Hubby Finds Us A Home and More - A ‘Major, Major’ Project!

Perfection of a Place

Hubby went 1.5 months ahead to get started with work (quite a few big ticket deliverables due in little over a month!) and get us settled in our new home, Colombo, Sri Lanka.


First things first, finding us a home.  Hubby had quite a range of choices – a total of around 7 prospects until he found Park Place, Havelock City in Havelock Town (Colombo 5).  It is a beautiful new development – gated community, 2-bedroom flat, living room that opens to a veranda, very sleek finishing, wooden flooring in the bedrooms and has a very clear and airy feel.  Perfect.  And we got it!  In just 2 weeks.

Ultimate Dugyot

Still perfect?  Well not quite.  A week after scoring the place, we were dumbfounded to see the furnishings.  These totally did not match the perfection of the flat.  Well that is an understatement.  It is a total contradiction.  See for yourself.

Let’s start with the dining set.  My idea is to soften the audacity by wrapping the structure in jusi or a similar material.  Change the upholstery of the cushion.  Use a tablecloth.  What say you?

What to do with the wheels...

The living room set is not that bad.  A few pillows with full colors to accent.  I’m thinking red and rust.  A simple carpet to define the area.  Add in a few large pillows or beanbags.  But something has to be done with the TV stand – maybe take out (or cover – how oh how?) the wheels?  It gives too much of an office-y effect.

Guest Room Table & Chairs

The guest room has a mix and match of beige and black.  A rich-colored malong to bring the sofa bed to life.  And honestly with the black table and chair, I’m stuck.  

The master's bedroom, well, there is just the bed.

For the walls, I have quite a few paintings (framed and unframed) that I am planning to bring over.  The problem, I have no shipping allowance and would need to transport it together with the rest of my stuff.  Add to that, not exceed around 30kgs of baggage!

I need ideas here people! 

It is like living in Serendra but going into Homeworks in Ever Gotesco Commonwealth.  As depressing the choice of furniture left my hubby and I, it sparked an exciting thought in my mind.  I got my work cut out for me!  Here’s to channeling my inner Martha (Stewart herself!) and Tom Felicia (the interiors guru of the Fab 5).  As Cher (Alicia Silverstone in Clueless) puts it, “PROJECT!”  And I must say this is a truly MAJOR, MAJOR one!  

        

Julia Child and Sri Lanka.

Julia Child in Kandy, Ceylon. (1943) Taken by Paul Child.

Who would have thought that she who taught the world how to master the art of French cooking, Julia Child and a teardrop-shaped island in the south of the Indian Ocean would be in the same sentence.  But little does the world know that Sri Lanka played a significant part in Julia’s personal history. Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) served as a backdrop for her love affair with a man she met while on assignment there in the second world war.  A year after, in September of 1946, they got married.  He was Paul Child.  Two years later, in 1948, Paul was then assigned to Paris and the rest I must say formed the backbone of contemporary cooking history.  But I digress.

That is Sri Lanka.  It is not just a friendly neighbor to India or the Maldives.  It stands for itself – for the world-famous Ceylon tea to the all-English Cricket and everything in between.  It stands for you, offering itself up to be a significant player in your own personal history.  And that is what we’re keen to discover.

Just like for Julia and Paul, maybe a little bit longer, Sri Lanka will be the backdrop for our own starter marriage and the continuation of our love story.  We plan to discover Lonely Planet’s (2009) top picks of the country:

• Brilliant Beaches (Kalkuda Bay Beach for one!)

• Hill Country Scenery (Who wants to go up Adam’s Peak?)

• Ecofriendly Sleeps (Kandy Samadhicentre for example.)

• Winning Ways with Wildlife (Turtles, Elephants, Wales and yes, Leopards!)         

Julia & Paul Child for Valentines!

Plus it’s hot cuisine, rich culture and friendly people.  And more.

And in the process, we hope to get to know each other better and ourselves.

Mr. and Mrs. O, Livin La Vida Lanka.  Who would have thought?!

Welcome to La Vida Lanka!

This blog is dedicated to the next (first) two years of our married life.

Photographed by Ela & Joseph Leh

My hubby got a one-of-a-kind assignment in the land of cinnamon and tea, Sri Lanka.  And of course, this is a case of the trailing spouse!  There is no other way than togetherness for me and my hubby.  Plus how can you pass up such a wonderful opportunity for a great big adventure!

So join us as we discover this beautiful country (its scenery, people, culture and most definitely its food just to name a few), each other and ourselves. 

This is Livin' La Vida Lanka.