Good late night.
John took the day off from work since he was on that business trip. We slept maybe too long, but it was worth it. Although we had breakfast instead of lunch and then lunch a few hours later. Hungry people, you eat when it calls.
I started the day with a headache - unsurprisingly since I am always this lucky when we have plans. Either way we left the apartment around two and headed for same good old IKEA. I know you do not want to hear yet another story of yet another day at IKEA. This time we were really just buying a few essentials, among those a corkscrew and suction cup hangers. We came out two hours later with a full load of stuff and also two more chairs for the price of one.
Yesterday I was at VivoCity to go clothes shopping by myself. It did not happen. I watched the items while I awkwardly paced through the store and left in a hurry without even touching a garment. When John left work and met me at the mall we went back to the stores where I had seen some interesting clothes and we bought them, so today John felt justified to buy three pairs of shorts for himself from an outlet store.
I recommend you to stop at the top of the blog and just stare at out view for a moment. The new header is taken by John from our balcony. The house to the left is just like the one we live in. Got to say, I think we only took this apartment because of the view. Even so, the whole place is amazing. I feel like we are spoiled, this is just as nice as a fancy hotel.
To all friends and family, you are very welcome to come visit. We have space and time for every single one of you.
See you soon!
Friday, 15 April 2016
Thursday, 14 April 2016
Morning cleanliness
John came home yesterday. He had been on a business trip to Paris. Thirteen hour flight there, some meetings, one presentation and then twelve hours back. I will try to make him write a post soonish.
He came back to d'Leedon around half past four and right after we left the luggage at the apartment went down to the pool. Swam around for a bit while he talked about the trip and explained in details the jokes he had made. I am sure they were funny; probably more in the right setting.
After he realized how tired he was and had no strength to swim around we went back upstairs, took a shower and walked out to buy some food. We are lucky because there is a food court just outside d'Leedon, but we are unsure when they close so when we got there around seven there were only five stalls open. Not even sure if all of them are taken, by lunchtime there are more open but not nearly all. We bought some rice and I ate chicken and John beef. It was good, not amazing and not great, but that is kind of the standard in courts. Sometimes they are really good! Lucky times.
We ate dinner by the TV, Netflix and chill for reals, and discovered how we could watch some specifik shows in 4K on our TV. Very crisp, very unrealistic, felt like we were on set. Looked good though, much better than VHS!
---
This morning was a surprise. I woke up with John as always, he being a bit slow but totally understandable after the long trip yesterday and the jetlag still clinging to his reversed time change. Just as he was leaving the apartment the intercom rang and somebody wanted to come up. AC inspection they said. I rushed to get dressed and John waited a few moments to let them in. Without warning here are now two Indian guys cleaning our four ACs. So strange. No warning, no call, no mail.
Not to be picky, they seem to clean them good and remove a lot of dust. Although, when they are done with one they leave it on and blast ice-cold air around the apartment. I mean, I can understand that is their standard but I did not put up a sign where it said Coldcave. Why so cold? Why at all? Leave them off, I would like that.
John bets it will cost a multum. I just signed a paper where it did not say any amount of money anywhere. I wonder if we have to pay this or our landlord? Also, this is apparently under law in Singapore, they have to do this inspection/cleaning service twice a year.
I hope there will be a warning next time.
He came back to d'Leedon around half past four and right after we left the luggage at the apartment went down to the pool. Swam around for a bit while he talked about the trip and explained in details the jokes he had made. I am sure they were funny; probably more in the right setting.
After he realized how tired he was and had no strength to swim around we went back upstairs, took a shower and walked out to buy some food. We are lucky because there is a food court just outside d'Leedon, but we are unsure when they close so when we got there around seven there were only five stalls open. Not even sure if all of them are taken, by lunchtime there are more open but not nearly all. We bought some rice and I ate chicken and John beef. It was good, not amazing and not great, but that is kind of the standard in courts. Sometimes they are really good! Lucky times.
We ate dinner by the TV, Netflix and chill for reals, and discovered how we could watch some specifik shows in 4K on our TV. Very crisp, very unrealistic, felt like we were on set. Looked good though, much better than VHS!
---
This morning was a surprise. I woke up with John as always, he being a bit slow but totally understandable after the long trip yesterday and the jetlag still clinging to his reversed time change. Just as he was leaving the apartment the intercom rang and somebody wanted to come up. AC inspection they said. I rushed to get dressed and John waited a few moments to let them in. Without warning here are now two Indian guys cleaning our four ACs. So strange. No warning, no call, no mail.
Not to be picky, they seem to clean them good and remove a lot of dust. Although, when they are done with one they leave it on and blast ice-cold air around the apartment. I mean, I can understand that is their standard but I did not put up a sign where it said Coldcave. Why so cold? Why at all? Leave them off, I would like that.
John bets it will cost a multum. I just signed a paper where it did not say any amount of money anywhere. I wonder if we have to pay this or our landlord? Also, this is apparently under law in Singapore, they have to do this inspection/cleaning service twice a year.
I hope there will be a warning next time.
Tuesday, 12 April 2016
Naming the Apartment
Ah, hello, finally I have internet in the apartment. Feels like I can breathe again.
The guy who knocked on the door was surprisingly short. He was kind (called me miss, which I will never get used to) and effective, doing his work without hesitation and was soon done. Asked me what name he should type in for the wifi and my brain froze. I am not very good at impulsive questions. John is the genius at weird names for weird stuff. Eventually I named it Coldcave. Very suiting for our cold apartment.
There was a note at the first floor which I had noticed a couple of days ago. It said there would be a Fire alarm inspection between 9am and 2pm. This I had forgotten by the time the first loud noise sounded throughout the building. My heart raced, I sort of panicked and then remembered the note. Even with that in mind I could not stop being scared. Heart kept pumping, noise kept sounding and I stayed indoors. Very clever of me of course. Around 12 I figured I would find my rescue outdoors. Even though the note said not to be alarm I stood in the elevator feeling like every number ticking down would be the number where the fire would engulf me in the little metallic and soundproof (by the soft layers for protecting the walls while people are still moving in with furniture) box. Hands twisted, I survived to the first floor. The sound became less noisy but it was so loud I could not get away. Decided to go buy lunch, bread and bananas. Great choice!
When I got back up, because I prefer to eat my warm lunch in the Coldcave, I solved the noise problem by putting on a headset and watch something on the laptop. Barely noticed when the inspection ended. Then John called and I showed him the internet set up. Now I have two wants with this day: gaming or swimming.
Which will win?
I would also like to point out that I have spent the last couple of days writing on the fourth chapter (even though the book is finished I need to sort things out with the story and the tempo). My few correction readers will be happy to hear this and I will mail you the chapter as soon as it is done. Give me a few days!
The guy who knocked on the door was surprisingly short. He was kind (called me miss, which I will never get used to) and effective, doing his work without hesitation and was soon done. Asked me what name he should type in for the wifi and my brain froze. I am not very good at impulsive questions. John is the genius at weird names for weird stuff. Eventually I named it Coldcave. Very suiting for our cold apartment.
There was a note at the first floor which I had noticed a couple of days ago. It said there would be a Fire alarm inspection between 9am and 2pm. This I had forgotten by the time the first loud noise sounded throughout the building. My heart raced, I sort of panicked and then remembered the note. Even with that in mind I could not stop being scared. Heart kept pumping, noise kept sounding and I stayed indoors. Very clever of me of course. Around 12 I figured I would find my rescue outdoors. Even though the note said not to be alarm I stood in the elevator feeling like every number ticking down would be the number where the fire would engulf me in the little metallic and soundproof (by the soft layers for protecting the walls while people are still moving in with furniture) box. Hands twisted, I survived to the first floor. The sound became less noisy but it was so loud I could not get away. Decided to go buy lunch, bread and bananas. Great choice!
When I got back up, because I prefer to eat my warm lunch in the Coldcave, I solved the noise problem by putting on a headset and watch something on the laptop. Barely noticed when the inspection ended. Then John called and I showed him the internet set up. Now I have two wants with this day: gaming or swimming.
Which will win?
I would also like to point out that I have spent the last couple of days writing on the fourth chapter (even though the book is finished I need to sort things out with the story and the tempo). My few correction readers will be happy to hear this and I will mail you the chapter as soon as it is done. Give me a few days!
Monday, 11 April 2016
Introduced
Hi hi hello.
First thing first: what made me smile today?
I was going down to the reading room and in the elevator I met a grey haired man. Before I had pressed the button for the first floor he started talking. Asked if I was going to work or swim since I had both a towel and a laptop. He also asked if I was Dutch, I answered Swede and he immediately said ah Stockholm. Beautiful city. He then asked how I came to live in Singapore and I answered that my boyfriend got a job here and that I was an author. Writer he mumbled. I have encountered this before, Singaporeans do not like the word author, they change it to writer under their breaths.
I stepped out on first floor and said it was nice to meet him. Proceeded to the reading room and found it vacant. Tried to find the internet on the computer but could not. Restarted and tried again, but no. So I am going to have to figure out how to get internet down there again. For some reason my computer can not find it. That is why I am sitting in the sofa right now blogging from my phone.
Instead of blogging I went out to the pool. It is not a very hot and sunny day but the water is always like a bathtub. It felt good to slide down and swim for a while. I stretched and lay on the steps while the sun shone on my face for two minutes. Then it disappeared behind a large cloud and I waited, hoping it would clear away and give me a reason to stay. Then I heard thunder, dark clouds moving closer. I looked at my laptop, realised I did not want to be out there if (when) it started to rain. I had nothing to protect my computer with. Sighed and dried, got my things and headed back up to the apartment. More thunder, more clouds.
Wednesday, 6 April 2016
Building a home
The morning after we moved in we all woke up early. Not sure how well everybody slept, but impossibly the best night ever. We made sandwiches and sat on the cold hard floor waiting for the furniture.
The time of arrival was said to be around ten o'clock. John even called to confirm this. The woman in the phone said they should be there in fifteen minutes. Surprised happiness. We waited. Waited. Waited. After forty-five minutes John called them again and were told that they were now fifteen minutes away. After that the hopes of an estimated time were blown out the window.
Eventually there was a knock on the door and we opened. I had a list of things ready and while three men carried it though the door, I marked it with a green pen. Everything was there. The apartment was full of large cardboard boxes. John and I proceeded with laughter and giggles. We decided to go outside before we started to put everything together. Travelled to Tiong Bahru to go to a mall where we could get internet (M1 at HarbourFront could not get it to us in less than three weeks) and buy tools. On our way there we stopped at a hawker stall (outside version of food court) and had lunch.
When we came home again we had a vacuum cleaner, a tool for opening cardboard boxes (I do not know what it is called in English) and somehow a sound bar system. While we had been away Annika had received our TV. Another box to open! This was like Christmas in April. We put on some music and started with the purple carpet to protect the furniture when we opened them. The carpet was perfect. I love it! Then the hard work started and we worked all day to put everything together.
It is very satisfying to have a home where you can say we built it all in one day. Technically we did. IKEA-style. We now have a home in Singapore with IKEA furniture. A bit unreal, but in every way as real as it gets.
On Sunday morning, while John was cooking breakfast for the first time in this new kitchen, I built the living-room table. Later we put legs on yet another Linnmon table (same size and colour as our last computer table but this one had one extra leg) and did the last thing; put together the computer chairs. We only have one computer so far but will eventually but another one.
When we unpacked the computer something rattled and we peeked inside. The cooler had detached! We looked for scratches but found none. John put it back in and everything was working fine. Lucky us.
The time of arrival was said to be around ten o'clock. John even called to confirm this. The woman in the phone said they should be there in fifteen minutes. Surprised happiness. We waited. Waited. Waited. After forty-five minutes John called them again and were told that they were now fifteen minutes away. After that the hopes of an estimated time were blown out the window.
Eventually there was a knock on the door and we opened. I had a list of things ready and while three men carried it though the door, I marked it with a green pen. Everything was there. The apartment was full of large cardboard boxes. John and I proceeded with laughter and giggles. We decided to go outside before we started to put everything together. Travelled to Tiong Bahru to go to a mall where we could get internet (M1 at HarbourFront could not get it to us in less than three weeks) and buy tools. On our way there we stopped at a hawker stall (outside version of food court) and had lunch.
When we came home again we had a vacuum cleaner, a tool for opening cardboard boxes (I do not know what it is called in English) and somehow a sound bar system. While we had been away Annika had received our TV. Another box to open! This was like Christmas in April. We put on some music and started with the purple carpet to protect the furniture when we opened them. The carpet was perfect. I love it! Then the hard work started and we worked all day to put everything together.
It is very satisfying to have a home where you can say we built it all in one day. Technically we did. IKEA-style. We now have a home in Singapore with IKEA furniture. A bit unreal, but in every way as real as it gets.
Checking the list.
Wondering what we bought that is in those bags.
When we unpacked the computer something rattled and we peeked inside. The cooler had detached! We looked for scratches but found none. John put it back in and everything was working fine. Lucky us.
New Home
Hello again!
I have been absent for many reason, but now I am back and will blog as often as I find possible. There is so much to tell you. I will start with the new apartment and later write a post about the trip to Thailand with Annika.
On the 1st of April, Annika and I travelled back to Singapore and met John by Buona Vista station, even though we had told him to stay at his work and finish the day. He wanted to help move the things from the apartment, in which he had been staying for nine nights, to the new apartment in d'Leedon. John and I made two rounds in the elevator to get everything to ground level, ordered two Uber XL's and packed them once again with our stuff. Five minutes in these cars and we were there. Oh, no. Annika and I were not. This is the wrong carpark, Annika and I told the driver. It is the other carpark, we have been here before. No, said the driver and kept driving around in the wrong basement. There is no other carpark, he said and continued to circle. After a while we emerged and pointed him right. He apologized and made some bad excuse for his illusion.
John was waiting with the first round of things by the 11th block's garage elevators. He and I packed an elevator with a few bags and headed up. While John went to the apartment, said hi to our agent and their agent, I ran back and fourth to deliver the bags. Then I could say hello and we talked for a bit, until Erin reminded me that we had more stuff to get and she accompanied me down to the garage. There was no Annika, no stuff waiting, no help needed. Must be in the wrong carpark, I figured. We took the elevator to the 1st floor, went out the door and realized this is above the carpark. Tried a door that led downstairs but it was locked and we had no key. Just then the other door slid shut and we were locked out. We went around looking lost and eventually could call up to the apartment to be let inside again. Maybe we took the wrong elevator, we thought and headed back up to the 16th floor.
There we found Annika with our stuff. Apparently she is a strong woman who can transport large bags, boxes and mattresses by herself. At least we could help her bring the things to the apartment. Back there John had signed something and the agent was just leaving. Erin stayed with us while we adored our new home. Annika gave her a gift, a stuffed horse (which was apparently very suitable since the boy was born in the horse's year), and Erin gave me and John a gift; a glass bottle with lovely sweet liquid that a bunch of sticks will soak up and be turned to spread the smell. I do not know what it is called. (Annika tells me it is called yankee candle.) And chocolate.
After a few minutes of we live here now and this is an amazing view, we found ourselves hungry. At least I was. We walked to the Farrer Road MRT, less than five minutes walk, and took the train to HarbourFront and VivoCity. We split: John went to M1 to see if he could get internet to the apartment and Annika and I went to Giant. (I will confess something, I am terrible at shopping. Leave me in a store with the purpose of buying something nice, something I want and something to eat... I will run out from that store after twenty minutes. I get lost in my mind, can not understand why I am walking around in a huge store and what I am suppose to buy. It is easier to just give me a very specifik list.) While Annika searched for flipflops I walked around staring at things. Should probably put something in the cart, I thought. Wonder what it was I was suppose to go get. I stood by the bed sheets, knowing we needed it for tonight, knowing the size and that the colours did not matter and yet none managed to get inside the cart.
When Annika caught up with me I still had not put one single thing in the cart. John called and we told him where to find us. We met, he said he needed to go back to the temporary apartment because he forgot to leave the keys and left. Annika and I continue to shop. Well, she shopped while I nodded and agreed and went away to get something she told me to go get. (I think I wrote in another post that it is difficult to shop shoes with me. We can establish that it is difficult to shop with me, period.)
After around two hours we left the store with two large carts full of stuff. One full, the other only half. It was a lot. We took the elevator to the ground floor and saw a long line by the taxi stand. It is strange how many people want to stand in line for a regular cab when there is Uber. We ordered an Uber, it arrived five minutes later, while the queue had moved only three cars. The driver was very sweet and talked about his life. We came back to d'Leedon where John waited and he was surprised to find the many small plastic bags in the trunk. We also accidentally stole the drivers car oil thing.
We were back in the apartment. Packed in the critical wares in the fridge and freezer, then ate sushi and spare ribs on the balcony. John even ordered McDonalds to get completely satisfied. It is actually not so expensive to get it delivered home. After that very long day of hard work we slept badly on thin mattresses.
I have been absent for many reason, but now I am back and will blog as often as I find possible. There is so much to tell you. I will start with the new apartment and later write a post about the trip to Thailand with Annika.
On the 1st of April, Annika and I travelled back to Singapore and met John by Buona Vista station, even though we had told him to stay at his work and finish the day. He wanted to help move the things from the apartment, in which he had been staying for nine nights, to the new apartment in d'Leedon. John and I made two rounds in the elevator to get everything to ground level, ordered two Uber XL's and packed them once again with our stuff. Five minutes in these cars and we were there. Oh, no. Annika and I were not. This is the wrong carpark, Annika and I told the driver. It is the other carpark, we have been here before. No, said the driver and kept driving around in the wrong basement. There is no other carpark, he said and continued to circle. After a while we emerged and pointed him right. He apologized and made some bad excuse for his illusion.
John was waiting with the first round of things by the 11th block's garage elevators. He and I packed an elevator with a few bags and headed up. While John went to the apartment, said hi to our agent and their agent, I ran back and fourth to deliver the bags. Then I could say hello and we talked for a bit, until Erin reminded me that we had more stuff to get and she accompanied me down to the garage. There was no Annika, no stuff waiting, no help needed. Must be in the wrong carpark, I figured. We took the elevator to the 1st floor, went out the door and realized this is above the carpark. Tried a door that led downstairs but it was locked and we had no key. Just then the other door slid shut and we were locked out. We went around looking lost and eventually could call up to the apartment to be let inside again. Maybe we took the wrong elevator, we thought and headed back up to the 16th floor.
There we found Annika with our stuff. Apparently she is a strong woman who can transport large bags, boxes and mattresses by herself. At least we could help her bring the things to the apartment. Back there John had signed something and the agent was just leaving. Erin stayed with us while we adored our new home. Annika gave her a gift, a stuffed horse (which was apparently very suitable since the boy was born in the horse's year), and Erin gave me and John a gift; a glass bottle with lovely sweet liquid that a bunch of sticks will soak up and be turned to spread the smell. I do not know what it is called. (Annika tells me it is called yankee candle.) And chocolate.
After a few minutes of we live here now and this is an amazing view, we found ourselves hungry. At least I was. We walked to the Farrer Road MRT, less than five minutes walk, and took the train to HarbourFront and VivoCity. We split: John went to M1 to see if he could get internet to the apartment and Annika and I went to Giant. (I will confess something, I am terrible at shopping. Leave me in a store with the purpose of buying something nice, something I want and something to eat... I will run out from that store after twenty minutes. I get lost in my mind, can not understand why I am walking around in a huge store and what I am suppose to buy. It is easier to just give me a very specifik list.) While Annika searched for flipflops I walked around staring at things. Should probably put something in the cart, I thought. Wonder what it was I was suppose to go get. I stood by the bed sheets, knowing we needed it for tonight, knowing the size and that the colours did not matter and yet none managed to get inside the cart.
When Annika caught up with me I still had not put one single thing in the cart. John called and we told him where to find us. We met, he said he needed to go back to the temporary apartment because he forgot to leave the keys and left. Annika and I continue to shop. Well, she shopped while I nodded and agreed and went away to get something she told me to go get. (I think I wrote in another post that it is difficult to shop shoes with me. We can establish that it is difficult to shop with me, period.)
After around two hours we left the store with two large carts full of stuff. One full, the other only half. It was a lot. We took the elevator to the ground floor and saw a long line by the taxi stand. It is strange how many people want to stand in line for a regular cab when there is Uber. We ordered an Uber, it arrived five minutes later, while the queue had moved only three cars. The driver was very sweet and talked about his life. We came back to d'Leedon where John waited and he was surprised to find the many small plastic bags in the trunk. We also accidentally stole the drivers car oil thing.
We were back in the apartment. Packed in the critical wares in the fridge and freezer, then ate sushi and spare ribs on the balcony. John even ordered McDonalds to get completely satisfied. It is actually not so expensive to get it delivered home. After that very long day of hard work we slept badly on thin mattresses.
Saturday, 2 April 2016
Shortest post ever
Hi.
We moved into our apartment at d'Leedon yesterday and today we received all the furniture. Unfortunately we do not have internet and will not have until at least two weeks. I will try to find internet somewhere and write a proper post with photos.
Thank you for reading this blog.