aprima

Last year, sometime towards end of August, we put pen to paper sealing a deal for the purchase of our new home. This comes after a series of house hunting which we had done parallely with the selling of our old flat. We had shortlisted a few units in Tampines area, and eventually found the one we both mutually like.

Needless to say, the unit we chose isn’t our first choice. It would have been that one unit right opposite the stadium near the mosque, had negotiations not turn out ugly. We had high hopes on that one. In the end, it was not meant to be.

So we scouted around some more and selected our next best option. Location-wise, it is perfect. Quiet, near a neighborhood park on one side, and opposite a school on the other. It is also easily accessible to the train station, malls, market, eateries, banks, bff’s home - all via a couple of nearby walking routes.

Since we downgraded from our previous flat, space-wise,it is slightly smaller. But I feel that doesn’t really matter as long as everyone is comfortable when our home is ready. We decided to hack down a wall just to make it appear “bigger”. We also made plans to renovate the whole kitchen and bathrooms for a whole new look-and-feel.

Here’s a preview of our unit before the reno works:

Here’s a preview of the place on the third day of reno (post hacking, before layering of new tiles):

More photos on my Flickr set here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/aprima/sets/72157625979446664/

Renovation works will resume after the Lunar New Year holidays. I will be updating my photoset throughout the renovation process as and when I have new photo updates.

That’s all for now. Till my Part 2 update.

February 05, 2011, 7:22pm     Comments

A couple of years ago, the thought of us engaging the services of a domestic helper did cross our minds, but we always ended up debating (one time too many) whether or not we *really* needed one. At that time, we only had Misha to look after. Although we weren’t financially tied down, we figured we could still work it out ourselves. (‘It’ being the day-to-day household chores and running of errands.)

As our family grew bigger, we enliven the idea once more but only to shove it aside again due to our growing financial commitment that came along with it. As working parents, we admit that it can get tough at times. Our home is not always spick and span. Our kitchen stove is not always lit for cooking up nice sumptuous meals. Our dinner consumption is mostly at my parents’ abode, or otherwise, food packed from nearby eateries.

Recently, we are considering the option (of having a helper) again. Why? Three reasons.

(1) We are not superhuman. Our body capabilities have had reached their limits. Coming home from work to a disorderly home everyday is a big turn-off, and having to rectify it right then is an even bigger letdown - especially after a tiring day at work.

(2) We need someone to assist us with the day-to-day things, for instance, keep an eye on the kids while we run off to the bank, or help us with the laundry or mopping while we cook or bathe the kids. It will save us a lot of time.

(3) We want someone to babysit Anaqi while we’re out to work (when his siblings are in childcare), or while we go on our well-deserved date. I know Mom has done a good job in taking care of the little bub at these times, but lately her health has taken a big toll on her. She tires easily and at times looks lethargic. Her cough hasn’t gotten any better since years after she was diagnosed with hypertension, and recently it seems to have worsen. We feel it’s only right that we relieve her from her babysitting duties to lessen her burden.

When I discussed with P regarding this, he seems to share my sentiments and agree to my proposal - which made me glad. This time we’re 97% sure we’re going to make it happen. May not be so soon, but eventually, insyallah.

December 04, 2009, 11:57am     Comments

Eight months ago, when I laid out my objectives for the year, things seemed to look pretty much achievable. Somehow I managed to keep them on track to a certain extent. Now, looking at my list again, it really saddens me that the things I had aimed for to get done (or at least still be doing) have not somehow materialized.

Let’s recap:

- I hope to better manage my monies as compared to previous years - FAIL! Cashflow management has been my biggest challenge so far this year. It has always been “my money is our money but never mine”.

- I plan to cook more at home and try out new recipes/dishes, and probably try baking as well - again FAIL! How to, when the husband is more geared up to do so more than you? At least I did buy an electric oven. But no mixer machine, how to bake?

- I want to enrol Mika to the same childcare centre as his sister (towards end of the year) - A-ha! SUCCESS! This is more like “I better enrol him, by hook or by crook, or else…” Wouldn’t want to add more burden to my mum now that I have a third child, now would I?

- I would like to get new lenses for my digital slr, and explore outdoor photography during my free time - What…? Free time? Outdoor? Come again? FAIL! (also inter-related with first point on getting new lenses)

- I would like to have more family-bonding times - To a certain extent, SUCCESS! But we really have yet to go out together as a family after having given birth to Anaqi. With that I meant like to the beach for picnic, or to the zoo, etc…not to Giant supermarket to get groceries.

- I plan to improve my wadrobe (really! I think I’ve been wearing the same old clothes every week!) - somewhat FAIL! Again this is inter-related to point #1, but I do make it a point to sneak in some online purchases. Meh.

- And lastly, I really, really hope and pray that I will still have a job in 2009. - Okay, this one I really need to touch wood big time! In relation to first point, I cannot afford to *not* have a job at this stage. Also, I heard (while still on my maternity leave) from some of my colleagues that there has been some re-org happening at my workplace that’s affecting my team. I pray that I’m not too badly affected by it. Hence this one - IN PROGRESS!

So what would I make of that? 30% success, 10% In Progress and 60% FAILURE! Overall, FAIL WHALE!

August 30, 2009, 2:37am     Comments

» Tumblr App for Blackberry (Link)

Downloaded the app from this URL and test virgin BB post on Tumblr.

July 22, 2009, 3:24pm    Comments

All these talk about Smartphones makes me want to get one for myself, heh. With all the advance features they have, it makes life more convinient especially for someone who spends most of their time on computers (like me). Plus, they’re like the in-thing to have nowadays. Perhaps I should start scouting for one, now that my Sony Ericsson Walkman phone has past its 4-year mark, and has been acting quite a bit. So, iPhone or BlackBerry?

July 03, 2009, 4:39pm     Comments