Our boxes have arrived!!!!

phew....we are relieved that the boxes arrived safely! Another colleague got taxed RM600 for an old phone and a water filter. So, we are considered lucky they did not tax us for these 8 cartons. The boxes were not opened by customs. Only the box which contained my chinese herbs, medicine and vitamins was open. I guess they wanted to check if there's any pork items in there????

Rachel was excited to see her box of books and toys. I let her unpack on her own. But halfway through, she lost interest, and resumed her running around the house.

Kenneth, Rachel and little Beru (Ken's cuddly, pressie from May yee!)

setting my expectations right

From the start when we found out that we will be relocating to Kuwait. The first thing that I exclaimed was.... "But got WAR worrrr..." hmmm...that does not make me sound too good, isn't it? Anyways, after getting over the "war" bit, with a bit of frustrated explanation from hubby... I tried to brace myself for what's coming by googling about Life in Kuwait. Surprisingly, compared to Life in Abu Dhabi, or Life in Dubai, or Life in Oman, there's not much written/posted that could help a lot.

And of course, when I tell people where we will be relocated, there were mixed comments. Some even got excited about the interesting life that I would lead, and the travelling that I can do! But mind you... I have a toddler and a baby...how much travelling or going out can I do! Hubby prepared me well...I will most likely have to stay at home most of the time! And he made sure he found a nice apartment for us, so that I would not be too miserable staying at home. Unlike our last relocation to Turkmenistan, and Edinburgh!!!!

So, I have set my expectations right. Not much excitement in life. Not much socialising. Staying home most of the time, and trying not to turn too yellow and sallow as a housewife.... Wish me luck!!!!!

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Whilst I am writing this post, I can hear Rachel talking to herself outside in the hall. She definitely needs to go to school to mix around!!!!
This is what she's talking now... supposedly to Daddy (who is at work) ....

Rachel talking to imaginary Daddy... "why everyday need to go office one?... you sure you work one ah???"

dunno where she learn to talk like this..... scary how kids emulate our talking....

Rachel's corner.....

Making herself at home...

New home

The moment we have settled the luggages into the house, we went to scout out Rachel and Kenneth's room. The first thing Rachel said was "WHY NOT PINK ONE?????" (gosh, we have really got to stop speaking manglish to her)...and then, the 2nd thing she noticed was the light switches were all at her level!!!! So, she ran around the house saying "Mummy, I open (and I will correct her to say 'switch on') the lights for you ahhhh...." And seconds later... "Mummy, I close (switch off) the lights for you ahhhhh"

And compared to our home in KL, this place is much bigger. So, she was running up and down the hallway, exploring the different rooms. Her toys have yet to arrive, but after the 2nd day, she has already claimed a corner of the hall as hers, messing it up with the limited toys and scrap paper she has with her.

On the 2nd day itself, Rachel requested to speak to her grandparents.... Overseas calls are expensive, so we are using Yahoo Messenger for this, and later, will use SKYPE as well... How can we ever survive without internet!!!!!

Rachel talking to her grandparents on YM....

Meanwhile, it took Ken a couple of nights to get used to the place. He woke up 4 times during the first night, which was pretty unlike him. Daddy bought him a new cot from IKEA before we arrived. So, his sleeping place was well equipped. As her room was not as pink as she wanted, we went to IKEA again yesterday, to get her a new colourful pink duvet and also red handcloth and rugs for her bathroom. Also, we bought her new play table, chair, stool and a toy dog for her, and a new bathtub for Ken. They have yet to arrive. I can imagine the living hall being messed up when all things, including our other boxes arrive!!!! Will have to brace myself for that!

Journey to Kuwait

The journey was smooth...considerably. We took our normal limo cab from our place to KLIA, and upon reaching there, I strapped Rachel with a harness, and Ken in his stroller. Carrying my breastpump bag, my storksak (courtesy of my sis), and our big hand luggage, we waited at the side while hubby handled all 4 luggages!!!!! I felt like we were super strong parents then....:)

Hubby bought 4 seats for us, with a bassinet for Ken. We took Emirates, and boy, was I surprised with the service, the plane, and the food!!! It was much better than I expected!!!! I received a couple packs of baby cleaning stuffs for Ken. And Rachel got 2 puppets, 2 boxes of colour pencils, a nice colouring book and a backpack filled with toys! And we were offered really good bottled food for babies WITHOUT ME ASKING!!! Definitely a big difference compared to MAS or SIA. I remembered travelling on MAS with Rachel when she was 3 months old to UK, and definitely, we did not receive this kind of treatment!!!!

Before the flight, we had a nightcap at starbucks in KLIA. (and don't get me started on the difference between the crowd in KLIA and Dubai Airport....I was pleasantly surprised at Dubai Airport!!!!!) Here, Rachel is enjoying her hot chocolate while watching Friends on hubby's new toy....his iPod touch. A gift from his office back in KL....

Rachel watching Friends on daddy's iPod touch (which he claims "so good, so good"...)

Our flight was at 1am. But Rachel was full of adrenaline...she did not sleep until 3am!!!!Since we were at the front seats, where the bassinet hangs, there was ample space for me to cushion a nice area on the floor for Rachel to sleep.....

Rachel on the floor

Kenneth in his bassinet

Rachel enjoying the entertainment on board in the 2nd leg of the journey. Ken was sleeping on his tummy on one of the seats. No bassinet during the 2nd flight which only lasted 1.5 hours. And daddy was napping next to Rachel...

The flight to Dubai was good, although I did not get much sleep. Again, I was mighty surprised with the food they served on board. Even their snacks were so much better compared to what is served on MAS and SIA!!!! hmmmm...I am definitely spoilt after this flight.

At the Dubai airport, me, as a mother was pleasantly surprised with....strollers provided by Emirates for use in the airport.... They were Maclaren strollers!!! he, he....at least, up to my standards (which is inadequately low sometimes)...So, I was really pleasantly surprised!

Ken in his borrowed Maclaren stroller in Dubai airport...note the PROPERTY OF EMIRATES sign

Other than pooping a couple of times during the 15 hour journey (+transit), and a bit of fidgety and crying, Ken was considerably easy to manage! Rachel, as usual, kept on asking "why so long one........" after every 15 mins....