March and then April has been a month of changes. Old giving way to the new. I think all the stars aligned in a certain direction and cosmic forces decided it was time that I was lodged out of my familiar circumstances and surroundings.
March heralded a new house and in April I moved on to a new job.
After more than a 2 year wait, I finally moved into my new flat. I have written earlier about my woes about finding a place in Bangalore. Let me say this : it hasn’t been easy! Whether it was the location or the builder or deciding on a small complex vs big complex, confusion prevailed for a long time. Advise and information sometimes has adverse effects like paralysis by analysis! Finally, probably, more out of frustration, I said, “show me the agreement†and signed the dotted line (yes, it is as ominous as it sounds!).
Over the last couple of years, it has not been an easy ride. For one, the builder kept delaying the finish date but yet insisted I pay all the money (same old story) and promised the flat would be ready by the beginning of the year. Of course, come January and it still wasn’t complete. There was always something pending. So finally, fed up of the nonsense, I decided that enough was enough and moved bag and baggage into the new place.
Only a few small things I had overlooked : some of the windows are yet to be fixed, the lift is yet to be done and there are minor problems creeping up everyday either in the plumbing or in the electricity department but I’ve decided that I will subject myself to the inconvenience of it all!
And now, after having spent all my savings and mortgaging my life to a financial institution — I have no money left for furniture — chairs, tables, wardrobes and all those necessary but prohibitively expensive evils you need to turn a house into a home. Of late, visits to several furniture warehouses, has revealed that the price of a chair can feed a child for a year in Somalia. It’s rather unfair. I will resist buying chairs for a while.
So here I am looking over the big expanse of my bare living room and the flat wondering how long it will take me now to fill it up. On the flip side, a house without much furniture is actually quite pleasant and airy. And cleaning is easier as there aren’t too many dark hidden corners. But I am quite apprehensive for friends who might have to carry their own foldable chairs when they come visiting. So the next thing on my agenda is “operation furnish flat†soon to be launched. I estimate it might turn into a year long exercise but now I have all the time.
On the other hand, it is also quite an interesting phase of life where I am thinking mostly of accessories and drapes and wondering what colour curtains and cushions will go well with the living room wall. Or what kind of bar stool I should acquire for the breakfast table. And trying to figure out where I saw that 70% off discount sale board. And where my friend bought her really cool light fittings. Suggestions of course come in about what I could and should do : but I guess that too is a part of the homeowner’s experience : to be taken and used as relevant :-)
It is a nice feeling to plot, plan and think up things to do in the house (whether it gets implemented or not is another story!). I don’t consider myself much of a design or aesthetically adept person when it comes to interiors and homes so it’s even more challenging for me. But I am seriously thinking of subscribing to Better Interiors for inspiration.
I am settling into my new routine of taking a different road to work everyday and then coming back to a new home in the evening. It’s all quite novel and I am enjoying it while the feeling lasts.
In the good news, I should be able to maintain my online life (read: update blog!) a little more regularly now.
So here it is — a toast to new beginnings!
That sounds lovely! We moved into our new house a few months ago — and it already seems cluttered!
Posted by Unmana | April 13, 2009, 11:37 pmHey double Congratulations!! owning a house in bangalore sounds so nice, and moving to a new job during recession… means your skills really are in demand :)
Now I know why you were not posting often and glad to see you back…
are you wondering who this is? actually, I hv been silently reading ur blog lat year towards the end but this must be my 2nd or 3rd comment..
Posted by Tara | April 13, 2009, 11:41 pmWell well well, I wasn’t told about the job when I asked. Hmmm. Now can I please ask the HR to look into my resume bcoz I’ve always looked at the purple as my next destination ever since the company said a NO to Microsoft! ;-)
May you have a lot more reasons there to smile :)
Btw, whats it with the HRs. Many quit offlate I’m seeing — smart move I say :)
Posted by Prasoon | April 13, 2009, 11:44 pmDouble congrats. I’m planning to open a “Rent a folding chair” shop next door for the benefit of your visitors…
Posted by Shrinidhi Hande | April 14, 2009, 12:03 pmhttp://media.photobucket.com/image/congrats%20on%20new%20house/idwoman/newhouse.jpg
hope it becomes a home pretty soon!! :-)
After my dad finished building our home, he used to say he couldn’t sleep for the first couple of weeks. was too happy and proud of his OWN roof over his head and too excited thinking about all the funishings he would put in it. did u have the same problem?
Posted by kunjootty | April 14, 2009, 12:51 pmDouble Congratulations!
However the house is, it shall soon become a home. I moved into a new place (albeit rented) and it is still pretty bare. I need to make it more cozy and more HOME!
Posted by Aathira | April 14, 2009, 1:18 pmCongrats Anita !
Well i have also just moved in to a new house just near forum.
presently with no funds in my kitty, i was looking in for Sasta and thikaoo stuff but elegant. So i was touring Bangalore every weekend. Then one day Tada ! …Just near forum or i can say towards the end of forum you can see there are a lot of furniture walas..selling Cane furniture. If you want you can pick up the one’s thats been displayed or they will show you as many designs as possible, they will accordingly build it for you. Just to give you an idea about the prices.
Last week i bought a Sofa set (3 Seater + 1 + 1 + centre table glass top along with cushions) Cost Rs:- 9500/-
Dinner Table (glass top) + 4 Chairs (Rs. 4500)
Cot (no bed) Rs. 4000
Curtains, bought it from Star Bazaar next to forum (starts at Rs 300 — Rs. 600)
I hope the above information will help you set your new house.
** Hell lot of bargaining (get down to your knees and bargain :-) )
Use the recession emotional talks (I am too good in all these things)
Once your house is set do call me for lunch … Hahaha… take care and enjoy.…
Posted by Sushanth Amin | April 14, 2009, 1:45 pmsame situ here. moved in Feb, still grappling with stuff. It’s nice though. It’s “mine”.
Enjoy the feeling
Posted by Bijesh | April 14, 2009, 3:05 pmHi
I second Sushant. Cane furniture it is. But know of a cheaper place. This street is right near Russel Market, lined with shops selling cane furniture. You can even browse catalogues and take your pick.
Cane and jute are cheap and easy to maintain. How is kitty taking to the move?
Good luck with the new job. They allow internet access — lucky you.
Cheers to your new life.
Posted by Lubna | April 14, 2009, 8:53 pmCongratulations to new beginnings. Enjoy and Have Fun.
GOOD LUCK
sp
Posted by sp | April 15, 2009, 1:11 amCongratulations !! so when is the .… pendre la crémaillère ??????
Looking forward to read more about your furniture hunting experience.
Posted by santanu & pamela | April 15, 2009, 1:43 amhey anita… congrats! nice to see you back here.
Posted by Shrilatha Puthi | April 15, 2009, 1:52 pmCongrats :)
Posted by Anjali | April 15, 2009, 6:12 pmAs a colleague of mine said when I was in your place — “welcome to the b0rg”! ;)
Posted by Sandip Bhattacharya | April 15, 2009, 6:53 pmgood posting.…
Posted by mproot | April 16, 2009, 6:42 amCongratulations on the new job and new home!. Yahooligans should be more fun :))
How is your kitty taking the new environment
Posted by Venky Krishnamoorthy | April 16, 2009, 8:42 am*clink* Cheers to new beginnings !
Posted by Deepa | April 16, 2009, 3:00 pmcongratulations!!!! enjoy your new home and your new job!
Posted by Sukanya Bora | April 16, 2009, 8:08 pm@Unmana: yes, the spaces do seem to fill up pretty fast. and i am a great collector of things :-)
@ Tara: thanks! well, i think i was just plain lucky and the stars aligned well :-)
and thanks for breaking your silence!
@Prasoon: yeah, now all is revealed :-) haha, why not? you should try! I am also no longer in HR, thank god :-)
@Shrinidhi: thanks! and that is a super idea, i say!
@ kunjootty: thank you! that was really nice! I have had no problems sleeping though ;-)
@Aathira: thanks! i am enjoying the bareness right now!
@ Sushanth: hey, thanks for all those helpful tips on furniture! i have actually tried the place there and have picked up stuff from there earlier. but got a little bored of the furniture after a while. which is why i sold most of my stuff. and am starting life afresh. with new furniture though i can’t quite decide what it is going to be!
@Bijesh: it’s “mine” — yes! finally :-) (i like to forget the mortgaged to the bank bit!)
@Lubna: i like cane too. but as i was saying earlier, i got a little bored with the cane stuff :-) kit kit is finding her way around now. she made a huge commotion over the first few days in the house. also, there are very few hiding places right now, so i think she is not too happy :-)
@ sp: thanks!
@ santanu & pamela: hey thanks! soon, soon. hope you will come and visit! once i get the chairs in order :-)
@ Shrilatha: thanks!
@ anjali: thanks!
@ Sandip: ah, is that a bad thing or a good thing? sounds ominous :-)
@ mproot: thanks!
@ Venky: haha. yeah, i am hoping so too! kitty is doing well so far!
@ Deepa: cheers and thanks for wishes! :-)
@ Sukanya: hey thanks! am settling into both slowly but enjoying the experience!
Posted by anita | April 17, 2009, 10:08 amhey,
congradulations!!! Its been what 5 years in your last job ? you can make good use of the gratuity :D
vasu
Posted by vasuI | April 18, 2009, 1:52 amwonderful! Many congrats :)
Posted by Amit | April 18, 2009, 12:30 pmCongratulations.Thats quite some changes..I keep dreaming of a house too.unfortunately in my dreams I see a HOUSE and not a flat..guess it will remain a dream :-)
Posted by lostonthestreet | April 18, 2009, 1:19 pmPlease allow me to say that the advice
Will not begin to furnish the new apartment, only when you feel bored of them, in order to remain always the new things, and do not furnish it in one-time, but do it slowly, so that there is always new
Posted by Drsewagou | April 19, 2009, 1:21 amWhoa… congrats on new job n new house ;) Double treats from you :)
Are you in HRD? Probably, I should fwd my resume to you **wink**
Posted by Manasa | April 19, 2009, 11:18 amHi Anitha,
I’ve started reading your blogs of late…You have a flair for writing those.…I really appreciate the content in your blogs…Congratulations on your new house…Way to go.…
Posted by Archana | April 21, 2009, 4:04 pmhey mamon, congrats on the new house!! it’s fantastic news! about furniture, i would say wait till you find the right things. even if you have to keep a corner empty for some time let it be, but dont compromise on what you buy.
Posted by anumita | April 22, 2009, 11:04 amhi,
I m jyoti,i m a regular reader of u r blog.keep writing bye.
Posted by jyoti | April 22, 2009, 6:41 pmWow! I so know that feeling! I just moved into my own place, albeit a rented house and I cannot stop looking at lights and furniture every where I go! But isn’t it all a joy?
Posted by Deepa Bhasthi | April 23, 2009, 5:26 pmCongratulations — both for moving into your own home and for the new job (that too in recession.
Posted by Anuradha | April 23, 2009, 5:49 pmAnita.…my mail..regd majuli pics… :-) sorry to be a pest!!
Posted by lostonthestreet | April 24, 2009, 5:42 pmGood article, loved reading.
Posted by Speakbnidas | April 30, 2009, 7:00 pmIsnt it a wonderful feeling to have new beginnings??!! :-)
“Change is the only constant in life”
btw, whens the party?? long pending!!
Posted by Sathish | May 4, 2009, 11:32 amCongrats on the new house. I got some stuff for my house for quite cheap by basically telling friends to keep a look out for specific things on their office notice boards. Microsoft has a good notice board and if you have friends there, you should let them know that you need chairs !!
Posted by Shumit | May 4, 2009, 6:20 pmSo…there u r …how is Y! ??
Posted by Thejesh GN | May 4, 2009, 10:46 pm@ vasu: thanks! i need to save for my old age remember? it’s coming soon!!
@ lostonthestreet: thanks! would love a house in the woods someday!
@ Manasa: not in HR anymore, thankfully! but most welcome to send :-)
@ Archana: hey, thanks! nice to know you enjoyed reading! and thanks for the wishes :-)
@ rini: hey, thanks! you’re right. i think i’d rather wait to find the right things and take it easy and slow! i am sure you would know. you’ve done up your place so well! i don’t have too much of a flair for these things but am trying :-)
@ jyoti: thanks!
@ Deepa: hey, you bet. i keep looking at light fixtures and asking people where they bought a particular piece of furniture! it’s good fun actually!
@ anu: thanks! luck by chance? ;-p
@ Sathish: indeed a nice feeling. change is much required once in a while to revive flagging spirits and bring back some excitement into life! hey, yes. a party is indeed pending! let’s plan something soon. when you’re not on one of your trips!
@Shumit: haha. thanks for the tip off!
@ Thej: here i am :-)
Posted by Anita | May 5, 2009, 11:56 amAm done with my trips for next few months… need to save vacation for my year end trip…
Posted by Sathish | May 6, 2009, 9:20 am@ sathish: you’re just done with 2 trips and planning the next one already? wah, wah!
Posted by Anita | May 6, 2009, 3:50 pm