Guess what?
We've got bar stools!!!
There's a story behind this as well... Last Saturday (the previous weekend, not this recent one) we went down to IKEA and we spotted this cute little black bar stool on display... not too expensive, around $22+, so we made a little note in those little IKEA note paper with our little IKEA pencils, so we could pick it up at the check-out later.
After we were finished wandering round IKEA (not very big actually this Perth IKEA) we headed to the check-out to pick up our bar stool. There were stacks and stacks of boxes with the same design, but not even one of them was the colour we wanted: BLACK. All the ones left were this hideous transparent-white colours... ugh! We aksed one of the friendly IKEA staff and they said that all the black stools had just been sold out that day. They wouldn't be getting any new stock for the black stools until mid-late Nov!!! Sigh... so sad... and I was reeeeaaaally looking forward to being able to laze around our little kitchen counter and have breakfast together there...
So there was nothing else to do but wait until mid-late Nov.
Then on Sunday... hubby and I went out on another of our bargain-hunting expeditions... i.e. scouting around for second hand stuff from international students who were returning to their home countries... this was the perfect time coming to the end of the Semester... We had picked up a few posters from around my uni and made a few calls to drop by to see the various items.
I was still thinking about the stools... and counting the days till Nov...
We walked into one garage and lo and behold we saw not one but TWO of the exact same black bar stools I had been eyeing at IKEA.
How much? $12...
And as usual, me being me... bargain down to $10 lar!
Hooray!
I am very happy.
We sat down for dinner together on Sunday night on our kitchen counter. How cool is that?
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
Monday, October 30, 2024
Friday, October 27, 2024
Out of thin air
Wah, drama yesterday man....
We discovered that one of our temps has been fabricating data out of nothing for this survey that we were conducting.
The temps' jobs are to call up people from a given list and run through a questionnaire with these people. From the data gathered from these surveys, we will collate the information and do some analysis on the trends and patterns we are seeing in the market.
My colleague noticed an inconsistency in one of the surveys and so she did a random check and called up one of the companies to verify that they have been contacted by our temp to do the questionnaire.
Horror of horrors!
The guy at that company had no idea what we were talking about. In that case, where was all this data coming from? Out of thin air?
This is a very serious case, because we do not know to what extent this fellow has been making up data and figures for this research. This is very detrimental to our work because it will distort our findings very badly. Not good... not good at all...
Anyway, my colleague is planning to sit down and have a very serious talk with this temp. It's likely that we will ask him to leave.
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
We discovered that one of our temps has been fabricating data out of nothing for this survey that we were conducting.
The temps' jobs are to call up people from a given list and run through a questionnaire with these people. From the data gathered from these surveys, we will collate the information and do some analysis on the trends and patterns we are seeing in the market.
My colleague noticed an inconsistency in one of the surveys and so she did a random check and called up one of the companies to verify that they have been contacted by our temp to do the questionnaire.
Horror of horrors!
The guy at that company had no idea what we were talking about. In that case, where was all this data coming from? Out of thin air?
This is a very serious case, because we do not know to what extent this fellow has been making up data and figures for this research. This is very detrimental to our work because it will distort our findings very badly. Not good... not good at all...
Anyway, my colleague is planning to sit down and have a very serious talk with this temp. It's likely that we will ask him to leave.
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
Labels:
work
Wednesday, October 25, 2024
Religions revealed
Yesterday was the unveiling of the fact that I AM A CHRISTIAN.
We had one of the mid-afternoon conversation breaks and the topic turned to religion. There were four of us in the conversation. One guy recently converted to Buddhism a couple of years ago after a trip to Thailand. The other two were more like floaters. And I am the Christian.
The Buddhist guy revelled in explaining all the concepts and benefits of Buddhism and why it was a superior path to follow. Some of the information was very new to the others, but I've had some exposure to it living in Malaysia, having family members who are both keen Buddhist (and some casual Buddhist followers). In fact MH was also a very active Buddhist before he became a Christian - he was very active in such societies, committees as well as the Young Buddhist Fellowship, organising various camps and activities.
I didn't say much. Perhaps I should have. But I'm not one of the most eloquent speakers on this subject. And I certainly was not capable of overpowering my Buddhist colleague who was dominating the whole conversation.
But I did say a few words on what I understood about Buddhism which surprised my colleagues a little. I added that I like to learn about other religions and understand where they are coming from. In fact I had recently finished reading a book comparing the different religions of the world.
Another colleague asked me whether it was because I followed my parents who were Christians... so my answer was no, I am a Christian my by own choice, and I find fulfilment in discovering my purpose, and I am very happy because of I have this.
We started rattling on about people of other religions and how come religions and denominations are less tolerant or more stringent in their doctrines.
I don't feel I had made a tremendous "WoW" impact, but was simply being myself.
But an encouraging comment came from the Buddhist guy: "You know, I find that the easiest people to talk to about religion are (1) Buddhist like myself, and (2) Contemporary Christians like yourself"
So yeah, that was certainly encouraging to hear.
But now that this is out of the open, I realise more than ever that any action or word from me would determine how my colleagues would perceive Christianity as a whole. And I know I'll never stop needing God's grace to live my life right, no matter if I'm going through the good days as well as the bad days.
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
We had one of the mid-afternoon conversation breaks and the topic turned to religion. There were four of us in the conversation. One guy recently converted to Buddhism a couple of years ago after a trip to Thailand. The other two were more like floaters. And I am the Christian.
The Buddhist guy revelled in explaining all the concepts and benefits of Buddhism and why it was a superior path to follow. Some of the information was very new to the others, but I've had some exposure to it living in Malaysia, having family members who are both keen Buddhist (and some casual Buddhist followers). In fact MH was also a very active Buddhist before he became a Christian - he was very active in such societies, committees as well as the Young Buddhist Fellowship, organising various camps and activities.
I didn't say much. Perhaps I should have. But I'm not one of the most eloquent speakers on this subject. And I certainly was not capable of overpowering my Buddhist colleague who was dominating the whole conversation.
But I did say a few words on what I understood about Buddhism which surprised my colleagues a little. I added that I like to learn about other religions and understand where they are coming from. In fact I had recently finished reading a book comparing the different religions of the world.
Another colleague asked me whether it was because I followed my parents who were Christians... so my answer was no, I am a Christian my by own choice, and I find fulfilment in discovering my purpose, and I am very happy because of I have this.
We started rattling on about people of other religions and how come religions and denominations are less tolerant or more stringent in their doctrines.
I don't feel I had made a tremendous "WoW" impact, but was simply being myself.
But an encouraging comment came from the Buddhist guy: "You know, I find that the easiest people to talk to about religion are (1) Buddhist like myself, and (2) Contemporary Christians like yourself"
So yeah, that was certainly encouraging to hear.
But now that this is out of the open, I realise more than ever that any action or word from me would determine how my colleagues would perceive Christianity as a whole. And I know I'll never stop needing God's grace to live my life right, no matter if I'm going through the good days as well as the bad days.
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
Labels:
self reflection,
work
Monday, October 23, 2024
Masak Masak
I just started cooking for the first time in our house last Thursday.
When we went to get groceries, hubby had the brilliant idea of getting those instant dish flavour packs by Maggi. It was really one of his finest ideas... They were on special at 99cents each... And they really helped to make cooking so much easier in the meantime while I get my kitchen sorted out (I don't have salt, pepper, soy sauce or even oyster sauce yet!)
Thursday's menu was this English chilli sausage dish... just throw in sausages, onions and chopped apples...
On Saturday, I was about to start on my next culinary attempt in my new kitchen... and just as I was about to pour the pasta into a pot of boiling water, hubby yelled out "STOP!!!"... so I did. Apparently a friend had just called and asked us to join them for dinner. Good thing he stopped me just in time. So I saved the dish for Sunday instead. It's an Italian mince meat dish with penne pasta. And we're having it for dinner tonight too (hooray!)
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
When we went to get groceries, hubby had the brilliant idea of getting those instant dish flavour packs by Maggi. It was really one of his finest ideas... They were on special at 99cents each... And they really helped to make cooking so much easier in the meantime while I get my kitchen sorted out (I don't have salt, pepper, soy sauce or even oyster sauce yet!)
Thursday's menu was this English chilli sausage dish... just throw in sausages, onions and chopped apples...
On Saturday, I was about to start on my next culinary attempt in my new kitchen... and just as I was about to pour the pasta into a pot of boiling water, hubby yelled out "STOP!!!"... so I did. Apparently a friend had just called and asked us to join them for dinner. Good thing he stopped me just in time. So I saved the dish for Sunday instead. It's an Italian mince meat dish with penne pasta. And we're having it for dinner tonight too (hooray!)
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
Of Snow Birds, The Wiggles and The Sabbath
Over the weekend, I had some random thoughts that popped into my head... without any internet connection, I had to hold on to it until now... so excuse me if it doesn't come out as "natural" as it should...
1. Last Friday evening (or maybe it was Thursday)... at a traffic light intersection around Vic Park, I looked out my window and saw the night sky full on little white birds circling round and round... it looked like there were thousands of them... it was so amazing and beautiful... I wondered what was causing this phenomenon... hubby didn't even blink an eye (because he said he's seen it happen before around this area). But can YOU picture it? Just imagine a dark black sky, and hundreds and thousands of white birds (they look like seagulls but I can't be sure) flying and circling around... like snow...
2. I realise how much influence little Christopher (Diana & Ronald's little boy) has had on us... till today, I still catch myself humming or singing the familiar "Lights, Camera, Action - Wiggles!" and "Where's Jeff?" tune from his favourite "The Wiggles" DVD
3. Perth is probably one of the few places left on earth who still follow the "Sabbath". I have to get all my groceries and shopping done by Saturday 5.00pm because all the major shopping centres close by then. Just like the Israelites in Exodus, I have make sure I've gathered enough "manna" to last be through Sunday because there is a very slim chance I'd be able to get anything else until Monday the earliest.
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
1. Last Friday evening (or maybe it was Thursday)... at a traffic light intersection around Vic Park, I looked out my window and saw the night sky full on little white birds circling round and round... it looked like there were thousands of them... it was so amazing and beautiful... I wondered what was causing this phenomenon... hubby didn't even blink an eye (because he said he's seen it happen before around this area). But can YOU picture it? Just imagine a dark black sky, and hundreds and thousands of white birds (they look like seagulls but I can't be sure) flying and circling around... like snow...
2. I realise how much influence little Christopher (Diana & Ronald's little boy) has had on us... till today, I still catch myself humming or singing the familiar "Lights, Camera, Action - Wiggles!" and "Where's Jeff?" tune from his favourite "The Wiggles" DVD
3. Perth is probably one of the few places left on earth who still follow the "Sabbath". I have to get all my groceries and shopping done by Saturday 5.00pm because all the major shopping centres close by then. Just like the Israelites in Exodus, I have make sure I've gathered enough "manna" to last be through Sunday because there is a very slim chance I'd be able to get anything else until Monday the earliest.
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
Labels:
family,
the world around
Friday, October 20, 2024
Building it together from scratch
Every Monday night for the next few weeks, about 9 couples including us will be going through this marriage course using a series by Bruce Wilkinson.
The format is to first watch a video covering a topic by Bruce Wilkinson, and then break up into small groups to discuss and talk about what we learnt, and finally fellowship time with food and conversation.
When pastor first told me about it, I was debating whether we should attend this course or not. The couples would be a mix of soon-to-be-married couples, newly married couples, and couples married for 1-2 years or more. We had attended a number of such courses at our church in Singapore - both pre-marital and after-marriage...
In the end we decided to attend. After all, it's also a good opportunity for fellowship and get to know other couples of similar age as us in church.
We're now going through the leaving-and-cleaving topic... which we learnt about before, but I think it's good to reiterate it again and again... it's not just about leaving the parents, but as life goes on other things may come in (like the car, house, kids, the pet frog etc.) which could come between us, and we have to continually strive to make sure that we always “leave” the other stuff and “cleave” to each other…
One of the thoughts that struck me was during the discussion, and we touched on the point of how we needed to live at our own standard to keep the marriage together (i.e. not at our parents standards). And I think it’s good that MH and I started out together from scratch ourselves when we got married. When you build something together, I think it becomes more meaningful and we’ll treasure it more.
The format is to first watch a video covering a topic by Bruce Wilkinson, and then break up into small groups to discuss and talk about what we learnt, and finally fellowship time with food and conversation.
When pastor first told me about it, I was debating whether we should attend this course or not. The couples would be a mix of soon-to-be-married couples, newly married couples, and couples married for 1-2 years or more. We had attended a number of such courses at our church in Singapore - both pre-marital and after-marriage...
In the end we decided to attend. After all, it's also a good opportunity for fellowship and get to know other couples of similar age as us in church.
We're now going through the leaving-and-cleaving topic... which we learnt about before, but I think it's good to reiterate it again and again... it's not just about leaving the parents, but as life goes on other things may come in (like the car, house, kids, the pet frog etc.) which could come between us, and we have to continually strive to make sure that we always “leave” the other stuff and “cleave” to each other…
One of the thoughts that struck me was during the discussion, and we touched on the point of how we needed to live at our own standard to keep the marriage together (i.e. not at our parents standards). And I think it’s good that MH and I started out together from scratch ourselves when we got married. When you build something together, I think it becomes more meaningful and we’ll treasure it more.
Labels:
love and marriage,
self reflection
Tuna sandwiches
Well, my 2nd week of work is almost over... everything still going pretty steady... work is not overwhelming (yet) and I'm still spending a lot of time reading up on previous projects and learning about the company's methodologies and approaches.
It's 1pm now on a Friday. I brought lunch today... lemon pepper tuna sandwich, with cheese, tomato and lettuce. A refreshing change from all the take-away japanese i've been having lately.
Tomorrow is Saturday.... gonna be busy I think... laundry, cleaning, unpacking, shopping at IKEA etc etc etc...
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
It's 1pm now on a Friday. I brought lunch today... lemon pepper tuna sandwich, with cheese, tomato and lettuce. A refreshing change from all the take-away japanese i've been having lately.
Tomorrow is Saturday.... gonna be busy I think... laundry, cleaning, unpacking, shopping at IKEA etc etc etc...
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
Thursday, October 19, 2024
Our Amazing Race
I received a comment that implied that we have been living very nomadic lives up until now.
I guess it seems that way because we've moved across to a different country and then to a new city over a span of the last 5 years or so.
Most people settle in quite quickly, but I guess we took a different route of experiencing life in a different city first before settling down.
I think that I've learnt to appreciate the places close to my heart even more after seeing different places. Plus, I now have tiny heart strings tied to these other places which I've called "home" before.
I only realised how much of a nomadic-type impression we gave when we were having lunch with some friends in Sydney one time... we were just telling them the news that we were moving back to Perth... and then we started reminiscing about some of the good times we had in Burwood and Sydney and how we will miss our apartment in Burwood etc... and then one friend said "Well, I'm sure part of you will always miss Sydney, after all it's been a good pitstop in your amazing race around the world!"
Hmmm... I never thought or felt that our life was like an Amazing Race around the globe...
But like all races... there must always be an end point... and we want very much to make Perth our final stop and a home.
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
I guess it seems that way because we've moved across to a different country and then to a new city over a span of the last 5 years or so.
Most people settle in quite quickly, but I guess we took a different route of experiencing life in a different city first before settling down.
I think that I've learnt to appreciate the places close to my heart even more after seeing different places. Plus, I now have tiny heart strings tied to these other places which I've called "home" before.
I only realised how much of a nomadic-type impression we gave when we were having lunch with some friends in Sydney one time... we were just telling them the news that we were moving back to Perth... and then we started reminiscing about some of the good times we had in Burwood and Sydney and how we will miss our apartment in Burwood etc... and then one friend said "Well, I'm sure part of you will always miss Sydney, after all it's been a good pitstop in your amazing race around the world!"
Hmmm... I never thought or felt that our life was like an Amazing Race around the globe...
But like all races... there must always be an end point... and we want very much to make Perth our final stop and a home.
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
Labels:
self reflection
Wednesday, October 18, 2024
How we're keeping ourselves occupied
We've finally moved into our own place.
It's 3 bedroom house (somewhat villa-sized) and definitely much bigger than our apartment in Sydney.
We're putting it together from scratch step by step. We went shopping over the weekend for a bed, various kitchen items, bathroom items, laundry pegs and little knicks knacks like that...
We're still pretty much living out of suitcases and boxes, the unpacking business is being done slowly because both us are now working full time and we seem to always have something going on on evening or another.
So besides work, what else is keeping us occupied at the moment?
Well, we have church on Sundays, Monday nights we've just started joining this marriage course with other couples in church, Tuesday night is movie night, cell group is every Wednesday, Thursday is late night shopping night (for groceries)... and for the next few Saturdays, we'll be spending Saturdays cleaning, unpacking and shopping for household items...
We haven't got phone or internet connection at home yet, so please bear with us if we can't do Skype or make international calls at present... But were looking into it ASAP...
Overall, we're pretty happy at the moment!
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
It's 3 bedroom house (somewhat villa-sized) and definitely much bigger than our apartment in Sydney.
We're putting it together from scratch step by step. We went shopping over the weekend for a bed, various kitchen items, bathroom items, laundry pegs and little knicks knacks like that...
We're still pretty much living out of suitcases and boxes, the unpacking business is being done slowly because both us are now working full time and we seem to always have something going on on evening or another.
So besides work, what else is keeping us occupied at the moment?
Well, we have church on Sundays, Monday nights we've just started joining this marriage course with other couples in church, Tuesday night is movie night, cell group is every Wednesday, Thursday is late night shopping night (for groceries)... and for the next few Saturdays, we'll be spending Saturdays cleaning, unpacking and shopping for household items...
We haven't got phone or internet connection at home yet, so please bear with us if we can't do Skype or make international calls at present... But were looking into it ASAP...
Overall, we're pretty happy at the moment!
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
Labels:
this and that
Thursday, October 12, 2024
Modeling Career
I kicked off my “modeling” career today.
By “modeling, I am referring to Microsoft Excel models.
Thanks to my model-guru colleague, he coached me through to work on a basic but intelligent model to generate a customised sales target list.
Quite interesting.
I felt very blur and stupid by the numerous amount of simple questions I had asked throughout the process.
Tomorrow, the project-in-charge person will be reviewing the model, so we shall see how well I did with my first “modeling” stint!
By “modeling, I am referring to Microsoft Excel models.
Thanks to my model-guru colleague, he coached me through to work on a basic but intelligent model to generate a customised sales target list.
Quite interesting.
I felt very blur and stupid by the numerous amount of simple questions I had asked throughout the process.
Tomorrow, the project-in-charge person will be reviewing the model, so we shall see how well I did with my first “modeling” stint!
Labels:
work
Inspirational thought of the day
Whenever you feel angry, sad, depressed or fearful, say “God, reveal yourself to me in this moment. What are you doing in my life that I’m not seeing? If all things work together for good, then show me the good”. When you’re determined to see the good, you will find it.
- Stormie Omartian
- Stormie Omartian
Labels:
self reflection
Wednesday, October 11, 2024
In addition…
I forgot to add that I have a WIRELESS mouse and a WIRELESS keyboard as well!
Niiiiiice…
Niiiiiice…
Labels:
work
Head sets and M&Ms;
Hey guess what? I got a head set!
I know, I know… very sakai lar… but I never worked with a head set before. I think it’s excellent. So convenient to multi-task while on the phone, or to take down notes during a phone conversation. I recommend that everyone should try it!
It’s also very STYLO, because you can swivel around in your seat and look very busy and important while you discuss so called important matters while typing out an email (or surfing the net) at the same time…
Tonight is cell group night and I’m looking forward to it, especially the refreshments part. Our cell group has very high standards for refreshments. During the last cell group meeting, I was in the refreshments team, and I made potato salad… one of my easy crowd-pleasers… that was good… very laku… only an empty platter left at the end.
Now I am munching on M&Ms; courtesy of my MD… he brought back a few packets to share after he came back from an afternoon client meeting. I stashed a little pile on some tissue paper on my desk and he walked by and said “good to see that you have a healthy little stash there”… and asked us to eat more… so I will… hehehehe, so greedy
OK, time for more M&Ms;…
I know, I know… very sakai lar… but I never worked with a head set before. I think it’s excellent. So convenient to multi-task while on the phone, or to take down notes during a phone conversation. I recommend that everyone should try it!
It’s also very STYLO, because you can swivel around in your seat and look very busy and important while you discuss so called important matters while typing out an email (or surfing the net) at the same time…
Tonight is cell group night and I’m looking forward to it, especially the refreshments part. Our cell group has very high standards for refreshments. During the last cell group meeting, I was in the refreshments team, and I made potato salad… one of my easy crowd-pleasers… that was good… very laku… only an empty platter left at the end.
Now I am munching on M&Ms; courtesy of my MD… he brought back a few packets to share after he came back from an afternoon client meeting. I stashed a little pile on some tissue paper on my desk and he walked by and said “good to see that you have a healthy little stash there”… and asked us to eat more… so I will… hehehehe, so greedy
OK, time for more M&Ms;…
Labels:
work
Me wanna wear Prada!
Watched "The Devil Wears Prada" last night... right after hubby picked me up, we drove down to Westfield Carousel to catch the 6.30pm show.
I like the movie very much because of all the INTERESTING clothes, shoes and accessories that are blatantly shown throughout the movie. I can't believe these people have SO MANY coats... I currently survive on just 2 coats (which are both badly out of date in the fashion sense) one for casual and one for rainy days.
And the BOOTS!!! Woooaaah... stylo man...
Anyway, besides being reminded time and time again throughout the movie how UNFASHIONABLE and dowdy my own clothes are... the other two lessons are...
No.1 Have balance in life
No.2 Be true to yourself
After the movie, for the first time in ages... we revisited a familar and favourite Tuesday night routine of Perth-ians... Gelares half price waffles!!! We each ordered one large waffle, hubby had his topped with Rum & Raisin ice cream and I had Choc Chip Cookie Dough with mine... and to add to the indulgence... it also comes with whipped cream and maple syrup.... oooohhhh....
Next movie on my To-Watch list: The Departed, a Martin Scorcese movie (the Hollywood remake of Infernal Affairs)
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
I like the movie very much because of all the INTERESTING clothes, shoes and accessories that are blatantly shown throughout the movie. I can't believe these people have SO MANY coats... I currently survive on just 2 coats (which are both badly out of date in the fashion sense) one for casual and one for rainy days.
And the BOOTS!!! Woooaaah... stylo man...
Anyway, besides being reminded time and time again throughout the movie how UNFASHIONABLE and dowdy my own clothes are... the other two lessons are...
No.1 Have balance in life
No.2 Be true to yourself
After the movie, for the first time in ages... we revisited a familar and favourite Tuesday night routine of Perth-ians... Gelares half price waffles!!! We each ordered one large waffle, hubby had his topped with Rum & Raisin ice cream and I had Choc Chip Cookie Dough with mine... and to add to the indulgence... it also comes with whipped cream and maple syrup.... oooohhhh....
Next movie on my To-Watch list: The Departed, a Martin Scorcese movie (the Hollywood remake of Infernal Affairs)
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
Labels:
movies music books
Tuesday, October 10, 2024
2nd day of work
It's 5.40PM now on a Tuesday and I'm all alone in the office. Waiting for hubby to pick me up. He's passing through the city, so he said he could swing by to give me a lift home.... how nice...
So far everything seems pretty good.
Colleagues are nice. I'll be working closely with this guy who's traveled around a bit and can speak Indonesia and Thai. Quite interesting fellow actually. We joked and said the two of us and pass secret messages to each other in Malay/Indo without the others understanding us...
I think I will enjoy what I will be doing here.
Something that needs more brain juice for a change.
OK, better run now... will tell more soon...
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
So far everything seems pretty good.
Colleagues are nice. I'll be working closely with this guy who's traveled around a bit and can speak Indonesia and Thai. Quite interesting fellow actually. We joked and said the two of us and pass secret messages to each other in Malay/Indo without the others understanding us...
I think I will enjoy what I will be doing here.
Something that needs more brain juice for a change.
OK, better run now... will tell more soon...
Be one of the first to try Windows Live Mail.
Labels:
work
Wednesday, October 04, 2024
Home and car
It's been a whirlwind week for me here in Perth.
My last day of work at my old company was last Friday. I bought some pastries and cakes for my colleagues to enjoy during tea break. They were of course very happy to have free food and they all wished me well in my future endeavours.
Hubby had already arrived a couple of days ago. We rented a car for a week to run around to do house-hunting and car-hunting.
I don't really like car-hunting... very sakit hati to pay a hefty sum for a depreciating piece of metal... we are planning to get a used Mitsubishi Mirage to start with... can upgrade to a better car in the future...
We went around looking at different Mitsubishi Mirages all over Perth. Spoke to different people... test drove them all... but somehow or rather there was always something not right. Either the price was too high, or the condition of the car was not quite up to standard. Felt so sian going around asking the same questions, and playing the same bargaining game, and opening the car hood to peer at the engine (I do't even know what I'm supposed to be looking at!)
But like most things, when it happens, it just happens. So this morning, a new car for sale ad urned up. It was Mitsubishi Mirage 2001, low mileage, relatively good price. So we gave them a call and popped down to have a look. We negotiated a final price, paid a deposit and sealed the deal there and then. Tomorrow we will bring the car for a final check with a local mechanic to make sure everything is ok before we pay the balance and take the car.
As for house-hunting. We were thinking of settling down in a small 3-bedroom villa in St James (quite near Curtin Uni). The owner is a friend of MH's from UWA uni days... so she was offering a very good rent price for us... and the house seems quite nice and is even equipped with a basic security alarm system...
HOWEVER, almost every person we spoke to in our circle of friends had nothing good to say about St James... plenty of stories about break-ins and robberies... I was starting to feel quite downhearted and discouraged because I didn't want to start all over again with the house-hunting process...
But then we decided to try and be as objective as possible about the situation. We drove around the area at night to see what it was like. We went around and spoke to a couple of the neighbours to ask them what living in the area was like. They were all nice people... not weird at all... one was a young Indonesian family with small children, the other one was an elderly woman living alone. The elderly woman was quite insistent that there were no issues with safety otherwise she wouldn't be out there living by herself.
So I think St James seems like a good bet. We might consider getting some coverage for home contents insurance just in case.
So that's that.
P.S. I start work on Monday, October 9th.
My last day of work at my old company was last Friday. I bought some pastries and cakes for my colleagues to enjoy during tea break. They were of course very happy to have free food and they all wished me well in my future endeavours.
Hubby had already arrived a couple of days ago. We rented a car for a week to run around to do house-hunting and car-hunting.
I don't really like car-hunting... very sakit hati to pay a hefty sum for a depreciating piece of metal... we are planning to get a used Mitsubishi Mirage to start with... can upgrade to a better car in the future...
We went around looking at different Mitsubishi Mirages all over Perth. Spoke to different people... test drove them all... but somehow or rather there was always something not right. Either the price was too high, or the condition of the car was not quite up to standard. Felt so sian going around asking the same questions, and playing the same bargaining game, and opening the car hood to peer at the engine (I do't even know what I'm supposed to be looking at!)
But like most things, when it happens, it just happens. So this morning, a new car for sale ad urned up. It was Mitsubishi Mirage 2001, low mileage, relatively good price. So we gave them a call and popped down to have a look. We negotiated a final price, paid a deposit and sealed the deal there and then. Tomorrow we will bring the car for a final check with a local mechanic to make sure everything is ok before we pay the balance and take the car.
As for house-hunting. We were thinking of settling down in a small 3-bedroom villa in St James (quite near Curtin Uni). The owner is a friend of MH's from UWA uni days... so she was offering a very good rent price for us... and the house seems quite nice and is even equipped with a basic security alarm system...
HOWEVER, almost every person we spoke to in our circle of friends had nothing good to say about St James... plenty of stories about break-ins and robberies... I was starting to feel quite downhearted and discouraged because I didn't want to start all over again with the house-hunting process...
But then we decided to try and be as objective as possible about the situation. We drove around the area at night to see what it was like. We went around and spoke to a couple of the neighbours to ask them what living in the area was like. They were all nice people... not weird at all... one was a young Indonesian family with small children, the other one was an elderly woman living alone. The elderly woman was quite insistent that there were no issues with safety otherwise she wouldn't be out there living by herself.
So I think St James seems like a good bet. We might consider getting some coverage for home contents insurance just in case.
So that's that.
P.S. I start work on Monday, October 9th.
Labels:
bargains and things
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)