At midnight, the neighbourhood was filled with the sounds of fireworks going off. We ran to the window and watched the beautiful display. Julien was transfixed. Welcome, Jules, to the brave new world of 2011! So long, 2010! What a year it's been!
As we looked back now, 2010 has been such an eventful year for our family. Well, sort of an extension from 2009, I suppose, when Daddy Low decided to leave his longstanding service with the Singaporean Navy to try out a new direction in life and profession. At the end of 2009, we had left Switzerland, armed with his MBA degree, with a promise of a job in UK ... and the promise took almost 3 months to deliver due to the red tape in getting the work permit. A cliffhanger it was for us indeed, especially at a time when the Missus was all antsy and difficult, coping with a trying first trimester. Then, the relocation once the paperwork got through. Looking for a place to stay, finding a hospital and registering for healthcare services, getting the house in place, buying furniture etc etc etc... then, the baby arriving, the parents coming and leaving, coping with the baby on our own, going through the busy period of Christmas operations with Daddy Low working 6-day weeks... What a year indeed!
But nothing defines the year as much as the addition of Julien to our family. Everything we do now has to work around him and his needs. It is amazing how such a little being can wield such a great influence and have such an impact on an adult's world. Suddenly, our life is so different...
And what a joy he has been so far! Especially with each passing day, as he picks up more new skills and gains understanding and shows developmental growth. He may be a child, but he teaches me new lessons all the time. The one thing that is imprinted in me is what a happy baby he is. When we were all sick, I was grumpy and grouchy, but Julien would smile when I look at him even when he was sick. And that really humbled me - that he is instinctively already one who enjoys the pleasure of the moment rather than dwell in the sadness of down moments (I wanted to write that he already knows how to look on the bright side, see that the glass is half full rather than half empty etc, but I think that would be stretching it a bit far... :)
And in this one year, I am more deeply entrenched in the role of the homemaker, since I am a SAHM now. I guess, from these words, I am not exactly thrilled to be stuck at home. I miss working, the intellectual stimulation, the sense of professional responsibility, the opportunity to make a significant contribution, the capacity for contact with the outside world and interaction with other adults. But even as I write these, I know that I have actively taken steps to still meet these needs by making new frenships, meeting other mummy frens, writing my blog etc.
And staying at home to care for Julien has definitely allowed me to bond with him and share all the little moments and big milestones with him. Children grow so quickly and it will be too late for regrets later on... And lest I forget, for indeed, I have allowed the caring of Julien to eclipse this second important thing - staying at home to take care of the house is an opportunity for me to put thought into the care given to the family and home, while working life could and has the tendency of usurping the place of family as one adopts a live-to-work rather than work-to-live attitude. And with this thread of thought, I give thanks for a loving and supportive husband without whom this year's journey would not be so manageable or fulfilling. Muacks, Daddy Low!
And though I miss home in Singapore, my family and frens, I have been blessed to have my sister now in the same country, my family come visit and help out after the birth, making new frens here and still keeping in touch with old frens and family because of the wonderful invention of the internet.
No, I cannot complain, for even in terms of the birth, I have been lucky to have found a hospital I like and am comfortable with and had the care and services of professional and capable midwives and healthcare workers. And if I look at even the seemingly trivial issue of food, I am thankful that we have a decently sized Asian shop here and a more-than-decent Chinese restaurant in town.
And the last thing that I like and thank for in 2010 is this blog, this finding of my voice for this journey of motherhood and life in a foreign land. For a place to have my quiet time, as I reflect upon and consolidate each day. For a place to share my thoughts and give my thanks for the gifts Life brings me, big or small and for my acknowledgment and appreciation of people and relationships in my life. For a chance to improve my writing and a venue to grow intellectually and emotionally. For this, I really have to thank my fren Mary, Wendy and my sister for encouraging me and of course, Daddy Low for his daily support as my Number 1 fan! :)
So, yes, I count my blessings, for 2010 has been a great year indeed! And already 2011 looks promising with my sister's wedding coming up and visits and Julien growing and developing well. The one thing that bothers me has been some growing aches and pains after the pregnancy, but that is being addressed actively, so I shall stay positive and hopeful of improvement. But the good thing that comes out of these niggles is that I have been made more aware of the vulnerability of our bodies as Age works its progress and so thank this reminder that above all else, health is the best gift we can give ourself.
Thus, I wish for good health and joy and happiness for all my frens and family. And of course to more get-togethers with family, old frens and new. And definitely for good food to go with good company!
2011, we are ready for you and I hope you are ready for us. I am sure it will be another big adventure for us three in the Low family!
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