Got news of this upcoming BTO in Sept 2012 right in front of our balcony.
I would not say that this news surprises me as I was aware that the plot of land is slated for future high rise development.
It is really the timing and the subsequent play-acting by various parties that leaves me speechless.
Back in 2008 where a lot of young couples were hunting for flats, there were not much options at all... Punggol... Sengkang... Yishun... Woodlands... Bukit Panjang...
We were very sure that we wanted a unit either in the north or northwest to be near to our parents.
Furthermore, we were not really keen on resale flats with high COVs and extensive renovation might be required.
Hence, we tried for the BTOs at Yishun and Woodlands but always ended up with crappy queue numbers even though we were first timers and applied under Married Child Priority Scheme.
Thereafter, a series of DBSS were launched which comes with huge price tags.
We decided to take the plunge and balloted for Park Central with the hope and belief that this seems to be the best option for us especially since HDB did not seemed to be launching much flats in areas other than Punggol and Sengkang.
We finally got our keys last September and spent almost a year thereafter dealing with sub standard furnishings. Till now, there are still some areas that can be considered as defects but we are sort of resigned to fate and would rather try to settle these ourselves.
Had to take a lot of leave and effort to deal with the defect rectification (the block supervisor can only view the defects on 1 day and rectify defects on other dates)...
Act as project manager to "chase" developer on defect rectification...
Act as QC engineer as the cheapo developer uses their own workers to rectify these defects who are not really educated on the proper way to solve these issues...
One classic example is the shower screen with leakage issues along the joints. The workers just silicon everywhere without really identifying the issue and yet the leakage continues. It is only after the contractor comes down that the issue was really resolved. The leakage joint had to be cemented instead of being silicon-ed. In addition, the contractor also pointed out that the workers did not re-install the shower screen in the proper manner, resulted in the rollers grinding against the bottom track.
Even though HDB is supposed to administer the estate upon handing over by the developer, they took a really laid back approach.
When we approached HDB for assistance in "chasing" the developer for defects rectification (which were not rectified after months of submission of the defect list), we only received system automated response.
And HDB's vision is "An outstanding organisation with people committed to
fulfilling aspirations for homes and communities all are proud of."...
Really outstanding services... and we as homeowners are really proud of it...
When we are finally done with the defects just last week, ready to settle down to enjoy the quiet breezy environment, the news of the upcoming BTO hits us.
And we even thought of asking my parent-in-laws to shift over with us especially since my FIL has just suffered a serious stroke early this year.
We had been selling them the idea that the unit is disabled friendly with the ramped entrance to the living room/common toilet and the rooftop garden is really accessible with quite a number of exercise corners.
With the noise/dust/strangers that will be milling about, I guess this plan is pretty much aborted.
I guess we are just plain suay to have bought this unit.
Ever since HDB started to launch more and more BTOs in areas other than Punggol/Sengkang, I did start to regret my decision.
If HDBs had these plans in their pipeline all along, why were majority of units launched back in 2008 concentrated in Punggol/Sengkang? To build up the residential rate there?
Won't it have been more effective and efficient to have ensure a more even mix of BTOs at various locations around the island during each launch keeping in mind the current aging population?
How do we really take care of our parents when they are half the island away with the current crowded and unreliable transport system that we have?
Due to misrepresentations by the media, there have been articles/comments depicting residents of Park Central as fishmongers (selfish) who are opposing the upcoming BTO.
My take is that the media have chosen to misinterpret our actions due to the sources of the news (perhaps the Mp Ang Hin Kee himself? HDB?).
Who are we to deprive some other Singaporeans of their future home?
We are not interested in the political game.
Rather, we are waiting to see if the MP is really acting in the best interest of the residents and not just residents of Park Central.
Why does these surrounding residents have to ensure another round of construction?
The noise/dust/inconvenience/traffic...
Why was not these 2 projects constructed at around the same time like the Clementi DBSS and BTO?
Is the government really listening to the residents (as what was "promised" after the last election)?
I doubt so.
Moving on, since this BTO is definitely going to proceed on, what will be done to minimise the impact on residents?
Is there going to be a well constructed/sheltered (unlike our "airy" MSCP)/well-lit (unlike our dimly lighted corridors)/well maintained path to the MRT station?
How about the current road conditions with only 1 lane per direction for most roads surrounding the site? And also the heavy vehicles coming in and out of the site and the jam outside Jingshan Primary School during certain periods of the day? Even for now, when bus service 265 stops at certain bus stops, long queues of car are piling up.
As for security wise, what are the steps taken to ensure safety of residents keeping in mind the recent car thefts in our carpark/ thefts in the wet market downstairs/strangers loitering at the staircases/incidents of strangers trying to force open metal gates/Town Council rejected residents' request for a security system?
It will be interesting to see what are the next steps taken by the various stakeholders.
Going to seek colleague's assistance to buy back 2 of Planetes tote bags from Paris.
1 for me & 1 for Mama.
1 black & 1 navy.
Hopefully she likes.
I assume it is as durable as it seems to be without requiring much maintenance.
Finding it hard to decide on the sizing though...
31x30x19 cm or 25x25x14 cm?
Comments on the range & dimensions anyone?
Kindly do the necessary checks before swerving into someone's lane...
Idiotic van driver who indirectly damaged 2 cars but managed to got off scot-free...
You will get what you deserve one day!
I am glad that I am not a Diablo III widow...
But I am quite irritated at the internet connection/the server...
Somehow I prefer Diablo II which allows me to complete quests offline...
Attended this scrapbooking workshop organised by Craft in Vogue recently together with Sis.
It was a rather basic session whereby we learn how to make paper rose (I fail terribly at it!) and also the basic concepts of scrapbooking.
I have actually created a digital photobook earlier & I would say scrapbooking involves similar concepts.
The correct placement of photos so that it will look more pleasing...
The theme that will fit the chosen photos...
The decorating material involved...
It might take eons before you get the final product but when you finally reach the endpoint, the results can be quite satisfying.
Started the bottom left product for the both of US during the scrapbook session.
Spent ages choosing the 'right' background paper.
Placement of the photos was a breeze but decoration was a headache.
Finally completed the product a few days after that with little items that are symbolic in our relationship.
I sewed the 2 'yellow-ribbon-look-alike' ribbons together with the school buttons on to the scrap paper and clipped on 2 tiny figurines on the string attached to the scrap paper.
I guess I can be considered a Karang Guni woman as I kept things as long as I felt that they might be useful in the near future which is not really healthy considering the limited storage space I have.
The top 2 items are created for my 2 Mothers for the purpose of Mother's Day.
They looked really simple and plain but it was the best that I could come up with and I hope they will like it!
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| http://www.barnesandnoble.com |
Kind of sad that it is only May but so many not-so-nice stuff have been happening around us.
Illness of close ones...
Deaths of relatives/people that I know...
On the brighter note, there are also numerous weddings this year.
I guess this kinds of balance things but I am just not good at dealing with negative aspects of life...
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| http://skincarerx.com |
We thought of adopting another male hamster as a playmate to Fly ever since we observed that he gets quite depressive sometimes.
I stalked Singapore Hamsters Club everyday and finally adopted 2 hamsters from a forum user.
We actually only wanted just 1 hamster but the owner preferred both to be adopted together.
After discussing with HIM, we decided to just go ahead with the adoption which lead to a series of unfortunate events!
Instead of just 1 hamster, we adopted 2...
These supposed-to-be-male hamsters as assured by the owner turned out to be FEMALES...
These 2 hamsters which were cohabiting in peace previously started fighting when introduced into their new cage...
Seriously, the situation almost got out of control.
We did not get the playmate for Fly as we intended...
Instead of just preparing 1 cage, we had to setup 2 cages...
Anyway, these 2 hamsters are much more fierce as compared to Fly.
Introducing the tamer 1 - Squeaky which will squeak when she is feeling threatened.
Next is Nami which is like a watch dog. Always on the alert!
They are starting to grow on us though.
Our first activity once we get home is to check on them and 'play' with them for at least a few minutes before carrying on with other activities.
Although having 3 hamsters in 3 cages is more than what we had bargained for, the pleasure and laughter we get from them is all worth it!
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| Location: Entrance of master bedroom |
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| Location: Studyroom |
Called the Bangladeshi supervisor who is supposed to be in charge of rectifying our unit's defects this afternoon.
And got the reply which I had already anticipated....
The defects on our laminated flooring is still yet to be rectified.
From 9 Sept to 10 Sept to 13 Sept and still nothing was done.
When we handed over the keys on Sat, he promised 3-4 days is all he need to clear the remaining defects.
Thus, we decided that Friday would be the deadline.
Perhaps this is why he said laminated flooring will only be rectified on Friday.
As for the rest of the defects, he mentioned that they are currently cleaning up the unit.
*Faint*
Am I supposed to call him up every single day just to check on the defect status?
Starting to feel like a loanshark...
Anyway I guess I have no choice but to do so since HE will only be back on Fri and it is up to me to ensure that things do progress smoothly for us to start painting on Saturday.
*Gambate*
Hope things are progressing more smoothly for the rest of my neighbours.
Visited Cafe Epicurious located at the Rail Mall quite some time back on a weekday for lunch.
It was quite surreal and windy.
A nice place to relax and enjoy the food.
I had the beef stew while he had the carbonara.
Both dishes were cheap and good.
Definitely will be coming back in the near future.
Not sleeping well for the past 1 week.
Kept worrying about the house whether can the defects be rectified by this week so that we can finally start painting.
Was really irritated at the supervisors.
Imagine taking leave to come down to the unit early for defect inspection but they take their own sweet time to turn up.
No sight of them at all from 1000 hrs to 1700 hrs despite numerous calls and smses.
They seemed to think that they are the only busy persons in the whole wide world and the rest of us are just shaking legs *Argh*
The workers who are actually the ones rectifying the defects are so much better in comparison.
So far we are super happy with the workmanship of the rectified defects.
The Chinese worker 'trimmed' numerous tiles for us just to get a perfect piece to replace our chipped tile.
Another Chinese worker who was repairing the chipped/dented/ wall was also very professional.
We thought he would only 'putty' the affected areas but we were wrong.
He even sandpapered the region after the putty had dried, resulting in super smooth surfaces.
Hopefully the rest of the defects will be rectified by Fri as promised by the Bangladeshi supervisor.
If not, he is definitely going to get it from me since he is the one who promised to finish in 3-4 days and we have given him close to a week.
Pretty stunned at the state that the unit is in and keys were still handed over to us.
I don't think that we are very picky but look at this....
Are we supposed to install this ourselves?
And this is just the drain hole under the kitchen sink.
Imagine the same for all drain holes in the unit.
Who is going to be held responsible if someone gets injured?
The cement unfinished surfaces are super rough lo...
As for the bomb shelter, there are missing ventilation covers.
Starting we are quite noob at all these defects checking but I seriously think that we are now quite expert at spotting defects...
Other things like dents/holes on the walls and cement/paint stains, we can still close 1 eye and omit it from the defect list.
Just hope they fix the defects asap *sigh
Made an impromptu decision to stop by PC and we managed to get into our unit!
It was quite an exciting experience getting from the carpark to the lift and finally into the unit.
Was expecting someone to stop us at any moment.
It was super windy and the scenery was not too bad from various spots in the unit.
Going to do away with the idea of installing ceiling fan, taking into account that the ceiling is really quite low.
Did some defect checking in the dark and so far so good.
Hope that things still look that optimistic in daylight.
On the downside, there seems to be a lack of privacy at certain spots in the unit.
Have to get some window films or curtains installed before shifting in...
One bad thing about some of the Taiwanese drama I am watching is that there are always third parties...
Usually it is the most innocent/unattractive looking guy that attracts the attention of the young & pretty third party.
I might be too emotional but such scenes always make me feel sad for the wife/girlfriend which are not necessary lousy.
Perhaps it is just that they might not be paying much attention towards maintaining their appearance.
What makes it even more sad is that their lives usually evolves around these 'innocent/unattractive looking' guys and they are always the last to find out about these incidents.
Luckily there is always a Prince Charming in the pipeline!
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| http://cpeng10.acsd.wikispaces.net |
Bought this nice black clock in Malacca for RM 59.90.
It was love at 1st sight for me.
Somehow I knew it will fit in nicely with our Scanteak loots and didn't bother consulting him at all =>
There were white/red/black versions.
Was deciding between white and black.
The clock design seems so scandinavian with its simple clean lines.
Although our main design for the living is supposed to evolve around the minimalist theme but it seems to be shifting towards 'woody' style with the amount of Scanteak items that we have accumulated over the months.
Might spray paint certain numerals on the clock to a different colour, eg: baby pink/blue?
