Thursday, April 27, 2006
My Dream Home?

The 5-year commitment to HDB for my home is coming to an end this year. This is a rule which HDB had set for Singaporeans who had taken up the HDB grant when they purchased their flats.
So what does this mean? I am free to move to another place!

To be honest, I have been waiting for this day for the longest time. Let me tell you why:

1. I have been staying in the same place for the last 15 years (same apartment, same neighbourhood)
2. Where I stay is near the edge of Singapore!!! Far from town and any amenities…Only 2 buses available (the nearest MRT station being a ½ hour bus ride away)
3. I have always enjoyed looking at interior design magazines and moving to a new place would give me the opportunity to redesign/renovate all over again

Moving to another place does come with new set of problems. Some of the decision items which my other half and I have to go through together:

1. Should we get a private apartment or HDB?
2. If private, should we get a condominium or private apartment?
3. Should we consider freehold property or 99 yrs would do?
4. How big an apartment should I get?
5. Where should we move to? Nearer to town or suburbs again?
6. Should we stay with my in-laws?

Essentially, I would much prefer a private apartment that is freehold and preferably in the central/west area (Clementi / Holland / River Valley area) but then again I do not want to strapped to a humongous loan…*sigh* Decisions…decisions….

See some pictures of my dream home....

Monday, April 24, 2006
Planning for the After Life

“… ..not a place to be sad, but to remember the people we care about and to give thanks to God”

I have never put much thought into this issue till recently. To me, this has always been a religious issue....In anycase, isn’t it a little morbid to buy a niche to house my ashes at this moment of my life? After all, I am just reaching the big 30…seems like a long time before I should think of planning for my after life.However, with life’s unpredictability, one can never know. Look at the daily Obituary and you’ll know (you must be thinking how perverse I am….not that I intentionally read that particular page but somehow when I spread the newspapers for my dog’s poo, it always turns out to be the Obituary, so I would normally look through it then). So now, I am seeing it with a practical point of view. Buying a niche, planning what type of rites, writing a will etc is all my way of making my children’s lives easier the day I pass on. I cannot imagine stressing my loved ones on such administrative decisions while they are grieving. In anycase, at least I am in a sane mind to make all the choices now.

Actually, I am fortunate enough to have somebody else (namely my mother-in-law) plan all that for me. Before my other half and I were officially married, a niche was already purchased under our names. Apparently, our niche is at floor which is at eye-level (hence the most expensive) and amongst relatives. Am looking at a ‘suitable unit’ now for my parents. It's like buying property...the level of the unit, the block, the neighbours, the district etc....*cute*

See the 'property' I intend to get for my parents....

Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Wedding Wishes

I need to make this official announcement - wef 22 April 2006, I will not have a single school-time friend who has not been married! Yep, my last best pal (Field Marshall) and Zap The Bug shall tie the knot and join the club! Congrats dear pal! I feel very happy for the both of you!