This is perhaps my most angry blog! No, there will not be any vuglarities as I am not the type to shout the F or S word unlike one of my sis in law. (clue: not local)
What happened is this: Our current landlord had hiked the rental by double what we had been paying for a small studio apartment with panaromic seaview. She had bought this unit, our matrimonal home in 2006 with tenancy and had to of course honour the tenancy agreement. However, as the lease nears expiration, it became evident that we need to move out of our beloved home. For $3000, it no longer seemed wise to rent this small apartment when there was only a bedroom for the 3 of us. Besides, yan had begin to teach mainly from home and having an aircon room as a piano studio will definitely be better for the teacher, the students and the family.
When told that we will not renew our lease based on the new terms, the landlord was pleased to "offer" this: that she would prorate the rent should we move out earlier a week or two since our lease will expire on 8 sept 2008 and they needed time to refurnish this "vacant" apartment to get it ready for the next tenant. Its sounded like a ok deal, as we had began house hunting and its really not easy to get a unit that we like, that is both functionable and affordable since rental rates in D15 are really on the high side.
With the piano studio as our main criteria, we finally found a suitable unit in the neighbouring estate and managed to start the tenancy a month later, thinking that we could move out earlier. Moving out earlier would mean that the current landlord could get much better rates too in the current market situation, yes at least double.
To my horror, when spoken to yesterday.The landlady seemed to "forgot" what she had said or offered. She was not at all agreeable to us moving out earlier and insisted we stay till the end of the lease as it was "unfair" to her. She kept mentioning that she need our rental to make loan payments taken against the property. What was to be a amiable solution turned into a angry emotional conversation. I was really upset. Perhaps more with myself that I should be so trusting. That without the preferred legal black and white, I took the "bait" and now out new place is 24 days early and paying rent on both sides will set us back by some $3200. I just could not believe that she would go back on her own words and then deny and then tried to re-explain everything to " what she think she had meant out of kindness was"...etc etc.
We tried to delay the start date for the new place without any avail. Still, to lose $3200 like that is crazy. It was something I should have been more careful about. Afterall, she was no friend or relative but a landLORD who needs to $$$$. My dad and eve had always advise that one should never trust others easily. Perhaps I grew up in the church environment where everyone is kind of reliable and help was readily available.
A sincere naive moment and now this......................MESS! SIGH!
Even blogging about it makes me fume still.
While this issue is beyond me and my family, I am thankful that I have a God who cannot fail who does not go back on his words. My family is depending on the almighty Father God to get us out of this mess and to minimise the potential financial damage. Even so, God can restore to us the years the locusts had eaten. He will definitely bless us back many more fold.
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Friday, 18 July 2008
We got to move it move it!!!
Its almost official. We are moving out by mid next month.
Where we will reside for the next 2 years will be announced later.
Right now, I am taking every waking free moment to packing and more packing. In fact, I had listed several big baby items like pram, stroller, moses basket with stand etc for disposal sale.
Another huge headache is the vast collection of books and cds that our family "invests" in. Even our little darling's collection of books, cds and dvds are growing weekly. In the end I decided to part with almost all the christian books and many bibles including huge study bibles, commentaries and worship cds.
My first customer is a young born again filipino maid. I understand her financial situation and decided to bless her anyway with a tonne of study bibles, bible commentaries, books, cds, shoes,bags and clothes for a mere $50. On top of that I gave her a supermarket auntie push trolley to bring her purchases back.
Her face glow and her eyes shone. She was so happy, sharing that she will bring back most of the things to her country to sell and bless her friends. Of course, I could sell these items for much much more on the internet. Other than the lack of time for any online trading, I reckon that I probably will donate everything to Salvation Army who will then sell them to raise money for the needy.
Anyway, I had been a regular donor to the Salvation Army since I was a teen. It started with 54 soft toys that I collected over a few years and then it progressed to previous season fashion that I wouldn't be caught dead in to make way for new trends. Excuses for endless shopping.
But here standing before me a few hours ago was a young lady, at least she is 7 years younger, single who can only attend church once a month, Its a wonderful opportunity to bless her and her family and have less things to move. She was given a chance to be treated much better. Most things that she like or need or want to give to others. "ok...its free. just take"
Amongst the load of things that she moved back with her "mixed breed" young charge, was at least 20 worship cds. Songs that I grew up with. Songs that I sang on the stage ministering the love of Christ to the sick and needy and lost. Songs that I learnt to play though "awfully in rhythm" on the digital piano that is now quite worn and rusty due to the high humidity levels residing near the sea.
Later in the afternoon when I was rather sleepy, I received an sms from the same maid/customer.
"Hi once again Mrs lee. My never ending thanks 2 u im listening now the cds i bought fr u and its reviving my spirit u know. am so happy and contented, they are awesome."
Wow!! She made my day!Its good to know that her spirits are uplifted. Its so worth it. All the effort of packing and classifying and the decision to "junk" all the things including christian literature cds and bibles that had been occupying precious storage space in this internet age.
God is our provider indeed.
Where we will reside for the next 2 years will be announced later.
Right now, I am taking every waking free moment to packing and more packing. In fact, I had listed several big baby items like pram, stroller, moses basket with stand etc for disposal sale.
Another huge headache is the vast collection of books and cds that our family "invests" in. Even our little darling's collection of books, cds and dvds are growing weekly. In the end I decided to part with almost all the christian books and many bibles including huge study bibles, commentaries and worship cds.
My first customer is a young born again filipino maid. I understand her financial situation and decided to bless her anyway with a tonne of study bibles, bible commentaries, books, cds, shoes,bags and clothes for a mere $50. On top of that I gave her a supermarket auntie push trolley to bring her purchases back.
Her face glow and her eyes shone. She was so happy, sharing that she will bring back most of the things to her country to sell and bless her friends. Of course, I could sell these items for much much more on the internet. Other than the lack of time for any online trading, I reckon that I probably will donate everything to Salvation Army who will then sell them to raise money for the needy.
Anyway, I had been a regular donor to the Salvation Army since I was a teen. It started with 54 soft toys that I collected over a few years and then it progressed to previous season fashion that I wouldn't be caught dead in to make way for new trends. Excuses for endless shopping.
But here standing before me a few hours ago was a young lady, at least she is 7 years younger, single who can only attend church once a month, Its a wonderful opportunity to bless her and her family and have less things to move. She was given a chance to be treated much better. Most things that she like or need or want to give to others. "ok...its free. just take"
Amongst the load of things that she moved back with her "mixed breed" young charge, was at least 20 worship cds. Songs that I grew up with. Songs that I sang on the stage ministering the love of Christ to the sick and needy and lost. Songs that I learnt to play though "awfully in rhythm" on the digital piano that is now quite worn and rusty due to the high humidity levels residing near the sea.
Later in the afternoon when I was rather sleepy, I received an sms from the same maid/customer.
"Hi once again Mrs lee. My never ending thanks 2 u im listening now the cds i bought fr u and its reviving my spirit u know. am so happy and contented, they are awesome."
Wow!! She made my day!Its good to know that her spirits are uplifted. Its so worth it. All the effort of packing and classifying and the decision to "junk" all the things including christian literature cds and bibles that had been occupying precious storage space in this internet age.
God is our provider indeed.
Monday, 14 July 2008
Rental woes
We viewed a neptune court apartment this afternoon. Although it is not ideal it seems quite acceptable in terms of layout, flat condition and budget. But still the asking is $1000 more than what we are now paying. The rental market here is well supported by demand from expats who are downgrading from the prime districts, the many indian "foreign talents" and some locals who need proximity to the airport.
Personally, I prefer to reside in mandarin gardens still due to the amenities and the familarity that Rachel had grown up with. Neptune courts boast of old swings and a 7 eleven that's it. Even the block that we viewed today is so far deep in near the sea, unsheltered and i wonder if its convenient really for the students and our family when we need to carry rachel and or the groceries sometimes since we do not have the luxury of a car. Further more we cant move too far away from Mandarin Gardens due to the home studio and for the sake of the students residing in the estate.
After all is said, we still need to borrow money from my dad for the security deposit, rental, commission etc. Sigh>>>>> I still owe my sister close to 5 figures for the remaining share of my late mum's chemo debt.
And as if all these is not enough, Yan announced that his mum want a monthly maintenance of $450, which is quite a lot in ringgit for a maid and others. Already we are paying her mobile phone and bills and struggling much with whatever we have left. Rachel will be home schooled since we do not have any budget for her to return to childcare or kindergarten.
Told yan, perhaps we should stop rachel's violin lessons, that save us $150. Get her off diapers permanently that will save us another $100 the other $200 his sister's family need to contribute to manage this additional financial burden.
Personally, I prefer to reside in mandarin gardens still due to the amenities and the familarity that Rachel had grown up with. Neptune courts boast of old swings and a 7 eleven that's it. Even the block that we viewed today is so far deep in near the sea, unsheltered and i wonder if its convenient really for the students and our family when we need to carry rachel and or the groceries sometimes since we do not have the luxury of a car. Further more we cant move too far away from Mandarin Gardens due to the home studio and for the sake of the students residing in the estate.
After all is said, we still need to borrow money from my dad for the security deposit, rental, commission etc. Sigh>>>>> I still owe my sister close to 5 figures for the remaining share of my late mum's chemo debt.
And as if all these is not enough, Yan announced that his mum want a monthly maintenance of $450, which is quite a lot in ringgit for a maid and others. Already we are paying her mobile phone and bills and struggling much with whatever we have left. Rachel will be home schooled since we do not have any budget for her to return to childcare or kindergarten.
Told yan, perhaps we should stop rachel's violin lessons, that save us $150. Get her off diapers permanently that will save us another $100 the other $200 his sister's family need to contribute to manage this additional financial burden.
Sunday, 13 July 2008
No longer chicken
Hahaha...I am feeling victorious as I finally chopped the first fresh whole chicken in my life!!!
Growing up I often feel "disgusted" when my mum prepares the dinner. Nothing beats witnessing my dad slaughter a poor hen when i was very young. I saw him bend the neck of the bird and slashed the throat. The helpless bird then struggled and bled to death inside the dark inverted pail in the bathroom. Once certified dead, the new carcass was immersed in boiling hot water after which the feathers were dutifully removed. Looking at the kill, I thought I may become a vegetarian, but NAH, i love the fresh chicken meat even more . Besides being a O+ blood group person I need a lot of meat to line the acidic stomach and to keep the metabolism and energy levels up.
I've tried eating only vegetables and fruits only in preparation of a 40day fast several years ago. Yes the inital few days were really tiring and "detoxifying" but no I did not really experience the high energy levels in the subsequent days until the end of the fast when i resume my "proper balanced meals". Yes, meat esp red meat and red wine and good coffee along with stir fry or raw vegetables and fruits that's my best diet, going by the energy levels, general well being and weight gain, which is hardly unless I consume too much carbohydrates. Coincidentally, bread is also my favourite. My perfect breakfast is a plain baguette with coffee, while yan prefers the bacon, eggs and sausages.
Just last fortnight, I bought a pomfret,a white one from my favourite supermarket Cold Storage and to my horror discovered that it had not been cleaned out. I had no choice but tried to cleaned it, all the yucky entails and all, in the manner of my parents. The delicious fish was steamed and eaten, and upon reflection its not that YUCKY after all. Of course, nowadays, places like NTUC and Giant do offer the cleaning services so one does not need to further dirty the hands but still its a skill that every home grown chef should possess.
Chicken, fish, prawns. I really will like to kill the live crabs next but not after at least watching my dad DO IT one more time. Indeed Jamie Oliver is the next most life changing person in my life after Christ and Yan. Because of Jamie, I developed GREEN FINGERS. In our mini garden in the sea view balcony are herbs, chives, basil, tomatoes, chilli, chilli padi, ginger, garlic, onions and now my potatoes are growing in a bag against the balcony wall.
I learnt several dishes already. I loved the English Onion Soup which saw me improve dramatically my onion slicing skills. Now i think a food processor which we do not own is actually a waste of money. Though I do not mind owning a blender or a juice extractor. An electric oven will be necessary in time to come when i do more heavy duty meat roasting.
Looking back, I never imagined that I will cook well. I mean as a busy senior executive, cooking is microwaving and stir frying everything. Indeed motherhood changes me. Call me an aunty it does not bother me at all.
I am happy learning everyday. From gardening, to cooking, to home schooling rachel and new violin pieces. Life can be simple, challenging and inspiring at home as well.
Growing up I often feel "disgusted" when my mum prepares the dinner. Nothing beats witnessing my dad slaughter a poor hen when i was very young. I saw him bend the neck of the bird and slashed the throat. The helpless bird then struggled and bled to death inside the dark inverted pail in the bathroom. Once certified dead, the new carcass was immersed in boiling hot water after which the feathers were dutifully removed. Looking at the kill, I thought I may become a vegetarian, but NAH, i love the fresh chicken meat even more . Besides being a O+ blood group person I need a lot of meat to line the acidic stomach and to keep the metabolism and energy levels up.
I've tried eating only vegetables and fruits only in preparation of a 40day fast several years ago. Yes the inital few days were really tiring and "detoxifying" but no I did not really experience the high energy levels in the subsequent days until the end of the fast when i resume my "proper balanced meals". Yes, meat esp red meat and red wine and good coffee along with stir fry or raw vegetables and fruits that's my best diet, going by the energy levels, general well being and weight gain, which is hardly unless I consume too much carbohydrates. Coincidentally, bread is also my favourite. My perfect breakfast is a plain baguette with coffee, while yan prefers the bacon, eggs and sausages.
Just last fortnight, I bought a pomfret,a white one from my favourite supermarket Cold Storage and to my horror discovered that it had not been cleaned out. I had no choice but tried to cleaned it, all the yucky entails and all, in the manner of my parents. The delicious fish was steamed and eaten, and upon reflection its not that YUCKY after all. Of course, nowadays, places like NTUC and Giant do offer the cleaning services so one does not need to further dirty the hands but still its a skill that every home grown chef should possess.
Chicken, fish, prawns. I really will like to kill the live crabs next but not after at least watching my dad DO IT one more time. Indeed Jamie Oliver is the next most life changing person in my life after Christ and Yan. Because of Jamie, I developed GREEN FINGERS. In our mini garden in the sea view balcony are herbs, chives, basil, tomatoes, chilli, chilli padi, ginger, garlic, onions and now my potatoes are growing in a bag against the balcony wall.
I learnt several dishes already. I loved the English Onion Soup which saw me improve dramatically my onion slicing skills. Now i think a food processor which we do not own is actually a waste of money. Though I do not mind owning a blender or a juice extractor. An electric oven will be necessary in time to come when i do more heavy duty meat roasting.
Looking back, I never imagined that I will cook well. I mean as a busy senior executive, cooking is microwaving and stir frying everything. Indeed motherhood changes me. Call me an aunty it does not bother me at all.
I am happy learning everyday. From gardening, to cooking, to home schooling rachel and new violin pieces. Life can be simple, challenging and inspiring at home as well.
Sunday, 6 July 2008
Where shall we Live???
My family is believing God for a home, in Mandarin gardens. Afterall, at this moment no other place feels like home. I love the sea, I want to stay near the beach. Yan's piano studio is here and uprooting elsewhere may not be ideal for the many students that come for lessons in our place. Rachel was born here and I believe this is one ideal place for her childhood and our parenthood.
Personally I can feel the property market cooling. That is great news. With more projects in the nearby amber and marine parade areas TOP soon, more rental units will be on the market and I pray that rent will come down soon, substantially.
Yesterday we viewed a shabby 2+1 marine parade flat with asking rental of $1800. Both of us were shocked to our bones, such a tiny unit, horrible floor tiles and a "vacant" unit could command so much. Yet I understand that "foreign talents" will gladly grab these units and even those 3+1 for up to $2500 monthly in this old estate of almost 30 years.
Sometimes I can't help but feel that in the pursuit to stay economically viable, the influx of "foreign talents" is adding more stress to our already fast paced lifestyle. With an ageing and picky labour force, we are indeed "losing" jobs to the PRs. The demographics of this city had changed with 1 in 4 no longer local. Some FTs bring with them undesirable habits like free-will spitting, squatting and others really bad smells. While some competition is good, life became more stressful when one had to spend much time in crowded public transport and also long queues.
Thankfully our family is pretty freelance and our off peak usage of public transport and malls made life more livable. My only grouse is rental and property ownership becoming more out of reach for ordinary citizens., especially those with families.
With only less than 2 months to go, we are depending on God our provider, to bless us with a home. Nothing is impossible with him. I believed and thank God that he had already provided a choice home in this same estate and the rental will be way below current market one. He will provide all the funds we need and more. It will be a place we all like, newly renovated, fully air con and with a good view. A peaceful place where we can live, work and nurture rachel well, not forgetting the music making.
Thank you Lord.
Personally I can feel the property market cooling. That is great news. With more projects in the nearby amber and marine parade areas TOP soon, more rental units will be on the market and I pray that rent will come down soon, substantially.
Yesterday we viewed a shabby 2+1 marine parade flat with asking rental of $1800. Both of us were shocked to our bones, such a tiny unit, horrible floor tiles and a "vacant" unit could command so much. Yet I understand that "foreign talents" will gladly grab these units and even those 3+1 for up to $2500 monthly in this old estate of almost 30 years.
Sometimes I can't help but feel that in the pursuit to stay economically viable, the influx of "foreign talents" is adding more stress to our already fast paced lifestyle. With an ageing and picky labour force, we are indeed "losing" jobs to the PRs. The demographics of this city had changed with 1 in 4 no longer local. Some FTs bring with them undesirable habits like free-will spitting, squatting and others really bad smells. While some competition is good, life became more stressful when one had to spend much time in crowded public transport and also long queues.
Thankfully our family is pretty freelance and our off peak usage of public transport and malls made life more livable. My only grouse is rental and property ownership becoming more out of reach for ordinary citizens., especially those with families.
With only less than 2 months to go, we are depending on God our provider, to bless us with a home. Nothing is impossible with him. I believed and thank God that he had already provided a choice home in this same estate and the rental will be way below current market one. He will provide all the funds we need and more. It will be a place we all like, newly renovated, fully air con and with a good view. A peaceful place where we can live, work and nurture rachel well, not forgetting the music making.
Thank you Lord.
Tuesday, 1 July 2008
$ no enough
I think the oil and food crisis is the main concern for everyone since the beginning of 2008. Inflation too, which was always hovering around 1.5% is now several times higher. With low bank interest rates still, whatever money we have in the bank is actually "eroding" away even though it may "grow digitally by a few decimal places".
I noticed that prices of basic commodites had gone up along with utilities and transport and it seems harder each month to save any money at all. This crisis not unlike in the early 70s is making many downgrade their lifestyles from luxurious to comfortable, from comfortable to necessities and for some from basic necessities to even sheer poverty.
I did a comparison for the expenditures since 2006 and noticed that our fixed expenses had almost doubled with a toddler and rental. Whatever savings is arbitary. Like most Singaporeans we lived from pay cheque to pay cheque with the help of some form of credit facilities. The only difference is that we made sure we "pay" our tithes which is almost 12 to 15% for the 2008 which we committed to the Lord about inclusive of the building fund pledge.
Yes, God is our provider, he will make sure we do not starve. At the same time, our family is cutting costs avoiding the cinemas, spas (its DIY nails time), holidays, shopping and dining out. Cooking does help to reduce the bulk of the food bill but grocery shopping and washing up can be such headaches. I think ever since I started to cook almost daily, the quality of my life had deteriorated much. With much time spent in the kitchen near the stove or sink-to-dishwasher then dishwasher-to-cupboards and also house-cleaning and coaching rachel, I pretty much do not have the time i need to practice the violin well and trim my overgrown figure. I really had morphed into a AUNTIE and upped my risks for a potential divorce!!! (just kidding)
This global energy and food crisis is also making me want more of a resource called MONEY! While there were certain periods in my life when I suffered lack, I thank God that with his grace we did get by. At this moment, as a non income generating parent, I pray that God will bless us with abundance so we can share with the extended family and the poor in this country.
Personally, I need a place to stay. A place that we both like, a safe environment for rachel to grow up in. I do not fancy at all, in fact i hate moving. So I really ask God for a good comfortable place to dwell peacefully and happily in. With more money I will send rachel to chinese and ballet classes probably french too, and have some time to hit the gym or enjoy a rejuvenating massage.
When money is of no issue, I would like to hire domestic helpers to clean the place and help out with the grocery shopping and cooking. Yes, I definitely need a much better violin and bow with a good suspension case, bam? Our family badly needs a holiday, Disneyland Hong kong for rachel, Europe for the adults since we had yet go on a honeymoon. For a public transport taking family, we crave the convenience of a family car, especially when its so hot and sunny or horribly rainy at times.
I need to refresh my entire wardrobe of old t-shirts and jean skirts. Plus I dun even have a proper bag. Oh and there's the thousand and one moles that need to be laser off from the face. may be some wrinkle ironing botox. Not to forget, Slimming treatments. haha. The list is endless....................
I look forward to the day, by God's grace, our family will be the head and not the tail, the lender and giver and not the borrower. Our family can be amongst the rich in this nation because we worship a real God. He will prosper us because he loves us.
With God all things are possible
I noticed that prices of basic commodites had gone up along with utilities and transport and it seems harder each month to save any money at all. This crisis not unlike in the early 70s is making many downgrade their lifestyles from luxurious to comfortable, from comfortable to necessities and for some from basic necessities to even sheer poverty.
I did a comparison for the expenditures since 2006 and noticed that our fixed expenses had almost doubled with a toddler and rental. Whatever savings is arbitary. Like most Singaporeans we lived from pay cheque to pay cheque with the help of some form of credit facilities. The only difference is that we made sure we "pay" our tithes which is almost 12 to 15% for the 2008 which we committed to the Lord about inclusive of the building fund pledge.
Yes, God is our provider, he will make sure we do not starve. At the same time, our family is cutting costs avoiding the cinemas, spas (its DIY nails time), holidays, shopping and dining out. Cooking does help to reduce the bulk of the food bill but grocery shopping and washing up can be such headaches. I think ever since I started to cook almost daily, the quality of my life had deteriorated much. With much time spent in the kitchen near the stove or sink-to-dishwasher then dishwasher-to-cupboards and also house-cleaning and coaching rachel, I pretty much do not have the time i need to practice the violin well and trim my overgrown figure. I really had morphed into a AUNTIE and upped my risks for a potential divorce!!! (just kidding)
This global energy and food crisis is also making me want more of a resource called MONEY! While there were certain periods in my life when I suffered lack, I thank God that with his grace we did get by. At this moment, as a non income generating parent, I pray that God will bless us with abundance so we can share with the extended family and the poor in this country.
Personally, I need a place to stay. A place that we both like, a safe environment for rachel to grow up in. I do not fancy at all, in fact i hate moving. So I really ask God for a good comfortable place to dwell peacefully and happily in. With more money I will send rachel to chinese and ballet classes probably french too, and have some time to hit the gym or enjoy a rejuvenating massage.
When money is of no issue, I would like to hire domestic helpers to clean the place and help out with the grocery shopping and cooking. Yes, I definitely need a much better violin and bow with a good suspension case, bam? Our family badly needs a holiday, Disneyland Hong kong for rachel, Europe for the adults since we had yet go on a honeymoon. For a public transport taking family, we crave the convenience of a family car, especially when its so hot and sunny or horribly rainy at times.
I need to refresh my entire wardrobe of old t-shirts and jean skirts. Plus I dun even have a proper bag. Oh and there's the thousand and one moles that need to be laser off from the face. may be some wrinkle ironing botox. Not to forget, Slimming treatments. haha. The list is endless....................
I look forward to the day, by God's grace, our family will be the head and not the tail, the lender and giver and not the borrower. Our family can be amongst the rich in this nation because we worship a real God. He will prosper us because he loves us.
With God all things are possible
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