As of Friday we continued to have challenges with the owner of the DaVinci house ... seems he wants to collect the 10% taxes (on $3,850/mo) but not pay them to the govt - non-starter for us.  I know what the problem is ... its called $$$.  He knows our allowance is $4,350/mo and he wants some more of it.

However, we have advised him that the $4,350/mo is for a FURNISHED house and he has nothing in his ... thus, the difference is to help us buy furniture.  Of course, he doesn't care ... he just wants the money and he figures that as an expat I have more than enough.

So, went looking for alternative housing over the weekend as a fall back position and to give us bargaining power on Monday. I didn't see anything I liked ... Decy has done an excellent job in finding a house and the DaVinci is head and shoulders above what is currently available ... its just this Indonesian thing.    Bottomline, told our agent to negotiate on Monday to close this deal once and for all ... and to go up to the limit to do it .... but start with a much smaller (perhaps $100/mo more).  Here's hoping/praying ... b'coz, we've just got to move forward on a lease ... its already 1 month in a hotel and this is an impossible situation long-term ... and even if the owner is ready to "do the deal" we are probably 3-4 weeks away from move-in.

On cars, think I previously advised we put down earnest money on the Fortuner ... as soon as money from the US arrives (this coming week) we have to make the down payment (US$11k) ... then upon collecting the car in approx 2-3 weeks we pay the balance of $29k - $40k total).  Financing is clearly unattractive here with interest rates at approx 20%PA.

This week we will begin shifting focus to the CR-V ... which will require similar financing but total cost is "only" about $30k.

Have to take my Toshiba to the shop - its still overheating severely and shutting down all the time.  Hopefully just a dust problem ... but I will have them check the fans at the same time.

First wave of furniture is pretty much queued up .... just waiting on the house ... not much sense in working on the second wave until we have a move-in date.

*** On a completely different note, have 27 days of 2006 vacation remaining, which I can't schedule yet .... maybe this week ... thus, impossible to plan the holidays.  In the meantime, I can't wait on booking flights ... so booked Chris and Paul from Nashville to Singapore ... we will figure out the rest later ... maybe Sri Lanka, maybe Thailand, maybe Vietnam, maybe Indonesia .....

Today (Sunday) we are going to the Regent Hotel for a very special brunch (excellent quality and gazillion memories from 2001).  Today we celebrate Chely's 18th BD as a family. 

Gotta run ... time to celebrate. ciao ciao.

Day 3, nearly complete. Wow, what a couple of days ... so much to do ... so little time to do it.  Muddled through on Tuesday ... time with Decy and the girls was great.

Had a hard time waking up on Wednesday (jetlag) ... but managed to arise about 630am ... and made it to the office about 845am ... which is what I was targetting for day-1.  Security met me at the door, took me to have my picture taken, then took me to my office on floor 29.  Door was open and I was handed a key.  The primary people I need to meet with are not there ... due to illness and vacation ... but I start meeting people anyway ... and even found a way to log on through the company system.

Leave work at 5pm ... tired, jetlagged, hungry, only to rush to JIS for a parent-teacher open house ... lasts until 9am ... back at the hotel, eat dinnner, try to manage with Decy the many decisions we have to take ... in bed by 11pm ....

Wake up at 230am (darn that jetlag !!) alarm goes off at 445am (vs 345am in Angola).  I rush to the bathroom as it is virtually impossible for me to work my way into the queue with 2 bathrooms and 3 females .... its not like I can go in and brush my teeth while one showers ... so, I jump ahead of them.

In the office at 715 am, as per plan.  Already finding important things to work on.

Aside from work which is generally boring compared to "life", Decy continues to make progress on the stuff.   Still trying to get the lease signed on the DaVinci house ... its an owner and "taxation" issue.  Hopefully things will work out in the next day or two so that renovations/upgrades can begin .... probably still 3 weeks from a move in date.

No wonder Decy, Che, and Tasi are frustrated .... Hotel Kristal is ok ... BUT, it is small, cannot really cook, and it is not "our home".

Furniture continues to be "queued up" for the house .... and carpets were delivered today and stored at the hotel concierge's.

Jumped in and closed the deal on a Toyota Fortuner .... Decy closed the deal tonight .... JUST a modest $40k ... typical for Indonesia.  Still need to close on the CR-V.  In the meantime, we took out a 1 month lease for a car and driver ... as we must have 2 cars ... now that I am here.  Also, we have decided (I think) to hire Mustafa (our current contract driver) and his cousin as our permanent drivers.  Decy says she's going to "put the fear of God in them" as part of their offer .... man, I would hate to work for Decy ....

Tomorrow is Friday ... don't yet know what we are doing that evening ... BUT, Saturday AM is massages ... PM is lunch of Nasi Padang (Yahoo) ... and Sunday we take Che and Tasi to the Regent hotel for Sunday brunch to celebrate Che's BD .... what a feast awaits us ... then we will probably lay by the pool like stuff pigs.

Guess that's all for now ... sorry our life is not too exciting ... maybe Che and Tasi will blog some time .... as for Decy ... MIA in blog-o-sphere ....

... tripled my sleep last night by sleeping on the Singapore to Jakarta flight ... all 1 hr 15 minutes.

While at the Singapore Airlines lounge ... just before walking to the gate ... saw a friend from Angola ... on their way back to Angola ... small world, ain't it?

Was met at the Jakarta airport gate by security/greeter ... just like clockwork ... taken out to waiting car and driver ... just like clockwork ... reached the hotel 10am ... perfect (for Jakarta).

Said hi to my wonderful Decy.  Man, does she look buff ... she's been exercising and it really shows. Wowie !!!!  After some time with her ... headed off to a 2 hour massage ... from a VERY STRONG 50-ish Indonesian woman ... she pretty much beat me to death ... but my muscles really needed it.  Total cost of 2-hr massage - $18 plus tip.

Went to eat Nasi Padang, an Indonesian type of "buffet" where you buy food by the plate ... ate until I couldn't stand it.  Total cost for 3 lunches - $14 including tip.

Dropped off a bunch of my dress slacks, coats, and suits for pressing .... cost ~$2/article.

[ Notice a pattern of modest costs ?  At least if you stay away from the expat places ]

Picked up Chely and Thasya from school ... wow JIS is really big ... and lots of security layers.  We all went to see the DaVinci house ... one minor hitch before we sign the lease ... but all should be going forward soon .... nice house ... great job Decy !!!!

While driving around town saw a CR-V and Fortuner (the cars Decy wants to buy) ... she has already picked out a dealer she trusts .... so we will move forward on negotiating price.

As for furniture for the house ... that's on the list of things to look at tonight ... if I stay awake ...

Oh yeah .... and tomorrow I work.

ciao ciao

Ok, after my arrival in Singapore I STRUGGLE to stay awake even for a little while. While at Borders books & music around 1pm I just about pass out ... so I go back to the hotel and lay down for 2.5 hours.  Up at 330pm .... ready for the day.

James picks me up at 700pm ... and off to Clark Queue we head ... some time socializing then dinner ... spicy shrimp, grilled grouper, veggies, rice ... I love this country.

Then off to see a long lost friend .... Mark. Catch up with him ... everybody is disappointed that I have to leave so early in the morning ... so me in my stupidity say ... " hey, I have all night ... I can sleep on the plane " ... next thing I know ... 245am ... in the hotel packing.  Finally asleep at 315am .... wake up call 345am ... reminder wake up call 400 am .... PDA alarm 415am ... on my way to the airport at 430am ... after checking in the VERY NICE Sing Air person reminded me I was a "little bit overweight" and to be more careful next time.  I presume she was talking about my luggage.

So, here it is 515am ... I need to find the first class lounge and make one duty free stop for Thasya .... see ya in Jakarta.

ciao ciao

Ok, so yesterday I'm all checked in at Johannesburg ... waiting on my flight to Singapore.  I'm watching my watch and the monitoring board to see when the flight was open for boarding ... recognizing that there is a 1-hr time change from Angola to j'burg ... and although I thought I had changed my watch ... you know .... things happen.

So, when it appears that it is time to board, I start walking to my gate. Suddenly the monitor changes ... and shows that the gate is closed (ergo the plane is ready to depart) ... so did I or did I not adjust my watch?  Don't know now ... run run run ... as fast as I can to the gate ... only to see 200 people in line ... getting ready to board.  Guess some ying yang accidently selected "closed" instead of "boarding" ... well, he certainly suceeded in getting my heart rate up.

Now, having arrived in Singapore ... it is very clear I am back in civilization ... and VERY CLEAR I am in Singapore ... welcome 78 degrees and 90% humidity .... at 645 am.

Got checked into the Grand Hyatt.  Handed over my passport to the VISA expeditor (should get my passport/visa back today about 5pm).  Now ... what to do to stay awake.

Went for a walk.  Went shopping ... Scotts Road & Orchard Lane ... yahoo .... a woman's paradise (but I'm not a woman).  Ran into a food court and ate "Hot & Spicy Beef" noodle soup ... sorry, wasn't hot enough for me ... so I added chilis ... wonder what all the locals thought when they saw me slurping up all that stuff.

Made contact with my good friend James.  We will meet up for dinner 630pm.

Wake up call already set for 345am ... and I am also going to set my PDA for 400am.

... now to stay awake ....

ciao ciao

Its Sunday at 1220pm ... I'm all checked in at the Johannesburg, South Africa airport .... in about 1 hour I jump on the plane ... and wake up in Singapore.

Hard to believe I've already left Angola.  Today I saw a Vietnamese girl on her way to Angola .... boy is she in for a surprise.

Checked luggage was way overweight. Before leaving Angola I talked the airline into increasing the limit from 30 kilos to 40 kilos.  It came in at 55.4 kilos (plus about 12-15 kilos in my handcarry).  Singapore Airlines charged me for only 5 kilos ... but that still was US$200.  Then there will likely also be a charge leaving Singapore, which I will need to negotiate.  For packing, I tried to get the weight as far down as possible ... but, I'm not going to leave my shoes and suits Angola ... and the packers were long gone. Such is life ...

... on to the next step.

ciao ciaol

Its 315am ... kilo comes to take me to the airport at 900am ... still not fully packed. Why???

Had dinner at Coconuts with very special friends ... some of those whom I have touched ... some whom are married and have children b/coz of me. It was tough. Dinner ended at 12 midnight.

THEN, I find out that 26-Aug is Tom Rapson's BD (same as Che )  ... boy did I mess that one up ... spent several hours with him after dinner ... and that is why it is already 315 am .... I can sleep on the plane ... the time with Tom ... its priceless.

Ciao Ciao

Friday ... 511pm ... officially only 49 minutes of work ... yeah right, as if I am really going to do work (that's why I'm blogging from the office).

Ok, so, I need to do something to keep me busy until about 730pm ... then a bunch of us will go to Coconuts for dinner ... one last time ... on the beach .. outdoors (Che, Tasi, Spicey - I'll be thinking of you and our times together there).

Did a "walkaround" at work today to say good-bye.  Several people, including me, struggled with that.  Ofelia in our HR department was crying ... I'm the last of the expats that were here during the war ... the last that understand how hard it really was ... the last that realize just how far the country and company has come in the last few years ... I was there back when we had less than 100 employees and we knew everybody by name ... now we are 600 and hardly know each other.

Today I had lunch with our Country Manager Terry McPhail, and co-workers Drew and Debbie Bishop ... went for ... Chinese food.  It was good ... we laughed a lot ... and avoided in "reason" for the lunch.

Last night, I had dinner with KC and Lydia Yap ... very good Malaysian friends ... there was fish soup .. and I ate the head ... and thought about Decy.  We talked until midnight last night.

I know there will be many tears tonight ... many of the folks coming are folks that I interviewed and hired.  Many folks that are now married and have children because I offered them a job and opportunity ... and they moved from Portugal or Brazil to come here.  It will be very difficult.  But, in the end we will all recognize that we have touched each others hearts.

... Bill

Struggling, hour by hour ... minute by minute ... Trying to stay focused .... trying to remember what I have forgotten ... in less than 34 hours a kilo will come to take me to the airport to leave Angola ... for Indonesia.   What have I forgotten? What is still undone?

On Friday I must stay focused.  On Friday I must say good-bye to many friends.  I suspect I will remember some things I have forgotten ... and will likely have some "mini panic attacks" several happened already today, Thursday.  I pray and trust I can handle this.

Key is to hold it together ... as Friday night I have a dinner with approx 12 friends ... primarily Angolans.   Good people. Good friends ... Sadly, in the meantime, it is already 1245 am on Friday ... and my alarm will go off at 4am (remember, I usually get up at 33am ... but we are having water problems here at the compound).  My mind wants to believe that if I don't go to sleep then tomorrow never comes .. but ... tomorrow is already today.  How I manage "today" is so important ..... not so much for me ... but for the Angolans that I leave behind .....

ciao ciao.

According to physics, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction ... even in Angola.

Seems our housing compound has a water main leak somewhere.  So, to minimize losses they shut down all the water between midnight and 4am.  Of course, that means when I wake up at 330am ... I cannot go to the bathroom, cannot shower, cannnot shave, yadi yadi yadi ... even though the kilo is coming approx 415-430am to take me to work.

Alas, the equal & opposite .... seems my A/C at work is not functioning properly .... there is water streaming continually from the ceiling ... guess if I really want to take a shower each day ... I can just do it in the office (I wonder how the company feels about nudity ?)

Speaking of company/work, I am thoroughly disgusted with some of my co-workers ... while I recognize that my replacement isn't coming for 6-10 weeks and that is worrisome (who is going to do Bill's work in the meantime?).  It thoroughly disgusts me that people are walking around talking about my work and who is going to do it ... without including me in the conversation RE about "what it is" I actually do.  Makes me feel like a piece of meat being carved up - - however, today is essentially my last work day ... tomorrow (Friday) I do a walkaround and say "good-bye" and attend one last staff meeting.  I'll do my best to not "blow up" at people.

RE the Indonesian house hunting, I think we are very close on closing on the DaVinci house.  Last I heard there were only 2 small open items that haven't been agreed to, which should be do-able. I'll keep you posted.

.... I'm emotionally ready to go ...

ciao ciao 

*** read it for yourself ****

Note 1 from Singapore:   " Bill,  this is the final arrangement.  Apologies for the confusion. Cheryl "

Note 2 from Illinois:   " I have 4 LDN from Angola to Houston, TX, then a 40' container from Houston to Jakarta.  The shipment from Angola to Jakarta via air has already been picked up (10 gross cuft per family member).  Thanks. Gloria"

***

Do you think the saga is over or not?  Cast your votes please !!!!

ok ok ... I have family all over the world ... EVERYBODY is my brother, my sister, my mother, my father, my son, my daughter, my aunt, my uncle, my niece, my nephew, my cousin, and my wife, (did I forget anybody?)  ....

Regarding the relocation to Indonesia, I deliberately decided to not mix the "shipping issue" with the general relocation commentary.

Decy has been stuck in a "5-day holiday" this past weekend ... on Tuesday we will finally get moving again on the house hunting.  Hopefully everything will be wrapped up Tuesday or Wednesday so the renovations can begin and we can have a move-in date targetted ... my guess is will be around the 23rd of September.

Once we know we have the house for sure, Decy will begin a full court press on selecting furniture and starting to queue it up for delivery ... and then there is the domestic and security help we will need to hire .... probably 6-7 people.

If the above isn't enough ... I learned today that our 42-day expense paid auto rental (with driver) began when Decy arrived ... so that deal turns into a pumpkin about the 12th of September ... so, we will need to either start paying rental (with driver) or go out and buy two cars (and find drivers) ASAP.

I think we are going to buy a Honda CR-V and a Toyota Fortuner (Decy's choices).  Given the absence of attractive financing that means I have to queue up about $55,000 so we can pay cash for the cars  .... and don't forget the furniture costs either .... so, as you can see September is going to be a very hectic and expensive month (Paul & Chris, see why I sent you the college money early ???).

ciao ciao

Regarding the relocation to Indonesia, I deliberately decided to not mix the "shipping issue" with the general relocation commentary.

Decy has been stuck in a "5-day holiday" this past weekend ... on Tuesday we will finally get moving again on the house hunting.  Hopefully everything will be wrapped up Tuesday or Wednesday so the renovations can begin and we can have a move-in date targetted ... my guess is will be around the 23rd of September.

Once we know we have the house for sure, Decy will begin a full court press on selecting furniture and starting to queue it up for delivery ... and then there is the domestic and security help we will need to hire .... probably 6-7 people.

If the above isn't enough ... I learned today that our 42-day expense paid auto rental (with driver) began when Decy arrived ... so that deal turns into a pumpkin about the 12th of September ... so, we will need to either start paying rental (with driver) or go out and buy two cars (and find drivers) ASAP.

I think we are going to buy a Honda CR-V and a Toyota Fortuner (Decy's choices).  Given the absence of attractive financing that means I have to queue up about $55,000 so we can pay cash for the cars  .... and don't forget the furniture costs either .... so, as you can see September is going to be a very hectic and expensive month (Paul & Chris, see why I sent you the college money early ???).

ciao ciao

Ok, so today the packers were to come to box up all our stuff and haul it away for shipment to the US and onforwarding to Indonesia, ETA - 8am.  Phone rings at 630am - Singapore Expat Center ... we start chatting.

Seems there AGAIN is confusion on my shipment.  Recall that going INTO Indonesia I am entitled to a 40 ft container (big mamma).  But, leaving Angola I am entitled to only 4 little LDN crates (380 cu ft total) ... plus I'm entitled to take things from my storage in Houston ... as long as it fits in the 40 ft container (although I'm not allowed to go to Houston to get my stuff.  And, if I have a container shipment ... I am entitled to air freight into Indonesia totalling 13 boxes.

So ... what was last agreed was .... 13 boxes by air to Indonesia ... 4 LDNs by air to the US to meet up with my storage ... to be shipped by 40 ft container from US to Indonesia.

Time out ... all bets are off ... my 13 boxes which were collected 6 weeks ago are sitting at the airport here in Angola ... ready to leave ... BUT ... I can't have "two air shipments" only one .... ARGGHHH ... so how do I get my boxes?  And how do I get my other stuff out of Angola?

My mind was in a bit of a fog ... but I think the decision was ... 13 boxes by air to Indonesia ... arriving 29-Aug, customs clearance time 3-6 weeks.  Then my 4 LDNs from here ... but might not be 4 LDNs by air from here but 4 LDNs by sea inside a 20 ft container to Indonesia (I think) ... then because I will have already consumed 1/2 of a 40 ft container ... I will get a second 20 ft container from Houston ...

... or was that one 20 foot container from Angola to the US ... to be added to a second 20 foot container in the US ... all going to Indonesia ... or was that 4 LDNs by air to Indonesia .. and one 20 foot container by sea from the US ... or was that ????

Anyway, the packers came ... they saw ... they boxed ... and hauled my stuff away .... a measly 62 boxes.  The shipping folks and Expat Center now have custody of all of our stuff ... I'm outta here on Saturday ... THEY can figure out what they want to do with it.

ciao ciao.

OK, just for the record .. not ALL my family is in Tennessee and Jakarta ... I also have family in Florida (right mom?)

Wow, what a weekend. Sorry about the lapse.  Muddled thru Friday (at work).  Then, went to the BCI apartment (deja vu; after living there 2 years) to see Tom Rapson.  Tom and I had a great time talking, then went to dinner at Pintos (Decy's and my favorite restaurant).  Met about 40 co-workers at the restaurant celebrating a milestone.

On Saturday ... yahoo ... helped hare the hash ... and then.  Well, what goes around .. comes around.  I have been dishing out punishment and harassment for 4 years ... Saturday was my turn (I will try to get some pics to post) ... for now, close your eyes and imagine ... fake breast, red lace bra, black evening gown, blond wig, lipstick, mascara, eye liner, earrings, and high heals ... yep ... you try hashing in that !!!! ... I did get 14 offers for a date ... 5 men ... 8 women .. and I'm not sure about the other    ; )

Survived.  Boy do my calves hurt !!!!

Oh yeah, I had a carefully place "LH3" painted on my back ... with hair removing cream.

After the run and circle punishments (to others) ... we were treated to a very special Pakistani dinner (yeah baby).  When it became clear that the hair removing cream wasn't fully meeting expectations ... out came the razor .... a grocery sack full of hair lies in Salman's courtyard .... (can anyone say "itch itch" as the mass of hair grows out).

After a couple of hours of that ... I was grabbed and carted off to an evening (what was left of it) of karaoke.  I was allowed to change clothes ... but I don't know what was the status of my make up.  Of course, our country manager was at the karaoke place ... I wonder if he saw my make up ????

Listened to the music ... we, the hashers, sang "dancing queen" from Abba (hmmm, wonder if I was still wearing make up) ... and finally around 1-2 am (I think) we made it home safe and sound.

Today (Sunday) I was invited to a BBQ ... so after several more hours of packing of personal items (remember, the packers come tomorrow) I went to the BBQ ... met some nice folks ... and some were hashers ... even got a gift that was for Decy ... which I put in my suitcase.

I think my "date card" is now full.  Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday got filled in over the weekend ... which were the only open days ... as of Friday last week.

In closing ... family, friends, and God ... (not in that order of priority) is all we really have in this world.  Hold on to all of them. Love them with all your heart .... reach out ... touch somebody.

ciao ciao

Double yeah-yeah.  All 8 visitors (incl 5 VPs) leave today. That means its time to shutdown, pack, and leave for Indonesia ... hurrah ... finally ... after months of uncertainty and planning (since early April).  Although hard to say good-bye to friends here in Angola ... half my family is already in Jakarta waiting for me (the other half are in Tennessee) ... so it is time to go.

Meeting with VPs went well; doesn't look like I have to stay in Angola longer; although I expect some phone calls after I leave.

Now ... hmm, much to do.

Thurs - Hash Mis-Management Committee meeting at the hash's favorite restaurant.

Fri - Packers deliver some packing material in the morning.  Dinner with my best friend Tom Rapson

Sat - Hash and Pakistani curry dinner afterwards

Sun - finalize organizing the house

Mon - Packers arrive

Tues - Dinner with Sharifah and Pauline (hati-hati)

Wed - ?

Thurs - ?

Friday (25th) ... last night in Angola - Dinner with a bunch of friends, primarily Angolans.

Sat (26th) ... Time to fly ..

Oh yeah ... in there somewhere is a little bit of work to wrap-up.

Decy is moving forward on the DaVinci house - it passed the security review. Hopefully we get some good feedback today on finalization of negotiations.

ciao ciao

... all going well, during Wednesday's reviews no major issues will emerge that will delay my departure to Indonesia.

RE Indonesia, Decy continues to negotiate on the house we call "DaVinci" ... stay tuned.

ciao ciao

Last week while house hunting in Jakarta, Decy had one of her favorite houses pulled out from under her.  Then, recall I blogged her Top-4 ... well, No. 1 the Pondok Indah house was taken before Decy could begin negotiations on Monday morning.

So, not to lose spirit ... Decy and I (primarily Decy, because there are 6 time zones between us) took on piranha instincts and started negotiating on the DaVinci house (No. 2; some pics will be posted momentarily).  Talks are underway, and I suspect that much will happen tonight, while I sleep. Especially when you recognize that the owner will collect 75% of 2 years of rental within 2 weeks onces he signs the paperwork ..... hmmm, $4,350/mo x 24 mos x 75% ... looks like a bit of money.  Hopefully, all goes well tonight. Keep praying for Decy ... this is a challenging situation.

As for me and "boresville" ... I'm still working. Our multitude of Vice-Presidents arrive tomorrow.  They leave on Thursday.  I am told I can go home to pack after they leave ... pray for me that all goes as plan ... I am hoping to leave on Saturday, 26-Aug after everything is packed and I've shut down my work.

ciao ciao