Home Page

Monday, June 02, 2008

It's been crazy!

Sorry for the lack of posting this month. After going home for daughther no. 1's graduation and coming back nothing has been the same. I am now on a new project in a different shipyard so hubbie and I can't eat lunch together everyday, and what sucks even worse is that there isn't a Subway anywhere near here! The project that we are sharing office space with brings in luch three days a week but it's all local food and not the least bit healthy. Just about all of it is fried. Being at this other yard does have one advantages: the traffic is MUCH lighter both ways.

We started having AC problems before we went home to Texas for a week. So when we got back first thing we called and had the AC service people come out. They said the unit needed to be replaced. The AC here is different then back home. Each room has it's own unit mounted on the wall and the compressor is outside. Some rooms share a compressor. I really don't know the least bit about how an air conditioning system works and the ones here are even more confusing than our central air back home. The owner of our unit wanted to get the guys he uses to come out and look and they told him the same thing. Keep in mind that each time someone comes out we have to be there too and they don't come in the evening after we get off work. So, Saturday the AC guys come out to replace the AC in the dining and living areas. We have to move all the furniture and roll up all the carpets so they are not in the way. Needless to say, here it is Monday and there is work that still needs to be done and it all needs to be completed before Thursday when hubbies youngest sister arrives to visit us for two weeks. I spent all weekend looking for information that the tax preparer needs to do our income tax returns. In doing so I realized that I am not as organized as I thought I was. I went through every file folder looking for tax receipts for our house we sold back in Texas, stock information, travel information so we know when we were out of the US, etc. I found most of it. If it weren't for having to do all that fun tax stuff I would have been blogging and reading all your great posts. I hope I don't become like my mom with this tax crap. I remember year after year she had to put off doing stuff she wanted to do because it seems she was continuously getting stuff together for their taxes.

In our spare time we are also out looking at other condos. Our lease comes up in August and the owners wanted to know by the end of May if we were staying or not. He wants to raise our rent from SGD$5200 to SGD$8200 a month. We think he's crazy. There has been a definite rise in rent around here but most units in our complex are in the $5000's. We really like where we are and would like to stay but if we can find something new, without all these issues, then perhaps we will consider moving. Luckily with all that has been going on he gave us some more time to decide.

Other updates: daughter no. 1 is now in her new apartment in Arkansas thanks to my parents, brother, and her friend that helped her pack and move all her stuff up there. She starts her new job on the 9th. Daughter no. 2 is taking her last finals and her last day of school is on Thursday.

4 comments:

TBM said...

UGH! Isn't it awful having to be at your place to get things fixed? It's like that here in England too. For some reason, the leasing company won't come over to let in the repair guys. I know it's safer for our stuff, but it really takes a good chunk out of your day to have to wait around for the repair guys. Luckily I don't work, so I can hang out. It must be a real pain for you guys.

Good luck with your housing situation! Just when you think you're settled in, huh?

OldHorsetailSnake said...

Just what is SGD$8200 in U.S. money? Just in case I decide I want to live in Singapore.

TexasGal said...

justaplanerideaway - yes, and they are NEVER on time!

oldhorsetailsnake - that is roughly USD$6074.00, can you believe it?

Anonymous said...

hi blogger!

I wanted to reach out to you because we here at Glimpse.org are putting together a special section on Singapore, and I came across your blog and saw you spent time in Singapore.

If you haven't heard of Glimpse, we're a nonprofit web publication that shares stories by Americans abroad and those that have spent time abroad and are back in the U.S.

We're launching a new initiative that highlights specific destinations -- particularly less-traveled ones. Singapore is first on our list, and we were hoping you would get involved.

We're looking for short tips and anecdotes that help illustrate what makes Singapore a unique and appealing destination. What's the best meal you've had there? Any advice for other Americans planning a move to Singapore?

Please take a moment and visit the following page and drop a tip or share a story:
http://glimpse.org/countries/SG/

I appreciate your help.