Birthday

Today is my brother's birthday and we decided to eat out to celebrate his birthday. We settle down at a coffee shop in Bukit Timah just besides Hyundai show room. That is the first time I went to that area for dinner. We ordered fish, chicken and some vegetables. The food i not bad. After that, we drove to Holland Road Jelita shopping mall. It is a small shopping area and I think it caters for the rich. Cos inside the mall, the things are more "ang moh" friendly. Haha! Well, it is normal since it is located at one of the prime spots.

Orchard Road

Today I went to Orchard Road with my family. I like long time did not visit this place liao. Still the same. Very crowded. We first went to Borders to look at books. Then, we walked to a food court in Scotts shopping mall. After that, we wandered over to Tangs to shop shop. Later, we strolled down to Lucky Plaza where we bought some clothes at Bossini. In a few moments, we crossed over to Ngee Ann City and landed in Takashimaya 10th Craziest Toys Sale 2006. There are so many cheap toys! In the end, we bought a few good things. Finally, we had our dinner at Ajisen for ramen. Finally, it is home sweet home. Time flies when you are relaxing.

COE analysis July 2nd round

COE results out. Cat A this time round edges upwards by $602 to give $10,803. Cat B as usual posted $10,600 which down $201. The demand is still weak but still got enough buyers around to stablise the COE price. Next round is the three weeks break again. So expect COE to go up.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Just came back from watching Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Not bad. Quite exciting. I feel it is better than the first episode where this time got more actions and monsters. In it, they actually mentioned Singapore. I think Holloywood like to mention Singapore. Haha. Any way, this show ends by paving way for third episode. Should be out soon.

Hyundai Sonata

Today, my brother's new car arrived. So we whole family go with him to collect his new Hyundai Sonata. The first impression I had when I see this car is:"It looks big." I get the confirmation answer when I sat inside. The leg room is fantastic and very comfortable. The most impressive feature is the engine. It is very refined and when idling, it is extremely quiet! I heard that Sonata is not selling well. I would say it is too bad. But as far as we are concern, it is a great news cos that means less people driving the same car as you. More exclusive. Heh heh.

Top 10 cars for the first 6 months

Top 10 make for the first 6 months:
1. Toyota 11968
2. Nissan 8986
3. Hyundai 5475
4. Honda 5467
5. Mitsubishi 4537
6. Kia 2833
7. Mazda 2372
8. BMW 1971
9. Mercedes-Benz 1501
10. Suzuki 1169

Top 10 model for the first 6 months
1. Toyota Corolla Altis 5970
2. Nissan Sunny 4946
3. Toyota Vios 3577
4. Mitsubishi Lancer 3482
5. Honda Civic 2578
6. Nissan Latio 2153
7. Hyundai Getz 1740
8. Mazda 3 1670
9. Hyundai Verna 1341
10 Kia Picanto 1236

White hairs

Recently, some people told me I have lesser white hairs. My colleague told me that first. Then, I went to cut hair and my hairstylist also tells me that. They wonder if I ate anything lately. Haha! The only things I ate recently that I never ate last time are strawberry and cod liver oil. So those who got white hairs, maybe you can trying eating those. Heh heh.

Good news

Today I got 2 pieces of good news to share. The first is that my friend's wife just give birth to a baby boy. Congrates to them. The 2nd piece of good news is someone I dislike has left the company. He is sort of attached here. Any way, my boss and I give him a farewell at the Blue Ginger restaurant at Tanjong Pagar. It is a peranakan cuisine. 3 of us ate around $78 after 15% discount using UOB card. The food is not bad and can go next time.

World Cup 2006 finals

In a few more hours will be World Cup 2006 show down: Italy vs France. I dun watched any World Cup live matches but only follow through the news. So far I dun have any favourite team. Also I dun know the history and facts of any footballers or clubs. But based on my gut feeling, I feel that Italy will win. Dun ask me why. The truth is out there!

COE analysis July 1st round

As predicted, Cat A rises. This time round it posted $ 10,201 which up $900. As seen in last 2 weeks, the price of Cat A cars are historical low in recent years. This will some how boost those who want to get cars to get into action. But it can be seen that it only rises $900 means that demand is not too strong so dealers do not dare to bit high. Over at the Cat B, this time round it lowers $200 to $ 10,801. As usual, no new models in the market to generate any buzz. A quick check with Toyota shows that Cat A cars rise $500. This shows that the last time round they managed to get some orders that will tide them for a few rounds. Cat B more or less no change. I feel next round Cat A will stable and Cat B might slide further.

Financial check

Today I read a piece of article said that a lot of people are not financial healthy. They spent a lot of money to buy house and car. They look good on the outside but actually they are rotting inside. So they provide some tips and advice to check if your financial is healthy or not. Firstly, never loan more than 15 years for housing loan. Reason is loan 20 - 30 years, you are as good as "giving" money to bank. So try to calculate to buy a house that you can pay off in 10 years time.

Next, a lot of people love to buy cars. The bigger the better. So people will envy them etc... Try to pay off everything within 5 years is the trick. Anything more than 5 years usually means you are straining yourself with interest.

Lastly, you should have at least 6 times of your monthly gross income sitting in your bank now. If not, you are not ready if suddenly you are out of job. Also your monthly bills + loans should be 35% of your gross income. Anything more means you are danger in in debt and not enough money to retire.

Chery QQ

Yesterday I posted an article on this and said it is widely believe to be less than $30k. Well, it is so wrong. Today newspapers carried an advertisment on this car. Guess what? It is $32,900. After giving $2k discount for early birds, it is still $30,900. Maybe those Chinese living in Singapore might take the bite. But from a local point of view, I feel sales might not be easy to move. But of cos I have not test driven any and also have not seen the interior. So I might be wrong. But solely based on the price, my take is sales is hard to take off at this price. I think Singaporeans mentality is:" I might as well get Kia Picanto which is now $32,999." For a mere $2k more, it is at least tested and proven. How is Chery after sales service etc... is yet unknown. So unless the price difference is greater like $5k or more than current Picanto or Perodua Kelisa, it does not have much incentive to woo people over. So want to owe a car for less than $30k? Keep dreaming.

Cheap car

Singapore cars though is not the world most expensive, we cannot consider it cheap either. So imagine owning a car (exclude off peak car) for a price tag of less than $30k is almost impossible. But I think this is not any more. China made cars will make its grand entrance to Singapore market in July. The first to arrive is Chery QQ, a 800 cc car. This car is a runaway success when it is first launched in China. The price is not yet available but is widely believe to be less than $30k including today COE. If this is the case, it might generate some buying interest. But many might feel wary about China made car. I feel give them time just like the once upon a time the lousy Japanese and Korean cars.

Wall fan

Today I bought a fan that can be mounted onto the wall with remote control function. This is because I feel that my room is getting more and more crowded. So the only way to release more walking space is to mount things on wall and remove things standing on the floor. That is why I got a wall fan. It is a local brand called Sona and cost $79 from Courts at Bukit Timah. The sales guy said it is quite value for money. That is why i got it. So far so good. The built is quite good and functions got what I need. Hope it dun quit on me. Heh heh.

Great Singapore Sale

I just came back from shopping at Causeway Point. Not bad, I bought quite a number of things which are long over due. There are many things I need to get but I always drag on. Like new long sleeve shirts for working (now only got 3 rotating everyday), socks (most got holes liao) and sleeping singlets (now most are torn) etc... The best part of shopping is to find something you need and like. I think I spend about $190 at Metro, John Little and Samuel & Kelvin.

COE analysis June 2nd round

Latest COE results out. Quite surprisingly is both Cat A and B drop over $1k. Cat A now $9,301. Down $1,901. Cat B is $11,001. Slide $1,199. During the last round, dealers slash car prices up to $2k. However, this does not attract many people to enter the market. A quick check with Toyota and Nissan shows that they further reduce car price by $2k. Now car price is really attractive! So I guess next round will up for at least Cat A cos it is not a common scene to have a COE for less than $10k. But I guess the new base line will be $9k in near future. Now people is so used to seeing $10k COE. So anything more than $10k is considered a lot. I feel a sub-$10k COE is coming real soon!

Office chair

Today I bought an office chair to replace my current one at home which lasted more than 5 years. I got it at vhive for $345. Now sitting on it, I have a different feeling altogether when I first tested it at the shop. I feel it is higher now and more stiff. Maybe it is a new chair like my friend say. Any way, feel like an emperor now. Haha!!

Another round of food

I just came back from eating (again)! This month I think I ate a lot and getting rounder everyday at this rate. Any way, today a visiting professor brought us to Brazil Churrascaria which is a Brazilian restaurant along sixth ave. It is sort of "buffet" style where the waiters will bring the meat to you once in a while. A lot of pork, chicken, beef and mutton will shove into your face! Eat until you puke! They also drink a lot of beer and wine. I am not a wine lover so I drink orange juice instead. Haha! 8 of us ate $900! The professor paid this time. Heh heh.

Father's day

Today is father's day and we all went out to eat (as usual) to celebrate this day. We went to Yan Palace at my brother's country club. I think we were there pretty late. Almost 2pm then we reached. We have tim sum for lunch. After a member discount, 5 of us ate around $65. The service and food are quite nice. Quite full! Yum!

Holland Village

Today my company people went out for a dinner. We went to eat at a German restaurant at Holland Village. It is called Baden. We drink some German beer and eat German food. Some ate German sauages and some ate their famous pork knuckles. Then, we sit there watched world cup. The food is not too bad and the waitress is quite pretty. 6 of us ate around $277. I think it is quite a nice place and worth checking it out again.