Considering Relocating to HK - The New PIS at Discovery Bay

chingyu

Fate and WYmom,
I enjoy reading all your articles. It seems many professors standing in front of me.  I can see the wisdom on your words. Thank you for offering me free lectures.

Fate,
I do want to hear your experience and sharing.  Will you continue to post here or somewhere else?  I am interested to know whether you were being brought up in HK and having education in one of HK local schools.  

AIS is really too far away from DB.  You have to choose between the school and the location for living.

Cheers.  Have a nice day.

Fate

No Worries, Happy-Mum,

Family always comes 1st, 2nd, 3rd..... Remember it is them, your loved ones, that have been Crying with you when you are Down, Laughing with you with you are Happy etc. - they deserve your Upmost Attention.

I often remind myself how my sons will treat me in the last 30 years of my Life, depending very much on how I treat them in their first 15 years! (Same rule applies to our Spouse, I suppose!)

You seem to be really impressed by DB's "Children Friendly" facilities - so are we.  As parents, we tend to put our children first without knowing it when buying everything from washing powder (Non Allergic) to car (7-seater)and house (in the Zone!) etc.  

We are more into seeing ourselves living in DB for the New PIS rather than Parc Oasis in Kowloon Tong for AIS.

Everytime when I looked at the real estate websites (www.midland.com.hk, www.centaline.com.hk), looking at the maps/layouts of the DB various developments, I just wish I could be there in person, seeing and feeling all by myself.

It is a Fact and yet very Sad,

NO Competition tends to make people showing the bad side of Human Nature.

Let us hope with the coming of the Second PIS in DB, will make Life easier for the desperated parents.

Meanwhile, could I ask which part of NZ you are residing?  And how old is your child?

Now move onto your PART 2!

Cheers
Fate
Never too Late to spend more time with your Family

Fate

Hello again, Happy-Mum

Here is my Part 2 for your part 2 - feeling a bit like the Director for Harry Porter movie series!

Thanks for your kind reminder. If we subsequently decide to go for AIS, we will live in Parc Oasis in Kowloon Tong - we prefer walking to schools with our children. But at this moment, we prefer living in DB.

I personally believe children spending long hours in travelling to and from schools will make them tired, easy to lose focus etc., as the long journey is effecting the children phsically and mentally.

We have been very very lucky that we are in a position to choose where we want to live - that's why we are prepared to share with other Caring Parents our Beliefs/our Views/Our Experience, because we have owed the Fate so much.

We, again, are doing something that we may not be well aware of initially. We have just realised we are now actually doing "Networking" for our children.  It is very encouraging that there seems to be quite a number of "Thinking Alike" parents out there.  

It is essentail that parents sharing the Same Mentality are coming together, not only to learn from each other, supporting each other, reminding each other, but most importantly, making sure our children are mixing with the "Right Children" without them knowing it!

Because at some point, our children will inevitably tend to associate with their Peer Group rather than us, becasue to them, we as parents are just,

"The Non-stop Winging, Boring and Controlling Elderies!!"

It takes a Village in the past, now a Community, to rasie a Child, A Happy Child.  

Together we stand a better chance.  

Have a Happy Day, Happy-Mum.

Cheers
Fate
LIfe is too short to be Miserable
P.S. Is the Winter much colder in DB than other
       parts of HK? Is the air being seriously polluted by
       the daily firewrok dispaly at the Disneyland?

Fate

Hello again, Happy-Mum

Here is my Part 2 for your part 2 - feeling a bit like the Director for Harry Porter movie series!

Thanks for your kind reminder. If we subsequently decide to go for AIS, we will live in Parc Oasis in Kowloon Tong - we prefer walking to schools with our children. But at this moment, we prefer living in DB.

I personally believe children spending long hours in travelling to and from schools will make them tired, easy to lose focus etc., as the long journey is effecting the children phsically and mentally.

We have been very very lucky that we are in a position to choose where we want to live - that's why we are prepared to share with other Caring Parents our Beliefs/our Views/Our Experience, because we have owed the Fate so much.

We, again, are doing something that we may not be well aware of initially. We have just realised we are now actually doing "Networking" for our children.  It is very encouraging that there seems to be quite a number of "Thinking Alike" parents out there.  

It is essentail that parents sharing the Same Mentality are coming together, not only to learn from each other, supporting each other, reminding each other, but most importantly, making sure our children are mixing with the "Right Children" without them knowing it!

Because at some point, our children will inevitably tend to associate with their Peer Group rather than us, becasue to them, we as parents are just,

"The Non-stop Winging, Boring and Controlling Elderies!!"

It takes a Village in the past, now a Community, to rasie a Child, A Happy Child.  

Together we stand a better chance.  

Have a Happy Day, Happy-Mum.

Cheers
Fate
LIfe is too short to be Miserable
P.S. Is the Winter much colder in DB than other
       parts of HK? Is the air being seriously polluted by
       the daily firewrok dispaly at the Disneyland?

Fate

Hello Chingyu

Thanks for your kind remarks.  

In fact, "Every one is a Teacher."

I presume "WYmom" means "Wise & Young Mom" -so I believe you should thank WYmom more for her Wisdom.

But I do think the Biggest and Substaintable Success belongs to those are "Truly Humble".  

After all, Success usually comes for those having the right "Attitude and Ability" and in THIS ORDER.

And Successful people are always in Minority, be it measured by how Rich, how Happy, how Healthy, how Caring, how Reputable etc. a person is.

So, how are we going to ensure our children are one of the Minority?

That's my Biggest Challenge in Life.

A short reply to your questions, Chingyu.
1) I was born, grew up and worked in HK; and
2) I had my primary education in a quite famous
    local religious school in Lok Fu, and secondary
    education in a very famous (for the wrong
    reason) college in Man Fuk Road.

When the right time comes, I am to share with other Caring Parents of our interesting Life by having other posts, including but not restricting the following topics;

1) The Secret to Lose a Fortune in Investment;
2) 1 : 9/19/29;
3) Man, it is your Fault
........

Have a nice Evening.

Cheers
Fate
Don't blame the Fate when you Fail

Fate

Hello Chingyu

Thanks for your kind remarks.  

In fact, "Every one is a Teacher."

I presume "WYmom" means "Wise & Young Mom" -so I believe you should thank WYmom more for her Wisdom.

But I do think the Biggest and Substaintable Success belongs to those are "Truly Humble".  

After all, Success usually comes for those having the right "Attitude and Ability" and in THIS ORDER.

And Successful people are always in Minority, be it measured by how Rich, how Happy, how Healthy, how Caring, how Reputable etc. a person is.

So, how are we going to ensure our children are one of the Minority?

That's my Biggest Challenge in Life.

A short reply to your questions, Chingyu.
1) I was born, grew up and worked in HK; and
2) I had my primary education in a quite famous
    local religious school in Lok Fu, and secondary
    education in a very famous (for the wrong
    reason) college in Man Fuk Road.

When the right time comes, I am to share with other Caring Parents of our interesting Life by having other posts, including but not restricting the following topics;

1) The Secret to Lose a Fortune in Investment;
2) 1 : 9/19/29;
3) Man, it is your Fault
........

Have a nice Evening.

Cheers
Fate
Don't blame the Fate when you Fail

WYmom

chingyu & Fate,

Thanks a lot for your compliments, I am only an ordinary housewife, just sharing some common info. here.

Hope to have the chance to see you in DBPIS if your kids join it later. :

Fate

Good evening, WYmom

Our house is a bit like the "Legislative Council" for the last few days (if not the last year).  My wife and I seem like taking turn to be the Opposition oarty Leader, constantly on the different sides most of the times.

One day, I said to my wife,

"Alright, I agree with you, we should relocate back to HK."

But then my wife replied,

"Are you sure? Do you think we are not better off by staying in Australia?"

The other day, I said to her,

"You are right.  It is too risky to return to HK, as there is no gurantee our children wll be better off."

But, my wife replied,

"But then again, you never know - No Pain No Gain,
there could be a Better Life waiting for us in HK?"

So you see, WYmom, I'm not in a crossed road, I'm actually at a Roundabout - keep turning around!!

I suppose that's what made us a couple - Balancing each other by 9/10 times having views different from others!

Is this what we call, "Yin and Yeung?"

Never mind, I have to deal with the DB PIS application form, which I downloaded a few days ago.

But it seems for the last few hours, there has been a Miracle - we agreed for a change, to return HK (as there are very kind parents like yourself) and to be in DB - but let's see my wife changes her mind again when she wakes up tomorrow.

WYmom, you have almost guaranteed a Better Tomorrow for your children.

Being "Oridinary" is "Extra-ordianry" - we have far too many people thinking that they are "Special" and then get themselves into real troubles with NO tomorrow.

Stay in touch.

Cheers
Fate
Life is a  Compromise

happy_mum

Hi Fate,

Ha ha, my son is now mowing the lawn with his father. Small litlle thing like this and that's why both me and my husband would prefer to stay in DB rather than town because I don't believe in my son would benefit anything by growing up in a concrete block.

We are living in Hamilton in the North Island. We usually try to come back 3 to 4 times a year. We will head back to HK on the 19th June. As my son was born in HK, the only way to try to get him to realize that he is a New Zealander is by coming home often and he always enjoy doing different things in HK. I guess I have lots to time to do this kind of bonding as he is just turning 3.

Sometimes, I just couldn't believe that I had to make a decision on his schooling at such a early stage. I am really sorry for the children of my local staff in the company as they are trying so hard and just about anything to try to get their children to go to a schoool that they think would be good for them.  People here tend  to over-program their children so much in here and I think this is wrong.

BTW, DB is not much cooler than town as you think in winter time. It is nothing compare to NZ. In fact, the last two years, I hardly think HK had a winter at all! If you are worried about air pollution. Staying in town would be even worse off. Disneyland firework do not seems to be a problem to DB as my house can see the firework everyday anyway. (the only down side is my son is not excited about firework anymore!)

Oosp! Looks like my lawn has been mowed! Got to go now. Good to hear from you.

Cheers

Fate

Hello again, Happy_Mum

Glad to hear that you are Happy again - just by watching your cute son.

I just wish more people would understand Happiness is from Within, and the Most Valubale Things in Life are Free.

I once watched a documentary, which revealing a 3-year-old child laughs about 300 times a day, but a 40-year-old person laughs less than 30 times a day!!

Although one may argue how the experiment was conducted, the main point is,

A Person becomes Less Happy when they get Older.
(Why?)

Hamilton - I had been there on a few occassions, when we drove from Auckland (North Shore) to Wellington (Lower Hutt, to be precise) first by checking the place and schools, and then later actually settled in Lower Hutt.

We stopped at Hamilton after 2-hour drive and had a lunch before proceeding to Taupo for the night. Then to Taihepe the following morning, Levin the afternoon........

I must admit I enjoyd the driving - it was so beautiful, so peaceful and we as a Family having so much fun in talking to each other, joking with each other - we even stopped on one occassion and threw snowballs to each other!!

These drivings had reinforced my Belief that,

The Best Gift a parent can give,

More time to their children.

And we are their Best Toy too!

You have been wonderful in bringing your child to NZ every now and then.  My wife's best friend in UK is a German - she brings her son back to Germany on every school holiday, ensuring her son is exposed to German cultures as much as possible and to practise his Oral German too!

This is also one of the main reasons we are considering returning to HK,

"One has to know where they are From, before they know where they are Going."

It is a fact that most Chinese (and many Asians too) Middle Class tend to over-plan. That's why the first four (if not more) countries have the largest reserve in the world are all in Asia!!

We were like that before. When thinking about moving to NZ from UK, we shortlisted a few private schools and in the end picked Kristin School (www.kristin.school.nz), because of its huge school ground and providing education for aged 3-17! (A Through Train) But when we finally landed in Albany, Auckland and then visited the school in person, we were first shocked and then laughed,

"Fate has sent us a Message again - don't take the easiest way."

We thought we had picked the best school for our children, so that we could then relax and do nothing for the next 15-18 years.  

But the cruel fact is,

The school is right next to a big power sub-station!
(less than 100 m from its football field)  

We were not going to take the huge and real risk of massive radiation, so we moved onto another school.   

Another Chinese Culture is,

They believe if there is a Good King, everything will be Good and they as a citizen don't have to do a thing.

The same mentality extends to most parents,

If there is a Good School, everything will be Good and they as parents don't have to do anything.

One could only wish Life is that Simple and Easy.

Things are happening because only one tries harder, not because others are trying FOR you.

Thanks so much for your information about the weather and the air quality.

Am I right in assuming your 3-year-old boy is now attending the kindergarten of DBIS?

Had NZ not getting so cold (seems like just having two sessions, Winter and Autumn. And Winter, Winter, Autumn, Winter......and longer and colder Winter), we would have loved to stay in NZ - even our Auckland friends have recently joined us for more Sunshine, as they are fed up with having flu all the times!!

Keep well , keep your Faith and keep in touch.

Happy Fate
Happinness comes from Within

WYmom

Fate,

Just seeing your comments that "Had NZ not getting so cold (seems like just having two sessions, Winter and Autumn. And Winter, Winter, Autumn, Winter......"  - it is completely the opposite in HK, which you may need to re-consider:  we seems to have only Spring,  Summer and a bit Autumn here, due to serious air pollution, winter is gradually vanishing here and in summer, it is terribly hot and humid!

I think weather in Australia is much better, right?

Fate

Welcome Back, WYmom,

Thanks for your kind reminder.

Yes. We always look at Weather First before deciding whether to move to a new City/Country.

Because to us, "Healthy & Safety" is always the SINGLE most important issue at any stage of our children's development.

Warmer weather in Sunshine Coast is definitely better for our 4-year-old boy, who showed some symptoms of Asthma when suffering a bad cold due to cold weather.

But, sometimes the heat in our Coast could be quite intense - there are 250 people die of Skin Cancer every year in our State (Queensland)!

My younger boy also has some Eczema, which means his skin will not be itchy when the Relative Humidity is between 50-75%

So, Hot is better than Cold weather - we can hide ourselves in air-conditoned rooms. Humid is better than Dry, because air-conditioning can reduce Humidity too.

That's why we are seriously looking at living in DB. Not so hot as it is near the sea, and not so polluted as it is near the bush and away from main traffic.

Ironically, there are many people die of  Skin Cancer in Australia and NZ (in fact, they have the highest rate in the world), one of the main reasons is because the air is not dirty enough there - not enough pollution to Filter the Sun's powerful rays!

My wife keeps complaining her skin has become so dark these days, she is determined to hide herself from the sun from now on! (Ah....I know now - This could be the reason she keeps thinking about relocating to HK!!)

Cheers
Fate
Global Thinking, Local Gaining

happy_mum

Hi again Hi,

It's a beautiful day here in NZ today with blue sky. I am sure that you would agree with me that and that's why you stays in the Sunshine Coast. However, I can also ensure you that this is what you are going to miss the most in HK.

It doesn't matter where you live in HK. You can hardly see a blue sky day anymore. Well, i would say you might get it  a few days a year. I am not kidding here as the neighbour China is not really doing anything to fix the pollution problem and so it is very hard for HK to do anything.

Well, my son had been accepted by DBIS in the coming September to start K1. However, both me and my husband had decided that he would go to another kinddy although he might not be able to go back to DBIS later on. The main reason is the 2 years of kinddy in DBIS do not have a 2 nd language and the actual 2nd year (reception class) would be compulsary a full time session. I personnally think from 9 am to 3 pm for a 4 years old is to much, and let alone all the other factors of the school.

So my son is doing nusury in another kiddy in DB which called Discovery Mind Kindergarten. They have both local section (which is Mandarin and English) or international section. However, you have to decide what to do after your kid finishes with them and where to go for primary. Like you said before, the only advantage of DBIS would be like a "through train" from kiddy to the end of primary and they have always have the advantage of "no choice" in DB. With the new DBPIS opening soon, funny they try to increase their intake starting from this year, i think this is all to do with get into the market share before you lose it.

Read you article about your child's ezcema. You might have to bear in mind that moving back to asia do not help at all. However, the skin might also get used to it and the problem might get better. My husband had the same problem when he first left NZ but he is a lot better now after living in asia for 13 years!

Got to go  4 lunch now.

Cheers   

Fate

Hello Happy_Mum again,

With your blessing, we had a good day here in Sunshine Coast too.  

Making sure we have explored all the possibilities, we went to a Private School Open Day this morning. (www.ccs.qld.edu.au)

We were impressed by the school in most areas. (Gosh, the fee is only about 1/3 of the to-be-open New PIS at DB!!) But one thing we are really concerned is the "Wirless Technology" for computers.

During our recent visit in HK, we read an article, stating that there was a new teacher in UK suffering severe headache and vomiting etc. after the primary school implemented the "Wireless Technology".
The issye has now been taken up by the 30,000 strong UK Teachers Association, expressing grave concern for their and young students' health.

The same article stated the radiation from this Technology was very strong and in many cases, as strong as a mobile phone, causing serious health hazards to young children.

We had visited the RC during our recent HK visit and was concerned about their wide adoption of such Technology. We therefore did not shortlist RC in the end.

The New PIS at DB is to have such Technology too but not sure how extenvise they are using the Technology.

What is your view about this "Wireless Technology"?

"Health and Safety" is always our FIRST Priority.

We would have thought the air quality in DB is better - thinking that the hills are blocking some polluted if not lethal air coming from China's factories.  The developer, HK Resort, keeps claiming DB has a very good air quality, as good as those in Yuen Long & Shatin (www.discoverybay.com.hk)

So, this is not the case as claimed by the HK Resort?

To us, you have made the best decision for your children.

6 hours in a school setting, no way.  Even though the OZ subsides our younger child, we only let him stay in the pre-school for 3 hours a day (9-12) and two days a week!! And my boy is 4 1/2 year old!!

But when we were in Auckland (back in 2002), a kindegarten we visited would not accept half day session for our then 3-year-old elder son. They wanted children staying from 7:00a.m - 6:00p.m.!! (11 hours a day)  Many parents dumped their half awake children at school,  as early as 6:30A.M.!

It seems that parents at DB already having a better deal, even the New PIS not open yet!

The pressure is now on the Arrogant school. We visited DBIS about 3 years ago, and the letter from the last Principal to prosepctive parents was so NOT up to scratch - I had kept a copy and will ask my son when he is older for his opinions to see if he will spot the obvious mistakes.

I thought you could speak Cantonese, am I wrong?

We speak Cantonese with our children at home.  And I have been teaching my 8-year-old (elder) boy
how to write Traditional Chinese for the last 2 years or so.

I am quite convinced that once our younger boy's Immune System is improved, either simple by being older or having more regular exercises, his minor Asthma and/or Minor Ezcema prolem will get even less noticeable.  

That's why we are having an eye for DB Phase 11-12, Siena. It has an All-weather  Indoor Swimming Pool where we intend to do a family swimming three times a week all year round, increasing his lung function. And the rental is affordable.

We do understand the Environment and Education System in HK has been less than Ideal (if not the joke of many disappointing parents), but there are two very worrying things happening in Queensland/Australia and in the world, that could overide all other factors and making our return to HK a very real possibility.

Thing happening in Queensland/Australia.

The Recycled Water.

The Australia is having its worst drought in 10 years and it has taken a heavy toll on everyone.

Queensland State Governement has rushed to amend/bend regulations/rules, allowing pipes construction work to be carried out 24 hours a day, with an attempt to have the Recycled Water being introduced by 2009 - they are putting the Recycled Water into the Drinking System and NOT just for flushing toilets, watering gardens, cleaning driveway etc.

This could result in Serious Health Hazards.

The other thing that has been happening around the world for the last 5-6 years is,

Housing Bubbles.

Ever since the 911 Terrorist Attack in 2001, the Interest Rate in major countries had been artificially kept very low for the first 3 years after the Attack, encouraging many many people to borrow at an unprecedent rate.  And there have been spectacular rise in many countries house prices.  

The much respected magazine published in UK, "The Economists", had conducted a survey around 2005, concluding there were at least 9 countries (including NZ & Australia) huge house price rise was not substaintable and would soon to have a big correction.

And it also concluded that the coming Depression is going to be caused by Housing Bubbles.

Just have a quick look of what has happend for the last few weeks.  In China, there have been 330,000 new share accounts being open EVERY DAY, and the total shares account has officially passed the 100Million mark!! That is 25 times of NZ's 4 Million Population. And one recent panic day trading in Shanghai market alone has more than C$4,600 Millions changed hands!!! In One Day!

And the EC has just raised its interest rate to 4% - a 6 year high. NZ to 8% - the highest in developed countries!!

What do all these add up to?

Housing Bubble + Stock Bubble = The Greatest Depression.

And once a country is suffering Economic Bad Time, their people very likely to quickly start pointing fingers naturally with foreigners, and in particular, the Chinese for its low labour cost in making them unemployable, or blaming them for panic selling shares for the Crash etc.

And this will set the mood for "Racial Discrimination" to re-surface in Australia.

Take action before being forced to do so - because by then you have very little chioice if any.

Hope you have already covered yourself and your Family. I do believe the Crash is coming.

Have a nice weekend and continue to enjoy your Sunshine in Hamilton.

Cheers
Fate
It is always better be Safe than Sorry

happy_mum

Hi Fate,

Thanks for your reply again. We are back in HK and have been busy to try to get life together again.

It seems like that you have done a lot of homework about DB already and Siena is not a bad choice. We had a look at some flats in Siena about 3 years ago but found that the efficiency of the flats are quite low. Therefore, I would suggest that you have to really see the flat first before making your decision. We finally chose another village called La Serene which is similar theme but closer to the main plaza area.

Well,isn't there an old chinese saying that the moonlight is always more shinny in other places? Of course when we went back to NZ, everything in NZ seems to be so good to us as we were filling up what we miss out here in hk ( I meam things that we can't do in hk ). But yes, we do realize that things are getting expensive now in both money term and also the strong currency. In fact, both me and my husband are thinking there must be some people getting hurt by such a high interest rate back home.

I do realize that the big drought in Oz is doing a lot of damage. In fact, I grew up in Perth and still have close contact there.

As for my chinese? I do speak cantonese and trying to read my chinese newspaper daily to keep up with it. However, writing ....um Good for you that you can teach your children chinese. I went through some hard time in HK in finding job with a Chinese face with no chinese qualification. I would say it was worse than in Oz.

That's one of the reason why both me and my husband would like my son to be able to learn chinese.

Well, got to go as there is lots to prepare for tomorrow. BTW, I will be back to Syd on Sunday for a few days of fresh air and sunshine. Kind of looking forward to that.

Cheers

Fate

Hi Happy_Mum

Nice to hear from you again.

You are right.  I'm a bit concern about the NET floor area of units in Siena.  But then agiain, I suppose Life is like this,

You win some ann you lose some.

We love to walk to school.  And only its Club House has Indoor Heated Swimming Pool - another main attraction.

We will not be rushing, the school will be operated in Kawi Chung Hill until next Aug.  So, if our children are accepted by the PIS at DB, we will stay in a service apartment in Sham Shui Po first before looking for a 3-bed rental in Siena subsequently.

Things will only get more expansive.  The ginger is now about A$11 per kilo. So is the Garlic from Mexico! Banaa is over A$6 a kilo!  Water and Electricity is looking at at least 10% rise! Interest Rate has to rise further to curb the Inflation.

We also did look at Perth at the time thinking about relocating from NZ to Oz,, but were a bit concern about the weather.

It could be as low as 3 degree and as hot as 40 degree at times (though for only a short period).  Mind you, it is very expansive to live in Perth now - the house price gone over the roof due to the mining boom!! Not to mention there are a lot of rich Japanese in Perth!

Chinese (may be other Races too?) tends to have this Same Race Discrimination.  We are hard on our fellow Chinese, but kind to Expat.!

Do you  mind telling me in what field you are working in at the moment? (I'm in Crime Prevention)

The weather has not been that kind in Sunshine Coast, for the last two weeks, there were mornings at 10 degree till late noon! I got a flu too. At some nights, we had our reverse cycle heating on too.

Fo NSW, it has been really bad for the last two weeks or so. First severe floodings in some areas, then some very cold weather - snow in some areas.  Hope it will once again be bright by the time you get there.

Have a nice flight to Sydney.

Talk to you soon.

Cheers
Fate
Global Vision, Local Solution

happy_mum

Hi again Fate,

Well, it sounds like you are well planned for the returning. As long as you would have somewhere to stay temporary so you won't be rushing for a flat and make a wrong decision.

Just for your info. Club Siena is not exclusively for Siena resident. In fact, I find that Club Siena is so crowded during and I just simply give up going there at all.

All DB resident club member can make use of all the facilities in both club houses. However, the new development Cianti have their own swimming pool within their village but i think the efficiency is quite low as well.

I do aware that Perth has become the most expensive city to live in now. In fact, this is one of the excuse that my husband use to try to get me to go to NZ instead when we decide to leave HK.

I am working in the airline industry. Like some 30% of the DB resident, there is a large number of airline employees in DB. Actually, I quite like living in a small community and I would see my friends and colleuage both at work or in DB. As we all live close by, we can have a drink anytime after work or even a bbq! Kind of sad that we still try to live our lives as if we were still living in Oz or NZ,ah?!

Anyway, have a good weekend!

Cheers

Fate

Hi Always Happy Happy_Mum

Thanks for your valuable information about DB.

Just to calrify one point,

Does one you have to pay EXTRA for using Siena Club Facilites, like a Monthly Fee for EACH member of the family, or a Fee every time using a faciltiy thereat.

Happy_Mum, thanks for your Trust by telling me more about yourself.  Could I suggest we continue exchanging views/opinions througn PMs, for your Privacy.

It is only my suggestion, it is up to you.  Because you may feel more comfortable with the open forum.

I trust you may have already noticed, my wife and I are also doing the "Networking" for our sons.  And we do feel you and us have a lot in common, living in DB (for us, to be), been living in NZ, prefer small and close community etc.

Once again, many thanks for sharing.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Cheers
Fate
You can't chose your Relatives,
but you can decide your Friends

Fate

Dear Caring Parents

Just to say a quick BIG "Thank You" for every one of you reads, or responds to (either in public forum or through PM) this post.

A Decision was made on Tuesday.

Another and Final Decision (over-riding the Wednesday Ones) was made Yesterday.

Since I had already used up all this week's "Time Allowance" for BK last week, I have to wait until next week to share with you lot in more details how we reached our Decison.

Meanwhile, do enjoy more time with your children, to whom we owe a Happy Childhood.

Bye for now.

Fate
I Question therefore I Advance

[ 本文章最後由 Fate 於 07-7-3 17:50 編輯 ]

Fate

Dear Caring Parents

It has been a Nightmare for the last two days trying to get into this website.

For a moment, I thought I was being kicked out by BK  for expressing "Non Traditonal Views" in my other post under "Family Finance" titled,

'The Secrets of Losing Millions"

It was beyong my control I could not explain on Monday (2 July) in more details as Promised, as to how we came to our Final Decision, which is :

Stay In Australia

Although still debating whether to relocate to HK since early June,  we were actually busy in making preparations to return HK - just in case such a Decision was eventually made and we had to return HK in a very short time for a School Interview.

So, my wife had been busy in sorting out which would be taken with us, and which to leave behind for sell or charity; checking rental accomodations in DB, contacting DBPIS's current office at Bauhinia School through phone and E Mail, then sent them the completed applications forms, current school reports and a cheque for processing applicatiosn etc. etc.

But still, we didn't reach a Decison until last Tuesday.
And only after talking to our HK friend, who re-assured us the recycled water in a Developed Country should be O.K. to drink. We then made a Decsion to relocate to HK.

So, our speed of packing things had since then been double up!!

But, in the follwoing morning, and as usual, we re-examined our Decision again by looking at ALL the Factors one last time:

Peace of Mind
Behaviours & Attitudes of Staff & Students
Behaviours & Attitudes of General Public
Air Quality
Weather
Overall Learning Atmosphere
Certianty about Vacancy at school
Certainty about Rental near school
School Environment
History of /school
Class Size
School Fee
English/Teaching Standard
Overall Cost of Living
..................
..................

We then Concluded Australia is more suitable for us as a Family at this moment of time, so we have decided to STAY at this moment of our time.

At one point we told ourselves we could still live like the way we live in Australia when we are in HK.  

But then we realised why we had to return to HK and PRETENDING living in Australia, when we could ACTUALLY living in Australia!!!

After making the Decision to STAY, we then realised we can save at least HK$170,000 A YEAR, by staying in an Australian Private School!!! (Not decided at this stage which one yet, www.ccs.qld.edu.au, www.sienaprimary.qld.edu.au, www.scgs.qld.edu.au)

What a Relief - when there is NO more Uncertainty!
Can enjoy the school holiday now!!

A BIG "Thank You" to Happy_Mum, WYMom and Chingyu for your Valuable Inputs.

One never knows what the Future holds, and we may bump into each other one day, but for now we have to say,

"Goodbye and Take Care."

To all those Silent Reading Parents - all the best to you lot too.

Cheers
Happily Staying Fate

[ 本文章最後由 Fate 於 07-7-4 21:25 編輯 ]