My New Hobby in USA

If you ask me, " What is your favourable activity in USA?"

My answer is " Garage Sale ! Garage Sale !" Oh ! there is lots of fun at Garage sale. You don't have to spend much to get things that you like!


Before Ah Don took me to the first Garage Sale in Ewing sometime in July 2005, I was not sure what would I see or would I get from the Garage Sale! I had not heard of Garage Sale in my country except on " Friday Market" and Flea Market where you would see some used clothing shoes . tools , craftwork etc. I was full of anxiety to walk into the first house. It was amazing to see so many things displayed on the tables, driveway and toys on the ground. The first item that I bought was a big Polar bear.



Since then, Garage Sale becomes my Top Hobbyand weekend activity. !!!! I will go through the classified Ads on Saturday morning and mark what the places that we want to go. Ah Don is very good to locate the places. Sometime , we were lucky to have very good bargain, other time we came across some unfriendly and nasty vendors.


When we went to "Esate Sale" I always like to find out why are they selling away all their belongings? Very often, it could be due to the owner has passed away; parents getting older and need to move in to a smaller unit or when couple is in the process of divorce. It's painful to see these things happen at any point of time. But as a buyer, I certainly like to walk around to look for my value buy. I am sure ,some of the colletibles and old items could be special and sentimental to the owner .. but they have to go with esatate sale. ( Hmmm ........ that makes me wonder.......... What would Ah Don do to all my collection when I am gone ??? Do you think he will have a Garage Sale ?)



Over years.... I have accumulated good collection ; What are they ???


I have at least 15 clocks in my collection. lots of funny shapes bottles on the shelf, plenty of toys, and barbie dolls in the big plastic container, VHS, CDs, cassettes, books and some collectible items.


REASONS FOR LOVING THE GARAGE SALE


1 It gives me the opportunity to understand the American culture and lifestyle. I see different things used by people of different nationality.


2 Have the chance to go through people's house freely at the Esate Salle and Moving Sale I can
walk through the whole house to hunt for the treasure.


3 Garage sale is the place of budget shopping; You do not have to spend big money to get good
stuff which are expensive to get from store.


4 There is limited quantiity and choice to choose from; so it's just a matter of quick decision.
Love it, take it; or leave it and move on to the next house.

5 There is lot of fun to walk from one house to another at community Garage Sale.

6 I support recycling movement. :):):)

7 I can sell those things that I am not keeping after a while in E Bay. (Just imagine this... I got a branded handbag from a Rich Lady at $2.00 who told me her husband bought it for her and she did not like it ! And I sold it in eBay for $200++)

When my brother and his family was here ( New Jersey) in July 2006. He was equally excited too to visit the Flea Market. He bought some ancient coffee blenders home for display as he is in coffee business.

In Sarasota, it's sunny all day... so I can shop at Garage Sale every weekend all year round. Ha ha ha ha :)):)):)):)) this is my new found hobby and it is cheap to go for it!!

Ah Don, Thank You very much for paying all the "buying" and please keep the good work..... Terima Kasih!

New Years Eve Eve :) :)

Took a little ride today. Went downtown Sarasota and then over to St. Armands Key. Had lunch at a very nice Chinese Resturant at the St. Armands circle. Walked around and did window shopping and at on the beach for a while.

Drove all the way up Longboat Key and came across into Bradenton. Saw a number of places that we want to check out on subsequent trips.

BYL was very excited toward the end of our trip. We stopped at the "MAIN" GoodWill store in Sarasota. For those of you that don't know, GoodWill was founded in Sarasota. The main store is very large but we did not have much time to spend there because they close at 5 on Sunday. I'm sure we will be back.

Peope from Hamilton, NJ will recognize "The Tooth". YES, it is the same one that was on Klockner road for years !!!

What Do I Have To Say ???

It's exactly a month since we moved here from New Jersey and 2 years and 7 months since I landed in USA for a change of my life.

It's definitely a huge change of lifestyle and culture for me to adjust; exposure to experience as compared to the past and where I came from.

Sometime, I just like to wonder and ponder where did I get that kind of "courage"" or rather "desire" to venture into this land which is totally a strange land to me ! Most people call it "American Dream". I will call myself insane if I were to tell people that I am here to pursue my "American Dream" Why Should I ??? I have a good job, good pay, have a daughter whom I love heartily, I was very active with the political groups, I involved in Non-Government Congress as well to promote caring society and fight for women's rights; Apart from these involvements, I attended my weekly Tai Chi Chuan and pratised Line Dancing to keep fit and healthy. I really had a good life back home that I need not have to ask for more.....

hmmmm, now.... the question is still... "Why am I here ?" Eh... that must be something to do with the emotional needs that someone can offer me. It must be the attractions that ought to be stronger than all those that I have to give up to be here !!

That's Right ! It was Ah Don who made me moving here for a change of Life...

So Do you regret to be here ??

Well, well, I do not allow myself to regret for any decision that I made personally.. That's my Way !

So far he is OKAY to me...... You know what....At least he pays for my meals, lodging,.....clothing........ my basic needs to keep days going..... Ha Ha Ha Ha.........

Most importantly, he is my good driver.... He takes me to all places of Garage Sale, Yard Sale, Estate Sale, Flea Market, Church Rummage Sale...... for treasure hunt !

Thank You Ah Don!

I do not drive here..... Americans are driving at the Wrong side of the road! Terrible! :):):):)


I will talk about my new hobby ------ Garage Sale in my next update

Happy New Year...

Hope 2008 will be a brighter year for Everyone.

Our New Place

So How Do You Like Florida???

I have to say that I really like it here. Didn't think I would like it always being warm/hot, but it is sure nice to sit outside at midnight, watch the stars and have a drink. A few days it has gotten below 70 and BYL runs for her winter coat and shivers a LOT!!! Everyone talks about the hot summertime and hurricane season, but so far I like it.

The place we have is larger than the one in New Jersey. That is both good and bad. Good because we have more living space, extra bathrooms and a garage for the car. Bad because it gives BYL more space to fill with her "treasures" !!! We have been to a number of garage sales already and BYL is gathering her list for tomorrow. She is in seventh heaven since they have garage sales year round here !!! :) :)

Xmas was very strange with no family around and no cold weather. I did miss the snow at that time. Also, the stores don't decorate much for Xmas and seeing people shopping in shorts is just weird.

Enough for now. Will post some pics of our place and the surrounding area soon.

Ah Don

Just playing around.

Another Test :) :)

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to Everyone!!

Having a quiet morning at home. Going to friends for dinner this afternoon.

With the move and getting everything settled and arranged, have not had much time for Christmas. Also, it doesn't seem much like Christmas when the temperature is 80 degrees.

Want to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!