Unrealistic Singapore Government

Sometimes I think that the people who make up the Singapore Government have been in the government sector for so long that they have lost touch of what's its like to be an average Singaporean.

The recent sale of HDB's new Design, Build, Sell Scheme, City View @ Boon Keng, drew about 3000 applicants when they first open. They were going after 714 flats on sale. With price ranging from SGD350,000 to SGD730,000 for a 3-5 room flat, these applicants still had to fulfill the standard HDB criteria.

a) Family nucleus of at least 1 Singapore Citizen or Singapore PR
b) Applicants be at least 21 years of age
c) Non-ownership of private properties
d) Income ceiling of SGD8,000

The first 3 criteria are pretty standard and understandable, of course you should be an adult when buying a property and to maintain some form of citizen benefit, you should be a Singapore Citizen. And of course, if you already own a private property, don't apply for public housing, leave it to those who cant afford the private prices.

But then again, City View @ Boon Keng is selling at private property prices!

What really irks me is that the Housing Development Board must truly believe that a family with a combine income of SGD8000 or less can afford to buy a property worth SGD730,000!!!!!
I did a rough calculation and with a flat worth that much, you need a montly mortgage about $2100. If a couple has a combine income of $7999, their montly contributions to CPF (ordinary account) is only approximately $1800.

So this couple needs to fork another $300 in cash to upkeep the house, wipe out all their RETIREMENT savings for a GOVERNMENT OWNED 99YEARS property!!!

Whatever happened to HDB's mission statement.

We provide affordable homes of quality and value.

We create vibrant and sustainable towns.

We promote the building of active and cohesive communities.

We inspire and enable all staff to give of their best.

Affordable? Where is the affordability these days.

With a take-up rate of only 65% for City View @ Boon Keng, HDB has now release it to the open market for walk in selection. Even so, I don't think the take up rate is as good as the former Premiere at Tampines.

Doesn't think goes to show something?

When is the Singapore Government gonna wake up their idea?

I'm sorry. I can't help it. If you are born in the 80s or before, you may have fond memories of this.

最后一个大侠！！！！！ 紫螺插!!!

Woke up at 11 this morning and spent the day thinking about him. Kept running through my mind what we are going to do when we are together again, in Virginia, in DC, on the cruise, in Maimi and in NY.

Yes yes, I can see what you are mouthing right now. Sure we are gonna have sex. Lots of it.

Happy now?

Recently HR asked me what a marriage means to me. It took me a while before I could answer her, not because I dunno what MY marriage means to me. Or what a marriage SHOULD mean to people. But I didn't want to give her to cliche answer that it means trust and committment, love and respect.

A marriage is less philosophical. Sure, the foundation of marriage should be build on love, trust, blah blah blah. But to me, it means being about to live with each other EVERY SINGLE DAY. To be able wake up every morning, look at the person beside you and feel bless for another day you get to spend with him/her. And to always able to remember the smell of their hair, the shape of their fingers and how you mould into their body shape when you snuggle together.

I love him.

Everyday.

Night out with the ladies

As I sit here at my laptop with tired feet and body, I actually don't regret putting my comfortable self outta the chair yesterday, got dressed, slap on make up and hailed for a cab to drive me down to meet the rainbow club.

Well, granted not all the members were there but it was good enough.

Much of the evening was spent screaming 'TEN!' at the top of my voice because thats the strategy of YD when it comes to playing five-ten. I reckon she thinks that if she keeps shouting 'TEN!', I would eventually get confused enough to err. Well, Im not sure if the strategy worked cos she and I down many Power-Upped Vodka Redbull (thanks to nette).

Part of the evening was also spent slouching with debby at our quiet corner and judging/criticising/admiring people's dress sense. That gave me some time to recuperrate from YD's attacks.

As the alcohol seeps into the blood stream, our inhibitations came down. Butts were shaking, hips were gyerating, and hands flew all over the place as we danced to the remixed tunes of Shakira, Rihanna, Britney and others.

But before long, I felt a hand pulled me out of the club and to another we go. With only 10 mins to closing, we walked into the packed dancefloor and immediately had a jug of Vokda Cranberry handed to us. Compliments from the DJ.

Coolios. After 4 jugs of Power-Upped Vodka Redbull, thats just wat I need. A mellow Vodka Cranberry.

Another 20 mins went pass and we were forced out of the joint. With the intention to end the night off with a round of Mahjong at Nette's place. Wendy, Debby and I shared a cab while YD and Nette took another. But 3 mins into the journey to Lor Ah Soo, a phone call came, re-routing us to good ol' Zouk.

It was already 3.30am and my feet were killing me. Damn my boots!

Unfortunately, Zouk don't feel the same anymore. Not sure if its is because 70% of the crowd was in their late teens to early 20s. I distinctively heard 2 guys boosting how they are 21 and are checking out clubs. Or it was the fact that Zouk changed but remained the same. The crowd sure has changed, but the music seemed like it came from a CD entitled 'Compliation for Saturday - Zouk'. Ah, but it could be because the whole night we were dancing, this overweight young man tried to inch himself closer and closer to me. Thanks YD for shielding and pulling me away in time.

*Shudder*

The night/dawn finally came to a stop at 4.30am. Nette and I dragged our worn out bodies into the cab with a tired Debby.

And I came home to find my mum awake! Her day has just started while mine is winding down. As I crawled into my room, I saw my mum displaying her pugillistic talent for my dogs to see.

Netty Booboo turned a big 30! And wow, she took it really well. No tears, no drunken stupor.

But Im not sure if the surprise party for her was really good. I hope she really enjoyed herself though.

Thanks Debby and Audrey for helping me pull of the surprise and YD for joining us. I dunno about them, I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Its great to be with friends whom you really like.

Even if you jam her finger at the car door, she still smile at you while screaming.

Even if you laugh at her, she laughs with you and treats you eat sausage.

Thank you friends. I know I have good ones.

A light has finally shine upon me...I finally see it.

Food only taste good when there is someone to share it with!

I can't say I had a crappy dinner....my mum made some tonic soup and I had it with some noodles and fish ball at the side. Ok it may not be the most delicious thing, but it just sucked. Then, suddenly it dawned upon me, why do people eat?

Whats the point of cooking for an hour only to consume the food in less than 10 mins?!

Should we all quit eating all together?

No. We shouldnt. But we should have dinner with someone. As hard as it may be, try to minimise time alone when eating. Because even if you have a meal cooked by Mario Batalli, it would not taste good. Simply because you cant turn around and rave about how perfectly the steak is cooked, or how crisp the salad is or just how much/little the wine complements the meal.

Bottomline is, I miss you baby. I know we don't have have the tastiest meal together. I am no Kat Cora or Paula Dean (but I am working on that laugh) but its nice just to be able to talk while having dinner. It's great to have someone to rant/rave to. It feels good when you praise me when I made something good...and when you encourage me when the dish doesn't come out the way i thought it would.

I miss you. And all our dinners together. You are my perfect dinner mate. My dinner soul mate.