We really missed Singapore's transportation network!
Drove around in a rental car for 2 weeks even though we had bought the 10 year old car because of the procedure required in this land. My husband had to get tested for his local driver's license to qualify for insurance then registration of the number plate. Each step presented its own set of challenges! He had so much trouble studying the high way code, feeling the frustrations that even if he can give the correct answer, say 30 feet, he does know how to guage that distance. But he dutifully pressed on and had perfect score and passed his driving test too. Having seen the trouble he went thru makes me panic! I had not driven for nearly 20 years! Pray for me to overcome my fear.
Then the insurance.
We found a record of the vehicle that it went thru 21 crashes in 9 years! The first company refused to cover this vehicle. Had to source all over again to find a company that is willing! Happily my husband put on the number plate and behold, the battery is flat. We are getting to know the car better day by day and am glad to report that this relationship is working out well with some extra care and loving touches! ( engine oil, brakes, tyres...)
Bicycle.
The drop off / pick up queue takes too long at Daniel's school. We bought 2 bicycles; one for me and one for Daniel on the 1st day of school. Daniel had not riden on a 2 wheel bike before. When he got home from school, daddy taught him and he learnt it in less than 30 minutes! The next morning, we ventured out to school. We had to go slowly and I realised we do not know how to cross the roads. So we had to go a longer route just to avoid crossing any road.
While we are getting familar with biking to and from school, we need to handle the challenge of cycling in the rain. There is no shelter along the way...So looks like I really need to drive.
School bus
The 2 teenagers go to school by school bus. On the day that my husband was away taking his driving test, Joycelyn missed the school bus coming home! After fetching Daniel (which is later than Middle school timing), I had to cycle to our office to get help. Finally, reached her 2 hours after her dismissal!
We still have some way to go before we iron out our transportation issues. Remember us the next time you are on the road!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Arrived in USA- Part 1 School
So much had happened since we arrived!
Thank God for this time for me to count His blessings. Thank God for GPS! We needed to go places to get proof of residence, health records, physical check up, driver's licence as well as grocery and stationery. The GPS is quite reliable and we could even check an estimated time of arrival at our destination.
Enrolment for school is tedious. Some immunisations done back home was not acceptable and had to be done again plus other compulsory jabs required for school here. Joycelyn had 4, Daniel 3 and Davy 1. Ouch! (When Davy had chicken pok at 6 months of age, I was upset wondering why he contracted it while still being breastfed. Now, I am grateful as Davy hates needles and he was spared from the chicken pox vaccine this time round!) We know that medical cost is very high here and thus were pleasantly surprised that my kids jabs are FREE!
The High School needed some document and fixed an appointment with an office downtown for Tuesday after school had started. We wanted the kids to start school with everyone else on Monday. God uses my husband gift of being very meticulous to spot the mistake. We do not need that Tuesday appointment instead went to another place and got the document done on the spot without prior appointment in less than 30 minutes!
Our children needed a physical done within a month after school starts. Like a true blue Singaporean we rushed down to a school clinic before it closes for the day. But it was too late and the staff were leaving. We stopped them and inquired about the procedure to get an appointment and was told that the slots available are in September but could pay US$40 for a walk in clinic. Anyway, we called back the next day and was surprised that we were given an appointment for the following day! And so we saved some money, got it done and out of our to-do list and know that are kids are very healthy and fit for school! Because Davy and Joycelyn are interested in doing sports, those certificates came in handy to qualify them for sports tryouts too!
Daniel came back from school the first day and declared that he loved school! I asked him why and he said,
" We get to eat snack in class and they served us Hotdog for lunch!"
Well, while he is enjoying his current situation, I am busy fighting to put him into Grade 3! Because he did not complete his P2, the school had to put him back in Grade 2. They did not want to see his report book nor his Mid year exams script for English and Maths but assured us that he will get promoted to 3rd grade if he do well for his exams in October. I really wanted him to settle down with his class as quickly as possible instead of moving him later. We had spoken with the Principal, Vice Princpal as well as authorities outside the school. The teacher will help gather the data and advise us accordingly. Trust God to grant us favor with the school.
The teens are still figuring their way around in this new system and environment. Pray that they will find good friendships that will build and edify.
Thank God for this time for me to count His blessings. Thank God for GPS! We needed to go places to get proof of residence, health records, physical check up, driver's licence as well as grocery and stationery. The GPS is quite reliable and we could even check an estimated time of arrival at our destination.
Enrolment for school is tedious. Some immunisations done back home was not acceptable and had to be done again plus other compulsory jabs required for school here. Joycelyn had 4, Daniel 3 and Davy 1. Ouch! (When Davy had chicken pok at 6 months of age, I was upset wondering why he contracted it while still being breastfed. Now, I am grateful as Davy hates needles and he was spared from the chicken pox vaccine this time round!) We know that medical cost is very high here and thus were pleasantly surprised that my kids jabs are FREE!
The High School needed some document and fixed an appointment with an office downtown for Tuesday after school had started. We wanted the kids to start school with everyone else on Monday. God uses my husband gift of being very meticulous to spot the mistake. We do not need that Tuesday appointment instead went to another place and got the document done on the spot without prior appointment in less than 30 minutes!
Our children needed a physical done within a month after school starts. Like a true blue Singaporean we rushed down to a school clinic before it closes for the day. But it was too late and the staff were leaving. We stopped them and inquired about the procedure to get an appointment and was told that the slots available are in September but could pay US$40 for a walk in clinic. Anyway, we called back the next day and was surprised that we were given an appointment for the following day! And so we saved some money, got it done and out of our to-do list and know that are kids are very healthy and fit for school! Because Davy and Joycelyn are interested in doing sports, those certificates came in handy to qualify them for sports tryouts too!
Daniel came back from school the first day and declared that he loved school! I asked him why and he said,
" We get to eat snack in class and they served us Hotdog for lunch!"
Well, while he is enjoying his current situation, I am busy fighting to put him into Grade 3! Because he did not complete his P2, the school had to put him back in Grade 2. They did not want to see his report book nor his Mid year exams script for English and Maths but assured us that he will get promoted to 3rd grade if he do well for his exams in October. I really wanted him to settle down with his class as quickly as possible instead of moving him later. We had spoken with the Principal, Vice Princpal as well as authorities outside the school. The teacher will help gather the data and advise us accordingly. Trust God to grant us favor with the school.
The teens are still figuring their way around in this new system and environment. Pray that they will find good friendships that will build and edify.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)