The Maisonette.

I am in an unpacking dilemma. There is a big pile of boxes sitting under the stair case. As I look at them, I have this desire to tear them open and stash the contents into respective places. Unfortunately this is easier said than done.

Firstly, not all the rosewood cupboards are back from refurbishing. There is one display case sitting and ready. I want to display my magic collections as well as my music boxes and some religious artifacts. But the painters are expected to do a final coating on the wall and carry out touching up. So I will have to wait.

Secondly, I have been racking my brains trying to house the various things that come out of the boxes. This has become a problem due to a lack of space and in trying to keep the aesthetic appearance of the entire maisonette.

I have been working on my 'office cum library'. The workstation is now functioning and only three of the shelves are functioning out of twelve. I am still trying to resolve the situation soon.

The interior designer has not officially handed over the maisonette to me yet, signifying the completion of the renovations, as there are still some rectification work and touching up to do. I have no desire to rush him as I want him to complete the work properly.

Anyway, the maisonette is taking shape, and Alfred, the previous owner, visited me two days ago, and was surprised at what we have done to the place. When he saw my bathroom, he said that the bathroom has grown bigger! He was very impressed indeed.

I now have my own bed, although it would be nice to have my own room. But half a curry puff is better than none at all. It is a super single with a mattress that contours my body. Very comfortable. On the second night here, I fell out of bed! There was no side table, so I had to place my clock on the floor. When the alarm went off at five in the morning, I reached down to turn it off. The bed is quite high. Suddenly I found myself rolling to the floor, divan and all. Certainly woke me up.

Last Sunday, I was on duty at the Novena Church. At night, a friend had sent me home by car. When I reached my floor, I could not find my maisonette. I looked around but my home was gone. Shades of 'twilight zone' entered my head when I realised that I had gone up the wrong block.

My old place is now gone. It is a ghost place, empty and desolate. When I saw it in the wee hours of this morning, only the lift landings were lighted up and every apartment was darkened with no life at all. I managed to sneak in yesterday morning, being the last day. My old place was ransacked and things thrown all over the place with my wash basin smashed. It looked so pathetic. I picked up two small items, looked into every rooms, and with a heavy heart, turned and said a silent farewell to the place that was home to me for thirty years.

That was a timely closure for me and now I will concentrate on my new home.

My new kitchen is not operational yet. So everyday we eat out at the Food Park. There are several restaurant serving Thai, Japanese, western and Chinese seafood. My wife is not a foodie and her eating is very unimaginative contrary to my eating habits. Very often she kills my appetite and eating with her has become very mundane. (Big sigh!)

I am adjusting to my new environment which I find very conducive. My renovations and buying new furniture and kitchen equipment is cosing me a bomb. My son, to whom I have given a free rein in the project, is enjoying himself spending my money. No doubt I had no money for renovations when I bought my old place, it is with a vengeance that my current bills are mounting. I just paid $3090.00 for all the rosewood repairs and refurbishing. Admittedly Charlie did a very good job, and the rosewood furniture now look like new. Pay the workman his due.

Although I am not quite ready for visitors yet, I hope to be ready before Christmas.

Till then....