Renovation - Week 13B Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Wednesday, October 08, 2008

We are making a trip down to Reiki Sanctuary often these few days - almost daily.  Haha, basically we want to check on the progress.  To kaypoh that works are done.  To make sure that there is no more hiccup.  To show our urgency to move in. 

We feel it is also a good thing to do as we will be able to communicate with the workers.  To let them rectify any defective works there and then.  At the same time, we are trying to minimise any additional works for Chiauw.  When we are able to communicate directly with the workers, Chiauw does not have to be the middle person to do that task.

We are expecting more works in the house this week.  The 'Wet Area' Kitchen cabinet will be delivered today and, guess, it will be fixed immediately.  Tomorrow, Alumix will send the door for the Guest Room wardrobes.  We hope to see the glasses and mirrors fixed too.

Works completed, or near completion, so far:

Master Toilet
The granite top is up but there are still more works to be done:

-  Fixing mirror
-  Fixing glass
-  Fixing Vanity drawers
-  Fixing sanitary bowl and tap mixer
-  Fixing LED lights under Vanity top
-  Fixing lights above Vanity top

Granite Vanity Top
- with missing drawers and glass side panel

Guest Room

The wardrobe structure and the window low bench are completed and waiting for the Alumix sliding door and cushion seat respectively.

Guest Room Wardrobe - Drawer Area

Guest Room Wardrobe - Shelves Area

Window Low Bench

Dining Area

The wardrobe, which was fixed to conceal the aircond trunkings and ledges are completed.  Now waiting for the electrician to fix the LED light along the ledges.

Dining Wardrobe and Ledge

Ledge on Left Side

Main Gate

The main gate was being installed as we left.  Here, is the one end of it:

New Main Gate

Guest Toilet

The toilet paper holder and hand towel hanger have been fixed.  We are not sure what is Chiauw going to do with the boxed-up.  Our understanding is that it would be covered with glass.  As such, we don't quite get it why the hangers were already fixed.

Guest Toilet - Hangers

Study Table

The last instruction that we gave to Chiauw was not to get Uncle Chong fixed the top hung study cabinet.  We decided to drop the idea so as to avoid delay.

Study Table (And The Legs)

StudyTable

Look at how kiasu we are with all the electrical plugs:

Look At The Number of Plugs!

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Uninvited Stress, Chaos and Change Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Monday, October 06, 2008

Last week ended with a note that Chiauw would bring us to the site this morning.  The objective was to decide for the placement of the towel hanger and toilet paper holder.  Chiauw just wanted us to decide where we would want to hang them in the two toilets.

We felt it would be a good idea to go down with Chiauw.  That we would be able, at the same time, to discuss some other issues and any other problems, if any.  In question, we also wanted to get a firm handover date.  When we first engaged Chiauw, early this year, she told us that renovation would normally finish within two months.  She was confident that we could move in early September.

Our renovation has stretched far too long.  It is into the fourth month.  An average renovation for a resale HDB would normally take about (maximum) three months.  Since we could not move in early September, we have actually re-scheduled it for today.  Obviously, we underestimated.

Chiauw told us, last week, that she will pick us at about 9 in the morning.  We waited.  By about 10, we decided to call her.  It was bad timing.  She was in the middle of a heated argument with Uncle Chong.  It seemed that Uncle Chong was angry that she changed some details for our kitchen.

Honestly, we felt that the tension was uncalled for.  We had already mentioned to Chiauw not to change any more drawings.  A change would, definitely, delay any progress.  We would accept technical variations as long as there are no large disparity.  We just wanted things to move on.

The arguments, which yet to come to any conclusion, were about our kitchen:

Problem Areas in Kitchen

Perfection Number One

Island Hood Area

Chiauw insists to rectify this area.  Though there is an ample space for a door between the cabinet and the island hood in the drawing, Uncle Chong mentions that it would not be possible.  We have agreed just to close the cabinet, or even boxed it up.

Chiauw feels it will be a wasted area.  But to us, it is just too small for anything and willing to forgo it.  She feels the aesthetic would not be right not to do anything there.  She suggests a rod where we can hang ladle, pots and pans but we strongly disagree.

Perfection Number Two

Kitchen Entrance (From Dining Room)

The right wall, from Dining to Kitchen area, is not even where there is a difference of 30 centimetres between the top and bottom.  Uncle Chong had mentioned this structural defect to us last week and the discrepancy can be obvious for a sliding wood framed glass door.

As this defect is only known now, we decided to go ahead with it.  To change to a full glass will require another system and it will take more time.  Chiauw, however, feels that Uncle Chong can do something about it.

Guess, for now, we just have to pray - as we are still not sure how they are going to be corrected.  As far as we are concerned, we have already told them what we wanted.

May Peace Be With Them!

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Thank You Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Saturday, October 04, 2008

Dear Families and Friends,

We don't expect the Universe to send us so much love from the people around us.  The connecting passage far and near.  From families to friends.  Families that pray for us.  Friends that we have not heard for so long.  Through all the phone calls, emails and visits, we are truly touched. 

Words would not be enough to say how much we deeply appreciate the kindness and love that are being given to us for the last few days.

The last few days, each one of you play a big part.  You take in our frustrations, listen to our negativities and, importantly, put sense and give us hope.  You put up with us and kindly offer your kind assistance.  Even with your busy schedule, in your physical tiredness, in your limited time - they are less important but to make sure we go through this period.

'Thank You! Thank You!'  However, we want to say it, again, that we are handling the situation well.  Admittedly, we are just physically, emotionally and mentally drained.  We know that everything will end soon.  We know that everything will have a good reason.

As mentioned, we will shout, we will yell when we need help.  And, when that happens, we are grateful that you will be around.

We will, definitely, remember these loving gestures. You are loved.  We are praying for your well being too.

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