I want to capture my reno journey in peektures

Im excited about my new home but im suppressing all updates cos I have no photos to show =(

Anyways, Ive found a new shopping haven… guess where?

Industrial Estates!!!!! Haha, yup, not kidding at all.. it’s actually quite fun exploring these “god-forsaken places” with all that driving and interim stoppings.

Like wholesale food places in Woodlands area, which my family loves big time! 

Like hotels’ furniture at dirt cheap prices at Tai Seng area, and my all-time favourite shop which sells vintage and upholstered pieces in Bukit Batok… Love love love!

Yep, Im always on the lookout for good bargains & quirky finds! Haha.. n ive already bought a couple of stuff =)

Seriously, it’s so much fun than shopping at Courts or Best Denki or those big furniture chains. I literally walk through these shops without eyeing anything or stopping to check out something. I prob just go there to buy TV and fridge. Period.

I really hope to start documenting down my renovation journey (in photos!) soon.

Cant wait! Cant wait!

 

Just The Way You Are ~ by Bruno Mars <3

It’s been some time, but im still crazy over this song.. It’s my daily dose to ward off those insecurities and keep my spirits high =)

Love the MV concept.. the creative use of the cassette tape is just ingenious!

Lyrics

Oh her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they’re not shining
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying

She’s so beautiful
And I tell her every day

Yeah I know, I know
When I compliment her
She wont believe me
And its so, its so
Sad to think she don’t see what I see

But every time she asks me do I look okay
I say

When I see your face
There’s not a thing that I would change
Cause you’re amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you’re amazing
Just the way you are

Her lips, her lips
I could kiss them all day if she’d let me
Her laugh, her laugh
She hates but I think its so sexy

She’s so beautiful
And I tell her every day

Oh you know, you know, you know
Id never ask you to change
If perfect is what you’re searching for
Then just stay the same

So don’t even bother asking
If you look okay
You know I say

When I see your face
There’s not a thing that I would change
Cause you’re amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you’re amazing
Just the way you are

The way you are
The way you are
Girl you’re amazing
Just the way you are

When I see your face
There’s not a thing that I would change
Cause you’re amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you’re amazing
Just the way you are

###

and I love the version by the talented and lovely JS duo!

Renovation (in words, no pics)

Time to talk about my new house.  =)

[p/s: no photos cos im blogging in office, using office laptop.. heh]

One of the many things that’s keeping me busy. Busy because we gotta finish up all the renovation works by end July before BF goes for his knee operation for the 2nd time. BF is the supervisor of our renovation project cos he’s more aware of all the construction stuff since he studied Building previously. If it’s me, I think I wont even know if workers dont do a good job =S

Renovation (in general) 

No major works to be done. Thank goodness for the good condition the house was in when we bought it. Anyway, was really lucky and super fortunate to have so many lucky stars helping us out! Some stars include

a) BF’s father who was in the construction line and could converse with the maintenance agent (MA) in a language that permitted us to do the types of works we want to do. It’s all about cham siong-ing. Heh. I think if it’s us who do the talking, it will be ‘No.No.No.” all the way. Not forgetting, the MA agreed to help us with some repair works although it’s been way past the warranty period. =)

b) BF’s 4th Uncle who is an electrician and he will be doing re-wiring and fixing of fittings for us FOC. =)

c) Aircon man (BF’s father friend) who came to our new place twice just to take a look at possible areas to house the aircon compressors (the current location takes up 3/4 of our outdoor area. boo!)  He readily gave us a discount despite already quoting a lower-than-market price =) [and we got the MA to ok-ed the new location, though he said "open one eye, close one eye"!] 

d) BF’s mum who has been helping to sweep and clean the house (I did my part too!). She also helped to test the induction cooker to make sure that it is in working condition. She also bought 蚂蚁药to get rid of ants in the house (there werent many of them crawling around, but nevertheless, her intentions were much appreciated!] =)

Outdoor Area

Tiles are staying for good. Cos wood, even the best wood, are prone to termites since they are exposed to all types of weather.

Thinking of buying an umbrella, but oh my, are they expensive! The ones that we like cost between $800 to $1200 during GSS now. Anyway, they are a little too big for our little space so no brollys anymore. Shucks.

Cant wait for outdoor steamboat and bbq sessions, and cny & x’mas celebrations on the rooftop! =)

Bed

Too early to be shopping for bed frame and mattress now but how to filter these when all furniture shops sell beds and mattresses????

Anyway, both of us have set our eyes on the Slumberland TempSmart II 3600 mattress. Slumberland mattresses are so inviting!! And the pretty pretty bed frame which you can only find in Slumberland stores (not the subcontracted ones and definitely not those you find in exhibitions.)

But the whole thing cost $4k+. The mattress alone is over $3k.  How???

BF, nevermind the cost lar. We buy Slumberland ok?

Sofa & Cushions

Major headache of the entire renovation project. Need to speak to specialists. But I think my proposal will work. =) *fingers crossed*

Sponsors

We already have sponsors for some of the home electrical appliances! How very very nice of them! Thank you very very much in advance for your promised contributions people! Heh! =)

Ok, time for lunch now. Will be back with before-after photos soon!!!!

Learning to Treasure is an Art which All of Us should Master

Yesterday, I facilitated an interview with COL(Dr) Tan Peng Hui, who headed the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Team to assist in the recovery phase of the Christchurch earthquake. During his interview, he said something that struck me very deeply. He said,

“Though we witnessed the destruction and nature at its worst, we also saw humanity at its best.”

He totally gave a different dimension to the destruction which we read about/heard of from all the media reports.

He shared how the New Zealanders stood united during this ordeal, and helped one another despite suffering themselves. The aid contributed by several contries also showed the friendship and willingness to help amongst humanity.

He also shared with me that a  female New Zealander, who despite losing her home, was working alongside him tirelessly at the mortuary to help identity the victims of the earthquake. He admired her selflessless, for she continued to do her part, to contribute, to help her fellow New Zealanders, instead of dwelling in her own sufferings/misery. What breaks my heart was when he said that she went to her destroyed home, thinking what was it that she could and should retrieve.

What COL(Dr) Tan shared was truly enlightening. It taught us that nothing was eternal, and we should not take things for granted. And with it, it taught us to treasure and savour every thing and moment we have.

As what DPM Teo said in his speech at the Overseas Service Medal (OSM) ceremony yesterday, Singapore is fortunate that we have never met with any natural calamities. It is true. So true. But how many of us actually count our blessings?

When you hear of all the instabilities in the world today, you realise that your Prada and Chanel bags are inconsequential. These are not the things you will take it with you when destruction struck. But why are we still pursing these?

I guess, it is difficult for those who have never experienced such loss before to understand and practise the art of treasuring.  

But that said, we should always keep this in mind, and really try to put this in action. Do it, if we do not want to have any regrets.

I, for one, still have my endless desires, be it material or not. But I do (and will!) try to practise all the good values which Ive learnt and have been taught to me since young. To be level-headed, to be humble, to put others before self, to be appreciative and to give back to society whenever we can.

I hope whoever read this post will learn something from it.

Wedding Photoshoot….

… in Greece!!

Athens and Santorini?

Ok, it’s just an idea  …….. For now =)

Yay or Nay?

I say Yay!!!