After much has settled, thought I'd explain bout how we got this house. It is really suprising really to get this one!!

It was a Saturday afternoon, when D was at his long 12hour shifts, where he asked me to join his parents to go look at the houses that we found on trademe. It was pretty much around Manurewa area, since it was the only area that we could afford at the moment.

So they picked me up after Pilates at about 1.30pm. We slowly headed to Manurewa. Our first house that was on the list was on Coxhead Rd, where I had to rely on a very old map to get to where we want. As we headed on to Great South Road, I had a question for D's dad, asking him when is it the right time after all the research to get a house. He said to take our time, since this will be the most expensive item we'd ever buy in our life.

As we headed towards Alfriston Road (off great south road), D's dad made the wrong turn and went the opposite way. I told him that we have to make a turn, and in the midst of getting the right direction, D's mum saw an open house on Brough Road and suggested that we turn in to have a look if it is still on. True enough it was. So we went to check it out.

D's dad, bought it straight away. Before I could blink, we were in the agent's office, with him filling up the form and waiting for agreement from 3 parties. It was scary, the feeling. I did not even had the chance to absorb what happened. And the irony is what he adviced me before we went driving around. Funny that. D's mum jokingly said that D's dad buying a house is worse then her shopping for clothes. Gosh, I did not have time to dissaprove, as I do fully trust his experience.

And so, the property was bought. But with us not under the title, as we are aiming for the first home loan grant in 3 years time...we decided to own half the share privately after talking to a mortgage advisor. But sigh, I didn't want to pay the interest. It would be better getting the title and be eligable to write a tax return. Hope this will be a good idea. We need 100k to break even, considering the amount we will be putting in to fix the house and to pay off the interest.

What a story.

We have got a property =). After a fairly long search.

Today was our first day house hunting. We started off looking on trademe for a week. And today onwards, we went out to property press and narrow down accordingly to 300k or less.

Our aim is to get one to before leaving. Never realised how much pressure the Media is putting on NZ these days. I was exposed to so many things at one go, so much that I wanted to buy one straight away.

But buying a house is SO difficult from shopping. So many factors involved. We are talking about a payback of at least 20 years. 20 years! You can't imagine how many more times it is for us to be careful to pick on a house to invest.

I can't wait though. The first house will not only secure our future, but open us up to more things in life. A tad more complexity, but it makes the irrelevent things that I once thought were huge, smaller and smaller each day.

I must admit I over reacted with the first house. Kinda feeling guilty and bad for the way I behave. But I have to get over it now. I am glad D understands. He too didn't see that part of me. I guess I feared what is coming upon me. Needed the courage within me to pull myself together. Also, there is Karma. Interest rates will go up at the moment, but it will not stop me. For what goes up, will come down.

Anyway, onwards with more house shopping!!

Have started to get involved in fit-out projects so that I can gear myself up for the trip!

And the project is pretty interesting too. Its pretty much organising building spaces according to client's needs or wants. Sometime it is done when the building gets constructed. Or it is done when the building is built, but with a standard space.

25th Feb 07
And so it was a spur sort of a half decision, now becoming a full decision. Yes, we are planning to do our O.E at last. Things were still a hush, and still is a hush. Its still a long way to go.

2 April 07
There was 'The Big O.E' exhibition out at Alexander Park. What we thought was a talk, turned out to be booths full of aids from getting your CV through an agency to having a blog that sets your trip out online. There were heaps of people helping out with finance, visas, job search and extra travel. T'was useful.

It was really exciting to think bout it. It was such a great goal to work for. Me and D have now started a savings plan, or plan to even save more than what we have. It only takes 3 months to apply and leave anytime. And its so much easier for me, as Beca has a branch out at the U.K. I can be transferred anytime.