One of the most exciting thing that happened last week for those who enjoy travelling – or those who loathe paying more than they can when they travel – was the free seat sales for one budget airline.

But they do not cover some of the destinations that I am interested in – none in New Zealand or Canada or Europe (except UK)  and definitely nowhere around the Carribeans for places such as the St Maarten.

Also, as my husband reminded me, with 2 kids in school now,  it is not going to be easy to take them off school for holidays outside the designated school holidays – and you know everything is expensive during those times.

Besides, we can always bring them to Kuala Belait – interesting, cheap and no flying required.

With their kind of imagination, watching a boat pass by is enough to make their day.

One of the other thing that I look for in a school for my kids is the facilities.

Visually pleasant and comfortable classrooms, good layout that ensure easy monitoring and safety and extras such as a good size school library, playground, recreation and games room with adequate equipments such as ping pong tables are signs that the school is well-rounded.

Although a strong focus on the academics is important, I’d like my kids to enjoy school.

To learn more than just ABC or 123. To get as good result in their exams as they do in games or other activities. Getting perfect scores at the expense of honing their other interests and talents is not how it should be.

As long as they have the right attitude towards study and do their best, any school is fine.

The thing about living in town with shops and friends close by is that – we eat out a lot.

In just one week, we ate out more times than we ever did in a month back at where we lived before. It is hard to resist when there are cool restaurants just a short 5 mins drive away.

Previously, just to indulge in a bit of Japanese food is at least 20 mins away – while the favoured one is a tiresome 45 mins drive away.

Now, as my kids were delighted to notice, there is one Japanese outlet less than 10 mins drive away!

Still, even with all the Indian, fancy Chinese, Vegetarians or Italian restaurants within a maximum of 30 mins drive, we prefer the taste that we can get back “home”.