Spots and Dots

Bought a songkit with Su today. All four of us went: Su, her mom, her eldest aunt on her mom's family, and of course, your's truly. Between Su & me, while we wander around Joo Chiat, peeking into shops and asking around, it was pretty enjoyable.

When her mom picked us up after we had our lunch, the experience was a little different. Went to Arab Street, wherein lay rows of shops selling the same wares, or in this case, cloths. Before anything, I managed to calm myself down by praying in Masjub Sultan. Alhamdulilah! It felt great! Then the test came. Choosing, flickering, deciding... it was all pretty much an experience for me. That's the difference between men and women. Men buy. Women shop.

But I was relieved that Su managed to pick something out for herself. We continued walking for a bit more after that, not wanting to waste the free pickup by her mother. I think overall, shopping for bridal stuff should be limited to Su & myself and no one else. Everyone has god intentions. And everyone has opinions. We both truly appreciate all the feedback, but shopping should be fun and not buying things that have a certain value that may mean more to another person. Ain't I right babe? I was even prepared to get myself a matching outfit similar to Su's!

Alhamdulilah, I really feel that with the buying of the material, it's a real first step to getting ready for the marriage. Su, in all her wisdom, without telling me, actually signed us up for the Marriage Prep Course. Alhamdulilah for such a thoughtful girlfriend! I hope I can be as thoughtful as her, Insya Allah!

Overall it was fun for me personally. Once you get over the frustrations of planning and get down to executing, it's not half as bad as it seems! It's off to work now!

jahwsl
2018
23rd Dec 06'

Green & Purple Giant

This is the view of the flat that we booked in Anchorvale. Insya Allah, we'll be getting it soon.

It's been less than a year since I've first met Suraya. I've been blessed to receive His bounty of gifts and blessings and all things good. Nothing has been bad for me since the day I submitted to His Will. Insya Allah, I pray for the strength to continue to be submissive and obedient.

The selection of the flat is the real first step in me marrying Su. It's really great, Alhamdulilah! I've decided for the longest time that Su is indeed someone special to me. And how do you treat someone as wonderful as the person whom you love more than yourself? I believe you'd provide for her as best you can and assure the person of a life long commitment.

I was faced with a dilema. Alhamdulilah, He has given me the answer! Instead of the usual dowry, I decided to give Su the flat as one. It may not be much. The selling price for the unit costs $178,700. Granted it's on the lower level of the third storey, but I honestly think we made a right choice in selecting it. It's a five minute walk to the mall and government offices and polyclinic. It's conveniently located near the NEL and the future mosque site. There's a Shell petrol kiosk where we could get groceries like milk,bread, yogurt etc. Alhamdulilah for all those things!

I decided on this because like most of the people I know, I didn't want her to be committed to be in a job just so that we could take 30 years to pay off a housing loan. We both decided that it would be good if also the house could be a real investment.

Insya Allah, our plan would manifest in the next few years. I had in mind an initial budget of $200,000. But I was worried I could not take up a loan from HDB, so I started looking for 3 rooms units that were well within my budget. There were a few in Marsiling, Woodlands, etc. Alhamdulilah! HDB confirmed that if I got anything bigger than a 5 room flat, I would be able to enjoy their loan facility. That's when we started looking for a walk-in selection unit.

We took our time and no doubt, many choice units were taken up, we were happy with what we got. Our unit does not face any flat (it faces a school, Nan Chiau Pri - Alhamdulilah! Incidentally, we both like being near schools), it's close to amenities like the tube and mall. Has excellent transport routes and it's sort of like a corner unit in the corner of the estate. Alhamdulilah!

These few days, Su and I have been rushing to transfer her money put of her CPF account, else HDB would utilise her savings there to pay for the flat. Alhamdulilah, with the low cost of the unit, we could manage with only one of us working. I sincerely hope that she would be happy with it. I just hate to see our relationship be like so many others who commit to a flat with renovation loans just so that they have to spend the first 5 or 7 years paying for it. Insya Allah, we would have made the right choice.

I do hope that by 5 years, we would be able to get another property. Insya Allah, I hope that with that, we could rent out this unit and whatever income derived from it would be Su's "salary". Insya Allah it'll happen. I guess this is what's meant by investment, where your money's liquid enough.

We spent nights and hours scouring through information online and off, looking and navigating at locations justt so that we know their orientation. Alhamdulilah! It's been a tiring excercise, with lots of arguements, but we managed to decide on something. Initially, we wanted to choose a flat nearer to Buangkok MRT Station, however, the flat'll only be completed in 3 years time, and we decided we did not want to wait that long.

I love Su, and it's no secret that I would do anything for her. She was so silly to think that the flat was a high price for a dowry. She's such a sweet girl. Even if she didn't ask, I would've done it. I hope to marry her soon so that we can start to make babies immediately! Insya Allah!

One thing that Su's mother said that I could relate to was that the cheap price of the unit we booked was our rezki. Insya Allah & Alhamdulilah, I think it makes alot of sense of that. I want Su to be as comfortable as she wants to be. She gets to keep whatever money she makes and she gets to have income from the unit in time, Insya Allah when we can get another property, and she would be flexible with her time.

Next item on the board would be her to take her driving test and be certified to drive on the road. I do not foresee prices of cars to go up anytime soon. Insya Allah, we will get a moderate salon car (sorry dear, I am pretty much against SUV's. Not for anything, but for their high CG. I think you've the pontential to be a speed freak!). Insya Allah, we'll pay full for it.