The Insignificance and Vulnerability of Simplicity

Wednesday, October 16

Gratitude

More than 3 years ago
As dear was driving me home one day..
We noticed that the Land for Sale was up at the very corner opposite the reservoir.
We were secretly and cravingly hoping that there was some "new project" going on..
It would be great if we could own a place there.
The reservoir view, the close proximity to the MRT
And best of all,
It's nearby my parents place :)
Then weeks later,
We read on H88 that they are inviting private developers to send in bids to buy that land.
MCL Land won.

A few weeks later,
They started building the showroom.
We managed to sneak a peek at the name.
The Estuary it is.

Somehow
We didn't think it was possible.
It was really wishful thinking on our part.
That huge loan was going to kill us.
What if we lose our jobs, what if we fall sick, what if we can never go travelling again..
Endless what ifs..etc.
Giving up the idea,
We began looking for new HDB and resale maisonettes instead.
We were unable to quality for new HDB..
And simply could not bring ourselves to buy resale.
Stuck.

Then one Friday 26 Feb 2010
We drove past the site again.
Showroom is up.
Sparkling glass walls, bustling with people..
Pre launch had started.
Estuary was beckoning to us.

With itchy backsides
We drove in on the spur of the moment.
But we couldn't find any parking space.
We almost wanted to forget about the whole idea and drive off when a Propnex agent came to us.
His name was Brian.
He asked if we had any appointment and if he could help us.
We said no.
Brian told us that day was the first day of pre launch and usually people could only view the showroom with invites.
But he asked us to wait as his customer was preparing to leave.
He could secure that parking space for us.

So he brought us inside and began the usual procedures upon entering a showroom.
Propping us with the brochures with a few standard questions, we began the tour inside.
Brian did not brush us off like some agents thinking we are just kids trying to waste their time.
He was really sincere.

The developer only launched two blocks that day.
The one and two bedrooms
And it was already 80% sold.
Every single storey up meant $3k additional.
Brian told us perhaps there isn't a project in Yishun for a long time..
There are many people waiting to upgrade.
Such good sales have never happened before.
Hence the next few blocks that they were going to open up are going to be subjected to ballots.
We jaw dropped..
Private project with ballots?

He showed us the site plan.
And asked which one we are interested in.
We knew we wanted the 3 bedrooms facing the reservoir.
But there is always a but.
We are unsure whether we can afford it.
So he suggested that we talked to a banker first.
All the bankers were lined at the sides.
He asked which bank loan we prefer if we were to take up a loan.
And introduced one to us.

We were pretty surprised by the bank loans offered.
There is this loan that we can pay off any amount anytime to offset the loan and reduce the overall interest.
And after some calculation,
We barely scrapped through.
The agent suggested we gave him a blank cheque.
We went blank.
Eyes wide open, trust is a big factor.
He explained that the cheque is just a ticket for him to bid a unit for us.

We discussed it over dinner and checked out our CPF balance.
Overloaded with information with a pinch of every emotion possible.
Excitement, fear, uncertainty..
Those butterflies in the stomach.

The next morning
Dear received a call from Brian.
He was camping out early morning outside the showroom.
And stood in front of the developer as they announced the new blocks released..
With only a few ballots given out a certain time frame..
6th storey and 10th storey,
The block we wanted, slightly bursting our maximum budget..
Shall he proceed with the 10th or not?

The unit was actually given to two agents at the same time..
Who were actually competing to see which of their customer confirms first.
The other customer said he needed to think about it.
Dear said ok immediately without hesitation.
Hence we got it.

The rest are history.
And till now,
I'm still amazed and frightened at the same time..
Amazed by the circumstances of how we met this agent
Amazed by how everything fell into place nicely
Amazed by our own guts
Amazed by this touch of luck.
I've never been lucky and that explains the fear element.
And I've been humbled more than ever.
This shelter doesn't come easy..
And I'm really really thankful for it.

*****

Labels: dear, experience, home, life, Motivation, musings, reflections, The Estuary, thoughts

irony @

11:07 PM

Sunday, May 29

Lone. Lost. Late.

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Thanks to this "map"
Almost missed the run again.

I took it for granted that the starting point is near Changi Ferry Terminal just like two years back.
So I did not bother to check where exactly the exhibition centre was.
Ended up it was NO WHERE near the Changi Ferry Terminal.
The run started at 6pm.
By 6:20pm
We were still trying to hail a cab from Changi Village.
I ran past the starting line at 6:45pm.
Perhaps of that..
I spurred myself on to make sure I see somebody in front of me soon..

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Sleep can wait.
Anytime for runs.
I lasted the lap..
The straight and serious black lap..
Then I finally see the lights..
The music was blasting when the 21km was flagged off.
A stark difference to the similar music blasting in the clubs.
I was glad I chose to soak myself in music relating to runs, not the latter with booze and more booze.
The entire cohort began running and something stirred inside me while I was cooling down..
The dark ambience was electrifying.

The emcee was spamming the microphone with
"RUN FASTER IF YOU WANT TO CATCH THE MATCH OF THE YEAR.."

And yes they did air the match live =)

*****

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And I am really glad to have mommy and her friend wait for me at the finishing line =)

*****

The sunset was awesome last evening.

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There's a video from the official site too..

It's really ridiculous how we travelled for more than 5 hours just for a 1 hour 4 mins of run..
Perhaps this will be my last 10km mass run?
Perhaps I may join 21km the next time.
Perhaps I may never run with the mass again.
Let's see..

*****

Labels: mommy, Motivation, musings, runs, thoughts

irony @

11:45 AM

Sunday, November 21

Procrastination never ends..
Going for a run now..

*****

Labels: Motivation

irony @

5:02 PM