Home of 14 Years…

It was in November 1999 that we officially became the proud owner of our 4 room flat. We did minimum renovation as we had a pretty tight budget as we were also at the same time planning our customary wedding dinner in Year 2000.

Minimalist we kept the home decoration simple and easy to maintain. It was our matrimonial home and we saw the birth and growth of both Anthea and Anders, in year 2002 and 2004 respectively.

 

We had many, many fond memories in the home and neighbours were warm and helpful to one another.

MY Kitchen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the children grow older, we felt that it was time to “upgrade” in unit size. So we were looking at 5 rooms unit within the same location, as it’s near school and conveniences.

By sheer of luck, I had the opportunity to meet up with an old schoolmate. Through our conversation, I had the understanding that she was also upgrading to a new property and thus selling off her old.

Without any delayed, we set up viewing session and confirmed our deal without much issue. We liked the unit and the timing were just right.

Study cum Home Office

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So after 2 appointments at the HDB, on 1 November 2013 we are the proud owner of our new 5 room property.

It will be a new beginning for us in the new property in year 2014, however, we will not forget the GOOD OLD times in our old flat.  

Our Small Space

Double UP…

The children had been feeling a lot of excitement since the day we ordered the Double Decker bed for them.

Yes, after some consideration that we would be staying put in our home for the few years ahead, we decided to do some adjustment to the “hardware” of the home.

The children had been bugging us to get them a double decker bed. Each time when we went to the furniture showrooms, they would take the opportunity to try the different types of children double decker beds.

As our bedrooms are all installed with a ceiling fans, we were concerned about the safety issue, especially with the fan’s blade going fast and furious. A few months back, we decided to change the children room fan as it was having some technical problem. After some researched, we bought a new TDK Ceiling Oscillation fan.

Once the fan was changed, we went to Rozel furniture showroom and checked out their double decker beds. To our luck, they were having some promotion on one particular bed and we decided to go with that promotional item.

This week on Monday, they delivered the bed and it’s now the new novelty of the home. The children enjoyed the “Tree house” in the room.

My Family TREE & “Kopi Tiams”

Last week Anthea came home and told me that she need photographs for her class work. She was required to draw a Family Tree.

She said she needs photographs of our family and her grandparents. I asked her if she needed both paternal and maternal grandparent’s photographs, she said No, just one side will do fine…hehe.

So I dig out all the photographs that I had printed out. Usually I will print out hard copies of our families’ photos and kept them in the photo album. Having school going children, you never know which day they will ask you for photographs..haha.

So I went through the photos with Anthea and she shortlisted the few that she deemed was nice enough for her Family Tree project.

It was quite a nice piece of project after she completed it and I know she was very proud of her work.

咖啡店

10 years ago when we bought our home sweet home, the property price was at its peak, so we were only about to afford a humble 4 room flat. Also at that time, our main focus of the property was near MRT as we don’t own a car. So that was how we ended buying this current home.

Honestly having stayed here for 10 years, I would say – we were very happy. Although it’s a small unit but it’s very manageable, especially when I am the one who need to take care of the household chores, with some good help from my mother.

Also both Anthea and Anders was borned in the same unit, this home meant more to us.

Surrounding our home, we are spoilt for choices, especially when it comes to FOOD. The AMK HUB is walking distance to our home, so if we feel like indulging, we would eat at New York, New York or Ichiban Sushi etcs. If we decided to go for simple fare, we would eat at the food court or sometimes at the neighborhood Kopi Tiams.

Recently, the 2 kopi tiams near our home underwent some major renovation. It was good as they were really quite old & dirty.

Over this weekend, both the kopi tiams re-open for businesses and I was very happy to see a few new stalls.

One of the new stall was E Black Board bistro – it is a western food stall and supposing to serve good steak. Adrian will be in for a good treat when he comes home in about 2 weeks time.

Also with the re-open of the coffee shop, I have more choices of lunch for Anthea. As one of the coffee shops is just located near her school, it will be easier for me to get her lunch before fetching her from school.

All this conveniences does not come naturally and I know we are very blessed to have found this home sweet home.

Forms - CDA & LUP

Over the span of one week, we received 2 forms from the Government. One is from MCYS (Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports) and another one from Lift Upgrading Programme Working Committee.

MCYS Forms – when I delivered Anders in 2004, I was entitled to Baby Bonus scheme and under the scheme; we started a CDA (Child Development Account) with POSB. This account is solely for the purpose of saving monies and when we save a $1, the government will match the same. This is up to the capped of $6K for 2nd child.

Now MCYS decided to outsource the Bank provided. It had shortlisted 2 Banks – OCBC and Standard Chartered Bank. I have decided to choose OCBC because there is one outlet at the AMK HUB, so it will be easier for me to do any transactions.

So far, I am using this account to pay for Ander's childcare fees and I believe by end of 2008 or mid 2009, the monies in the account will be totally depleted...hee : P

LUP Forms – our constituency is due for a LUP (Lift Upgrading Programme) and the working committed has written to the residents to update us on the cost that we need to pay. At the same time, there is a Preliminary survey for them to assess the support for the LUP. The final decision will be made at a formal Straw Poll to be held at a later date.

For our 4 room unit, the cost for the LUP is $1035 (flat owner’s share), $1035 (town council share) and $11,730 (Govt’s share). So needless to say, we are all for this LUP.

If this goes through, we will have lift landing at our door steps; this means that our Bicycle dreams may just come true...hee. : )

This is a useful programme especially for our matured estates which comprised of majority elderly and some are even on wheel chairs. Also there are families with young children with prams etcs. With this programme, everyone will benefit from it, I do hope it will materialized