The aftermath

Now that the euphoria of completing the en bloc sale and receiving 95% of the sale proceeds have been accomplished, life is back to normal in the estate. People are walking around with heads high and perhaps friendlier to their neighbours, talking about their new homes and the impending big move. I have had strangers greeting me, perhaps knowing that I was the photographer of the DVD, and also winner of the lucky draws.

I have been preoccupied lately with the bank and the setting up of my new home. I have parked my money into a new bank. Surprising how the bank treats you when you park large amounts with them. When I walked into the bank, I was ushered to a special section, sat on comfortable lounge chairs and offered tea or coffee and even snacks, and addressed by name. I am still trying to find my way around. Unused to being pampered, I will always remain humble and live life with humility. I feel embarrassed by all the attention.

Last week I paid the 10% due for my new property. My agents had arranged to wait for me at the Delifrance outlet. Guess what?? I waited at the wrong outlet. There are two Delifrance and I had to choose the wrong one. When I asked passerby for directions, none seemed to know where except one who sent me off on a wild goose chase. With wife in tow, this made it all the more cumbersome, like walking with only one leg.

The signing process was quite straight forward and the officer, a plumb young lady, was very candid and friendly. So we laughed our way through. What a relief. The sale will complete by 28 May, and since the seller had asked me for two weeks extension for him to move out, I have agreed to it. So my renovations will only commence from 16 June.

My son has drawn up an elaborate plan for the renovations. This weekend, we will bring the contractor to view the place, with permission from the seller, and that should spearhead the renovation process.

My next headache will be the packing and the move, which will probably be in August, which the Chinese believe to be the 7th month. Taboo for moving house. But I am not superstitious, and think there will not be a demand for movers and a quiet period for me to move. After thirty years of accumulation, I will have a lot of things to discard.

Tilll then....