Friday, June 29, 2007

Photos selection

Just went to select photos at the BS earlier and spent almost 3 hrs there. Was already feeling so tired and sleepy when we left but it was a fun session.

Most of the photos were quite well taken so we really had a tough choice to decide. We even met our photographer there as he was back after a photoshoot and waiting for someone. They kept saying out photos were very well taken and turned out very nice. Do agree la, but some dun look quite nice to me, probably coz of my headache that day.

And you know what, we spent an additional $2k+ on the photos and stuff.

Original package consists of:
1. 1 12x18 album with 22 digital photos, 4 metallic photos (total 30 poses)
2. 1 x mini 5R album
3. 1 20x24 framed picture
4. 3 x 8R table top framed pictures
5. CD for selected photos

This upgraded/ additional package will consists of:
1. 1 12x18 album with 40 digital photos, 4 metallic photos (total 63 poses)
2. 2 x mini 5R album
3. 2 x 30x24 framed picture (1 digital, 1 metallic) - upgraded from 20x24
4. 2 x 8R table top framed pictures
5. All 4R hardcopies of photos
6. CD for selected photos

Think I managed to get quite a good bargain and the boss also scared of me... hahaha. Abit heart pain to spend so much but once in a lifetime, else later regret also no choice.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

New neighbours

Our floor had only one occupant since we got our keys and we were glad to know that another couple moved in at the other corner of our floor last Sat. They were a young Malay couple whom we met when they came over to take a look, and while that uncle was trying to get them change the screws of their gates as well.

We were then invited to tour their house and were really impressed. We did pass by several times during their reno and suspected they were spending quite alot of money. Now that we have the chance to see clearly, we were quite right. Although din ask them about the total spent but from the look of it, at least 35k.

They had a TV wall and bought the same Samsung 40" LCD TV as us. The balcony's doors were removed as well and they had a raised wooden platform. The original study area now house a corner for dining while they fabricated a long sofa bench to go with the dining table. The area's tiles (black) were different from the rest of the living room (beige) and corned with string curtains. I like the look of the place and possibly the area I liked best in their house. The kitchen was so-so in brown tone and they hacked away the door and windows to lengthen the kitchen into the service balcony.

The bedroom beside the master bedroom was hacked and combined into one thus making the bedroom bigger and more spacious. They had a TV in the room too, for the master's football fever (btw he's also a Liverpool fan!) in the middle of the night! Now Web got one more kaki to talk about Liverpool!

Hopefully our house will be completed on time and we could start spending weekends there so keep the neighbours company!

TV for cosy room settled!

Had been thinking whether to get a cheaper LCD (no brand or ulu brand) or a CRT one coz thought can save some money. But after combing some shops, might as well get a reputable LCD TV coz the CRT TV really looked bulky and heavy and those ulu brands really cun trust. After much consideration, decided to get a Samsung 32" LCD TV for our cosy (or resource) room at a low price of $1239 (including GST plus free gifts).

Its the same shop where we placed our Samsung 40" LCD TV and sound system as they sell LCD TVs at dealers' prices which are much slower than anywhere else.

Went down with my colleague (who recommended me the shop) after work as he needed to check something there as I placed the order for the TV and check out TV racks for this TV. Told the boss din want to spend too much so he offered to sell me some of his older stocks at $50 but will bring down and show me 1st b4 I decide to get or not.

Parted with my colleague to buy some breakfast for tomorrow b4 slowly taking a train home.

Beware of break-ins!

Was at our new house on Sat to receive the goods and saw the workers painting. Meanwhile, we had our screws for the bolts of our gate changed as advised by an uncle who was doing it for the households there. He mentioned that 2 houses at Blk 307 were broken into whereby the burglar removed the whole piece of iron gate just by simply removing the bolts at the nine connectors of the gates and easily knock off the main door.

One screw inside a bolt took less than 3 secs (using a hammer and screw) to remove and in such a new and sparsely occupied neighbourhood, no one would suspect anything (the hammer noise). Its really scary as we listened and saw him demonstrated. Quite surprised that the government actually overlooked such details when making gates. After we spent about $155 for 9 screws in the bolts, we were advised to use good locks. Naturally after securing the gates, we need a good lock so it would not be cut off so easily.

Feeling sick...

Down with a slight flu (abit itchy nose) and headache, thanks to the recent absurb weather and hectic week (reno, work and more..). Having a headache as well today coz its that time of the month again. Cun take mc coz alot of stuff to be done at the office and should be quite busy until dunno when... Dun even have much time to blog these days, and now trying to catch up during lunch time and me covering lunch duty now.

The lightings have finally started installation yesterday while we took leave to supervise. Pris told us to be there at 9am and those people only slowly came by 10am. Wasted my beauty sleep... We also had the water heaters and doorbell installed and left while they continued the work after meeting up with the window grills guy.

We were then off to Compass Point to check out on the water fountain but found none to our liking. Will probably try to find one by end of June to save on 2% GST if possible.

Took a train down to Hougang and went to two shops doing curtains. Looks like we will not be able to start until the house reno is completed thus will have to check back again which shop we will buy from, to get them to do measurements. These two shops however got different ways of doing. One is to choose the cloth and design 1st b4 they will go and do measurements whereby the other one is opposite way. The 2nd one also has the flexibility to just sell and install the poles, without buying the cloth from them (which is the bulk cost).

We then stayed at the library and read magazines until we were both quite tired then proceeded for dinner. Borrowed 2 novels as well and hopefully got time to finish them amidst this busy period.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Need colour refresh and a break!

Met up with Pris last nite and finally confirmed design for our built-in wardrobe in the master bedroom and vanity cabinet for master bedroom toilet. The kitchen cabinets' design was the fastest and earliest to confirm quite some time back (in May). We also chose our paint colours for the walls, ceilings and doors as well as the pattern for the window grills.

We were told the house would only be completed sometime mid or 3rd week of July, which is very far from expected. No choice lor since we found such a big firm with so big clientele and our ID always so bz...

Paint works should start this week (Thur till Fri probably) and delivery of our lights and toilet stuff this Saturday morning. We will need to take leave on Monday to supervise and advise on installation. Would not want to risk any mistakes so its better to be there. I am left with about 3 days leave for this year, excluding 10 days to be brought forward. Worse come to worst, will eat into the 10 days and carry less over to next year. Meaning next year will have limited leave... Good thing I will still have 5 days of wedding leave to be taken this year so at least my honeymoon plans will not be affected.

My hair colour is fading and should be needing a re-touching soon. Also need a treatment as its becoming quite dry and frizzy. Hope got time to visit the salon probably this or next week.

Missed real shopping (instead of furnitures and electrical stuff etc.) and ktv! Been so busy with house stuff now and then, rest of the time need to nuah at home so got no time to really relax...

Monday, June 18, 2007

Busy weekend

Its been another busy weekend, went down to our new house twice, once on Friday evening and another on Sun afternoon. The tiles are more or less completed except for some parts at the side for the guest room. Should be completed by today I hope and capentry work can be started asap. We will be meeting Pris this evening to discuss on the wardrobe colour as well as choosing window grills. She was on leave last week thus we wasted one week again, hopefully everything can be completed within these 2 weeks so that our planned date for some furnitures can remain unchanged. We are trying to avoid taking leave on weekdays thus only got weekends to spare so hopefully everything can be delivered by lunar 7th month...

Sunday
Went to Rochor area with Web and my in-laws to shop for Guan Yin Statue and an altar table. Had glanced thru sometime back thus we more or less know what we are looking for. I only eyed one 2ft modern altar table coz the rest are too traditional (not so nice looking in a modern home). Luckily my wish was fulfilled else I would be damn upset for an altar table to spoil the look of my future home.

We then checked out few shops for a Guan Yin statue and eventually got a 18" one at $130 and other stuff like the incense bowl, lights, trays and cups for offering use. We had eyed one Guan Yin statue sometimes back but seeing it again, we changed our minds. It also cost more thus we got one which is pinkish and quite colourful. Initially was afraid the colour might run and wanted to get a pure white one but it might turn yellowish with incense burning daily thus gave it a miss. I still like the pink one so another wish fulfilled. It was said that we must buy something we like and pleasing to our eyes so at least we both like it.

The same statue was sold at a much higher price in one of the shops at Fu Lu Shou complex for at least double the price. Lucky thing we checked around 1st and eventually got it at one of the shops at Rochor Complex (dunno what name but its the one opp Fu Lu Shou Complex). Its also just next to the shop we got our altar table.

After ding dong here and there for almost 3.5 hrs, we left for Web's home in a cab and after a short rest, we took a bus to the Buddhist temple near our new home. They had wanted to put the Guan Yin statue there and listen to prayers until we move it back to our completed home but the temple said they dun have such a practice but we can bring it on either 1st or 15th of each month for a couple of days. We then rested abit b4 walking to our new house and took a look b4 heading back to Hougang.

We went to an optical shop near Web's house b4 buying dinner back as it was still early. I finally made myself 2 pairs of specs (very nice looking modern ones, which had been my dreams!!) and one modern pair for Web as well. The boss was quite good in understanding my taste and took out almost abt 20 pairs for me to try. I was deciding between 3 pairs eventually and took the 2 more unique and practical ones. I even told him if he take out more nice ones I will have a tougher time!

Had my eye examination and surprised to know that my degree had dropped 50 each side. He was asking if I had blur vision when I see near things then realised I did have this problem. I cannot read small prints very well recently, din realise my degrees had actually gone down instead of up... What a good piece of news!!

We then tabao some food back to Web's home to eat, watch some TV then I took a cab home. Quite a tiring day as we walked quite a lot today.

Saturday
Met Web at Toa Payoh to shop for electrical appliances (finally) at one of the shop my dad always go as their stuff (big items) are quite cheap. We got a Toshiba fridge at $718 and LG washing machine at $352 inclusive of delivery and GST, which was at least $200 cheaper than outside for each item. Also bought a vacuum cleaner, microwave oven and a toaster oven but realised later that some items were more ex than Courts but no choice, at least we dun have to cash and carry them.

We then took a bus to IMM and had quite a fruitful shopping trip (not so much for me anyway). Web managed to get a good bargain for a pair of running shoes at the New Balance Factory outlet store, a wallet for his dad for Father's Day (from me) and 2 tops from Espirit Factory outlet store for his sis (from me too). Web had also bought a watch for his dad earlier in Toa Payoh too.

Had dinner at Mac as we were too tired to walk elsewhere for dinner after so much walking around. We then took bus 52 from beside IMM back where Web alighted at MacRitchie Reservoir to change a bus and me to Bishan to change to mrt home.

Friday
Went to our new house to check the progress and heard from the workers that our main door is abit crooked and we should feedback to HDB to have it changed. Seriously not much hope on this but will probably try. They take ages just to rectify the faults we reported earlier in Apr after we got our keys and till now, not completed yet.

We then went back to Web's house for dinner and stayed to watch tv till ard 11pm.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Done my photoshoot!

Its finally Friday and a truly wet, rainy day!! Just had my photoshoot yesterday and luckily the weather was good (but damn hot!). Had a headache yesterday since I woke up and dun feel good during the PS but glad its finally over! In fact, afternoon time was quite bad as I was feeling giddy from the aftermath of the headache, then nauseous and cun eat much b4 going out for outdoor shots (ard 4pm+) even though I did not take my breakfast and lunch.

Had a total of about 4 outfits indoors, with my wedding gown, my evening gown, a rented Kua and of coz my ROM gown. It was quite fun if not for the stupid headache which must be there at the wrong time (probably kena aabit heatstroke coz I took pm off to search for a Kua the day b4 coz my BS does not have my size and too short notice to find one). The photographer was good as he was able to make us smile naturally very fast and easily. We had fun while taking the shots until I really feel sick. He even let me posed lying down so I can take a rest... haha. He tried to cheer me up coz said I looked to stone but dun help it coz really very torturing. Finally had a small break b4 we went out for outdoors shoot but that was probably the time I felt worst. Took a nap on the way thus felt better later on.

The make-up artist was good as she was very detailed, precise and patient. I especially like the eyebrows she drew and she dun even need to use face ampoules as her products already had the function (to keep make-up stay). Saved me $30 if I had used the previous one for my ROM! Her hairstyling skill was good too as I had about 4 different hairstyles for the PS. Made her promise she will do my make-up on my actual day and dinner!!

Left ard 5pm for the outdoor shoot coz they were considerate that I was having a headache thus pushed the timing abit later for the sun to settle abit. My outdoor gown was a dark green one with highlights of blue (those 2 colours tone type) as they dun have a suitable wedding gown for me. Those that I can fit, I dun quite like the design and probably went to fit too late that there was no time for alterations. I was so busy with house stuff until got no time to really plan for my PS so alot of stuff last min. Plus the BS also abit shorthanded thus probably din really had proper planning.

I also din manage to get my Kua there as they dun have my size and not enough time to get one in. Only realised I had not tried on any Kua until Tuesday when I was down with Xris, Peggy and sis. Good thing someone mentioned during dinner just nerby than we went back again to check. Peggy and Hui helped me to ask their BS and good thing both had Kuas for rental. Chose Hui's one eventually coz it fits better with room and much nicer in details. Its also quite worn out thus managed to negotiate rental to $60 from the original $80. Peggy's side was a new piece but abit tight and of a different design (more beads and sequins thus heavier) and not much details which cost $150. Already told the BS to try get me one by my actual day but seems like chances quite low. Will probably have to rent again (this time maybe from Peggy's BS coz its newer) coz I really like the Kua very much.

Had wanted to go Punggol beach for the outdoor shoot but the sky looks real dark so we changed to Sentosa instead. Went to a pond area and the Siloso beach then last to Fullerton area (bridge area) and we actually met about 7 couples along the way! Took us about less than 2 hrs to complete all the outdoor shots and called it a day. Changed back and removed my make-up at the BS b4 heading for dinner. By then my headache had gone and really opened my appetite!!

Walked abit at Chinatown after dinner and wanted to take a cab home as we were both tired but no empty cabs in sight and so many others were waiting thus still had to take mrt home.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

TV and sound system settled

Finally bought our TV set and sound system from a shop my colleague recommended. Spent about 3.9k in just less than 2 hrs! We got a 40" Samsung LCD TV (not latest model) which cost only $2,310 (including GST and free gifts)! This shop offers the TV at dealer's price as my colleagues patronises him alot. We also tested out a sound system which we were still considering to get or not but after hearing, we cannot be more convinced. The system cost ard 1.5k+ including a dvd player, 5 speakers, 2 speakers' stands and of coz the sub woofer.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Recap...

Haven't been blogging for almost a week. Somehow just couldn't find the time and mood for it. Alot of backlog now, let me try to recall...

After a busy day for my ROM, next came my bro's wedding last Tue. Woke up early in the morning for the tea ceremony and had wanted to catch some rest b4 the dinner at nite but got some issues with our tiles thus had to go down to select another set of tiles with Web at Marsiling. The one we chose (horizontal lines) had the prints quite crooked for the whole batch, thus the tiler had kindly pointed to us to have them changed as they wun look nice. Chose a safer one (random print) this time so should not have any problem.

Reached home ard 2pm+ and rushed to edit the photos during the tea ceremony for a surprise photo montage during the dinner. Me and sis worked till almost 4pm+ then quickly rush to prepare for the dinner. Had intended to leave by 4.30pm coz need to get to the hotel early for some discussion and preparations but ended up we only left at 5.30pm+ with my parents.

It was then busy all the way till after the dinner, to get everything in place and assigned duties to all the helpers. Was dead tired when I was home ard 12am (lucky the dinner ended not too late) and good thing I was on leave the following day.

Finally managed to catch 2 movies for the past 2 weekends - Shrek & Pirates of the Carribean. We were finally more or less relaxed now that most furnitures are settled and will be getting the electrical appliances by this month. Will be busy again this week onwards as we will start off by checking out LCD TV this Wed at my colleague
s frequently patronised shop. The shop owner is able to get LCD TV at dealer's cost which is quite substantial thus we will drop by with my collleague.

We still go up to our flat to check the progress and did some really hard work just yesterday to enforce the wrapping for the aircon units as we suspected they opened and used. No point complaining (we tried) coz the ID dun quite believed her workers will do such thing and we dun want to create any unnecessary unhappiness should she really scold them, coz we scared they will anyhow do our house from then on. Decided to best take care of it ourselves thus spent couple of hrs trying to wrap up the aircon units and switch nicely. Not easy during renovation as we cannot entrust the house fully to the ID.

Will be having our photoshoot this Thurs and going to take mc coz running out of leave. Need to save some for the reno work supervision (when the lights and toilet accessories etc arrived and to be fitted) and probably moving in time. Will be going down to my BS to try on my evening gown and hopefully my wedding gown. Also requested to change my make up artist coz the one assigned earlier really cannot make it. Dun think I want to risk an ugly face during the photoshooot.

Saturday, June 02, 2007

Officially Mrs Lim

The big day is finally over! I am now officially Mrs Lim but still not quite used to it. As sis was saying, cannot write "single" anywhere anymore...

Woke up early and left for the BS in bro's car as had arranged the make up to be at 9.30am. It eventually started at 9.45am and suprisingly quite fast. Changed to my ROM gown as Web arrived and we left for the restaurant by 11am. Needless to say, we were the earliest there and settled down while bro left to fetch sis and Peggy.

The guests soon arrived one by one and glad that everyone was punctual. The solemnisation ceremony started on time and within minutes, it was over! We then started lunch and the whole event took about 2 hrs+. Passed my pretty ROM bouquet to Xris instead of throwing coz everyone else is either attached for married (except my sis who is not keen anyway).

We then changed back to our clothes after all the guests left (except for Xris, Angeline, Hui, sis and Peggy) and bro drove us back to return the clothes for keeping till our wedding photoshoot in 2 weeks' time. We then went on separate ways (bro drove sis and Peggy home) and took a break b4 taking a bus down to Clementi then Jurong East.

* Thanks to Xris for being the camera woman once again (after Hui's ROM) and she sure took nice pictures!

Preview of my ROM flowers!

Took me about 1.5 hrs trying to assemble my DIY ROM bouquet... quite proud of my work!

Friday, June 01, 2007