Year 2014

I wasnt sure what to post. Hahahaha.

Lately, I have been really busy.

After BTO twice (queue number was horrible) failed, 5-room @ Yishun, 4-room @ Hougang. We decided to get resale.

We want to have a home of our own. So we start to find a resale unit which will fit our budget perfectly. Even if resale cost way more, BTO is out of our options. Too much fights and quarrels over "the way/process to/of owning a HDB flat in Singapore"

Applied for HLE. WTF!! Why so little? I cant even buy a living room. I was so shocked and upset. I called the officer for a reason. Because I just switched job and I received a pro-rated salary. Oh.. “Pro-rated” salary. She told me to appeal for a bigger loan after I received the next payslip that shows full pay. Plus my "fixed" allowances is not considered as regular and stable. WHY so much restriction? The reasons given are “HDB are now Loan-STRICT". Hais...... While waiting and pestering the HDB officer, I send an email (sounded desperately in need) to my MP (PAP) regarding my condition. My thoughts are, just try lo. As soon as I gotten my new payslip, I submitted right away.

Okay! Not-so-bad news: APPEAL FOR BIGGER LOAN we are pleased to increase our loan offer to $2XX,XXX.

Not much increase, but at least I can start my search according with the new HLE amount for a tiny 3-room home near my Mama. 10 units plus or so? Cant remember. From www.propertyguru.com.sg, email, sms, phone calls. Arranged to view houses. No agent is needed. I just want to save on that cost. I believed that I can DIY as I am not convinced that paperwork is SOOOO difficult that I have to pay a few thousands for a random guy to do "paperwork".

I like this location, and its a corner unit. Cost is above our budget. Our loan amount is not enough, we have to top-up a lot of cash. Arr... =( But I like the unit compared to the rest. I dont want to view anymore. We did our financial calculations, by sacrificing our budget for renovation. I think we can choose that. Hmmm....

2nd viewing, we gave the deposit.

Excited and nervous. Paperwork is not difficult at all. We seek some help via a few phone calls to the seller's agent and started our wait for the 1st appointment date.

Furnitures stores, Courts, Expo, Best Denki, Departmental stores, JB are now our frequent hangout place.

One random weekend, we had a staycation over at my hubby's JB friend house. He brought us to a few furnitures store. CHEAP!! $7k ringgit approx 2.7k SGD for "bedroom set(bedframe, wardrobe, dressing table), sofa, coffee table, dining table, chairs. Ok. This is an option. I am so surprised that the differences. That particular random Sunday, we went back SG to the Expo for the March Home Spring 2014 because I dont have enough viewing pleasures. $1,698 for a queen-size mattress and bed frame, we placed a deposit of $698. Every $100 spent (only deposit) gets a chance to participate in the lucky draw. Why didnt we pay $2 more so that we can get one more chance huh???

The very next day I was told, I won the 2nd CASH prize in that draw. THAT means its FREE for us. How lucky. And soon after I received HDB letter, stating that my MP made an appeal for me to increase my loan amount. After 2 months? Better late than never. Aw.. I love my MP. The officer wanted me to submit my credit report and the type of flat I intend to purchase and the loan amount that I required. I already have my 1st appointment date and documents are already submitted. The kind officer(rarely answers my call) called to say "I cannot promise but I will try". If I have the higher loan, I no need to fork out much cash means I can buy furnitures and do renovation!! Okay, I give you whatever documents you need. $6 for a report = a chance for a higher loan amount = WORTH.

My first appointment is nearer and my loan amount did not change. Sighhh... I counted our total average income (slightly more that $5K) to apply for AHG. Sighhh... Aiya, never mind, just try.

Just few days before 1st appt, I went to HDBpage. I want to give MY MP a BIG HUG!!! My loan amount increased again. Just nice before my 1st appt date!!!

On the first day of appointment, we left a few documents(parents marriage cert, etc) at home. Required for near parents grant. The officer (looking very professional) told us she will try for a special approval for the AHG as our combined income is just slightly above the range. All went smooth and now we are waiting to get keys in our 2nd appointment 07 of May!!

*PRAYS* 一切顺顺利利！！

Year 2013 part 2

My Dear Dear bought a car in malaysia for "15,000 ringgit?" So before he became a PR, we have the luxury enjoy "non-squeeze travel" around SG and JB. We also had an impromptu trip to Melaka with that usual mahjong couple and guess what? WE still played MJ in the hotel using that tiny tiles.I went to Phuket for the first time with Shiyi. I really sleep everywhere. It was like a real chance to avoid calls, reply messages and looking at email. Relax can only be done when you are with the most comfortable friend. It doesnt feel like wasting of time at all (by sleeping all day long). Rather I came back "recharged" after all energy drained back in SG. 

I gotten the news for the job promotion (I had to get it this time), the sudden pay increase and the privileges for that title, I realised something. Sometimes its not about the hard work or the sincerity of your service, is more about the time, the opportunity and how to create attention. YUCKS, I know. Guess in big organisation, you cant blindly work your arse off and hope someday someone will see. Work in a way that everyone knows. SHOWING OFF. Sort of hate myself for having to use "CC", and pretending to thank for the "not-at-all useful solution. Yawns** PLP is so NOT me.

But thanks to the job (to a real-sister-like person) I had a lot of first-time experiences. I get to witness a lucky draw that my client win. I jumped into joy as if he was my Daddy. I dont know why. So funny cos I dont even get to touch that Lexus steering wheel even if he wins. I was watching F1 car race in the paddock suite. What is the hype? Rich man stuffs. Boring. But when else will I get this chance? I was invited to a 60th bday party at MBS presidential suite for the first time too. That's wad HUGE suite hotel room looks like. KTV room, GYM room, Sauna Room, Hair Salon (?!), Grand piano, kitchen, study room. Its almost 3 times the size of my flat. WOW. 

In September? Can I say I was scouted? Not really, my ex-colleague remembered me and she gave a chance for an interview with her new boss. I made the career switch with huge risk especially considering I was just 3 months old in that new position. Dilemma. Emo. Should I or Should I not? The manager and director sat down with me, wanting to know the reason why. Are they really upset or not? Not sure, but they sounded disappointed. Will more money make me stay? I'm stumped. YUP! I took the risk. 6 months passed by, I still missed my ex-company. 

I took many flights alone for business trip right after I started. Many opportunities and learning experiences was given, although it comes with many burned weekends and public holidays.

I haven regret, yet.

Europe (5 countries) trip with my Mama & Hubby with his tour leader friend in winter. SNOW!! and I also bought 2 designer bags. Money well-spent in a single month. CRAZily emptying my savings.  

I attended 3 weddings last year. 
1. Sher Sher wedding, I had the honour to be her sister and participated in the gatecrash and guarded the reception table. I think I wasn't of much help though. And also attended 
2. SoonMing fairytale wedding, like a OMG how can they stick to that theme so well. His wife became a real princess. ENVY to the MAX~ Met a lot of familiar faces and memories of my "childhood" life just kept returning. Attended 
3. my SIM schmates' Jeanie and Zhiyong wedding lunch on Christmas Day. Just seems like a day before we are still hanging out together for mugging, project discussion and movie? I didnt realised I was a lightbulb for so long. HAHAHAHA. Anyway, when my friends find their happiness. The AWWWW... so sweet... so loved... I feel so 幸福 too. *smiles* :)

27 Dec 2013 - It was a real surprise!! I was still feeling quite 感动 by Shiyi asking me out for a drink on my bday, perhaps she noticed that I was feeling nothing special for this birthday because I still go to work. Their plan works. I was really touched and speechless when I saw my hubby with my most lovely friends wishing me "happy birthday". A nice and cosy 25th birthday "party". Staycation at Orchid Suite in MBS with heavy breakfast at Sky on 57. "NICE!"

In conclusion, 2013 ended REAL well. Unbelievable, still. Contented. Very. :)

Its been more than a year

Wow! I haven been blogging for years (1.5)??!!

Really have a happening life ever since..... Erm?? Hahaha. Cant be bothered to look back anymore. Facebook is the easiest thing to revive my memories.

Below is the status I posted on my fb page in Dec 2013.

"Year of 2013 = my ROM, took wedding shoot at taipei, bought ipad mini on impulse, learnt korean, lost my last baby tooth, an impromptu trip melaka, applied hdb BTO, be a bridesmaid for Sherlyn Ong, girls (sleeping everywhere possible) only phuket trip with Shiyi Lau, first job promotion, witness a friend real lexus car win. watching F1 in the suite. career switch with huge risk, attended a 60th bday party at MBS presidential suite, took 3 x flights alone for business trip, Europe (5 countries) trip with my Mama & Hubby with his tour leader friend. seen snow. broke my bank for 2 designer bags. attended my MJR brother wedding. attended my SIM schmates' wedding lunch on xmas day. speechless when Canon Tom with my loves and friends closest to my heart surprised me with a 25th birthday party. Thankful for a wonderful year. — feeling accomplished."

I really had a great/awesome/meaningful year 2013

My ROM was held at Amara Tanjong Pagar with me and "now my hubby"(TCN)'s family and close friends. Weddings~ Awww...

Our wedding shoot package was in Taipei. We bought "paid deposit" way back when we are still dating in a road show at AMK hub. In May 2013? I cant remember. I only remember taking those "pose" photos wasnt fun. COLD*~ Before the plane depart from Taipei, I bought my Ipad mini (on impulse)after being "upsell-ed" by the wedding boutique.

I was doing well for my job and was expecting a promotion soon early that year.(*what I felt back then) Turns out the chosen candidate wasnt me(*roll eyes* Him??!! Why?? PLP-skills??). Much thoughts of disappointment/anger/upset/sian-ness pissed me off everyday. I thought maybe I just wasnt good enough to be recognised yet. SO!! I decided to take up a new language which is definitely an advantage in the industry I was in. KOREAN! Hangul, Songs Lyrics, Tests, Storybooks, CD. Until I realised I exceeded my shopping $ and free time available for my love. It was a good learning experience though. I am still learning in through kdramas, running man and "dad,where are we going".

One random day, I lost a tooth. WHATT!!! in my twenties?? Lucky for me, the dentist told me it was my last baby tooth. Any more tooth lost/dropped from now onwards, is the lack of calcium. Flood my body (internal) with milk.

Ok. Enough for now. I am hungry. Brb? Ttyl?

BYE!