Dec 18, 2011

The Apartment: Meet the New Occupants!

Aside from school and ReadingWalk, two things that occupy my mind the most lately are the wedding (as I've already mentioned several times before) and.... the new apartment.

It is not exactly my apartment, it's my Bf's. We decided to divide responsibilities (read: debts): he takes care of the place we're going to live in once we get married while I find a way to get us a car (in which I'm not doing very well so far).

About a couple months ago a unit in Kalibata City was finally bought. The former owner sold it unfurnished except for one air-con and a misplaced two-seat sofa. Nice.
Since then I've been developing this excitement to make over the place.

I must say that some time ago I still couldn't accept the idea of living in an apartment. I've always been dreaming to live in a real house, the one that touches the ground. But well, the price in Jakarta is unbelievably insane! Of course you can get cheaper houses if you are willing to shift a little to somewhere almost Jakarta, there are lots of nice suburban neighborhoods. However, oh dear Lord, I couldn't bear the thought of fighting the legendary Jakarta's traffic everyday. Then after some considerations (including the fact that we might not stay very long in Jakarta), I sacrificed touching the ground over the traffic.

The apartment might not be located in the most strategic location. However, it is right across the train station! And I've been a regular user of our beloved commuter line since several months ago. So, I'm very excited about this new apartment.

Back to the topic, despite of our excitement, it took us a while before we finally added some things to (hopefully) our future home, which have just arrived today! :D

Meet the new occupants of the apartment:

1. Standing-cooker
At first, we were thinking to buy a simple cooker that can easily placed on the kitchen set table. But, since I have this weird interest in baking, I asked Bf if we would have some extra space for an oven which I planned to purchase some time in the future. He said we can managed that.

Then long after that, he gave me a link to a product in an online electronic shop. It was a Modena's standing-cooker. You want oven, rite? This one is compact enough for the apartment. We can have this one, he said (gee, even I have forgotten about my wish for an oven at that time). So we do (but we didn't buy it from the online store).


The apartment is not huge, so we need to carefully pick each of everything that we want to put inside. This standing-cooker is about 50x50x88 cm, if I'm not mistaken. Cute and compact, it matches the apartment very well. ;)

It cost 5,9 million including a cooker-hood as bonus. Too bad I don't have any picture of it.


2. Refrigerator
Obviously, refrigerator is a must. We considered a Toshiba and a Samsung. The Samsung looks more elegant and it has a little more space than the Toshiba. But, Toshiba is a Toshiba. On paper, the quality should be over Samsung. But in the end, look and space won. Check it out. :)


This is my favorite part: twisting icemaker!! Can't wait to freeze some water there!


It cost 2,9 million after some discounts. Not bad, isn't it?


3. Washing machine
Many people who live in apartments choose to take their clothes to laundry services, which is understandable. It might not seem very practical to have a washing machine (which considerably needs some space) in a tiny apartment. However, I must say I am a bit old fashioned about this matter. I am sure it's because I see my mom always do the family's laundry by herself that made me believe doing laundry is somewhat a sacred task that you can't easily pass to someone else. Don't get me wrong, when I lived by myself in Bandung, I used laundry service million times. But at that time I was a single. I still am a single now, but when I live in the apartment, I'm pretty sure I'm already married by then. And because I will be married at that time, then I will need to do the laundry by myself. It's not very logical, I know, so never mind.

Anyway, so we got this Electrolux washing machine. Oh, and we got 1 kg of Rinso as a bonus.


The problem was we wanted (and needed, due to space) to put this machine in the balcony. There was no problem with the balcony, I knew for sure it would fit there. The real problem was the door to the balcony. We were not sure if the machine could pass through that.

After some struggling and tricks, we finally managed to get the machine to the balcony! Phew!


This Electrolux machine cost 4,9 million.

After the hard work, we celebrated it with grape juice. :D



**

As I've mentioned, the apartment is not huge. It is a 30 sq meters 2 bed-rooms apartment. We know it would be a challenge to decorate this apartment. Luckily, we have a friend who is an interior designer. He also designed this Never Been Better restaurant in Kemang (whose owner also happens to be our friends too).

Anyway, after some talks and visits, here's the initial design for the apartment. *fingers-crossed*


Let's see how it's going to be in the next several months. :D

Dec 5, 2011

Time

Back on my overwhelming office days, I used to think that once I get out of the routine and start my master I would be able to manage my time better. I was sure that I would have all the time I need to restructure my business, update my blog with things worth to read, spend valuable time with my brother, etc. A hopeful thought.

I thought every thing will be sorted out by themselves. Little did I know that nothing gets better by itself. 

I thought I would've had a peaceful rhythm. Instead, I am still racing with time as I always am. Taking master is no joke, plus I am now teaching 2 - 3 days in a week. On top of that, I have a wedding to be prepared. However, the real problem here is the procrastinator that lives in me. 

People shouldn't wait for the right time to do things. It never comes. They should make time to do those things. I should.

Anyway, it's almost 3 in the morning. And I have an early class tomorrow. So, adios!


The Other Blog

Dear all, This blog is not going to be updated often as I have created another one at www.floresianay.wordpress.com which will be focusi...