Goodbye auntie..

Just heard from sis earlier that my auntie, whom was in the last stage of cancer, passed away around midnite this morning.

I feel sad coz I cun even go to her wake or send her off coz my wedding is just about 2 months away.

I feel very sad coz her husband just passed away last year, and her elder daughter quite a few years back. She got her Singapore citizenship and finally had her own flat a few years ago but she got no time to enjoy it.

She was a close relative of our family, especially to my mum. She was diagnosed with tongue cancer this year when she visited the doctor b4 she planned to go on a holiday. Of coz she din get to go afterall coz an operation followed as its quite serious by then and then she had to undergo chemo threatment. Heard from dad that her tongue problem (got a hole at the side) had been around for 3-4 years but she ignored it, thinking it was just some ulcers. By the time it was discovered, it was probably too late but we had thought she would be fine after the operation. Unfortunately, her cancer cells had already spread to the last stage.

Some time ago she was admitted to the hospital coz she felt giddy at home. Since the operation and chemo treatment, she wasn't able to consume food and became very thin and frail. Just days ago, heard my mum saying she cun even close her mouth or talk. I think they were expecting the worse but we din know it would be that soon. Probably its better for her as she would not live to suffer anymore.

My sis mentioned her pet hamster died just 2 days ago and my auntie had liked it quite alot. Perhaps its a bad omen...

Rest in peace auntie...

House updates

Our house is more or less completed, except for some items. We finally got the main hall TV and sound system installed last Saturday, plus setting up of the altar table in preparation of a moving in ceremony for the Guan Yin this coming Wednesday. Had to take leave again and had intended to go Ikea for some shopping but Web could only take morning off so probably I might come back to work too.

The room TV and sofa got delayed, the former being something wrong with the stand thus they need to change an unit for us. The L-shaped sofa was delayed coz Courts called to say the batch they received was out of quality thus they rejected and had to wait for the next batch. We have also yet to get our TV rack for the cosy room thus probably only that room is not completed.

We realised that the main antenna for the TV and radio was not turned on by HDB thus only requested yesterday. Thus we hanged around enjoying music concert DVD and MTV VCD last weekend at the new house, almost blasting the system. Several groups of people came by to look at the environment and hope they dun get scared off by us. The whole row of units have been taken up at our floor, except the unit opposite us.

Not much cleaning last weekend coz most of the stuff are in. I managed to trim the string curtains abit finally and they looked better, barely touching the floor than before. The glass door for our master bedroom toilet was also installed, together with the shower screen. Our ID also came by to collect payment last Sat and we paid all but the last 10%+, to safeguard our interest in case anything else is not done properly.

It was then shopping for household necessities on Sunday at Hougang Green 1st then took a cab back to our new house and out to Rivervale Plaza for dinner and to buy more stuff. At least basic stuff are in place now and hopefully we can start to stay over soon. Its then a busy time for us to slowly move our stuff over, which I anticipated will take quite a while for mine coz I have too much stuff.

Our regional IT meeting

Feeling quite tired after a half day meeting at our Tuas plant, back to office then to dinner with the regional IT group and almost like dragged myself to work today. We had in fact dreaded going to the dinner but no choice coz boss expected us to be there. The IT group consisted of IT directors and managers from regional countries who came for the annual IT meeting as well as the new CIO and VP of International IT who dropped by for a visit.

The dinner turned out unexpectedly fun though coz we had a team building cooking session b4 eating the food we cooked! There were 4 groups and each group were required to cook 3-4 dishes/ sauces then end of it, combined into a buffet spread. We were actually not quite hungry after the cooking but still have to support our own cooking and surprisingly the food were great!

The dinner ended ard 10pm+ and I took a bus with a colleague and changed to mrt home. The red wine made me slept quite easily last nite but woke up with a bit of headache. These few days will be quite peaceful as my boss is at the IT meeting all the way until this Thursday.

Tired...

Quite tired 2day as its that time of the month again... Woke up feeling damn tired and took a cab to office 2day. Been busy shopping for household stuff this week and managed to buy some bath and floor mats, as well as cleaning liquid for the bathroom tiles' stains. Wanted to get a set of cutleries for eating but decided might not get to use anyway so probably will just get them separately since I already got chopsticks (which will be used mainly), just need to add some food knives, forks and spoons.

Was also trying to search for an umbrella as I have lost mine in a taxi couple of weeks back. Was so careless coz hanged it at the window lever but forgot when I alighted. Had purchased one from Hang Ten again (the lost one was from Hang Ten at $6) at $10 (diff material) but one of the stick kept coming off when I used for the 1st time so refunded it. Hang Ten has this free rental for umbrellas so only need to keep the receipt and can return it anytime. After searching for 2 days in BHG (ex-Seiyu) branches in Bugis and Bishan, did not find anything nice, cheap, lightweight and durable. Ok la, asking abit too much if want it cheap but at least must get something I like and can last. Finally found a damn cheap one, size so-so but dun think will last, looked very pretty one at $4 in Toa Payoh yesterday. No choice la, just use 1st until I can find the one I want.

Additions to the house

Finally... most of the furnitures and electrical appliances were in yesterday except for some which will be delivered next Sat. We only have weekends so have to arrange everything in a day if possible.

We were at the house ard 9am as I bought breakfast, took a cab to fetch Web then to our new house. Had our breakfast, cleaned up abit and waited for the deliveries. The last cleaning the day b4 did not help much coz still quite dusty. The 1st delivery came at ard 10.45am, was our king size bed but they got one of the base wrong (comes in 2 pieces as one piece kind cannot go up to HBD flat) so did not fix up and will arrange delivery again.

The 2nd one was the installation of curtains which came ard 12.30pm, after Web went out to buy lunch as I took a nap on the floor (was having a headache due to lack of sleep these days), listening to mp3 from my handphone. It really comes in good use these days, as a form of entertainment. As they were doing the curtains, the altar table came ard 12.50pm.

The fridge then came shortly ard 1.15pm and we had lunch b4 the next delivery came. Most of them called us one day b4 but we cannot remember their timing, especially they usually specify from what time to what time... Next came the TV console at ard 2.45pm and they took a while to install. In between, our football chair set arrived, we finally have something to sit on! The dining table came shortly after at 3pm and took almost 1/2 hr more to fix up and some electrical appliances (washing machine, toaster oven, microwave oven and vacuum cleaner) came in between.

It then a long wait as we both almost fell asleep b4 the sofa set came ard 4.50pm. Another long wait followed as Web went out to buy some drinks while I watched DVD on my laptop, sitting at the dining table (quite shiok!). Next came the chest drawers at ard 6pm then at 7pm, the wardrobe for our guest room, tall shelf and study table for cosy room and side tables for our room arrived. This batch took quite a while to install and finished ard 8pm. One last arranged delivery (divider for living room and coffee table) was delayed and when we checked with the furniture shop, she could not get in touch with the delivery guys so will re-arrange.

We then started cleaning up abit as the whole house was quite dusty. I swept the floor after each delivery but we still need a good clean. I then vacuumed the floors while Web mopped. The floors were finally smooth after the cleaning while I bathed and we left for dinner ard 9pm.

Our living room view from the main door

View from the balcony

More pictures here.

House handover-ed... finally!

Woke up early, almost same as normal working day coz need to meet reno ID at our house, as well as to advise installation of fittings and paint touch-up works. Was there b4 9am and had breakfast at the nearby coffeeshop 1st as it started to rain quite heavily. My ID called to say she couldn't make it and will meet us this Saturday instead.

By then time we were at our house, the workers had already started work and we managed to advise them where to install the fittings and specified which area to touch-up then we took a bus to Rivervale Plaza for some shopping and duplication of keys.

Went back after lunch and the kitchen table top came and was installed. On and off we juggled between the flat and void deck (listening to mp3 on my handphone as entertainment to pass time) until almost at 7pm when they finally finished. They also cleaning for us and done quite well.

We then went for dinner at the coffeeshop again b4 going back to the house to do an additional round of cleaning for the floors. Managed to wipe some doors, mirrors and wall tiles b4 calling it a day as its getting late. Will be continuing tonite on the wall tiles and cabinets, b4 the furnitures arrival tomorrow.

Was dead tired by the time I got home and still feeling quite sleepy today... hopefully can survive tonite...

House matters

Sunday was spent meeting our insurance agent on our house insurance then to NTUC to buy standing fans for our house. Need to buy 1st as they will come in handy when we do cleaning after the handover. After bringing the fans back to our house, we went to Rivervale Plaza again to buy a ladder. Off to dinner after that nearby and took a bus to the nearby Flora orchard to check out fountains but nothing attracted us. At least we know they sell the kind of pebbles we were looking for and its more convenient for us next time.

Yesterday we were at the new house again, to wait for the lighting guy to come and check one light (at service balcony) which cannot light up. They had said ard 7pm+ and after waiting and calling them, the boss of the lighting shop finally came almost till 9pm and luckily managed to solve the problem within 15 mins.

It was then off to Web's house for late dinner as we were both rather hungry. Hanged around till 10.30pm b4 taking a cab home (sponsored by Web).

Most of the stuff are already completed by now, except the kitchen granite tabletop, fittings of accessories (taps, racks etc.) and touching up of paint on Thur. Our shower screen and gals door for bathroom will have to wait till next week...

If everything goes smoothly, we should be able to start partial cleaning on Thur evening to prepare for the furnitures delivery on Sat.

Tiring Saturday!

Busy day yesterday but managed to settle some stuff within one day.

Went to the Sengkang HDB Branch office at Rivervale Plaza to collect our letterbox keys, which the lock was replaced as we reported it as fault (mouldy and rusty). Our defects were not completed but we had requested to stop since reno is already almost completed. Lucky thing is that most stuff are already being replaced or rectified.

We then had lunch b4 going NTUC to get washing stuff so that they will be readily available once the reno is completed and handed over to us. We will then need to start cleaning up and washing b4 the furnitures and electrical stuff are in.

It was then back to our house to put the stuff as we waited for the electrician to come for the lights and electrical stuff which were still pending. Took almost 2 hrs for them to complete as we waited outside the flat. Managed to test out the lights and everything working fine b4 we left for Compass Point for some drinks b4 taking a train down to Harbourfront to settle the wedding banquet stuff.

There was a dinner but lucky we were early thus was able to discuss with the PR person there. Confirmed our invitation cards for printing and selecting our wedding flavours (no picture coz supposed to be a surprise!), plus settle some queries and collected our hotel voucher. Will need to arrange for food tasting in the 7th month since we couldn't do anything else at the house.

Front entrance of 88 Restaurant - where we will be holding our wedding banquet.

One of the nice chandalier lights - which attracted us to choose this restaurant.

We then went dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant at Harbourfront Centre and surprised that the food was actually quite nice.

The smoothie was damn smooth and nice too!

Actually this is the 1st time I tried Vietnamese food in Singapore coz I remembered the weird smell the 1st time I passed by one Vietnamese restaurant few years back and din want to try until now. The one and only time we had was in Perth when brother took us to in 2004 and its more chinese style thus stil tasted ok.

We then shopped abit at Vivocity b4 heading home. Today's going to be a busy day too as we will be meeting our insurance agent to discuss on house insurance then buy more stuff for the new house.

Family dinner

Finally had a belated Father's day dinner last night at a coffeeshop for some zhi cha. Obviously its not easy to organise coz brother is out of the country most of the time and on days he's around, dad has badminton games.

Bro, Peggy and sis had badminton too earlier in another cc with a friend of bro then came around to fetch me and mum from home. I had gone to the salon earlier right after work and only managed to do hair treatment within the short time. Will probably re-visit again next week to do colour treatment.

We had wanted to eat at the cc dad was playing badminton but the food dun look appetizing so we decided to change venue. Only when we were about to leave then realised dad was going back to the courts again after dinner. Should have just settled there and not waste his time. Anyway think he only needed to pack up his stuff like shuttercocks and nets, as well as to collect payment b4 heading home.

We then dropped him off back at the cc b4 coming back home. Showed bro and Peggy my unselected hard copies of my wedding photoshoot pictures as mum started getting excited over them again and viewed too.

Was then on the line with Web to discuss on reno stuff until almost 12am then headed to zzz...

Hong Kong Trip - 4 Jul to 7 Jul, 2007

The day b4 our flight, I reached home and managed to do some last minute packing then off to bed ard 9pm and slept till 3am. Woke up and get ready to leave home by 4am. Our flight is real early at 6.45am and as we were not able to check in online, need to be early to get seats together (and hopefully window seats).

Day 1
The flight was horrible as the sky was pretty cloudy, thus the whole journey was full of turbulence. We cannot even stand properly most of the time and had difficulty trying to digest our food.

Finally reached Hong Kong airport and proceeded to the airport transfer counter which I made prior booking. Realised then that the details were quite cork up as they got our hotel wrong, names wrong and time wrong... Finally managed to settle but it delayed our pickup time so only reached the hotel 12pm+.

Unpacked abit and were quite hungry by then but took a train down to Hong Kong Island to meet brother. He was in HK that day and flying off to anchorage the next morning and then back again to HK on our last day.

Had lunch at an eating place nearby his hotel which he frequented whenever he's in HK. We then started shopping around Causeway Bay area where his hotel was and proceeded to the Peak.

After spending some time admiring the nice view from the highest point, we proceeded to dinner at one restaurant - closely related to the movie "Forest Gump", called "Bubba Gump". The food and view was fabulous as we managed to catch the "Symphony of Lights" right in the restaurant! Will post pictures of food later...

Had to send brother back to hotel so he would have enough rest b4 his early flight at 7am+ thus we took a cab (cable car long queue as usual) down to his hotel and alighted together. We then continue shopping around the area and I bought a pair of birkenstock sandals in Sogo just b4 they close for the day.

Walked alot the whole day and we were dead tired by the time we were done with our showers. Watched abit of TV programme b4 hitting the beds...

P/S: It was quite fun meeting up in HK like that, which we dun really get to seeing him much in SG itself.

Day 2
Wanted to wake up earlier but lazed until 10am+ while 3 of us took turns to shower. Went to dim sum restaurant at Tsim Sha Tsui area, which we went b4 2 years back with Xris and the food was nice. It was about noon time thus waited about 20mins+ for a table and the food was truly worth the waiting.

Started off at the Espirit outlet just across the street but did not manage to buy much as the sizes were quite limited this time round. Walked to the nearby Yue Hwa Emporium to use the washroom and we kind of stuck for a while as it started to rain. Did not want to brave through it as the wind was quite strong too. Waited a while as the rain subsided and went into an Adidas shop just across. Spent quite some time there and I bought a casual bag while Peggy got herself a jacket.

We then shopped around Tsim Sha Tsui but disappointed that shops that we frequented last time were either gone or had limited stuff to buy. We then wanted to go for dinner at "Sweet Dynasty" that serves really nice desserts on top of cantonese food but its also gone. Had no choice but to proceed to Harbour City and finally ate at KFC. Their KFC mainly serves set dinner (with rice and chicken of coz) and we ate baked rice and japanese curry chicken rice.

Were quite tired then after so much walking around, plus the accumulated tireness from the previous night so we took a cab back to the hotel.

Day 3
Woke up abit earlier and we were on separate ways for the day. Peggy went to Lantua Island to visit the gigantic Buddha while me and sis went down to Shatin then Kowloon Tong b4 heading back to Mongkok to meet up with Peggy again.

Bought quite a lot of stuff this day and were already loaded with shopping bags when Peggy met us. We then went dinner 1st b4 quickly walked around the area for some last minute shopping.

It was our last night there thus need to pack abit. Peggy went to brother's hotel for the night and will meet us back at our hotel lobby at airport transfer pickup time.

We then packed after we showered and watched TV programmes until almost 2am+.

Day 4
Wanted to wake up early but not very possible as we slept quite late the night b4. Finally still managed to leave the hotel b4 12 noon (one less person to vie for the bathroom) and had lunch just opposite b4 taking a train down to Sham Sui Po.

Wanted to look for the toys street again but seemed like not much luck aft about 45 mins. Asked a few people but none knew where it was. Was there 3 yrs back and din manage to locate it again on subsequent trips. We then asked a youngster working in McDonalds and she really made our day! We finally found the street but too bad only had 45 mins left as we need to check out by 2.30pm. Only had time to spend in one shop which we bought stuff from there the last time. Din buy as much as last time but still managed to settle all the souvenirs.

Wanted to take train back but I cannot remember the direction, after walking under the damn hot weather for so long so decided to take a cab back since its very nearby to our hotel and time was also running out. Finally managed to pack the purchases in and checked out near to 3pm. Deposited our luggages at the conceige b4 making our way down Shanghai Street where it was known to have quite alot of wedding stuff.

We were walking down the street under the hot sun and I was already feeling abit of headache coming. Suddenly realised we reached Mongkok area and went into the Langham Place shopping centre for some aircon. Did some last minute purchase at Lesportsac (just cannot resist) then took a train back to our hotel and refunded our MTR cards. We were using 2 we bought 2 years back and were surprised still not expired but decided not to keep this time coz we wun know when we will be back again.

We then waited at the lobby for Peggy and shortly the transport came as we made our way to the airport. Took quite long this time as some people were late for pick up and was lucky to get seats together when we checked in. Too bad dun have any more window seats but at least we got a whole row of aisle seats for ourselves.

Had a quick dinner and shopping at the airport b4 rushing to our gate just minutes to gate closing time. It was then another bumpy flight and was quite disappointed when they serve dinner that they did not have enough choice of food to go around. They only has beef stew and chicken noodles but the latter ran out pretty fast and we were left with no choice but to take the beef stew (which me and sis dun take beef) and eat everything except the beef. Had then asked the stewardess to see if she could spare a set of chicken noodles for us when we saw them finding for some of the passengers who insisted on chicken. We were lucky that she finally got from the front but we only took one to share.

We finally touched down ard 11.30pm and proceeded for check out. Din know they know have automated machines but actually slower compared to human manned counters. The stupid sensor dun work well as some people need to scan in a few times and had to proceed to the counter for checking after several failed attempts. My thumbprint din go through so had to let the counter staff check (also dunno for what purpose) my passport.

It was then shopping for liquors, wines and beers and bought 3 sets of each. Sis and Peggy not getting any thus I used their limits. Wanted to buy some liquor for my wedding dinner but dunno what to get so got Baileys for own consumption and for Web's mum.

Reached home 12am+ and unpacked abit after shower then finally off to bed by 2am.

Off to HK tomorrow

Damn, cun check in online for our flight tomorrow as its not available for flights outside US. Will need to set off by 4am tomorrow morning and check in at the airport. Hopefully can get good seats.

Suddenly feeling pretty excited. Probably the excitement came abit late coz it was a very last minute planned trip, not enough time to generate excitement yet earlier... haha :P

Counting down

Will be off to Hong Kong in 2 days' time! Sort of last minute decided to go with sis and Peggy last week and quickly made travel arrangements within half a day. Managed to secure tickets at only $276 on UA (United Airlines) on Priceline and booked the MetroPark Mongkok (previously The Concourse) and airport transfer. All in all, it came up to only $590 per person, not bad rite? Also the exchange rate is rather good now, just as the summer sale starts, at $5.06 and sure gonna go down soon.

Will need to check in online tomorrow morning to secure good seats. Apparantly when I checked the flight last week, it was already quite full and surprised how come those people can check in 1st.

p/s: Just managed to scan in my photoshoot photos and it took me the whole morning! Really no regret on buying them coz all so nicely taken!!