Stars Purchases

In the past 2 years, we have bought a lot of things for my 2 kids. Some of them were good purchases and some were waste of money or unnecessary. These are some 'star purchases' that I would like to share with my friends who have baby at home. They make life much easier and it is worth to spend the money.

(1) Baby Bouncer is very useful as it gives your young infant an alternative place to hang out other than his bed. The bouncing effect makes them feel comfortable. I have one that can rock and vibrate but the vibration is not necessary. You can buy a hanger of toys as add on, something to entertain the baby when he is awakes. Mine is from fisher price, cost about S$100. My friends got this for me as a gift. 

(2) Tricycle is very useful if you have active toddler that like to go out but do not like to sit in the pram anymore. My son started to use it when he was about 10 months old. The beauty of this is that it has a post which you can steer to where you want to go, there is a basket for you to put the water bottle for the little one, there is a bar at the seat to prevent toddler from falling and you can remove the foot rest when the toddler is older where he can then paddle. I don't really care for the sun shade as it doesn't do much and block my view of the toddler. I bought this at Carrefour and paid about S$50 for it. 

(3) Foam Mat is good for infant and toddler to hang out. It helps define the place where they can play so that toys will not be everywhere on the floor. It is safe for infant who is learning how to roll over. Kids like colorful thing and some mat can be a puzzle for them to play as well. The only thing is you need to assemble them back for them.  For convenience purpose, you can buy the 2 feet wide but the 1 feet is more common and can make it more prevailing for kids. To make a 4 by 4 feet area, it cost around S$25.

Company Cost Cutting Measures (2)

Speaking of company cost cutting measures, I almost forgot that I was one of the victim. I had a promising career in the company, they told me I was in the top talent group and gave me stock option but one fine day, they sold me to another company, together with almost 2000 people worldwide. My perspective of work has changed since then. I felt betrayed, loyalty is worthless, hard work is not appreciated and promises are all lies. I do know that I am already much fortunate than those people who lose their job or had a pay cut but doesn't mean that I cannot complain about this.

Throughout the past many years, there are also many jobs moved from high cost country to low cost country. We benifit when jobs moved to us and we suffer when jobs move away from us. I am glad that I only did that when when the opportunity present itself in my organization. This is a business world, perhaps this is the reality that we all need to face. The survival skill is really do the job well, have respect with others and add value to the company. 

Company Cost Cutting Measures (1)

Last Friday, I came into the office and found that the coffee machine was turned off. I thought it broke down and since I wanted to cut back on coffee, I decided to buy a can of coke instead. I went to my usual place to use the vending machine but found out that the machine was switched off. I checked 2 more floors that I knew where vending machines were installed and I was disappointed. They either took away the machine or the machine wasn't working.

This morning a colleague stopped by to chat with me and in the conversation, he told me that the free coffee machine were all disabled in the office! I wasn't surprised as there was news that I-kei  in other country also stopped providing free coffee and tea. In times like this, it wasn't hard to implement such measure because the choices are obvious, a job or free coffee but what upset people is that why they kept quiet about that and just switched off all the machines. Not only that, why don't they install more coins vending machine for the convenience of the staff? I hope they do not have an agreement with the cafeteria tenant that they will not install vending machine so that all businesses will go to the cafeteria. The price difference is huge, coke from vending machine cost 80 cents but from the cafeteria, it cost S$1.30!

Another cost cutting measure that took place last year was getting rid of the dustbin in each workstation. They put a bigger one at the pantry or corner of the building. In this way, the cleaner only need to pickup rubbish from few places and hence they can reduce the number of people that needed to work in the office. I personally think this is a smart idea to cut cost and it does not really bothers me.

Anything else that you see in your office? Feel free to share.

Missing my past life

My 5th year wedding anniversary is approaching. I feel like I have not live my own life for the past 3 years because I was busy making babies. While I still have time to consider number 3, I figure I should find a way to gain back my life or I will be so sucked into life and not happy about it. 

So how was life before babies? Today I asked D what kind of life he would live if he wasn't married with 2 kids, he said he would not live in Singapore or even he lives in Singapore, he would not buy a car, probably buy an apartment in the city and enjoy 'sex and the city' lifestyle.

As for my life before babies, it was nothing great but I just miss it so much. I miss the freedom I had so much. The freedom of getting out of bed anytime I wanted on the weekend, the freedom of eat or skip a meal, the freedom of watching a movie in the cinema, the freedom of going for holiday when I feel like it. I also miss the time I have where I can do more for my work or catch up with what is going on around me. Today I just realize that I do not know if I could buy music online in Singapore if I own an iPhone. I feel that I am so outdated.

Well, I cannot turn back the clock. Unless I can be forever young, else if I age with no partner and kids, it is also not the kind of life I want to. I have a blessed life, I cannot complain.