Well everyday is Summer here in Brunei and Oliver is not at school yet so I am not sure this is the right term to use (especially it is Winter in NZ), but the Brunei Roses are going on a vacation!
Matthew's leave has been approved so we are busy organising tickets and dates etc.
Right now this is how our plan looks like.
✈ 17th July leaving Brunei to London (via Dubai - only an hour and a bit for stop over) arriving in London early morning on 18th July. Spend time with the English Roses.
✈ 22nd July leaving London to Barcelona (Spain) - few days in Barcelona then to Palma Majorca for few more days.
✈ 30th July Back to London for 3 days.
✈ 1st Aug leaving London to Brunei.
We will be in Brunei for 10days to recover from jetlag.... then....
✈ 9th Aug leaving Brunei to Osaka Japan! At this stage we are planing to stay there for one week.
Those dates may change but this is what we are planing to do. We have already got the tickets between Brunei - London part and are working on booking tickets to Spain.
Be ready Europe!!! We will be there very soon ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Floaties
On Tuesday mornings (when we don't have swimming lessons) my friends organise a toddler puddle & swim at RBRC - very near the airport, you can see the planes taking off and landing while you swim!. As my eyes are getting better and Matthew is off we went along.
Oliver tried his new floaties (so many goodies from his birthday present pile!!). We were hoping to see him comfortable with these alien objects on his arms but he did so well and did actually float. But by the time he got into it I was in the water so no pictures to show you how well he was doing - next time.
It was such a nice feeling being able to go out and do things after being stuck in the house for almost 10 days. It was great for Oliver to be in the water and feel the fresh air too.
To make this toddler puddle & swim even better, mummies brought muffins, cupcakes, fresh fruits, coffee etc etc. All delicious!! We are so happy to have this luxury life style.
Monday, 21 June 2010
A reading chair
One of Oliver's 1st birthday present was IKEA Swivel Armchair. He was pretty keen on the chair from Day1 but now he really loves being in it! He often reads his books sitting in it.
This is how he prepares his reading chair.
Step 1 - Pick up his favorite cushion.
Step 2 - Place the cushion in his reading chair.
Step 3 - Dive into the cushion to check if its still nice and soft.
Step 4 - Get his book.
Step 5 - Enjoys reading in the chair.
Step 6 - Giving mummy an extra nice smile!
This is how he prepares his reading chair.
Step 1 - Pick up his favorite cushion.
Step 2 - Place the cushion in his reading chair.
Step 3 - Dive into the cushion to check if its still nice and soft.
Step 4 - Get his book.
Step 5 - Enjoys reading in the chair.
Step 6 - Giving mummy an extra nice smile!
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Z-Y-X....
When Oliver was born he got given this special ABC quilt from Merryn (his NZ grandmother). It has been up on his wall since then but unfortunately he has not spent much time in his room to study it.
As I mentioned in the previous post I am encouraging him to spend more time in his room (not just to sleep and nap), and with the single bed beside the quilt he can now learn his ABC but... backwards, ZYX as these are the only ones he can really see and reach.
Z for Zebra ... Y for Yacht....
I hope he will get tall enough to learn all of them by the time he starts school!
As I mentioned in the previous post I am encouraging him to spend more time in his room (not just to sleep and nap), and with the single bed beside the quilt he can now learn his ABC but... backwards, ZYX as these are the only ones he can really see and reach.
Z for Zebra ... Y for Yacht....
I hope he will get tall enough to learn all of them by the time he starts school!
Slowly... getting there
Compare to our Japanese house in Osaka rooms here in Brunei are very spacious. For a Japanese mummy who lived in a rabbit house it has been a mission to fill his room with things and make it cosy for Oliver.
His room gets the best sun in the morning so I would like him to feel comfortable and spend time in his room. To make it cosier I made the bed with the duvet I had in a spare room (I bought a new duvet cover for him last time I was in Singapore but as you know all the duvet measurements are different depending which country you buy them from - NZ ones don't fit in IKEA ones), so it looks a bit girly but I am happy with it.
He seems to enjoy playing on the bed - looking at things on the wall and talking to his gollywog.
These origami dragons are super cool - they float up and down when the air-con is on.
I have few more projects for his room so when those are done I will put more photos up!
His room gets the best sun in the morning so I would like him to feel comfortable and spend time in his room. To make it cosier I made the bed with the duvet I had in a spare room (I bought a new duvet cover for him last time I was in Singapore but as you know all the duvet measurements are different depending which country you buy them from - NZ ones don't fit in IKEA ones), so it looks a bit girly but I am happy with it.
He seems to enjoy playing on the bed - looking at things on the wall and talking to his gollywog.
These origami dragons are super cool - they float up and down when the air-con is on.
I have few more projects for his room so when those are done I will put more photos up!
Saturday, 19 June 2010
First pair of shoes
Oliver took his first steps on his birthday. Since then he has been loving walking further and further.
Now he can take more than 20 steps without falling over. We thought it's time for him to have his first pair of shoes.
Actually I have been looking around to find good shoes for Oliver. Important criteria for me were; 1) easy to put on and off 2) some sort of leather material (hence very soft) and 3) cool design (not many available for boys shoes tho...)
I shopped around a few places but couldn't find a pair I liked but the other day when I was tidying up Oliver's wardrobe (as I couldn't go out because of my eyes) I found a pair one of my friends gave us. They are not brand new which I like because they have softened up and were the perfect size for him.
So that afternoon we decided to try them out. Oliver was confused by these funny things following his feet for a start but got used to them very quickly.
Here is Oliver proudly standing up with his first pair of shoes.
Simpang big sister Linnea came over and played with Oliver. Her first question was "why does Oliver have his shoes on?" - very good observation skills Linnea!
Smile at the camera!
I am so grateful that I can see ok : )
Now he can take more than 20 steps without falling over. We thought it's time for him to have his first pair of shoes.
Actually I have been looking around to find good shoes for Oliver. Important criteria for me were; 1) easy to put on and off 2) some sort of leather material (hence very soft) and 3) cool design (not many available for boys shoes tho...)
I shopped around a few places but couldn't find a pair I liked but the other day when I was tidying up Oliver's wardrobe (as I couldn't go out because of my eyes) I found a pair one of my friends gave us. They are not brand new which I like because they have softened up and were the perfect size for him.
So that afternoon we decided to try them out. Oliver was confused by these funny things following his feet for a start but got used to them very quickly.
Here is Oliver proudly standing up with his first pair of shoes.
Simpang big sister Linnea came over and played with Oliver. Her first question was "why does Oliver have his shoes on?" - very good observation skills Linnea!
Smile at the camera!
I am so grateful that I can see ok : )
Eye can still see
Some of you might be thinking I had have not updated my blog lately.
The reason - Detached Retina - this is a condition you can have (but you don't want to have) with your eyes. It normally happens to old people but it is quite common with youngish females with very short sighted eyes. I had a mild form of this condition on my left eye while I was still working in Japan (maybe 5 years ago now). It is as simple as the description - the retina in your eye comes loose and if it is very bad it detaches from your eye = you lose your eye sight.
When I had my left eye operated on in Japan they treated it with a laser (I found that this is the lightest treatment you can get for detached retina, laser < freezing < buckle scleral) and I thought I needed the laser treatment again this time.
But it was much more serious than I thought, and it was on both eyes. Thanks to my caring husband who was more worried than I was and took me to JPMC (nicer hospital here in Brunei) and straight away the doctor told me I needed to see a surgeon at RIPAS (the other hospital - free for Bruneian citizens) and made me an appointment for the following day.
I was very worried about going into RIPAS as lots of friends told me about their uncomfortable experiences they had there. But to our surprise everyone was very helpful, efficient and spoke very good English. I got to meet my surgeon who told me he could operate on my eyes that afternoon. So I didn't even have time to go home and see Oliver (I was worried I might not be able to see him again if I lose my eye sight), no lunch nor water as I had to go on full anaesthehtic. They took me to the ward and took all the details they needed to accomodate me for the surgery and keep me over night.
The time went by quite quickly while I waited on my bed. The nurses came and told me that it's time for my operation. They put me on the stretcher and pushed me around the hospital to get to the operating theater. You know when you watch movies and someone is lying on one of those, it was exactly like that. Very weird feeling, lots of thoughts go by while looking at the moving ceiling.
The last thing I remember was very bright lights in a clean & flash operating theater. Lots of nurses checking up on the last minute things. Next moment I was in my ward lying on my bed.
The surgeon came and told me everything went well and he would come and check up on me the next day to discharge me from the hospital. I was so glad we had him available on the day.
I could have gone back to Japan (if I could have flown) and shop around for a good surgeon but it might have taken too long and my retina got completely detached. Some friends told me I was very brave getting the operation done here in Brunei. I am very glad I was in Brunei and I met my surgeon and got everything treated before it was too late.
For the first few days I looked like someone punched me in the eyes. But surprisingly from day 3 the swelling was almost gone and I could focus quite well with my right eye and ok with my left.
Since the operation I went back twice to RIPAS for checkups -and thanks to my surgeon all recovering well. It will take few more weeks until I can wear contact lenses again (my glasses are not powerful enough to adjust my eye sight). But the important thing is I can see my little Oliver and Matthew of course!
The reason - Detached Retina - this is a condition you can have (but you don't want to have) with your eyes. It normally happens to old people but it is quite common with youngish females with very short sighted eyes. I had a mild form of this condition on my left eye while I was still working in Japan (maybe 5 years ago now). It is as simple as the description - the retina in your eye comes loose and if it is very bad it detaches from your eye = you lose your eye sight.
When I had my left eye operated on in Japan they treated it with a laser (I found that this is the lightest treatment you can get for detached retina, laser < freezing < buckle scleral) and I thought I needed the laser treatment again this time.
But it was much more serious than I thought, and it was on both eyes. Thanks to my caring husband who was more worried than I was and took me to JPMC (nicer hospital here in Brunei) and straight away the doctor told me I needed to see a surgeon at RIPAS (the other hospital - free for Bruneian citizens) and made me an appointment for the following day.
I was very worried about going into RIPAS as lots of friends told me about their uncomfortable experiences they had there. But to our surprise everyone was very helpful, efficient and spoke very good English. I got to meet my surgeon who told me he could operate on my eyes that afternoon. So I didn't even have time to go home and see Oliver (I was worried I might not be able to see him again if I lose my eye sight), no lunch nor water as I had to go on full anaesthehtic. They took me to the ward and took all the details they needed to accomodate me for the surgery and keep me over night.
The time went by quite quickly while I waited on my bed. The nurses came and told me that it's time for my operation. They put me on the stretcher and pushed me around the hospital to get to the operating theater. You know when you watch movies and someone is lying on one of those, it was exactly like that. Very weird feeling, lots of thoughts go by while looking at the moving ceiling.
The last thing I remember was very bright lights in a clean & flash operating theater. Lots of nurses checking up on the last minute things. Next moment I was in my ward lying on my bed.
The surgeon came and told me everything went well and he would come and check up on me the next day to discharge me from the hospital. I was so glad we had him available on the day.
I could have gone back to Japan (if I could have flown) and shop around for a good surgeon but it might have taken too long and my retina got completely detached. Some friends told me I was very brave getting the operation done here in Brunei. I am very glad I was in Brunei and I met my surgeon and got everything treated before it was too late.
For the first few days I looked like someone punched me in the eyes. But surprisingly from day 3 the swelling was almost gone and I could focus quite well with my right eye and ok with my left.
Since the operation I went back twice to RIPAS for checkups -and thanks to my surgeon all recovering well. It will take few more weeks until I can wear contact lenses again (my glasses are not powerful enough to adjust my eye sight). But the important thing is I can see my little Oliver and Matthew of course!
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Am I pretty?
This morning Oliver got a chance to wear a gorgeous pink diamond necklace and had a feel of a big big pink diamond!!
Oliver's friend Hannah helped him with the necklace.
Am I pretty mummy?
Oliver's friend Hannah helped him with the necklace.
Am I pretty mummy?
Sunday, 6 June 2010
Love the water
We went to the Yacht club for a quick swim and lunch today. It has been a while since Oliver has been in the water as he had a wee fever 2 weeks ago and his nose never stopped running, finally it seemed much better today.
We pumped up his new tube (with a cool shade!) and tried it out. He tipped over once but very quickly learned how to sit in it (or rather Matthew learned how to balance Oliver...).
Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall Humpty Dumpty had a great fall!!
Giggling away while practicing his backstroke
The boys had a great time in the water. Even though it was the last Sunday of the school break there weren't many in the pool, at one stage they had the entire pool for themselves. And while they were swimming I had a great time chatting with some friends : ) It was just what we needed!
We pumped up his new tube (with a cool shade!) and tried it out. He tipped over once but very quickly learned how to sit in it (or rather Matthew learned how to balance Oliver...).
Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall Humpty Dumpty had a great fall!!
Giggling away while practicing his backstroke
The boys had a great time in the water. Even though it was the last Sunday of the school break there weren't many in the pool, at one stage they had the entire pool for themselves. And while they were swimming I had a great time chatting with some friends : ) It was just what we needed!
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Inai-inai-baaa! (Peek-a-boo!)
Oliver's recent favourite sound is "Baaaa" , in Japanese we say "Inai-inai-baaaaa" (Peek-a-boo in English).
He was playing Inai-inai-baaaa yesterday using our basket.
Inai-inai
Baaaa!!!
He was playing Inai-inai-baaaa yesterday using our basket.
Inai-inai
Baaaa!!!
Thursday, 3 June 2010
My second project - Completed!
I have been using my new sewing machine to work on my second project (my first one being the birthday flag for Oliver)
I made these little Party Bags for Oliver's little friends. I am not sure people do these party bags elsewhere but here in Brunei when you go to birthday parties you get a party bag as you leave. I wanted to make Oliver's birthday as memorable as possible so decided to make these bags with farm animals (as his party theme was "Old MacDonald"). I am not an experienced sewer but learning little by little as I sew and I am enjoying it a lot :)
E-I-E-I-O !!
Made one for Oliver
I made 15 of these bags! but I couldn't put the handles on time to give them on his birthday. Today all of them are completed!! Yeeeeeaaahhhh!
What do you think Merryn? I am doing ok as a sewer?
I made these little Party Bags for Oliver's little friends. I am not sure people do these party bags elsewhere but here in Brunei when you go to birthday parties you get a party bag as you leave. I wanted to make Oliver's birthday as memorable as possible so decided to make these bags with farm animals (as his party theme was "Old MacDonald"). I am not an experienced sewer but learning little by little as I sew and I am enjoying it a lot :)
E-I-E-I-O !!
Made one for Oliver
I made 15 of these bags! but I couldn't put the handles on time to give them on his birthday. Today all of them are completed!! Yeeeeeaaahhhh!
What do you think Merryn? I am doing ok as a sewer?
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Family time
This evening it was surprisingly nice outside. Not too hot and a coolish breeze coming through, and most importantly not many mosquitoes! The three of us had some vege sticks and cold drinks in our front yard.
Oliver didn't last long in his push chair instead of being in the chair he wanted to push his little car around. This was the first time we've taken the toy outside. He cannot walk by himself yet but he can push the car soooo fast!!
Thanks to the fresh air and a good run around, Oliver is sound asleep giving mummy some peaceful time on her computer (daddy is working tonight ...)
Oliver didn't last long in his push chair instead of being in the chair he wanted to push his little car around. This was the first time we've taken the toy outside. He cannot walk by himself yet but he can push the car soooo fast!!
Thanks to the fresh air and a good run around, Oliver is sound asleep giving mummy some peaceful time on her computer (daddy is working tonight ...)
Hash Result
This is it! I laid my First Hash.
I got very busy last week and didn't find time to upload a post about my first hash. Numerous rekkis finally paid off and it was a great night (lots of people gave complements!)
Unfortunately it started to rain when the run started (I was at my place preparing the food for the on-on) so we were little bit nervous - maybe people get injured or the rain washes our paper away etc etc.
Oliver's Koinobori looking sad in the pouring rain...
Finally after one hour and 20min or so the front runner came back to our simpang! We were so glad they could run though without getting lost (even though they told me there was a wee confusion at the end).
We served a very nice welcome back drink that Boel made (super yummy!).
Nicole and Boel in our Japanese outfit
I was very excited to serve all the different Japanese food. And to my surprise all the food was gone!!! Must have been good ha!?
Curry, Gyoza, Edamame, Sushi and even Hello Kitty shortbread
It was very hard to organise but it was well worth it, I really enjoyed it!
(You can view more photos on Boel's blog)
I got very busy last week and didn't find time to upload a post about my first hash. Numerous rekkis finally paid off and it was a great night (lots of people gave complements!)
Unfortunately it started to rain when the run started (I was at my place preparing the food for the on-on) so we were little bit nervous - maybe people get injured or the rain washes our paper away etc etc.
Oliver's Koinobori looking sad in the pouring rain...
Finally after one hour and 20min or so the front runner came back to our simpang! We were so glad they could run though without getting lost (even though they told me there was a wee confusion at the end).
We served a very nice welcome back drink that Boel made (super yummy!).
Nicole and Boel in our Japanese outfit
I was very excited to serve all the different Japanese food. And to my surprise all the food was gone!!! Must have been good ha!?
Curry, Gyoza, Edamame, Sushi and even Hello Kitty shortbread
It was very hard to organise but it was well worth it, I really enjoyed it!
(You can view more photos on Boel's blog)
Fun morning
This morning Oliver was invited to a playdate at little Emma's house. He was sleep until we got there so I wasn't sure how well this playdate will go, but no worries at all. He had a ball!!
It was nice to see other boys there, as he has lots of friends who are girls who were born in the same year as him but only a few boys.
Oliver and Diego
Oliver learning how to make calls
Finally got to read "that's not my plane"
He is very much into telephones now - Moshi Moshi!
Very nice sunny play area
Let's get in these bar chairs!
It was just what I needed after a super busy week of laying the hash, organsing Oliver's birthday and trip to Singapore. Nice coffee and nice friends - very relaxed morning for mummy. Thank you Keira and Emma for having us!
It was nice to see other boys there, as he has lots of friends who are girls who were born in the same year as him but only a few boys.
Oliver and Diego
Oliver learning how to make calls
Finally got to read "that's not my plane"
He is very much into telephones now - Moshi Moshi!
Very nice sunny play area
Let's get in these bar chairs!
It was just what I needed after a super busy week of laying the hash, organsing Oliver's birthday and trip to Singapore. Nice coffee and nice friends - very relaxed morning for mummy. Thank you Keira and Emma for having us!
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Another Birthday Present
Oliver is so lucky. He received another birthday present today. Famous IKEA Swivel Armchair from his grandparents (mummy managed to put all the parts on the plane coming back from Singapore the other day).
People were very curious about what I was carrying, baby bath? turtle shell? Well all that embarrassment paid off!
Look how happy our boy is trying out his new toy.
I was worried he might be scared of it but nothing to worry about, HE LOVES IT! I hope he will learn to watch TV, read his books, and even have a nap in it like all his cousins.
Thank you very much Merryn and Dennis : )
People were very curious about what I was carrying, baby bath? turtle shell? Well all that embarrassment paid off!
Look how happy our boy is trying out his new toy.
I was worried he might be scared of it but nothing to worry about, HE LOVES IT! I hope he will learn to watch TV, read his books, and even have a nap in it like all his cousins.
Thank you very much Merryn and Dennis : )
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