everyone is extremely nice, but it definitely different living somewhere as the minority rather than the majority, and it gives me a greater appreciation of other people's experiences in the US.

*Not only do you drive on the opposite side of the road here, most people walk on the opposite side of the sidewalk. Takes a little getting used to!

*It's pretty easy to walk around here...there are covered sidewalks almost everywhere so you can avoid the sun and the rain for the must part! But, they really don't want you to jaywalk and have fences in the middle of roads to prevent you from doing so. This means sometimes you have to walk a ways out of your way to cross the road.

   

*WhatsApp. Everyone uses it. Everyone. Even preschools that I've toured.

*It's hot and humid. But, as long as you accept that you'll need a shower every evening (more like 3 times a day), it's not that bad. And, usually after the afternoon rain, it cools down quite a bit.

*Everything it super kid friendly. Like really kid friendly. From IKEA kids' plates and forks at every restaurant (no kid's menus....just expected they'll eat from your plate) and kid size sinks in public bathrooms to toys at the employment pass office to keep kids entertained. They love kids here...every lady has become Emmeline and Corabelle's "auntie" and there is no shortage of help with anything when you have kids. Sometimes it feels a bit too much, but I think it's because we are so reserved and value private space in the US that we just aren't used to it.

*Cleanliness is a big deal here. Everyone takes off their shoes everywhere. In a school you'll see piles of shoes at the doorway, maids take off their shoes before entering our apartment to clean. I mean, I've always taken my shoes off, but this is a whole new level. One thing that they do, and I wish they did in the US is health checks before entering any school or indoor play area. They take everyone's temperature and give them hand sanitizer. It makes a whole lot of sense since so many people seem to take their kids places even when they are sick! This way you have a fever, you can't come in!

It's pretty challenging getting out and about with two kids, but we've managed several outings this week, some even by myself! Emmeline loves the MRT (train) and bus. The splashpad at Gardens by the Bay was a big hit, as was the indoor playground with a moms group that I joined. We also went on a few walks and ate at our first hawker stand!