Renovation - Week 03A Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Wednesday, July 30, 2008

For the last two days, Chiauw wanted us to be involved with her onsite discussions and supervision with the plumber, joiner and electrician.  At the same time, she wanted us to inspect the works that had been carried out so far. Right now, the renovation is still in the 'wet zone' - a term Chiauw used to cover works that involve hacking, tiling and plumbing.  Our new general contractors have already started to do their works levelling walls and erecting concealed bricks to the plumbing pipes. Before: Pipes at MBR to Shower Pipes...

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The Good Buys Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Monday, July 28, 2008

We learned that, sometimes, friends cannot give us a better shopping deal.  How much they care, and try their very best so that we can have a little saving, it is impossible unless they are the 'boss'.  We were rather fortunate as not to act on impulse to purchase some furniture last week.  We might disappoint our friend but, surely, he will understand the savings that we made - almost to a thousand dollars. Over the weekend, we decided to go to the store second branch - thinking that we might see different things here. ...

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For A Dear Friend ... Our Prayers Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Sunday, July 27, 2008

We understand the fear that you are going through.  How hard you have to keep telling yourself that everything is going to be alright.  The sadness that you have to keep in your pocket and pretending to be stronger for others.  The confusion of earthly security, the savior from life's disappointments, its assurance, the justice upon your life and the misery of this earthly life and the human love that ends in disappointment. We know that your every breath is filled with dreading thoughts.  And what a sad tomorrow it would...

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Different Strokes, Different Folks Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Sunday, July 27, 2008

It saddened us, in somewhat way, that SanMei decided to drop out of our project.  And, how this will affect Chiauw to find an immediate replacement to continue the general works where SanMei left.  We were shocked when the news came to us.  SanMei had completed with most of the basic works - hacking, erecting new walls and waterproofing.  The next task is to tile the kitchen and toilets.  For her to accomplish this, she has to work very closely with our plumber and joiner.  Plumbing is a delicate and intricate...

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The Kitchen Cabinet Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Friday, July 25, 2008

This is another headache.  On and off, we have been discussing about the style for our kitchen cabinet and it always ends inconclusively.  Thank goodness that we have earlier agreed on the general deployment of colour scheme [black and white] and the modelling shaped counter space work areas.  We also have decided on the kitchen sink and tap, kitchen hood and the island hob and the overall general placement of other kitchen stuffs. The Kitchen layout: Kitchen Layout Chiauw brought us back to Formwell at Sungei...

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Renovation - Week 02B Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Thursday, July 24, 2008

More renovation pictures: 01.  Beam at Main Entrance and Dining Area Am rather pleased with SanMei's work here. Beam at Entrance n Dining 02.  Beam at Dining and Inside MBR Beam at Dining and Inside MBR 03.  Re-positioning of door from Kitchen to Dining Room Repositioning of Entrance to Dining 04.  Floor Screeding at MBR Floor Cement Screed at MBR 05.  Concealed of Original Door to Guest Room We are planning to mount the aircon against the beam.  At the far,...

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Renovation - Week 02A - The Waterproof Test Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Thursday, July 24, 2008

The waterproof test, for the most wet areas in Reiki Sanctuary, is being carried out since yesterday morning.  For the next 48 hours, Chiauw will be on standby and she must be available immediately [together with SanMei] to resolve the matters should there be any leakages problems to our neighbour's ceilings downstairs. The purpose of the waterproof test is to ensure for long term durability, resilience, quality, strength and effective flooring solutions.  Chiauw has given specific friendly instructions to our neighbour downstairs. ...

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The Toilet Closure Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Alas! with one final visit to Toto showroom, we concluded the design ideas for the two toilets.  Chiauw is happy; William the plumber is happy and so are we.  We managed to solve all the technical problems and bring out what we really want from these two toilets: 01.  The right black and white flooring and wall tiles 02.  The right chiselled feature tile for MBR 03.  The granite black vanity top 04.  The boxing up and concealing of all the pipes 05.  The subtle ramp down at entrance 06.  The recycle wardrobe...

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.. to the Drawing Board 10 Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Monday, July 21, 2008

We are now into the third week of renovation and, still, there's not much works being done.  Though most of the walls have been hacked - and in accordance to the layout that we want it to be, there is little renovation change from week one. Chiauw is still, as this morning, not satisfied with the consolidated elevation works - both the flooring and some wall erections.  The consolidated problem is definitely delaying the waterproofing test again.  Waterproof/water test is important as it prevents future expansion and contraction...

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My Spirit Flies To You Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Sunday, July 20, 2008

Today, my prayers and Reiki are for Madam Tan.  Deciding to have a surgery can, indeed, be difficult.  With love and prayers from all your loving children, may you have a speedy recovery.  In our prayers, we hope you can find your strength. ...

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More Lighting Headaches .. Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Sunday, July 20, 2008

For most of the house, we have decided to use halogen bulbs as they are shorter in width and will not bring down much of the ceiling height.  We are still looking for the dining and balcony wall lights. Last Friday, Chiauw brought us to Vlux Lighting at Geylang.  Faced once again with the many choices, we could not pick the ones that we really liked.  However, we decided to have a hanging ceiling light at one corner of the house: Hanging Corner Ceiling Light The Choice - Either A or B: The Dining Light - Either...

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The Walnut Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Sunday, July 20, 2008

It started with the discussion for the wood divider in our MBR - the layout, the erection and the type of wood that we would eventually use, when we agreed to use a walnut finish for all the joinery woodworks in the house.  With exception to kitchen cabinets and the bedroom wardrobes.  The other joinery with the walnut finish will be for the two suspended TV consoles [MBR and Living], bed frame and side tables, study tables and cupboards and window benches We felt relieved that we could finalise another aspect of the renovation. ...

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Great Singapore Sale 4 Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Wednesday, July 16, 2008

We have been looking around for an LCD TV for our MBR.  When we accompanied a friend to get her LCD TV set, we learned - for the first time, about LCD 'hard panel'.  Basically, with such panel, should you try to lightly 'knock' on it with your knuckles, there will be no pixel interpolation [burst of blur image].  That salesman allowed us to knock on few of his other displayed brands and true enough, only Hitachi  L Series stood well with the test. We are not in favour of Hitachi - perhaps, cos there's not much Hitachi adverts...

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The Extra Mile Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Monday, July 14, 2008

I really must take my hat off to Chiauw.  She wasted no time and was at HDB Branch Office at 9 am this morning.  Instead of dealing with the Technical Officer, she requested to meet with the Head of Department instead. In a way, it was a good idea to sort things out with the Head and to have a much clearer process for our renovation - to all the Can and Can't. As it is, there seems to have lots of rules and regulations to HDB home renovation.  I guess, her meeting was about getting an approval immediately, to all the works...

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The Blessed Sunday Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Sunday, July 13, 2008

Universe has a strange way touching me today.  The stroke of love comes one after another.  Guess, when we open up, and surrender, the universe will return us with assurance.  That we are never being abandoned.  I feel loved. The Blessing One It looks like Chiauw never sleeps.  She knows that we are very concerned about the renovation after the discussion with the plumber and the general contractor yesterday.  We face with lots of limitations to achieve what we want for our two toilets - Guest and MBR. Limitation...

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Renovation - Week 01C Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Saturday, July 12, 2008

Together with Chiauw at the new house today, we spent the afternoon with the plumber, William and the general contractor, SanMei to discuss details on how to run the plumbing pipes and synchronize them with the floor tiles.  They were very thorough, discussing and pointing at all the design engineer possibilities so it works according to Chiauw's architectural design. Chiauw is a very detailed professional, a true architect.  She spotted unacceptable details - works that were done the past days, and quickly pointed out to SanMei to rectify. ...

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