New Beginnings

Today started a new academic year for the teachers and staff at school. (I am still getting used to the new year starting in August and not January!)

As fellow teachers will know, there is nothing that brings one greater joy than the smell of freshly sharpened pencils, the feel of warm, laminated paper and new stationary!
There have been lots of changes at school - and the reality of an expat's life is that friends come and go!

Nadine was a newbie as well at school. Fresh from the US of A, her husband worked at Burger King and they had made the move to Singapore. She initially only wanted to sub at school but at the last minute they needed a new 2nd Grade teacher so they called her up.
We had our first conversation over the table at the chairmans lunch at school in Aug 2012. (Our friend-a-versary as we say!)
We realised that we had so much in common. We shared a fantastic, sarcastic sense of humor and we hit it off.
There was no stopping us. Once our hubby's met, they hit it off too and very soon there was not a weekend that would go by where the Gilmour's and Ferranti's would not hang out together.

Here are just a few of the many things and experiences we have done together over the past 2 years....

1. We have travelled together... Phuket (totally photobombing this romantic pic!)

2. We had an awesome girls weekend in Bangkok together.....

3. We did our scuba diving course and have travelled to the most beautiful and remote diving spots....

4. We ate Dim Sum together....

5. We devoured Korean BBQ together....

6. We had THE best Bachelor / Bachelorette evenings filled with wine and burritos (and baileys Irish Cream)

7. We had braai's together.....

8. We were introduced to Mexican food and played Scattegories together.....

9. We celebrated our 30th's together.....

Mine: (which lasted a day - as a birthday does)

Her's: Which lasted a year..

10. We got ready for "Back to school" nights together....

11. We trained together.....

12. We joined a running club and reloaded all our burnt-off calories with Mr Prata afterwards.....

13. We took selfies together.....

These are just a few of the MANY things we did together!!
All of these special moments were filled with hours and hours of laughter!!

So as my friend moves on to start a life in another country, her stop in Singapore impacted my life and filled many peoples days with smiles and laughter!

As an expat, you realise that it's a transient life but the friendships you make are deep and meaningful.
Nadine came into my life at a time when I needed a friend to lean on, laugh with, and explore Singapore with.

Nadine, your friendship has been a blessing in my life!
xxx

PS: The one thing I will NOT miss are her hideous BURGER KING shorts which made a regular appearance on girls nights......