DECEMBER 2022

Tell us about your family and your journey to Singapore. My husband Bill and I are both Kiwis, but we’ve lived an expat life for over 14 years. We’re parents to our darling children Zhanna andWyatt and fur-child Ralph.Wemoved to Singapore after a stint inDubai and instantly fell in lovewithGramercy Park condo in Orchard. It was smaller than our home in Dubai but had wonderful facilities such as a 50-metre pool, aqua aerobics pool, kids’ waterpark, tennis court, gym, barbecue pit and a large grassy area. We were lucky to have such a brilliant community. As one of the first families to move into the condo, we had a fabulous choice of apartments and ended up on the 22nd floor with stunning views from Dempsey Hill to Marina Bay Sands. Right, we’ve just moved to the US after five years in Singapore, and have settled in Tyson’s Corner, North Virginia. We’re currently living in a condo which is a short walk to the kids’ school and a 20-minute drive to downtown Washington DC. The kids have settled in so well and have nice friends. We have a gorgeous community which felt instantly like Gramercy Park. I’m beyond excited to see what our future holds. We’re in the process of buying a new home in the area, which is a thrilling project. For fellow expats out there considering a relocation, rest assured it’s been an easy transition. We were sad to leave Singapore behind, but we take solace in the fact that we’re only a flight away. Your home is a veritable Christmas wonderland. What inspires your decorating theme each year? Deciding the theme for Christmas is dependent on what is going on in our lives at the time. During COVID lockdown, I opted for a sheep theme, which brought a little of New Zealand to Singapore. The year I was pregnant with Zhanna, I had a pink-themed tree, and then later a tree decorated in blue when pregnant with Wyatt. You’ve now relocated to the States; how did you find the transition?

Deciding on the theme for each Christmas depends on what is going on in our lives at the time As the kids have grown, I’ve loved taking them to the store and letting themeach pick a decoration. One year, I’ll have a beautiful tree with all the decorations selected by the children. Christmas to me is about creatingmemories to treasure. It doesn’t have to be over the top; it’s about building on the small things I’ve collected over the years. Do you follow any special Christmas traditions? Every year, I take a Christmas family photo for good old-fashioned Christmas cards tomail out to family and friends. It’s a little tradition I’ll always hold onto. I’ve been looking back at old photoshoots and I’m surprised, and a little sad, at how fast my children have grown.

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DECEMBER2022