A Year On.

I've just realised something today. We officially passed the one year mark since the first day we arrived in Singapore last year (Actually we passed the one year mark a few weeks ago but yours truly just realized it today.)So much has happened since we left good old Hong Kong and made the move to Singapore. Life has been pretty good to us. (We also had our share of difficult moments but life has to go on.) Overall, it's been a fulfilling year.

Hubby's career is also going very well. In fact, he's changing job. He'll be joining Bank of America (BOA), again actually. I guess he had to move on to another bank (and another country, come to think of it!) to realize that his loyalty remains with Bank of America and no other bank can give him the job satisfaction he had with BOA. Luckily for him (and the family), the new position in BOA is based in Singapore, so we're pretty much staying put in this little island for quite some time. (from the look of things, probably indefinite.)

Shafiq told his Daddy that he's tired of moving from one country to another whenever Daddy changes job. I guess Shafiq is pretty much settled with his life here. He loves his school and his friends here. BOA actually offered Hubby a position in Hong Kong but Hubby told them that he does not want to relocate. Guess, Lady Luck was shining upon Hubby as there was an opening with BOA in Singapore. Come July 19th, Hubby will be officially back with BOA. (Hubby is so happy that he's counting the days! He really hates the current bank that he's attached to at the moment.)

We love Hong Kong, we really do. In fact, from time to time, we find ourselves missing our lives in Hong Kong. We've made some really good friends (friends for life, actually!) and our Hong Kong experience taught us that no matter where we are, as long as we're together as a family, that's all that really maters.

At this juncture of our lives, being in Singapore is the best decision that we've ever made. A Singaporean friend of mine (an old friend that I got reacquainted recently through Facebook) asked me why do we want to live in "boring" Singapore? Hong Kong is so much more "happening" and "interesting" according to her. 

Well, Hubby and I are not such a "happening" couple. We prefer the slower pace of life . (Hong Kong was quite hectic actually). Shafiq is getting a good education (our main priority at the moment) and Malaysia is just a bridge away, Johor that is. We still have to drive 3 hours plus to get back to Kuala Lumpur, which is what we've been doing almost once a month ever since we moved here. ( Imagine the mileage on our one year old car!)

My in-laws and my Mom are getting old, so it is important that we are just a few hours drive away. (Also it's good to be near and at the same time, not so near, if you guys understand what I'm saying. wink,wink...)

Singapore can get boring at times (After all, it's a pretty small country with nothing much to do besides Sentosa, Universal Studios not forgetting Orchard), but we're happy. Excellent education system, the country is so clean, building looks new all the time, good food (I have not once cook "nasi lemak" since we left Hong Kong and moved here. Can just get it anywhere. Halal meat is easily available. No more one hour train + cab ride to get our supply of Halal meat like when we were in Hong Kong (and that is only a one way trip!) Shafiq gets to learn the Quran & Islamic religious studies with a private tutor at home. Our family and friends in Malaysia gets to come and visit us in Singapore whenever they want to. 

A year on, I think I'm quite settled here in Singapore.

P/s: Today is a bittersweet day for my Mom. It's my parents wedding anniversary. If my Late Dad was still alive today, my parents will be celebrating their 37th wedding anniversary.

My Dad passed away nearly three years ago, six days after he celebrated his 63rd birthday. (one month after we moved to Hong Kong) Though he's no longer with us, he's always in my heart. I miss you Daddy. Al Fatihah.