Cameron Highlands

Beautiful sunrise...

Nice aircon temperature....

Mossy forest...

Gorgeous scenery with nice fluffy clouds...

Tea plantations with hills & hills of tea bushes...

Yummy food... T-cafe... Steamboat...

BUT

The environment is kind of dry for the skin...

The winding roads can be rather worrying...

Rains like nobody's business...

But overall quite an interesting trip =>

The bad thing about some Taiwanese dramas... 爱上查美乐... 犀利人妻...

One bad thing about some of the Taiwanese drama I am watching is that there are always third parties...

Usually it is the most innocent/unattractive looking guy that attracts the attention of the young & pretty third party.

I might be too emotional but such scenes always make me feel sad for the wife/girlfriend which are not necessary lousy.

Perhaps it is just that they might not be paying much attention towards maintaining their appearance.

What makes it even more sad is that their lives usually evolves around these 'innocent/unattractive looking' guys and they are always the last to find out about these incidents.

Luckily there is always a Prince Charming in the pipeline!

 

Where is our letter... Where are our keys...

Seriously lo, this Park Central project should be nicknamed "Snail Project".

It is almost mid Aug and we have yet to receive our key collection letter.

According to our forum neighbours, letters will be mailed out next week and key collection start from end Aug to early Sept.

Keys will be given out by blocks which is not exactly good news to us...

http://cpeng10.acsd.wikispaces.net

Now we no longer have to worry about having to conduct the Door Opening Ceremony during the Ghost Festival.

Instead we have to worry about whether we have sufficient time to check defects/clean/paint by 23 Sept for the deliveries of various household items, taking into account that HE has ICT for 1.5 weeks in Sept.

*Sigh Sigh*

And the government still wonders why the median age for Singaporeans getting married is increasing and the national birth rate is declining.

It is near impossible to plan for such stages in life without a roof over our head...

Our new clock!

Bought this nice black clock in Malacca for RM 59.90.

It was love at 1st sight for me.

Somehow I knew it will fit in nicely with our Scanteak loots and didn't bother consulting him at all =>

There were white/red/black versions.

Was deciding between white and black.

The clock design seems so scandinavian with its simple clean lines.

Although our main design for the living is supposed to evolve around the minimalist theme but it seems to be shifting towards 'woody' style with the amount of Scanteak items that we have accumulated over the months.

 Might spray paint certain numerals on the clock to a different colour, eg: baby pink/blue?

Shiseido Aqualabel Review

Bought Shiseido Aqualabel Moisture Lotion S (Moisturising range) & Shiseido Aqualabel White Up Emulsion R (Whitening range) to try a few weeks back.

Shiseido Aqualabel Moisture Lotion S is something like a toner but actually acts more like a softener.

Softeners help to soften and prep the skin, remove dead skin cells, maintain skin's natural PH balance, suitable for all skin types and gentle on eye and neck areas.

Initially I got confused what exactly is its function due to its ambiguous label.

After trying it out, I would have to say it does a good job in softening and prepping up my skin.

Most importantly, the Moisturising range is said to contain collagen glycerin which I hope would help to keep my skin supple and wrinkle free.

Skin feels moisturised after use and seems to minimise pore especially around my T zone.

No sticky feeling. Not too watery which allows for easier application. No weird smell.

 I would highly recommend wetting  cotton pads with Shiseido Aqualabel Moisture Lotion S and place it on the face especially under the eyebags region for around 10 mins to ensure the full moisturising effect.

As for Shiseido Aqualabel White Up Emulsion R, I use it as a moisturiser.

It is supposed to have whitening effects and helps to prevent dark spots by inhibiting excessive melanin production.

I would say this product works to a certain extent.

It does not clog pores, moisturises my skin and also gives this rosy translucent glow to my cheeks.

 I would say these 2 products are quite a good buy especially since these were bought during the Watsons Sale at 20% off.

In addition, I also bought Shiseido Aqualabel Bright White Ex (Whitening range) and Shiseido Aqualabel White Clear Foam (Whitening range) for my MIL.

Not too sure how frequently she has been using the 1st product but I do notice some whitening effect on the dark spots.

This product is supposed to be an intensive version of White Up Emulsion R and will be more effective at targeting dark spots.

At the same time, it promotes the healing of skin which has been damaged by UV exposure.

Hopefully the effect would be more pronounced after extensive usage.

As for the 2nd product, she finds it quite ok.

No squeaky clean feeling and does not dry up the skin.

Note: Aqualabel is slightly cheaper in Taiwan. Time to stock up on next trip!

Another facial foam which I found to be quite gentle is the Hada Labo facial wash.

Super gentle and really helps to soften the skin.

Sneaking into Park Central – Commando style Part II

It has been confirmed that the Indian guy whom I suspected to be tailing us in our previous visit to Park Central is indeed one  of the guards for PC.

When we dropped by the site on Sunday, we could see him sitting near the car porch drop-off point chatting on his handphone again.

Anyway the site looks really done up compared to the last time we went.

No more ugly mud piles all over the place.

Shrubs and grasses are all planted.

Nice!

Guess we should be receiving the key collection letter this week =>

See how the blue sky and green leaves complement  our tall white units!

The Wonder of Evening Primrose Oil

Have been taking EPO in the recent years in an attempt to improve my irregular periods.

Apart from that, the other benefit that is that it is supposed to be good for the skin.

I would say this method of hormonal therapy do work to a certain extent.

Just this week, I got to know an even better incentive to continue taking this supplement from my physician.

Evening Primrose Oil do help to delay the onset of wrinkles!

According to her, EPO is a much better alternative to Botex etc which might not even give patients the desired effect.

I am just glad that I started taking EPO in my early twenties and hopefully wrinkles would just leave me alone.

http://www.abbeyessentials.co.uk

Cockroaches are my new "best" friends...

I seemed to be attracting cockroaches everywhere I go.

!st encounter: While walking back home from the carpark after attending a wedding dinner

2nd encounter: Back in our room just after the 1st encounter. Not able to capture it at all after it went under the sofa bed. Super hard to fall asleep that night imagining the cockroach crawling over me *yucks*

3rd encounter: In the car the next day just above my head *abandon car* *shrieks*

Seriously, cockroaches ought to be next on the extinct list.

They have been around like forever since the prehistoric times and I think it is time they rest in peace forever...

They are just a pest with no positive contributions to the environment at all.

Perhaps just an indicator that the place is dirty and it is time for a cleanup?

speedysigns.com

Tentative sequence of events once we get the keys...

Have been thinking about our sequence of events after getting the precious keys especially since the keys are almost within our reach.

1 ) Choose a nice date to open the door (Quite an impossible task to do so especially since we are getting our keys during the Ghost month. Thanks to the tortoise like developers...)

2 ) Door Opening Ceremony (5 types of fruits, 2 Fa Gaos, mixture of green beans, rice & salt, tea leaves, angbaos etc) + new door lock

3 ) Take measurement of limited fridge space (finally can source for fridge)

4 ) Defects checking

5 ) Clean up house for painting (3 days after Door Opening Ceremony)

6) Painting of house (at least 7 cans of 5 litres interior paint, 1 can of 5 litre oil based sealant, 1 can of 5 litre exterior paint)

** painting sequence: Bomb shelter (to setup shelves for barang barang), master bedroom, kitchen, yard, living room, study room, balconies, guest bedroom)

7 ) Buy + install bomb shelter shelves

8 ) Buying of lightings & ceiling fan + installation

9 ) Installation of planter box planks

10 ) Deliveries of barang barang (Bedsheets, washing machine, Serta, TV, Scanteak etc)

11) Buy + install curtains

Getty Image

Checking of Defects...

Since the collection of keys is going to come by very soon, I guess it is time to dig out the HDB defects checklists provided by online by some kind soul (refer to http://diva79.blogspot.com/2008/03/hdb-defects-checklist.html).

As stated on HDB website, flat owners should inspect their new flat  upon collection of keys.

They should report any defects that may be found in the flat within 7 days of receiving the keys or before commencement of any renovation work.

And it seems like if there are indeed any rectification works to be done by HDB, keys will be held by HDB and we wont be able to carry out any renovation works =<

Refer to http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10321p.nsf/w/BuyingNewFlatDefectsInYourNewHome?OpenDocument for more information.

Hope that there is no major faults with the unit and we are able to shift in asap!

Sneaking into Park Central - Commando style?

Seriously the wait to getting our keys is driving us nuts...

One last item on the To Buy List - Fridge which we dare not commit due to the not-so-confirmed site measurements.

This is like the slowest flat construction project I have ever seen so far.

Usually BTO/DBSS are completed 1 year before the TOP date but not for Park Central which TOP in Dec 2011...

Anyway the wait kind of drove us to desperate acts like attempting to sneak into the site/our unit to take measurements of the fridge area.

So far, we have only scout out the void deck/carpark area trying to siam the Indian construction workers cum security guards...

There was a good moment whereby HE could have just got into the staircase safely without me but once we hesitate, the chance was lost...

I really have to applaud these workers' perseverance in keeping their work site stranger-free to the extent that they even tail strangers to make sure that they really stay away from PC =O

Shocking Number of Bodies found recently

I am pretty shocked at the amount of bodies found in the recent weeks.

05 Jul 2011 - Decomposed body found at Clementi Woods Park

03 July 2011 - Male body found in waters off Harbourfront Walk

02 July 2011 - Human skeleton found at New Upper Changi Road next Tanah Merah MRT station

01 July 2011 - Female body found in water below Helix Bridge

Hope these incidents are isolated cases and not some serial killer at work.

GSS Loots - Bedsheets & Down Duvet

Super happy that I have completely furnished my master bedroom as of 4 July 2011.

Have already decided on a queen sized bed due to space constraints.

Most likely will be settling on Serta Aberdeen as it is much cheaper compared to Sophistication.

Glad that we already made a down payment on the mattress earlier this year as the prices had already increased.

For the Sophistication model, the increase is around $200 ~ $300.

Will be going down to Serta this weekend to 'revise' our options again so as to confirm on the chosen model.

Already bought 1 Cozy bedsheet set back in 2010.

Decided to buy 2 more sets of bedsheets as well as a blanket and hopefully can last us for like 5 years?

Dropped by Robinsons a few weeks back but prices seemed to be rather high even with the GSS discounts.

Decided to look around Tangs on Monday since it was quite a while till my next appointment.

Was circling the bed-sheets section like a shark, trying to figure out the material, whether duvet cover was included and the pricing.

After much consultation with the SA, I bought 2 sets of bedsheets (complete with duvet cover) and a down duvet for $560.

http://www.followsales.com

One set was Egyptian cotton and the other was Sateen cotton (ard $169 for each set)

According to the SA, Egyptian cotton is better than Sateen Cotton as it has a plusher feel.

I could not really feel the different though... No 'magic' touch...

HE was not very happy about it though.

Almost fainted when he saw my SMS =>

No choice, sleep is really important to me!

Cant wait to setup the new bed with the new bedsheets and new blanket.

Hopefully it will be as comfortable as I envisioned it to be !

Sliding Kitchen Door - Not achievable?

According to 1 ID which we emailed for quotation, it is not possible to install a sliding kitchen door due to the limited wall width outside the kitchen opening.

This was his exact reply: "Not possible for sliding door as the wall beside is shorter than kitchen entrance width. Can consider a wooden bi-folding door in laminate/ glass finishing $900 (size:W3ftxH7ft). "

What he brought up did make sense especially after looking at the latest 4 room drawing uploaded at the forum.

Perhaps it is time to shelf the plan...

Save cleaning/wiping time.

Save $ which is very important since I have been shopping like mad this GSS.

GSS Loots - Bosch Washer WAS28448ME

Bought my dream washer today after a comprehensive explanation by the sales assistant at Courts.

Most of the specs seemed to be quite similar to WAS28444ME.

Was not able to really identify the difference between the 2.

Furthermore, both looked the same and I was just too lazy to scan through the technical specs available on the Bosch website.

Just that WAS28448ME is made in Germany as stated at the Bosch webby but not for WAS28444ME.

http://www.bosch-home.com

Some advantages of Bosch Washer WAS28448ME (Logixx VarioPerfect Front Load Washing Machine):

1) During a wash cycle, can add in clothing halfway.

2) Able to finish a wash load in 15 mins with the results as the normal wash cycle but just that warm water will be used instead (higher electricity usage)

3) Supposed to be really water and electricity efficient compared to other models/brands

Hopefully the washing machine really turns out to be as good as the sales assistant claim.

Total damage: $1699 (exclude delivery fees of $29.90)

Freebies: $150 Choice vouchers and Bosch Vacuum Cleaner BSD 2023GB worth $249 but selling at $169 now)

GSS Loots - Sony KDL40EX520

We were looking for something that would allow me to watch my online dramas via the larger TV screen and in a more comfortable setting, ie: lazing against the sofa.

As a result, our TV budget has been yoyo-ing from $1.3k (Sony 32" EX720) to $2.2k (Sony 40" NX710) to $3k+ (Samsung LED Series 7000 46" Smart TV which the salesperson assured us has full internet browser capability, meaning I can surf & watch my online dramas with minimum hussle).

After careful consideration, we decided to KIV 1st and not make any hasty decisions.

The Samsung LED Series 7000 was really slim and chio...

Can already imagine it hanging on the wall with the slim wall mount provided although it was really kind of big for our tiny living room.

The freebies were also quite tempting.

In any case, we were doing quite well (not making any hasty or impulsive decisions) until we happened to walk into Best Denki @ Clementi Mall and saw this Sony 40" TV.

sony.com.sg

Although I was expecting to get the TV sooner or later but didn't expect it to be this soon.

Kept confirming with him if this was really the ONE as our TV budget has been revised drastically in the recent months as we try and source for what we really want.

I was really amazed that he say YES.

Furthermore he got this glint in his eyes.

U know like those look gals get when we see something  which we really like and it so happens to be on sales.

He assured me that he has been doing secret research on all these TV prices in the past few months and this was really quite a good deal with the freebies (3 years warranty, wireless toggle and wall mount) thrown in.

Scheduled delivery to be in 1 month's time which was like the best they could provide.

* Praying hard the keys comes soon. Heard that the fencing are already down! *

Total damage: $1300

Scanteak Loots!

Spied upon a Scanteak outlet along Balestier Road one Sat evening after porridge buffet at Quality Hotel.

It was love at first sight for him when he saw this ladder like bookshelf.

Ladder Book Shelf

                         

Spend $399 to reserve the item and would be collecting it in Sept.

We also saw several items which we like, for instance: dining set and coffee table.

We love the warm golden brown tones and the homey feel that it projects.

Ended up, we also added the following items to our loots.

Athos 120 cm TV Bench

Lois Dining Set

Total damage: $2500

TOP date to AMK Park Central

Wondering when will we ever get the keys?

Expected TOP is supposed to be Dec 2011.

Based on normal HDB standards, owners usually get the keys 1 year ahead of TOP date but this is not the case for us!

Expected an earlier completion date of around June this year but seems like it is just wishful thinking.

There are news from the developer that our block can get only the keys in Aug.

Faintz.

I just want to get the keys/floorplan asap so that I can know whether can I get a king-sized bed anot.

This is like the most important item on my To-Get List.

I want to buy my bedsheets etc lo.

Wish us luck!

SingPost postal services...

Quoted from SingPost website:

"SingPost is Singapore’s designated Public Postal Licensee (PPL), providing efficient and high quality domestic and international postal services. We are also the leading logistics provider in the domestic market and own one of the largest retail distribution networks."

As our one and only option for postage services, it seems like the services offered by SingPost is getting from bad to worse.

Effiiciency is not really there.

Our items bought locally online sometimes took more than a week to be delivered.

There is even worse scenerios whereby the items simply disappeared.

For instance, parcels were delivered to the wrong address even though the address was stated correctly on the package.

We got to depend on our neighbours' goodwill to return the items back to us.

If it happens once/twice, we can still close one eye but it happened numerous times.

Imagine paying for things which just disappear...

What kind of service is it???

It has reached the point that registered mail is the only option to try and ensure that at least we get the items.

What exactly is the message that SingPost is trying to send?

Registered mail is the only way to go for postal services?

Why should we as consumers pay more just to ensure that we really get the kind of "efficient & high quality postal services" as mentioned as SingPost?

With monopoly over Singapore's postal services, the least SingPost could do is to provide basic regular and dependable  postal services instead of branching out into areas like Retail Business and Logistics Business.

Just because these areas generate more income for your organisation?

Even with registered mail, I would expect the items to arrive in acceptable conditions which turns out to be not true at all!

Imagine torn envelopes with items held together by rubber bands...

Almost lost 2 parcels in April/May 2011 which led to me sending frantic emails to both the sender as well as SingPost.

Although it was a happy ending (ie: items found), I was not too impressed with the level of customer service offered by SingPost.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Standard email response by SingPost

Dear XX,

Thank you for your feedback on 28/04/2011 regarding Mail not recieve.

We deeply regret to hear of your unpleasant service experience and we want to sincerely extend our apologies to you.

SingPost is committed to provide an excellent standard of mail delivery

service to all our customers. We are therefore concerned when mail

entrusted to us is not properly delivered. We have alert the relevant delivery base manager to review this case and will revert once update.

We would like to thank you for bringing the matter to our attention.

Regards,

YY

Customer Service Officer

Contact Centre

Customer Service

Singapore Post Limited (Reg. No. 199201623M)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After which I waited for days and there was no response from SingPost at all.

It was only after sending another email to SingPost for them to expedite the matter, would a Malay lady contact me via handphone and update on the outcome.

In the first place, customers normally email/feedback to an organisation when something unexpected/out-of-the-ordinary has taken place.

The least the organisation could do is to at least give the impression that you are trying to resolve the issue instead of the customer having to pester for a response.

Even after the issue has been resolved, nothing was mentioned about is there any new measures that they are going to put in place to ensure the same incident does not repeat again, ie: ensuring parcels/letters are delivered to the correct household.

I really feel that there is not much QC measures in place to ensure the postal services are really up to notch looking at the kind of postal services we have been 'enjoying' for the past few years.

One plus point to note is that SingPost do try and repackage damaged parcels in a transparent bag to minimise any further damages.

Shopping for Lights ~ Lighting shops @ Jalan Besar/Jurong

Have spent the past few weekends shopping around for lightings.

Went to Jalan Besar which is super near Lavender Food Centre.

Quite a number of lighting shops located here.

Went into the following shops:

1) i-Lite (351 Jalan Besar #01-01/02 S208988) - Quite a large selection of lightings & ceiling fan but didn't really take note of the prices as that was the 1st shop that we went into.

There are also numerous lighting shops located along the same stretch.

2) Arco Holdings Pte Ltd (302 Jalan Besar #01-01  S208963) - Another shop with also a large selection of lightings and prices are quite attractive too.

3) Lightings.com.sg (314/316 Jalan Besar S208972) - Prices are not necessarily cheaper as advertised. Some of the ceiling lights are selling at $75 but we saw the same lightings selling at Acro Holdings Pte Ltd at $70.

Went to Jurong East to look at lightings too. Prices generally are much higher than those we saw at Jalan Besar.

1) Hylite Deco (Blk 353 Jurong East St 31 #01-109 S600353) - Friendly lady who is able to answer our various queries. Saw a dining halogen light which we quite like selling at $220 (price before 40% discount).

2) Chelsea Lighting - shop size is twice the size of Hylite Deco. Managed to find an apple-shaped dangling dining light selling at $45. Contemplated buying on the spot but decided to KIV. Also saw this nice rectangular ceiling light with wood border selling at $130. Sale assistant claimed that she can offer further discounts but we doubt that prices will be able to match the 1s we saw at Jalan Besar. For instance, this same rectangular glass ceiling light we saw at Jalan Besar for between $75-$80 but JE shops sell the same light for $130. Are they really able to reduce prices by around 40%?

Election time!

Election time again.

It is gg to be my 2nd time voting.

As a Gen Y, I admit one of my main concerns used to be the housing issue.

Very hard to get a good queue number...

Let alone get a good queue number at our ideal estate...

Furthermore, prices are rather high even at estates like Sengkang, Punggol which are too far from our parents' places/workplace...

After we got our unit, my 'hot' concern has been replaced by retirement needs.

After spending our entire CPF savings for the next 30 years on the flat and the ever increasing CPF minimum sum, how are we ever going to retire?

Looking at the current elderly population in Sg, there is an increasing number working as cleaners/ dish collectors etc...

Is that going to happen to us in the near future?

How are we going to ensure sufficient savings for our retirement needs with the high living standard in Sg?

Spree by http://adeliciouss.livejournal.com ~ Bad review

Not too sure it is pure bad luck or what to have participate in this spree organised by Adeliciouss (adeliciouss@yahoo.com).

Participated in this SW-Box spree (Nov 2010) happily to get items for the iPhone and this was the start of my nightmare.

Until now, there has been no sight of the items, no refunds made, rare updates on the spree status.

Imagine multiple spree participants emailing Adeliciouss at least 10 times spread over weeks before we even get a reply from her.

Ridiculous service...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update on Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 9:35 PM

Orders are confirmed & shipped by SW-Box =)

This email is to notify that your order has been accepted.All spree updates will be done @ https://adeliciouss.livejournal.com
I'll email again when the spree is ready for 2nd payment.Thankssssssss!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update on Thu, Dec 23, 2010 at 1:18 AM

Dear spree-ers,

There's an unforeseen delay of the shipment of BOTH parcels. After receiving a parcel from EMS I assumed it was parcel #6 but it turns out to be not the case..

I was provided by SW-Box the tracking number of the 2 parcels but to my surprise both are "delivered" by Singpost to some other address.

I've raised the issue to both SW-Box & Singpost to do an investigation of what exactly is happening, to find out which party made the mistake & of course how I can retrieve the parcel.

I've following on the progress with both sides daily so hopefully this issue can be resolved ASAP.

Thank you.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update on Mon, Jan 3, 2011 at 12:40 AM

Dear all,

After numerous emails, calls & chasing.. Here's the latest update:

The parcels were delivered by SingPost to the return agent of SW-Box in Singapore. So upon receiving the parcels, the agent shipped them via surface (by sea) back to SW-Box warehouse. However latest check with SW-Box is they have yet to receive the returned parcels.

SW-Box management is trying to get EMS to compensate the paid freight charges. And in the meanwhile I'm trying to get them to re-pack another parcels of the orders & ship to me again but now still pending reply from your management.

So nothing much can be done now but I'll continue to chase after SW-Box for some prompt action.

Thanks.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After numerous emails, finally an update.....

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update on Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 12:17 AM

Pertaining to SW-Box Spree 6&7, I've yet to receive any reply from the merchant on the re-ship of the replacement parcels.

1. Tracking status of parcels show that parcels were received in Dec. (by their SG return agent & not me) but they were still indeed "delivered"

2. SW has not receive the returned parcels to date also & their return agent do not provide any tracking service for returned parcels so nobody has any idea where exactly the parcels are now

There's 2 options now

1. Wait for SW to receive the parcels &  cancel the order - get back full refund

OR

2. Cancel the order now - the intl shipping charges of USD50+ per parcel will be forfeited & will be split evenly among all spree-ers.

The majority will call the shot.

Regards,

Adele Hoe

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update on Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 5:20 PM

I think it's pretty obvious what's the final decision based on everybody's response - Wait for parcel to arrive at SW-Box & opt for full refund.Since this is your choice, you gotta understand what's the process going to be like...1. The parcels were returned to SW-Box via surface, meaning by SEA not AIR. This normally takes 1 month from date of shipment but expect this period to be greatly delayed due to China 2 weeks festive holidays for CNY, so very high chance the parcels will only reach them some time in late Feb or even Mar.2. After SW-Box receives the parcels, the refund will be processed back to Paypal. After which Paypal will refund back to my bank account. All these transferring from one to another via various medium will take time. Normal processing can take up to 10 working days (exclusive of sat, sun & public holidays!). So expect another 1 month for me to get back the money.

If you're not that bad with calculations & so far you're still following what I've explained - Expect to see the refund back in your bank some time in APRIL.

If there's no objection to proceeding with option #1 that is to WAIT, that's all for now.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update on Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 9:16 PM

I'm not so sure that's what some spree-ers may want because $2 is actually more than what some people were buying. And forgoing $2 and yet at the end of the day not get anything..

My stand is if nobody is in desperate need of the money then why not wait.

I've been calling them every now & then I paid for intl calls is more than the $2 we're talking about so why stand firm & get back what you deserve?

Regards,

Adele Hoe

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From then on, there has been no more updates...

Refer to http://adeliciouss.livejournal.com/148389.html for more details.

Am I being too picky or is it really too few updates provided by Adeliciouss (Adele@LJ)?

As a spree organiser does she take her responsibility seriously?

So is she the type that disappears once things do not goes smoothly with the spree?

MUSEE CRYSTAL TOKYO at PS ~ 3rd Treatment

Will be going for my third treatment soon.

So far, have not really seen any significant results.

Just that hair follicles do fall out a few days after the treatment before growing back again =<

Hopefully the situation would improve after the 6th treatment.

The only complaint I have is the limited treatment slots.

Such a hassle to call and try to make appointments.

I think their customer base has increased by alot as compared to half a year back.

Tried to make an appointment for Sis & I 1.5 months before the actual appointment date but was not able to get the same treatment slot.

Ended up, 1 of us got to go at 10.30 am and the other at 11.30 am.

** Definitely need to decide on the next treatment slot when we go for our 3rd treatment this weekend **

 

 

 

The Fierce Wife 犀利人妻 ~ Continued

All along I thought that the last episode of The Fierce Wife (犀利人妻) is out as this drama actually started airing back in 2010.

This was why I happily settled down to watch this drama three days ago.

It was only yesterday after watching Episode 22 which I thought was the last episode, did I realise how wrong I was.

Approaching the last 10 mins of the episode, I was telling myself how it is possible that this drama can have a smooth and complete ending in such a short time frame left...

So foolish of me.

It seems that the last episode will only be aired in Taiwan on 16 April =<

Some famous quotes taken from the show:

Quote 1: 人妻三怕 撞车 撞鬼 撞小三

Translation: As a wife, there are three fears that she has, namely: car accident, ghost & third parties.

The part on 撞车, I totally agree. Imagine being disfigured for life... I rather die on impact in the car accident la.

The part on 撞鬼, I totally agree too especially in my current workplace where there seems to be plenty of such things floating around with countless people encountering them even in broad daylight =< I just hope for peaceful days until I get a chance to change my work location.

As for the part on 撞小三, I should say this is a universal fear of all women? Although we might be very happy and contented in our current relationship, who knows when a third party might enter into the picture. Personally I feel that tolerance (容忍) plays an important role. I was telling the Husband jokingly that 撞大三 should be part of the 人夫三怕.

** The female character (溫瑞萱) who said the above quote is super comical and together with her husband (郝康德), they really lighten up the drama. **

Quote 2: 

一旦你累死

就有别人花你的钱

住你的房

打你的小孩

睡你的男人

Translation: Once a woman die, there will be someone (a female someone) spending her $, staying in her house, beating up her children and sleeping with her husband.

Sounds cruel but it does make sense in a certain way.

Quote 3: 不要怕

Translation: Don't be scared

It just means that whatever comes our way, we should try and face it bravely.

Give it our best shot & don't be scared!

The Fierce Wife 犀利人妻

In the process of watching The Fierce Wife (犀利人妻).

http://upload.wikimedia.org

Still feel that Sunny Happiness (幸福最晴天) is so much nicer.

No 'weird' & psycho character like the cousin (Wei-En)...

The way she acts and behaves is something I just cannot take it...

How she justify each and every one of her actions with her crazy reasoning and just do not seem to realise how cruel she is towards every one around her.

How her actions torture people around her...

Emotional blackmail!

The way she always feel that other people are not on her side even though that is simply not true.

Perhaps such behaviour is to be expected of someone coming from a dysfunctional family.

Even worse more disgusting is Wen Rui Fan (the male lead) who is actually the husband of Wei-En's cousin.

I cannot understand how he can just change overnight and 'abandon' his family in favour of Wei-En whom he feels that makes him feel younger all over again.

If he really feels that his wife is not exciting enough for him, he should not have married her in the 1st place...

I am super amazed at Xie An Zhen (the wife of Wen Rui Fan). She is like those traditional wife where the husband always comes first. The husband can do no wrong type.

Just hope that this drama ends on a happy note.

Sunny Happiness (幸福最晴天)

Just finished watching 幸福最晴天.

Super nice drama.

dramarants.wordpress.com

This drama is about the dramatic r/s bet Xiang Yun Jie (Mike He) who is a rich arrogant man  and Fang Yong Yong (Janine Chang) who is an orphan.

They 1st met in a minor road accident.

2nd meeting was at the hotel which Xiang Yun Jie owns and where she works as a housekeeper.

Their love story started all because they came to a mutual 'fake marriage' arrangement whereby Fang Yong Yong play a fake role as his 'wife' to help get custody of his son which Xiang Yun Jie just got to know about while Xiang Yun Jie will promise to preserve the piece of land that the orphanage lies on which is also the place where Fang Yong Yong once lived for 8 years.

There are super sad moments where they lost their baby but I was glad that the drama ended on a happy note =>

Highly recommended drama without those 'lame' lines that some Taiwanese dramas have.

Balcony - Outdoor furnitures

Found this nice set of outdoor furniture for the living room balcony.

Source: http://www.2010lifestyle.com.sg

But I worry that it might be too 'high' or 'unstable' as the balcony walls are not very high (most likely about waist level).

Book shelves with sliding mechanism - Update!

Found out that Howard United Storage System actually has this Glide A Side System with Open Shelf Cupboard which is quite similar to what we want.

Hopefully they do allow for customisation as I got this feeling their standard dimensions wont fit into our bomb shelter.

Refer to http://www.howellunited.com.sg/retailshopdisplay_4.htm for more information         

Sliding Kitchen Door - Ideal design!

Found this Italian company that sells super nice kitchen doors.

Clean lines.

Elegant feel.

Too bad they don't seem to have any outlets in Sg.

Shall try my best to replicate their design.

Due to the tiny kitchen & cabinet layout, our kitchen door choices are quite limited.

Prefer sliding designs as it takes up less space (both in 'idle' mode & in operation mode)

Furthermore, the kitchen door has to slide 'outside' of the kitchen opening.

There is no way the door can be located between the kitchen cabinets & the kitchen door opening.

My preference is tilted towards 'woody like' designs as we would like to have furnishings in warm shades of brown.

Various door designs that slide from right to left

The following designs readily gives me an idea of how the door would appear like/function when installed as our kitchen door has to slide from Left to Right based on the flat layout.

Various door designs that slide from left to right

Simply love the 1 on the left.

Classy & nice.

With the door frame located outside the kitchen, I hope it equates to lesser cleaning after cooking sessions. 

Perhaps one way of DIYing/customisation to get what we want

1) Get a normal glass door

2) Apply some tinted window film on it

3) Install the door with the wooden door frame

4) Get some nice wall decals to decorate the door

Source: http://www.cristalsrl.com/doors-as-furnishing

Movie Review: Just Go With It

Brief Introduction

Danny (Adam Sandler) has a unique approach to picking up women - in order to break the ice and gain their sympathy, he pretends to be stuck in an unhappy marriage.

The instant he brandishes his wedding ring, the deal is all but cinched.

But when Danny finally meets a woman (Brooklyn Decker) that he really would want to marry, he abandons his usual approach for something more subtle.

Incredibly, it works.

But when she discovers the wedding band that he used to use as a pick-up prop, Danny attempts to cover his tracks by falling back on his tried-and-true divorce line.

Unfortunately, the plan backfires when his new girlfriend asks to meet his future ex.

Desperate, Danny recruits his office manager, Katherine (Jennifer Aniston), to validate his ruse by posing as his current wife.

Before long, the lies are snowballing, and by the time Katherine's kids get involved and everyone comes together for a trip to Hawaii, it's not a matter of if Danny's plan will fall through, but when.

Source: http://t0.gstatic.com

Review - Must watch!

We would say this movie is among the top 5 list of funniest movies we have ever watched.

I would think this is high praise as we watch an average of at least 2-4 movies a month.

The best romantic comedy so far!

The show was really hilarious in a good way without any element of lame jokes which I was super happy about.

Was laughing throughout the whole show & it was really $ well spent.

The flow of the story was quite good and the characters came together in a great package.

Go watch it!