Sep 29, 2008
The Straits Time Interactive

Pricey but still in demand

By Jessica Cheam
		The 50-storey Pinnacle@Duxton in Tanjong Pagar has attracted 1,467 applications for the 428 four- and five-roomers on offer - that is about 3.5 hopefuls for each unit. -- ST PHOTO: STEPAHNIE YEOW

THEY are among the priciest flats ever launched by the Housing Board, but there has been no shortage of potential buyers.

The 50-storey Pinnacle@Duxton in Tanjong Pagar has attracted 1,467 applications for the 428 four- and five-roomers on offer - that is about 3.5 hopefuls for each unit.

Cheaper homes in less central areas were in even more demand, with applications streaming in at a rate of 20 per new flat in some districts.

HDB's balloting exericse on Friday attracted a total of 4,463 applications for 992 flats on sale in Ang Mo Kio, Queenstown, Jurong West, Kallang /Whampoa and Tanjong Pagar as of 5pm on Monday.

The 111 five-roomers at the Pinnacle start at $545,000 and hit $645,800 for a 49th storey unit - the most expensive new HDB flats - yet there were still 372 applicants.

Demand for those flats paled in comparison with the 762 applications for just 39 four-room flats in Kallang/Whampoa, priced at $364,000 to $435,000.

Property analysts said the response was not surprising, considering the underlying demand for new flats by first-time buyers and the preference for cheaper units.

I wonder if there are any chances in a successful balloting. The closing date for balloting exercise is 9 October and already so many people close to 5000 applicants have applied. Please pray for me if you can...I desperately need to move out...

Nicole & her new Toy Dog

Conz bought a cute toy dog for nicole and she likes it very much. She even sleeps with it! The toy dog barks when you pat its head and snore when it sleeps.

Happily posing

Nicole and toy dog yet to be named.

Of Bright Neon Lights and Ferris Wheel

It was a Saturday and some of our cell group members gathered once again after church service for dinner at Downtown East. After a satisfying meal, we went jalan jalan at the newly opened Downtown East Mall and was attracted to the bright neon lights of the Ferris Wheel which was built-in the mall. This is just like some Japanese Shopping Centre with attention seeking fun rides. But to our dismay, it was already 9.30pm and it was closed. I would love to hop on to one of the cabins and enjoy the colourful neon lights.







p.s : Friday Ladies ( Ruth, Eileen & Conz), where shall we go for lunch on Friday?? I was thinking of Dim Sum at Chinatown's Tian Jin Lou or Dragon Gate Restaurant at Harbour Front. Any suggestions?

Makeover Me

Conz, Tuty and I went for a complimentary makeover at M.A.C. Tangs Orchard on Tuesday. We had so much fun. At first, I was alittle intimidated by my makeup artist, Michelle. But she made me comfortable by striking up a conversation with me. She asked if I had any preference in the colour of my eye makeup. I told her I wanted the smokey effect. It turned out great and I loved it! We couldn't resist the wide range of beautiful cosmetics spread on the counters. I splurged about $200 on cosmetics. This isn't the first time I am using M.A.C. products. I have used them before and I know their products could last me a long while rather than the current ones I am using now.

Michelle, the makeup artist

This other guy is dolling Tuty up.

The final products! 3 babes! ha!

Another shot of us...

Aren't we pretty???

Of Shopping Buys, Concert & Food

This post is entirely a picture post.

Self-photographed by Nicole herself.

September Shopping Treats:

Both WMF saucer pot and frying pan bought from TANGS.

Shinzi Katoh notebook I bought from Ruth's Bazaar stall at Clarke Quay

My first dress bought from FOREVER 21.
Getting prepared for any wedding dinner invitation that is to come.

Date: Saturday 20 Sept
Venue: Max Pavilion, Expo
Concert: Elva Hsiao's
3 Faced Showcase
Company: Ruth & Eileen

We sat quite far behind. We were quite disappointed to find stall seats and not elevated seats

Her last fast number: We went to the front to try and catch a glimpse of Elva.
Eventually we stood on the chair and took a few photos of her dancing.

Next up, we went for dinner at East Coast Road. C-Nai Hong Kong Cafe. It took us awhile to get us a table in the air-conditioned area of the cafe. By then, we were all like hungry dinosaurs so we didn't exactly take any photos of ourselves.

Fried Cuttlefish which was yummy!

Lunch with Sweet Treats

Amidst my busy schedule of work and tight deadlines, together with Conz, we met up yet again (this time on Wednesday) with Ruth for Lunch at Crystal Jade Kitchen at Holland V. We have initially decided upon having XO bee hoon/San lor horfun at Holland Drive but to our dismay, it was closed yesterday. We also found out that the freshly-made pizza place has closed down. With the hungry pangs attacking our stomachs, we quickly made our way to Holland V for lunch at Crystal Jade instead as there weren't anything worth eating at Holland Drive.

No pictures taken at lunch because I was obviously too hungry to bother about taking pictures. Both Ruth and I had Sauteed Udon with chicken in black pepper while Conz had her usual Fresh Shrimp Wanton Mee. We also ordered a plate of Roast Chicken (halved). After the satisfying lunch, , we moved on to Haagen Dazs for ice-cream and coffee. Let me flood you with pictures once again...

Ice Creamery : very much like Ice cream Chef was directly opposite Haagen Dazs. As there weren't any comfy seats, the air-con in Ice Creamery wasn't cool enough on this hot and humid day, and Conz wanted her caffeine fix, we decided on Haagen Dazs.

We managed to find good and comfy seats at Haagen Dazs. Conz cheekily posing for the camera.

The drinks we ordered: 2 Iced Latte and 1 Iced Mocha

Fav Drink: My Iced Mocha

2 scoops: Belgian Chocolate and Rum Raisins which costed me $14 nett which also meant 7 bucks a scoop without any toppings!
I must say we had some pricey desserts because our total bill amounted to $75 bucks!

More Pictures...

Ruth, Eileen feeding icecream to Shanae!

Every mouthful was filled with the sweet experience which tantalised all our senses!

Friday Ladies, where shall we go for lunch tomorrow? Any suggestions?
Cecilia suggested the DBS card promotion of one-for-one dining places...

So excited...can't wait!

Awaiting...

These questions kept flashing in my mind...


When will I be moving out?

When will I ever be given a chance at getting a good queue number at HDB balloting exercise?

When can I have a kitchen to me and myself only?

When can I shop for furniture and fixtures?

When can I decorate my home?

When can I ever call a place my home?

Why does it have to be someone else and not me?

Why am I not living the life I want it to be?

Why am I stuck in this fast-paced society?

Why am I slogging my life away?

Who am I doing it for?


Dear Heavenly Father, You are a great God. I know it's Your will and Your time for things to happen. I am awaiting patiently....Thank You God for making things happen. I place my trust in You. Amen...

Picture Post

13 Sept Saturday
Children's Church
Playground for kids

Kids @ play

Nicole trying out the slide

Nicole with punchbag

14 Sept Sunday
MOF Suntec City
Dinner

Nicole savouring her udon

Trying hard to finish her bowl of udon

Tea sipping

Back at Home on Sunday
Highligted hair for Dearie
Process: 45 minutes

Back View

Front View

We watched Hellboy 2: Golden Army together while snacking on black pepper chicken and beer! haha...after the hearty supper, I fell asleep...tsk tsk no good no good!

Random Wednesday

I was in a frantic mood on Tuesday night when I found out that I could not make any calls out, receive any incoming calls, send out or receive sms. Dad told me to go down to M1 customer service to get a replacement of the SIM card and so I did. The customer service assistant said my card's too old and replaced it with a 3.5G SIM card. Bigger memory space and faster when searching for your contacts...which is great! Ruth came to meet me at IMM after she has dropped off Shanae at childcare. We met at Ichiban Sushi and here's what we had for lunch...

I had a fishy meal - grilled salmon in sweet gingery sauce, Unagi, fish tempura rice set

The side entrees - gyoza in special sweet sauce & Scallops baked with cheese
We both agreed that the scallop dish was a mistake

Ruth's sweet gingery sauce Chicken Cutlet and soft shell crab rice set

I went to meet dearie to catch a movie at AMK hub Cathay. Bangkok Dangerous was the movie we picked. I was expecting more from this movie but it turned out to be quite a disappointment. I like Nicholas Cage but not his recent image. His hair! Why? It made him look unkempt rather than sexy.

Shahkrit Yamnarm as "Kong" - he is quite a looker I must say

Island Getaway to celebrate my 29th Birthday

Yesh! I have booked the roof garden suite on 30 Sept to celebrate my birthday. I just can't wait to dip into the jacuzzi pool or suntan on the rooftop!


Click on the link to view this happening place http://www.silosobeachresort.com/gallery.htm

Can't wait!

Sore Throat

Having sore throat yet again...

Think it's because of the food I ate this past one week.

Hot & Spicy, heaty and fried food...but I just can't resist them...

Argh! I have this yucking feeling every time I purge the phlegm out because the colour of the phlegm is green...

Foodie Party - An advanced Birthday Celebration

Once again, I have conquered the kitchen by cooking up a storm preparing food for our Foodie Party. Guests list: Annie, Kelly, Peiyu, Janice, Joyce, Tze Theng, Maurice and Daryl. They were invited because I just wanna give them a simple treat and just to celebrate my birthday in advance. I know my birthday is less than a month away but I did it becos my big day is in amidst of my busiest period of the semester. Okay, without further talk about it, here are the pictures of the foodie party.

Curry Chicken, Salmon Sashimi, Croutons & Mushroom soup

A Close-up of the yummy food

Chrissy's Curry

salmon sashimi - indeed it was an overdose!

Candid shot of Annie and Peiyu

Amateur Young Photographer

Saturday, 6 September
Venue: Tze Char Place Beside Riverwalk
Company: CG Friends
Pics taken by: Nicole

Nicole taking herself

Trying to get a good shot of her eye...

Took a close shot of herself eating too!

Kelly grinning away...

Xiaoyun enjoying her food...