Packing or Unpacking?

I have been unpacking the past few days and the progress is really slow for I have to wade through the "mountain" of boxes to put them in their respective wardrobes, bookshelves and kitchen shelves.

I did not realise that the ceiling of my flat is higher as it is an older flat. Now I have to buy a small step ladder which can be moved around easily to enable me to reach the higher shelves. I wish I were at least 1.65 metres tall instead of 1.53 metres tall. I showed my tenant, Frank, how I used to cook in the kitchens in Canada. I would place two hands on the table top and push myself up so as to reach the higher shelves. That was almost 3 decades ago. Today, I have to depend on the step ladder.

Many things have been given or discarded. I was in a rush to pack and just threw everything into the boxes. Now when unpacking, I realise that some things can still be given away or discarded. I am trying to have less clutter around the home so that cleaning can be a breeze. The fun thing about moving is that it helps us to find things that we have sometimes forgotten about....eg old photos, little gifts, name cards, etc.

It would be fun to know readers' response....do my readers prefer packing or unpacking?

Fantastic Maths!

Sometimes when I think of the uniqueness of people in this little dot on the world map, I would smile. Of late, I have been pondering over the "fantastic maths" of our people.

When the government increased the GST to 7%, which simply translates an increase of 2% over the previous GST amount of 5%, many businesses also started to increase their prices!

Yesterday, I went to my favourite Yong Tau Foo Cafeteria at Cuppage Road Plaza, and immediately the lady alerted me to the price increase. Of course, my eagle eyes had spotted the words, "One piece - 60 cents". It used to be 8 pieces for $3.50 and the operators increased the price to 7 pieces for $3.50. Now it would be $4.20 for the same 7 pieces. I looked around, inhaled deeply and smiled at the lady. Calmly I walked away, choosing to have lunch at the nearby Isle Cafe. Is it any wonder that Isle Cafe is as crowded as before, because the operators did not increase their price. In sharp contrast, the Yong Tau Foo Cafeteria had a much smaller crowd...a far cry from the usual crowd.

However, I guess the crowd will come back again, after customers get used to the new increased price.! As for me, I will continue to be more diligent in my home cooking! May also end up making my own Yong Tau Foo with fresh fish from Tekka Market. :-) Join me....any one?

Gan Chau

Starhub or Singtel?

When my two year contract with Starhub ended last month, I decided to terminate the contract and look at cheaper internet options. I asked for advice from computer-intelligent people like my colleague, Vincent and my tenant, Frank.

I was thinking of changing my 8 year old television which is still working but has to be operated manually as the remote had died a premature death. It was tempting to opt for Singtel which had the promotion of giving away a free high definition television. Vincent was not in favour of the idea and I decided to drop the connection. I also do not like the idea that I have to connect a land line for a telephone number. A land line is not necessary for me as I am always on the move.

Since I was around Cuppage Plaza today, I decided to drop by at Starhub to see what they were offering. They too had a promotion of giving a free laptop computer for their ultimate internet plan. Finally I decided to opt for the cheapest express internet plan at $49.00 - quite fast at 6mb.

I was almost thinking of not connecting an internet line as I can use my laptop in the office. However, I was concerned for my tenant, Frank, who is renting a room in my apartment. He needs the internet to communicate with his family overseas.

I was amazed at the speed and efficiency of Starhub. I took the free modem home so as to save the $52/- installation charge. Frank set up the system for me.

Gosh! The apartment is still in a mess with unpacked boxes. However I miss the computer so much and yearn to write in my blog again.!! :-)