Honey, We're Home

It's been one week since we moved in to our very own home, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Sure, there were little niggles here and there which unfortunately, we did not notice when we first inspected the place, e.g. not even power points in the house, overly modern bathroom features that leaves water all over the place, slightly drafty windows, etc. But really, those things are easily fixed so no problems there at all.

It's such a joy walking about in my tiny garden, or having a cup of tea in my kitchen (the best feature in the house, I'd have to say!) without someone else who isn't your husband around. With that, yes, I meant the housemate ;)

We're currently still waiting for our TV bench and couch to be delivered (it's now a week late), so the living room's pretty empty. We have no dining chairs, so we're sitting on our office chair and garden chair. I should take a photo of it and post it here; it's such a sight.

Our very first home. I really couldn't be happier.

Just Over A Month To Go

Just over a month to go to our settlement date. Exciting, yet money-draining times. On one hand, we're thankful we don't have a lot of big items to move to the new place; on the other, well, we have to now get those big items. Items such as a washing machine, couch (expensive things they are, even for the ones of really lousy quality) and a TV entertainment unit (currently, the TV is on our dining table, and we eat on the floor. No kidding. We've been eating on the floor for over two years).

The items on lower priority would be bedside tables, lamps, and other bits and bobs. I'm planning to get some of them from eBay. You'd be surprised at how much good stuff people are willing to get rid off at very low prices.

We've already started packing, which is a good thing. Didn't realise just how many books the two of us have, especially me. I gave quite a lot of other items away to Salvos, but books, books I keep. IKEA's looking pretty good when it comes to looking for affordable bookshelves, I reckon.

Exciting times, but money-hemorrhaging ones indeed.

Five Years From First It Began

I remembered the first day I started blogging. I didn't really know what it was, only that my cousin was doing it, and being the kiasu (afraid to lose) person that I am, I too had to jump onboard. I wasn't all that much of a funny person, and I still am not, so finding funny and entertaining things to say was quite a feat. I mean, that's what blogs are for, right? All that witty stories and repartee? No? Damn, that's five years down the drain.

This blog wasn't the first one I started. I was going through a very difficult time back then, and I started writing on a completely anonymous blog which I told no one about. I was angsty, an emotional wreck and it was carthartic putting all that emotion into words. When I started writing this blog, I wasn't sure what I wanted out of it. I was still an emotional wreck then; I didn't want to put my heart on my sleeve (well, in this case, on the web). In the end, I did.

When I began writing this post, I went through a few blog posts of mine which I wrote in 2005. It was such an incredible journey that I went through, and I'm so thankful I had it in writing. It brought back a wave of memories - some good, some bad. It was as though time stopped for me, just for a little while, as I went through what I wrote all those years ago. How I've changed to be the person I am now as the years went on.

This blog has seen me on my travels. My broken heart. My discovery of true friends. My love for my family. My falling in love. My move from Malaysia to Australia. My married life. Me.

Today marks my 5th year of blogging. I'm glad this was something I saw through for that long, even though I do not update as often as I did before. I could say here's to many more years to come, but for once I shan't be that optimistic. Let's just take it as it comes. Who knows, one day I'll finally say "here's to a decade".

Turning Thirty

I join the 3-0 bandwagon this Saturday. At first, there was that "OMG-I'm-turning-thirty-there's-no-going-back-I'm-oid!" feeling. And then I figured, it's not so bad. Life's good (well, as good as it can get), so I can't complain. I've got good friends celebrating the occasion with me this weekend at Nobu. I'm finally moving to a place of our own in a couple of months. This three weeks at Tasmania has been an awesome holiday with Tim.

Oh, and I'm getting an iPad.

Who said turning thirty was bad? :)

PS: Let's not go to the "having-kids-now-that-you're-in-your-thirties" chapter yet, eh?

Efficient Living in Tiny Spaces

I was completely blown away when I stumbled upon this video on YouTube. Talk about an incredible design and utilisation of space. With more highrise accomodation coming up in Asia, I reckon it wouldn't be long before people begin to transform their tiny apartment into efficient living like this.

Although I have to say, as impressed as I am with such a design, I believe that it would only be suitable for singles, at most a couple. You would have to childproof the heck out of the apartment if you have young children too :P