SKYNI

Dear Jonathan

Nine years ago, around this time, i was really nervous as I was about to see you in a few hours. Giving birth was at that time really scary to me but at the same time, I really wanted to hold you in my arms.

Nine years later, I have grown to love you as you are, Jonathan, my very wonderful child. You changed me so much and I know that there is so much more mummy can do for you. Thank you for being so patient with me and for teaching me so many new things. It is uncanny that you like exactly the same food as mummy – cookies, chocolate, cake, chicken, candy, ice cream. We are alike in so many ways.

There are times Mummy has been really tough on you. Like trying to teach you to play piano and mathematics. I am sorry for being so hard on you. I know I should be more patient with you as you have a simple pure heart, and you are most fragile when stressed. Learning is difficult for you and I know you are trying your best. If you bear with me, Mummy will try harder and be better.

So on your 9th birthday my son, I want to wish you great happiness and that you will always enjoy the simple things in life.

I am very proud of you Jonathan and love you very much.

Love and Kisses,
Mummy.

Special ‘milestones’ achieved in the past year…

– grew by at least 10cm (still the smallest in class but also the feistiest)
– learnt how to dive decently (mummy cannot even do what you can do)
– built your stamina to swim a good 50m (credit goes again to pappa)
– danced at a first public concert (and had a really good time)
– sang solo in a school’s concert (and was not even scared)
– lost many milk teeth (and now, you should really look after your teeth)
– started proper school (and you think it is so much cooler than kindergarden)
– finally started proper chinese lessons (and mummy cannot sleep in on Saturday mornings)
– quit horse riding (sorry, not able to tolerate the smell is a very bad excuse)
– learnt how to read (yes, again, credit to pappa)
– developed your own fashion sense (now mummy cannot dress you up the way she likes)

Our dear Linn, here’s wishing you a very very happy birthday to you and we love you so very much.

It really tickles when the fishes kiss my feet.

I met Hattie, a 5 year old british girl from Surrey in Corfu. Her mummy was so nice to give us a fish spa treat. We played Uno and went to a great beach party together. There was fireworks and lots of dancing. We had such great fun.

I like!!!!

We spent a couple of wonderful days walking around the town and soaking in the greek culture. It is a very interesting city and the locals were telling us that this is the worst summer in the past 30 years. Their usual summer is without rain and they always have clear skies everyday. They were complaining about cloudy skies and a small thunderstorm in the middle of the night.

They are always fighting but it is always a delight to see them playing together (which is quite rare).

Nicke and Linn had a day out on the boat, catching in the beautiful scenery of Corfu island. Whilst mamma and Jon spend the day chilling in the resort.

This is the reason why pappa chose this resort….I like it. but she should play and not keep talking to the lifeguard all the time.

This summer, we spent 8 days in Corfu, Greece. We bought an all inclusive package which means all meals included, and there was free flow of beer, cocktails for adults and soft drinks and ice cream for kids.

They had a pretty good time in the resort with their own swimming slides. Linn and Jon loved that they can pick their favourite food in the hugh line of buffet and have ice cream all the time.

The resort was hugh with 2000 over guests. We did not quite like the food served but it is difficult to expect good quality if they have to cater to 2000 guests for all meals.

Nevertheless, we all enjoyed it and had a really great time.

I have never climbed a tree before in my life. My parents never encouraged me to do that in Singapore. But kids love it. This tree in Sigtuna looks quite easy to climb.

Linn is really looking forward to her 7th birthday next month. She has prepared a list of things she wants… such as a doll’s head that she can apply make up, a boomerang, and also a Tinkerbell movie.

When I asked what she wants from me, she gave me a rather amusing answer. She has been very fascinated with the SPY kids movies and said that she aspire to be a spy when she grows up! Hence, she wants me to get her some ‘spy clothes’. Of course, she did not believe me when i told her that there is no such thing as spy clothes! Spies try to hide their identity and there is no uniform.

Looks like Secret Agent Linn is not going to be a very good spy.

Today marks the 4th year we have been in Stockholm.

Many have asked me how the four years have been and those in Singapore asked when will we come home. My answer has been the same since we moved here. We have no plans to move back to Singapore as much as we miss our family and friends there. It is no longer what Nicke and I want but what is best for the kids.

We have built our modest and simple home in Stockholm and have grown accustomed to the lifestyle here. It is definitely not as convenient and comfortable as Singapore at times and I really experienced a new level of the famous acronym D-I-Y. Waking up at 5 am, getting on the public transport to seek shelter from the cold, eating freshly baked bread from the supermarket, rushing home to get kids out of school, cooking inspired by the Masterchef series, looking at simple home improvements, enjoying the neighbourhood pizza occasionally, doing the housework on autopilot, completely exhausted and sleeping by 10 pm are just part of everyday simple life. Do i crave for my favourite laksa or char kway teow? Of course i still do…only if i think about it. But i do master the courage to invent my own dishes and make Nicke try them.

The children are speaking swedish fluently although I cannot say the same for myself. I see the Swedes’ amused look when i try to speak Swedish and how they try to get me out of my (or their) misery by responding in English. I need to try harder I tell myself everyday.

Jonathan is happy and don’t complain so much about going to school. Linn is growing up so fast and enjoying school.

I am enjoying many new found friendships and also discovering a new culture. Personally, I have gone though different struggles here but there is really no turning back. The world is small, but with internet and facebook, I am consoled that my loved ones and friends are never too far away.

So for now, I am contented to call Sweden our home.

It is the long awaited summer holidays. The children are thrilled.

I never thought it is possible but this summer, the temperature did soar to 28 degrees. The children spent many weeks at Farmor, enjoying being with Farmor and playing outdoors.

Now that they are home, Nicke has been bringing them to the lake for a swim or two every day. I still cannot bring myself to go into the water as it is too cold for me. But i am very proud that Linn and Jonathan managed to swim all the way to the wooden raft. Something that I don’t think i myself can do.

The family visited a great wildlife park yesterday, despite of the cold and rain. It is not quite like the Singapore Zoo where the experience is focussed on the visitors but more on the animals.

Jon has a new hobby….motorcrossing and he is quite enjoying it. I think it is great that he gives him a little more confidence and keeps him physically active.

Go go Jonathan!

The school’s summerholidays are finally here – 10 weeks of pure fun in the swedish summer.

To start the holidays, the family with Farmor drove to Dalarna to join in the traditional Swedish celebration. The kids have lots of fun, watching the ceremony of putting up the midsommerstång (midsummer pole). Linn and Farmor joined many women in wearing their traditional swedish outfits.

Here’s wishing all our Swedish friends a wonderful summer.

Linn lost her favourite teddy bear during the Scotland trip. She must have dropped it when she had a migraine during the trip. She is extremely fond of this bear given to her by a stranger when she was 2 years old. She used to sleep with it every night and brought it everywhere she went. She would not even throw it away when it was broken and asked me to fix it.

I asked her why she likes it so much, she said that it is because i fixed its broken leg for her and hand sewed her name on it.

She even drew a picture of her lost teddy and asked me to take it to the hotel reception, requesting them to look for it. The male receptionist was very ‘understanding’ as i tried to explain with a straight face.

Nichlas says that we have to take a picture for his brother who loves to golf. I have no clue why. This looks like a normal golf course to me and nothing special about this rather small bridge at St Andrew’s.

Jon has never been good at posing. Unlike his sister who loves the camera, he cannot stand still in front of the camera and makes funny faces all the time.

But i managed to get some good shots of him which i am pretty happy with.