We’re back from Australia! It’s been another memorable trip, much more than words can describe. The one thing I really love about Australia is the coffee! Great aroma, decent prices. Had at least one each day.

They really like coffee art too So tempted to get a nespresso machine when I came home, because coffee in sg is overpriced and you can’t find good coffee everywhere.

And their coffee places are so cosy and laid back. I LOVE IT!

This time we took a ferry to Manly, so we managed to take a shot of the Sydney Opera House from a different angle.

It was also great fun at Tangalooma. Beautiful sunset, clean beach. The weather could be better though. It was drizzling on and off when we were there.

That’s the view from Mount coot tha, in Brisbane. Overlooks the entire city. Splendid.

Now we’re planning for our next trip in May next year. Europe!

Election day in the US! I wish I could follow all the action. I probably will try to catch something in the office tomorrow, but too bad I can’t just stay glued to CNN or something.

On a very random note, I think I ate too much junk/unhealthy food lately. Just had fish burger with lots of fries with one of my colleagues at holland v. I really MUST exercise more! Went for a jog yesterday and I’m aching all over now.

The weather is turning cooler lately. To the extent that H actually agreed to sleep without the air-con. People, please remember to bring a sweater and an umbrella everywhere you go! Monsoon season has started!

For the first time in many many years, I took the blue shuttle bus from the mrt back to my condo. The route has changed, the price has changed, but it’s still so much better than the public buses. At least I don’t feel like puking when I get off the bus.

I got home early today and went for a swim. And got annoyed by an auntie and her maid. I left my towel and keys and specs on a chair when I entered the pool.. when I wanted to get out of the water I realized they shifted my stuff on their own. There were plenty of seats around! Why touch my personal belongings! I’m seriously very very irritated! Serious lack of basic courtesy.

I also met G for lunch today. I think he believes that I should stay on in my new role for a while before moving on. Then I went for an interview… and I don’t like how anal the interviewers were. They gave me a scenario and asked me what I would do. So I said, in my opinions, I would do this and that. Then they replied that I should give professional opinions and not personal opinions. ASS. What do they want. Free advice for their organizational issues? I’m not even in the firm, so I have zero idea of what’s happening within. Irritated.

Now I’m feeling tired because it has been a long day. Oh on a very random note, my left foot cramped just now. It hurt very bad! And my little pinkie was distorted! BAD DAY!

I had a lot of fun yesterday. H brought me to Swissotel Merchant Court for a staycation, and it was entirely unexpected. We checked in around 2pm, and then went over to Central for a quick bite. I also managed to get a pedicure done. Afterwards, we met up with l, a and py for korean dinner, followed by a drink at Clarke quay to catch the Chelsea-Arsenal match. It was a busy Saturday indeed.

I was tired and sleepy by 11.30pm, but H said I must stay awake because nobody sleeps before the clock turns 12 on their birthday. So I struggled…. and he said “happy birthday” as the clock struck 12, and handed me a jewelery box. I really wasn’t expecting anything else, cos I thought the staycation was good and fun enough. So I looked at the logo on the box and through my sleepy eyes realized that he spent quite a bit of money on this. It’s a hearts on fire necklace. He’s very proud of his purchase.

We’ve finally reached home and we’re trying to settle down and prepare for work tomorrow. It’s his first day at his new job! Wish him all the best Alright. Gotta book the hotels for my end of year trip before we meet up with my family for dinner later.

Spent a lot of money on shopping in KL! I’m happy with my purchases, but my wallet isn’t.

Lots of things are happening at work. I’ll probably get a transfer to another practice, but nothing is confirmed at this moment. I can only wait for my MD to tell me what’s going to happen next. Hoping for the best!

We’ve finally moved into our new place. Haven’t quite settled in though. Guess it will take a while. I still have tons of stuff back at RW and it will take a long while for me to move them over bit by bit.

Anyway my family came over for a stay last night. They called it a resort stay for a night. We had dinner, watched tv, and they just went back after a badminton game this noon. It feels good to have your own place and be able to ask anyone to come over as you wish. We won’t be having a formal housewarming anytime soon though. Really need time to settle in and finish up the little repairs etc. And I have an urgent task of settling our australia trip at the end of the year.

Back to work again tomorrow. I don’t hate work, but I certainly prefer holidays

Our house is not quite done yet, largely because the renovation contractor really sucked. This guy who’s coordinating our project is a newbie, and he likes to push the responsibilities to other people and try to charge us extra for little things here and there, even when his own mistakes caused the extra costs. I’m so fed up with him I really hate talking to him. When I need to get things done, I’ll contact his boss instead.

Thankfully his boss is a smarter guy who knows what he’s doing and how to get things done. Hopefully things will be completed by the end of this coming week. We really can use the long weekend to move house and clean up the place!

On a side note, we’re making a trip to KL again in september. H and I agreed that we both really need a break after the whole moving house and renovation period. Yes!

H and I haven’t finalized the date for our formal move-in, but the furniture and electronics will be delivered on the 8th. So, theoretically, we can move in by the end of the day. The internet and cable tv will only be up and running on the following week though.

I’m worried about the progress though. I certainly hope that they can complete in time! Little problems sprung up almost every day and I really just wish that time will pass quickly these 2 weeks. I went down today to take a look at the site and I’m really glad that the window grills have been removed. And I’m glad we bought the unit because I know it’s going to be beautiful! I’m not sure how I’ll adapt to living on my own… though I’m pretty excited about having my own place. Shall share my thoughts when I finally move in.

Till then.. the “before” photos..

The master bedroom toilet.

The master bedroom and the ugly blue.

Our future study room in green.

The living area, which will be significantly remodeled.

The living area again. We’ll be placing our tv here instead.

Hoping to post the “after” photos soon!

Renovations are underway and little problems keep surfacing here and there. And I am pushing the blame (almost entirely) to the reno contractor.

For example, he sent an sms saying that we can fit a swing door in the common toilet cos the door is 55cm and the space available is 44cm. HUH!?? wtf. And then he threw away the swing without asking.

And he made me travel all the way down to ubi to select a new wash basin (because he said we should get a top mount basin, then later said that his quote did not include the price of the vanity and it will cost a lot more to do a top mount basin).. then travel all the way back empty handed because he didn’t give us an accurate quote on a Friday. And the places that he bring us to for the purchase of the toilet accessories have so limited choices and are expensive! I had to do my own sourcing.

I really don’t know what his role is. I feel like me and my hubby are like the main project coordinators when he should be taking charge. But he forgets this and that, and I just can’t trust him completely. The renovations are ongoing, but there are so many areas in which he should have fared better.

When it comes to renovation contractors….is there anyone at all we can trust completely?

Friday: Hacking day one. H went down at the end of the day to take a look, and he reported that the hacking of the toilets are complete. I haven’t seen the place for myself. I will make a trip down later (if the crazy thunderstorm subsides), or tomorrow latest. Gotta check on the number of light bulbs to buy, and how many window handles to replace.

Yesterday we had a year-end event in the office. I was part of the organizing team, so I didn’t get to participate. Feedback was that they really enjoyed the running around! I’m glad. First ‘major’ event in office, and it turned out well. Took quite a while to plan the logistics and stuff. Haven’t really decided if I’ll remain in the social events committee yet, but SL was saying she’ll not let me run away haha. But I want to be a participant too?!

I’m really getting used and comfy about working at the current company. Not everything is perfect, but at the very least I don’t hate it as much as I hated my last position. I’m hoping that I’ll get to do more collaborations in the months to come, and pick up presentations, relationships managing skills from my colleagues. Lots to learn.

And finally, commencement is on monday! Excited to see familiar faces in school once again