Thursday, 29 May 2014

Sun and Fun in Singapore!



Easter bunny found us in Singapore!  The boys were excited to wake up Easter morning to find chocolates scattered throughout the house and their baskets hidden.  We spent the day with friends and enjoyed a delicious Easter potluck dinner of ham, chicken and lamb.  No disappointment here that turkey was not an option :)




I've been busy training for a number of different races with my girlfriend, Liza, who is from Australia.  The races help to keep me motivated and allow me to enjoy a  glass of wine, guilt-free.




I am amazed at the variety of activities that one can do in Singapore!  We've been here for a year and there are still loads of activities for us to try and areas that need to be explored!

One Saturday, we biked to Gardens by the Bay. to visit their Flower Doom as the exhibit was tulips.  It brought back warm memories of our time in Holland.


Another weekend, we filled our day with a variety of fun activities.  We started by hiking down Mount Faber (I use the term hike and mountain loosely - although it does not compare to what we can find outside of Calgary, I would recommend this walk to any visitors).  Then we caught to bus over to Sentosa Island - Singapore's playground.  We spent the rest of the day trying out the luge, body boarding and enjoying cold beverages on the beach.  Perfect day!






Last weekend, to celebrate Father's Day and Joshua's birthday, we did a "stay-cation".  We checked into a resort on Sentosa and spent the weekend feeling like we got away.  The weekend was fabulous!





Even though Father's Day isn't for a few more weekends, we gave Jason his gift early - simulation skydiving!  The experience was amazing!  After a quick presentation, we put on our special skydiving gear then took turn flying in the wind tunnel.  The boys loved it and couldn't get enough!  




See everyone is a little less than a month!  Can't wait!

Monday, 24 March 2014

Finishers!

Last Sunday, the boys and I competing in our first duathlon.  Back in January, I had registered for a series which included a sprint duathlon and a sprint triathlon and about a month ago, the boys surprised me by expressing interesting in also competing.  For a couple of weekends leading up to the race, Jason & I would take the kids to the East Coast Park and they would practice their distances (500m Run, 6km Bike, 500m Run).

Sunday - Race Day!  Both boys had pre race jiggers and were eager to get started.  Jason and I were so pleased with their effort and the boys were thrilled with the medals they received when they crossed the finish line.  It was such a fun day!

Here are some pictures from the day.






You would think this is the start of the race, but no, its just the kids racing to the start line to get the best position. 

And Jake was happy with his position :)










Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Love from The Plamondon's









Long Overdue Post

Merry Christmas!  Happy New Years! Happy Valentines Day!

We had a wonderful time back in Canada for the holidays and it was amazing how quickly the time went by.  We were greeted with -30 degree weather which was a welcomed shock.  The cold crisp air felt so good but thankfully it didn't last as Mother Nature warmed things up the next day.  It was so nice to be back around family and friends and being spoiled with delicious home cooked meals.  Comfort food can do wonders for jet lag!

Good byes were not too difficult because two weeks after we returned to Singapore, we had our first visitors!  My Mom & Dad, along with Claire, Dustin, Anna and Olivia spent three weeks soaking up the warm weather and enjoying the beautiful sites of Singapore.  While everyone was here, we took a little mini vacation to Langkawi in Malaysia and had an amazing time.  Our house feels so quiet now that everyone has left.

I have been asked to teach Grade 6 at the Canadian International School for the last three months of the school year as the current teacher will be going on a maternity.  The position will start the week before spring break.  As much as I have been enjoying substitute teaching, I am looking forward to having my own class and to develop relationships with students which extends beyond one day.

Jason's work is going really well and the boys are happily involved in their activities and enjoying their time in Asia (although, they really do miss their family).  A couple of nights before everyone left, the boys got choked up and through tears Josh said,"Why do they have to leave?  Why can't they live here with us for the next four years?"  So sweet.

Enjoy the photos!

December - January
Our Welcoming Committee!  

Went to a couple of Oiler games - both were wins!  It was so nice to watch hockey!

Boys love their Canadian shirts - thanks Nana! 

Fun part of the holidays - doing a puzzle with Papa!






Our First Visitors!



Our company was here to celebrate the Chinese New Year - so much fun!










Langkawi, Malaysia













Back to Singapore for the last week









A must - swim in the infinity pool on top of the Marina Bay Sands