1145. quick highlights

Rant of the day: Super duper sleepy...

I know I haven't been diligently update my blog. Yes, I'm lazy. So some quick highlights recently in my mundane life.

Photo taken earlier this month. I finally observed soil test for Punggol Emerald around my block. But recently, we saw piling work in progress. Which means, my block will be building soon! YEAH!!!

I love home-made birds nest dessert! I <3 mummy!!!

Still trying to fulfil my dream of becoming a radio DJ. Went for the So You Wanna Be A DJ audition at Orchard Central for YES93.3FM. Totally thrilled that one of the judges (玛丽) recognises me from last year's audition! So touched!

Though I'm not exactly confident on getting into top 8 but at least I'd tried. Taking the steps towards dreams is actually pretty much an accomplishment. Whether or not the results are favourable, it's an experience. I can say at least "been there done that". But when dear asked me till when do I still wanna do this, I really don't have an answer. I guess till the time when I can no longer participate due to whatever reason that forbids me.

Maybe she just don't find it convincing that I still wanna pursue the dream after soooooo many failures. But all I want is support. To all, if you don't wanna support me, at least don't stop me.

Besides that, done a pretty major event just this Monday. Made me woke up at 5 plus in the morning. Sweat like running tap. Run around like mad man. All just for a visit. But seriously, great exposure. No photos to this though. Where got time to take photos for my own pleasure? Moreover, I'm so unglam after the sweat.

So, I should quickly get back to bed. Sleepy. Need to continue my body maintenance recovery work... Ciaoz!

1144. we want a home

Rant of the day: Hate the weather...

I'm actually not so much into political news, especially the local ones. But since the recent hype over GE, the political scene in Singapore is finally worth talking about. Because it's about time Singaporeans speak up for the things that were suppressed over all these years.

With more oppositions into the parliament, the ruling party finally sees light in a total re-structuring of the Cabinet. Alot of talking over MM Lee and SM Goh stepping down but I say it's simply about time they do. Not being rude but seriously, after all these years of working in politics, it's really about time they take a break from these stuff. Look at how much they had aged. They need a REAL break.

Still, it do seem staged. Stepping down after GE. Well planned. At least they managed to save Marine Parade GRC back to the ruling party. I wonder how does the people in Marine Parade feel... "Vote for you then you step down. And the worse part is, we've got Tin Pei Ling into the parliament and now you (SM Goh) are leaving." Haha.

Whatever... Not my GRC...

Still, it's pretty irritating to get someone we don't like into the parliament. Not that she can't work the grounds since she hasn't really started but would you spend $15000 per month on someone you don't like to gain experience? She can't even give sound answers to the media for goodness sake! Her answers before the flaming where immature. Now, her answers were either repetitive or pre-planned. The people ain't stupid lah. We can tell whether you are memorizing answers or not...

Let's just hope she really make things work.

And after looking at today's release on our new members in the Cabinet, really sad to know that my "boss" is leaving for another posting. Hopefully a change of boss will not have adverse effects on the healthcare scene here.

Also, the most hated MBT is finally stepping down! That's a great news! Easy for you to say that the gahmen will continue to build affordable housing. See the italics because easy for him to say. If you have not seen the BTO at Punggol, the new 5-room at Waterway II can cost up to $450K!!! $50K more to half a million. Need we remind that this is HDB flat and not private housing? And it's NOT freehold. It's on lease for 99 years. Hello... Which part of the pricing is affordable?

I guess that these civil servants forgot why they are voted into the parliament -- to serve the people because we put our trust in you. If the current ruling party don't wake up on time, very soon we will have a new ruling party. Because we don't want just a house. We want a home...

1143. most right answer

Thought of the day: NSP = Nicole Seah Party? Haha...

I'm not usually a politics person on my normal days but this General Election (GE) is getting me all filled up with information. The ruling party. The opposition parties. Information spilling in all possible media platforms. Twitter. Facebook. Youtube. And of course the traditional media.

I can even gain access to these GE stuff even when I'm lying on my bed in Bintan!

Heh... Life of a crazy Singaporean.

But if you are asking me which party am I voting for? Honestly, I vote for the party that can propose for the best policy for my area and for the country in the next 5 years. And do note that the policies and plans need to be achievable. With that, it means I'm not incline to any specific party.

I wasn't like this previously. I used to be a pro-PAP voter. Yes... Used to be one but now no longer. A free-thinker perhaps. I guess it all boils down to the fact that the current gahmen is not making life any easier for the peeps on the streets like me. And many are getting delusional to who should we vote. Top pressing issue on our list -- affordable housing. In what way do you think a new 5-room BTO in Punggol fetching now up to $450k affordable??? That's $50k to half a million!!! And let me remind you that these HDB flats are not exactly ours. It's on 99 years lease. Eventually, it's going back to the gahmen.

It's easy for the peeps in gahmen to comment that we should buy based on our means. We need to loan and pay on installments for maybe up to 30 years while for them, probably half a year's salary. For us, asking for a 5-room new flat isn't a luxury, keeping your "estimated completion in 5 years" in mind. Because by then, newly-wed couples probably have children (most 1 but some may already have 2) and a 4-room is probably not big enough to house everyone comfortably.

So am I considered buying within my means? In the short-term... No. But planning in advance... Yes. The gahmen need to plan the country's future in advance and so do the people. But with this increase in housing prices, we can foresee our people in the future not able to lease a flat from HDB. Perhaps in 5 years down the road, a 5-room may fetch up to $1million... Scary eh...

Not missing out on other stuff, GST is another thing that the people faces. 7% is honestly not alot... Well, to the well-to-do people of course. But it is a hell lot of burden to the middle and low-income people. Buy this, 7%. Buy that, 7%. Eat, 7%. Shop, 7%. Now, everytime I pay at the cashier, I really do look at the 7% surcharge. And when we add these 7% together, it's ALOT of money!!! At least it is for me...

Of course, a country cannot function without taxation but would it be better if we can reduce this GST to perhaps 5%? At least the people will feel lighter on their backs with this. Merely giving out money to the people to "relive" the rising cost does not really solve the issue. And don't forget, those are OUR money in the first place. It's our tax... And the cheating part is, giving out these "packages" just before the GE is a subtle way of "buying" votes. I'm really not buying the idea. Don't say it's coincidence. If it is, then why am I not striking the lottery?

To the younger voters, information now are readily available everywhere and honestly speaking, the new media ain't doing the ruling party any good. Lotsa flaming we see online everyday against them. And of course, alot of insensitive comments from the ruling party are also seen or heard online. On taxation. On upgrading. On regrets in life. On Kate Spade. On threatening the people if we vote for the oppositions.

I guess, the ruling party needs to be more careful with what they say and don't take the current achievement for granted. The party achieved because your people allows that. So please jolly well treats everyone of equal stands. No people should be getting preferential when it comes to upgrading plans. Be it the people vote for the ruling party or the oppositions, all should get the same treatment. Because we all pay the same tax. We all pay money to the gahmen to run the country and to freaking increase the ministers' and president's salary! And since we are all paying you, I think it's only logical you serve all without bias. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Anyway, I'm still open to hear more views from the parties in my GRC and should be casting the vote to the party with the "most right answers" to my next 5 years.

Cast your votes wisely people...

1142. loving bintan

Rant of the day: Seasick...........

I love short get-aways. It gives us time to break the routine and provide some breathing space. I think so far, Bintan has always been a fantastic place to take a quick break over a long weekend. It's not a very long ride from Singapore and language wise, it's more or less manageable. And, there's no need to monitor exchange rate for Rupiah because they spend in SGD.

But of course, the bad part about "holiday-ing" in Bintan is the expenses. A mere lunch and dinner can fetch around S$60! That's expensive... So, where possible, bring your own food and drinks. Cut cost but unless you are loaded and spending poses no problem.

We all love the beach. Seriously, you can't get this in Singapore. Minus other places like Bali or Redang of course. This is the best we can get with just a 55min ferry ride from Singapore!

Other than eating, soaking up in the pool and "beach-walking", the next best thing to do there is massage. No photos for that but honestly, we love their couple package. S$138 for 2, including massage and body scrub. 100min of pure relaxation.

Spending time in Bintan feels like the minutes slows down. Time goes by so slowly.

Think this year isn't a travel year. After this trip, the next short trip should be in August. My leave is already approved. But where to go? Bangkok? Genting? Somewhere budget definitely.

For now, my heart and soul are still in Bintan even though the body is already back here.

Back to work tomorrow but hey, this is another short week! 4 working days!