the post that was supposed to be published last week

just went to the hdb office to reconfigure our housing loan installments. the new installment is not very hefty from our old one but it shaves off another few years off our repayment period. always a good thing so that you don't end up not being able to retire. having said that though, i will be paying for the apartment right into my 50s. yeah, it's that sad.

there's nothing for us on the horizon since baby's starting her new job (which also means we won't be able to travel since her probation period is pretty long). but we are planning a staycation (a vacation in your own country) at resorts world and a day trip at universal studios is definitely on the cards. should be fun and everybody can act like kids again for that day.

going to manila next week (well this was typed last week) in 2 days. will be hosting a seminar and then there will be a trade expo. i'm excited because i'm going (fingers crossed) to make a new purchase (if i can find what i like) at the airport.

the "face-the-wall" punishment is proving to be very effective indeed. when joaquin acts up, you just have to roll your eyes at him and threaten him with the punishment and immediately he recoils into a shell. i heard our neighbour below us administer the same to her kid but she told her kid to stand at the balcony. it's strange because it's not a very comfortable position to stand at, although you don't want the child to be too comfortable. heard the kid protesting the entire time... and he's about the same age as joaquin!

sometimes we do remind each other (baby and me) how lucky we are to have joaquin and in fact, he's a pretty good lamb. in school, he's the meekest boy you see. a bit of jekyll and hyde if you ask me, not dissimilar to my sister back then.

the front grille of white boy just got yanked out. not sure if it was theft or an act of mischief but it bled us. had to replace and chartis, being the good insurance company that it is, had the sense not to let this incident which is of no fault of mine (unless living in a hdb estate is in itself, a flaw) affect my ncd or premium. i'm not sure if all insurance companies do this but the fact that the person on the other line at chartis assured me quickly made it less of an emotional wreck for me, after witnessing 3 open cavities at the front of my car. trust me, it affects the appearance of any vehicle quite dramatically. photo after i edit out the car plate number and also when flickr finally gives me back my monthly upload limit.

we picked up a new hobby over the weekend. i say we because all 3 of us are into it. we are collecting a series of superheroes/villains statues. yeah, those 12" tall type... not your plastic action figure that goes snap when you twist a limb too hard. photos? yeah... later... you know the drill.

ciao.