1. OFFENSIVELY YELLOW
If you weren't previously domesticated, which was the case for me, there is a very big chance that you won't enjoy the pieces of grime and food that float around in the lukewarm water which supposedly cleans our dishes. So get yourself a pair or those offensively yellow gloves and start washing up after you eat. Just don't forget you're wearing the now sopping gloves and then try and answer a phone call with them still on your hands. Not that I did that.
2. DON"T FORGET ABOUT THE CLOTHES
So the first time I did my own laundry was a very proud day for me. I figured out which compartment to put the washing powder in, I piled in the clothes, I pressed some buttons and hey presto! Then I went upstairs and fell asleep. For two hours.
Now in case you don't know this, laundry takes about 40 minutes and then needs to be removed from the washing machine and hung up to dry. After being left in the machine for 2 hours though, my laundry smelt like wet shoes and I had to wash it all over again. Not ideal. So do yourself a favour, save yourself the time and the washing powder and just don't forget about the clothes.
3.CUTLERY IS IMPORTANT
On my second night of living in my own house, I decided it would be a good idea to host a dinner party. So I purchased all the necessary food, made a huge pot of pasta, invited about eight friends over, and only once everyone was dishing up did I realise that only 4 knives, 5 forks and 3 spoons existed in the cutlery drawer. Somehow we made a plan, but needless to say I made sure that I got my hands on some cutlery very soon after that incident. My advice would be to ask family or newly married friends, who may have an excess of cutlery in their kitchens, if they can sponsor you a couple of knives and forks. Avoid that awkward dinner party where people are eating with their hands.
4.SPEND SPEND SPEND. AND SPEND SOME MORE
Becoming domesticated requires one to purchase many household items ranging from tupperwares, to wash baskets, to toilet plungers. Yes, even those. Now, if you're a first timer at this you may not realise just how expensive all these things end up being. So save yourself some cash by shopping at places like The Crazy Store or finding bargains at cheap Car boot sales. If you live in Cape Town, pop in to Milnerton Market on a Saturday or Sunday morning. I am pretty sure you will find everything you need and more, and it will cost next to nothing.
5. OH TO BE JAMIE OLIVER.
Before I moved into my own house, I think I must have cooked about three meals in my lifetime.It's unacceptable I know but now I have to cook often and I have learned a lot along the way :
- If you want to roast a chicken you need at least two and a half hours preparation time- especially if the chicken is frozen rock solid.
- When defrosting meat in the microwave, don't forget about it because it will end up cooking, and probably taste like cardboard.
- If you have been waiting for an hour for a pot of water to boil, you have more than likely heated up the wrong stove plate.
I'm pretty sure by the end of this year I will be Jamie Oliver.
