Happy Chinese New Year 2016

Lately my phone is so loaded with photos, it's taking forever to download and file photos away. We are talking at least 30 minutes here. Maybe it is time for folder cleaning. 

Anyway doing throwback on Chinese New Year (CNY). A testament to the ever growing Chinese community, Asian grocers are now selling CNY decos. I got some cheap 'fei chun' for Nite as well. As you can tell, in my excitement, I accidentally stick two of the same and gave two of the same to Nite. We only did a swap one week later haha...

Surprisingly the ang pows are harder to get. One day Nite and I went to Citibank to get some ang pows at Chinatown and the Customer Service guy asked for proof that we are their customer and only gave us 4 pieces. 

4 PIECES....!

Nite kindly let me have all the ang pows for me to decorate my house plants. Later she managed to get 2 packets from Bank of Melbourne. Doesn't even need to proof this and that - easy.

Suck eggs Citibank...!

Thanks to Nite my house now have a nice CNY feel to it.

Since I took so long to transfer photos and photoshop them, I am gonna stop here and blog some more tomorrow :)

Happy Chap Goh Mei people!

My bushy lettuce

Lettuce is one of my garden pride and joy. Having never grow lettuce before I googled after I bought my lettuce. In retrospect I probably should have googled before I bought it but I really can't resist a good sale. This poor baby was on the sales rack for $1.00. So I got it home, also partly because Bits love his salad and I have thoughts of serving him fresh salad leaves. I really am a good girlfriend (narcissist again~).

After 2 weeks of settling down, it flourished wonderfully in my pot. I purposely kept it in a small pot as I don't want to be big and bushy.

I trimmed it a bit and enjoyed my first harvest within a month. It never tasted sweeter. With lettuce, you have to trim the plant to keep it healthy and producing. The more you trim the bigger and better it gets.

The flamboyant look after a good trim.

Once you trim them, the top leaves will lower down to make way for younger leaves growing from the top. Actually I didn't really googled the proper harvesting method. I just go trimming the older leaves as they will wilt on the plant.

Just to show you how fast it grows, I neglected to trim it for a month and it became Rosmah's hair. See how productive it can be.

So I give it a vigorous trim which turn it into a short tree. I trimmed off so many leaves I gave a big bunch to Bit's family. It took them 2 dinners to finish them. They were all praises on my home grown lettuces. Who would have thought my lettuce is racking up brownie points for me 

Closer to Christmas, the older leaves have grown down and the lettuce had a sudden growth spurt. It now looks like a Christmas tree! SO CUTE! Felt like I should hang some tinsel around it.

I was very charmed with it until I saw that it is has stopped producing juicy leaves and concentrates on procreating. Multiple flower buds are getting ready to sprout. Very little lettuce now...

Have you ever seen lettuce flower?

Throwback: My little garden

I didn't realize I did not mention my little garden at all! How remiss. I have a nice balcony with some pre build planter boxes. Uncle gave me some oregano and mint. The rest I got from Bunnings. Some seeds and discounted plants.

I'd like to think I inherit my mum's green thumb or at least some of it. The seeds are a bit hard to grow though the little plants are thriving really well in my garden now.

I got some rosemary, thyme, coriander and basil. I am not a big fan of basil but Bits love to eat basil. He got expensive taste. Anyway I don't like him eating canned pesto all the time so I decided to plant some basil and make him pesto. It has proven to be a good investment.

The seed plants are not doing too well except for the pink flowers.I guess even with some green thumb I lack the farming knowledge that comes with experience or extensive youtubing.

Patience and perseverance!

First pink buds

I am diagnosed with new toilet syndrome as I can't get enough of my blog. I wanted to re-read all my old posts as well as keep blogging. Crazy and narcissist, I know..

Now that summer is in full swing, my pink flowers have started to bloom. It was quite a relief. Initially I thought they will die but they grew. Then I worry they are weeds cause I can't tell the difference. I kid you not! Some weeds do bear very nice flowers. The seed packet said pink flowers and it did not disappoint me. It truly is pink! Look at the first delicate pink bloom!

Tell me this doesn't look like weed?

I am so happy to see it after so many tribulations with my beetroots and sunflower. Tell you later. However it is not the first flower to bloom in my small garden. The first bloom is my Portulaca! Reborn after the winter!

With the summer ramping up, more and more flowers are budding except for my sunflower who remains slightly stunted and doesn't seem ready to bloom at all....

C'mon sunnies...mama wanna see some sunflowers!

Beautiful sunset

Today I gave Cousin Sis and her boyfriend G a tour around my little apartment. G was most interested in the view as there were privacy filters all around. He tried very hard to peak through the filters and jumped up and down on the balcony to get a glimpse outside.

I can tell he hates it. Must feel like being in a cage. I am use it and even come to appreciate the privacy. Later in the evening when I was watering my plants, I caught a glimpse of the setting sun. I wish he could have seen this.

Mixer

This look like Kitchen Aid but it's a imitation really. I got this baby from Aldi for $19.90. Aldi always has these one off deals where they sell something dirt cheap. Like this baby. It is 300 watts and comes with 2 different types of hook (thanks to Nite for teaching me that) and a neat container that hooks at the bottom, like a spider with the babies on it. It also have 5 speeds. Where can you get something like that for $20.00?

I test it out by making poppy seed cake. Recipe withheld until I get it right. It is a bit too dry. Cake aside I am very pleased with the performance of this baby.

Also realize I am leaning towards red machinery for my home. .... Red does looks striking though it's unintentional. I blame it on watching too many cooking programs.

New plates

Confirmed! I have complete my transformation to aunty hood. I went crazy over some plates that never ever went on sale. Ever. They were 70% off on Boxing Day. The sad thing was I didn't even intend to buy them. I was on my holy mission to get blender and mandolin. Passed by this shop and the rest is history.

Don't they look gorgeous on my stove stop?

This is a nice serving plate. I can imagine many jap dishes served on it. There are also a set of Japanese tea mugs that I did not show here. I am already using them. I think they compliment my current dishes and good for different food serving. 

I told aunt that, and she said it's a natural characteristic once you are a house owner.

Blender and Mandolin

Behold the latest addition to the family! Thank you so much to my family for housewarming gifts.

I mentioned earlier that I lusted after the Tupperwear slicer but after weighing the price I decided any adequate mandolin will do the trick. Not to mention Tupperwear mandolin isn't sold here. So I got a German one. With the blender, I wanted a multi function one and this year the popular Christmas gift blender is the Nutri Bullet or Ninja Bullet or some form of juice bullet blender. I chance upon the Breville Boss To Go hiding amidst the countless bullet blenders. The thing that attracts me about this blender is the 1000 watt power, the milling capabilities, metal rotor and cute size. Unfortunately function comes with price and this baby sets my family back $236.00. The original price was $300.00. Thank god for Boxing Day.

The first thing I make is a banana smoothie. The recipe is Cousin Bro's.

1 banana (2 if you want more taste)
1 cup of milk (1/2 cup more if you add another banana)
1/4 tsp of vanilla essence
1/2 tbsp of peanut butter ( very important - do not omit)
ice cube (optional, if you want a cold smoothie)

Put it all in and blend away.

Enjoy!

My oven

I bought a loaf of garlic bread to test the oven. After that the oven broke down. It must be a cursed garlic bread.

Anyway reported that to the Builder and they fixed it quite fast. When I started using it, I realized the hot air venting out from the front is heating up the handle not to mention the house. Stupid design if you ask me. After weeks of going back and forth with the Real Estate and Builder, it is acknowledge that the oven is poorly design but it is not the Builder's fault. The oven is functioning as it should be. So no replacement and just live with it. It's like telling me, I might be psycho but I am human.

It is one of the disadvantage of buying off the plan. You have no control over the stuff they give you. I guess I can be grateful everything else seems to be working in an efficient manner. 

The joys of house ownership.....sigh~

Throwback : Assembly R Us

Remember this?

How do you buy this from Ikea? Well not whole like what you see. You have to buy the parts. YES THE PARTS. How do you know what parts is what? This is how you do it

1. Measure area where rack needs to go in.
2. Go to ikea to see the display. A few times. Bring measuring tape
3. Take the brochure home and spend a few days understanding the parts. Trust me, you need a few days.
4. When you have calculated all the parts that you need, go to Ikea and get the parts. Remember to buy the mounting rail. Very important. 

The parts that I bought.

I doubt myself initially if both of us who have no skills can assemble this but after conversation with the Ikea people who kept telling us, that it's easy to self assemble, we decided to give it ago. Papa Bit who is a retired tradie sponsored a lot of the equipment. Mama Bits sponsored food. Thanks to Papa and Mama Bits. 

After 5 hours, lots of swear words and pencil markings not to mention a wrong drill hole it is finally up! We were so happy we took a lot of stupid photos which will never be posted up here or anywhere else. It does look a bit off as I can't find the perfect measurement. Unless you build your house around Ikea measurements it's not that easy to find a perfect fit. Maybe Ikea will come out with assemble-your-own-house kit in the near future. 

The good thing about self assembly from Ikea. Add-ons

Bits parents are also super impressed with what their son did. I told him he cant't say no to house repair next time. LOL

Throwback : Missing utensils

In preparation of moving out, I bought these utensils at Ikea when they are dirt cheap. I don't remember the price now but it is a good 'steel'.

I packed it so well I can't even find where I packed it. My original intention was to pack all my stuff according to location but I realize it made some boxes too heavy and other too light. So I ended up mixing things up so that each box has the same average weight. Easier to carry as I am not hiring movers. It also mess up my box labeling.

For the first few weeks I can't find my utensils. Only found a few chopsticks so I eat with them and my measuring spoon. A measuring spoon is still a spoon right and the best thing is you can measure what you eat LOL.

Bits was horrified naturally and told his mum. His whole family rallied and gave me some pre-loved cutlery. So sweet of them but as you can see in angmo household, spoon is not a popular item so I got like 4 sets of knives,forks and one big ass spoon. Still beats eating from measuring spoon.

My plan is to tough it out and buy another set of utensils during Christmas sale. But thank God utensils were found eventually. Where? Still in my uncle's house safe and snug under the table. Don't ask how I can miss a freaking set of utensils behind.

Throwback : The greatest frustration

Is seeing all the unpack stuff lying around. As I was telling Nite - tak aman. Can't sleep in peace and misplaced things. 2 days after I moved in I lost my balcony keys ( I eventually found back the keys at the bottom of my clothes peg basket after a few weeks - don't ask). Luckily it can still lock without keys but I feel so insecure. Keep feeling someone is going to break in via the balcony doors.

This is just some of the stuff lying around

While the head understands all this unpacking is a feat of 100 days, the heart cannot settle down until everything is packed away neatly. The idea was for Bits to come over the weekends to help assemble the remaining furniture (remember handicapped hand). But a couple of days after moving in I fell sick with a secondary nasal infection. Dr gave me 3 days of medical leave with some strong knock you out meds. Instead of resting, because no matter what I can't, I spent my MC putting furniture together. The whole world frowns and I have dents on my furniture.

Bits did this

Luckily I still have all my fingers. So happy once all the furniture are done cause that means I can finally unpack and unpacking sooth my soul much better than medicine. Best sleep ever after this.

It was therapeutic and I can finally locate some of the stuff that I had no idea where I packed it. So happy to see my totoros too!

My stash from Japan. Finally able to display them in full glory.

It finally started to look like a home.

Throwback : Got my keys

Where to start. There is so much I want to share and not much time to type as it is almost bedtime. Anyway, the day I got my key was really 29 Sept and it almost didn't happen. The day before settlement, my lawyer called me and told me my lender forgot to process my application as a first home owner buyer. I only have one choice, pay the full stamp duty now and process as a refund later. Thankfully the extra amount is within my means. I shudder to think what would have happened if that is not the case.

My lawyer also tactfully informed me that going to an actual bank is much better as they are more professional. I feel like telling him, if I can I would. Anyway after paying the way with more money, things resolved itself and I get my keys. Got into my unit and did a video tour of it for Rain and family. 

That night, I dream of unicorns and rainbows.

Little did I know, few days down the road, my lawyer will call and inform me that there was a hold up in the refund and after investigation found out that my stamp duty was miscalculated from the start, so there is short payment of $3000. Yup my lenders sucked.

Hello Sunshine

This is the first seedling that grew in my little garden. And this is the first blog from my new place christian The Barn henceforth. This national geography shot is taken with non other than my camera phone. Go phone! It is so clear that I can see insects climbing on my sunflower seedling...slightly yucky. It's also a mama insect with baby insect trailing behind. Hope it's a good insect.

It's been to a month since I moved in. A lot of things happened that made me cursed and despaired. They are part and parcel of moving and settling in. I can truly look back now with a smile and say,"That wasn't so bad.". Today when I saw this small seedling sprout, I had a epiphany on the circle of life and new beginnings. This is a new beginning and I have so much to look forward. 

Hence got back my blogging mood and also because things have finally settled down. My grand plan is to do countdowns until the day I move in. It died very quick under the amount of work required to move to The Barn. I still want to keep those memories hence I will continue to blog them under the header 'throwback'.. great word invention. So here goes....

Electricity Connection

I think this is the first time I ever connected electricity to a home. It was easier than I thought. The hardest bit was to determine the right provider. Electricity provider here has been privatised hence there are many competitions out there. Luckily I did my initial survey and pretty much leaning into AGL. First I ask around who is using what, then I hop onto those compare market websites like Meerkat and iSelect. OMG the iSelect is super fast, the minute I click 'Send' phone rings and they are already proposing the perfect plan.

While on the front the options that they proposed are really good i.e. discount as high as 38%, on closer scrutiny you will find the base rate is also much higher. AGL has a lower discount but their base rate is lower as well. They also verify that I am on a dual meter system which means anything thermal generating like water heater or heater goes on a lower wattage! This might be something common here but for the kampung girl aka me - I was impressed.

Not to mention as partners of Flybuys, they are going to credit me 10,000 Flybuys points. That means $50.00 for groceries. Nite, grab your recycle bag, let's do some grocery shopping.

I told them I need to electricity connect in 2 days. They didn't even blink and it's done in 2 days. I thought it will take at lest 15 days to do it but I might be jaded by house purchase process and try not to set too high expectation. Maybe this is the standard SLA - I don't know but I am pretty sure they don't do it that fast in Boleh land. Anyway super impressed.

Thanks to the efficient electric people I can do my house inspection right on time. Also it feels right to subscribe to this provider as I own a small piece of the business. Better pay my own company then a competitor!

Go AGL and fingers crossed the settlement will go smoothly as well.

The Inspection 2

Is this a ploy to generate more post? This is absolutely a ploy to generate more posts. Read on.....
So it took me an hour to complete the inspection and the results was 0 defects. I am pretty sure I wasn't wearing any rose colored glasses and tried very very hard to find even 1 defect. There was NONE. Absolutely mind boggling. However there are 2 findings that I must report.

The stove
As it turns out, it is not induction after all. It's halogen. Usually this is a cause for celebration but Bits just bought me a set of induction cookery worth $250.00! I gave the Agent a dirty look. He reminded me the Developer has a right to change. I told him I don't mind changing to halogen, in fact I love that it is non induction but he could have told me earlier so that I don't have to spend so much on just cookery. $250.00 could have bought me a whole kitchen starter kit from Kmart with money to spare! Gr....

The Exhaust Fan
It's working perfectly fine but it is a bit optic illusion. There are exhaust vent from the bath, toilet and laundry but during testing we found out there is just one fan with 3 vents, so no matter which switch you turn on, you activate the fan. My helpful colleague ask me to test the fan sucking power by bringing a scented candle. I got a joss stick as it has more smoke. You should see the Agent. He almost died trying to hold his laughter in. He said there is a faster method which is to lay a piece of paper over the vent, if it holds, then it's sucking fine. He did it for us as me and Bits are much shorter LOL.

We even tested out the keys and I flash my puppy eyes at the agent to see if I can get more than 1 security token. I told him there are 4 people living with me so I do need that many. He said he will try to get 2 free ones for me and the rest I will have to pay.

See already future proofing house for guest. You folks that said wanna come and visit me, better make sure you make plans to come visit me. Extra tokens cost me $20.00 per token leh.

The Inspection Part 1

Actually the Dr said I am not suppose to use the laptop after work but I can't stand it. Must record this moment as it's part of house countdown.

The agent called me to arrange for a house inspection which is really weird as I thought house inspection is usually the day you got your key. Regardless of the time I am pretty excited. Asked if Uncle and Aunt are ok to tag along, they decline politely. So I ask Bits whom readily accepted the opportunity to show what a thoughtful boyfriend he is. LOL - I don't think I gave him any choice.

The first person I reached out was my dear Pig sister. She gave me a list of items to look out for and reassure me that the workmanship here will be much more superb than Bolehland. I am now enclosing this list for all my readers and for my future self should I be fortunate to buy another property.

• All doors - scratches, hinges and fit-frame (open and close properly).
• All locks 
• All windows - closing and opening properly, locking properly. cracks/chips, window seal.
• Wall - uneven patches, crack (need natural light to see this)
• Floor - uneven floor and if carpet - edges and joining.
• Floor trap - water flow and no water pooling.
• Cabinet - hinges, handles, shelving is balance and all screws present
• All water taps working
• Water flow and pressure - simultaneously turning on all faucets to see if any decrease in pressure.
• Power outlet - all functional 
• Oven and stove - workable
• Toilet - flushing
• hot water/cold water working
• Air conditioning/ heater working
• Exhaust fan working
• Smoke alarm present.

Needless to say I impressed the hell out of the real estate agent by turning up with my own muscle man and a pail with a hair dryer, post it notes, checklist and marker.

To be continue....

Settlement in 2 weeks

29 Sept 2015, Mark the calendar! I am getting my key on this day or earlier. This day will rate as one of the most memorable days of my life and the start of more debts. As uncle said, 'Stop fixating on that fact. It's just transforming one asset form to another.' Oh well... I will try uncle.

So first thing in thing in the morning, I am on fire calling both solicitor and lender to make sure there is nothing holding up the process.

Solicitor's assistant said, all documents forwarded to the lender and lender said we are verifying it. Not too sure what to verify but they said as soon as it is sorted out they will release the fund and they should be able to meet the deadline.

Really feel like telling them, the deadline is not a target ler. Should try and aim for earlier, c'mon!

Praying very hard that all goes well from here. If past performance is indicator of future performance I will be in another nail biting ride.

A nice sofa

Look at this sofa. I can totally imagine it in my apartment.... until I see the price. it's more than $1k. What the hell? $1k can buy 1/2 of what I need in Ikea. And no I did not dedicate a precious Sunday to window shop furniture.

I passed by a row of furniture shops on my way to foot reflexology + massage in Nunawading. Got curious and went in to check out some prices. All it does was just to reaffirm my decision to buy it all in Ikea...or second hand from Gum tree.

I wonder how Ikea can price it so low? Are they using really crap material? Do I expect my furniture to break after 5 years? Told Aunty about my encounter and she immediately know what shop I am talking about. Is there anything that she doesn't know? Or is it the number of years she's been staying here? Comparatively I feel like I don't know anything besides the obvious.

At least I know I don't need to visit any furniture shop. Nothing beats Ikea.

Alarming Alarms

Did 3 quotes for house alarm and one came back saying they only quote for back to base. The other 2 quote around the same price which is $1,200.00. One was just standard motion sensor alarm that will shout the neighborhood down. The other one is more sophisticated and takes photo of the intruder and send it to my phone.

Now the second one seems more desirable but I was worried what if the webcam got hacked? Having a camera in my home sounds dangerous and scary too. Anyone who can access the mainframes of the security firm can see what I do at home. So looks like I am going with RACV though their quote is slightly higher than the camera totting one.

Sigh, alarms so expensive but necessary. Ok back to happy thoughts. Am gonna get this dinning table with extendable leaves that can accommodate up to 8 people.

At its present state, it will fit just nicely in the nook next to the kitchen. Also wondered when would I ever entertain 8 people in my house. Maybe only house warming and family invasions. But the difference between a 6 seater and 8 seater is $100.00. So going to bite the bullet and get the 8 seater one.

Testing chair was hilarious. Bits wanted the sturdier white one on the left but it cost $75/piece. I want the cheapest one. Unfortunately the cheap one has a small butt space and quite wobbly. So Bits sat on it and demonstrate how uncomfortable it was. In the end, decided the chair on the right will suit just fine. It cost $100 for 4 pieces. Not too bad. Additional guest can sit on stools haha.

White or light wood color?