APARTMENT HUNTING IN ABERDEEN

It can be hard, I experienced that, from happy to pissed with the system. I dont know you guys have the same experience or it is just me. Our current landlord need to use the apartment for his son (it is belongs to his son anyway) because he got a job here, so we need to move out. It was a shocked news for us since we just settled down our life. We like the location, the size and everything was perfect. We were wondering if we were a bad tenant, but the landlord said we were good (hopefully it is an honest thought, husband has been renting for 1 year). They let us know about it 3 months in advance so we can find a new one in advance. I thought it was easy peasy, but it turned to be a disaster. 

There are few step that you need to get through, first find the apartment you like in the website, try everything, google it! then call the agent/private landlord, book a viewing schedule, see the view, fill in some data, and wait until they examine all the applicant, get a bad/good news.

It can be tricky, the price is so high here in Aberdeen, for 2 beds apartment it is starting from 900+pcm excluding utilities and council tax, and the demand is so high. There was one beautiful apartment that we did not get because there were 11 applicants, my Lord! One of the agent said, this summer only few property is being rented, the landlord prefer to sell their house rather than renting it due to the high price. And due to the high demand of renting an apartment, the landlord can be picky! I suggest to check the website after midnight so you call the agent first thing in the morning. If you are lucky you got a schedule for viewing in next few days. 

When it comes to viewing, I guess is not only about you seeing the property is more about the agent seeing you. You have to wear the best dress in that day just like an interview for a job. If you have a little one, it can be seriously tough, the landlord tends to not prefer to have kids in their property due to the damage they might be doing. Some of the apartment I have seen are specifically said no children for 2 beds apartment, they prefer young professional or something like that. How are we supposed to lived then? We got a few turned down because of the no children policy.

My husband said it is worse than finding a job. Finally after almost giving up, we got a nice semi detach house with a garden in the city center, and about to move in soon, cant wait! but not excited about the packing.

HELLO NOVEMBER!

Yeay, I have been living in Aberdeen for 6 months, time flies, huh! Been busy about the apartment hunting and packing. Could not believe that I add too many boxes in few months, guess that is the beauty of having a toddler, more toys, more clothes, more shoes. We will be moving by the end of this week, not far from the old apartment. We are trying to find something in the city center, though it was hard when you are having a toddler, thanks Aberdeen! This week will be a hard works, need to clean the kitchen with all the-I dont even understand what is that- chemical bleaching. I guess I will send little R for out with his father while I am fighting with the oven, stove, fridge, freezer, you named it! Wish me luck :)

DID I TELL YOU THAT MY LITTLE BOY IS WALKING!

It is a big milestone! an achievement! mama is so proud and happy. He finally prefer to walk than crawl. Though it still wobbly and slow but he will soon running, woo hoo! He can now off from the buggy and start walking around at the park, shopping center, and street. He is such a hard worker, he practice every day and night, from few steps to meter. He likes to wear shoes now, he even pointing on the shoes in the house to tell me that he want to wear it, so cute. I love you my son! hundreds kisses.

WEEKEND AT THE BEACH

Summer is end, here comes autumn, but guess what it was 23degC last weekend. We grabbed our summer jacket (still need jacket though here even it summer time, you just have no idea how cold the wind could be). We were strolling around to the beach, it was a good excuse to do sport. Little R had so much fun, he was fascinating by the view of the blue sea and the beach. I was feel a bit sorry for him, we should go to the beach more often, no more malls and shopping center.

The beach was full of people, playing volly ball, sunbathing, dog strolling and sight seeing. We enjoyed the sun which I believed that was the last sun for this year. Abeerden was so nice to me, it was like a warmth welcoming party ever. People said we were spoiled by the real summer this year, it was so different from last year. I wonder what would it be next year, please be nice because we will stay longer.

 

END OF SUMMER TIME

It was so sad that the summer was end. I will miss the beautiful sunshine, warm weather, and a trip to the park without needing to wear sweater over a jacket over a gillet. We tried to enjoy the sun as much as possible meaning we went to almsost every single stroller friendly park near the city center. Last time we went to Bon Accord park to enjoy our lunch and this time we went to Westburn Park. They have a pretty good playground though it means better for older kids but it is fun.Our littles could not be more happier. Hope next summer will be as good as this year *finger crossed.

HAIR SPRAY MUSICAL IS ON.. AND ROCKS!

Since my friend bought the ticket for me I was so thrilled, that I always could not wait to see it. It was my very very first going out with the girls without babies. I was so happy, finally after 6 months I could have my own me time. So on the date, in the morning, I already warned my husband to come home sharp, no supermarket stopped. At 06.00 pm, husband came home, we started dinner and 06.30 I sneaked out to have my hair spray musical, woohoo. I waited for my girls down the lane, it was so cold outside. Geez I never went this late and did not realized that one layer of jacket is not enough. We walked to the theater, that the good thing about living in the city center, everything is in walking distance. The musical was held a week straight if I was not mistaken at His Majesty's Theater. I was amazed by the theater interior, it is a victorian decoration. Maybe this is how the buckingham palace look like from inside.

This was my second time watching musical, I really wanted see one or two in London, but with the baby, it was just imposibble. The shows was devided into two section with 20 minutes break. They sold an ice cream in between, it was just right for my tummy.

And as the moderator said, since we are back to the sixty that no phone and portable camera invented, using camera was prohibited. Sorry could not share the picture of the shows. It was really entertaining, the music, the song, the performance, reminded me how high school was rock. We were young and free, nothing could beat puppy love, it was just right.

PS: Little R slept peacefully, ate easyly, another girls night out, fellas?

MY LITTLE BOY TURNS ONE

How time flies, cant believe he turned one last week (this mama is crying). It has been a bittersweet on how things went, this first year is a milestone for both his mama and baby. I know from nothing to something on motherhood, and I am a proud mama to have a happy baby like him. Though not everyday he is a happy boy especially when it is time for feeding, it can be miserable. Anyway, we celebrated a little party with our little family. I planned to make one with friends later on after this summer vacation had finished.

I simply decorated the corner of the house with blue, red, and white to reminds him where he had celebrated his first birthday later on which is.. england!! but it can be USA too haha. As you may know, choosing baby first birthday party can be tough! there are so much idea and you just cant resist how cute it is. I made big fringe garland the other night for the decoration and baked some carrot cupcakes using betty crocker recipe (so lazy). Husband and I wrapped up the presents with blue, red, and silver gift wrap so it matched with the theme and put some old toys too. I bought the balloon in the morning when he was sleeping and it was another adventure. I did not think that it was a big job since our apartment is in the city center, I thought it would be piece of cake. But I was wrong, this windy Aberdeen made it a nightmare. It blew like crazy on the way back home, and the sadest part was the red balloon was popped out accidentaly by husband after I handing over it for just like a second. I was so pissed.

 

  

We waited until he woke up and then let him entered the living room. He was fascinated with the balloons, I told you it was a good idea, dear husband. We did skype in the morning with the family from both my and husband side. It is one happy day. Happy birthday my love, hope you had many wonderful birthday in years, hugs and kisses.

EID MUBARAK 2013

Finally here come the Holy day, Eid Mubarak everyone! For the record I had never been celebrating Eid for like 4 years in a row. The first three years, I spent all Eid and Christmast on the rig, can you believe that! and last year I had my precious one a night before eid, so no celebration for me. This year was a gift, I was able to spent it with my little family in Aberdeen though I missed my mom and dad back home. My sister sent me a picture how my big family from my mom side celebrated the victory, I felt so sad that I missed that one again.

Here, we have small Indonesian community who celebrate the Eid. We started a day early at the beach for Eid prayer with all Aberdeen moslem, then continue the gathering in one of Indonesian family. I was so blessed, I felt the the feeling that I had been missed. They served most of Indonesian culinary, such as lontong sayur, opor, satay, pempek, and siomay. The food was awesome, I might have to learn to cook it with the mamas chef here (you know). Once again, Happy Eid for all Moslem around the world. Cant wait to meet another Ramadhan next year.

LE CREPERIE DE HAMPSTEAD

Finally the booth is open with a reasonable queue. Rummor said it had like hundreds people was queuing for this crepes in winter, it means MUST TRY food! La creperie the Hampstead is opened since 1980 and it was famous ever since. It was located near by the Hampstead tube station, walked a little bit and you will find that stall in the corner of the pub with blue and green sign. 

I tried La Surpries des Caraibes, and cannot refuse to get another shot, it was just so goood and a lot! We were so lucky to be able to get one before we caught up the plane. It worth to try!

PS: I really hope they did not have to close down as the pub wanted it to.

THE HUMMINGBIRD BAKERY

Husband keep telling me about how good the cupcake from hummingbird back home and I was so thrilled to try one. I was looking for its website to find the nearest branch since you know travelling with baby shift your plan. Soho it was the easy one, but it was not as easy as I expected, we need to walk far down the road to find that pinky bird sign. We bought red velvet for me (I am a big fan of Oprah favorite cake), carrot cake for little R (yes, he want one too), and chocolate sprinkle for husband.

 

It was just too good and made me wanted to share with friends back in Aberdeen. Plan to had take away before our flight on Sunday but you know it failed! and you know what, I was spoiled with this London treats, need to find one in Aberdeen to fullfill my tummy.

GAIL'S KITCHEN

When we first arived at Hampstead, I saw this tempting bakery and the next thing in my mind was I need to try those bakery tomorrow morning. It served many kinds of bakery and it was hard to pick one. We finally made up our mind (I took more time than husband, of course) and bought cinnamon roll and raspberry cupcake, yummy. The bakery opened early in the morning and guess what! a lot of people were already there, it must have been a famous one. We wanted to try the coffee but too bad the machine was just broken that morning (what!), another time maybe. This tummy was full and we were ready for our London's trip.

THIS IS LONDON DAY 5: AROUND HAMPSTEAD

We did some walk through the Hampstead neighbourhood, to me the area was different from central London itself, so artistic. I really like the environment there, big houses, some important stores, and good food too. There is a giant park called Hampstead Heath, we only had time to see border of the park since we had no time to explore, we had to catch the plane at 03.00 PM.

There was a playground in the area that really suitable for little R, he needed to crawl after being locked up on his stroller all the time. Anyway did you see my man and my little had matching outfit, so cute, huh.

We almost missed our flight because of the traffic, we were so lucky that the plane still did unloading so the door had not closed yet. It was such an awkward feeling when we entered the plane and all the eyes were staring at us. Thank you so much for Virgin staff who made it happen. And another one, we lost our passport somewhere on the plane. Another stupid thing in this trip, we are so blessed that somebody found it out. The passport now saved with me. Lesson learnt from this holiday was never underestimate London traffic! 

PS: I really want to see London in other season, I am thinking maybe winter :) for boxing day.

IT IS NOT LONDON, IT IS BICESTER VILLAGE

Husband was so excited about this trip, he prebooked the bus before he booked the plane. I think this whole London holiday is about Bicester village, haha. We catched up tube to go to Victoria coach station where the shopping express coach was. The coach was departed at 09.00 am and stopped at another two luxury hotel to pick up some guests. It is located in Oxfordshire, approximately 1.5 hours driving from London. Thank God we did not decided to drive on our own, the parking lot was full and I think we might get lost on the way to get there. 

Bicester village is one of the chic outlet shopping center with a value price and 60% off from RRP. The shopping center was beautiful and well organized, it felt like shopping on the countryside. They offered a lot of luxury brands. They have playground too for the kids, very brilliant idea since people tend to spend their day there. There was some restaurant too though not too many choice, we tried Busaba Eathai and it served great foods.

 

The brands that attracted me to go there was the British brands, such as Joules, Jack Wills, and Cath Kidston. I really hope that they offered some good price and I found Jack Wills dress!

We went back to central London at 05.00 in the evening. It was an exhausted trip, the weather was too hot (here I am complaining about the weather again). We went straight home and stopped by at Tesco to by some foods.

THIS IS LONDON DAY 3: WESTMINSTER ABBEY AND ALMOST LONDON EYE

Today was our third day in London, my little R had been so sick that he couldnot sleep well last night. I thought it was because the heat and hay fever maybe. It was laid back day, we decided just going to westminster abbey, where the royal wedding took place. There was long queue at the church, a lot of visitor wanted to go inside, I wondered what it was inside the church as well but the queue was taking me down. I really wanted to see London eye from the other part of the city, but the weather took me down. Tomorrow we had a trip to catch on morning bus, it was better for us to come home early and took some rest.

THIS IS LONDON DAY 2 : CITY TOUR

 

We started our day a little bit late since little R was having flu and decided to spend the day as a tourist. We took bus from Hampstead to Trafalgar Square, it was easier than tube because we brought our buggy in all the time. Like the old man always says the best way to see London is from the top of the bus, and he is totally right. We went inside the National Gallery to have some breeze, it was so hot outside up to 30degC, could not stand for it. Well it was not a good idea though since you brought your baby with you. It was a quite place and your baby like to make noises. We ended up strolling around the mercandise shop eventualy.

It almost mid day, and we run to Buckingham Palace to catch the changing guard. It was lucky that we saw guards and the horses parade on the street. The guards are women too, cant believe it. Well since it was summer time, there were massive people trying to watch the parade, and we barely saw nothing but people's head. We changed our mind and continue the journey to have lunch at Bali Bali, Indonesian cuisine, how lovely.

After lunch we went to Harrods, the bigest shopping center in town. Seriously they were sooo big and you would probably lost in the middle. It was a luxury shopping center, I might grabbed one bag or shoes if I was still a young girl, but with this baby in hand, it was just impossible. All expensive brands was on the list and they had a rule on how to carry your bag too for whatever reasons. We spent some time there and then continued our trip to Hyde Park. This little boy needed to off from his buggy. We passed husband's college and finally arrived at Hyde Park. The park covers 350 acres, maybe we just went on the very small 10 acres that day. We went to Diana memorial fountain, it was so pretty having a swril fountain in the middle of the park. They said it reflects Diana's life.

Night had come without a sun and we finally headed back home. Little R seemed very tired too, we still had some days in London and tomorrow was another adventure. Good night London, we will see ya tomorrow.