new experience

I am almost ok about living in the condo now.

Cable TV guy came.

The pay TV will come on two days after the installation.

So I pay and DONT get the service for two days? What?

I actually spring cleaned the place whilst waiting for the guy.

Yup. My abode is alot cleaner now. Used the vacumn alot.

I am thinking of getting one of those robot things that cleans the house on a regular basis.

That should help cut down my cleaning needs.

Anybody can give me information based on experience of the pros and cons of this idea? Please.

My mom is also interested in getting one.

So today I go back to the family house for the weekend. Looking forwards to meeting everybody. They told me that the workmen there are in the process of rewiring the house. That means dusty rooms yet again!

Work is giving me mixed emotions right now. There are some interesting recent developments. Something I co wrote is getting the responses now. More opportunities seem to be opening up.

On the other hand, I will soon have to deal with some poor performance reviews. Hate that part. I need to learn to get over feeling 'they done bad cos of something I contributed to'.

I am looking forwards to many more new experiences.

Getting to know new neighbours (WHERE are they? Living in a condo offers privacy but sometimes there's too much of that). I have never met my nearest neighbour except for that one time when she came over before the condo interior decorators finished their work at mine.

Uneasy

Its prolly just that time of the year, month, week or day.

I am feeling uneasy.

I got most of my work completed ahead of schedule.

Now I just need to vacumn the condo (hehe...I 've missed alot of cleaning sessions with the excuse of work. This evening I'll do it. Promise.)

I actually saw a lump of dust behind my bedroom door. Embarassing!

I also need to get the cable TV guy. I have called the guy but he says he will return my call, maam. That was this morning. Until now.....nothing as yet. Those guys must be making tons of money in this depressing times. They now have the attitude of 'U need me more than I need the job.' Well, cable TV is cheaper than going to the movies.

I will opt for the cheapest package, I think. Actually I hardly ever get to watch TV. I turn the radio on alot more since I can also get work done when I do that. With TV u have to focus and concentrate but u can always let the radio jabber by itself and listen in to enjoy the music whenever u wish to.

Back to the original issue of being uneasy. (I have a tendency to get carried away when I start blogging. Need to retrack ever so often!)

I am feeling some sadness in general. About work, about living alone, about life.

Thank goodness, since I am female, I can always blame it on my poor hormones. (Wonder what excuses the guys give on their down days?)

email

I had some fears about JAR looking for a potential housemate.
This morning I sent him the email below:-

Ok. I better get this off my chest.
I worry about u getting a potential housemate.
Reasons?
OK I admit some of the reasons below are pretty selfish but I will lay them in front of u anyways.

• If your housemate is a female
  I worry that u might get romantically involved
  I worry that u might get sexually involved
  I worry that u might get involved
  
• If your housemate is a male
  I worry about ur safety
  I worry about ur security
  
  Yup. I am still worry wart. Please do me a favor and only rent out to over 80 year old females and immobile males.

The MOVE

August 24 2008

Finally brother calls in movers to transfer his stuff to the family house. I too packed most of my remaining stuff (read that as my clothes, old and new, into 6 bags). There is still some more clothes left but I intend to leave them there for my visits.

The house is in a terrible mess cos the movers only unload. Poor SIL has to squeeze in her stuff into mom's already furnished (except for two rooms) house. I dont envy her the task.

My living at my own place adventure has just started.

I went to do some grocery shopping before driving to the condo. Got some meat, milk, juice, etc. I made a self invented beef and capsicum in tomato soup invention. I am becoming a cook JAR style! Next time I must remember to snap a photo and upload. This picture was taken from the internet but it looks similar.

I emailed JAR about my final move and he is supportive.

Its strange but we both seem to undergo changes at about the same times.

My abode has been ready almost two years now. At one time I thought I would prolly never move because of my responsibilities. Then bro decided to buy over the family house and changes just fall into place.

JAR had become comfortable living at BHR's place after losing his big house in the divorce. Suddenly there was the house being foreclosed by the bank and offered at a good price. He buys it, renovates, and hey presto he too has new living quarters.

I have never lived alone; coming from a family of 5 kids I always had company. Even when I did live away from my parents (college, work, etc) I always had a house mate or two.

JAR has never lived alone either. He has 7 siblings, always had house mates, been married at one point, then lived with a house mate again. Finally he has his own company in his house.

JAR might look for a housemate though I personally feel that would be an intrusion of privacy.

Having a housemate is good financially but I would rather look for the money elsewhere and retain my privacy.

In the midst of my short break

My short break is going on great!
Thursday Mom, SIL, baby niece and I picked up elder niece from play school. We drove to the woods nearby and had a fun time looking at a group of wild monkeys being fed by some locals. The little girls shout "hello monkeys! we luv ya monkeys" at the top of their voices.
Its a wonderment just to see the whole big group of papa monkeys, mama monkeys (some with their young clinging to their bodies) and all the tiny little monkeys.
Then I drove everyone to lunch at our favourite retaurant.
After lunch we walked around the shopping mall and I got me two glass bowls.
Then we were all off to my condo which was an hour's drive away.
SIL and two nieces were to stay in the room mom normally sleeps in. It has two single beds which can be attached to form a queen bed. Mom got the other space bedroom with the single bed (this room also acts as my study). I am as usual in my master bedroom.
Just the day before I had managed to find the TV cable at the mart. So we have two working TVs in my condo...I have plans to increase this number with an LCD TV.
Since it was not too hot a day at 3pm, SIL, nieces and I went over to the swimming pool for a fun time. The girls loved it!
In the evening my sister who lives just a few streets away and her sons joined us. We all went to see a show unit of another condominium that is currently being built.
The show unit which I had seen of my condo a few years ago were definitely of a better standard.
The girls went to the playground after that while I took the boys swiming again.
That night we had dinner at my sister's. BIL came home from work in time to join us.
We all watched a VCD of Kung Fu Panda. Good movie for a family outing.
We all got back to the condo tired but happy. Bigger niece asked me if my condo was a hotel....her questions have a way of pleasing me always!
Next morning we all went swimming again. Then we went out for breakfast and more shopping. Meantime I even managed to get my car polished at the mall!
I got me a pair of pants and a sweet top.
We got back to the condo for some rest before we drove back home. A short stop for lunch abd then....grocery shopping.
We all had a good break without having to spend too much shopping. Yes! My condo is a little like a hotel.....a free one for the family.
Saturday and my SIL had to attend a course yet a again. So bro, mom , girls and I had breakfast whilst his car was being washed.
After breakfast I packed more of my stuff and sent them off to the condo.
Bro has decided to move in on Sunday. My days at the family home is now numbered.
Its OK. I'll enjoy myself wherever I am.
Managed a phonecall to JAR in the morning. His stuff has been sent from storage to his new house. Some stuff needs cleaning, some no longer works well.
He sounds happy but also says that its starting to feel lonely living amongst things alone.
He might rent out to a house mate. I am NOT for the idea. I feel that privacy is of utmost importance. I told him that. Must see the development of this new idea.

thoughts on owning bags and houses

Had a meeting at the city center yesterday.
Then took the opportunity to shop.
I got me a bag....NOT the limited edition one. THAT one is gone, prolly already sold off to some rich bloke's mistress.
The bag I got is functional, has most of the qualities I look for in a bag .....broad base, place for keys, phone, zippered area for my finances, etc. It is quite unique, has an unusual zippered top, is NOT black (I normally tend to buy black ones but lately I make it a point NOT to).
Best of all it is NOT expensive and had a 20% discount offer.
What more could I ask for?
Friends did remark when they saw me with the bag today. Hmmm. Its quite an eye catcher too.

Now I have some extra funds to further invest.
SIL called me up to say thats its a good time to do so. The value of the unit trusts are down so I should buy further to cost average my investments lower.
OK. Thats one place where the money's going.

Tomorrow I take the day off. I deserve a break. It doesnt matter that my short vacation plans have fallen thru. I just need to ensure that I get some fun.
Some shopping (I need to get clothes next). Some investing (this is going to make SIL happy). Some swimming (I hope to get my nephews and nieces to join in).

JAR has been very quiet lately. Last I heard the movers are sending his stuff from storage this week. He too needs to 'recuperate' from all the house fixing expenditures. He seems happy and satisfied with the house project.
I understand.
There is a part of me that is very proud of my condo and all that it represents.
Its about being 'free' and 'independent'.
Its about owning and belonging.
Its about being somewhere where u can be your true self.

thoughts on rest and relaxing

It was a good party.

It was more of a kid's party...bearing in mind that my little niece only turned two. Since my birthday was the day before, it was also celebrated by the family at the same time.

I got lovely gifts....TWO rings, a mini tower fan, love bears, hug pillows, etc, etc. Little niece got bigger and more gifts, her big sister also got several gifts too.

Most people are taking this week off to go on vacation. Its too short for the kind of vacation that I am famous for taking. I go to work as usual and finish up whats being done. I will take a couple of days off at the end of the week.

Noel has gone to Vegas for his vacation I think. Lucky him.

I prolly will end up spring cleaning the condo on my short vacation. That wont be too bad. Afterwards I will lay in the pool and dream of far away lands.

SIL's mom is coming over early this week. Phew! I dont think I wanna hang around for that. Hehe. It aint my mom in law!

Maybe I should go for a facial. Its been quite a while since I had the luxury of time to do that

The products that I use for my face is so good that it does not require the monthly or fortnightly facial visits. However, I enjoy the relaxing massages when u go for facial. A fantastic rest time.

birthday

My birthday was a peaceful one.
I spent the night alone in my condo.
JAR phoned to wish me
when it was early morning where he was
and late night where I am
I got a lovely ring from my mom
Will be meeting the rest of the clan this weekend
Hopefully I will get as much presents
as little baby of family whose birthday falls on the day after mine.
btw.....a cousin's daughter gave birth on my birthday
another cousin's daughter got married on it
Now I can share my special day with more people

Today

Look at the date

Look at the day

Look at where u are

Look at where u wanna be

Where u are right now aint too bad

Yes, u could make it better

U are loved and cared for

You have peace and all the basics that u'll ever need

invitations and birthdays

A cousin's daughter is getting married on Thursday. A good friend's niece has her wedding on Friday. Nowadays couples dont wait for the weekend to get hitched. Their reason is that the wedding halls are fully booked over weekends so they fit it on another date of their choice.

I am gonna have to miss the Thursday one. Unable to squeeze it in.

Mom and the rest of the gang will be going. Yesterday we tried on little nieces party clothes. Baby of family has grown too tall for hers. Her sister cant fit into her party shoes. Family emergency! "Rich" aunt steps in. Lets go shopping NOW!

We actually left the house after 6pm. Thank God the shopping malls close late over here.

We had a fun time! I love getting the little girls to try out clothes (especially when they are in a good mood). I guess I have spent the 'limited edition' handbag money on party clothes and shoes for the girls. Ah well.....its money well spent anyways.

On another note, we also have birthdays on Thursday and Friday.

Mine and baby niece.

Still havent gotten myself a treat.

However, I have started to have fun again!!!

East meets West

Question : Name a major difference between eastern and western culture.
Answer : Easternern culture tend to use water as part of their cleansing process in the toilet.

Ok. Blame it on the fact that there probably was alot more water available in most eastern cultures thousands of years ago. Thus the cleansing routine was made easier that way. U jump in the river to bathe and cleanse yourself. In the west, the rivers were prolly too powerful and cold 1f they were even available.

Now even with the easy availability of cheap, wonderful toilet paper, some of us still feel that its cleaner that u wash urself first and then wipe!

JAR has just ordered a new toilet for his new house. He purchased one that has a washer, sprays warm water and air drys u too.

He remembers.

Thank you.

Honesty

'Honesty' used to be a favourite old song.

"....If u're looking for tenderness, it isnt hard to find......"

Ok...I've forgotten the lyrics. The concept of honesty is something I never will forget tho.

Maybe this is whats the anger of the past day's about.

I dont go looking for honesty, I expect it to always be around. All the time.

Lately, however the times when it is missing or suspected to be missing has escalated.

Like......the time when someone does not do his assignment and gives me age old excuses. Like when a call dies midway and the person blames it on the phone batteries.....the conversation was just entering rather rocky waters at that point. It DID avoid an unpleasant conversation but it left a muddy feeling in my mouth.

Gotta go now. Its going to be a heavy day at work today. Get the job done.

Honesty, come back soon, please.

out

Ever had days when u just feel so tired? U wish something could excite u....whether a phone call, an email, a date or SOMEthing???

Today is one of those days for me. I am like a tired flower ....one that got too much sun then got drenched by the rain.

The worst thing about being in the dumps is that it normally happens when things are going on easy for me. Work is great right now. Most things done right up to expectations. Home is fine even with all the noise and lack from rest from entertaining two active nieces. Friends are right where they should be. BF is on the other side of the world but he is doing great too.

Me?

I should be at a happier place.

I have been moving too fast lately, getting things done....just like the fast movements of the river in the pic. I need a break soon. Where can I go, what can I do in a short break? Need to think.

No fireworks but it was a great weekend!

As the title says, the fireworks hoped for still has not arrived.

It was a great weekend still.

We got a visit from my cousin who brought along her mom, my 80+ year old aunt. Aunt is at the start of alzheimer's. She forgets most new stuff but still has retention of her old memories. My family belongs to old memories part so she remembers us well. She was glad to see us. She kissed us all well and good. She talks of old times. We are slowly losing her. I have deep sadness over this.

JAR's renovations and landscaping is almost done. He is happy.

It has turned out better than he had hoped for. The pics he sent showed me that is truly is so. A part of him wants to continue buying sad old houses to redo them into cheerful homes. He is quite capable of doing that but is the time right for this? Its a very good hobby to have....doing up your house...but its also a costly affair.

I spent a major part of the weekend with bro's family. We went out for breakfast two days in a row. Did some shopping, lazed around the house when it got too hot. Nieces are getting alot closer to me too. Hmmmm...I dont mind being favorite aunt!

I am still debatting about getting the limited edition handbag. I do have my birthday coming up so that could be the excuse to use for me getting it. Huh!!! I DONT need an excuse. Its well earned personal money. I can use it however I choose. On the other hand, it is WELL earned money. Why do I waste it on a bag and make some fancy spansee company even richer? Let the debate continue....