HDB improvement program - for home owners

These are some tips based on our experience:

1. If you're very particular about quality and aesthetics of things, watch the progress like a hawk. This is especially on first few days and the last few days. First few days are to establish the ground work, where and which to hack. And last few days are the finishing. Especially at the finishing part, it progresses super fast! If you have patterned tile or wall, catch the tiler before he starts to tell him where and how you want the pattern to be. Most importantly, when they are installing the accessories, be there and supervise. Paiseh aside, you're the one who will live in it. It's unbelievable. One household got its shower head installed on top of the wash basin. So unless you're quirky enough, be the naggy Aunty there.

2. Be very clear of what can and what cannot. To use own toilet, wash basin, and tiles, there are extra charge for... Labour. We couldn't see the logic in it, but indeed it's official. If you supply your own material, you will need to pay for the labour ON TOP of the full fee. It got something to do about claiming the subsidy from HDB. For PRs, who receive no subsidy anyway, it really defies logic. But well, a rule is a rule.

3. Talk talk talk to neighbors! You wouldn't believe how much information you can get through this avenue. The construction supervisors quality and policy varies. If one allows raised platform in the toilet, the other may not. Take a pic of those can, and insist (Hey, you'll use it minimum twice a day. Make sure you're happy with it). Mind you, they'll only allow  reverting back to original structure. No change is allowed. Well, considering the sheer quantity that they need to churn out, understandable.

4. Relax, don't get worked out. Seems like the contract bidding is aimed to get an expensive but fast builders. So the MO will be that they'll just do it, they'll not wait for you. If you're not happy with it, they'll just redo the whole thing. Redoing things are not unusual. So don't hesitate. If you're like me, not keen on redoing over and over again (oh yes that's real), take note of point number 1.

5. Everyday you will meet different people. Even the supervisor is not dedicated to your unit (supposedly yes, but well... ). Arguments, disputes, quality of work varies. When you discuss with one, be sure to remember the name. Best, always go through the office as your point of contact.

So to end it, am I happy with the whole thing? Well, it's surely done fast. My bathroom walls are very slightly curved (it was so grossly bent, but we requested redoing). Lucky for us that our finishing plumber is good. He's neat, considerate and very patient. For the material supplied, I think they fall on the average quality wise. So we're prepared to change in a few years time.

All the best!

Pokemon go family fun

Despite all thou highly righteous warnings that Pokemon Go is dangerous and highly addictive, our family is giving it a spin.

Of course, Mommy is worry at the beginning. Anyway exam is coming soon. But after a week, I'm more glad than others. The game is simple enough to be enjoyed by the young and young-at-heart alike. It caters for both serious and casual gamer. Having this simple activity pushing us to have looong walks, our family bonds are stronger than ever. We helps each other, laugh together, and most importantly we can talk to our children as equal. Having this commonality helps to reach out to them, it relaxes them enough to open up to us on important matters. This is something so special because we get to see the children as they are. How they think, how they interact with peers, how competitive they are, how they utilize resources, ...

Not that we don't have all those above prior to Pokemon Go craze. I'm writing this to share that the game does have a positive impact for us. Not all troubles and risks.

Addictive? Sure it's possible. But hey, Facebook and WhatsApp are addictive too. Many have spent aimless hours posting and chatting and e-stalking people. Instead, take this opportunity to teach the children that yes we know the game is fun, but we should exert self-control.

Stay positive. In this era, if we take all the nay says, life wouldn't be much fun.

A wise friend shared with me before:

As a human, don't blame others. Instead, do self control and self check. To improve, instead of competing with others, always try to outdo one's own capability.

Theory on Human Second Birth

We have a pre-teen at home 😔😄😰😱😖😍😳😤😡🙄

That's some emo, just to represent our emotional roller coaster. And, ladies and gentlemen, our first pre-teen is a girl!

I am not credible yet to comment on pre-teen boys. But most mommies I chatted with agree that girls tend to be... Bitchy. Sad but true.

Surrounding the hormones overloads are the constant bickering, self-centered self-pity emotion analysis, and plenty of picking on others (main focus will be boys and siblings). Not to mention the neurotic thought and gasp and moan, everything seems like a big problem of life and death situation.

That sparks a theory to me. Anyone with an itch to explore on it scientifically, please feel free as long as you let me know if what's the outcome.

Ok, my theory is that every human has a second birth.

The first birth is after 40 weeks of conception, this is the physical birth.

The second birth is after 20 or so years old. This is the mental and emotional birth.

So during childhood and teenage-hood, one's personality is being formed. Mainly. Of course after that things are still progressing, but more or less this period is the definitive formation period.

Parenting wise, as much as we have a responsibility during the pregnancy, parents also have unique opportunity and obligation to shape the children characters. To me, it should be aimed for contribution to society and the independent fulfillment of self actualization needs.

Well... Please take it with a pinch of salt. It is a jolly rambling of a mother who is currently so enjoying her motherhood. All the best to parents out there... Enjoy the ride while you can. 

[Good enrichment] Yongin Taekwondo

If I have to choose between a good enrichment center and a good coach or tutor, intuitively I will lean toward a person.

A good enrichment center may have good materials, good teachers (coaches or tutors), or both. It will surely start at one of the first two and should strive to have the third.

I have an earlier post on Hankuk Taekwondo. Until now, it is still of the better one I believe. But it no longer suits our schedule and preference hence I was on the hunt for another alternative.

And by sheer luck, we found Yongin Taekwondo in Ang Mo Kio Jubilee (http://www.yongintkd.com.sg).

Why luck? Because the owner-principal-coach is none other than our first coach! He was the one who introduced us to the values and disciplines of practicing taekwondo.

So on the first lesson, it really cheered me up to see that he is still infusing the same values. Respect, patience, focus, keeping neat and clean... (these are not Taekwondo tenets per se, but those important to me 😎).

Fee is comparable with other school, maybe so so slightly more expensive but with more flexibility. For primary school kids that need to work out around school workload, it's good. 

Oh yeah! We're so looking forward to see our son's progress in this one.