adrian_john

Hi KTHC, Congrats! Nice place with a very nice layout! All the spaces are nicely tucked and spread out accordingly to their functions. You can have many options to play around. Hope to see pics and plans soon.

Hahaha, no lah. Its fine. I sometimes hop around many threads quickly like speed reading, so sometimes I miss a few posts directed to me here and there.

The gynae for my eldest son, the late Dr (Mrs) Ratna Mitra was in Gleneagles. Unfortunately, she passed away before my younger son was born, hence, his delivery was handled Dr Ang Huai Yan, who was Dr Mitra's former student and close friend. She operates a clinich in Gleneagles - Singapore Women's Clinic or something. If you need an epidural, you can call on one of the nicest and most experienced epidural administers - Anaesthetist Dr CC Loo. Yes, do ask for the wards at 6 West. Nice staff there as well.

Yes, Hello88, you're right. That's her!

Heya Aubrey, Nice to see your reno work progressing well. I think you're the first person to capture a proper picture of the elusive Ah Soon. Guess his fans here can upload that to the Ah Soon club Facebook group as the profile picture already. Did you manage to check out the latest issue of Lookbox yet? Also, pardon my ignorance, but I just wanted to understand the concept of the symbolic hacking/knocking of Dong Tu as you guys call it. Mind sharing?

Personally, I don't have a very good impression of NUH. I find the attitudes of the nursing staff and doctors very lacking based on previous encounters. Very little EQ and bo chup attitude. How would you feel if it is your relative dying and people are not forthcoming with updates or your queries? And this is in ICU that I'm talking about! If they can't produce decent care at ICU level, I can't imagine the sort of attitude they've got in other areas. However, on a good note, their ground staff, like those attendants and concierge staff are really good - Warm, friendly and always ready to lend a hand with a smile.

Hi Starlightdoll, With regards to the flat you're eyeing, since you mentioned it was close to the MRT/Interchange/Central, I'd assume that it's in the 11X, 19X or 50X series? And if it is Level 5, it would be considered mid to high floor because most blocks go up to 8 storeys in the 11X and 19X series, and higher for the taller 50X series. The next thing to check out for is when the valuation was done. If it was done relatively recent (within the past month), it could possibly be slightly higher due to comparisons with prices of recent similar 4S transactions. But frankly, considering that you're in a pretty high floor and a corner unit, the valuation is pretty OK at $380, furthermore is the 9K COV negotiable or final? If negotiable, I think its reasonable if the house is in decent move-in condition. Just to give some comparison, my current unit, a 4S short corridor unit at block 197, located directly across the central, was valued at $400K in early April. I recently sold it above value. For people who want to buy a place in Bishan, the reason for the higher COVs are always based on intangibles - The main one being location, convenience, easy access to MRT and Circle Line and good schools. Apart from this comes condition of home - i.e. move-in? well-renovated? proximity to bus-stop, age of flat, floor level, Lift upgrading. The reason why the St 22 to 24 clusters are valued higher despite its distance from the central is primarily due to the age - They are newer that those in the St 11 to 13 cluster. For Bishan, the higher valued and priced flats for the St 11 to 13 are always in the 11X, 19X and 50X clusters. Move further inwards (towards the 13X, 14X, 15X and 16X clusters) and you'll see values and asking prices go lower. Alot of 5-rooms there are going below value now.

Hi LadyLuck, My sons were normal delivery in Sept 2005 and Oct 2007. My younger son was warded for his eye surgery last year around Sept/Oct. Well, the hospital may be 'old' but it sure doesn't feel like it sometimes. Good news for hubbies, usually the labour ward delivery suite has a TV with a nice recliner chair and a TV with cable channels. Good way to pass time. BTW, who's your gynae?

My 2 sons were delivered in Gleneagles. Must say service there is pretty good and the nurses are nice and friendly. There are alot of experienced senior sisters who've been there for a long time and have very 'motherly' qualities. The pediatricians normally would come from the Singapore Baby and Child Clinic, and one of the best Pediatricians you can look out for is Dr Yip Yeng Yoong, who's very experienced, particularly with early delivery and ICU cases. Outside of delivery, even when my younger son had an eye surgery there when he was just below a year old last late year, the care rendered by the nurses was excellent. Cost-wise, I guess it is slightly higher than KKH, but not by a humungous bit, but I think its worth the extra money. As for MAH, my elder sister delivered her 2 sons there and has pretty good feedback for the excellent nursing care rendered. Same as Gleneagles, there are alot of older and experienced midwives/sisters who take good care of the little ones with a heart. Cost-wise is also not too high from KKH. TMC is not too bad, my sister-in-law delivered there, but I heard that depending on which gynae and the package you undertake, the cost is quite high. Personally, I'm not really a fan of TMC - Very difficult parking and also the hospital is somewhat 'dark'.

Nice house you got there DKNY. Very bold use of colours and nice open kitchen. The sofa looks uber comfy!

Hmmm .. If I'm not wrong I think we're the couple in the big black chair. I was wearing a green tee and my wife a yellow one. Don't think can miss us lah, we're always looking like we're arguing cos' its always Aesthetics (Me) vs Practicality (Wifey).

Ah OK, so were you the couple sitting on one of the dining tables flipping through the catalogues? I was there with my wife. I was sitting opposite that couple and also started to flip through the sofa catalogues.

The thing I understand about flu jabs is that they actually inject the bacteria that causes the flu into your body for your body's immune system to react and build up its strength in countering the flu bug. It has different effects on different people. Bearing in mind that the particular strain of flu bacteria will be in your body, some people actually do fall sick for a couple of days. But its nothing adverse or that the flu jab didn't work, just the body's immune system responding to the influx of bacteria and building up the necessary resistance and growing anti-bodies so that the bacteria won't have an impact the next time round). I've taken flu jabs before, the first time I took it, I feel sick with high fever and inflamation for 3 days. But the second time it was alright.

Hi Pet, Don't worry, I think the money you spent on the tickets won't go to waste cos' you can always change the dates. The pandemic is really unexpected and caught everyone by surprise. I've read that some airline companies are allowing people to cancel for free (think SIA's one of them). Airlines are already suffering from the downturn, don't think it makes sense for them to piss their customers off by being inflexible - Long term damage for them in terms of PR. Think just give it some time and hopefully, the situation will improve. I think compared to SARS, most countries are better prepared this time. Medical science always prevails.

Were you in a green-white striped polo/jeans combo and Booy in a black top/jeans combo? I was around there at about that timing.

Wow Smartie and Booy, It looks like you did some comprehensive recce for furniture already. I was also at S&C on Friday with my wife. Maybe we crossed each other's path there. Melvin and May from S&C are really nice people, who're sincere and offer very good advice. I'm glad to see the many customisable options they've got. And they've got the dining chairs and clear glass side and coffee tables I'm looking for, as well the pull-out bed for the kids. We're still deciding on what sort of sofas to get though and will pay them a visit again.

Hi Pet, Yes, I think this layout's probably the best way forward as it gives sufficient space all round for movement and minimises the 'cramped' feeling. There'll be enough space for TV wall and its a good thing it kinda makes full use of the rear of the wardrobe. Sadly, with this layout, poor wifey won't get her super long wardrobe. But I suppose an alternative is to build a separate wardrobe perhaps in the study where she can put the 'lesser-used' stuff and other misc items.

Had some spare time today so decided to do another sketch while I still have the inspiration. This time its for my wife's beloved kitchen. This visualisation is more for the rear of the kitchen - The service balcony. Proposing to have a wet/wash area where I can soak stuff, put the pails etc. At the same time, box up the unsightly sanitary pipes if possible. Lining the wall will be most of the appliances - Washing Machine, Tall Cabinet and Fridge. I just realised, I left out a portion of the cabinet where the mirowave and built-in oven should be, and its supposed to be before the fridge. But oh well .... what's sketched in ink cannot be unsketched ....

I guess having the Thirsty Hippo does help a little although I don't think it'll completely absorb all moisture 100% as the effectiveness of the Hippo will diminish over time, and the headache part is to dilligently monitor and change. But I suppose, having it is better than not. Humidity coupled with use of Air-con will definitely put alot of moisture in the air. I won't be leaving the wardrobe exposed, will still shut it with doors as an additional measure. Hope it works.

Nice place and Nice concept. Great layout too!

Thanks Aubrey. I think you've done a pretty good job with the layout of your place yourself! Glad to see your renovation with Ah Soon's going on well and that you're enjoying the process. Uncle said he'll call me this week to talk about the quote, but I think he's too busy and forgotten me once again. *Sigh* The interior design and home decor mags are really a huge help. I do spend some time at Borders browsing through and noting the ideas in my head and if there's lots of nice stuff, I'll just buy the mag. I think I've seen some issues that feature homes with the same layout as yours done up quite nicely - There's one in the current issue of Lookbox.

Smallboy, Thanks for the suggestion. The mould build-up is really gonna be a big long-term issue to deal with. Changing the entrance is definitely an option we've considered, as stated in post #40 (Although it was more to accomodate Wifey's X-Large wardrobe demand ). Otherwise I think it looks like we'll have to stock the wardrobe with regular changes of Thirsty Hippoes! I really envy those who have a fully squared-room. Easier to play around. My MBR comes with that angled window and that's kinda like a waste of what could've been a good space.

Thanks for the compliments. Just curious, mind sharing what concerns you and your hubby had with regards to this sort of concept? The only thing I'm worried about is the possibility of mould build-up, but not sure if I've missed out on any cons.

Updated version of Post #40, depicting an alternative layout which sees a smaller wardrobe with an integrated TV wall, and a more efficient use of space. The wardrobe now lines parallel to the MBR Bathroom wall and in a sense, becomes somewhat of a WIW. Only worry is mould but I guess this is the most practical idea for the limited room area. A top-down floor plan is also embedded in the visual for easy reference. Any suggestions are as usual, always welcome.

Its very heartwarming to hear all your stories. I'm actually quite lucky that my wife is actually in the O&G field, so we had good 'back-up' during and after both her pregnancies. My wife always wanted a girl but we ended up with 2 boys. In any case, it doesn't matter if its a boy or girl. Any child is a blessing. We still harbour the hope of having a girl one day, but guess we'll see how it goes ... Need finances to grow first and my wife also sometimes worry that sekali come out another boy and she'll end up with 4 sons (She counts me as the 'eldest son' - ). Also, I think it'd be too taxing on my mum to help out again as she's getting on in age and has kindly borne a huge part of the burden to look after my 2 naughty and hyperactive boys during the day everyday.