Relocating - being the expats in Toulouse France - Part 1

I keep telling myself that I must put up this post for people who are relocating , especially to France. I am not an expert but I just write what I went through or want I know.

When Ken got offered a position in Toulouse France, we only have about 4 months to prepare and go! I got to quit my beloved job, transferred our maid ( which truly upset her), packed up and told friends we are leaving, learn french language(crash course), etc etc.

The thing that come to my mind was to buy things that maybe France won't have. I mean, you will definitely be homesick, you need to have something from your hometown to keep you sane, right? I went crazy with shopping, online shopping too. I bought chinese herbal soup in packets form, winter clothes(Singapore is hot, you don't need them), chili sauce, noodles, 3in1 coffee if you like to drink coffee(very important!!), chrysanthemum tea, red tea, similac milk powder (we could not get the same brand in France so I bought 6 big cans for Stacy, merries diapers (I swear merries diapers is the best) etc etc. mostly food and household items. I did not buy any household appliances except to bring what I already have, as France uses 2pins plug, we uses 3pins plug.

The challenge came when we have to pack what we need for the luggages. The rest of the items (which we think we might not use that much), we shipped it. Shipment took 6weeks to reach France. So do not ship over important documents which you will need when you arrive in that county. Unless your shipment comes almost the same time, you reach France. We got not much time so we only managed to ship our items 1week before we were scheduled to fly.

 We have 5 luggages and 2 hand carry for 2 adults and 2 children. We arrived during the colder months in Autumn.
In our luggages,
- mostly long sleeves clothes
- winter clothes (shawls, gloves, beanies, winter shoes, etc)
- jeans /long pants
- children toys (we have to bring quite a few as 6weeks they will have no other toys until the shipment arrive)
- English books (children books, your favorite books, very important!)
- phone chargers
-universal plugs
- baby and toddler's food and snacks (we brought quite abit as France did not have those from USA but their own brands)
- diapers
- milk powder
- toiletries
- medications (for children and babies especially. France have their own brand but if you prefer your own
- documents ( children's birth cert, our marriage cert, and you need them to be translated to French, etc.)
- I will add the list if I remember anything important

In part 2, I'll blog about when we arrived in France and things we need or do.

Dinner in France

After my bad experience of bringing my kids to a restaurant in France, I told myself I would not bring them to a restaurant (except asian restaurants and fast food joints) here anymore till they are older. When we first went to a restaurant here, as usual my kids talked loudly, cried, laughed and wanted to walk around - we got stared at by other patrons (disapproving stares actually).

Ken and I felt embarrassed. You mean it's not normal for children to do that!??  Somehow, the children in France are really behaving well at the tables or we see no children at the restaurants. Really? I guess l'll do more 'research' and talk about it on my blog later.

Anyway, my friend invited us for a dinner last night at an Italian restaurant. I'm like ' you sure? I think I better don't bring my children'. She insisted and said that the restaurant is open by her Italian friend and it is perfectly ok to have children running around and making noises. I felt better and I am glad I went with my children.

Amazingly, my kids behaved (with some hiccups of cos'). Or maybe we are less stressful. I am really happy that my friend made these arrangement and so Ken and I got to be in a nice restaurant with the children again!

Easy peasy Nutella cupcakes

I love chocolate! I could eat them everyday but I got to watch my weight too. Agh!
Today when the children were taking their nap, I decided to make some cupcakes for their tea time later. And I need to make them real fast! Once they wake up, means no time for me, I got to read, teach, play and cook their meals. Busy busy.

I searched the net and found this receipe which only require 3 ingredients!
- 2 eggs
- 1cup of Nutella (I used a table spoon to measure instead, about 16 scoops)
- 10 tbs of flour
Preheat oven to 175 degree Celsius (I preheat to 165 as my oven is force-fan). Whisk the eggs until smooth. Add in flour and Nutella till well blended. Scoop into cupcake moulds. Oven bake for 12mins or until toothpick comes out clean.
Voila!

Yummy! My kids love it and that's more important!

kiddos' telescope made from empty milk bottle

Everyday or every other day (if I'm lazy), i will tried my best to do arts and crafts with the children. Today, we made a telescope using stickers!  Stacy has alot of stickers and she keeps asking me if she could use these stickers on cupboards, walls, etc and I won't let her. Haha.
Its an easy task for her, she peeled off the stickers herself and sticked it on the bottle. I tied some strings around the bottle to decorate it as I don't want it to be too bare.

Tada!

My breastfed children

I breastfed my 1st child till she was 18months old and I am still breastfeeding my 2nd one. She is now 15months old.  I think I could continue breastfeeding Stacy but then I got Preggy with Erica and the milk might have changed.  Stacy weaned off on her own. I read an article saying that if a child wean off on their own, they will be more independent.  Well, we see...

Breastfeeding has never been easy. You can ask any bf mums. Dealing with engorgement,  fever, pressure at work, disapproval, etc, etc. when I am struggling with Stacy on her latching and getting enough milk to feed her, I searched the net, helpline for breastfeeding mums, consulted friends who bf... I cried a lot. It was really a struggle and not many people understand. Others asked if it is so tough, just give the bottle. Sigh.. I don't know, why I never give up and I see my efforts and perseverance pays off. It gets easier and easier. I even gave advises to friends who want to breastfeed and were successful!

Some people say after the child is 1year old, should not breastfeed anymore as breastmilk has no nutritional value for them. I prove them wrong. I did my homework of cos'.  It's my decision. http://sg.theasianparent.com/extended-breastfeeding-need-to-know/

My intention is to breastfeed Erica until she could hold a cup really well and I will let her drink powdered milk.  So need to worry about have a milk bottle when traveling!!

Lacanau Ocean & Sand Dune - Lacanau & Dune du Pilat, Aquitance

Took a relax weekend to go Lacanau Ocean and visiting a sand dune.
Love the ocean alot! Cos' there aren't any beaches in Toulouse. First day, we went to the ocean. Wonderful place! As long as the children love it!

2nd day, went to the sand dune. Only need to pay 4euros for parking lot, no need to pay for any entrance fees unlike some tourist atttaction. Went with 2 young children. I would say its better to bring a carrier to carry babies and toddlers. Although I do see some people pushing their strollers (its possible but may be difficult to push once you reach the sandy area) and after that you can leave your stroller and climb up the steps. It's better to wear shoes or slippers which you do not mind sand going into. I saw alot of people taking off their shoes to walk instead. Once we reached the top by stairs, we are greeted by strong wind (remember your sunglasses as sand could go into your eyes) and magnificent views of the forest and sea. Some people bring a picnic, however, it is easy to find food at cafes. They serve yummy food at reasonable price. Alot of people there speak English. There are shops selling clothes, accessories, postcards, toys and alot more. You find a tap nearby to wash sand off your body too. We really love the place. Adults get to take nice photos and children get to play with the sand.

I treasure my weekends!

Back to blogging or writing

It's back to blogging for me. Thanks to a friend. When I saw her blogging actively, I suddenly remember my 'almost forgotten' blog. I started my blog when I was a student (that was so long ago). Now that I'm married with children, what I blog about, I guess, revolve around my time with the people I love dearly.

About 8 months ago, I'm still in Singapore working and then one day, my husband told me his company is sending him to France for work on an expat term. Of cos' I' m happy for him but also the little time that we have to pack and go was a very hard and harsh decision to make. My 2nd child, Erica was only 4months old. Oh well...

Now, here we are staying in Toulouse, France. I suddenly becomes a housewife (but I told my husband, I'm like a housefly -annoying the kids). Haha.