My new toy - MacBook Pro!!

My new matchbook pro arrived today!! Actually its yesterday since its officially +1 day. So.. I know i am very suaku. A lot of people would have a macbook some point of time in their life. So do i. But my macbook is one of the pioneer generation! Which means to say that I had a macbook even before i really understand what is Apple! hm..

Anyway, long story short. Pioneer macbook bought from Courts, I was not very sure how to use Apple OS so my sis who just enrolled into Uni at that time decided to take my macbook for her programming and I never get to see my macbook after that until it was of no use to her which was about 3-4 yrs later. And when i got my macbook back, i still did not know how to use it so it was left aside to rot and never be seen again.

Have been using PC for many years. Finally switch to Apple OS. Still a bit skeptical but decided to give it a try. Hopefully it is not a waste of money to me. :) Mammy and Mel said the macbook pro looks pretty.. maybe because of the silver outer casing instead of the usual black laptop we always have.

Going to spend a lot of money on getting the apps and software but i think the major s/w i am going to get is adobe photoshop and microsoft office for mac. Sigh, to think i spend on the office for PC thinking i can use the same s/w to be used on mac.. Boy.. how wrong am i.. now i have to spend another sum of money to get the office for mac and also adobe photoshop s/w......

I am so going to enjoy using my macbook pro and the photo editing s/w.. woohoo... :)


XOXO

Love Cafe 2

My crib!!

After the last post, HDB finally released the BTO application date for my area. Initially i wasn't so keen on the area because i was hoping to get a flat much nearer to my parents' house (although this is also within walking distance - 30 mins +/- walk to their house). But after I submitted my application and while waiting anxiously for the balloting results, I am very much convinced this is consider one of the best area that I can apply (of course, there are other BTO in Woodlands but somehow this seems to be the most ideal location).

The results were finally out yesterday. My Q number is 355 for 289 units. :( The email from HDB reads like this:

Dear Sir/Madam

SALE OF FLATS IN MAY 2014 BUILD-TO-ORDER (BTO) EXERCISE

Thank you for your application to buy a 2-room flat at Marsiling Greenview.

2      Your application has been balloted with a queue position of 355. Although your queue position is beyond the 289 units of flats on offer, you may still have a chance to book a flat on your selection appointment. This is because some of the applicants queued ahead of you may not book a flat.

3      The selection exercise is expected to start from Mid July 2014. You will receive the invitation package by post nearer to your appointment date. The package will contain the flat list, the sales brochure (if you have opted for a softcopy brochure, you may login to My HDBPage to view the brochure online), the appointment date to book your new home and the list of documents which you will need to bring along. You can also check for any updates via My HDBPage at www.hdb.gov.sg using your SingPass.

4      We would also like to draw your attention to some important information enclosed below. Do take time to read it.

5      We wish you all the best in your journey in buying a home.

Sigh... and the important notes below reads:

Important Notes

You may view the Frequently Asked Questions on Build-To-Order (BTO) exercise on the webpage FAQ for more information.

You may choose not to book a flat in this exercise. However, if you do not book a flat on two occasions when invited to do so, you will not be allowed to participate in any of our sales exercises under the Singles Scheme (i.e. Singles Singapore Citizen Scheme, Joint Singles Scheme and Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme) for one year.

The above measure is to ensure that applicants are serious when they apply to buy a flat, and the non-genuine applicants do not deprive other applicants of a chance to buy a flat.

Okie, I was in the forum and some of the applicants actually says that because everywhere 2 room BTO applicants are overwhelming (inclusive of nucleus family 1st timers and 2nd timers) and the percentage of the 2 room BTO flats set aside for singles is only 30%, so regardless where the area is they will apply (for most of them).

Sigh... I only wish to have a type 2 2-room flats at a high floor. And I am telling myself that type 1 is also acceptable as long as it is high floor. :( Floor plan of the 2 types:

Type 1 - Approx. Floor Area 38 sqm

(Inclusive of Internal Floor Area of 36 sqm and Air-Con Ledge)

Type 2 - Apprpox. Floor Area 47 sqm

(Inclusive of Internal Floor Area of 45 sqm and Air-Con Ledge)

Type 1 comes with a sliding door to the entrance to bedroom. So practically there is no wall and door to separate the living room and bedroom. It can be consider as 1 bedroom style. Of course to justify that it is a 2 room flat, the govt have to put a sliding door. hahah...(Good move garment). The govt claimed that as the flat is smaller, with the sliding door, occupant can open the door to make the room looks bigger. Hmm... Good idea ....

Type 2 comes with a wall and normal door to separate the bedroom and living room. And yet i heard some of the applicants actually wanted to tear the wall away to make a sliding door. (!!!) I truly want to strangle that applicant. If he actually gotten a Q and selected a type 2, it is really unfair. Please get a type 1 if you have the intention to make type 2 into type 1!!!

Site Plan of the place I applied for

A few mins walk away is the gym and swimming pools. As you can see, the place itself comes with a Eatery House. And there are 2 other eatery house in the blocks in front of the area. Marsiling MRT is also only few mins walk away. There is a direct bus to Woodlands Immigration Check points and direct bus ( in the opposite direction) to my parents' house. Like I say, this is the most ideal location for me!

I can only pray hard that my Q number allows me to select a high floor type 2 or type 1. My preference still type 2 high floors. It would be best if I can choose 23rd floor and above (total is 28 and 32 floors) and if i really get the unit that i want with the high floors selected, i am likely to see my parents' place from my flat. :)

Now I have to pray hard that the unit I want is still available for selection when my turn comes and that I will receive an invitation package to go down to select my flat. Of course that my HDB loan will be approved.

Pray hard for me!

XOXO

Love Cafe