關於 livingineurope ，我們在網路上蒐集到這些相關的討論、資訊與評價

I was doing spring cleaning and packing our wardrobes, starting with the kids followed by mine. Then I realised that we have still kept all our winter clothing, including the coats, fleece jackets, thermal wear, gloves, thick socks, mittens and all. That means they have been sitting there for a good 8 years - and not been used at all since we returned from Scandinavia. Haha.

The question is how long should we continue to keep them? Since our house has no storeroom, we can definitely with more storage space if we choose to free it up. Yet, the thought of the money we had invested makes it hard to let go and more importantly, there is still that lingering hope that one day, we might be able to travel (again) and bring the kids to somewhere where they might finally see snow. Yup, only the eldest has done that and that was because she was born in Sweden during winter.

In the end, I still chose to keep everything intact because of the hope they symbolised to me, which is even more significant during this period where we can only reminisce about past travels.

We might not be able to go on a vacation for quite some time and it gets more expensive to have family trips as the kids get older, but we will always hope for the chance to do so someday and in the meantime, think about and be grateful for all the beautiful cities we have set foot in, sights we have seen and memories we have made.

Hope everyone will enjoy the long weekend and find time to relax, have fun and count our blessings. Happy Friday, people!

#ahappymum #mumanddaughter #livingineurope #thosewerethedays #memoriesforlife #autumn #thankfulforeverything

📷 Oslo, Norway. Vigeland Park. April 2010.

It was our first family road trip, when our firstborn was four months old, and we drove for over seven hours to get from where we were living in Sweden to get to Oslo - the beautiful capital of Norway.

We stayed in the splendid Radisson Blu Scandinavian Hotel, visited Oslo Slottet (Royal Palace) and witnessed the changing of guards, window shopped along the main shopping street Karl Johans Gate, had a nice dinner by the waterfront at Aker Brygge, and took a boat ride along Oslo Fjord.

The place that left behind the deepest impression in me was Vigeland Park - which is the world's largest sculpture park by a single artist (Gustav Vigeland). There is a total of over 200 sculptures in the park and most of them are in the human form depicting different emotions and stages of life. Some of them were really fascinating and mind blowing, for instance the mother and child one here caught my attention. Although Vigeland didn't leave behind aids to help interpret his work, this sculpture is often perceived as a positive one and I saw it as one of joy, gratitude and bliss - exactly how I felt when I stepped into motherhood and held my child for the first time.

Just today, the toddler refused to let me go to the loo and had a huge meltdown when I absolutely had to. He cried profusely, tugged at my leg and even insisted on sitting on my lap. It was kind of hilarious yet absolutely endearing at the same time. I reminded myself that one day soon, he would spread his wings and fly and would no longer need me the way he does now. All I can do is cherish, hold dear and be thankful for the time when he still calls "Mama" a hundred times a day, can't make it through the night without me and kisses me a hundred times a day to let me know how much he loves me.

#ahappymum #oslo #norway #vigelandpark #livingineurope #memoriesaremadeofthese #throwback #motherandchild #neverforget #alwaysbethankful #motherhood

Throwback to the time when we only had one kid, were living in Scandinavia and could explore dozens of countries in Europe. My middle child always asks why she can't go to the places that jiejie has been or why she can't be born in Sweden too. Oh my darling girl, I guess that is just life and our destiny, right? You have no idea how happy I was when you came into my life. And as much as I miss travelling around the world, it's just so much harder for us to fly to faraway places now that we are back in the tropics and have three kids.

What matters more to me is that we stick together as a family of five and even if we can't go on luxury holidays or travel too far, every day is a dream come true already. That said, we do have a surprise little getaway planned for you all next week, and I know you will love it. Can't wait for the family to be reunited soon! #ahappymum #throwbackthursday #iceland #livingineurope #thosewerethedays #firstborn #luckyyou #luckyme #soloparenting #wemissyoupapa #cantwaitforholiday #aslongaswearetogether #nothingmoreimportantthanfamily