A few people had came to me before and told me of their “magical” experience with childbirth. They claimed that the minute they saw their bundles of creamy joy being put on their chest, they forgot all the excruciating pain and bla bla bla… dah dah dah…

I will not hesitate to tell the truth about my birthing experience too. That it was a horrific one.

I had woken up bleeding in the ungodly hours of the night and alone because D-man was away serving the army. I showered and packed my bag before hailing a cab to the hospital. Upon admitting myself, I was told that I needed an emergency c-section right away due to a complication with my placenta. As the doctor goes on to explain the procedure, I had already zoomed out and was in my mind counting the number of hours I had wasted on researching the benefits of drug-free childbirth, the time and dollars spent on pre-natal yoga, consultations with a doula etc, all just to gear up for the much raved about natural labour.

It would be pure hypocrisy to say I was not disappointed with the method of delivery. It certainly doesn’t help that everyone around you are committed advocates of natural childbirth. But did it made me any less of a mother? Hell no, and my sentiments are shared by all my loved ones.

What I am really saying is…if you kicked the kerb & tripped into the same emotional manhole of blaming yourself for a less than perfect birth experience (whatever that is), it’s ok. Just get up, swear, brush the dirt off yourself and move on. The roses and rainbow are right ahead, and will be personally delivered to you by your very own cherub

With all the buzz about property measures these days, where does that leave us in terms of property investment? Auntie Scroogey shall partly answer that question by telling you a tale (it’s a true story by the way) about 2 properties.

I’m sure you must have heard before, from older folks or otherwise, that when it comes to buying property, it’s all about location, location, location. Indeed, at any given point in time in the property cycle, the single largest determinant of property price is its location.

In the 1970s, there were 2 brothers who each bought a property. The older brother bought one in Nassim area, while the younger brother bought one in District 15 East Coast area. Both have roughly about same size living area, both are freehold properties, both were brand new properties at that time and both were bought at around $100,000 (which was rather substantial back then). Fast forward it to 4th quarter in 2010, the Nassim piece is worth circa $6-7 million while the East Coast property is valued at $2.5 million.

Why the drastic difference? That’s because the Nassim area is closer to town (almost in town itself). In land scarce Singapore, a good, strategic spot is almost as valuable as striking gold. In addition, the area has grown much in importance as the country progresses.

In case you’re thinking that the nearer to town it is, the higher the property price, well…… think again. A quick check with records of resale HDB transactions indicate that in 4Q2010, a 3-room HDB flat in Jalan Besar / Veerasamy Road (about 10 mins walk to Bugis MRT) transacts for low $4xx psf while over at Holland Close/Drive, the same size unit transacts at least $5xx psf during the same period, with the higher floors registering $6xx psf. Both HDB units have 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

What accounts for the difference in this case is the appeal of the location. No doubt the former is located closer to town area, it is the latter’s proximity to the upmarket, exclusive Holland estate that allows it to command a higher premium.

So if you were to invest in a property, which area would you choose considering capital gains potential, rental yield and your budget?

I absolutely not want to be one of those annoying parents who has 10 Facebook albums of their baby despite the kid being only 2 weeks old. And don’t get me talking about those mums who start and end all their conversations with “my baby..”.

But I realize it’s pretty damn hard not to share pictures as adorable as these…

What are you hiding in your cheeks sweetheart?

I’ll totally understand though if you decide never to come to this site again.

Love,
Addict

It’s been quite a while. The fact that I still remember how to turn on the computer and type this is a miracle by itself.  Do forgive me though, for you see, I’ve been involved in the mega project of colossal scale.

Meet the latest member of the Peonies family!!!

In between endless feedings and diaper changes, I will try to update my beloved blog but if I don’t, you know why (especially all the mommies out there. Btw here’s a long overdue salute!).

Aunty Scroogey came across this while doing some homework for investments in commodities. Have a look.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-13/gold-overdue-for-drop-after-decade-of-gains-rice-to-rally-rogers-says.html

Gold ‘Overdue’ for Drop, Rice Will Gain, Rogers Says
By Whitney McFerron – Jan 13, 2011

Gold is “overdue for a rest” and probably will fall after a decade of gains that sent prices to a record, said Jim Rogers, the chairman of Rogers Holdings who predicted the start of the global commodities rally in 1999.

While gold “may go down for awhile,” the metal is “going to go over $2,000 in this decade,” Rogers, who owns gold, silver and rice, said today during a presentation to business executives in Chicago. Gold touched a record $1,432.50 an ounce in New York on Dec. 7. The price closed today at $1,387.

“I’d rather own rice,” Rogers said. “I’d rather own something that’s more depressed than gold.”

Agricultural commodities are “going to boom” as demand increases in developing markets, primarily in Asia, he said. All commodities will be supported by the weakening dollar, which is losing value because Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke is “printing money” by buying Treasuries in an effort to shore up the U.S. economy, Rogers said.

“Paper money is made of cotton, and I’m long cotton, by the way,” Rogers said. “One reason I’m long cotton is because Dr. Bernanke is out there running the printing presses as fast as he can.”

Rogers said he doesn’t own shares in U.S. companies and is short U.S. long-term treasury bonds. The Chinese renminbi may provide “almost sure profits over the next five to 10 years,” he said.

“In the future, it’s the stock broker who’s going to be driving the cabs,” Rogers said. “The smart stock brokers will learn to drive tractors, and drive them for the farmers, because the farmers will have the money.”

While still on the subject of Jim Rogers, here is what he says about MBA : http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_625042.html

A good weekend (or 2 if you’re slow like me) project. I got the pattern from Abbey Lane, and love it for its generous size. I’m a born and bred big bag girl. Small, itsy ladylike handbags just ain’t up my alley.

I added a handmade owl for that extra cuteness. I think he is happy there.

Its inside is roomy and quilted, with pockets for your little life savers.

Finished off with a pair of nylon bag handles with leather grips. Light weight yet sturdy.

Available for order if you’re keen!

You cannot imagine the type of laundry that piles up in this household…

How did someone come up with having turkey for Christmas feasts? Why on earth would you cook something so large, you have to eat it for the next 2 years?

Since we all have to OD on turkey, might as well do it in different ways. I made the pie crust a night in advance and just had to cook the fillings before baking the pie. The pie crust recipe can be found here.

Ingredients (pie fillings enough for 1 large and 6 small pies)
leftover turkey meat, shredded (about 4 cups )
1.5 large carrots. diced
3 large white onions, diced
1 can of button mushrooms, sliced
butter for frying (approx 4 tbsp)
1 cup stock (I used chicken but veg stock works just as well)
1 tbsp cornflour or plain flour mixed with 1/2 cup water for starch
pepper and salt for seasoning (optional, as the turkey, butter and stock is already tasty on its own)
1 egg yolk for brushing onto pie pastry to get that golden brown tinge

In a large pan, melt butter and fry the onions and carrots till soft. Add mushrooms, turkey and fry till fragrant. Add stock, mix well and add starch while constantly stirring the stock to prevent lumps. Quickly remove from heat. Let the divine mixture cool, and get to work with the pie crust.

I have to say it looks good considering its molded by pie virgins A-gal and Tommy.

Few days before this, my online conversation with Tommy went like this:
me: We’re having Death by Turkey session 2, starring Turkey Pie at A-gal’s. Wanna come?
T: Huh?
me: Sunday lunch. Turkey. You. Come?
T: Ok. What do I bring?
me: We’re having pie. A salad would be nice..
T: Sure! How do you cook a salad?
me: *sound of crickets*
T: Hallo?
me: Nevermind. Just bring drinks.

Never one to let people down, Tommy brought not only drinks but this as well.

Don’t ask. Just..don’t.

for a special friend. Hope she likes it. It’s suppose to be her Christmas gift but we met up 3 weeks too late. And then I met her last week I forgot to bring it along.


I hope she’ll use it soon cause she’s gonna be skiing in some exotic eastern European city which name I can’t even pronounce. Well, actually more like I can’t remember. Pregnesia does such things to you.

Who are you again? What am I typing? What’s this blog thing?

*I think she looks really cute in it. Don’t ya?

Aunty Scroogey often writes about the “big money”, so I thought it might be a refreshing change to talk about the “small money”. Small money, when accumulated & utilized properly, transforms itself into big money. And I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like big money.

1. Always write down your shopping list, and stick to it. Better still section your grocery list into food, non-food, household needs, toiletries and etc. This way you buy only what you need and save time wondering down the aisles repeatedly.

2. Do your grocery shopping on a weekday. Parking is cheaper, there’s usually no maddening crowds and things are magically easier to find (tried and tested!). A minute saved is a penny gained isn’t it?

3. When reading your daily paper do keep a look out for special deals and promotions. Sometimes savings can really be substantial, especially on frequently purchased essentials like diapers and coffee.

4. Always have your meal before doing your grocery shopping, otherwise be prepared to buy more than you require. Shoppers who go to the supermarket hungry usually end up buying a lot more food (especially junk food) then they really need. <—- the scientists/researchers said this, not me :)

5. You must have heard this one many times. Budget your grocery spendings and stick to it. It is usually a balancing act. If you must have that expensive pate, then buy other items at no frills price. Supermarket house brands are usually just as good as the other established labels because the products are usually from the same source.

6. Cook at home from scratch. Even if you think you can’t, anyone can. Skip the frozen meals aisle and don’t let excuses and your lazy bones tell you otherwise. It doesn’t have to be a fanciful 3 course dinner everyday. A simple pasta bologna serves its purpose of being nutritious, wholesome and cheap. Planning your meals at home in advance also means you will only buy what you need and nothing more.

7. Buy only whole, real foods, and not processed-to-death instant junk. Don’t even think of picking up something that boldly prints “Just add water!”. More likely than not you won’t recognize 1 word from the ingredient list. Not only does this save you money, but more importantly your health too.

8. Buy based on price per gram/pound/kilos, especially if its an essential you need often. That bigger jar of peanut butter is definitely a better buy than it’s smaller counterpart.

9. Avoid disposable packaging as much as possible. Individually packed biscuits definitely cost more than regular family sized bags. Besides you can use your pretty cookie jars. No amount of plastic wrapping can beat that!

10. Go shopping alone or just with your partner. Bringing your tag team and the entire village with you means your supermarket trolley will load up on its own with things that you probably haven’t seen before in your life.

Come share your tips if you have more!