So we’ve been here for a month-and-a-half. Our rented apartment is getting complete. Last to build is the Buffet Table we got from Ikea.
Here are the Random Thoughts:
a) I truly appreciate my parents-in-law. I feel all the support and I am grateful for them.
b) With us here, doing all the housework by ourselves (mostly myself), I realized that it could take toll on the kids. Whereas back home you have the staff doing the housework for you, you get to spend more quality time with your children. I also realized that I’ve become more impatient and sometimes I snapped at the kids when I’m tired and exhausted of have lots of things going on in my mind. I pity the kids somehow. But it’s true that it makes your family closer, especially me and my husband.
c) I have to improve on time management especially in preparing the meals. I end up spending too much time in the kitchen, chopping vegetables, preparing the meat, cooking, and washing the dishes.
d) The dust here is mountainful! I thought that being in a cold country means less dust. I was wrong… or maybe it’s just because it is summer.
e) With a small place for us, the kids end up in front of the TV playing Wii and video games. They haven’t really ran around or played in the park. Much as I wanted to take them around, I really can’t because there’s just too much work to be done in the house (cleaning and cooking). Right now, I think a yaya can improve things a lot.
f) Things I love right now: (1) our Cuisinart coffee maker; (2) the washer and dryer — laundry has never been a problem; (3) the dishwasher — this doesn’t exist in Manila, and is very helpful at night and after parties; (4) our Mac Time Capsule and internet connection — my way of keeping in touch with the family and friends; (5) of course, my Mac; (6) our Orthotherapeutic mattress; (7) our Ikea couch that has a pull-out bed; (8) my supersize couch — i love its cushion; (8) the dining table — I think we made a good choice; (9) the Buffet table — I see lots of potential there; (10) our wireless printer, scanner, fax, and copier — no strings attached! (11) our TV stand that we converted into a shoe rack — we got four of this, which to me is multi-purpose; (12) honest government — Gabby got back his backpack, all complete!
g) Things I don’t like here: (1) the prices of goods and commodities — compared to Manila prices — from garlic, tomatoes, onions, potatoes…. to sanitary napkins…. and school and office supplies. I think we have better quality stationery there in Manila; (2) the choice of fruits and vegetables isn’t that wide as I expected; (3) the price of umbrella is unbelievable — $30 for a big one, which is the same as the corporate give-aways we get in Manila; (4) the flight and heavy grocery bags — no elevator; (5) the dust; (6) the flies that get inside the apartment thru the fireplace; (7) the weather is as unpredictable as a woman’s mind; (8) garbage collection is scheduled twice a week for summer — I never thought that we accumulate that much garbage in a day!
h) If I can go back to Manila for a week to get something and shipping weight is not an issue, I would stock up on: (1) lots of sanitary napkins and panty liners; (2) office supplies, especially Manila envelopes and folders, and pencil lead and staple wires, sign pens, ballpens, markers, scotch tapes, double tapes, masking tape, cutter blades… and I’ll bring all my craft supplies; (3) mixes and Magic Sarap — and other things such as Mang Tomas lechon sauce; Knorr seasoning; bagoong; taba ng talangka; Knorr crab and corn soup; Filipino spaghetti sauce; UFC banana catchup, toyo, Mama Sita coconut vinegar; (4) I’ll also make a trip to the Asian store and bring Japanese Dashi powder and mirin — I still have to visit the Asian store that Tito Phil has been telling me; (5)
Notes:
July 28 – our first clogged toilet. No plunger here. I used dishwashing liquid and hot water. It worked.