Going back Singapore

Guess what? Joe and I have decided to go back to Singapore in December for good. The decision came about when my boys seem to be getting naughtier and learning a lot of bad habits from their peers. They refused to do their homework and only keen on playing. Allowing them to be in the school's Ruby team this year seem like a bad idea. Said that I am biased but those who joined are mostly the pacific-looking- big sized fellow who do not seem keen on studying. No discipline at all and they just wanna have fun during practise. The boys refused to be taken out but somehow the influence is there.

Charles's placement in 3/4J is also a problem. He is smart to be studying with the P4s but these P4s are the last of their lots who has problem catching up. By putting him with the unmotivated ones, he also become very "bo chap". There is a boy in his class who is always up to mischief and even though he was warned not to learn from him, he seems to be picking up his bad behaviour. Tried talking to his class teacher but no use. As for Chantz, his class's teacher this time is a white Aussie and very much bo Chap. His homework undone also seem acceptable. Somehow I am thinking that the system here is too relaxed for the good of my children. They have to compete with Singaporeans when we go back and so half a year might be crucial. Joe will go back in May as planned and I will go back with kids in Dec.

Life is relaxed here but we never really think what is essential until being distured. Mr and Mrs Tok's visit prompted us to think and that was the decision we reached. What is important to us? Somehow it's family. Our children's future depends on us. Staying here and running away from the stress of interacting with the real life in Singapore is not an option anymore. Here life is relaxed but there's still things left to be settled back home. I know I will miss Joe Sorely but somehow half a year seems okay la. I will try to be strong for the kids.

If we going back early, it means we have to stay with mum in law or try to get our condo back early. We will see how things work out but decision is to go back early so that kids can go back to the Singapore System asap. I won't be going back to workforce till maybe a yr later when kids have settled back.

Just this morning, I was very angry with my next door neighbour. He complained that we parked our car too forward and he could not park his car. Well! His children always park their car so inconsiderately and we have to park our car opposite our house and he had such a big space and yet he said that we are taking up too much space. He should really measure the space to see that he is talking nonsense. We have been putting up with the two households beside us and yet they still very demanding. What's so good about being the second class citizens here? I think I still like to go back to Singapore whereby being the majority is still a bliss and w
e won't feel intimidated.

Anyway being here also means that joe could not concentrate fully on his work. With us gone, he can do better I think. Not going back now as it's the middle of the year. Will finish the school yr here and then it's time to go. Now must think of ways to dhave here - sell them, dispose them or ship back the items we want.

I love to say this but being here has definitely made me appreciate more of Singapore. Do you know that having guns is legalised/ easily obtainable and there were many shoot-outs and killings in the past few months. High school students can get hold of drugs easily and that is also a scary part. Joe's friend's son was expelled as he was involved in a case whereby his peers were selling and he knew about it. Scary but that's the darker side of this society. Weather and lifestyle good but at what price in the end???