Useless Furniture

Of course, Cookie must check out all the new items in the house. ;)

Hub and I have a weakness for useless furniture. In fact, we often walk into a furniture shop with the intention to buy item A, but more often than not, we will walk out of that shop buying items X, Y and Z instead. Not only did we NOT buy item A, we usually ended up spending MORE than the budgeted amount to buy silly items instead.

That was what happened a few weeks ago.

We were supposed to shop for a single bed, meant for the confinement nanny, which will also double up as Beanie Girl’s bed as she grows older. So, we have been visiting furniture shops, looking for a cool yet functional (and hopefully reasonably priced bed). Ikea didn’t quite cut in under the “cool” factor, so we visited shops like John Erdos, Air and Motto.

But as usual, instead of buying a bed, we ended up with… … a retro looking cabinet and 2 wooden planks-paintings instead, which of course busted the budget for the intended bed.

Of course, both of us love the retro cabinet… with the iron grill as doors, we simply couldn’t resist…

So, thankfully, we managed to buy a simple single bed from Ikea for only $69 and that made me feel so much better about our impulsive buys.

Hrm… I bet Beanie Girl can’t tell the difference anyway between an Ikea bed and a “cool and funky” bed that costs 4 digits.

I promise that Mummy will still make your room looks as good and as chic as the rest of our house!

My letter to LTA, PTC (Public Transport Council) and SBS

After reading today's article on The Straits Times regarding about SBS putting a block to 3rd-party apps, I've decided that Enough. Is. Enough.

I'm a frequent user of SG Buses, this free app that is much more user friendly than Iris. Seriously.... Iris is useless. It takes FOREVER to load, the app doesn't seem to be well maintained at all. Before I downloaded SG Buses, I used to even log into the website of SBS to check on the timings of the buses. That also didnt seem to work because it also takes FOREVER for the website to load.

And now, SBS is blocking these efficient, user-friendly apps. SBS senior VP of Corporate Communications Tammy Tan, referring to these free apps and said (as quoted from the ST), "This could result in wrong information being released to end-users, which is something we will not be able to control. The Introduction of captcha is to prevent unauthorised re-use of propreitary information".

Seriously... your proprietary information is not even useful or user-friendly in the first place. If SBS has already sank in money to develop some useless applications, then admit your mistakes and out source this value-added service to some other more efficient vendor to do the work. Instead, SBS decided to sabotage these vendors which has provided FREE services instead.

I'll really like to remind Miss Tammy Tan that SBS is a PUBLIC TRANSPORT company, it's purpose is to service the public. And the best part, PTC's secretary and quality service manager Eugene Tan said that "regulator typically focus on basic concerns such as fares and bus services, and that bus time apps were a value-added service and did not generally come under its preview".

Well... if SBS's buses are very frequent, then maybe bus schedules are "value-added" services. But when I have to wait 20 mins for a bus, bus schedules and bus time apps aren't "value-added" services, they are part of the "total service" that a public bus company should provide. With today's usage of internet and smart phone applications, it is high time for PTC to include such "value-added" services as BASIC services.

"Dear sir/Mdm

I will like to highlight about the recent shut-down of 3rd-party apps, such as SG Nextbus and SG Buses. I am a frequent user of these 2 applications as they are much more user friendly than Iris, SBS's proprietary app. Iris app is extremely slow to load and even when I use my smartphone to access SBS's website to find out about the arrival timings of the buses, the website is also very slow in processing my request. In conclusion, SBS's proprietary app cannot compete with free downloadable apps, which were previously doing a service to fellow commuters like me.

If that is the case, SBS should outsource this service to more capable and efficient service providers instead. As a paying commuter, why am I being denied of a free and efficient service that has enabled me to commute more conveniently? On today’s Straits Times, 24 May 2011, SBS's Senior VP of corporate Communications Tammy Tan, said that "The introduction of captcha is to prevent unauthorized re-use of proprietary information". However, due to inefficiency of Iris, commuters like me, is unable to use SBS's proprietary information in the first place!

Public transport operators, such as SBS should look at how to enlarge, instead of limit their outreach to commuters. Its focus is to enable commuters to have a smooth and efficient usage of public transport service instead of "safe-guarding" its proprietary information, when such information is meant to benefit the public.

I also suggest that, maybe it’s time that PTC include such “value-added service” into its purview as Bus-time app is indeed a valuable service to frequent bus user like me, where I do not stay next to a MRT station and still rely on buses to commute."

Minimalistic parenting

Now that most people around me noticed my bump, many asked me 2 questions:
1) So… when are you getting a car?
2) Are you getting a maid?

My answer: No and No.

Then most will stare at me in disbelief and some will even smirk and give me a “I-see-how-long-you-can-last” kind of look. Well… I, myself am also curious to how long I can last without a car or a domestic stay-in helper when Beanie finally arrives.

Hub and I can definitely afford a car if we want to, but for what? To park in office? After doing our sums, maintaining a car actually costs more than our current HDB mortgage. We’ll rather save that money for our 2nd property in time to come.

As for a stay-in domestic helper, I do not need one now as I am staying alone and I have a part-time helper who comes in once a week and I think that is more than enough. When Beanie arrives, and if I cannot cope, I will request my part-time helper to come over twice a week instead of once.

I will be lying if I said I wasn’t tired by the end of a work day and yet I still gotta do laundry or cook dinner for myself and wash up as well. But… I enjoy the independence, I enjoy the peace and quiet time that I have to myself and to my cat. While doing these household chores, I take it as exercise and it isn’t that much of a big deal.

I hope I can set myself as an example to Beanie, who learns by watching that a responsible adult will do his/her own chores and helps to clear the mess in the house. Monkeys see, monkeys do right?

I also don’t believe in buying expensive toys or items for babies and children because they outgrow these toys/items in a flash. Hand-me downs are a god-send, and I personally do not encourage consumerism. “Buy/Use what you need” is my mantra, although I must admit that little girls’ clothes and accessories are like the cutest things in the world.

So, currently I am having ideas about hand-making some soft toys and simple dresses for Beanie Girl when I am done with my CFA exam in June. Hmmm… I am not a art-&-craft person, but the thought of making little stuffed rabbits and cutesy patchwork dresses is kind of exciting!

GE 2011

Now that the General Election is over, time for some reflection and analysis.

I stay in Bishan-TPY constituency where SPP was contesting under the leadership of Mr. Chiam. I admire Mr’s Chiam’s dedication and perseverance for the past 27 years in his service to the residents of Potang Pasir, despite the lack of resources. And for that, I have given him, my vote.

Unfortunately, it was not meant to be and it seems to me that he will most probably retire from politics for good. Although he has put up a good fight, his greatest weakness was the lack of proper renewal plan for his party. The new candidates whom Mr. Chiam had recruited joined the party too late and didn’t have the time to work the ground.

SPP’s mandate: “Service before self” comes across as a mandate for a volunteer group. There wasn’t a very clear indication of what SPP really stands for. So, moving forward, If SPP is serious about setting itself as a credible political party, it has to differentiate itself from WP and SDP from a political stand-point.

Most Singaporeans are a practical bunch. At the end of the day, we are concerned about bread-and-butter issues like housing, jobs and cost of living. The grudge against the mass influx of foreign talents only heated up when local infrastructure (ie: public transport and public housing) weren’t ready to accommodate the recent increase and these issues are affecting our lives.

Ideologies such as democracy, fair-play and justice within the political climate simply do not register with a typical Singaporean if he/she has a high paying job, gets her HDB flat on his/her first ballot (without paying through his/her nose) or basically a comfortable life.

WP has recognized the pragmatism of most Singaporeans, and thus more Singaporeans can relate themselves to the party. (Me, for sure). Some other parties campaigned for true blue democracy and other very idealistic notions that I am not interested in.

Without food in your stomach, without a job to pay your bills, without a roof over your head, talking about democracy doesn’t get you anywhere in life.

Most Singaporeans are a well travelled bunch. I don’t about you, but when I visit neighboring countries, I do count my lucky stars that I am a Singaporean. In fact, even when I was having long vacations in developed countries, I still give thanks to the fact that I am born in Singapore, have a decent paying job, to enjoy a relative high quality of life which isn’t that far off from a first-world, developed nation.

I hope the ruling party will truly “reform” and reconnect with its fellow citizens. I am looking forward to how policies will be penned out for the next 5 years. In fact, this year’s National Day Rally will most probably be a very interesting one!

Now that the election is over, let all Singaporeans come together and work towards a better future. For ourselves, for our children, for our beloved country, Singapore.

Beanie's little feet

Todate, we have not bought many things for Beanie Girl yet because we have many generous and kind friends who have donated or loaned many baby items, such as clothes, stroller, a Cot, breast pumps, baby carrier ... ... etc. So much so that I almost don't have to buy anything.

But yesterday, I was just browsing around and saw a "50% clearance sale" banner in a shop that was selling baby's stuff, ok, that was hard to resist and I ventured into the shop. Nothing really caught my eye except these small little booties/socks.

I don't know why but my heart just melted when I saw how tiny these little booties were, and how they would protect Beanie Girl's little feet from the cold when she is born. Hrm... being only $1.99 per pair also helped in the "heart melting" process, I guess.

Beanie Girl's little feet and fists are now kicking me consistently. She is like a wriggling little fish, swimming and tickling my stomach every now and then. Sometimes, her kicks are so strong that my whole tummy will tremble.

I am now in my 24th weeks, and I am really looking forward to seeing her in person in August. Meanwhile, she has to grow and hang in there inside my womb until she is full term!

To some, election is a bother

I have always assumed that ALL Singaporeans will be excited by the notion of casting their sacred votes, until I had a short conversation with a friend, via the MSN. He is actually dismayed with the fact that he has a choice.

Dang?!

I was like “What? U mean you’ll rather not vote?”

“Yah, I’ll prefer a walk over, just like all the previous elections. I don’t want to be bothered with choices. Especially when the opposition party contesting in my constituency, doesn’t seem that credible in the first place.”

Woah. And I thought this election is called the “Awakening Election.” Guess not every Singaporean shares my enthusiasm in our country’s politics.

I cannot help but to be disappointed with my friend. I just hope that he will sit down and think carefully about that vote in his hand. To start with, that vote is not easy to come by.

A bunch of brave, fearless Singaporeans have to step forward, to allow themselves to be scrutinized publicly, to make public speeches to tens of thousands of people, to walk all over the constituency, so that, we, fellow Singaporeans can have a choice. Unlike being “selected” to join the ruling party, these opposition candidates have nothing much to gain. If not for the love of our country and the desire to serve and “make things better”, I really cannot imagine why any sane human beings will want to pick up such a “holy calling” (As previously mentioned by the late Goh Keng Swee)

Once again, I urge all Singaporeans to TREASURE that vote in your hand.

Vote wisely. Vote responsibly.