Since our appointment was at 9am,
we left home at 730am
in case of traffic jam or long queues
yes, even with appointments, there's the queue to get into the prefecture
surprisingly there was no jam and queues,
we reached at 805am
and need to stand and wait in the cold
my toes were freezing at 2deg
and we definitely pitied the babies and kids with their parents.
after we entered, we handed in our appointment letter and waited to be called
unlike in Paris, there was no separate seated counters, just standing counters,
where you can hear everyone.
suddenly we realized how luxurious it was in Paris.
probably 10mins later we were called
all went well, we submit our documents
and received a letter to indicate we are in midst to renewing my visa
but they did gave me a temporary visa
in Paris, they gave us without us requesting
here, we asked and they referred us to another counter
anyway, we asked when I can request for my 10years visa,
he
answered that he is unsure, maybe 3/5 years after marriage but better for us to check at next counter.
when we went to the new counter,
the lady informed us that her computer is down
lucky we had a note from the previous counter
and she told us to come back in 10mins
she then prepared for my temporary visa
and it was done!
we asked about the 10year visa and she said the same, she is unsure is 3/5years.
ehm..then who will know??!!
well, at least all is done and we can fly back sg
for the 10year visa, I guess we will stress in the 2nd half of 2016...
Thursday 28 January 2016
Monday 18 January 2016
New year eve 2015
Every year, we normally spend new year eve
at one of the friend's home till wee hours
This year, the friends voted to have the party at our home!
Which is really strange because we have the smallest home of all.
As usual, i gamely accepted the challenge
while husband was getting nervous to host his first party.
At the same time,
my friends were in paris
while its good that the party will be our home
that it will be less awkward for them to join
I was split between spending time with friends, being tour guide and prepare for the party.
And husband also came along when we went to the Christmas market and effiel tower
To spend some Singaporean time with us.
So, on the new year eve day
I was out by 10am to start the day with friends
and only reached home at 6pm to help with food preparation
Thankfully, husband did a very good job in preparing the food
While I was out with my friends.
And all was well prepared (including us) by the time people in at 8pm.
Apart from the usual food and drinks,
We set up a temporary photo booth and
Im glad that no one didnt kill me for suggesting to play twister
Despite the amount of leftovers,
1 friend insisted to cook his special burgers after midnight.
Who can say no to burgers at midnight?!
The party ended earlier than the past years
Maybe because we have a pregnant lady with us,
we arent good hosts,
our home is far,
or our home is too small for a big dance party
Whatever the reason, I think we still did well for hosting our first party at home.
And it is definitely more special for me because i have my friends with me!
PS: Last saturday, we invited the family over and host a lunch!
Everything went well with husband as the main chef
It was a little too squeezy to have the dining table in middle of our living room
But we were proud and happy to show everyone how well settled we are in the new home
I guess the next party will be BBQ in summer?
at one of the friend's home till wee hours
This year, the friends voted to have the party at our home!
Which is really strange because we have the smallest home of all.
As usual, i gamely accepted the challenge
while husband was getting nervous to host his first party.
At the same time,
my friends were in paris
while its good that the party will be our home
that it will be less awkward for them to join
I was split between spending time with friends, being tour guide and prepare for the party.
And husband also came along when we went to the Christmas market and effiel tower
To spend some Singaporean time with us.
I was out by 10am to start the day with friends
and only reached home at 6pm to help with food preparation
Thankfully, husband did a very good job in preparing the food
While I was out with my friends.
And all was well prepared (including us) by the time people in at 8pm.
Apart from the usual food and drinks,
We set up a temporary photo booth and
Im glad that no one didnt kill me for suggesting to play twister
Despite the amount of leftovers,
1 friend insisted to cook his special burgers after midnight.
Who can say no to burgers at midnight?!
The party ended earlier than the past years
Maybe because we have a pregnant lady with us,
we arent good hosts,
our home is far,
or our home is too small for a big dance party
Whatever the reason, I think we still did well for hosting our first party at home.
And it is definitely more special for me because i have my friends with me!
PS: Last saturday, we invited the family over and host a lunch!
Everything went well with husband as the main chef
It was a little too squeezy to have the dining table in middle of our living room
But we were proud and happy to show everyone how well settled we are in the new home
I guess the next party will be BBQ in summer?
Monday 11 January 2016
The worst that can happen
I wanted to take time to blog about the new year eve party and resolutions
but end up what happened today deserved to be blog immediately
Yes, i cant go back to Singapore as planned (5Feb)
we have to postpone our travel plans
because of the "famous" french administrations
Argggh
So, the story started in November
that I being kiasu told the husband that we should go change the address on my visa
to ensure that when its time to renew my visa
at least ill be included in the new area and not in paris.
Yes, i know i shouldnt wait till november to change my address
I should be more kiasu to change asap after we shift
Since my visa expires on 10 Feb,
the person told us that we can come back in december to renew my visa and change address at the same time
or change address now and they will mail me in mid december for the renewal appointment
changing address first gives me a better sense of security, so we did,
which took a month to collect my card with the new address but same expiry date
Since the person advised us to wait for the letter,
we did and based on her advice to only go by the prefecture to take an appointment in January
if we did not receive the letter,
we went down today
and it suddenly all became our fault,
well surprise surprise...
No 1: Although my address was changed, my info was not in their system
thats why no letter was sent
No 2: I was to take the renewal appontment 2 months before the expiry date
which means in december
but we heed her advice and only came in January
and it became our fault to come too late to ask for an appointment
No 3: We book a flight on 5th Feb to be back for CNY
and is our fault to book a flight near my visa renewal date
based on the nasty lady who spoke to us
I should never book a flight near to my visa renewal date
thanks for telling me that we should give up visiting my family for all the CNY from now on
It didnt help that the lady was really insisting thats its our fault
and really really rude
I was so afraid that husband was going to quarrel with her
and we end up in jail for being argressive towards public servant
Anyway, we were at a losing end, no point engaging in a losing battle.
Finally, she gave us a choice of 8 feb or 11 mar for the appointment
Given like 30s to choose, husband went ahead to choose 11 mar so that we can continue our travel.
Even though it will mean my visa will expire and we will have no idea what to do then
I put the husband aside to convince him that 8 feb will be better
as it will still be within my valid visa and things will proceed as how we did it last year
and giving up airfares etc will be much easier to handle
then to take on 11 mar appointment
unsure whether the france embassy in sg can give me some sort of visa to return to france by 11 mar
or miss my holland trip
And i cant decide which is of the lesser evil between the france embassy or prefecture
but im sure the airline will be much easier to handle
Any problem that can be solve by money is not a problem.
So, we decided to go back to the lady to change to 8 feb
she was damm pissed off
claimed we should have made the decision just now in that 30s
or we should retake a queue ticket (we queue for 1.5hrs to see her before)
She was so nasty that she said she will put a note on our appointment
that we will not be able to change again because we pissed her off.
I was just holding husband to prevent him from getting upset with her.
Well, the famous french administration at full bloom.
The whole news made us feel really bad
but i wondered if the lady was nicer or more respectful
maybe we will feel much better
than her style to add salt to our wounds...
I guess we have no time to self pity
We need to move fast to reduce the money damage.
Updated:
Husband decided to write a complaint letter
I guess for us, it was to give a feedback and hope it wont happen to others
We definitely don't expect them to reply us
or rather reply us in 2 weeks
but end up, we received a reply in a day...
To our surprise, they emailed us a new appointment for 20/1!
Which means we may still be able to proceed to return SG as planned.
We should be happy but I think we kinda persuaded ourselves to go back in june
that we are kinda having confused emotions
I have cancelled some stuff but the main airtickets are still here
I guess I will only truly celebrate after Wednesday
Just in case we will be disappointed again
*Fingers and toes crossed*
but end up what happened today deserved to be blog immediately
Yes, i cant go back to Singapore as planned (5Feb)
we have to postpone our travel plans
because of the "famous" french administrations
Argggh
So, the story started in November
that I being kiasu told the husband that we should go change the address on my visa
to ensure that when its time to renew my visa
at least ill be included in the new area and not in paris.
Yes, i know i shouldnt wait till november to change my address
I should be more kiasu to change asap after we shift
Since my visa expires on 10 Feb,
the person told us that we can come back in december to renew my visa and change address at the same time
or change address now and they will mail me in mid december for the renewal appointment
changing address first gives me a better sense of security, so we did,
which took a month to collect my card with the new address but same expiry date
Since the person advised us to wait for the letter,
we did and based on her advice to only go by the prefecture to take an appointment in January
if we did not receive the letter,
we went down today
and it suddenly all became our fault,
well surprise surprise...
No 1: Although my address was changed, my info was not in their system
thats why no letter was sent
No 2: I was to take the renewal appontment 2 months before the expiry date
which means in december
but we heed her advice and only came in January
and it became our fault to come too late to ask for an appointment
No 3: We book a flight on 5th Feb to be back for CNY
and is our fault to book a flight near my visa renewal date
based on the nasty lady who spoke to us
I should never book a flight near to my visa renewal date
thanks for telling me that we should give up visiting my family for all the CNY from now on
It didnt help that the lady was really insisting thats its our fault
and really really rude
I was so afraid that husband was going to quarrel with her
and we end up in jail for being argressive towards public servant
Anyway, we were at a losing end, no point engaging in a losing battle.
Finally, she gave us a choice of 8 feb or 11 mar for the appointment
Given like 30s to choose, husband went ahead to choose 11 mar so that we can continue our travel.
Even though it will mean my visa will expire and we will have no idea what to do then
I put the husband aside to convince him that 8 feb will be better
as it will still be within my valid visa and things will proceed as how we did it last year
and giving up airfares etc will be much easier to handle
then to take on 11 mar appointment
unsure whether the france embassy in sg can give me some sort of visa to return to france by 11 mar
or miss my holland trip
And i cant decide which is of the lesser evil between the france embassy or prefecture
but im sure the airline will be much easier to handle
Any problem that can be solve by money is not a problem.
So, we decided to go back to the lady to change to 8 feb
she was damm pissed off
claimed we should have made the decision just now in that 30s
or we should retake a queue ticket (we queue for 1.5hrs to see her before)
She was so nasty that she said she will put a note on our appointment
that we will not be able to change again because we pissed her off.
I was just holding husband to prevent him from getting upset with her.
Well, the famous french administration at full bloom.
The whole news made us feel really bad
but i wondered if the lady was nicer or more respectful
maybe we will feel much better
than her style to add salt to our wounds...
I guess we have no time to self pity
We need to move fast to reduce the money damage.
Husband decided to write a complaint letter
I guess for us, it was to give a feedback and hope it wont happen to others
We definitely don't expect them to reply us
or rather reply us in 2 weeks
but end up, we received a reply in a day...
To our surprise, they emailed us a new appointment for 20/1!
Which means we may still be able to proceed to return SG as planned.
We should be happy but I think we kinda persuaded ourselves to go back in june
that we are kinda having confused emotions
I have cancelled some stuff but the main airtickets are still here
I guess I will only truly celebrate after Wednesday
Just in case we will be disappointed again
*Fingers and toes crossed*
Friday 1 January 2016
Christmas presents
This year, I have been so specific about what I want
that I think all the gifts are perfect!
From the sisters and boyf:
- Humidifier/diffuser from Muji
- New era cap (That i wanted from watching running man!)
- Shirt for the husband
Ftrom the husband:
- New handphone
- Pirate game (idea from running man too!)
- Pandora clip (Orchid to rem SG)
From me to husband:
- Shaver set (Since he has been loving his beard)
- Winter coat
From the parents in laws:
- Bunny fur sweater (no bunnies harmed, haha)
- Food/ wine gift set
- Personalised calender
And maybe some other small gifts that i forgot
Woohoo!
that I think all the gifts are perfect!
From the sisters and boyf:
- Humidifier/diffuser from Muji
- New era cap (That i wanted from watching running man!)
- Shirt for the husband
Ftrom the husband:
- New handphone
- Pirate game (idea from running man too!)
- Pandora clip (Orchid to rem SG)
From me to husband:
- Shaver set (Since he has been loving his beard)
- Winter coat
From the parents in laws:
- Bunny fur sweater (no bunnies harmed, haha)
- Food/ wine gift set
- Personalised calender
And maybe some other small gifts that i forgot
Woohoo!
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