My new apartment and the approaching Christmas
Nov 26th, 2007 by shihjern
I like to think that I have properly settled into my new apartment. Of course, it was not really a “new apartment” in the customary and general sense of the term. I moved to an apartment with the same dimensions as my old one, in the same building and on the same side of the building! I am really glad I found this place – it’s great.
My new room has an attached bathroom, and that really does make a difference. I think I have always generally been a little tidier than the average British university student (which is really not saying much), but I have somehow transformed into a more fussy and meticulous person with respect to cleanliness and tidiness. A clean and nice bathroom is so crucial with the stress of my work. It’s really not that hard – wipe the mirrors with paper towels, wipe the wash basin and rinse/wipe the bath tub after each use. The entire procedure takes no more than 3 minutes for me. The result of this being done regularly is astonishing.
The Thanksgiving weekend is now over. I did something crazy by driving up to a huge shopping mall with a bunch of friends (all young female professionals in New York – made me feel like I was playing a part in a scene from “Sex and the City”) in time for the start of the post-Thanksgiving Sale at midnight after devouring turkey and pie! It was American consumerism at its best – thousands of cars jamming up all the way to the mall, throngs of aggressive people lining up in front of the popular stores (tension was high in the bitter cold). I am almost sure that if I had accidentally delayed some of these ladies there who were after the Gucci jacket or Coach handbag on 50% discount, they would have physically attacked me!
So now we are moving towards Christmas. Yes, I insist on calling it Christmas. I cannot understand this American insistence on calling December 25 “the Holiday” (Happy Holiday, the Holiday Season, the Holiday Party, etc.). It is political correctness gone mad! Everyone knows what December 25 is – who are you kidding? I am just waiting for them to call it “the Rockefeller Center Holiday Tree” (and I would not be remotely surprised if they did!). Ah well.
On the work side, they tell me that US and global credit market is in a slump. Well, if it is, it is certainly not affecting my workload (or that of my firm!). I am on an acquisition finance deal and a project finance deal, and have been as busy as ever.
One Response to “My new apartment and the approaching Christmas”
I’m with you on the Christmas thing. Merry CHRISTMAS, Jern. 🙂