RumRaisin

Park Central - Apr 09 Updates

2009-04-19T23:16:00.000+08:00

It has been a while since i posted any stuffs... Nothing much have happened during this period except that my car was raided by thousands of black ants (coz i parked too near an ant infested bush at my office's carpark)... I do not wish to go talk about that anymore as it has been a true nightmare!

Anyway, here's the progress of our new flat @ Park Central - AMK

Seems like they have started building some lower level structures... the basement carpark?

Park Central - Mar 09 Updates

2009-03-08T17:52:00.000+08:00

Hmm... Seems like not much difference when compared with Feb 09's photo

Stock car... no more !

2009-03-05T22:15:00.007+08:00

I've received a call from Drivers' Corner (DC) yesterday to inform that my Mugen Spoiler has arrived!! It's not even 2 weeks from the day i place my order! This is superb customer expectation management =) I can't wait to have my spoiler installed!

Today after work, i went straight down to DC. It took them just slightly over 30mins to get my spoiler up! Am i impressed or what!

Here's how my car look now:

In additional, i've installed blue LEDs in the interior

Blue interior LEDs

Blue keyhole LED

The keyhole LED deals a damage of $30 and the interior LED (comes with a 2-way switch) for both driver's and passenger's side deals $40 (after discount)

Next Mod - Rims?

2009-02-23T23:13:00.004+08:00

While still waiting for my Mugen Spoiler to arrive, i am already looking at the next mod that i'm gonna make - what kinda rims i wanna change. As this mod is most likelt to deal me much more damage, it will more likely to happen after end March 2009 (pending on bonus - if there is any...)

I did some comparison on the rims that i might be getting but i guess the most important factor of the rim is that it must be lightweight - around 6kg.

The current stock rims of my Honda Jazz 2009 is about 9kg each.
The difference in weight of the rims will be (9kg - 6kg) x 4 = 12kg lighter!!

Here's some 'artist' (done by me) impression of how my car will look like:

My Stock Car

Added Mugen Spoiler

WedsSport SA-70 - Bronze Painted

OZ Racing Ultraleggera HLT

Gram Lights - 57Optimise

There's more to come...

My 1st Mod - Mugen Spoiler

2009-02-21T23:02:00.005+08:00

I have finally decided to do something about my very stock Honda Jazz today

Just this afternoon, i went down to Drivers Corner @ No. 18 Lim Tua Tow Road to place my order for my car's very 1st modification - Mugen Spoiler.

Actually, I have always liked both the Modulo and Mugen Spoilers. It has proven to be a very tough choice to make and i spent a whole hour+ at the shop before confirming my order (i have been a tough customer to please but the guy who served me have been very patient and friendly).

Both spoilers deals the same damage of S$180.00 (with paint + installation).

The only major cons for Mugen spoiler is that it will hit the radio antenna when boot door is opened, while the Modulo just touches it. The deciding factor was actually based on a comment that my CO made - "You wouldn't want to install a spoiler that no one realises right?" - and so - Mugen was my choice!

Modulo Spoiler:

Mugen Spoiler:

Well, i have paid a deposit for my order and will need for them to ship in the part. So here's the waiting part now....

Shopping @ Autobacs

2009-02-15T20:51:00.004+08:00

My first visit to Autobacs @ Bukit Batok and i'm very impressed by the wide range of car accessories / equipments / services that they have!

I managed to find those car care items that was recommended to me by some of the GE Club pals during the car wash meetup

ArmourAll Leather Care Gel - NTUC: $17.12 Vs Autobacs: $14.53 (discounted)

Rain.X Repellent - NTUC: $11.80 Vs Autobacs: $12.48

Rain.X Glass Cleaner - NTUC: $9.99 Vs Autobacs: $9.22

Seems like the normal priced products are comparable to NTUC while those on special discounts are a great buy! I'll definitely be back for more of those items on special discounts!!

Park Central - Feb 09 Updates

2009-02-02T22:42:00.002+08:00

Wow... These guys are quite fast! Almost done with piling already!?!

Taken on 01-Feb-2009

CNY Car Wash Session

2009-01-25T01:08:00.001+08:00

My 1st car wash session with GE Club Folks from the West!

Event: CNY kilat kilat Car Wash session
Location: Block 450A MSCP Deck 4B, Choa Chu Kang Ave 4
Date: 24.01.20089 (Saturday)
Time: 9.00am onwards

My Ride

Today's turnout is good

Discoburg and his ride

Everyone almost done washing... TCSS now

My Ride - still looking wet

My 1st 1,000km Servicing @ Kah Motor - Mandai

2009-01-20T23:58:00.003+08:00

I've sent my Jazz for her 1st 1,000km servicing @ Kah Motors - Mandai workshop.

The workshop location is kinda off my map (not sure where is Mandai Estate) but luckily it was not tat hard to find

View Larger Map

My appointment was at 1.30pm but i reached there at abt 1pm+. They took abt 10mins before the service advisor came to meet me (i guess it's their lunch time). He was quite clear in explaining the processes and charges and i was told that it would take approx 2 hrs for everything to finish. I had originally wanted to try out their "Priority Service" - where they will complete the servicing within 1 hr but comes with a $10 surcharge, but got to know from the service advisor that i would need to inform them when i was booking the appt... hmm... but seems like i was told otherwise by my agent...

Anyway, here's what i have paid for the 1,000km servicing:
Basic Service (Workmanship) - $20.00
Shell Helix Ultra (ULT-5W-40) - $100.93
Oil Filter - $12.30
Total - $133.23 ($142.56 w/GST)

I remembered that Jack told me that it would be much cheaper (savings of abt $40) to provide them with my own engine oil... Perhaps i should try doing that at the next servicing... Overall, it was quite a good experience @ Kah Motors once again!

GE Club Gathering - Jan 2009

2009-01-18T23:00:00.024+08:00

Check out the pics that we took at the 1st GE Club gathering in Jan 2009!!
Was really happy that i went down to be part of the photo shoot! =)

The night before the gathering... Time to take a Bath!

It's time to set off!!

Enjoying the scenic ride

Super nice weather! Even got rainbow

Getting help from BaiBai to stick my numbering..

Concentration at his fullest

Posing with my Number 07

The morning weather is HOT!

Artistic shot of white Jazz/Fit

White Backsides

Blue Backsides

Group Photo

Count the number of Jazz/Fit present!

Last shot of the day.. Me with my Blue Jazz

Random shots taken on that day...

Park Central - Jan 09 Updates

2009-01-10T18:49:00.002+08:00

Finally, they have started work on our new flat!

Taken on 10-Jan-2009

CS-II™ Paint Protection Completed!

2009-01-10T01:11:00.010+08:00

It has been a super hectic afternoon @ Ubi today! The traffic @ Ubi is really very heavy, especially with all the roadworks that's going...

My appointment to do PPS for my Honda Jazz was scheduled @ 2pm and i was just about on time when i reached. Prior to handing over my car keys to them, the staff did a thorough screening of my car's exterior and found 3 dents!! OMG, it has been just less than 2 weeks from the day i collected my car and there are 3 dents already!!! I can't believe it!!... (*cursing* stupid inconsiderate drivers/passengers who had to open their doors so wide and hard such that they put dents on my car)...

Thou sadden by the fact that my car has 3 dents, the service that i got @ Unique PPS is simply fantastic! All the staffs there carry a smile everytime i saw them and the waiting area is comfortably furnished with sofa, tv and dvd player for their customers to relax and watch movies while their car is being pampered.

The whole PPS process - inclusive of car wash and the pps coating - took almost 4 hrs to complete. At the end of it, i was given a bottle of car shampoo and pps solution to maintain the shine and gloss of the car.

Another pleasant surprise was awaiting me when i was about to make payment for the whole PPS package. The package price for Honda Jazz is $280 as it is a small car. While talking to the cashier, i was asked whether i was introduced by anyone to do PPS and was told that they are giving a 20% discount if they can verify the details (either name + mobile number or name + car plate) of the introducer!! That makes the whole PPS package @ $224 - a whopping $56 savings!!

So my verdict - I am a very satisfied customer of CS-II PPS and will recommend my frens to them (and my frens will enjoy the 20% discount!). So if you are interested in doing PPS for your car, you can msg me to get my details to get the 20% discount as well =)

Some photos that i took after PPS is done:

CS-II™ Paint Protection Sealant

2009-01-05T00:24:00.006+08:00

I have just made an appointment with "Unique (Since 1995) Pte Ltd" to give my car a coat of paint protection (PPS) this coming friday - 9th Jan 2009.

As recommended by my car advisor (Jack), he himself have sent his car to "Unique (Since 1995) Pte Ltd" previously and have gotten a good service from them! Also, according to my own research, this company is a "Recommended Merchant" in http://www.sgcarmart.com/ website as well.

So far, I have heard excellent feedbacks from friends and colleagues about PPS in general and that is why i have decided to give it a try as well.

I'll try to take pictures of my car before and after the PPS to compare the difference. Can't wait man!

More information about PPS and Unique Pte Ltd can be found here: http://www.sgcarmart.com/directory/merchant.php?MID=11487

My Beloved Blue Jazz

2008-12-31T22:05:00.003+08:00

The day that i have been waiting for has finally arrived !!!

The arrival of my Cerulean Blue Honda Jazz 2009. I still can't believe that i have actually bought a car!! Am i dreaming?? Well i guess i'm not =)

Here's some photos that i have took with my new car.. and of course my CO... and my car advisor (Jack)

Here's me posing with my car

From left to right: My CO, Me & Jack

See how happy i'm smiling!

Did some photoshop to this picture.. Nice?

Christmas 2008 BBQ

2008-12-27T03:12:00.011+08:00

How ironic! The name of our blog is "we love bbq" but this is the 1st post pertaining to bbq after such a long time! =P

We had a small gathering at one of our fren's place this Christmas and decided to have BBQ instead of the usual Christmas feast!

Beef steak + strips seasoned by me

Bacon with Asparagus - Recipe provided by Racheal Foo

Valley Chef Hotdogs - A "Must-Have" for BBQ!

Check out the flame

Chef Tan @ Work

Stir fry sotong with Ade's Mum's xtra spicy chilli sauce

And of course, how would a Christmas party be complete if there's no presents exchange? We have already picked the person whom we are buying the present for beforehand, so that we can buy the present that he/she have in their wishlist.

Xmas Gift Exchange

Dream come true !

2008-11-25T22:32:00.004+08:00

Just 4 days after my 1st trip to Kah Motors and i'm back there again today.

Met up with a very friendly and helpful Kah Motors Sales Agent - Ms Lynn Chua (HP: 97656150). She was recommended by my buddy aka car advisor Jack as she had attended to a few of his friends who went to Kah Motors Showroom @ Alexandra.

Upon reaching there, i managed to test drive the 1.5l Auto version of the Honda Jazz 2009. It was awesome! I simply love the ride. However, the only 'kick' missing then was... manual gear shifting! I would want a manual transmission car if i were to get one.

And guess what!... I actually paid the deposit for a Cerulean Blue Manual Transmission Honda Jazz 1.5l with MoonRoof! It was not so much of an impulse purchase but it's like a dream come true!! The dream of owning my own car =)

Kah Motor Showroom

2008-11-21T22:30:00.010+08:00

I have finally made a trip down to Kah Motors showroom today to view the car tat i like - Honda Jazz 2009! (also known as Honda Fit 2009 by Parallel Importers)

Jazz has always been the kind of sporty and compact hatchback that i would like to have as my 1st car... The recent upgraded version of Jazz (from the old 1.4l to the new Jazz 2009 which offers both 1.3l and 1.5l) boosts a much improved engine and more interior room.. Not quite sure if it's the talk of the town but it surely does make my head turn whenever i see one passing by me (Porsche and Lamborghini have the same head turning effect but it's kinda out of the league for me to be able to own one... so let's stick to reality shall we...)

Honda Jazz 2009

Honda Jazz 2009 (1.5l with Panaromic view aka MoonRoof)

Missing Gap...

2008-11-20T00:38:00.000+08:00

I'm currently still working on the missing gap between Oct 08 and Nov 08's posts....

Cat A COE @ $2 Only!

2008-11-19T00:44:00.008+08:00

The idea of owning a car has been in my mind for more than a year... But after working out my sums, i have been shelving the idea as it seems pretty unlikely for me to be able to save much (for our wedding) if i were to add in the costs of owning a car...

The news of Category A Certificate of Entitlement (COE) reaching a all time low of $2.00 have caught my attention and once again made me want to reconsider buying a car. Thou my dad owns a car but most of the time he will need to use it due to his work commitment as well as community commitments. I am able to make arrangements with him if i really need to use the car but it's often at his expense (meaning he'll need to take public transport since i took the car) and i feel bad about it...

So once again, i'm doing my sums based on the car that i have always liked - Honda Jazz. Based on my estimates, it would cost me on average $1k to $1.2k monthly if i buy a Jazz; and it would mean that i have much lesser to save up!!

Breakdown of my estimates:
Cost of Car - $64,000
COE - $2?
Carpark (multistory) - $90 mthly
Road Tax - $300+ yearly
Insurance - $1,000 yearly

Some other cars that i am considering includes - Mitsubishi Lancer, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Vios...

HDB Appointment next Tuesday!

2008-10-31T22:45:00.011+08:00

"We (HDB) have scheduled an appointment for you to sign the purchase, mortgage and CPF documents.

Date: 04/11/2008
Time: 10:00 AM
Venue: HDB Sales Operations Unit @ HDB Hub

To exercise the Option to Purchase,..."

We are finally going down to HDB Hub to sign our paperwork to complete the purchase of our own HDB flat! Yeah!... but it is also the start of being 'heavily' in debt... to repay $526,000 in 30 years... that works out to about $1,700+ monthly!!

Well, i guess what is more important is that we are really happy and excited about the idea of being able to own a flat ourselves and we are both contented with the location of our new flat =)

Updates from HDB (finally...)

2008-10-17T23:23:00.008+08:00

Wow! it has been more than 1/2 month ago since i last posted anything here =P

Have recently received some letters from HDB with regards to our Park Central flat purchase

(1) On 9th Oct 2008, HDB informed us that our application for CPF Housing Grant hae been approved and a total of S$40,000.00 will be credited into our CPF accounts (S$20k each)

(2) On 10th Oct 2008, HDB sent us another letter. This is with regards to offering us a housing loan for the purchase of the flat. Guess what... It's an whopping loan of S$445,800.00, !! Geez... once we sign the loan agreement form, we will be $446k debt!! It will take us our lifetime (okay.. i'm exaggerating.. it's 30 years... but it feels like a lifetime lor...) to repay the loan.

After some calculation, i figured that we will be able to get back the initial 5% that we have paid in cash. But my colleagues have advised me to use that 5% to offset the HDB loan so as to reduce the total interest of the loan.

Should i do what they have advised? Or should i take that money and put it in fixed deposits (since MAS have just announced today that all deposits made to Singapore banks will be fully guranteed till end 2010)... Any advise anyone ??

Walking Distance from AMK MRT

2008-09-29T22:55:00.008+08:00

How far is Park Central @ AMK from the AMK MRT Station?

Route A (approx 700 m):
- Walk along Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, cut in across HDB blocks and across a huge carpark
- If i didn't remember wrongly, will need to climb up a long flight of stairs before cutting across the HDB blocks
- Not much shelter along the way

Route B (approx 950 m):
- Walk along MRT tracks, cut across Cheng San CC, follow by HDB blocks and pass Jing Shan Primary School
- There is quite a few long flight of stairs to climb if you take this route
- Most of the walk will be sheltered except when passing by Jing Shan Primary School

Conclusion:
- Most probably will take Route A as the walking distance is much shorter and time taken will defintely be shorter
- Route B will be the alternative route to take when the weather is bad
- Route C? Try walking across Ang Mo Kio Town Garden East - we have tried that once... good exercise man! LOL!!

Blissful Marriage Seminar @ Toa Payoh HDB Hub

2008-09-28T15:40:00.031+08:00

We attended this seminar on 27th Sept 2008 (Sat) at HDB hub! It was SO BORING! I fell asleep only 15 minutes into the presentation! Can you believe it? The CPF and HDB speakers are just throwing out facts that we could have easily obtained from their websites!

Before the talks begin at 2pm, Rum and i were approached by two bridal salons - "My Dream Wedding" and "Graceful Image" and this is actually the 1st time we have sat down to listen any wedding packages. "My Dream Wedding" seems to have some quite interesting packages on offer (thou we are not sure if it is really a very good deal) and they have left quite a professional and yet friendly impression on us. As for "Graceful Image", the impression they have left us is quite negative...

Well, here's a comparison of the packages that they have offered to us (based on what i remember... and yes i'll write them down next time...)

My Dream Wedding - Package 1
- Photo shoot to be done in Hong Kong
- Free rental of yatch during photo shoot (as it belongs to them)
- 25 pcs 17" x 11" album photos
- 2x table top photos (w frame)
- 1x oil portrait
Price: S$2,988 (excludes additional $200 roadshow discount)

My Dream Wedding - Package 2
- Photo shoot to be done in Singapore
- 25 pcs 17" x 11" album photos
- 2x table top photos (w frame)
- 1x oil portrait
- rental of gown & suit for bride & groom on wedding day
- photographer for wedding day (can't remember if this is included...)
Price: S$3,988 (excludes additional $200 roadshow discount)

My Dream Wedding - Package 3
(basically it's the combination of package 1 & 2)
- Photo shoot to be done in Hong Kong
- 25 pcs 17" x 11" album photos
- 2x table top photos (w frame)
- 1x oil portrait
- rental of gown & suit for bride & groom on wedding day
- photographer for wedding day (can't remember if this is included...)
Price: S$4,988 (excludes additional $200 roadshow discount)

Graceful Image - Package
- Photo shoot to be done in Singapore
- 22 pcs 17" x 11" album photos
- rental of gown & suit for bride & groom on wedding day
- photographer for wedding day (can't remember if this is included...)
Price: S$3,500 (excludes additional 15% roadshow discount for OCBC credit card holders)

Additional Photos
My Dream Wedding - S$80 per piece (will be included in album)
Blissful Image - S$78 per piece (album negotiable)

Going overseas for the photo shoot sounds great right! A chance to go for holiday + shopping (coz it's HK) and to be able to have a very different scenic as the photoshoot backdrop... But for now, let us do more homework on this before we make any decisions... not cheap k... =P

Specifications of flat

2008-09-24T20:36:00.017+08:00

I was stumped when asked about what comes with my new flat @ Park Central. All i can remember is flooring, toilet equipments & aircon... eh... wat else??

So 1st thing when i got home, is to take out the sales brochure and look for my answers

Floor Finishes
Living, Dining and Hallway to Bedrooms: Tiles with skirting
Bedrooms: Laminated flooring
Bathrooms, Kitchen, Household Shelter, DB, Yard and Balcony: Tiles

Windows
Powder coated aluminium framed windows with glazing

Doors
Main Entrance: Approved fire rated timber door in laminate finish and metal gate
Bedrooms, Bathrooms and DB: Hollow core timber door in laminate finish
Between Kitchen & Yard: PVC door
Balcony: Powder coated aluminium framed glass door

Others
Balcony, Planter Box and A/C Ledge: Galvanised steel railing

Sanitary Fittings
Master Bathroom & Common Bathroom
- 1 shower cubicle with shower mixer and hand shower set
- 1 basin with vanity top and mixer tap
- 1 water closet
- 1 mirror
- 1 toilet paper holder
- 1 towel rail

Kitchen and Yard
- 1 Sink tap with double bowl sink

Waterproofing
Floors of Bathrooms, Kitchen, Balcony, Yard and Planter Box have been waterproofed

Additional Items
- Built-in Wardrobes in Bedrooms
- Kitchen Cabinets with Solid Surface Counter Top, complete with Kitchen Sink, Cooker Hood and Gas Hob
- Single / Multi-split Wall Mounted Fan Coil Airconditioning Systems in Bedrooms (Master Bedroom: Approx 12000 BTU, 2 Bedrooms: Approx 9000 BTU each)
- Clothes Drying Rack in Yard
- Gas Water Heater (Hot Water is provided to all Bathrooms)
- Town Gas is supplied to Kitchen Hob and Water Heater

In addition, these are the new condo-like facilities that will be built together with ParkCentral!! How more cool can it be !?!?! And of course these facilities are open to public - Do you really think it's a condo =P

Recreational Facilities
- Precinct Pavillion
- Fitness Corner
- Tai Chi/ Yoga Plaza
- Children's Playground
- Play Lawn
- Senior Citizen's Fitness Corner
- Community Garden
- Barbecue Garden
- Jogging Path
- Fragrance Garden
- Relaxation Garden

Artist Impression

2008-09-23T20:09:00.011+08:00

Here's how our new flat will look like when it's completed in Dec 2011

and this is how the units are arranged within the blocks

Found another future neighbour-to-be !

2008-09-22T20:11:00.004+08:00

I noe tat Ms Racheal Foo got a flat @ ParkCentral as our appointment to select a flat was on the same day and her unit is 588C #20-221

And guess what i found out today...
Mr Matthew Tay also applied and got his flat @ ParkCentral !!
He went for his appointment yesterday (21 Sep 08 - Sunday) and picked his unit is 588C #14-221

What a coincidence !!

Now, I'm wondering if there is anyone else that i noe who also got a flat @ ParkCentral... Singapore is so small... and new housing is so so so limited!

Huge Investment

2008-09-22T01:18:00.011+08:00

This flat costs us S$523,600 and after paying the 1st 5% ($26,180) in cash, we are both now broke...

Luckily the next 15% payment is via CPF/Grant/Loan, else where to find the Ca$h man...

ParkCentral Showflat Photos (updated)

2008-09-21T22:50:00.023+08:00

Here are some of the photos of the showflat:

Living Room :

Dining Room:

Kitchen:

Yard:

Master Bedroom:

Washroom:

Bedroom 1:

Bedroom 2:

First Post!

2008-09-21T22:25:00.011+08:00

Hi there! We've created this blog to keep a record of events leading to our Big Day...

Backdating in progress...

3rd Aug 2008
Application for Park Central @ AMK
This is our 5th attempt in applying for an HDB flat We have previously applied for flats at these locations - Tanglin Halt @ Commonwealth (Jan 08), Bukit Merah/Queenstown (Feb 08), Jurong West (Apr 08), Fernvale Residences (Jul 08) - but in vain... So we have submitted the application for Park Central @ AMK on the 3rd Aug 2008 and the balloting results are expected to be out by 11th Sept 2008! Wish us luck this time round =)

12nd Sept 2008
Balloting results is out!
Yeah! We have gotten our Park Central queue number - 0305. Chances of us getting a flat tis time is looking good! Erm... seems like we have quite a bit to do now - gotta list down our choices of units, calculate our budgets, look at fengshui of the flat etc... all these during my 2 weeks of reservist!! OMG!! Help help !!!

19th Sept 2008
We've selected our love nest!
Whee~! We've selected the unit for our new flat! It's #15-239. Rum likes to stay on higher levels but Raisin is afraid of heights. So, we compromised each other and agreed on the middle levels - 15th storey out of 30 storeys. We selected a 4-room flat, kinda small @ 91 sqm but it's just right for the two of us! Initially wanted to get the 5-room flat @ ard 120 sqm as the living room is huge, but due to budget contraints, we have dropped that idea. The more Raisin sees the 4-room's masterbed room, the more she loves it! The showflat's deco is fantastic!