A month back Home...

It was a busy month of Dec! I was ready to get home for Chilli crab, simple fare and all the delicious food that I missed so much. It was unusual for us to take SQ this year...they were having promotion on the new flight A380... pretty excited about the new flight, we were ready to go home (me and Matthew only).

child meal on the plane


Enjoying his treat with the entertainment system on


Lots of fun and shoppings, eating and gatherings was done in this month... I wasn't very diligent in taking photos when DH wasn't here, so not much to show!

1st gathering on the 2nd day of arrival in conjunction of friend's birthdays!


X'mas Celebration:
X'mas tree at Place de Jaude before going back to S'pore


Orchard X'mas lighting and decors + shopping trips!










X'mas gathering at Bernie's house


Matthew preparing goodies bags and presents for friends!


Matthew opening the presents!


Matthew has gotten 3 remote-controlled cars this year... this is one of them!

Waited so long...

It's been almost a month since I had the car accident. Finally, I have gotten it fixed last week. I had waited more than 2 weeks for the appointment but Thank God I don't have to pay anythings for the repairs! I had left the car in the workshop for a week and was given a rented car to drive. It's a very new car and it's the same model as the one I have... which made it so easy to drive!

During the week, I bought Matthew to Kizou for playgroup with his friend. They have fun playing together and we have lunch at the newly opened KFC. To my surprise, I heard someone speaking to her daughter that have a very familiar accent, sound like she is either from Malaysia or Singapore. Furthermore, she speaks both English and french and she doesn't look like she is from PRC. Determined to find out, I approached her with a "Bonjour" and started a conversation. As expected, she is indeed from S'pore...and have been living in Clermont for the past 2 years. She didn't have the chance to meet any other expats' wives as her husband is a French and he is not working for Michelin. She is so excited to meet someone as she was quite deprived for the past 2 years, not being able to know any Asian friends (not to mention that we are from the same country).

Her name is Pamela and she has a daughter, Victoire, who is 3 years old. Somehow, Matthew and Victoire clicked off really well as they both speak the same languages (English and French). We had a great time chatting and Victoire can't even bear to say Goodbye when we are ready to go...she was really sad and wanted to go with us! it's really surprising for me to meet S'porean in Clermont after living here for almost 3 years (except co-workers from S'pore office). We exchange contacts and I even invited her to join me for activities like chit-chat group and silk-painting. She was thrilled as she didn't know where to go and what to do after being in Clermont for 2 years. I'm really glad to meet someone who share the same culture and cravings for shopping and food in S'pore! :P

I had an accident again!

Remember not too long ago, I had a little accident where the car bumped into the side of my car door while he was reversing and 2 days ago, I had a bigger accident! This time round, it was with a BUS! Yes, I was hit by a bus! Err, maybe not me, it's just the car :P Anyway, I was very upset and angry when it happened.
It was really scary as my friend and her baby was in my car too. It happened too sudden and was too shocking. BUT it's not my fault!

Let me describe a little. Both the bus and me were trying to enter an roundabout where he's in the bus lane (already green for him) and when my light turns green, I started to move on, with the bus at my side. Everything was okay until he decided to turn right (he was going straight initially but saw the road was closed due to some repair works), he somehow decided to make a right turn with a tight angle. He was really near to me. I slowed down my car and wanted to let him go first but there he goes - turned and bumped onto my car. I said to myself... oh no that's it! We both stopped at the next available spot where I get down to inspect the car. Then I realised that the font bumper and the side were crashed while he only suffered a little scratch.

Feeling lost and frustrated, I really didn't know what to do... I know I can claim from insurance and I needed to fill in an accident form but I was too scared that I've forgotten everything! We exchanged contacts and he drove off.

Later that morning, I consulted my friends when I go for my bible study. As I tell them what had happened, I started to cry realising that it was so closed! I think I'm still in shock and really need an outlet. People who knows me know that I'm very emotional. I can't stop crying as the thought of the bus hitting me really scare me. If the bus were to swayed a little more, he might just hit me. I really thank God for His protection, it's only the car that was damaged and no one was hurted! I feel grateful as there's friend to help me with the communication. She was kind enough to follow up on this issue. I can't deal with the french with my limited vocabulary and the worst is DH is away till end of the month. I can't wait for him to come back. It needed to be settled within the next 5 days!

So I have my friend to call the company and the driver. We met up with the bus driver the next day to fill in the "Constat" - a form for accident. No police report was needed as there were no injury. And without any disagreement, he knows it's his fault and was very apologetic. Unlike his company who seem to shift the blame to me!

This morning, I went to the garage to have the photos taken to be examined by the "expert" of the insurance to determine whether it can be covered by insurance. I was nervous about it...and asked how much it's going to cost and he told me it's going to be 2,000 euros ! Oh man, it's so expensive! I'm really speechless and I really prayed that the insurance will cover it! Otherwise, DH is going to kill me. It's really a mishap as accident always happen when he's away and that give him lots of stress!

I hoped that I would be more careful next time and thank God for His mercy and protection!

Someone's here!

We have been in Clermont for about 2 years and 9 months and this is the first time someone is visiting us from Singapore beside Michelin's co-workers and family.
Hilda (our friend from home church in S'pore, esp DH since he has known her for more than 15 years) is having a 3 weeks vacation in Europe - Munich, England and France and decided to pay us a visit since she's alone. After much communication, we decided to show her around on the weekend as DH is very busy with his travel schedule.

Last Friday evening, DH returned from Grenoble, about 3 to 4 hours drive away from Clermont. Then I picked him up at the car rentals and off we go again on the road! It's about another 3 hours drive to Blois train station where we're suppose to meet Hilda. I drove for the 1st hour and decided to pass over to DH since it was raining cats and dogs. I can barely see anything! It's too dangerous for me to drive. By the time we got to Blois, it about 9pm. Finally we met up with Hilda and we then head for the hotel which is about 30min drive.

On Saturday morning, we visited 2 castles at Loire - Chambord and Chenonceau. These are the 2 most interesting and popular among all the castles of the Loire since we have very limited time.

Chambord, never fails to impress!

At the top of the castle

Another view of Chambord

Chenonceau - it's a pity they are doing some repair work

Another side of the castle

Huge pumpkins found in the vegetable farm beside the castle

Feeding the donkey some hazel nuts off the ground.

We set off to Bourges at about 5pm. It's another town and it's where they are famous for the cathedral. We had dinner at this cosy French restaurant that evening and had enjoyed the time we spend together.
It took us about another 2 hours drive to Clermont. By the time we reached home, we were all very tired - after the long walk and drive, who's not tired.

On Sunday, we somehow have a very relaxed morning as we thought Hilda might need the rest before taking the train back to Paris that evening. By the time we get out of the house, it's almost 12 noon. DH took Hilda to the Notre dame (the black cathedral of our town) and walk her a little in the town centre.

Main Cathedral in town

Place de Jaude - Main square that's very near our appartment

A very typical alley - this was named after Blaise Pascal

Another church in town - notre dam du port

This is a view of clermont from a high viewpoint and there's the black Cathedral that can be seen from far.

This is the landmark of Puy de Dome

Puy Du Dome - famous dormant volcano

Volcano crater and chaine of Puy at the background.

Look! the wind was so "strong" and it was very cold that day.

We had a really good time with Hilda but I wondered who else would come visit us here in Clermont??

Birthday's celebration

Playing musical chair at Sofia's birthday

Having William (Matthew's best friend) over to celebrate Matthew's 5th birthday

Can you spot Matthew?

This is Matthew's class

Taking medicine as he was quite sick for more than a week!

Matthew's 5th Birthday!

How fast time past? Matthew is turning 5 tomorrow! This is the first year Daddy is not around for his birthday. Nevertheless, Daddy got a new Mickey's backpack for him as a birthday present and he loves it!

We went to playground this morning despite the "not so good" weather. Matthew had fun with Michaela's kids. On our way back home, Matthew had an accident! He was running down-slope with Daniel and they run so fast that I couldn't catch up with them. Being very clumsy, Matthew had a fall and hit his forehead quite badly. I almost fainted when I saw him with his blood-covered face...I thought he could have hurt his eyes as there was blood all over... it's really scary!

After questioning Daniel, we knew that Matthew hit his head against the corner of the sewage's cover. I was really panicking and dunno what to do. It doesn't seem too bad but it's painful enough. I bought him to the pharmacist and ask if he needs to go to the doctor. She said it should be okay but there's a hole/cut and it's still bleeding. I'm worried and decided to call the doctor to see if she can give Matthew a check. Thank God, it was okay... the doctor had the wound cleaned and made sure there's no infection. He gave us some solution for his dressings and he would need that for the next 3 days!

Isn't it a frightening day with DH being away and Matthew's accident? What a surprise present for him on his 5th Birthday!

Trip to Disneyland in Paris

What a tiring trip we had over the weekend - a trip to Disneyland in Paris! As usual, we started off by driving to our Hotel near Disneyland on Friday nite. It was crazy... we got lost, we couldn't find the hotel and it was almost 11 pm and it was really cold outside. We decided to call the hotel and found out that we're really lost, we were at another town which is about 20 mins away. We couldn't find the address on our GPS which made us panic as we got no map. The receptionist told us the way and DH tried to follow her direction. It was pitch dark out there, we could hardly see anything and we had to look out for direction sign. We felt so relieved when we found the hotel finally. It was out in the country side in a chateau.
Here's the pic of the Hotel. It looks so different at nite!



Disneyland in Paris wasn't great.. it's too expensive if you don't have the annual pass. It was supposed to be cloudy with shower which made DH thinks that the crowd might be lesser... but nevertheless, it didn't stop all the tourists and the locals. We were struck in queue with cars even before we reached the toll/parking gate.



All the queue for the ride were so long. We had to queue 60 to 70 mins for a 5 - 10 mins ride. The wait really kill us. It was so tiring but Matthew did enjoy himself watching the shows and the knowing the Disney characters.

Here's some of the picture taken:

First Day of School

It's time to go back to school after the long summer break. I always wondered whether Matthew is aware of what's going on in his life? He has grown so much during the past one year and mature in his speech and behavior.

It's not always easy on the first day of school. He was ready for school thinking to see his friends, having the same teacher, being in the same classroom despite me telling him there will be changes. But unfortunately, the school has more changes than expected this year - he's not going to be in the same class with his best friends, W, and that upsets him a lot. He wasn't willing to stay and wanted to go home. He cried and when I left the classroom, he cried even louder. That made my heart aches.

Nevertheless, I guess Matthew's adaptivity has improved over time. When I get him for lunch, he was happy and the teacher said he was doing okay. I guess he has really grown.

Oh by the way, he has crossed another milestone. He had learned how to ride a bicycle on 2 wheels without the trainers... that's a big step for him! We're going sign him up for Taekwando and swimming classes this year... hopefully everything will turn out well!

Home Sweet home...

After a 3 long weeks of driving and traveling, we made it home at last! This was the longest trips we have taken so far... I mean it's really far, about 8,000 km and we are driving most of the time! Wow.... it's an adventurous but tiring trip. Matthew as usual was a great traveler - thanks to all the in-car entertainment that kept him occupied.

I must say Norway is the best among the 3 countries however it's the most expensive! We had hamburger and fries almost everyday as it's the cheapest which is about 15 euros per meal. Somethings that I noticed after looking at the photos... I gained much fat toward the end of the trip... thanks to those Coke and fries ~~~~@@@@@~~~~ really depressing... need to work out more when Matthew is back to school.

Anyway, Norway had many beautiful fjords...the driving was eventful - meeting cow, sheep, goats on the road and of cos many pretty scenery!

Take a good look at the photos of the pretty fjords taken by my brave Hubby as he stood under the rain to capture all these pretty shots. All these are taken in Norway - Oslo, Lillehammer, Geiranger, Bergen and Kristiansand.

I will post more photos of Sweden and Denmark...