BATHROOM WOES

Five years on - all the 'come with it' fixtures seems to be taking turn to expire.  Free thing = low quality.

The latest on the list - Shower head holder, in my bathroom.

Since I'm the only one using this bathroom, in order to escape an earful nagging, I die die have to do it all myself.

Was trying to adjust the shower head to a taller height when the knob broke.

With help from neighbours, I realised that the shower pole actually comes in sizes.

 

About 2.3cm

Anyway, being a layman to handy work, it's frustrating for me to find the exact holder.  I went to those old-school hardware shop （五金店 )  whereby the uncle throw me a curve ball and doesnt seems helpful.  After going thru many online shopping site, I realised there's a flexible solution.

I got this from a neighbourhood store at Serangoon.

Regardless the size of your pole, just press and slide in the holder.

Perfect fit. 

Want to adjust the angle of your shower head? Just loosen this screw.

3 minutes.  Job done.  Good as new.

MINIMUM OCCUPATION PERIOD

We are a few months passed this mark and even way before that, the junk mail holder at our front gate has been busy collecting these junk!!

Regardless which day of the week, there  will be at least one piece of advertisement, and not surprisingly, buy / sell property made up the majority.

It's so irritating that these agents even rang the bell on a weekend evening!  You can press the bell all you want, I simply remove the batteries from the chime and the pro of having a corner unit - I can look thru the peep hole....if you are the stranger to me, why should I open the door for you?

I know it's their job.  I know it's not the pamphlet distributor's fault either.

Oh well, now you see it.

NOW, I REALLY TURN THEM INTO JUNK!

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Yes, I'm beautifying and improving the space. No, I'm not doing it to sell this place.

Our first air-con servicing.  Yes, we havnt service it since it was last installed.  But we did our part surface cleaning.

We contacted these guys after looking thru various forums.  Two thumbs up!!  They arent pushy about selling packages.  In fact, they are very punctual, friendly and efficient.

The main door is another area whereby we made changes.

The original auto door closer has a very ugly "V' upon opening/closing.  And we need to use a traditional rubber stopper to hold the door open.  

So we got a handyman and replace the "V" closer.

Ta-da!  The door remains open when it's pushed to a certain angle it remains in a hold-open position.  No more unsightly arm and no more accidents of the "V' hitting the walls.

Then finally, the most under utilised space...the balcony.

Opps, we only realised that the hooks were upside down after the handyman left.

This should be the correct position.

Finally, we reinstalled the hooks and the bikes are up.

So much for the last few weeks.  Well, the next on the list .... probably painting.  The decking on the balcony has long lost it's lustre cost of vanish and the pure white walls of our interior are now more of a greyish white covered with the kids' palm print.

Slowly, but surely, this home will be as good as new....again.

HOME

Why go through the trouble of securing a UNIT, spent ten of thousands renovating it, in the end put it up on the market?

I've a  member at home, who too harbour such horrific thoughts much to my dismay.  Yes, it's a nightmare to me.

I just want a simple and stable lifestyle.  I wanted to grow with the unit which I,  myself saw thru tedious reno process and in which created many fond memories, and many more to come.

I dont denied the fact that I'm very attracted to the lap pools and round the clock security, but I really dont see the point of moving from one tiny hole to another "high-class" shoebox?!  In fact, till this day, I still miss my BIG KITCHEN, BIG LIVING ROOM, BIG BEDROOMS, back in my Pasir Ris's home.  The 2 things which I dont miss is the housekeeping and it's a corridor unit.

I know in the process of buying/selling, there's a tiny sum of amount that goes into the pocket.  But what's the use, if this sum goes into buying another property only to be sold again.  It's a endless process.  Is the profit from each transaction worth the trouble, time and effort to involved the whole family of uprooting and relocating?  Why go thru the lengthy process of queuing for a unit, wait for it to be built, beautify it, and whether you live in this unit or not, u die die endure at least 5 yrs then put it on the market??

The sum earn from a sale can range anywhere from SGDXX,xxx to SGDXXX,xxx.  It's easy money, I would love it too.  But this involved the sale of not just any unit/property but my HOME!!  

Can I be like my parents who are still living in that same flat for the past 3 decades.  Without doubt, this flat was their first and it's going to be the last property.  My sis and I grew up here. My parents helped us raised our kids here while we were at work.  We saw the changes, development of the estate and even the arrival of NEL.  Despite several offers came knocking on the door, because this flat has an unblock view on the top floor, right infront of the MRT Station, my parents' decisions are firm! NO!

We are not talking about petty sum.  In fact, the purchase price of this 3-room flat cost was only SGDXX,xxx.  We are now receiving offers of at least SGD390k and when the property market saw better days, they offers went as high as SGD400K+.  But still,  no fortune can make my parents change their minds.  They received the Title Deed to this flat, our home back in 2005.

This flat, is our HOME.  Not a piece of property that we put on the buy/sell market for any profit.

Above pix was cropped from Property Guru SG

Back to my Pigeon Hole, as we are reaching our 5 Yrs'  mark this year, there's a bit discussion going on the estate's FB page. For sure, I'm against putting up my home for sale, but since I'm not the ultimate decision maker, I simply got no say or whatever so.  

Someone mentioned that sales has been concluded in our estate, and looking up on Property Guru SG there are several more units in the estate being put up. 

If they are upgrading, congrats and good for them. But doesnt that means that you are putting the profit from this property into another property?  Well....anyway...

If they are simply doing for the sake of buy/sell... sorry to say, I hate this type of people.  They simply have no sense of belonging.  A property/unit to them is just a money-making tool, that's all.  

So, are you a home-owner or are you just a property hopper?

FINALLY SOME ACTION

Why must wait until people buay tahan and started to kpkb, then you carry out your very slow action?!?!

Finally, a tiny hump to slow down the vehicle before turning.

TURN ON THE LIGHT PLEASE

Is it so difficult and costly for you to turn on your vehicle's headlight??  Especially continental / luxurious car users - you have a day light or auto lights-on feature in your vehicle, why wont you use it??  I simply cant understand the actions of fellow users at the estate's carpark.

For more than 4 years, the MSCP in the estate is a death trap waiting for an accidents to happen.  In fact, there were some minor bumps and fellow users engaged in argument over the usage of the MSCP.

We have motorists going against the flow purely for convenient sake.  We have motorists who parked outside designated lots causing inconvenience.  We have had a series of vandalism.  And in the beginning, we even have children playing in the carpark on the 3rd floor since it's quite empty after many left for work in the morning! 

Oh well, the design of the MSCP is crap!  And let's not put the total blame onto the motorist.  So instead of rattling on and on, I did a simple layout of the MSCP.  (Not a great artist, please pardon my kiddish drawing.)

1. Against flow of traffic, I've witnessed over the last 4 years, motorists who made illegal right turn towards the double-headed arrow just to go up the ramp to the second floor or for more lots behind Lot #44.  Motorist took to the estate's fb page to air the grievance about near head on collisions and the driver who's in the wrong refused to budge...but little could be done. 

There's still a handful of estate neighbours who still test their luck by taking this short cut.  But those who usually do it these days were visitors who aren't familiar about the MSCP's layout.

2.  Vehicle waiting to turn either left or right would have difficulties spotting on coming traffic if a bigger vehicle  such as a van, lorry or MPV  is parked at Lot #44.  A blind spot mirror was installed sometime back next to Lot #7 but I personally dont find it too helpful.

Even in the morning between 0700 - 0715 hrs and got worse if it's raining the 3-storey MSCP is very dark because it's surrounded by flats!! Situation is made worse because motorists didnt turn on their headlight.

Yes, I encounter my fair share of unpleasantness, and on Wednesday as I was leaving the MSCP at approx 0730 hrs, because my view was obstructed by a vehicle parked at Lot #44, I've no choice but to inch forward beyond the stop line but was too late to spot a oncoming car who DIDNT turn on his headlight.  It's was sheer luck that both of us were driving quite slowly and the other driver probably knew my approach because, YES MY HEADLIGHT WAS ON!!  Even he got the right of way, my car was already almost turning left towards Lot #45, so I appreciated that he waved me off.

The incident left me and my 2 young kids quite shaken.  I'm really thankful that the other driver was patient not to sound his honk nor speeding in the carpark.  But why wont he turn on his headlights??  I would have see his car  from the blind spot mirror and would have never inch forward.

Anyway, being motorist, we did our part.  So now let's throw the ball to the other court ... I made a call to Town Council and do what I did best... COMPLAINT!!!

Request to extend lighting hours at the MSCP and/or install motion censor lighting.  And this is their reply.

Let's monitor the situation a while and hopefully it's helpful to all fellow motorists including myself.

PANDAN GARDEN FISHBALL NOODLES

Finally - the supermarket and coffeshop across the road is open for business!

Being 200% pure Teochew, the first thing to try is of course, Bak Char Mee, or Kway Teow Tng lor...

After much reviews from the neighbours, I ordered mine Bak Char/Fishball Mee with extra vinegar and ketchup.

2pcs of fishballs, 1pc of meat ball, some bak chor and slices of fishcakes.

The 2nd generation youngsters were helping there today (probably due to weekend).  I wonder if they speak Teochew??  My order was taken in English!!  Order was relate from Cashier (son) to Pass (Mum)  in Mandarin and again in Mandarin from Pass to Cook (daughter).

Overall, friendly service but can speed up abit.

Something is definitely missing!  I cant pin point (I wonder issit the lack of dang cai 冬菜)?  Or issit the ingredients?  

The noodles are al dente. Fishballs abit salty for my liking, meatball very mushy, not at all firm.

Overall, not yucky to max but I had better.

I guess living this type of 鸟不生蛋, ulu places we just have to be grateful that there's a place to eat and get your daily necessities just across the road.

Check out their FB page Pandan Garden Fishball Noodles

ELECTRONIC PARKING SYSTEM

No free parking on Sunday and Public Holidays.  No lots after 10pm  on weekdays.

Friends and relative visiting not aware of NO free parking, or simply forgot to put extra parking coupon.

Foreign cars, contractors cars occupying season parking lot and some even overnight without displaying the "green" parking coupon!

Upcoming small eatery and mini mart near drop-off point, foresee more illegal parking if not congested service roads due to drivers grab N' go.

Well, hopefully this will solve and improve parking conditions in the estate.

OLD NEWS LAH... *YAWN*

Been in this neighbourhood for almost 4 years.  Nothing seems to change.

Yet another Boo Boo.

You dont need to be in M'ysia to get connected to M'ysia's Telco.

Poor mobile coverage to "AUTO" roaming, there's spate of water seepage, faulty alarms questioning the quality of these BTOs.  Got quantity no quality. "SHAKE HEAD"

Residential blocks going up fast and furious but not enough amenities for the residents.  Well, IMHO, you can die but better not fall sick unless you can drag yourself a few LRT stops and prepared to wait up to an hour just for a 3 mins hi-bye session with the GP.

Well, as long as you are in the neighbourhood, it doesnt matter you are in HDB, EC or Condo... Buying a "high-class" unit doesnt guarantee you are safe from all these shitty issues.

HDB got complaints , now EC owner also got their woes - EC or Condo...still the same developer ... so what gives?  

JUST ANOTHER PIGEON HOLE

The latest DBSS which caught up with the recent "complaint frenzy"

Read about it here Pasir Ris DBSS - An Expensive Pigeon Hole and here Yet Another DBSS Under Fire

Isnt it a bit too late to know that you are living in one?? I already knew that years ago.

Nice Exterior but still the same boring sh*t 

Hong Kong or Singapore?? Everywhere there's housing problem.

Reminds me of a program on FYI - Tiny House Nation.  Who knows - there isnt luxurious space even for a pigeon hole and we had to reduce to shoe box apartments and even tiny spaces.

ARE YOU LISTENING! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

Came across this article in TODAY.  I find the situation very similar to the current one faced in my own estate.

1. Again, invading of the already very limited void deck spaces.

2. Again, it's a GO despite residents' protest.

But i'm not sure if there were plans for this space when residents first made a purchase on this BTO.  Otherwise...

3. Again, plans comes only after residents had settled in.  Residents can simply do without such 'add-ons'.

Again, I'm sure there are still people who welcome the 'add-on', and then those who approach the issue nonchalantly.

Rather than spending two minutes to finish the whole article, it could simply be summarised as follows: -

Some things are better left unchanged.

TELCO WOES

Came across this little voice on The Straits Time.

He stays in Sembawang, I'm staying at Punggol - but we sure are living uniquely in SG .... or wait... M'ysia?

He has been staying there for 12 years and he's still complaining? I'm coming to my 4th year and I'm done with complaining - gave up - raised my white flag!!  Stop wasting my breath!

The one and only solution all telco companies that's going to provide to you - is a very standard template answer: - that by the 2nd year, I can even memorise word for word, even in a reverse manner - that is...

"switch you handphone to MANUAL SEARCH network"

We are paying ever increasing monthly plans for these type of sh*tty service??  Why should it be our fault when our SMART PHONE detect an overseas provider when we are HOME?  If they are able to do that - wow, that means their coverage is far more superior than local telcos!

Shouldnt telco companies do some soul searching than to throw the ball back to our court?

As for Mr Foo, welcome to the club.

TRAFFIC JAMS

Accidents are very unfortunate and unexpected events.  But having stayed here long enough - I had seen a fair share of accidents happening on the TPE, resulting to long snaking jams and in fact, it did happened before that the whole stretch of expressway had to be closed for hours!

The town is ever growing but there's only 4 exits to get in/out of it??  Yes, it was announced that a 5th is coming - akan datang.

On any normal days, a trip to drop the kids at school and returning home is usually 5mins.

Unfortunately, both yesterday and today, the roads were jammed due to accidents on the Expressway.
Today was worst than yesterday - having stuck in the jam for more than 25mins!

Traffic updates only report the jam only goes all the way back to certain major road or certain exits on the Expressway - but look at the REAL SCENARIO here - how to get out of town when residents cant even leave/enter their own estate?

IT'S A GO

All board up for changes.

The 2 blocks affected are in the "red" box.

Since it's a "GO", let's see how these 'extra feature' will benefit us in the long run.

BIRD CAGE? PRISON CELL? BALCONY?

It had been long a common complaint among estate neighbours - their own balcony is being treated as a dumping ground, intentionally or accidentally by the upstairs units.

From cigarettes, papers, tissues, toys, clothing everything except money!  The design of the estate's balconies simply cannot make it!  Some big, some small, some long & narrow.  Some are lucky to be sheltered by the bigger balcony and escape being littered.

Homeowners who has regular balcony throughout the floors already faces such problem - what's worse, the design of our estate's makes it more easy for littler bugs who simply opt to fling their stuff out of the window.

We use that limited amount of space to dry our laundry, to park our bicycles, to grown some green, a small outdoor area for the kids to play, yet there are people who throw all sorts of sort out of the windows without sparing a thought for others.  Parents are ignorant of kids throwing down books, stickers even toys - the maids cant be bothered to with their mischief.

Parents worried for their kids safety put up grills like the first pix from the top on your left.  Even putting up window grills also caused some ridiculous  hoo-haa at some properties.  READ REPORT HERE

Those who wants safety but hate those bulky metal rods, can go for invisible grills, like the 2nd pix from the top on your left.  The unit below mine has a big balcony, and they did invisible grill.

I guess they are simply fed up with all the nonsense found on their wood-deck balcony so here's what they did recently.

Simply add a "roof" to it!

Is the additional approved by the authorities? I'm not sure and I'm not going ask them.  After all, they have spent money putting it up to protect their own space... do you expect them to tear it down?

Quoting an estate's neighbour - in the first place "they" never put it in writing that there's a plan to incorporate a eatery among the void deck, now "they" are going ahead with it despite some opposing the idea.

So... last time cannot put up the 'roof' b'cos it will spoil the outlook of the estate, but now because of increase littering problem, so house owners are allow to take things into his own hands?

I first posted the "Roof Added" in our estate facebook page but similar to the equally sensitive issue of having the eatery, it was later taken down.

Now, my personal blog space, doesnt mean to bring trouble to any neighbours, not mean to stir any trouble, just wanted post some happening around the house - can I or cannot publish this post?  Or post first delete later?

BRING IT TO THE PRESS

The above pix was posted in our estate facebook's page - therefore it's not mine.

The words maybe small but the heading sure says it all - but by bringing it to public attentions... 有用吗?

THANKS. BUT NO THANKS

This morning, the estate FB's page was flooded with a picture posted more than 11 hrs ago.  By the time I completed this entry, it has attracted more than 90 comments!

Thought it's not directly under my block, but I cannot help but to think of those affected.  

Everything has it's 2 side.  For some, they welcome it since it's convenient.  But from the FB's comment, including myself, i see more unpleasantness than positive.

Three years ago, when we collect our keys, they should have anticipated our needs.  Why wait till now to disturb us?

Call us a batch of ungrateful residents, as if we care but we did survive well all this while without the 'amenities' while waiting for businesses to set up at Regalia. Soon,Topaz will be opened for business, the Waterfront Mall will be ready by Q4 2015, not forgetting, the opening of a minimart and clinic at Emerald last December.  

SO, WHY NOW?  There's was no indication in the master plan when we purchased our flats.  If it wasnt there 3 years back, do we really need it 3 years later??

Well, probably to cater for the growing population of rats and roaches.

YOU SHOOT ME, I SHOOT YOU

The first time I saw her, was in November 2014 after the "mop saga".  She was here early about 10am on a SUNDAY morning.  Walking around the roof top garden, looking around, presumably at people's balcony, service yards... taking pictures of 'foreign objects' that SHOULDNT be place on the window ledge.

I dont mean to be kaypoh, but since my unit is facing the garden, and I spent most of my time in the kitchen, so I decided to see what she's up to. (Be wary of suspicious character right?)

First, she walk around, see here, look there.

Notice she's aiming her DSLR

Following her angle, this is what I saw.

After photo taking, she took some notes.

Mops on the laundry racks.  Stuff on the air con ledge.  I understand.  But these folks are just trying to sun their beddings ... what danger would it pose??  I wonder if they get a 'warning' notice as well?? 

If sunning of beddings at our own unit window is also consider a danger, if sunning of bedding in common area will get you stomp... then... where can we sun our bedding?? Should we stop sunning our bedding altogether?

Today, I saw her again. at minutes before 8am.  I just got back after sending the kids to school and that's it!  I decided it's time I put the whole incident  into my entry.

Why is she here again?? I'm not sure.  For all I know, since her last visit, I dont see any more mops sticking out service yard windows.  And the 'storeroom' at the air con ledge has been cleared.  So she's probably here to follow up.

But recently, there's a small hoo-haa in our estate FB's page regarding this post.

Beautiful Punggol Sapphire garden ruined by auntie’s plants

I'm very sure the auntie isnt the irresponsible sort.  In fact, I often see her in the wee morning and early evening tending to the crops, watering, talking to the garden users.

I ever saw pretty bright red tomatoes, cool looking cucumber and prettiest violet brinjal!!! 

Like many supporters who commented, the auntie is probably letting the soil rest before her next planting.  Or that she's away on a holiday and no one else tend to the area? Or worse, she has fallen ill??

Anyway, back to our 'shooter' ...

Yes, she still walk and look around, but today, she's concentrating her focus at the garden instead, so my best bet is related to the above Stomp! post...

Poor auntie, is she going to get a 'warning notice' or the authorities are going to stop her from using the plot??

I grew up in an estate where almost every household stick their mop at the bamboo pole holder.  NO ISSUE.  Yet I got a 'warning notice' to remove my mop from the laundry rack?

I grew up in an estate where air con sits on steel brackets, installers have to risk falling to their death.  SO FAR NO ISSUE.  Now there's an area, that's more than enough for at least 2 air con units that eat into our floor area, yet we the owners CANNOT put other stuff there except air con??? What if I decided not to install air con??  Then it's just wasting precious space in the already tiny mini flat!

I grew up in an estate where aunties and uncles beautifying an empty space just outside the RC with potted plants.  NO ISSUE.  Now this estate auntie got stomp for 'ruining' roof top garden

I grew up in an estate where residents goes about their lives quietly except occasional funerals, weddings and even during CNY, there's only 1 or 2 lion dance troupe visiting.  NO ISSUE.  But here, for 3 years in a row....some inconsiderate residents are shouting, yelling to celebrate New Year's Day!!  

So what's the problem with people these days??  If moving to a new place, new estate pose so many problems, I should have just endure the 'no privacy' of my very big type 4A corridor flat back in Pasir Ris. 

Even those staying in private housing got their woes!! For safety, even installing window grills also got issue!!  Calls for condos to lift ban on safety grilles

I know land is becoming scarce, housings and buildings are built within close proximity, just like Hong Kong... I wonder do residents in Hong Kong face such issues???

SERIOUSLY . TRULY . UNIQUELY.

~ REVISED ~

After posting this entry in the morning, one of my all-time reader suggests that I should just hang my mop in the toilet.  This way, 100% guarantee no complaints from anyone.  But since before moving, even in my old flat, I always hang my mop this way.  No issues what??  Anyway, 讲那么多也讲不赢。。。 不讲了。（Talk so much also no use. ..  waste of breath).

My other reader on the other hand, instead of addressing to the issue, suggest that I should be more tactful on my language.  She point out the recently a poor French blogger got fined by the court because she left a bad review on a restaurant?!  READ ARTICLE HERE

So, conclusion:

1.  I should find a more suitable, place (TO MY LIKING)  for me to hang my mop. At the same time I must please everybody and anybody so as to have NO complaints from any/.whatever issues.

2.  I should immediately edit my post so I dont sound sarcastic and offend anybody and/or everybody.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Since the day I shifted here, I've been doing this.

I'm not sure if my neighbours have any grudges about my action?  The unit directly below mine is empty.  Further more, I would never hang out anything dripping wet outside!  Damp and wet YES, I admit...but water-dripping mats, laundry - NO!  In fact, I simply kept quiet about water dripping from above units, but since it doesnt affect my laundry, therefore, no point kicking up a fuss and spoil relations..

So can you imagine when I got this notice on Tuesday! Since the one ringing/knocking didnt identify himself, there's no reason for me to open the door especially in the evening.  I hate sales personnel!

Issit for safety reason or have I offended my neighbours in anyway?

I'm not angry, but just wondering?  So far, I have no issues with any neighbours, and do not wish for any in future either.

OH, btw, for the many past few years.... new BTOs no longer have the luxury of sticking our laundry out in the sun.  Now what we have is call a "Laundry Rack" and it's permanently fixed in just one position.

OK, so for the last 2 days, I went around and took pictures.

LIke this can?

Like that can? 

Empty laundry basket?  Can?

Not 1 but 2! Can? Compared to my version of having the mop stick resting on the ledge and mop head over the rack, this owner has the mop head resting on the rack, but nothing to support the mop stick.

Click to enlarge, see how owner make use the a/c ledge at the unit below.
Not sure like that can or not?

As long as item doesnt roll off or drop when retrieving, a/c ledge is part of property.
So can put right?

Anyway, a/c ledge can put or cannot put also not up to us the owner to say.

Like that can??  The design of this kitchen faces the wall of the stair well and

not very visible from the lift lobby.  

This is a different BTO that faces my unit.  The unit above has a pail.

The unit below has not 1, not 2 but 3 items! Can?

I'm not a difficult person, nor am I being unreasonable.  But it clearly shows that I'm not the only one with an odd item at our laundry rack.  I wonder do they get a "reminder" too?

Simply to say, I suay lor (down on luck)!

If these people are so free, STILL MAKING HOUSE CALL IN THE EVENING, or any other time spying on us, I suggest the go for a walk around the neighbourhood to fix those lighting ONCE & FOR ALL!  I've since sick and tired of reporting faulty lights at the roof top garden!

I report, they fix.  No report = faulty lights??  Welcome lor, this is how we work here lor.  Very typical system.

So now the other way, they complaint about me??  Never mind lor, push a bit, move a bit.

 Dont say I never act on my part.

Dont tell me like that also danger??

Arh neh ay say boh!

这样可以了吗？

Like that can or not?

Ini Boleh? Tak Boleh?