We survived a weekend!

We missed Deci....

Last weekend was the 1st time in 2 years that we had to 'endure' without a maid at home. 'Endure' may sounds drastic but believe me; our two boys are really a hands full especially the lil' adorable monster called Si Qian!

How I wished Deci is still with us. I was so used to laze around the house on weekends. Don't have to worry about anything; except preparing lunch or 'ta pau' something to eat. Deci is always there to take care of the rest. Juggling between house chores and looking after the two brothers seems to be next to impossible but she seems to be able to take care of everything.

Maybe we need to get used to these type of days fast. After 2 years of rest, it's hands on again! I've not touch the washing machine for so long it seems so alien to me. I'll need to clean the bathroom and mopping the floors again. Even our vacuum cleaner had taken a 2 years rest! Debbie will now need to iron our cloths; something she seldom does when Deci is here.

Right now, I'm hoping that Deci's sister will come here sooner, rather than later. Deci told us that her sister has voiced her intention to come over and work for us but only after they celebrated X'mas. They haven't been together for 4 years already; so a family reunion is a must.

Anyway, I think I'm addicted to Kakak! X'mas, please come earlier!

Si Qian's Deci kak bids Bye-bye!

Deci and Si Qian

Today is the day where my maid of 2 years bids bye-bye to us. Only I alone sent her off since her flight to Jakarta is a 7am flight (too early for the boys to follow).

Time flies for us all. We are indeed glad to say we got ourselves a good maid; not the brightest but at least honest and hard working,she took care of our boys really well. I think she bonded very well especially with Si Qian. Deci came into our home when Si Qian is about 6-7 months old. So you can imagine that Deci really liked him and the feeling is mutual.

When I saw her this early morning, her eyes were really swollen; a result due to not sleeping and I suspect she cried. She told me she didn't sleep because she wanted to accompany Si Qian and Xu Hom for one last time before she goes. The she finished the house chores and laundry around 2:45am before leaving to the airport around 3:30am. I don't think not many people can say thay had a maid that work until the final minute! Only Debbie sees her off at our door step.

I still remember when Deci first arrived, she was still like a country bum, skinny,dark and looked very 'dry'. I couldn't understand her 'Bahasa' because of her accent. She comes from East Nusa Tenggara. A lot of patience were needed to communicate with her and teaches her on what to do. We were her first employer as this is her first job. I remember telling her that we are easy people and told her that she can always talk to us if she needs help. I told her that her main priorities are our 2 boys especially Si Qian. House chores can wait....

Horror stories about maids running away, lazy, stealing or getting pregnant with some Indon men always linger in our mind. However, we're lucky because Deci knew what and why she is here for; definately not fooling around.

So, today we lost a great pair of hand and I believe that we (esp the boys) treated her as one of the family. We wanted her to extend her work and she too would like to stay but her family has been urging and begging her to go back. Maybe her daughter is missing her mom (she came here when her baby is 1 year+)

At the LCCT, I checked her in. Then I offered her to have a breakfast before she boards but she declined. Maybe she's too tired to eat. I saw her going through the immigration check point. Then she proceed to the X-Ray machine to have her hand carry luggage examined. That's the last time I see her.

Take care, Deci Dorince Taemnanu. Thank you for taking good care of us. Remember us always!

Renovation = hard work!

Renovation is hard work!

Went to office quite late today, reached there about noon. Reason? Well, Debbie and I had a on-site meeting with Kenny, the main renovation contractor for our new home in Sri Permaisuri.

Basically, just to have a discussion on where to relocate and/or add electrical power points around the house. Tiles selection for our toilet and wet kitchen has also been made.


There was a small issue with the size of our main door. The frame was set at 7 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Debbie wanted a 8 feet tall door. But Kenny recommended 7 feet (as a standard) size door because if 8 feet is used, the main entrance looks a bit wierd since our house is not a big one. The door then would looked like a big mirror wall! Finally we all agree on the 7 feet door.


So, basically, it's all set. Kitchen cabinet and wardrobe will then cost us a bomb. I think we're prepared for that. The kid's room a/c points are finalized. Laminate flooring will come in soon. Another big bill!


Anyway, glad the house is taking shape. By next month, we can begin to move in; hopefully!

Slowly but surely

The backyard taking shape. Maid room is at the far left corner (near the worker)

Toilet has shrinked in size but remains functional.

Hole-in-a-wall, just like a place in Langkawi!

Well, took some photos of my new house. Still a big big mess with cement, mortar and bricks laying around.

Made some inspection this morning. Was lucky to find out some discrepancies with the design that we agreed on. Told the p.i.c to rectify the problems. Anyway, no big deals.


With the wet work taking shape, maybe another 2 weeks or so before other work can commence. My doors/windows will come in later. Then the laminated flooring. Debbie will take care of those coz she knows someone. Then the final part will be the painting of the whole house. My sister recommended a painter for me; still haven't contacted him though. We reckon that the furnitures and electrical items could wait..... Budget a bit tight la....


So, slowly but surely the house is taking shape. It was a long wait from the day we paid our deposit but when the final product is delivered, I'm sure it's all worth while.

Finally! Phew...

Backyard. A new maid room will be contructed

Toilet to be reduced in size

Kitchen to be converted to dining hall

Front wall to be demolished and extended

Finally! After more than a year after we paid the deposit for our town house, works on renovation has begun! After all the red tapes and maybe incompetence of local authorites and frustration dealing with the seller's lawyer, we can now look forward to move into our "new" house. All those frustration has now turned into relief, a big one that is!

Renovation will takes roughly a month or so. We have only confirmed the wet work to be carried out. Kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, doors, painting the house, electrical items and fittings/accessories and wood flooring will all come at a later stage. So far, the quote is RM40k (just the wet work); and we anticipate the cost to go another RM30k or so...... painful, but worth it, I hope. Plain bad luck for the transfer to drag for so long. If it could finalise earlier, I'll save at least 20-30% for renovating the house.

Thank you, BN for raising fuel prices!!!

We are still shopping around for best possible bargains around. There are a lot of "sale" these times. Furniture and others can wait for time being. One thing is for sure. Our glass windows and doors will be the best in quality/pricing; courtesy of my sister and her husband. Hehehe... at least we save some money.

We have been renting our current place for a few months already. Just hope the reno work can go on smoothly, and we can all move in by mid of September. Since Eddie and my Mom-in-law's place is just behind me (the main reason why we bought this house), it will save me a lot of time and petrol money for sending Xu Hom to school and Si Qian to his house. No more waking up at 6:30am! Yahoo!!!!

Anyway, just glad that work has started, we'll move into a brand new environment soon.