Thursday 26 April 2012

The Glass Window


The shifting went off eventfully. Long story, so I won't get into that. But the movers were good, everything was intact except for a broken glass but even that I can’t be too sure because I may just have had something to do with it.

I already am aware of the fact that I have no sense of direction. What I didn’t know was that I also couldn’t measure space. When I first saw the flat I got the feeling the rooms were small. And I had seen the flat twice before moving in. I kept cribbing to everybody & remember telling you also that there was not much space. Now that I have moved in and kept all my furniture in place I realise I am wrong. There is space, much more space than I anticipated.

The first day was a nightmare. I walked around the new apartment with a million things buzzing through my mind but did absolutely nothing. It felt like jetlag, this feeling of numbness which overwhelmed me. I have never experienced jetlag personally. But if I ever did I'm sure its just going to be like this.

When it was time to sleep I realised none of the beds had mattresses on them.

“I told the packers to dispose all of them.” says better-half casually.

I stare at him in disbelief.

So the first night we all slept on the floor.

That whole week we slept on the floor. Because the furniture guys took one week to deliver the bedding we ordered. Though we padded the floor well with blankets and flannel we all got up with aching bones everyday. The kids were cribbing big-time & I thought I was going to fall sick if it went on like this.

On the last night of this ordeal I got up in the middle of the night for something. It was then it struck me. I could sleep on the sofa. I lowered myself onto the soft cushiony foam and sighed in bliss. And kicked myself for not thinking of it earlier.

The better-half gets up as if on cue and orders me off.

I pretend to be deeply asleep.

He wakes me up.

I mumble "5 minutes" hoping he’ll nod off by then.

Exactly 5 minutes later he wakes me again and reminds me they are leather sofas.

A few minutes later I heard an exasperated intake of breath.

Again a few minutes later I hear him sigh ‘They’ll sag under your weight’.

Muttering uncomplimentary things about where he can get off with his precious sofas, I go back to the cold floor. Atleast I got uninterrupted sleep there.

The first week was terrible. We literally lived in a glass house. All the rooms have huge windows. But the living room window takes the cake. One whole wall is a window. At first we thought it had reflective glass. On the 1st night I went out into the balcony to confirm and my heart dropped. It was clear as day. Every single thing we did could be seen from outside. And directly opposite were around 6 windows of the neighbouring apartments.

I suggested to the better-half that we cover the windows with newspapers till we get the curtains. The better-half disagreed. 

“We’ll buy curtains as soon as possible, until then it will remain bare” he remained adamant.

I shook my head wearily and placed the cartons I had already unpacked, in front of the window. After a few days we got somebody to drill holes for the bedroom curtain rods. I used the curtains I already had, so those rooms were ok.

Once the immediate requirements were completed we went curtain shopping. And came back home pretty pleased with ourselves. We went to a store who dealt with curtains and the accessories. We selected the curtain material, then the gauzy material to let the light through, then the blackout cloth which blocked out the light if we didn’t want it, chose the rods and the mechanisms to open & close the curtains. Then waited for them to give us the estimation.

The price when it was revealed shattered us. Let’s just say that for the same amount I could have brought the entire furniture in my living room. Well almost. For now it’s back to the drawing board.

Meanwhile we are all on our best behaviour, atleast in the living room.

In other news[related to the move, everything is related to the move], the kids come back home a whole hour early coz theirs is the first stop from the school. They were so thrilled in the beginning but now are complaining they don’t get enough time to bond with their bus-friends;-/.

I found a nice supermarket[nice meaning there’s lots of Indian foodstuff] tucked away in the corner. Just 5 minutes away. I’m so lucky. They opened newly around 3 weeks back. Imagine. I’m imagining that all Indians in the locality must be so pleased. 

An Indian family has moved in on the floor below mine. They are Malayalee Christians; I have not met them or even seen them but I knowJ. How??? When I open my kitchen window I can hear them. Especially when the lady is on the phone, I can hear her through the din the pigeons make. Her conversations are peppered with pullikaaran[an old-fashioned way of referring to the husband] and Ammaniamamma and Sunnychayans :-D. I’m not particularly looking to meet them, just content they are around.

My Mil sent duck roast all the way from Kerala through a cousin.

It was like manna from heaven.

I know what you are thinking??? You are wondering why this Nancy’s reactions are always OTT.

Well let me put it another way. You are bone-weary from all that unpacking, tiredly thinking of what to make for dinner when all you want to do is flop on the bed; just then the door-bell rings and this packet of delicious duck-roast is placed in your hands.

I rest my case.
.........

If any of the neighbours were watching through the window, they would have caught sight of a fat lady clutching a newspaper covered package complete with strings close to her heart, sinking to her knees in slow motion and weeping tears of joy.

Now that is going Over The Top even by my standards;-D

The Glass Window 

70 comments:

  1. After 5 years of blogging.......my 250th post:-))!!!!

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  2. Congrats on 250 posts!!Thats a landmark!
    Yea moving houses is painful, but good to hear you are settling well. :)

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    1. Settling well...huh??? Here I'm telling u my dukh-bhari kahaani and you are assuming all iz well......from where I stand there is atleast another 2 months of work to complete before I can cautiously say the word 'settled';-o.
      And thanks Amrita;-D!!!!

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    2. Well the optimist in me blissfully ignored the dukhi bits and took away the little settling moments :)
      Chalo maaf karo - Will await your super settled post in 2 months.
      Waise I am curious to how duck tastes :)
      And what is Ammaniamamma and Sunnychayans?

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  3. Congratulations on the 250th post. Great show - many hours of pleasure you have brought to your readers. But boo for taking 5 years to get there !!

    Coming tomorrow to your new house. And stop moaning about the glass window . It looks beautiful. But where is that pretty "gazeable at" gal inside ??? (you have to read my post to make sense of that :):)

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    1. Thank U Ramesh, I knew u were going to take me to task abt the 5 yrs; seriously even I am so ashamed;-P.
      There is a gal there in the pic but it's not me;-D.
      Coming right over to check out ur new post:-))!!!

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  4. 250 posts!!!??? Wow, N!! Congratulations......
    (But, as Ramesh says, 5yrs is too long.) I hereby order that the next 250 posts be completed in 2yrs. Whatt?? Now you have a wonderful spacious house, with a vowww glass window to gaze at: remember you have 6 windows of the neighboring apartment directly opposite to yours, and a pigeon hole to hear stories from??? What??? Did I hear privacy?? Time to gather stories N ;) :P....(If you haven't, pl read Ramesh's recent post to know more on privacy)

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    1. Thanks RS....I knw, I knw, dont rub it in;-(.
      I knew I shdn't have mentioned spacious....only another Dubaite will understand what I meant by spacious. If u saw it u may wonder whether I even knew the meaning of the word spacious;-P.
      Now I really am so curious to read Ramesh's post;-D

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  5. congrats.. and a wonderful 250th it is as well.. though, I agree.. its high time you add atleast paper to those windows :)

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    1. Thanks Doc;-D!!!! If there was even a 1% chance that I could get away with it I would have done it by now. For some reason the H has got it into his head that taping newspaper over the window makes it look tacky & err cheap. Nothing I say is making a difference so now I've let it be;-P

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  6. that was a very entertaining post nancy. Did bring a smile 2 my face:)
    I understand how huge windows can be a boon and a bane...I have huge windows in my house and 3 sets to be precise. One opens into a courtyard and the other 2, well lets just say, the pathway and the apartments across. My fav past time when we moved in was to turn off the lights in our apt and people watch-like pervs :) Locals here dont draw curtains or anything and dont have issues with the entire world seeing what they are up2 and to be honest no one peeps, well of course other than Indian like us who are always apprehensive :)
    Its however a blessing in this otherwise sun-less country and i hate a house with no light coming in.

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    1. I knw why u smiled.....just ur kind of post huh;-D.
      Haha ur pastime sounds like fun;-D. Here I'm switching off my lights & peering into the dark to see if anybody is looking in. But almost all the apartment windows have curtains drawn so its totally boring;-D.

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  7. Hi Nancy, congrats...its your 250th post, sounds great..
    Liked the way you narrated the whole thing,.liked the window(and your leather sofas too..)
    Wishing you always very very happy moments in the new home..

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  8. I want you to make a blog marathon..One post each on every day, a full month..(I am being a bit selfish, that I can read your posts everyday..). Think about it yaar..

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    1. Blog Marathon;-o!!!

      Alright I'll think abt it;-D

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  9. Congrats Nance on the 250!:)
    And the home looks warm and welcoming :) And same pinch, even our living room has this array of clear glass windows on an entire side wall :D
    Post pics after u put on the curtain too!

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    1. Thanks Swaram:-))!!!
      Same punch...err same pinch;-D. Ok but let me get those blasted curtains first;-(.

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  10. Sleeping on the floor is very good for health. If done correctly, it's called Savasana and its a useful position in Yogasana. You got a wonderful opportunity to practice Yoga without all that $$$ and still you don't realize it! :P

    Destination Infinity

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    1. Now u tell me.....after everything is over. Errr.... not tht it wd have made any difference as I like my creature comforts too much to forgo them;-D.

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  11. shifting is such a headache, i have changed so many houses I should know:)

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  12. That is so mean of you husband!

    And shifting woes! We shifted on 23rd Jan and our house is still in a mess because we know we have to shift in another 8 months so why make an effort ;)

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    1. Hahahaaaa...thts a good and useful tip Smita, will keep it in mind;-D

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  13. Living room is looking good Nance. I love windows!
    Glad that the mattresses are in now. Happy house decorating. Wish I could have some duck roast cooked for me now:-)

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    1. I love windows too....but with curtains;-P.

      Aaah the duck roast, it's been a week & more but it's still fresh in my mind;-D

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  14. oh..I'd have given a earful to my husband for doing something like this w/o consulting me..
    yeah another month and you'll be set :-)
    LOl @ being at your best behaviour in the living rooms..;-)
    I liked the windows though!

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    1. Well I didnt see any point in 'discussing' about what was already done;-P. Maybe if he was disposing it in front of me I wd have put up a fight;-D.
      Yeah...another month or two;-P

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  15. Like the way you narrated the event. When are the curtains coming? :-)

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    1. Thanks;-D!!!
      No idea since we haven't decided yet. There are some attractive offers on curtains all of a sudden so we are busy exploring all the options;-D

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  16. ur posts r just too good, peppered with sarcasm n matched perfectly with a pinch of salt!

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    1. Dished out pretty well eh;-D.
      Thanks Lilac:-))!!!!

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  17. Congrats on your 250th post :)

    Are those french windows? And is that a balcony I see? I wonder if it would be a good place to relax with a cup of tea (or coffee)???

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    1. Thanks girl:-)!!!

      I just went and err...googled french windows and guess what....they ARE French windows;-D. From this moment onwards they'll be referred to as only French Windows;-D. See this is exactly why I love blogging:-))!!!!

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  18. Wow Nancy thats a super cool living room...I liked that Sunnychayan conversation ...it is such a cliche about Mallu syrian christians, you know.? there is atleast one sunnychayan in every family and mostly he will be in dubai ! :D Yes I agree you will not call yourself 'settled' anytime in the near future until the smallest utensil and funiture are places exactly where you want it to be. And it takes more time than what anyone might think...I really know this ! And congrats on finally liking the place.Lovely engaging narration as always.

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    1. U r sooo right....abt the Sunnychayan in Dubai bit;-o, I too have one now tht I come to think of it;-D.
      Yeah settling in is taking more time than I thought.....and I've already come to the conclusion that its not my cup of tea;-(

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  19. With those sofas i say u don't even need a bed :p
    the room looks bright and sunny now but with temperature soaring, u do need curtains to block the light/sun n all..

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    1. Yeah the light is too bright, I get a headache by the end of the day;-(. Have to get those curtains fixed up soon.

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  20. Duck roast all the way from Kerala, you are soooo lucky and that too by the MIL. double lucky. And for the curtains come to Sharjah, they are much more affordable and you will have lots to choose from :)

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    1. Hehehe when u put it thata way it seems like I'm really lucky;-D.
      Even I've hrd curtain material in Sharjah is quite good & reasonable, we were even thinking of chking them out when we came across multiple offers going on in Naif & even Lamcy. So thought we'll chk those out first. Thanks:-)!!!

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  21. Duck roast?? ente vaayil kappalodikkam....It seems you had a wonderful relocation :P... I attempted your tag.. Check it out :-)

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    1. 'Wonderful' relocation.....I can write another post on that;-P
      Done it finally huh, will be there;-D

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  22. Aah! I have gone through the shifting blues quite often here. I can totally relate. Mail me the address. I am hoping you are close enough to come walking with me in the mornings! :D

    People have personal doctors and lawyers, we have personal movers and curtain makers. :D

    I hope you have got curtains now and settled down well. Start a garden. I just did! :D

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  23. Loved the posts. I love houses with huge glass windows :) living and peeping.

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    1. Thank U:-))!!!! LOL that's bcoz we are convinced that the neighbours are leading a more exciting life than ours;-D

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  24. Oh and look at you- YOU HAVE BEEN BUSY!!!! Congratulations on the move- love the glass window...and you are too kind- if my hubby had made such a comment about me & the couch- hmmm...well, you will just have to imagine the outcome :)

    How nice of your MIL to send the roast duck- yes after such a move and exhaustion- wonderful to receive food!!

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    1. LOL.....I know and keep reminding him every now & then that I'm too good for him;-D.
      @duck roast sentiment...u understood, u soo perfectly understood:-)).

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  25. I have missed the moving stories.. !! By the way, where we live now there is a similar glass window/door to verandah. I swear I can dance inside all day and no one would know as no one passes by. We love in ground floor to top it. There s a garden and pool outside but not a soul wanders around. It's like the whole country (US) is on mute mostly :-)

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    1. How wonderful.....total privacy, u dont even need curtains;-o. A garden and pool sounds lovely:-).

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  26. Just read your comment..congrats on 250th post. What an achievement really!!! Nice post to mark it too :-))

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  27. Oops, I meant, we live in ground floor. I am sorry for spamming your comment section. Ok, I am outta here ;-)

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    1. Ofcourse I knew wht u meant, u really didnt have to explain u knw but..but if u had placed a 'make' in front of the word then I'd have been like;-o

      ;-D

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    2. LOL...wait, isn't that what you meant by 'best behaviour in living room' ;-)

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    3. Hahahaaaaahaa.....even if I say the thought didn't cross my mind u r not going to accept it, I was talking abt the kids u knw;-D

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  28. Nancy, I so looove your writing style... everytime i read your posts, I have this biggg smile on my face...
    pardon me for smiling at your agony, but honestly, it's wonderful to read your posts :-)

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    1. Everytime I think I have nothing to say and then receive a wonderful comment like the one you wrote, the next minute I'll be searching my mind about what I can pen to make u smile again, thank U Laila for the lovely comment:-)).

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  29. Hey dear ... Congrats on the 250th Post :)
    And also "Happy Staying" ..... :)

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  30. Pardon the glutton in me Nance, I was reading your post with the smile that normally lights up my face when I read you and then you go saying "DUCK ROAST" .Now the only thing that I remember is duck roast, duck roast, duck roast, duck roast, duck roast.....not my fault, my friend ;-)

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    1. Hahahaa....even after 2 weeks I can still taste it in my mouth when I remember so don't blame u one bit;-D.
      And Bindu thank U for the compliment wrapped around the duck roast;-D

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  31. yay, you did it! heartwarming post as usual :D the one thing that i really remember from this post is the lack of curtains, therefore, best behaviour at least in the living room hahaha you're the best! :)

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    1. Thanks snow!!!!
      @best behaviour - Hehe I'm afraid to ask what is running thru ur mind while u r laughing;-D

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  32. Firstly congrats on the move! And secondly heres the chutta-peda for making a bakra out of me with that WP-move gig *@#%^^%$

    I love those French windows!

    Its your 250th post, congrats again! My my quite a feat! Heres to many many more :)

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    1. Hahahahaaaaa.....so u finally got the joke;-D

      Thanks Deeps!!!!!

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  33. Again so engaging. I was drifting with you in the post. Well written. Congrats on the 250th! a milestone indeed.

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