Grateful 23 Feb: Convenience

Today, I give thanks for the many conveniences I enjoy in my daily life. Here are my three call outs for today:

• Amenities. I live in a condominium about 1.5 km from the nearest HDB amenities - coffee shops, a shopping centre, convenience stores, and so on. To some, this may seem far. For me, it is perfectly balanced: near yet far, far yet near. Let me explain. The amenities are located at a comfortable distance - far enough that I am spared the bustle and occasional rowdiness, thereby allowing me to enjoy peace and quiet at home. Yet they are near enough for me to walk there in about 15 mins. That short walk gives me the added benefit of exercise - something that I do daily. I am grateful for this balance between convenience and peace.

• Public Transport. When I bought my place 30 years ago, many felt it’s too ulu and public transport and amenities were inadequate. But that was precisely what appealed to me - the peace. I drive, so it doesn't matter, I thought. Since then, the area has transformed significantly. A housing estate has been built nearby, along with a uni and a biz park; and public transport has improved greatly. Yet the peace has largely been preserved, as main amenities remain a short but manageable distance away. I enjoy the convenience yet without the noise. There is now a bus stop and an MRT station within a 3 to 5 min walk from my home respectively. Best of all, the MRT line is underground. In Singapore, the vision is for residents to have access to an MRT station within 500 metres of their homes, and I am grateful to the urban planners for this thoughtful consideration. I have since sold off my car.

• Giving Feedback. I am thankful for the government’s launch of the OneService app, which allows us to report municipal issues easily. It channels feedback to the appropriate agency for follow-up action and is suberbly easy to use. Of course, the app is only as effective as the people managing it - and I must say the authorities are truly on the ball. Yesterday, during my afternoon walk, I noticed an unusual sight: a Chinese tombstone leaning against a roadside tree. It appeared abandoned. I used the app to take a couple of photos and submitted a report. This morning, I received a notification from NEA (the National Environment Agency) that the tombstone had been removed. They even sent a photograph showing it being removed last night (or early this morning). I was impressed by their efficiency and grateful that providing feedback is so seamless.

Much has changed over the 3 decades I have lived in this area. Transport links and amenities have improved tremendously, yet I still enjoy peace and quiet at home. For this balance - convenience without compromise - I am deeply thankful. I cannot ask for more.