Holes in the Wall = Home

My husband, always safety aware - goggles and ear plugs to plot a point on the wall {tease}

We have been here a month! How crazy it that?

Ever since Nate hung up our pictures its now very much starting to feel like a home. There is something permanent about a couple of a holes in the wall. Its a mark of ownership! We don't really know if we can actually drill holes in the wall - we did not speak to the owner. We have a 24 month lease in this place and since our renovation, Nate has become extraordinary at patching walls, so I kinda feel okay about doing it. We don't think we have rent inspection? We will find soon find out.

We have loads of more art works to acquire. There are some big open walls in this condo to fill - I am trying to establish what mode of expression and form I like. Right now its all about photographs. I heard that its because I am a novice to this whole experience.

I am also super stoaked to report we now have a Garmin Nuvi 2565 GPS! I tell you, many a eff bombs have been dropped whilst I am driving... I am so so sick of getting lost and totally confused by junctions like this:

Its really been an art having to self navigate with my iPhone map, which keeps recalculating the bloody routine at the most inconvenient time. The iPhone will say take left, and 20m into that left the road splits into another 3 options of straight, left and right - I will look down at my phone to see where to go and surprise surprise either is recalculating the route or the 3G has dropped out. Chuck in 1.2 million youths on their motorcycles who may pass your car on either side, with heads bowed, jacket on back to front (?) and little engines screaming away, usually with inches of your car. Dear Lord! Its enough to unnerve even the most hardcore navigator!

Having the GPS with Daniel's soothing voice to guide me through the spaghetti junctions is just pure bliss. I even get a 3D picture of the junctions with a nice clear purple route marked out for me to follow. Its all just so pleasant. And it means I can 100% focus on the road and my surrounds.

Korean Strawberryies

I hate buying strawberry's - only because the top few are always ripe, juicy and red but with further digging into the tray, the ones at the bottom or middle are nearly ALWAYS mushy and gross.

NOT THESE KOREAN BABIES:

I heard on the radio that a few of governments around Asia are going to crack down on working hours for blue collar workers... apparently Koreans work the longest hours... that's coz they hand bubble wrapping their strawberries for export!

I wish I had thought to take a photo of them BEFORE I took them out of their packaging - but each strawberry was individually bubble wrapped! I know I can over exaggerate at the best of times, but let me tell you, this is no embellished story. Next time I will take a photo :-)

The Watts Family

Andrew [Dougal] and Elizabeth [Liz] Watts. Parents of Molly [4] and Annabelle Watts [2]. Neighbours to the Bumas. Fellow member of the Association of British Women [Liz]. New found friends. What GEMS!

I am super stoaked that we have met this little family. I met Liz on a ABWM thing, was happy to know she was in the same block of Condos. Since then we have wined dined at theirs and yesterday, Liz organised a BBQ by the pool with us and two other young families.

Huddled up during the downpour

I will say, that this Condo houses LOADS of young families! I am almost sure I can boldly state, as a cold hardcore fact, that Nathanael and I are the only expats without young children.

THAT'S HOW WE LIKE IT :-)

We met another Aussie family, from over east, with their twins +1. Then another white/Malay mixed couple with their 2. And then of course the very very cute Molly and Annabelle. Are they not the two most English names? Let me tell you, those pom accents that accompany the little terrors are enough to make me give them anything they want, just to keep them talking.

One comment that Molly made has kept me giggling since I heard it! We were at the Watts for a couple glasses of wine dinner, the girls were asleep. Molly woke up from the sounds of the near by Mosque...

Molly: "Mummy, who is singing?"
Liz:"Its coming from the Mosque my darling"
Molly: "Whose wearing a mask?"

Classic.

Back to the BBQ... it started off being a rainy day, which I thought looked like it was set in for the day... but I am learning that the weather here is totally unpredictable. One minute its bucketing down with lighting and thunder, the next its sunny and clear! By the time 3pm rolled around, there was no sign of rain, and we all had the most glorious time by and in the pool. Liz has her parents over from Cyprus for a month. Phillip, Liz's dad was in the Army all his life, and her mum was telling me they have moved 22 times in the last 25 years! How insane! They decided to retire in Cyprus, and are in the middle of renovating a place - it sounds so lovely.

As a complete aside, Dougal was also in the Army for many years, in Prince Charles regiment. Before I knew this, somehow the conversation went to the Royal Wedding... I proceeded to give a long soliloquy as to why I think Charles is a snivelling bastard [totally in camp Diana]. Turns out Dougal really likes him, has met him, hung out, the whole shebang... and asked me (because of my very strong opinions) whether I had ever met the man, because obviously I had, if I had formed such strong opinions. EEERRRRGMMMMM. Negative. Never met the man. Dougal proceeded to say "its okay for people to just get opinions from the media..." the convo ended with me say: "well I guess he isnt toooooo bad...". Dear Lord! More wine?

Back to this BBQ... so it was great! We swam, we ate, we chatted, we drank, we swam some more. It was a delightful afternoon. The rain arrived towards the end of the feasting, which the kids LOVED! Its so warm here so they are never in very much danger of catching a cold from being wet and outside --- they were running around like mad things in the rain, loving getting wet.

The Watts came over for a wine coffee and chat later that evening. The girls had some milo!

Blankie and Baa Baa - two things the girls do not go without at bedtime

Nates going riding with Dougal on Saturday and we are planning a trip with them to Melaka. I pop down and see Liz and the girls often. We are really enjoying them and so thankful to have met such lovely people. Looking forward to our visitors (YOU!) meeting them.