Can you believe it has been 2 full years already since we (well, more accurately, I - Michael has a few weeks on me) landed in Singapore?! True story guys. It's actually been a little longer than two years, but between moving apartments and my other writing commitments, it has taken me longer than I wanted to post this.
Life is funny in the way that things can simultaniously feel like they were a lifetime ago and just a minute ago - and these past two years have been just that. So, loyal LGE followers, I present to you a year in review of some of our favorite photos and trips, as well as a few thoughts and tid-bits.
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| Sydney, AUS - Nov 2014 |
Things we're loving :
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| Waiheke Island, NZ - Nov 2014 |
Our home. As I just mentioned we recently moved into a new apartment. It's a big undertaking getting the new space feeling like home (even though it's just across the street from our old place), but we are loving all the outdoor space and open kitchen. We have grilled out almost every evening, making Michael very, very happy.
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| Bintan, Indonesia - Dec 2014 |
Friends. We finally feel like we are building a great group of friends out here. There are so many cool and interesting people in Singapore and we are lucky to be building such a neat network of people.
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| Hanoi, Vietnam - Feb 2015 |
Healthcare. Especially with a baby on the way, we are so lucky to have such convenient, high quality healthcare available here. There are a lot of little things in Singapore that are mind-bogglingly difficult (i.e. ordering delivery food, making dinner reservations and grocery shopping), but the big things like doctors visits, taxes, government documents and air travel are shockingly easy. It's a strange, strange world out here sometimes.
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| China Beach, Vietnam - Feb 2015 |
Things we miss :
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| Hoi An, Vietnam - Feb 2015 |
Family & Friends. Obvi. This year we were so lucky to have hosted both of our families out here in Singapore. It made the 365 days without a trip home much more bearable. The Duvall + Fitz crew, the Duvall girls, my sister, and my parents all made the long journey over to see us and we loved every second. Oh, and a special guest appearance by the O'Dennys as well.
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| Beijing, China - March 2015 |
Fall. I know, I know, white girls love fall, but it's such a wonderful time in the Midwest. In KC especially, the weather is changing, it's peak BBQ season and the Chiefs, Royals and Kansas Basketball are all three magically colliding during this enchanting time. FOMO.
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| Beijing, China - March 2015 |
Chipotle and Taco Bell, Chipotle and Taco Bell, Chipotle and Taco Bell, Chipotle and Taco Bell, Chipotle and Taco Bell, Chipotle and Taco Bell, Chipotle and Taco Bell, Chipotle and Taco Bell, Chipotle and Taco Bell, Chipotle and Taco Bell, Chipotle and Taco Bell, Chipotle and Taco Bell.
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| Beijing, China - March 2015 |
Local things we say :
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| Singapore - March 2015 |
Keen, faulty, actually and basically (said in Singapore accent ;), 'how are ya going?', pax, dodgy and alight are some of this years additions.
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| Singapore - March 2015 |
Goals for the year :
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| Bali, Indonesia - March 2015 |
Make the most of it! With time flying by at such a rapid rate we want to be sure to live in the moment and make the most of our time out here. I'm sure it will be over before we know it. #NoRegrets
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| Tea Trails, Sri Lanka - April 2015 |
Travel. Trips we still want to take include Japan and a more extended journey throughout Australia and New Zealand.
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| Tea Trails, Sri Lanka - April 2015 |
Expand our circle. We hope to continue to branch out and expand our circle. Plus, I need some mommy friends :)
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| The Maldives - April 2015 |
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| The Maldives - April 2015 |
Accomplishments :
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| The Maldives - April 2015 |
This year I not only changed jobs, but career paths in general. It wasn't always easy and it took many months, but with the love and support of my wonderful husband, family and friends, some very influential books, great photography instructors and a few publications that gave me a chance, I am so happy to finally be doing something I love. We shall see where my current writing endeavor leads me.
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| Singapore - May 2015 |
Michael continues to thrive at the office, so he would likely say his biggest personal accomplishment this year is seeing the Rolling Stones live in concert not once, but twice during the same tour :-P
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| Koh Samui, Thailand - May 2015 |
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| Koh Samui, Thailand - May 2015 |
Favorite Destination :
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| Margaret River, AUS - July 2015 |
We have been so blessed to have been on many wonderful adventures these past couple years, but our time in the
Tea Trails of Sri Lanka has been our favorite spot to date. Our time in
Margaret River comes in at a very close second. If you ever find yourself on this side of the world, those are the two places, thus far, that have made my heart, soul, stomach and camera the most happy.
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| Margaret River, AUS - July 2015 |
Favorite Experience :
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| Margaret River, AUS - July 2015 |
Our favorite day this past year was likely our motorcycle side-car journey in
Beijing. The cold fresh air, cruising the Chinese countryside and sharing a bottle a wine at the top of the Great Wall was a day I will never forget.
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| Margaret River, AUS - July 2015 |
What's next?
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| Singapore - Aug 2015 |
Making room for baby! In what will surely be the biggest change in our life, we are thrilled to be welcoming our first child here in Singapore. It will be a crazy, wonderful time and we cannot wait. We are already half way there :)
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| Singapore SG 50 Celebration - Aug 2015 |
At this time we are looking to make a move back to the States sometime in the summer/fall of 2016 - soon! Just as we are finally getting settled and comfortable amiright. The exact timing and destination of our next move is not yet set, but we are hoping to be as close to our families as possible while still aligning with Michael's career path.
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| Angkor Wat, Cambodia - Aug 2015 |
Questions :
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| Angkor Wat, Cambodia - Aug 2015 |
What ever happened to the laser beam sounding cross walks I wrote about back in week one? I swear I haven't heard one since. What's the point of sweeping the sidewalk so often? Will there ever be a cure for geckos inside the house? What does ERP, AYE, ECP, CTC and the million other street acronyms stand for? Why are the light switches on the outside of the bathroom? Will I ever be brave enough to try durian? Who wants to franchise a Singapore Chipotle with me? Who decided that in Singapore the term 'getting high'
actually means getting drunk?!
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| Siem Reap, Cambodia - Aug 2015 |
In Summary :
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| Little India, Singapore - Sept 2015 |
Overall, even with so many big changes, this past year has felt more like cruise control as compared to the roller coaster of life as a first year expat. More and more often we have days where we stop in our tracks and make note of how much we love Singapore and the life we have built out here. It's not always easy, and there are many days that make you want to pull your hair out, but we are so thankful and happy to be living this life and enjoying this experience.
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| Singapore - Baby Bump back at 17 weeks |
Thanks y'all for all your love and support. We love and miss you all every day. Cheers to the next year and many wonderful adventures to come! Lots and lots of love.
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