Friday, August 31, 2007
I'm now counting down to the days that I am flying to Taiwan for a holiday. Boss approved my leave although I am involve in a rather big bid...but he says my colleague can help look at the "remains" of it. I am thankful for that.The plans are sorta up but still need to make some changes. I printed the itinerary but I doubt R read it YET! See see...even holidays destination and where to go...I have to plan. Need to figure out where is the underground shopping mall. It's said to sell cheaper things. >_<Anyway, the main idea is to go there and rest. I need some beauty sleep and some beauty products (was told there had loads). My plan is to go for a holiday w/o kids every year. =P Hopefully financially we are okay to do so. Oh ya, main problem we are going to have in Taiwan is reading chinese words. SO I guess BOTH R and I will probably be using more finger pointing instead of trying to read. Funny eh...it's a no wonder my kids speak terrible mandarin!
Thots of the DAY @
5:55 PM
Thursday, August 30, 2007
This is my first time trying to add photos into my blog. I'm pretty happy that I managed to put them in. So this is my 1st picture....my younger son...looking at his face, you can tell how cheeky he is!
Picture came out bigger than I expected but nevermind, it's better than nothing!
Here's my 2nd picture...my older son.
Aren't they cute looking?! *monsters actually!
Thots of the DAY @
1:58 PM
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
R got a job! yippee...means next yr got chance to go Europe?!? I really want to go far far away for a long long holiday. I guess most importantly is that if he is working means got savings. I will stop feeling so burdened. So can I go shopping now? *grin*
Thots of the DAY @
1:10 PM
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Finally manage to load up a new blogskin. Took me a long time to figure out how to! (Actually 2 days and a post in a forum to be exact. >_<) BUT I'm HAPPY. It's DONE!
It's actually pretty easy. Maybe let me put this simply to those who wish to try (I know! I know! this is easy for some, but not like "older folks" like me who is new to blogging!)
Step 1: Go to http://www.blogskins.com/
Choose a skin you like. Click on the picture you like. You can either download/save the html onto a notepad or just click open. Remember to choose "blogger" if you are using blogspot! (First remember to register yourself)
Step 2: Log into blogspot, go to template, then "edit template". Scroll to the bottom and click on "Revert to classic template" <-- this is very IMPORTANT! This was the part that got me stuck for a while.
Step 3: Copy the html of the blogskin which you downloaded OR opened in notepad, paste into the edit template portion. Wah lah!...your new blog skin!
Tip: if you wish to make changes to info in there. Do a "CTRL-F" and find the word. It's faster to make the change than trying to read the html.
Try it! It might work!
Thots of the DAY @
2:20 PM
Thursday, August 16, 2007
This is a very good article. read it. DID I MARRY THE RIGHT PERSON? During one of our seminars, a woman asked a common question. She said, "How do I know if I married the right person?" I noticed that there was a large man sitting next to her so I said, "It depends. Is that your husband?" In all seriousness, she answered "How do you know?"
Let me answer this question because the chances are good that it's weighing on your mind. Here's the answer. EVERY relationship has a cycle. In the beginning, you fell in love with your spouse. You anticipated their call, wanted their touch, and liked their idiosyncrasies. Falling in love with your spouse wasn't hard. In fact, it was a completely natural and spontaneous experience. You didn't have to DO anything. That's why it's called "falling" in love... Because it's happening TO YOU. People in love sometimes say, "I was swept of my feet." Think about the imagery of that __expression. It implies that you were just standing there; doing nothing, and then something came along and happened TO YOU.
Falling in love is easy. It's a passive and spontaneous experience. But after a few years of marriage, the euphoria of love fades. It's the natural cycle of EVERY relationship. Slowly but surely, phone calls become a bother (if they come at all), touch is not always welcome (when it happens), and your spouse's idiosyncrasies, instead of being cute, drive you nuts. The symptoms of this stage vary with every relationship, but if you think about your marriage, you will notice a dramatic difference between the initial stage when you were in love and a much duller or even angry subsequent stage.
At this point, you and /or your spouse might start asking, "Did I marry the right person?" And as you and your spouse reflect on the euphoria of the love you once had, you may begin to desire that experience with someone else. This is when marriages breakdown. People blame their spouse for their unhappiness and look outside their marriage for fulfillment. Extramarital fulfillment comes in all shapes and sizes. Infidelity is the most obvious. But sometimes people turn to work,a hobby, a friendship, excessive TV, or abusive substances. But the answer to this dilemma does NOT lie outside your marriage. It lies within it. I'm not saying that you couldn't fall in love with someone else. You could.
And TEMPORARILY you'd feel better. But you'd be in the same situation a few years later. Because... (listen carefully to this): THE KEY TO SUCCEEDING IN MARRIAGE IS NOT FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON; IT'S LEARNING TO LOVE THE PERSON YOU FOUND. SUSTAINING love is not a passive or spontaneous experience. It'll NEVER just happen to you. You can't "find" LASTING love. You have to "make" it day in and day out. That's why we have the expression "the labor of love." Because it takes time, effort, and energy . And most importantly, it takes WISDOM . You have to know WHAT TO DO to make your marriage work. Make no mistake about it. Love is NOT a mystery.
There are specific things you can do (with or without your spouse) to succeed with your marriage. Just as there are physical laws of the universe (such as gravity), there are also laws for relationships. Just as the right diet and exercise program makes you physically stronger, certain habits in your relationship WILL make your marriage stronger. It's a direct cause and effect. If you know and apply the laws, the results are predictable...you can "make" love. Love in marriage is indeed a "decision"... Not just a feeling .
Thots of the DAY @
5:28 PM
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
This is really funny. I just saw an email from a headhunter. She was enquiring if I was interested in a position. Hence, to entertain her, I told her to email the JD and position. When I read the next mail, I was shock. The position was for a XX mgr. First thing I did was to send an email back telling her that "I do not think I have the calibre". LOL. Weird eh.
Maybe I lack the confidence but I really think that I do not have that experience in that level to handle such jobs. There is still so much to learn, so much to do, so much to educate others (lower level), so much.... Every job brings about new stories in our life, new knowledge and especially new friends. I guess in a way, I am thankful for this current job. Boss is a nice man, some colleagues are really great to work with, etc.
Anyway, the latest update of my place is that I decided not to rent to my boss due to the timeframe and dust. So I can go ahead and decorate the way I want. Yeah! Plus I can get all the freebies from my cousin-in-laws. Now I am thinking of what colour I want my kitchen to be made. Probably black furnishing to match the sofa + dinning table. Then cream colour solid surface! Will look nice right?
***went for lunch***
During lunch I found out why my boss wanted to rent my place. He thought my new place was near the Festival Market, he mistook the place. I repeated my new place location and explain why I say DUST. Then he realise that I was right.
I also realise that I am not going to the company hands-on meeting because we have to meet with another company in a meeting at 3pm. Well, it's a pity, I really want to meet up with a gf and pass her her shoes she purchased online. Guess another day bah.
Thots of the DAY @
11:53 AM
Friday, August 10, 2007
Current our list of items:ID - still sourcing $7k - $8k
The debate I have still is whether to make solid surface or just normal postform. R prefer solid surface, dad prefer normal postform. I think I have decided not to make top cabinets.
Then the next issue will be painting. I wish to paint cos it's cheaper but dun wish to make my dad and everyone tired just to save that $500. But $500 can buy very good meals leh. So howz?
Living Room
Sofa - Brighton (might change the current one we order to another one) $299
Dinning table - Brighton (will be changing to the one offered by my relatives) $299
Coffee table - Brighton $99
TV consol - TBA $XX
**Now have an FOC TV consol, it matches with the coffee table at our current place. If we take both, means we will have a furniture voucher. Argh!
Kitchen
Washing Machine - Brandt (2nd hand, 4 yrs old from relative) FOC
Fridge - Samsung (2nd hand, 4 yrs old from relative) FOC
Hob & Hood - TBA (eyeing Cuizino, either from Poh Joo or Asia Excel) $600
Sink - Poh Joo $135
Mirrorx2 - Poh Joo $50
Bedrooms
Wardrobe - TBA (deciding between building & buying) ~$500 - 1k?
Queen size bed + mattress - XQZT (2nd hand, 6 yrs old) FOC
Single size bed x1 - Dun Know (2nd hand) FOC
Misc
Lighting - TBA (eyeing Chan Huat, 12 lights) $600
Aircon - TBA (eyeing toshiba/Mit-E, from XXX pls read below.) $2,000 max
Total budget - $15k
Thots of the DAY @
5:36 PM
I love to own a induction hob but when I saw the price, my jaw dropped. It cost more than $1.5k!!!!
Saw this:
Induction Hob (Brandt) : http://www.callde.co.uk/brandt_ti312bt_induction_hob.asp
But I guess I got to go for budget.
Cuzino Hood: http://www.apsgroup.com.sg/APSLifestyle/cuizino/NC398X.pdf
Cuzino Hob 1: http://www.apsgroup.com.sg/APSLifestyle/cuizino/P83VCBGM.pdf
or
Cuzino Hob 2 : http://www.apsgroup.com.sg/APSLifestyle/cuizino/P83VCGSS2.pdf
If Cuzino Hood + Hob 1 = $600+
If Cuzino Hood + Hob 2 = $500+
My worry is that they run out of Hood NC398X, and I have to buy NC598X...then have to add another $100+ to each of the quote.
Thots of the DAY @
5:23 PM
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
These are two quotes that I have so far (actually 4, 1 hasn't submit, another I dismiss long ago)
Baroque D.zign Pte Ltd
A) Professional Services
1. Design & site co-ordination
2. Space planning layout plan
3. Perspective drawings on all carpentry works
4. Warranty of workmanship & after sales services for 5 years
5. Arrangement for PUB gas pipe installation
6. Consultation on selection of lights, furnitures & accessories
Total Amount : F.O.C
B) Masonry Works
1. Supply & construct kitchen cabinet base with matching floor tiles (1 Lot - $180)
2. Supply labour to uplift sand, cement & materials to unit ( Haulage Loading ) (1 Lot - $200)
Total Amount : $380.00
C) Painting Works
1. Supply & apply 03 coats of ICI Dulux or Nippon paint to all internal walls & ceilings ( max. 8 colours ) (1 Lot: $1000)
2. Supply & apply ICI gloss paint to all water piping, gates,doors, door frames & sewage pipe (1 Lot: FOC)
3. Supply & revanishing of existing main door (1 Lot: FOC)
Total Amount : $1,000.00
D) Plumbing Works
1. Connect inlet & outlet piping for kitchen sink or washing machine (2 set - $180)
2. Supply labour to install accessories @ both bathroom (1 set - FOC)
3. Supply labour to install storage heater (1 nos - $100)
4. Supply labour to install kitchen sink (1 set - FOC)
Total Amount : $280.00
E) Miscellaneous
1. Supply & lay protection sheet (1 Lot - $150)
2. Clean up whole unit with chemical (1 Lot - $250)
Total Amount : $400.00
F) Custom Made Build-in Furniture - All laminates from Germany or Italy with solid ply wood Kitchen Area
1. Design & fabricate top & bottom kitchen cabinet in laminate finish c/w 04 sides ABS trimming swing doors, chioces of drawers, cuttlery tray, 02 pcs of glass panels & designer handles (29 ft - $2900)
2. Supply & install stainless steel dish rack with hydralic system & glass panel (3 ft - FOC)
3. Supply & install solid surface worktop for kitchen cabinet (14.5 ft - $1015)
Total Amount : $3,915
Grand Total : $6,395
HO BEE
A) General Works
1. Suppy sand and haulage material to door step ($200)
2. Clear debris off site ($150)
3. Chemical washing for whole unit ($100)
4. Provide floor protection using corrugated paper ($100)
Total Amount: $550
B) Mansonary Works
1. Construct 50mm height kitchen cabinet base ($200)
2. Construct 50mm height fridge & washing machine base cabinet base ($200) <-- to remove
Total Amount: $400
C) Plumbing Works
1. Labour fee to install sink in/outlet piping ($120)
2. Labour fee to install 1 set storage water heater ($120)
3. Labour fee to install accessories (1 man day) (FOC)
Total Amount: $240
D) Painting Works
1. Supply and paint 2~3 coat (ICI/Nippon) paint for whole unit wall and ceiling in selected emuision paint (4+1 colours) ($1050)
2. Suppy and paint whole unit door frames and all piping in gross paint ($120)
Total Amount: $1,170
E) Alum Works
1. Fabricate and install (S) balcony power coated alum sliding window ($400)
Total Amount: $400
F) Carpentry Works
1. Fabricate and install top and bottom 32ft lamainte kitchen cabinet c/w ABS trimming, handles, drawers, s/steel dish tray and 2 glass panel ($3040)
2. Suppy and install 15ft solid surface kitchen work top ($1050)
3. Fabricate and install 5.5ft full height laminate casement wardrobe for master bedroom ($1,100) <-- to remove
Total Amount: $5,190
E) Electrical Works
1. Labour fee to install 14 set lightings fitting ($140)
Total Amount: $140
Grand Total: $8,000 (Discount $90)
But after removing the wardrobe + WM & fridge base = $6,700 ($90 discount), to add shower screen in toilet, estimated $450 = $7,150
Thots of the DAY @
2:37 PM
Monday, August 6, 2007
My list of HDB defects is long long long. Maybe the fact that I went on my knees and check every single tile and parquet. R says he submitted the list, dun know what he write, will see the list when I go home. Current our list of items:
ID - still sourcing $7k - $8k
Living Room
Sofa - Brighton (might change the current one we order to another one) $299
Dinning table - Brighton (will be changing to the one offered by my relatives) $299
Coffee table - Brighton $99
TV consol - TBA (If taking relatives dinning table, will probably use the $$ to get from Brighton) $XX
Kitchen
Washing Machine - Brandt (2nd hand, 4 yrs old from relative) FOC
Fridge - Brandt (2nd hand, 4 yrs old from relative) FOC
Hob & Hood - TBA (eyeing Cuizino, either from Poh Joo or Asia Excel) $600
Sink - Poh Joo $135
Mirrorx2 - Poh Joo $50
Bedrooms
Wardrobe - TBA (deciding between building & buying)
Queen size bed + mattress - XQZT (2nd hand, 6 yrs old)
Single size bed x2 - Dun Know (1 from condo, 1 new from relative...long story)
Misc
Lighting - TBA (eyeing Chan Huat, 14 lights) $600-$700
Aircon - TBA (eyeing toshiba/Mit-E, from XXX pls read below.) $2,000 max
Total budget - $15k
AIRCON QUOTES (AS PER BELOW):
NON-INVERTERS
ALL BEST (Bernard):
Toshiba - $1,639
Mit-E - $1,875
Gain City (both IMM & AMK gave me this quote, anyone got cheaper?):
Toshiba - $1,909
Mit-E - $2,049
Hong Tar (TIM - dun know which branch):
Toshiba - $1,780
Mit-E - $1,900
Hong Tar (Tampines):
Toshiba - $1,900
Mit-E - $1,900
Cool serve:
Toshiba - $1,760
Mit-E - $1,860
**Length of refrigerant pipe more than 15 metre per fan coil are chargeable
Kaisoon:
Toshiba - ???
Mit-E - $1,870
Thots of the DAY @
2:12 PM
