First .... in a few hours we leave for Ujung Pandang ... don't know if I will have internet access or not ... so, if you don't hear from me until Wednesday, don't get worried.  I have my handphone in case of emergency.

Its 1147am ... guy to install broadband (385 kbs +/-) was supposed to be here at 900am .. we're leaving for the airport no matter what.

Guys are still working on the alarm system ... its huge (and not wireless) ... don't know how many sensors, panic buttons, and control panels they are installing ... but its a bunch.  Hopefully we don't get a bunch of false alarms.  Don't know how the my company expected a house owner (any house owner) to install such a sophisticated system ....

AMSOUTH STILL SUCKS !!!!  And they are doing a doubly sucky on Grandma Suzy !!!

Well, its not at good as the Marty Robbins song ... but we did have water this morning.  Issues with the water:  Last week - none in the house ... so they had to dig the well 45 ft deeper. Tuesday - none upstairs, because the upstairs water pump failed to work (perhaps due to lack of use over the last few months).  Wednesday - none anywhere because the main pump kicked out.  However, there is a 65 gallon holding tank on top of the house ... so don't know why that water wasn't available via gravity flow ....

Yesterday Decy had a long meeting with the Owner, Mr. Wiharga. He is a very nice man and very much wants to do the right thing.  His biggest challenge is that this is Ramadan month and tomorrow begins Idul Fitri weekend ... so verybody is tired from fasting and nobody wants to work until after Idul Fitri.  Nevertheless, Pak (that's bahasa for "Mr") Wiharga spent much the day at the house waiting on workers to arrive and working through the water system issues. Today (Thursday) ... I have water ... wonder how long that will last?

Decy and Pak Wiharga also went through the punchlist of start up items.  He was very pleased with the gazebo and that its "quality" matched the overall quality of the house.

Pak Wiharga pretty much went ballistic when he saw what was being done on the alarm system (and I can't blame him).  Apparently the installers (without talking to him) decided to rip out all the wiring for the smoke detectors.  Then when they installed wiring for the alarms they didn't match it with the house (white on white and brown on brown).  So what was a very "discrete" wiring arrangement is now "blaring".  Pak Wiharga is having the workers undo everything and redo the installation correctly.

Another big issue is that the office in the house is quite warm.  The A/C unit works but doesn't cool ... but then it did once.  Upon inspection, it was found that the outside condensor (or is that the compressor?, I can never remember) is in an enclosed area ... and in a corner that is incredibly hot ... bottom line ... no circulation ... no cooling.  The outdoor unit will have to be moved.

Regarding work, arrived at home last night at 7pm.  Had a very quick snack as I hadn't eaten all day.  Brought work home and was going to begin ... 720pm ... phone rings ... its a test of the emergency warden system .... I have to do my part ... so I pull out my list of 30 people and being trying to reach all of them.  At 830pm I stop testing .... result was I successfully reached all but 3 (90%) ... and found some areas for improvement in our process.  Of course, didn't get any of my other work done ... so now it slides to today ... which will make today tough ... as I have to get certain things done before I take my long holiday weekend (starting tomorrow).

ciao ciao

ALRIGHT !!! .... we've had enough ... we are going public.  How wonderful it must be to be a big corporate bank with an account agreement that says "either party can close the account for any reason at any time".

Now, for you and me, if we close a bank account ... what's the big deal to the bank ... nothing really ... yeah they lose the account ... but other than a few minutes time ... it costs them nothing.

BUT, when a bank closes an account ... without notice ... and "for any reason" that is a disaster for you and me ... John Q. Public (especially when you are 12,000 miles away and you can't exactly walk over to the bank across the stree) ..... Amsouth is just such a bank ... DO NOT TRUST THEM ... DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY ... DO NOT GO NEAR THEM ... they will destroy your finances .. your lives ... costs you hundreds of hours of trying to "rebuild/re-establish".

Amsouth Bank has closed my sister's account, my account, and now my mother's account.  I am still trying to understand why they closed my mother's account ... its a new development.

So, why did Amsouth close my account and my sister's?  For over 6 years Amsouth has been accepting my paychecks ... handling large amounts of money ... numerous and large wire transfers ... including transfers to Indonesia.  NOW SUDDENLY, AMSOUTH DOESN'T WANT MY ACCOUNT BECAUSE I DO BUSINESS WITH INDONESIA.  Of course, I do ... I live here ... I lived here in 2000-2001 when Amsouth had my account .. I've transferred money here regularly since, while living in Angola ... and I am living here now ... because my company moved me here .... just like thousands and thousands of other US Expats living/working here.

So, without notice, without warning, without explanation ... they closed my sister's account and my account.  Then, they started bouncing checks that arrived after closing the account (and charged me $36 for "insufficient funds").  Now, they have closed my mother's account ... probably (I'm speculating here) because she cashed a $220 from the HORRIBLE HORRIBLE MAN THAT IS DOING BUSINESS WITH INDONESIA.

No doubt this has to do with HOMELAND SECURITY ... but it sucks ... more on this later !!!

Today is Wednesday - 518am ... I have been up since 350am .... expectation:  shave, brush my teeth, use toilet, take shower, get dressed, get on internet, have coffee ... leave for work about 610am ...

Reality .... dry shave, dry toothbrushing, interrupted use of toilet, no shower, got dressed, 1 hr to log on to SLOW internet ... no coffee yet ....

I don't understand the water system in this house ... first, apparently a pump froze up yesterday morning, which prevented the girls from showering (but I could at 4am). This morning there is zero water ... but then I heard the pumps come on at 430am ... after I am already dressed and dry shaved ... ouch ouch ouch ... too little too late.

As for internet access ... after two weeks of getting the run-around ... seems the internet company won't install access without a letter from the owner granting permission ... more delays .... costs for access ... are US$70+++/mo to US$200/mo depending on if you want to pay by the bytes or have unlimited access. It will probably be the end of next week (earliest) until we have broadband .... This weekend begins the Idul Fitri holiday ... and everything slows down even more.

As for TVs, apparently the guy came and hooked up the outside, then the next day the inside ... but then Decy tried using the TV and there was no sound ... so back he came ... don't know if we have TV or not ... didn't get home until after 8pm last night.

The Owner delivered some of the patio furniture Tuesday ... 4 chairs and two little tables.  I really hadn't expected the Owner to supply hand carved chairs and tables with marble tops.  This guy is trying very hard to do everything right ... there just seems to be the basic start up issues.

That's enough whining for now .... ciao ciao

This is it.  The day we check out of the hotel (after nearly 3 months for Decy and the girls) and move into the Palm house.  There is still a gazillion things to do at the house ... and it is only about 1/3 full of furniture ... and has zero nic-nacs and wall furnishings ... and very little kitchen/dining stuff  ... but that is ok ... it is now "livable".  We now clearly have sheets, towels, water, soap, toilet paper !!!!

Sunday was pretty much a day of resting. We all got up ... met up with some of the family and had a late lunch to celebrate Dolly's birthday (one of Decy's sisters).  Then we went to the house with another load of stuff.  While I cooked the shrimp that had been marinating overnight .... Decy did karaoke ... Chely was on the internet (temp dial-up style) ... Thasya worked on her school's "eqyptian history" project.  At one point everybody sang a song or two.  Overall, the shrimp was pretty good ... given that I had to assemble all the spices from scratch (didn't have any shrimp boil) and had to doctor-up the cocktail sauce (much too sweet the way it came out of the bottle).  I think Decy and the girls enjoyed it.

I jumped in the swimming pool for a minute to see what it was like ... very nice ... and will be quite enjoyable when we have some patio furniture and music there.

Today (Monday) after the girls leave for school and I leave for work (not in that order) ... Decy will shut down the hotel ... pack up a few boxes and haul the remaining belongings to the house.  When we all "return" we will return to the house.  Its been a long haul ... and we are glad to be moving on to the next step .... settling in / getting a routine / ironing out the bugs.

... This Friday we go to Makassar ... yeah .. I want to see the place where Decy was born and grew up !!!

ciao ciao 

Grandma Suzy, there is only one cartridge ... trust me ... its a color scanner than prints only B&W .... urrghh.  BTW, I am NOT lazy !!!! (just a tired old man).

Made some progress on Saturday ... but not much.  Freezer and 2nd water dispenser showed up .... YEAH !!!  And, the workmen were able to drill the well down another 50 feet ... to get to more water .... double YEAH !!!!

However, the maids tried the washer and dryer.  The outlets and plugs were undersized ... thus, when they turned on the W&D ... sparks, sizzle, melting plastic outlets, zip .. zing ... zowwie.  We started the re-wiring last night .... washer is now fine ... the dryer was almost done when we left ... Don't know if they finished rewiring the dryer or not.  Also, I had to explain the exhaust vent for the dryer ... I don't think they realized they need to hook it up .... and they were going to just let the hot air go into the maids area ... instead of being routed outside.

Until the dryer is ready ... maids are washing clothes and air drying ... they realize we need sheets and towels before we can move in.

TV guy never came on Saturday ... urggghhh ... glad we didn't wait at the house for him.  WHEN he shows up he needs to rewire the TV outlets ... they aren't exactly in the right place ... we want one in each of the girls' room, our bedroom, the family room, and living room .... 5 outlets in total.

RE internet access ... Decy will go to the i-net office Monday and try to get that going.  In the meantime, there is a telecom dial up we can use ... I tested in on Saturday ... not real good ... but I think it is workable for a couple of days .... but, painfully slow .. but better than nothing ... COST - 100 rupiah per minute on weekends, and 165 RPM on weekdays ... that notionally 1 and 2 pennies a minute, respectively.

I hear the owner was still out shopping on Saturday ... there is some patio furniture he still needs to buy ... as per the lease agreement.

Owner added another 3 feet to the fence on one side of house ... it looks ok, I was afraid it was going to be ugly.  The back walls must now me something like 20 feet high and the side walls 10 feet ...

I have promised the girls some boiled shrimp when we move into the house ... so, I will try to honor that promise today (Sunday).  Bought shrimp and some seasoning ... couldn't find exactly what I wanted ... but it should work for this first time.

I think we will spend Sunday night in the hotel ... one last time ... then after I leave for work and the girls leave for school, Decy will check out of the hotel ... at least that is the plan.

ciao ciao.   

No, I'm not speaking baby language ... those are the names of our two maids and gardener.  Anni is the "Senior Maid" and the cook.  Wiwi and Nunung are the wife-husband couple.  All seem very nice ... Wiwi is sooooo small ... how small is she?  Well, not sure ... maybe 4' 8" and 70 pounds.

Got off work early (but late relative to plan) .. and made it home ... hmmm, 2pm delivery of safe and shredder was a 4pm delivery ... but all went well and looks good.  Washer and dryer was hooked up yesterday ... about 5pm ... but not before we had to go buy plug adapters .... Indonesian style to Singapore style (not sure why they used Singapore style plugs in a couple of places at the house).

Got Thasya's stereo set up and hooked up to the TV ... nice ... karaoke is really sweet now.

RE new printer-scanner-fax   ..... urgh ... whoever heard of a COLOR scanner, all-n-1 system ... that prints ONLY black and white ... sucky sucky sucky .... I'm stuck on that one.

RE UPSs ... two big ones work great ... not a problem ... two small ones didn't come with the "output" cords ... not very useful that way ... gotta go buy cords now.

RE A/C units ... we have something like 13 in the house ... I think its two that aren't working very well ... including the one in the office ... gotta get that fixed.

RE water ... we are in our dry season. Sometimes have water, sometimes no ... I understand the owner is going to drill the well a bit deeper ....

The four of us had a simple dinner at the house last night ... VERY NICE ... Wiwi and Anni laughed and laughed watching me eat fresh chili (during a pre-dinner snack).  Jokingly, I told them that next time they needed to find "hot" chilis ... he he he ....

We are having the typically "start up" issues associated with any move ...and in particular moving in Indonesia ... but we are making progress.  Today (Sat) we are still in the hotel ... just going back and forth for now ... as we get things organized. Hope to have internet access at the house on Monday.

ciao ciao ....

And so, my resourceful mother (with electronic bahasa translator - nakal nakal nakal) who carefully reads my blogs and still has her wits about her ... asks how does one have a gazebo without a yard?  Good question ... read on ...

Most middle/upper class houses in Indonesia (especially Jakarta) don't have yards per se ... houses with their security walls, usually go right to property boundary ... think of it as a mini castle with a wall around it.  Note:  This looks especially odd (as Paul and Chris will see in December) when you have a block with only two or three house on it ...

Anyway, for the Palm house ... the front yard has a little bit of grass (inside the walls) ... it is about 10 ft by 20 ft.  The back yard has some plants, but is mostly pool, decking, and patio ... can't recall seeing any grass there.  The gazebo will be placed on one of the patio areas.  I promise to post a pic once the gazebo is in place.

Now ... as for progress ... after having worked late on Tuesday and Decy just about killing herself ... and having another very full and frustrating day on Wednesday (mattress delivery 4 hours late) ... I decided to leave work early to lend a hand.  Left the office at 4pm ... 30 minutes later I have travelled ~4 miles and was within 2 miles of the Pondok Indah Mall ... where Decy was waiting for me so we could buy the safe ... so I SMS Decy ... "making progress - be there soon" .... 45 minutes later ... I have travelled ~ 1/2 mile more ... urrrrgggghhhh .... finally arrive at the mall 1 hr 45 minutes after I left the office .... i tried ....

Anyway, we bought the safe ($500) and a good cross-cut shredder ($200) both will be delivered on Friday.

As for Thursday, lots of furniture arrived (see yesterday's blog for the list) ... our bedroom set (which includes a 4 poster bed) is beautiful (way to go Decy !!) and the 3-2-1 couch set is really nice.  I also like Chely's bed set.  (Thasya's bed set arrives next week).

On Friday, we have to divide and conquor.  I have two meetings in the morning (that I couldn't reschedule) ... then will leave the office, go to the store to pick up some things ... and then to the house to be there for the safe and shredder delivery.  While doing that, Decy and the girls will be at the school from 8am to 3pm for parent-teacher conferences.

I understand that the washer and dryer will be hooked up today (Friday) ... which is critical to our moving in so (a) we can have sheets and towels, and (b) begin doing laundry.  Hopefully, that works out ... so the maids can start that process.

Stabilizer and genset not yet hooked up. Security alarm not yet upgraded.

This weekend and next week will be lots of shopping, shopping, shopping, mainly for groceries - food, drinks, spices, all that kind of stuff you need to eat !

Friday, while waiting at the house, I will try to set up the new all-in-1 printer ... as well as begin charging the UPSs.  Don't yet have internet access ... Decy and the real estate agent is working that one ... hopefully soon (Monday ?).

Decy continues moving items from the hotel to the house.  We have a good shot at being in the house this weekend .. but I suspect we will spend at last least Friday and Saturday night at the hotel (being as it is paid for by the company) ... we will move into the house when enough pieces are in place ... Sunday? Monday?  we shall see ...

ciao ciao ...

For those that want to know: sukses - success; bisnis - business; jus - juice; rumah - house; mobil - car (I misspelled that in the other blog); telepon - telephone ..... SEE you do know some bahasa ... way to go grandma Suzy !!!

Ok, today is Thursday ... its 5am ... still in the hotel Kristal.  Status on house ....

Wednesday was a busy busy day ... today even more so.  I came home late last night (arrived about 745pm) so didn't get to see the house ... but as I understand it ....

First, Decy lined out the two maids and gardener  ... salaries, food allowance, what they can/can't eat from our side of the house, who cleans what area ... handed over supplies ... put them on 3 months "probation" .... and told them "no arguing".  For the gardener, he won't be much of a gardener ... we don't have much of a lawn ... but he will be working there with his wife and will also be helping with the cleaning.

On the lawn ...the backyard has some bushes/trees but no grass ... really just a deck and pool.  In the front, there are a few bushes, but the grass is only about 10 ft x 20 ft .... so, "mowing the lawn" will be done with hand shears.

Wednesday was a big delivery day for the Owner.  He still has a bunch of things to bring ... but he brought 2 TVs, the 2nd frig, small stove for the maids, one of the bottled water dispensers, the maids' beds, the washer and dryer (W&D are key Day-1 items).

On our side, Chely's bed frame and standing mirror was delivered. Also, took delivery on two medium sized and two large sized UPSs for the computers, printers, TVs, stereos (once it all arrives).

Decy did another "store run" getting additional cleaning supplies, food for the maids, sheets for the maids beds, small electric fan for maids (their area is not air conditioned), rice, noodles, dishes for the maids (but she forget spoons and forks, most eat rice with their hands), soap and shampoo for the maids (so they are clean and fresh), iron and ironing board, drinking water (until the bottled water arrives), rice dispenser, soda pop, and who knows what all else.

About 75% of the stuff in the hotel was moved to the house ... 13 air freight boxes, printer, stereo (Thasya's BD present, which she knows about), and a bunch of Day-1 kitchen stuff, sheets, and towels.

Today, Thursday, is a key day for delivering lots of our furniture ... our bedroom set, one set of living room furniture, the girls mattresses.  Next week Thasya's bedroom set will be delivered as well as the gazebo .... don't know about the other things we have already bought.

Oh yeah, the rugs that Decy bought will be delivered today (Thurs).  Today Decy is going to buy the safe and do another store run.  As for me ... work ... work ... work.  However, I plan to take Friday afternoon off.

So much to do ... but Decy is doing an absolutely excellent job and the drivers Mustafa and Yono are pitching in and helping too.  I think we will be in the house on Sunday ... as long as the electricians don't screw something up when they hook up the genset and stabilizer.

After we get this first wave of stuff in ... we will organize it ... try to build a routine.  Then next week, Decy, the girls and I are going to take a long holiday weekend (Idul Fitri) and go to the island of Sulawesi, town of Makassar (also known as Unjung Pandang) ... where Decy was born and raised.  Decy's son David is there .. and I want to meet him, his wife Anna, and their baby (Moses).  Plus, I want to see the house Decy grew up in ... although I understand it has been substantially rebuilt/renovated.

After we get back from Makassar we will then start the next wave of major purchases/moblization ... furniture for the entryway / sitting room ... and for the family room.

Fun fun fun ... huh ?????

Say these words just as they are written ... sukses ... bisnes ... jus .... rumah ... mobile ... telepon. now, blog a remark and translate those from Indonesian to English (Chely, Decy, Thasya .... DO NOT !) ... let's see how many you get right. Have fun.

On the Palm house ... step by step ... WE HAVE TOILET PAPER !!!  So much time ... so little to do ... "oops, reverse that" as Willy Wonka would say.

Ok, we have a genset and stablizer (although not yet hooked up).  No wonder the Owner didn't want to buy them ... they are EXPENSIVE ... and big .... genset is the size of two chest freezers stacked on top of each other ...and is towed on wheels.  The stabilizer (a giant voltage regulator) is the size of a small refrigerator.

Temporary security guards (ones that work specifically for our company) are now in place. Very nice fellows.  They will be our security until my company puts in place a contract covering all expat houses - - not my problem to worry about. 

One mattress,ours, showed up last night (Tuesday) and Decy made a delivery on key "day-1 items" ... toothpaste, soap, toilet paper, basic cooking items, hangers for clothes, brooms, mops etc.  Decy goes back to the store today and starts buying laundry supplies, cleaning supplies, napkins, more of that kind of stuff.

Today (Wednesday) is a BIG day ... all maids and gardner show up, washer/dryer will be delivered, water dispensers delivered, girls mattresses delivered, UPCs for electronics delivered, some of our rugs, and some of the other furniture - can't remember which.

Decy will be making numerous "runs" between the hotel and house.  Thankfully, the two are apart by only 10-15 minutes travel time.  She will try to move as many of the 13 boxes of stuff and other things we have bought ... today and tomorrow ... and let the maids unpack, wash/dry/iron, and put away as appropriate.  Decy's mom will be at the house to help supervise the maids while Decy is running back and forth.

I think today (or tomorrow) Decy will buy the safe and queue it up for delivery.  I think the Owner will begin putting the new curtains in during the next few days.  Don't know about the alarm system yet ... maybe next week.

As for me ... what am I doing ... I'm working, keeping the cashflow coming, lending help wherever I can .... yeah I know ... I'm a slimeball !!!

Other key items before move-in, internet access, food, bottled water ... not necessarily in that order of importance ... but all important.  We are targetting moving this weekend ... but it will likely be late Sunday or a Monday check out from the hotel.

... stay tuned ... ciao ciao

Decy's charging ahead on the preparations for move in ... for those that want to know details see below.

Monday:  Back-up generator set delivered; guard bench and table delivered; contract with 1st maid signed; received preliminary information on utilities (will remain in owners name and we will pay the bills - its an Indonesian thing ... have to be the owner of the house to have utilities in your name)

Security guards arrives on Tuesday at 6am.  Both maids and the gardner will begin working on Wednesday ... there will be lots for them to learn ... and they can keep the house clean and mop up after "all those feet" carry in furniture ... plus, they can begin washing, ironing and putting away all our clothes that have been in boxes for 4 months (Note:  The boxes are the 13 air freighted boxes; the shipment is still somewhere in the world)

Some furniture starts arriving on Wednesday - quite a bit on Thursday.  Somewhere in there the owner will deliver a washer and dryer - key to moving in ... as with 4 family members we have lots of laundry ... as it is we are paying about $75/week to keep our clothes clean ... which means we will have a nice costs savings in that regard once we move in.

I think today Decy will buy a large safe for the house ... for delivery this week.  That is, believe it or not, a critical day-1 item ... we must have a place to store/safeguard our money, jewelry, passports, key papers, etc.  Not yet sure the size of safe ... but I expect it to be 2-3 foot tall (it needs to be HEAVY ... and large). 

>>> On the downside ... somebody stole one of the axle covers off of one of our Fortuner tires/wheels. It was only a $10 item ... but as Decy says ... it is worth $2 on the street and is 2 days wages for somebody.  Sadly, this happened while the car was parked in the covered hotel parking lot that had "security".  >>> It will be good to move into our house, where this can't happen. Later this week, one of the drivers will go get a replacement cover.  FYI ... our drivers Mustafa and Yono are fantastic ... they are very competent and always looking for ways to save time and improve our efficiency ... they can easily run errands on the way to/from dropping one of us off ... soooo ... they are a Godsend !!! 

On Saturday we wanted to go visit several places to look for electronic equipment and a printer ... Jakarta is such a "challenge" with regards to traffic and travel time ... consider ...

1045am - leave hotel ... to get massage .... 8 miles away (south of hotel) ... travel time 30-45 minutes

1130-130pm - get massage

130pm - leave massage place collect Thasya from hotel ... travel time 30-45 minutes

230pm - eat lunch - 45 minutes

315pm - travel to electronics store .... 6 miles away (north of hotel) ... travel time 30 minutes

345-530pm - in electronics store .... gazillion things on display ... but only ~10% actually in stock

530pm - leave electronics store ... travel to hotel ... arrive 630pm (1 hour) ....

.... so much for going to a second place.  Organizing one's time and optimizing travel locations/routes are absolute keys to minimizing "car time".

>>> On a more positive note, Decy and the girls went with Fairus to two production studios.  They met the key folks, put in applications, yadi yadi yadi.  We shall see what develops.  Several folks asked Decy if she wanted to get back into the business .... Decy's initial thoughts are:  (a) perhaps for commercials, (b) unlikely for soap opera ... due to time committments.

>>> Decy recieved the keys to the Palm house on Saturday.

A friend of ours from Angola is visiting this week.  Decy is spending time with her.  She says that Luanda just isn't the same anymore without Decy ... : (

>>> On Sat night, after spending the evening with Fairus, we went to an open air "cafe" ... sat on plastic stools, ate soup, and listened to some street musicians .... a most excellent experience !!!

Urggh - now off to Monday morning work.

.... in case of doubt ... Amsouth still sucks !

Yahoo !!!  The lease on the Palm house has been signed.  Owner says we can begin the move-in sequence now ... even though he won't get the company check for 2 weeks.  Time to get to work ....

Decy has a gazillion things to start queuing up ... security guards are supposed to show up on Tuesday ... then stuff can start being delivered ... mattresses, bed frames (from different vendors), couches, safe, refrigerator, washer, dryer, chairs ....

Decy says the maids and gardener are ready to go ... one set is a couple ... they will live with us ... One maid will sign the employment contract on Monday.

Things are moving along, although there are a gazillion things to think about ... such as ... the girls need ready access to the internet as much of their homework is posted online ... Decy's working that one.  Then I had a brain freeze and realized we don't have any printers with us ... they are in the shipment "somewhere" in the world ... got to go buy a new printer today ..... Otherwise, the girls can't print their homework .... details details details ...

Oh year, and can't forget to buy food and soap ... important Day-1 stuff ... you know "eating" and "bathing" ... ooops, and don't forget TOILET PAPER !!!

ciao ciao  

I'll pay the rent .... and so, on Thursday at about 11am, I receive an email advising that the company agrees to pay for the alarm upgrade.

Now before anybody jumps up and down for joy ... after I started pushing this issue hard (to get closure) ... there was silence from the company (presumably they were considering the matter).  Then at 930am Thursday I get a visitor in my office needing some critical help.  I stop everything ... listen to the issue ...do my research ... respond via email ... hear a sigh of relieve from the receiver of my email.

So, what's the point of the preceding paragraph?  Well, the person who needed the help was one of the two key people that were involved in making a decision on the alarm system ... after I helped them ... then my answer came.  Connection or coincidence ??? One may never know .... but the result was good.

At 2pm I saw a new draft of the lease. Looks good.  I initial a couple of pages ... and then am told to be at the ground floor of the building (I'm on floor 29, out of 39) at 2pm on Friday for final execution of the lease agreement.

I explain the situation to Decy ... she ponders the situation ... responds "ok, now its my turn" .... starting today (Friday) she begins executing the move-in sequence.  There's a gazillion things to do ... and we cannot physically move in until the security guards are in place and the minimum life support-type issues are resolved.  We both agree that we may or may not make it into the house next weekend (14th-15th) ... but what is important is that WHEN we do move in ... we have a place to sleep, a way to cook/eat, a way to bath, a way to do laundry, and a place to store our valuables ..... 

Let the games begin .... albiet slowly ... this is Ramadhan and we are fast approaching the long Idul Fitri weekend (21st-24th) when nothing will be accomplished.  FYI, Idul Fitri is the end of the fasting month .... lots of celebration by a gazillion tired and hungry folks.

ciao ciao ... 

What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object - everything and nothing.

Remember the old vaudville act where the villian says "pay the rent" ... the maiden say "I can't pay the rent" ... the villan says "you must pay the rent" .. the maiden says "but I can't pay the rent" ... then a handsome guy says "I'll pay the rent" .. and the maiden says "my hero !!" ???? Remember that ??? ... that's kinda of what's going on now ...

After settling 4 of the 5 outstanding issues on the Palm house ... the only remaining issue is an alarm system.  Company says ... "you must have an alarm" ... owner says "it has an alarm" ... company says "you must upgrade the alarm to my standards" ... owner says "then you pay for it" ... company says "owner must pay for it as part of the lease" ... owner says "but my friends tell me company has always paid for the alarm system .. therefore, I refuse to pay" ... company says "you must have an upgraded alarm" .... and I just to say ... " I'll pay for the blasted alarm ... I just want a house !!! "

So here we sit ... immovable object .. irresistible force ... the company is setting leasing standards under the new housing program that (a) is not being communicated in advance, and (b) owners cannot and will not meet after the deal has already been negotiated.  And, even if the standards were known in advance ... the allowance and costs are such that you would end up living in a bungalow with gold plated security and electricity.

So, where do we sit? Not sure if we are at a temporary red signal light ... or a dead end.  If a dead end ... we (and every other expat coming in) will be faced with this same issue over and over and over again.  That's dumb.

Hopefully, we are at a temporary red signal light ... as the company decides to either "pay up" or "shut up" ... if the security requirements are that critical, then the company has two choices (a) either pay directly for the installation, or (b) increase the rental rate to include the security system.

This is a bit of a dilemma for the company ... as it really wants to get out of the housing business ... and if it provides the security system ... then it will be responsible for paying and maintaining it.  On the other hand, if you hand that responsibility to the owner ... there is no assurance it will be installed and maintained according to standards; thus, compromising security.

Based on the fact that the company is directly contracting for the security guards to guarantee appropriate 24/7 coverage ... I bet they elect to take responsibility for the security system ... rather than trusting the owner ... but that is just a bet ... in the meantime ....

... waiting ... waiting .... waiting .... waiting ....

ciao ciao 

Notary - Done.  Found one close to the office. Decy came in town, joined me after work.  We relaxed a bit then did the paperwork.  Home at 730pm .... total time 3.5 hours ... but the sequence and content was much better. Thanks luv !!!

Palm House - previous note I said "its not in my control" ... but funny thing about Indonesia ... conflict and conflict resolution is a challenge.  So .... we have inspectors saying ... do A, B, C, D, .... the owner agrees to do all but C (for example) ..... now its time to finalize the lease and sign it ... I look at it and ask "so what about C ... its on the list by the owner says no?"  I get blank stares.

So, its back into my control.  Time to utilize my skills ... phone call here ... phone call there ... couple of clarifications and confirmations .... bingo .... have everything lined up ... I think ... all going well (ha ha ha) we should execute the lease on Friday the 6th ... and a target move-in date next weekend (~13th) ... assuming security guards are in place and we get get the beds moved in during the week (remember this is Ramadhan month).

So what were the key issues and how were they resolved?

1.  Company insisted on a backup generator of 45 KVA (cost ~$5k).  Owner said no, but he has a small, older one.  Solution - Company to provide

2. Company insisted on an electrical stabilizer system for the house (cost ~$7k).  Owner says not needed and that Company has provided it for other expat houses.  Solution - Company to provide

3.  Company suggested 100 liter hot water tank (vs 80) in addition to 250 liter solar tank that is already in place.  Owner says not necessary.  Solution - I agree to 80 liter and if not sufficient for the house will revert/discuss with Owner at a later time.

4.  Company suggested 400 W water pump (vs 250).  Owner says not necessary as water pressure is already more than sufficient.  Solution - I agree to 250 as a test.  If it is not sufficient Owner will upgrade.

5.  Company insists on upgrade to the house alarm system, including 3 new detectors.  [I know I can't fight security on this one].  Owner says that system is not his and that previous renters put it in.  Solution - get agreement that one of the detectors is not necessary if the door has a lock ... as for the rest of the upgrades on the system ... its in the lease ... and I push back on the Owner request that he address/pay ... based on my working all 4 items above on his behalf.  I think I will win this one ... and I won't let it stop the lease ... its just a matter of "who pays" and we are probably talking about $500 for the upgrade.

This whole leasing process is a bit ingenious to the owner and renter.  We are told to find a home within budget, negotiate price, furniture, upgrades.  Then we turn it over to the company for inspections ... with each inspection there is a list of (say) 10-15 "to do items" ... and as you can see some are quite costly ... its ok for small items ... but I believe it is unrealistic to expect owners to have security systems, electrical stabilizers, and back up generators (at the cost of >$10k) just to meet the company standards ....

But, this leasing process is a new process (we are the 2nd family to do this) ... there is a learning curve and as the results come in, I expect the company to adjust the program ...

enough for now ... ciao ciao

One Step Forward - Palm House ... the Owner agreed to most of the items on the QA/QC list.  Now the owner, broker, and my company can fight out the last 2-3 items .... its not in my control.

Two Steps Back - Need to have some forms notarized.  Left work at 345pm ... to go get that done ... 2 hours to get to hotel ... then 45 minutes looking for the notary, which we never found ... 700pm back at the hotel ... no better off than I was at 345pm ... just very frustrated.

Yeah ... Che ... I meant JIS .....

Went by the Palm house today. Owner is doing the various upgrades and cleaning the house.  It looks really nice. I am starting to feel better and better about it ... but will be more confident once the lease is signed.

Got a new piece of our life back together.  Decy had said she couldn't get the karoke machine to work in the hotel ... and I just accepted that.  So tonight (Sat) I thought I would make a go of it ... got it working ... now Decy and Che are over there singing ... another step toward normalcy ..... CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS ...

ciao ciao