Thursday, October 15, 2009

Start Living Like One

Yes I know it's been a long time since I blogged, in fact almost one month! That's the longest break that I've taken from blogging since I started my blog this March. And Daniel has been nagging me for the past 2 weeks "Hey, quickly go & blog leh, otherwise we will lose our viewership!" SIAO! As though we were running some media business. But really... I couldn't find the mood to blog as I was pretty bothered over some of my thoughts.

IN THE PAST.....
A typical comment that I would make before marriage whenever we talk about Daniel's going-up-home to anyone:

Having come from a house of six and always having to share rooms with my siblings since young, attaining such standards in my own house that I grow up in is never possible even though people always think that I am a very systematic and organized person. Like many typical Singaporean chinese, my room would be neat, systematic and organized only for while during Chinese New Year... before things start getting messy again in a corner of the room and then "spreading of messiness" starts and before you know it, the whole room is in a chaotic scene again. Sigh... I guess this is what we call the "broken window" theory.

So before marriage, this is what I had told Daniel: "I'm very impressed..But please hor... don't expect me to produce this kind of standard ok? You do your own ironing and folding of clothes ok?" I said that because I was doubtful if I can do it since I can't even do that in my own house. However secretly in my heart, I wished I can have a room like his.

Friends who came to my house and those who read my blog kinda know the effort I put in my current Tampines home. Very often my conversation with them whether in person or over the phone would normally start like this "Hey Karen, what are you doing ah? Cleaning the house? Cooking? Washing the toilet? Ironing the bedsheets? Ironing Daniel's socks and home tees? You very high standard leh"

I know they are teasing me but these constant remarks have caused me to start feeling that probably some people think that I do nothing else except these things...

"Do they think that I am evolving into a housewife, an auntie???"
"Do they think that I'm very EXTRA to go such great lengths to make my wardrobe so neat?"

Thoughts like these have not only bothered me, but also crippled me. I stopped cleaning my house and laundry for one whole week until things really piled up & I got even more frustrated about myself.

But thank God I cooled down in my thoughts & after pouring out to Daniel, I began to appreciate the good works that I have trained myself to do. As we talked, I began to remember what Mummy Annie had said to me once:
"Many people take great effort in personal grooming and making themselves look good. But not many people put great effort in making their house looks good & feel good. The condition of a home tells a lot about a person's character and soul."
And I totally agree with her and it was after this sentence that I have made a decision in my heart then that one day if I have a home of my own, I will do my best to upkeep my home in its best possible condition.

My cousin came to my house recently and said: "I'm sure you must have woke up very early to clean the house before we came right?"
Me: "No la.. my house is always in this condition anytime you come"
My mum: "Of cos la, now you don't know have children yet.. this should be the standard."

So finally I came to terms with myself that this is not about being "kua zhang", "EXTRA" or "overdoing". I believe anyone who's a first-time homeowner will also be equally "homeproud" right???

Just like we say in church of how we should start tithing from the 1st dollar, otherwise we will never tithe when we have our 1st million dollar.
Same thing...
One day, I want to live a good life. I want to be in the up-society. I want to have a beautiful home like those dream homes in the magazines. But where I am right now, (although without a maid and the quality of life) I will start living like one, with the cleanliness, the neatness and the excellence, I will create a beautiful home at my current level ...

Inspired by how the condition of a house reflects the character of the owner,
I want my house to be always ready for guests anytime.
I want my house to be always ready for selling tomorrow.

Yes I have high standards, and cheers to high standard. ;)

*Karen Yeo Smiles at |12:31 PM| *

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥