This Brings A Smile To My Face Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Tuesday, September 30, 2008

I was not supposed to go down to Reiki Sanctuary today.  For obvious reason - as there will be no major progress since last Saturday.  Uncle Chong's carpentry things will not be there till end of the week.  However, Chiauw emailed prompted me to do so.  In her email, she mentioned that the Franke Island Hood had been delivered.

On my way to work, I decided to make a quick visit.  It would also be a good thing to see if the mess had been cleared.  It was one of the things discussed last week.  Ah, surprisingly, the place is a littler neater!

Anyway, what caught my eye today, and one that brought smile to my face was this poster!  It reminded me of Ranjit.

Indian Classical Dance Poster

So, here a message for you, Ranjit:

I decided to do some charity.  It's $50 monthly hor .. and not sure, how long you will master it oso ler.  I have enrolled you for the Indian Classical Dance class.  Perhaps hor, going back to roots will help you not to be so albertish ang-mohish.  *ahem*, what you think I say, Ran?

And don't get me to enrol Albert for the Indian Folk Dance hor!  That's for 'Boys' only!'

Hehehe, Namaste to all my readers!  Happy Holidays.

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For The Record ... Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Sunday, September 28, 2008

I must have the vision to see my potential
and faith to believe what I see.
The courage to act with conviction
to become what God meant me to be.

Surely there must be something for the delay.  Surely there must be something for the hiccups.  For all that is to be, we can only put our focus, our desires and wants, as promised yesterday.  We want all jobs that were discussed yesterday to finish as scheduled:

29 September, 2008

-  Chiauw must contact Blum to enquire for Blum Aventosen system.  The size of our top hung kitchen cabinet, according to Uncle Chong and Daniel [from Formwell]  is too big.  As such, the Blum Aventosen may not be able to take the weight.

Until Chiauw can get the confirmation, the top hung kitchen cabinet project is temporarily suspended.

-  Uncle Chong must start with the rest of the kitchen cabinets.  He must submit measurements of drawers to Daniel of Formwell by 30 September, 2008.

30 September, 2008

Daniel should have received the measurements from Uncle Chong. 

03 October, 2008

Uncle Chong is to finish all the wood works in the Guest Room.

08 October 2008

-  The Master Toilet must finish.  The parquet guy must have installed the woods for Uncle Chong to erect the vanity top and drawers.

Master Toilet Floor

-  Daniel is to deliver all the glass kitchen drawers to the site.

10 October, 2008

Uncle Chong must complete all works including wardrobe at Dining Area.

As I advance confidently in the direction of my dreams
And endeavour to live the life I have imagined,
Success will come to me unexpectedly in common hours

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Dust In The Wind Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Sunday, September 28, 2008

It is somewhat surprising that, until a crisis happened, so much can change.  Complacency springs out of the pages and new events are quick to present with achievements.  A crisis should not be taken negatively.  Yet while it is often true that it stirs the emotions, generally hold with ill feelings and effects, it has to be recognised as one of the most telling contributory factor in any eventual victory.

An effective change is said to produce result after a crisis.  It proves to be effectual in bringing actions.  It jolts every molecule out of our system.  It brings higher vibrational consciousness.  It sets for deeper awareness.  It mobilises the inertia of an entrenched bureaucracy.  All decked out for the soul to learn the energy alternative out of comfort zone.

Yesterday, we received an early morning call from Chiauw.  She informed us that she had arranged a meeting with Uncle Chong and few other trade contractors at 10 a.m. at Reiki Sanctuary. 

Hmm, how an event - from our email yesterday, can accelerate a straight line motion for actions.  When we arrived, there were 12 workers already busy doing their own stuffs at different places throughout the house. 

In the Living Room, where it was converted into a mini conference area, there were Chiauw, Uncle Chong, a personnel from Formwell, the electrician supervisor and painting foreman.  Later in the day, the parquet and glass guys came to get briefing from Chiauw.

All eyes were drawn to these drawings:

Design Drawings

More Design Drawings

We greatly appreciated their attendance.  Though the meeting was filled with angry voices at times, more often between Chiauw and Uncle Chong, it ended with one common understanding and goal. 

The understanding that renovation works in Reiki Sanctuary were long overdue.  And a goal that there must be, and should have, a date for everything.  It was a good day for all of us.  It was a day to achieve an optimal result.  Surprisingly, the workers worked a full day on a Saturday.

Do we work better under stress?  Looking at the many achievements in one day, the answer was probably 'Yes'.  We were glad to be there.  Though we didn't fully participate in the meeting, as it was rather technical, our presence was either to confirm certain details and to go ahead with the works [despite some technical site problem] or to drop off an idea. 

When we were not participating in the meeting, we managed to interact with the workers.  Their works will determine the outcome of higher quality that we anticipate.

By four in the evening, we saw transformation.  Pressure can really work wonders!

01.  Balcony area cleaned up and surrounding walls going through final coat of paint.

Balcony - Wall Light n Paint

02.  Guest Toilet's lights fixed

Guest Toilet Lights

03.  Living room walls had the final coat of paint.

Living Room Final Paint Coat

04.  Master Bedroom lights fixed

Master Bedroom Lights

05.  Master Wardrobe glass door fixed.

Uncle Chong will change the shelves into a hanging area next week.

Master Wardrobe

06.  Master Wardrobe inside Study area fixed. 
Uncle Chong will also change the shelves into a hanging area next week.

Master Wardrobe In Study Area

07.  Master Bedroom TV Console rewired

TV Console in Master Bedroom

Recycled Wardrobe and TV Console

08.  Sliding Door in between Master Bedroom and Study Area fixed

Sliding Door

09.  Master Toilet's lights fixed

Master Toilet Lights

10.  Wardrobe in Study area fixed

Wardrobe in Study Area

11.  Study Table

Chiauw forgot about the top hung study cabinet.  Uncle Chong will have to remove the shelf and to install a cabinet.  Chiauw must hand in the drawing to Uncle Chong by Monday.  As this modification is last minute, the cabinet has become low priority.

Study Table and Window Low Bench

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Fireworks Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Saturday, September 27, 2008

It started with the truth.

Yesterday, the first thing we did when we reached home after inspecting the site was to send an email to Chiauw.  Our intention, and for the very first time, was to express our disappointment.  We decided to express the truth.  That we didn't want the renovation progress to drag any further.  That we wanted Chiauw to commit to us a handover date. 

We felt by putting the pressure on Chiauw, it would cause a chain effect.  She would call Uncle Chong and to insist for his completion date.

On our part, and based on the earlier committed schedule, we have confirmed the deliveries for Thursday and Friday.  We have scheduled our move on 6th October and we are supposed to hand over Hertford on 8th October.

Looking at the situation in Reiki Sanctuary, there is no way we can achieve the deadline.  There is no way that the deliveries can be done as there would just be no clean area to place all the bulky items.  Even the Master Bedroom, which was supposed to be completed by 20th Spetember, was in a big mess.  The parquet floor was still covered and dusty.  There are still no lights inside the room.  There are still no proper vanity and sanitary.  The wardrobes are with no doors.  The sliding door separating the Master Bedroom and Study area is not fixed.  And the study top cabinet is, conveniently, forgotten.

The Female Fireworks

Within half an hour after sending the email, Chiauw called us.  We accepted her apologies.  She admitted that she forgot about the study top cabinet and there was no drawing given to Uncle Chong to construct it. Next, she shared with us her working problem with Uncle Chong.  She told us that she could not get any other trades to do anything until Uncle Chong completes his part.

On our part, that issue had settled in the previous meeting.  What is important is the question of responsibility - who should shoulder what?  We suggested that that she should call Uncle Chong and passed him about our concerns.

The Male Fireworks

Next, we had to handle Uncle Chong.  Chiauw had called him after her conversation with us.  She must had mentioned for a meeting.  He called us to refuse a tripartite meeting and insisted that it would be best for him to contact us directly. 

Perhaps, it was a better choice.  There were just too many unpleasant remarks made about Chiauw's modus operandi.  Before we could get him to commit the completion date, we had to listen to all his disappointments with Chiauw.  Not to aggravate the situation, we just listened.

Guessed Uncle Chong just needed to let off his steam too.  At the end of it, we managed to get him to verbally commit us the completion date.  Though we were not fully happy, we told him that we just have to accept the few dates.

The Aftermath

Other than getting some dates, our problems are not solved.  We are still back to guessing game.  For now, we are targetting 20th October.

We need to re-schedule the deliveries.  However, we are just wary if the mover can accommodate us on the 20th.

We wonder if both Chiauw and Uncle Chong understand our problems - that the longer we are to stay in Hertford, the more rent we have to pay.  This is an unnecessary expense and we could actually use it to get better things.  How about Reiki Sanctuary's neighbours?  How long more must they endure the noise, the dust?  How about our other plans?

A thought did cross our mind.  Should we get compensation should the project is delayed again?  Perhaps.

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Walk With Me Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Monday, September 22, 2008

Dear Uncle Chong,

Please walk with us again and, please please give us more reassurances. 

We were a little shocked when we went down to the site yesterday.  We are not complaining about the quality of your works but we observed that the joinery works in the Master Bedroom / Study Area and the Living Room TV Console were far from completed.  Our heart dropped and the next thing that popped in our mind was the big question if we can move in as planned.

Didn't we agree that the works should finish on Saturday, 20th September? 

What happened, Uncle Chong?  Yes, you deployed most of your workers and we saw eight of them working at the site on Thursday last week.  Yes, we also agreed with you that there is a huge amount of joinery works.  However, you had been briefed and agreed to undertake the project.  Plus, we had made 70 percent payment.

This week, you should be doing our kitchen cabinet and the joinery works for the Guest Room and the Dining area.  We hope that works at the site can start as soon as possible, preferably on Wednesday.  That will give you ample time to finish by the following Tuesday, the latest.  It is also the date that you had promised us where all the joinery works in the house should be completed.

You see, Uncle Chong, we are getting very worried - again.  We must admit that we are rather new to all these joinery works and, pardon us, if we sound rather apprehensive.  At the look of it, just for the works at the Master Bedroom and Study area, we figure that it will take more than two days to complete.  There seems to be a lot more works not done yet.

Can all the joinery works in the house be completed by 30th September as promised earlier?

These are the changes that need to be rectified:

01.  The entrance to the Master Toilet

We decided to do away with the double panel.  The Recycled Wardrobe will stay but the wood panel at the vanity area need to be taken off.  It is just ugly! We want it to be replaced with a half length, from floor to top of vanity, with a 12 mm clear glass.

MBR Toilet

02.  Master Wardrobe

We need more space for hanging our clothes.  There should be another hanging pole at where the drawers are.  You need to cover the existing holes.

MBR Master Wardrobe

03.  Suspended TV Consoles at Living Room and Master Bedroom

Just for the record, we just feel that the consoles are too low from the floor and they don't look 'suspended'.  However, after you had explained to us about the 'hollow' wall, we will accept them.

Living Room TV Console

Uncle Chong, you need to know that there are still few outstanding works that need to be carried out after your completion.  Chiauw needs few days for other trades to commence works.  These are other works waiting till you are done:

01.  The granite guys to install the granite for the vanity tops at Master and Guest Toilets.
02.  The plumber to install the tap mixers.
03.  The ceiling guys to fix the false ceiling at the entrance of the study area.  This is an extra work as you needed to open the false ceiling to lay tracks for the sliding door.
04.  The electrician to lay socket points at where you have created the flushed walls.
05.  The painters to give the final coat.
06.  The last vanishing to the chengal wood.
07.  The installation of the main gate.
08.  The installation of the kitchen sink, kitchen hob and island hood.
09.  General clean-up before Chiauw can finally hand us the house.

We hope you can understand our problem.  We have to vacate our place by 6th October.  Definitely, it will cause great inconvenience to move in when the house is still in a big mess.  We also don't wish other renovation works to be carried out when we are staying there.

Yours Sincerely,

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... And The Countdown Begins Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Friday, September 19, 2008

Ma!!!!!!!!! It's mess again!!!!

Now that we get a clearer direction and a firm commitment from Uncle Chong, we are making plan to move out of Hertford on 6 October.  We have managed to get an extension of stay here in Hertford up to 8 October.  Though, we need to pay rent for over staying.  Also, we decided to be part of  the Yellow Ribbon Project by engaging the mover.

Since the mover has given us the boxes, it is pack, pack and pack days ahead.  It wasn't easy when we started to pack.  We tend to get sentimental almost at all the items and kept contemplating whether to bring them over to Reiki Sanctuary.  It slowed our packing.  It got us emotional.  It brought back alot of old memories.  It is often a natural human behaviour - when attachment has become a life, the letting go is hard.

It just needs someone to jolt you.  Was taking a break and chatted with the young wise friend and these statements were made:

JH  :  Out with the old.  Old one don't go ... new one don't come
How true!! -  It's Law of Vacuum!

The mess in Hertford now:

Pre Move Mess

Pre Move Mess

Pre Move Mess

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Renovation - Week 10A Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Thursday, September 18, 2008

Less Talk, Action More.

Guess when we take charge and stay focus in what we are looking for, the Universe opens a path of co-operation and stacks positive circumstances around it.  We were rather disappointed with the progress last week.  We were not given any firm indicative date when the joinery works will be done.  We need a date so that we can plan for the next course of actions.  There was always it-takes-xx-number-of-days to complete.  Without a date to focus, it makes a chain of flimsy and loose tail end.

The main door that was scheduled to finish last week was not done.  That triggered in us to act - not to be angry but to start the link of communication.  It will not benefit any of us to stay quiet, working and planning within our own perimeter, when every party has to co-operate.  There must be teamwork and interaction to work cohesively to achieve the goals.  And importantly, to have peace of mind in carrying out each of our duties.

We decided to let Chiauw and Uncle Chong know of our worries on Monday.  Where we are right now, there are outside forces beyond our control.  That we have our concerns.  That we have our plans.  That we are faced with problems too.  While we have resigned to the fact that Reiki Sanctuary is not progressing as scheduled, that delays are inevitable, it cannot delay forever.

We are glad that we made the proactive decision making, though we may look like the bad guys.  When it's all been said, there are just so much co-operative effort and together everyone achieves more [Team] now.  We were down at the site yesterday.  There were three different trade workers - the tiler, the joinery contractors and electricians, doing works simultaneously.  The basic structure for the Master Bedroom wardrobes were every where in the house.  That's a good sign as the installation will soon be erected.

Ah, and the main door has been changed!

Our New Main Door

New Main Door

Other works in progress:

Guest Toilet Boxed-Up

Guest Toilet Boxed-Up Left

Guest Toilet Boxed-Up Right

Master Bedroom Slate Divider

Master Bedroom Wood Divider - at Entrance

Divider Close Up

Master Bedroom
- Boxed up of wall behind bed area

MBR Bed Wall Boxed Up

Study Table and Low Window Bench

Study Table and Low Window Bench

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Going Home Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Wednesday, September 17, 2008

As I walk my life on earth ...
Reflection: in Solitude, in Abundance .. Magnificent Life

Part Two: 
When I Am Home

Mist

In Going Home, we need to have a shift in paradigm of mind.  We need to recognize the BIG questions.  Who am I?  What is it that makes me act myself?  Who or what controls my actions and make me do things that perpetuate my existence?  What is the material nature of I?  Is I in me or outside me? 

The cause of our vulnerability - our hurt and rejection, lie not in our stars or in the twist of fate but in ourselves.  The paradigm of mind is about recognizing reality.  What we see around us is a reflection of our own vision, and happening, because we are trying to visualize us from outside.

Part of Going Home is about living today as though it is our last day.  We make good of what we have now.  We do away the feeling that there is always something can wait .. something to be gotten through first .. some unfinished business .. time still to be served .. or a debt to be paid. 

We should not let our soul regret the things that we have wanted to do.  To accomplish.  To give and provide.  Not for others.  Not for the chains of seeking man's approval.  Why chase after something that we can never get enough of and that will never satisfy?  Do it because we want it.  Because we appreciate it.  Because we don't want to leave behind a life with regrets.

Live today as though it is our last day.  We cannot keep telling ourselves that our life will be completed until we get a nicer car .. until we lose 5 kilos .. until we gain 5 kilos .. until we get a partner .. until we get separated .. until Friday night .. until Sunday morning .. until we get a home .. until our mortgage is paid .. until spring .. until summer .. until the month of January .. until the month of December .. until the first or fifteenth .. until our songs are played .. until we get a drink .. until we die.

The truth is, there is always no better time than right now.  Why hold another minute, another day, another chance?  Treasure every moment that we have.  And treasure it more because we want to share it with someone special.  And special enough to spend our time.  Time waits for no one.  Happiness is a journey and not a destination.

Do we not always hold back our words and actions until it is too late?  Often, we miss telling our loved ones that we love them until they are gone.  We let an opportunity to slip away that could change circumstances in life.  Instead, we are warped with an analytical mind to reduce the acts of affections in return for self worth. 

Words are energy and so are our actions.  Repetition is said to be a mother of learning.  To repeat positive emotions and to say the words I-Love-You, over and over again, are life empowerment.  It culminates a higher vibration.  It invokes us to live life lovingly. 

Why are we acting selfishly, or cowardly, to say these words when we seek love in life?  When we know that love heals, that love connects us together.  Why do we not empower this word and let it be part of us?  Let it magnify our energy.  Our light.  We can't feel love nor are we a loved being if we shun the word.  When we use it sparingly, expect love to come sparingly back to us too.

We should live our life as though we don't need money to work.  We should love like we have never been hurt and we should live like it is our last day on earth.

Honour what is now for us.  If not now .. when?

An Invitation:

A Journey Home can be lonely though it is a powerful inward reflection.  At times, it opens up the deep wounds of the past.  It may lead to confusion.  I am inviting a dialogue to those who are willing to engage this path.  Click on my email to start the process.

However, before a healing process can start, you have to heal yourself first.  Here is one exercise that you must do before our dialogue.  You are to write down the things that you would want to be known after you are gone.  Imagine that this is your last dialogue with yourself and the people around you.

Start your dialogue with:

Today is my last day.  I want to be known ...

[Continue Reading ...]

Timeline - In Perspective Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Tuesday, September 16, 2008

A clip for renovation works done in the fourth week.

PS:  Song is dedicated to a dear friend, Ranjit - hope, you like it.

Renovation in Progress - Week 4

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Renovation - Week 09A - "Boxing Day" Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Monday, September 15, 2008

Christmas comes early here in Reiki Sanctuary.  And it is already the Boxing Day!

Contrary to the real Boxing Day, Reiki Sanctuary is not about the opening of Christmas Box to share the contents with the poor.  No, it is not even Christmas in Reiki Sanctuary.

Rather, Reiki Sanctuary is doing just the opposite.  It is about closing the box to hide away the common HDB water sanitary pipes.  We just feel that they are intrusive and err errr ugly.  And the purpose is about achieving a neater bathroom with pleasing sight.  This week, we got Uncle Chong - the joiner, to conceal all the common pipes in the house.  We want the pipes in the two toilets and at the balcony boxed up. 

To us, it is an exercise in minimalism by covering the pipes in the toilet.  The less we see the pipes, the less cluttered feeling we get. We also need to study how to go about boxing up these pipes.  There will be 'opening' for easy future maintenance but flushed.

Boxed-up works in progress:

Balcony

Before

Balcony - HDB Common Water Pipe

After - The Boxed-Up

Balcony - Boxed Up

Guest Toilet

Before

Guest Toilet - HDB Common Toilet Pipes

After - The Boxed-Up

Guest Toilet - Boxed Up
1

Master Bedroom Toilet

Before

Master Toilet - HDB Common Toilet Pipes

After - The Boxed-Up
The Recycled Wardrobe

Master Toilet - Boxed Up / Recycled Wardrobe

We are expecting Uncle Chong to finish all the joinery works in the Master Bedroom and Study area by end of this week.  The works include:

01.  Vanity Top drawers in Master Toilet
02.  Doors for Recycled Wardrobe
03.  Suspended 2 feet long TV Console
04.  King size Bed frame and 2 Side Tables
05.  Wood Slate/Divider
06.  Double back-to-back Wardrobe
07.  Sliding Door between Master Bedroom and Study area
08.  Wardrobe in Study area
09.  Study Table and Wall-hung cabinet
10.  Window Bench
11.  Master Bedroom Door

Hopefully, he can finish them so that he can move on with our kitchen cabinet, Guest Room and Dining Room wood works. 

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Timeline - In Perspective Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Friday, September 12, 2008

Ah OK, so I am a little hooked with the making of multi media here.  There's actually joy in doing so.  Retrieving and placing the photos into a timeline and editing them, there are just loads of hopes.  Of the days ahead.  Of living with Reiki Sanctuary.

If only VOX allows easy upload, there's no need for Y**Tube.  Then again, my thanks to Y**Tube to make it possible.

Enjoy The Video
- Be Warn, It is a little noisy! -

Reiki Sanctuary - Renovation One

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As I Walk My Life On Earth ... Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Friday, September 12, 2008

Reflection:  in Solitude, in Abundance .. Magnificent Life
(one of the many series to come)

Mist

We are asked to search.  For in finding, we learn.  Or we think, we will learn.  We will never know the worth of water until the well is dry.  If we keep chasing two rabbits all at one time, we will not catch either one.  When, then, will we learn? 

Often, we are just too busy chasing - up to a point where we actually just do not know anymore what we are truly looking.  We lock the conscious shift of perception.  At times, conveniently.  At other time, we find excuses to forget them. 

Thinking is said to be such a heavy burden.  In complacency, we tend to follow where the wind takes us.  It is easier that way for the gentleness of the wind never hurt.  More often, gentleness is far more intrusive than the brutal force of confusion.  The mind yearns for a sense of well-being and happiness.  It is just a psychological need.  It is a basic necessity for the soul.  For what we don't know, we feel safe.

We are told that we can be, do or have anything we want.  It's true.  However, while we can be or have anything that we want, the same is not true for everything that we want.  We need to realize that our resources are limited.  We have only so much time, life, money and energy to work with.

The consciousness of our appetite is insatiable.  No matter what we become, gain or achieve, we just want more.  Our appetite is like sea water - the more we drink, the thirstier we become.

Our mind keeps insisting that we know but do we really know?  When we say that Reiki Sanctuary is a place where little abundance comes alive, do we internalize and soak in the life force?  Do we actually know the depth and the impact it will bring?  Do we act on an action because there's an opportunity?  Do we say things because words are easily spoken and quickly forgotten?  Do we take our time to fear less and hope more; to whine less and breathe more; to talk less and say more and to hate less and love more?

In the push and pull of life, we seldom realize that we receive a great deal more than we give.  That is the subtle reality of life.  This is the truth of human interactions.  We are just unaware of it.  Perhaps, conveniently denied.  It is the human relationship struggle as it is often so hard for real friends to tell us when our face is dirty.  We always tend to look at the glass as half empty albeit is half full.  We always have a tendency to live life with a sense of lack.  And then, we just whine and complain more.  Faith is sitting on a thin line; hopes slips into a state of despair.

And so, it was said earlier in the blog that Reiki Sanctuary comes with a sense of deep purpose.  In somewhat way, it is true.  We hear new stories; we witness new events and we cross new territories.  With each day, we are opening a new language - the lesson on self reflection and the awakening for a deeper aspect of our identity.  The search for the true nature of our souls.  The lesson to find something to be thankful for.  To unlock the fullness of life and turns what we have into enough, and more.  To turn denial into acceptance.  Chaos to order.  Confusion to clarity.

Reiki Sanctuary is a 'spiritual being' that is giving life to our physical bodies.  That in her presence, our soul is nourished.  That makes us to think deeper to create in the ointment of human existence.  To be hopeful and to have direction.  To have a map to move by and to have energy for an infinity of faith.  Reiki Sanctuary has started to make us thinking a lot more.  Not to burden the thinking mind but to appease with tranquility.  To quench joy and sprinkle peace.  She makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.

Reiki Sanctuary comes at a perfect time for us to be reflective.  For us to value peace of mind and for the health of our souls live in the best of all possible lives.  There have been series of life lessons.  For today, we learn that if we are to raise our voices, may it be only in praise.  If we are to clench our fists, may it be only in prayer.  If we are to make a demand, may it be only of ourselves.

We want to walk to see the commonality of all.  We want the gentleness to understand that we can walk hand-in-hand without seeing eye-to-eye and despite all differences, we are all the same.  Whether we are good or bad, whether we are right or wrong, our actions affect others.  We shape our beliefs and behaviours.

Reiki Sanctuary must instill in us the want to live.  To be grateful with each breath.  To be thankful even at the darkest hour.  She has to be a gentle mantra to remind us that when the tide recedes, she leaves behind bright seashells on the sand.  That when the sun goes down, the gentle warmth still lingers.  That when the music stops, it echoes on in sweet refrains.  For every gentleness that passes, something beautiful remains.

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Renovation - Week 08 Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Friday, September 12, 2008

Apart from the balcony that was laid with the chengal wood, the work done last week was the sand down and vanishing/lacquering of the parquet in all the bedrooms, plus at the main entrance.

We were not that satisfied with the job.  At certain angles, we could see 'waves'.  Surprisingly, in our conversation with Chiauw, and before we could tell her, she said the same thing too.  She wants the contractor - which we also learned it was Ken's contact, to touch up the problem.

Hopefully, when we go down to the site end of this week, the job is rectified.

Why Parquet?  Basically, we just like wood.  We faced with a lot of headaches choosing for the right wood in the beginning, during the Drawing Board days.  Chiauw introduced us to all the available wood flooring and even took us to the wood factory in Sungei Kadut and some homes to see on the end result.

Finally, we decided on teakwood parquet of 2 x 10".  More of the wood story here - , About Oak, again ..

Some pictures of teakwood in the house:

Main Entrance

Entrance of Guest [Right] Master Bedroom [Left]

Part of Master Bedroom n Study Area

To introduce wood in the house is also, partly, a geomancy decision.  Wood element represents growth, development and planning.  It is also associated with beginning of new life.  They are not just woods for the element adds life forces to any area in the house.  It is said that wood absorbs chi and helps to redirect it.

And All The Picture

Parquet Story

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Timeline - In Perspective Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Thursday, September 11, 2008

Life is beautiful
No matter how bitter we are
How poor we are
How miserable we are
How ugly we are.

Life is beautiful
When we take pleasure in everything
In all our tears
In all our laughters
In all our disagreements
In all our understandings.

Life is beautiful
Because you care
Because you are there
Because you will be there.

Life is beautiful
In all the hopes
In all the faith.

Indeed, Life is beautiful
When we say
"I love you".

Little that we expect we would ever move out of Hertford.  Change is constant.  Change is good.  Just like the morning sunrise, it is how we make our day - each day everyday.  It is the desire to live that makes all the difference in our lives.  It is about making good.  It is about wanting to make it good.  It is about celebration.  It is about wanting to celebrate.  It is about gratitude.  It is about wanting to live life with gratitude.  And appreciation.  It is about experiencing life in all the possibilities, without struggle.  Just letting it flow and overflow.  It is the resistance that makes us lose all the chances the Universe is offering.  With every struggles, we simply are not accepting the beauty of life.

The Universe is always kind.  We just have to believe that and it is not a blind faith.  We just have to keep reminding it with each breath.  For all the things that we don't want, the Universe delays them for us.  For all the things that we doubt, the Universe presents an alternative.  It is how we bring consciousness into our awareness.  And let our realization takes control of our mind.  It is how we interpret the consciousness, the realization and acceptance, that makes the difference.  The Universe never fails in providing us with all the spiritual, physical, mental and emotional successes.  The Universe is always conspiring for the best of our beings.  We just have to be conscious in all its positive intention and energy.

Uncertainties are baby steps.  They have to be taken for they will lead us to bigger things.  We should not doubt.  In doubts, we fail.  We should not refuse.  In refusal, we lose.  We should not run away.  In running, we fall.  When we want to expand and grow, and create affluence in lives, the wealth consciousness in the fields of all possibilities, we must learn to accept all.  We should not, or at least minimise, our analytical mind.  The more questions we ask, the more burdens we are to carry.  It is always the 'what-if' that retards life progress.  It is always the 'maybe' that deprives us from getting the full rewards.

In all her beauty, in all her joyous opportunities, Timeline - In Perspective is about putting all the beautiful collections of photos - taken throughout the journey, in one storyline.  It is about honouring the celebration.  About acceptance that we are just a part of it.

Timeline One - The Beginning (Early 2008) - "The Letting Go"

Hertford Story

Timeline Two - The Search for Reiki Sanctuary - "The New Beginning"

Reiki Sanctuary

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Timeline Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Monday, September 08, 2008

>br /> We all go through periods in our life, and of time, when things just don't seem to be going our way.  We get into arguments, disagreements or fights with our friends, our siblings, our partners or even our parents.  Or our grades, and expectations, are less than impressive.  Or perhaps, we don't like the way our life is being influenced or dominated.

Life is about acceptance.  Unfortunately, we often take an easy way out and want to blame others.  When things go wrong and our butt's on the line, we just badly want to push the blame to others.  Because that makes life a tad easier.  Just blame others, and our name and integrity is cleared.

Fact is, everyone makes mistakes either caused by us or by third parties.  The saddest thing, when mistakes are made, we are easily led by our own self-esteem and self-defence to blame others, the people around us.  It is easier to start shooting blame.  We just have to shift the guilt somewhere.  Often times, we feel that we must be the last one to own the blame.  The last one to admit mistakes are made.  It is just easier to wait for something better to come along than to actively work to change the status quo.

In general, the thought that we are responsible for our own mistakes cannot be comprehended.  It makes us feel relieved when the burden is passed.  It is almost always someone else's fault, or their wrongdoings, that has brought us to the current situation.  Our fingers are quick to point at others, forgetting that four other fingers are still pointing at us.  After all, who wants to be blamed for any mistakes, regardless of whether it is our or someone else's mistakes.

Somehow, it is hard, both physically and emotionally, to try and make a change in our lives, even if it is a small one.  It is always too hard, and too much of an attack on our pride, to consider that perhaps we are mostly responsible for our own experiences.  For our own failures.  Worse, when we characterize ourselves as being unfortunate.

When the pressure starts to surface where we have to vacate Hertford by 24th September and Reiki Sanctuary can only be handed to us by 2nd October, we are ready to shoot out the blame missiles.  We list down our targets.  For some strange unreasonable defence mechanism, our minds elude ourselves.  Consciously, this is the easiest.   Painless.  Our self esteem fools us to think we are not scheming.  Our self defence prides us to take the role of a victim.  It is when we refuse to lower our ego that we start to lose self respect. 

We always want others to think highly of us.  We always want sympathies to make us look better.  Such is how we take comfort.  Such is how we yearn for acceptance.  Such is the mind's ploy.  It is pretty normal to attribute what is happening in our lives and the circumstances we find ourselves in and shift it to some other cause.  We simply refuse to understand, and accept, that we are to blame.  Guess, it's a big challenge, and personal let down, to admit that we are wrong or that we have not been doing enough to be in control of our lives.

It is even harder to think, and accept, that others together with their opinions, experiences and reactions have shaped our circumstances.  We simply brush off with lame attitude that we have lost power or say in the matter.  We fail to understand that if we don't like the way things are going, we can actually change it.  Our natural instinct is always to sit around and complain about the current and less-than-appealing situation.

However, If we are to continue to focus and blame someone else for the delay, the problem will not solve.  More often than not, it would only create more problem especially in the relationship with that person, or everyone else, around us.

Reiki Sanctuary has come into our life for a greater life purpose.  The journey is filled with great lesson towards compassion.  The journey is full of opportunities for us to take charge of our attitude.  To reflect.  To have an inward thinking.  To think that when there is love, everything else just follow.  There is no room for blame.  For hate.  For disappointments and anger.  Only when we open our minds that we will see love in action.  It is love that has put everyone and their energy into this project.  That everyone cares.  That everyone has one common goal and that is to give Reiki Sanctuary a life.
 
Nobody likes to fail and nobody loves mistakes.  If we are not to own these opportunities, and to realize the virtues in life's imperfection, we will not be able to embrace acceptance.  Blaming others for our failures, for our mistakes, will only nurture and sky-rocket our ego.  It actually, unconsciously, fails our life tremendously.  It leads us to a degeneration of emotions.  Of not able to practice forgiveness.  Of not allowing to take sole responsibilities.  Of not allowing our minds to stay positive.  Or a lesson on second chances and to learn from incident.  Importantly, it is the greatest failure to stay humble. 

We may face little inconveniences to extend our stay in Hertford.  We have to start paying rent.  We may have to pay penalties for further delaying the deliveries of the items we bought.  However, in the words of the wise young man, "it is easier to forgive ourselves than to forgive others".  It is also in 'paying out', that abundance awaits.  Isn't this what life is all about.  That we just have to work for what we want.  Isn't prayers, or making an intention, work too?

When we start to take the blame for not doing what, and how, we want things should be, we are forgiving ourselves.  We stop blaming others for our mistakes.  For our failures.  It is about letting go and taking charge of our lives.  It is about the awareness that everyone has their own problems with their lives from time to time too.  It is also about taking charge of your own situation.

We are all human; we make mistakes and we are all misunderstood from one time to another.  Even two trees of the same specie standing next to each other can be different.  We are a thinking human and we must learn to be willing to give and take. 

Different Strokes for Different Folks - If only the trees can talk!  The two trees just outside our balcony is a great reminder of our different existence.  Of our different thinking.  It is about making use of the common ground to survive together.  To accept.  To forgive.  To care and to live in harmony for each other.  We just have to try, and try harder.  Love awaits those that share blame together.

The Loving Tree

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The House Keeper Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Sunday, September 07, 2008

The wonder of life lies in a harmonious, loving and quality partnership with things around us.  Of people bonding to each other.  Of a relationship of intention and courage.  Of inter-connecting with true essence and being of who we really are.  Of empowering each other to fulfill full potential and giving encouragement, support and believe in one another.

It is about establishing meaningful communication.  The co-operation to work together, the realization of feeling connected and the respect to let love and joy shine through.  It is what we put into it that guarantees the stability of the foundation.  Partnership enhances awareness and communication which sustains love.  When we give love, we'll get love.  When we give care, we'll get care.  When we give respect, we'll get respect.  Basically, it is all about the deepest intention, of our mind and soul, and the universe will just conspire with us.

Likewise, when we give worries, we'll get worries.  When we give a little, we'll get a little.  It is just the way things work around us.  We think positive, we become positive.  We think negative, we become negative.  Think of love, and what we become is love.  Now, when we think of hate, we will only incite the hateful feelings.  We would only fool ourselves to expect to get much when we are only giving with selfish and calculated mindset, even how small the intention is.

Partnership works only when we merge placing our soul in the hands of our partner, and in togetherness, it provides all our happiness.  But a fulfilling partnership does not happen automatically and it does not happen when the partnership is driven by a need rather than caring.  For a partnership to grow, we must give our time and attention.  We must each give to the other and not just be focussed on what it is that we need.

As with anything we aspire to, the more we put in the more we will get back.  Look, for example, at a plant's life.  Plants need care in order to survive and grow.  They need water, fertilizer, light and air.  If we do not give them these essential elements, they will wither and die.  Partnerships are no different, they need certain essential elements in order for them to grow and proper or they too may die on the vine.

It is in developing the essential elements that integrate a healthy and loving partnership.  Giving a sense of security provides the assurance.  Importantly, it places value.

To provide us with a place of great partnership to relax and to feel free, we bring the outdoor life into our balcony.  We bring an increased sense of enjoyment of the outdoor with the chengal wood.  It is the hardest wood to provide the foundation.  The house keeper to keep us in harmony as we relax our souls in the balcony.  The partnership of chengal wood and the balcony is about promoting our souls towards creativity, trust, empathy, mutual respect and caring.  It's the marriage of two opposites - the hardy chengal wood that is capable of surviving unfavourable conditions and Reiki Sanctuary that seeks comfort, serenity and tranquility.

Chengal wood is one of the hardest wood, mainly found in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.  The wood has pale yellow sapwood and light brown heartwood which darkens on exposure.  It is a heavy, dense resistant wood and commonly used for heavy construction or boat building.  It is naturally durable, containing substances which repel wood destroying agents.  It is safe without preservative treatment in all climates.  Basically, it is a heaven for wood lover.

The balcony is the only area in the house where it will be different from the rest.  It is a place of remaining flexible and not putting expectations.  It is an extended 'family' but an integral partnership with Reiki Sanctuary.

The joiner has yet to finish the work on the wood.  He needs to treat the wood one more time.

Chengal Wood at Balcony

Balcony Chengal Wood - Facing Out

Balcony Chengal Wood - Facing In

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Ma! It's Mess Everywhere! Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Thursday, September 04, 2008

From Hertford to Reiki Sanctuary, we are filled with mess.  We keep telling ourselves that it's a pretty normal thing since we are moving out.  And, at the opposite end of our life now, Reiki Sanctuary is undergoing major renovation to get ready for us to move in.  Which, the day could be anytime towards the end of this month.  It's a matter of weeks now.  It will be the start of a new life.

The Mess in Hertford:

Look at how messy our hall has become!
Guess, even our friend, Ranjit and her ang-moh husband, Albert will not want to come and visit.

Mess in Hertford

Even our plants are dying!

Our Dying Plant

And more mess in the Study Room

Mess In Study Room

For now, we hope the mess is not an excuse for our laziness, of not leading our normal life, but an excuse for a conscious effort of clarity and focus.  That we create a positive energy of detachment and to think that we are conserving our energy for a proper time, nearer to us moving out, to sort things out. 

We are, definitely, not accustomed in the beginning.  Mess is sprouting anywhere and everywhere and at all time.  Perhaps, it is reflecting our initial thoughts of confusion.  Of the anxiety of new possibilities.  Of uncertainty for the infinite correlation.  Of a new orchestra of space-time events to bring about the outcome that is intended for us.

We let our mind to detach from the daily consciousness of orderliness.  And attachment.  This is to release us from becoming a prisoner of helplessness.  Of hopelessness.  Of mundane needs and trivial concerns.  Of quiet desperation and seriousness. 

In relinquishing our attachment to the daily chores, to the tidy Hertford that it used to be, we are stepping into the consciousness of an unknown territory of mess.  We open our mind into the field of all possibilities.  We are inviting the magic of life, the celebration of opposites, the exhilaraton of spirits and the exultation for the law of vacuum to come.

The mess has been an endless sight right from the very beginning when we decided to uproot.  It takes a certain amount of realization, and faith, that we are going to release many things and replace with something of equal or greater value. 

It is the letting go that is a little hard.  Perhaps, this is the unknown energy that results in us to let Hertford in a such a messy place.  It is our attachment to all the things in here.  For they have served us well.  With their love.  With their abundance.  With their joy.  We have greatly relied our entire life to everything within.

While Hertford is all about letting go, and detachment, Reiki Sanctuary overcomes the mess in a more dynamic development.  Renovation works, that filled with lots of dust and chaotic renovation materials, are properly planned.  Thanks to Chiauw who insisted to all the contractors that they tidy the place at the end of each working day.  Everyday, the contractors will pile their things in one place and to sweep away the mess they created.  It is the way we want it too.

Simply, it is about awareness for creating space.  The universe cannot put good into our hand, only until we let go of what we are holding in it.  The nature of the universe, being filled with infinite abundance, shudders a vacuum.  It always will fill it with something. 

Just like when we walk down the beach, we leave footprints in the sand.  But give the wind and the waves a few minutes, and those tracks will be filled in again.  Just as vegetation will cover a field and an agenda expands to the time budgetted for a meeting.

When Chiauw got all the contractors to co-operate, there is a tide of positive energy filling into the vacuum and the consciousness to attract the space for peace of mind instilled.  What we like about her style is, she allocates and demarcates each trade into one room for the workers to place their things at the end of the day.  Like the left-over unfinished paints in the guest room, the unfinished works of the ceiling guys in the living room and the unfinished works flooring contractors in the dining area.  It is in an organized mindset, and planned intention, that the law of vacuum resonates to the fullest.

The Mess in Reiki Sanctuary:

Paints left by the painters in the Guest Room

Paints

False Ceiling boards left by the ceiling guys in the Living Room

False Ceiling Boards

Parquet and Chengal woods left by the flooring contractors

Flooring Stuffs

It is such a practice that will give way to better outcomes.  Better rewards.  We are, through her systematic acts, surrounded by good things everywhere.  It is, definitely, a self fulfilling breakthrough for us to achieve our dreams.  And dreams are a reality to those who believe in them.  We do! 

The Law of Vacuum loves space and, forever, waiting to fill it up.  If we want greater good, greater prosperity in our life, we have to start forming a vacuum to receive it.  We have to get rid of what we do not want and to make room for what we want.  This philosophy applies to all of our personal style, our personal growth and for our self development.

To make room for all things good, we must learn to give up and to let go.  As we give up and cast away old ideas and attitudes, old possessions, and put in their place new ideas, our conditions will steadily improve.

Do not hinder our advance or stop it by holding onto the old.  We just have to embrace the new.

As we advance confidently in the direction of our dreams, and endeavour to live the life we have imagined, success will come to us unexpectedly in common hours.

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