Expectation vs Reality || My Favourite Room

When we saw the layout for this house, we fell in love. It seemed just nice for our family of six. Not too big, not too small and we could have a barbecue area at the back. It was like living on landed property in a highrise. The blueprint boasted a turf outside the kitchen area and we had big plans for it.

Three years later it was ready but we were financially in a very difficult place. We managed to get enough money to pay the necessary fees and collect the keys. But when we saw our future bbq area was just cement, we freaked. Where’s the turf?

After much back and forth with the developers, shouting matches, emails, and threats to bring the matter to newspapers and the authorities, we reached a compromise. They would tile the area for us as grass would require water outlets which required a lot of work.

No bbq area but we were okay since we didn't have the budget to do it up anyways. Instead, we decided to turn the area into our kitchen. With hand-me-downs and second-hand stuff to furnish the house including the kitchen, we managed to turn the house into a home. We had to pay for the awning though to protect from sun and rain and in time including idiots who lived above us throwing all kinds of everything including dog sh*t (but that’s a story for another day).

It is one of the best disruptions to our plans because we now have a kitchen that’s one of our most favourite spots to hang out in. Apart from the cooking, we also eat our meals here. Even guests who are family and friends who visit eat in the kitchen. The kids do their homework, I do my sewing projects, zoom calls during the lockdowns, distant learning, late-night conversations (especially when there are smokers present) and just so many memories created in this space.

It isn’t a fancy kitchen but it is special because it is Al Fresco. Only thing is, when it rains, the wind carries the rain in and wets the kitchen. And we stay out of the kitchen if it is really heavy because the thunder, lightning and wind can be scary. We don’t really mind though. In fact, when the kids were younger, they’d play in the rain when there was no thunder and lightning.

I purposely recorded this video after the rain subsided a bit but you can still hear the thunder. So this Expectation vs Reality is a disappointment turned into pride. It has become one area that so many have walked into and gone “oooh” and “aaaah” which puts a big smile on my face.

This is my mash-up for the Ladies of Hive challenge with two questions.
1️⃣ What’s one Reality you experienced that did not match your Expectation (Expectation vs Reality)?
Or
2️⃣ Which is your favourite room/area in your house and why?

I can’t actually take part, since these are my questions and I will be judging the contest. But after reading some pretty amazing posts in regards, I felt I wanted to share something too. And if you want to as well, click on THIS for I'd love to read your experience.

Thank you for spending your time here :D
Sh33la