Moving In

Pattie accepted a new position within United Technologies Corporation (United Technologies Aerospace Systems, UTAS) - an expatriate position in Singapore - where she is working in import/export compliance.  UTAS recently merged with Goodrich Corporation (the ones without the blimp).  She flew to Singapore to start her position on or about August 1, 2013.

Bryce and I flew over on August 7, arriving in Singapore on August 9.  Yes, it's a LONG trip!  It takes about a week to adjust to the time change.  Singapore is 12 hours ahead of Connecticut during daylight savings time.  I flew back to CT on August 14, as I was still principal at Windham Tech and had some loose attends to tie up before my actual move.  During this time we stayed at the Singapore Marriott and Marina Bay Sands.  Five stars all the way!

From August 9 through August 14, we looked at many different condos for rent.  Prior to my arrival with Bryce, Pattie had already viewed dozens of places, and screened out the ones not worth seeing again.  In this short period of time we viewed about 20 different rentals.  There were many nice places, but we were looking for something close to downtown, close to Bryce's school, and, most importantly for Bryce, a bedroom for him with its own bathroom.  We decided on The Orange Grove.

Also, during that short period of time, Bryce viewed the Canadian International School, the Australian International School, and the Overseas Family School (OFS).  Bryce had attended OFS for kindergarten during our first tour of duty in Singapore.  He felt most comfortable at OFS, so that's where he enrolled.  He played basketball during the fall season, and is about to start swimming for the Fighting Fish club at SACAC (Singapore American Community Action Council) for the winter.

I returned to the USA on August 14th and continued packing and cleaning out bedrooms.  We were looking to potentially rent the house while we were overseas, so a thorough cleaning was in order.  Bryce has been in Singapore ever since.  He started school, made some friends, and has established a routine, sort of.  Pattie returned to USA in time to drop Murphy off at SCSU.  That was a bittersweet day, but we know Murphy will do very well in college.

I returned to Singapore on September 1st, and Bryce and I stayed at the Marriott until September 8th.  The Marriott is in the heart of downtown, so it was very convenient.  On the 8th, we moved to a service apartment at FraserSuites.  Our apartment is on the 13th floor.

Master bath

Outside Facade

This provided Bryce was a little bit more privacy.  It has man
y amenities, including daily maid service, breakfast, swimming pool, workout room, etc.  Our condo was ready on October 1st, but our sea shipment was just delivered today.  Thus, we extended our stay at Fraser through the end of October.

Living Area

Kitchen

Master Bedroom

Second Bedroom

View from our balcony

Bryce has already been to three concerts: The Killers and Rihanna during the Formula 1 event, and Jay-Z.  Concerts are relatively inexpensive here.  Bryce's friends say the concerts here are "the cheapest in the world."

Blake's First Day in Quarantine

I have been doing some private basketball coaching and helping out at local weekend basketball clinics.  I've also done some substitute teaching at the Singapore American School.  I'm still looking for a "real job", but coaching basketball full time has a nice ring to it.  Most recently, I joined a men's basketball league with a bunch of 10 to 13 year-olds (and one very talented 24-year-old).  The first game was a lot of fun, and I didn't get hurt, so that's a bonus.

Blake left the USA on October 5th and arrived in Singapore on October 7th.  He needed to stay for ten days at Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station, where we visited him every day (except for Sunday and the Public Holiday).  He was delivered to us on October 17th and is very happy to be home.

 Our sea shipment (furniture, etc.) arrived today and was unpacked.  We'll be moving in to our new home at The Orange Grove soon!