Auld Lang Syne

'Auld Lang Syne', that most poignant and nostalgic piece of music evokes so much memories and emotions that it brings tears to the eyes as well as joy to the revellers. Forty six years ago, I graduated from RAF Ternhill in England, and during the graduation parade, we slow marched to the music which eventually changed to a quick march as we marched off the parade ground.

And so we come to the end of 2007. As I write this last post for the year, the tune brings mixed emotions thinking back to the many 'Auld Lang Syne days'. The ending of one era into the next.

Two Thousand and Seven had been good to me and my family. The Lord had been very kind to us all. The problem is that we all fail often to appreciate all the blessings the Lord had invoked in us. And so I give thanks to the Lord for 2007 and ask the Lord to continue to bless and guide us in the coming year 2008.

Just as the year ends, I found my new home. Last Saturday, I went out with my son and my wife to view an apartment not too far away from my current home. It was a very nice corner unit facing some foliage and the nature reserve. Unfortunately, it was quite small. We walked away impressed.

Back home, I scoured the classified advertisement and located three potential executive maisonette for sale. Calling the agents, I made appointments to see them the next afternoon. They were all located inside this estate I was interested in.

Sunday afternoon, I went to the estate with the family for lunch. After that we trooped over to view the first unit up on the top floor. We were struck by the clean surroundings and the maisonette was very impressive. Airy and bright, the owner had looked after the property well. Both my wife and my son concurred with me, and I informed the two young lady agents that we were interested, and enquired what was the lowest price out of the $680,000, that the owner was willing to offer.

Leaving that, we went to view the second maisonette at a lower floor, by another agent. Also impressive, but we felt it was not as good as the first one that we saw. It was priced at a lower $580,000 negotiable probably to $550,000. We left it at that.

Since the next viewing was to be at 6 pm, we left to have tea at O'Brien, Jelita. Soon as we got there, my mobile phone rang and the agent informed me that the owner was willing to offer me $650,000 for the unit. Sitting down with my son, we worked out a counter offer of $639,000. This was communicated to the agent. Short while later, the agent called again to make a final offer of $643,000 from the owner. We deliberated over this and finally accepted the offer. We were all jubilant over the turn of events for the day. Both my wife and my son were happy with the decision and our new home. We were talking about the renovations to come.

When we finally viewed the third property, it was purely cosmetic and found it worse off compared to the unit that we had just bought.

That Sunday, we had celebrated the feast day of the Holy Family in church and I had prayed that the Lord will guide me in my search for a new family home. Indeed the Lord had answered my prayers.

This Monday morning, the two agents turned up at my home to sign the option form and to collect the $1,000 cheque as option deposit. I was told that the owner was not too happy at the closing price and was expecting $710,000. Subsequently when the agents called back, there were no further problems except to wait for the owner's wife to sign the document.

According to the timeline I had worked out with the agents, the completion of sale should be May 2008. This will give me enough time to do my renovations and to move in by August, since I will have to vacate my present premises by 10 September, 2008.

It is a relief to have found a new family home. Everyone in the family has been supportive and excited over the selection, no less than my son, who is now talking of knocking down walls and creating something out of his imaginations. Hopefully, I will be able to buy another smaller condo unit(?) to rent out and earn some money.

The family ended the year with a dinner bash at Jason/Karen's place. Lots of good food with family members and screaming kids including two hungry Jack Russell. Fortunately Ben was able to join in late, after he got off work. We finally dispersed by one in the morning.

And so ends 2007. Welcome 2008.

Till then....