admin January 25th, 2008
My dad’s name got mixed up on his license and passport, but he never really paid much attention to that because he usually use it interchangeably, and Vietnamese names are like that; everyone gets mixed up. It never really mattered much to him anyway.
But it did the bank. And the name on the cheque didn’t match the name on his license.
So he went to the RTA to change this, but in order to change the name on his license, he had to go to the immigration department to “change” his name officially, and so forth.
He got home and asked me to, but I was had a runny nose, felt down, exhausted… and mum was convinced I caught a cold from yesterday’s errand (the stay at the bank was getting cooler by the minute, even though weather outside was really hot). So mum offered to go with dad to fix it up while I stayed at home. They made a U-turn since dad took the New Zealand passport instead of the Australian one. And he started getting piss-y at mum for no reason. Okay…?
Meanwhile, I stayed at home, rested myself up, and started to feel better already. Though I really needed a shower, I couldn’t because I was still feeling like shit.
They returned sometime near 4pm, ready for an inspection for the one at Beaumont street at 5pm while I slept some more. -_- And they came back, dad rushing in my room to use the phone to call someone regarding another house.
In my head, that meant one thing: the unit disappointed them.
I asked mum whether or not we have placed a deposit on the unit.
And she told me this: “They said we have to fill out the application, lodge it with all the details filled. Then they go through ALL applicants and they select who they approve, and THEN you get the unit.”
Wow, they are really picky! That’s the #3 lesson. Hopefully no more surprises, I thought to myself.
And then dad’s attitude was really starting to get on my nerves. He kept telling us that the agents don’t give a crap about us since we are very small fishes to catch (they don’t get much out of us, they only care about people buying and selling where they can get good commission out of), that all people renting are looked upon as rubbish and needy for their service, hence the treatment over the phone… And that lodging the form early did not matter because there are always units for rent…
And I’m sitting there thinking, “even though we are small fishes, they still can’t treat us like that! We can be potential buyers as well in the future… and it is indeed very hard to look for a place to rent as I’ve called up every single agent and they were all gone!”
I, being smart, decided against arguing with dad because I KNOW I can never win against his words. So I stayed quiet and bit my lips.
Apparently, dad organised a meeting at 7pm with the Chinese lady he called just after inspecting the Marlowe street one. He found that listing in the Chinese papers and best of all, it did not involve any agents.
He told me to tag along, so I ditched my shower once again, and we went to Canterbury in dag!
Got there.
Wow. Absolutely beautiful!
The apartment was a 2 minute walk away from the station (good for me) and 12 minute walk away from Canterbury boys (good for Brandon). The gym and ice-skating place 10 minutes away, although a little inconvenient for dad to shop for food. Now we just had to talk her down from her price (which is a little more than intended).
She arrived 15 minutes late (missed the train), very apologetic, but a very nice and honest lady from the way she spoke. She took us for a tour around the place…
- Shared swimming pool
- Shared playground
- Shared tennis courts
Wow!
Liking the place more and more, she brought us to the actual apartment.
- 2 spacious rooms
- 2 bathrooms
- A large lounge room
- A large dining area
- Built-in wardrobe in each room
- Neat kitchen with self-built door (no smell escaping to the lounge room)
I was in heaven!
This is the FIRST time I thought of moving out as a good thing. The absolute first! Anyone who knew me also knew that I took pride in my old house, loved it to death and HATED the idea of moving away!
She even offered:
- TV
- Couch
- Dinner table
- Fridge
- Washing machine
- Bed
- Study tables
Only if we wanted to use her ones, of course. Whatever we didn’t need she’d move away before we moved in. Simple.
So after introducing us to the place, we discussed about the terms and conditions, bills, rent… Although she only took $10 off the rent, mum and I eagerly urged dad to take the place. I told him I’d chip $20 (not much but I am a full-time student!) rent every week to help.
Done deal.
Gone! (for the others: there were a lot of people calling up for the place)
Afterwards, dad admitted was eager with the place as well but he didn’t want appear so, and thought the offer she made was actually pretty reasonable. Only complaint is the carpet. And…
We’re officially happily rented!!!
Now all we have to do is just pack, move and settle in.
And life resumes.