The Apple's Diary!

This is my final posting in the Year 2009. It has been a roller coaster ride in this year. The highs are really high while the lows hit the bottom. Honestly speaking, I don't think I qualify to complain anything even though at this point of time, I don't feel exactly full of anticipation nor excitement of a brand new year. It is unfortunate that the house renovation gives us so much problem, souring the final point of 2009. So may the brand new 2010 starts on good note. Top on the list is the promise of handover of our house on the 3rd Jan. We are playing by ears till now, as you know the project manager is totally incompetent. Next up, will be our Honeymoon. Setting foot on the land where K pop and K drama started. It will be a 8 day tour by package. Following closely will be a highly anticipated wedding. Looking forward to that, knowing that the couple is extremely creative ;p After that is our first CNY. Even though some said don't need to give ang bao in the 1st year of...

Was trying to sync my ipod nano to my mac book and my nano hung. There's no reset button and we were quite perplexed because we certainly didn't expect Apple's products to hang. So Darren called the Apple people, after receiving the instructions thru phone, we manage to "set free" the nano. Then currently, my ipod nano still refused to sync with my mac book. The songs didn't export from my nano to the mac book iTunes. Any advice from Mac users?

I know there are many friends and relatives that are concerned with our renovation woes. We had thought of all possible solutions and had offered to the rogue company. Flipping of words #1 In the beginning, project manager agreed that the living room is sloping down. He called the tiler down. After hearing out from his tiler, he switched his words and now declared is slope free. When he first saw the living room, he also agreed that he could not accept this kind of work. Just because his tiler said he went by the book and he flipped his words. Flipping of words #2 Agreed that the rogue company will hack up and provide materials, we have to find our own tiler and pay for the workmanship. Though no mistake of ours, we have to pay extra money to rectify their mistake, in what way is the rogue company fair to us. Project manager flipped his work again. Said his company cannot do anything for us. Everything we have to bear ourselves right down to the materials. This is getting ridiculous. T...

We never get to see the BOSS and the project manager never showed up yesterday. There were many heated arguments and a lot of flipping of words around. In short, the renovation company left us with no options at all. Forcing us to accept their mistake. We took it. Not because they are right. But because it was clear that they never have the intention to rectify their mistake. It was hopeless to keep going round and round with the other party who was not keen at all to provide solution. Rest assured my dear readers. I will compile a list of renovation lessons learnt from this incident and definitely the name of this rogue company will be revealed in due course.

Is official. I am finally united with the Apple. Last Saturday, Darren told me he need to meet someone to collect his toy and so while I was waiting for him at Chinatown Point's Coffee Bean, sipping hot chocolate and playing my PSP, he tapped on my shoulder and it was not his toy but mine! I'm still getting acquainted with my latest toy. Finding the right accessories for my MacBook is the priority now. Thank you Darling for this surprise! Thank you Darling for the MacBook! Signing off now :D *my 1st post using the new MacBook.

Do I even have to say it out loud? I'm furious to the max. The anger level has reached a point that the body is showing symptoms of being under stress. Just the thought of the sloping floor and the exchange with the project manager and tiler is enough to send my blood pressure rising. The chest tightening and the head constricting. The lost of appetite and the restless nights. Totally exploded. Both of us. Flashback to the 1st explosion on Xmas evening. Yes, I was wrong to yell at Darren. There was really no point in finger pointing why the whole renovation had come to this stage. We talked on the next day. Understood each other way of handling problem. Admitted we both have flaws and we should tackle all obstacles as couple, as husband and wife. It was a horrible Xmas. I lost it. I admitted and it was totally ungodly and I really have to learn to control my emotion better. 2nd explosion yesterday. Darren exploded. In the face of project manager. 1st time I saw him so angry that hi...

Ugly. The meet up requested by project manager can only be summed up in ONE word and that's UGLY. The whole case is escalating to his BOSS level. And did I say, he warned is going to be even uglier if his BOSS enters into the picture. I beg your pardon. Do we have a case? Yes. The living room is tiled in a sloppy manner. Were we informed at all about the difference in height from the bedroom to the main door? No. The tiler thought that he's EXPERIENCED enough to bypass everyone and did it in his own way, citing HE GOES BY THE BOOK. Who's going to take the responsibility? Who's going to compensate us for all the inconvenience caused? Now, to make the floor even, we have to shave off the main door and replace the wrought iron gate. Who's bearing the cost? Cancel all the scheduled deliveries. And when the house is ready in Jan, who's free to take leave and be at home for the deliveries? Extra cost incur for asking weekend delivery. Who's going to compensate us?...

There's going to be a definite delay in handling over the house to us. I really have a lot to rant off here. The implications and the inconvenience of being delayed in moving in. The list could go on. When the contractor took 18 days just to fix the kitchen wall tiles and floor tiles, I knew there's going to be a problem. How can they (the contractor) finish up the rest of the work within 16 days? True enough, each time we went over to check on the progress, there's always mistakes. Not the minor types eg. fixing the accessories wrongly, but major stuff eg. wrong kitchen cabinet height. Just 3 days into supposedly handover, we discovered that the living room tiles were so badly tiled that it was impossible to accept. What was more absurd the reason given for doing our living room floor in a slope fashion. Who in the right frame, or logic thinking would do such a flooring that's slopping down? How to place furniture?! We hacked up all the floor tiles and they could scree...

We finally bought our refrigerator. I thought it was a good price and was quite marveled on how the Husband went through the trouble to get this pricing. Photo Source from Hitachi Singapore We paid $800 for our Hitachi R-Z581AMS, Silver. We like that it has the nano titanium technology and a spacious interior. The price was the lowest ever quoted to us for this particular model. Got our bathroom accessories too from Sim Siang Choon, IMM outlet. Brought our stuff down to the new place in the morning. Shall return later for further update. *Available Now*

As promised, back with my 1st posting on my Short Hair. Decide for yourself if it is short or medium. Got the effect I wanted and Oliver turned it into a nice bob at the back. I like the movement and the dimension he added to the side. Looks like a number of people got to swallow back their words on "You won't cut your hair short one lah!" The decision to cut my hair short has long been decided. It was only a matter of When and What style. So people, you underestimated me!

This will be my last post.... from me with my long hair. Going to Oliver for that mega makeover of hairstyle. Well maybe not that mega, according to some. "It's not considered short! It's just medium." You can call it short or medium but to darren... "You don't come back looking like a man hor. I don't need 2 men in my house." Haha... But guess what! Is our 1 month Wedding Anniversary today! And this is my surprise for you, my darling! Bidding farewell to my dear readers... take care till you read again... on my short/ medium hair post. Au Revoir!

All materials made of woods to fall in. Checked. Laminate Flooring in. Fully Done. Checked. Full Height Shoe Cabinet .... in progress Checked. Kitchen Cabinet ... in progress What's missing? All bedroom doors. Except for the toilet doors. Sail White Bi-Fold Door from Besglas. Acceptable.

on Thursday at Boon Raja. What's the occasion? None. Just because big brother wants to eat Little Buddha-Jumps-Over-the-Wall 佛跳墙 I'm not complaining. Haha...

This year Orchard's light up is much better than previous year. Last year, we were hit by the financial crisis. Lehman's minibonds, the closing down of several big banks and the bill out by the US government... these were all the memories of 2008. Come 2009 and gearing towards the end... miracle and miracle filled my mind. From getting a house to getting married. From Singapore holding The Grand Prix to the APEC. It was a fulfilling year, although much can still be improved. Personally, my spiritual department has been slacking. This is one most immediate task that I need to fix it. Work-wise, is just average or even below average. I really need to buck up instead of spiraling downwards. This Xmas... I pray for compassion and patience to the people around me. Related or not, that's secondary. Praying for a harmonious relationship with my FRANs. Believing not by sight but by faith. Surrendering my will and to be led by the Holy Spirit. This Xmas... the hope I have in Christ.

Am surprised that the photos turned out well. Bcos' ours was such a simple wedding. I guess is not about the elaboration of the wedding but the joy of 2 hearts coming together. darren . joyce actual day

It's official now. The handover of the flat will be delayed. From 18 Dec, it was push back to 21 Dec. As of yesterday, Project Manager announced it will be ready "before Xmas". How does one define "before Xmas"? Isn't this period "before Xmas"? I haven't stepped into the new place since that mortifying incident. Heard from Darren that they are starting to install the cabinets. So maybe tomorrow when I make my way there, all these will be put at their right places. Sigh! I guess celebrating our 1st Xmas won't be at our Matrimony home.

My comfort drink. Milk Tea in Hong Kong style. My 1st try on their Thick Toast with Ham & Cheese. Darren called it the chinese pizza. Well then, I love this chinese pizza. Fried toufu with pork floss. Acceptable! Makes me hungry again!

a SMS notification Sent: 17 Dec 2009 12.00pm Message: Dear friends, I have lost one kg. My face is no longer chubby. Please do not be alarmed to see an extra skinny bride next wednesday. the Reply Sent: 17 Dec 2009 12.07pm Message: Dear Bride, I have lost the length of my hair. I no longer have long hair. Please do not be alarmed when you see an extra short hair joyce next wednesday. the Response Sent: 17 Dec 2009 12.14pm Message: Hahaha!

This past month, we have been going out frequently to check out electrical appliances. From the farthest Expo to the nearest IMM, we have looked at almost all available leading brands of electrical appliances. Finally last weekend, we made our purchase. Got a good deal at Best Denki for (a) Bosch Washer $799 Photo Source from Bosch It's the most basic of the whole range but I think is good enough for me. Don't think I'm that diligent to separate out the different fabrics to wash. (b) Bosch Dryer $479 Photo source from Bosch A dryer is really useful for working adults. The clothes tend to smell due to the lack of sunlight. With a dryer, there's no need to worry even if it is the rainy season. Bosch is having their own promotion so no delivery fee and free stacking rack from Bosch. Installation is provided and home demostration on both equipments can be arranged. We also purchased an extended warranty to 5 years. (c) Samsung LCD Full HD 40" 5 Series $978 Photo sou...

the posting about Red Star... is in a very bad format. The photos are small and there is no consistency in laying out the photos, neither is there much explanation on each dish. Sounds like I'm complaining about my own blog? *wondering in her own apple's head*

When I was still in Primary School, the Sundays were pratically the same week after week. Piano lesson in the morning 9am, followed by Tim Sum brunch at Red Star. The Cantonese love their tim sum. The family tradition did not lasted for long. A major event happened in the family. Everyone was in grief. Fast forward 20 years... I finally got a chance to re-visit the childhood tase of tim sum. I was elated to have this opportunity and was full of expectations. But didn't we were taught, too much expectations would result in bigger disappointment. The taste has changed. The feeling has gone. Pork Ribs & Phoenix's Feet Fried Prawn Dumpling with mayonaise Steamed Prawn and Chive Dumpling Soup Prawn Dumpling Famous Cha Siew Bao I think the Cha Siew Bao still has the same taste. But I can't say for the rest... We also purposedly order the XXX Da Bao aka Ye Zi Mei Bao to try. Yup, it was HUGE to the MAX. Also tried their roasted meat. The most disappointing is the Almond Lo...

I was still very mortified by the horrible gaps that (1) - I couldn't continue blogging about the renovation. (2) - I don't feel like talking to the project manager again. (3) - Don't even want to talk about the horrible gaps again. (4) - I just want to be the Ostrich and stuck my head into a hole and be oblivious to the horrible gaps. And one bad thing is not enough, best to come in pairs. Sent the wrong sink and the worker just continued to fix it up. Oh great! But it's a WRONG SINK!!! We purchased a double bowl sink and the shope delivered a single bowl sink. No one noticed the mistake and it was a good thing we decided to pop by to check the progress. Major lesson learnt : Always be diligent in your rounds. Be alert to spot mistake so it can be rectified fast!

Was actually mortitifed when we went back to new place to check out the renovation progress. What's with the 50 Cent coin? Ans : The gap between the homogenuous tiles in the living room! *Grasp!!!* I know! Is horrible to the max. Project Manager's explanation : (paraphrase in his language) You see ah! It is not possible to have small small gaps. Aiyah! We haven't polished and acid wash yet. You think very big (the gap) now. After we do everything, the gap small already. *Proceeding to take 2 tiles and cement in between* Continued from the Project Manager : See! Where got big! Is 20 cent coin thickness what. I never bluff you. Conclusion : After seeing me so distraught and upset, Project Manager agreed to remove the unacceptable tiles and promised to buffer the gap between. Confession of a mortified owner : I cannot believe that the worst of my nightmare has come true!

From Meiji Warehouse Sale

We finally purchased our sofa. Da Ren saw the Lorenzo promotion on Saturday papers and only on Sunday, we managed to go to their showroom at Sims Drive. I don't have the sofa pix but it was in fabric - micro suede, hence the touch is very soft. At $699, the 3 seaters come with an ottoman. The downside is that the seating cushions are non removable. Can only vacuum to keep it clean. Photo source : http://www.homeportfolio.com/catalog/Product.jhtml?prodId=159241&listGridPref=grid This is the closest pix I can find on the internet. We chose a lite brown colour "Ash" to give the living room an overall minimalism feel.

I almost forgot about the cross stitch that Da Ren had to do for the gatecrash part. I wanted him to do a proper X-stitch "Darren 'heart shape' Joyce" and the "heart shape" has to be filled in with the X-stitches. On that day, realised that none of my bridesmaids actually did any cross stitch before. They started to have empathy for the groom. Then intervened on his behalf for easy way out. So my X-stitch became "so long he stitches something" The end product was no where near to what I wanted but whenever I saw this masterpiece, I would start to giggle over the fond memories. It was really a hilarious morning.

Introducing Big D's grill or should I say even more? I guess you probably have gone there and tried their food way before me. Afterall, I learnt about this grill store from a friend who accidentally found a blog talking about Big D's grill. Nonetheless, I'm impressed by the way they did their US Kurobuta pork which was considered a premium meat, priced @ $28 per 200 grams. The pork was charred grill on the side. Served with such a creamy mash potato that most thought it was the accompanying gravy. Also, home made baked beans with a side heavily marinated veggie. It was surprising that there was no porky smell even though the meat looked rather raw. Also, the fat surrounding it would just melt into your mouth and you won't even notice you are eating the fat. However, the crabmeat linguine was rather spicy to my taste. After 2 mouthfuls, I had to pass it on. I won't mind going back to Big D's Grill again. Big D's grill is located Blk 46, Holland Drive #01-359...

This is such a subtle way to spread the gospel. I didn't even notice it if not, Da Ren needed to transport his toys back. And guess who's behind this brilliant idea... none other than... Tangs, the Xmas store... Bravo!

The renovation started on 18 Nov and it has been 18 days since the contractors started. After so long, only the kitchen was tiled. I cannot tell if they have put in the grouting as well. Between the gap, I could see the deep brown dust and worse, I found tile chipped off at the side. I don't know what's the common standard for the width of gap. But I gather it is not a good thing if the gap is too big. Yet, no one is listening to me. I'm increasingly unhappy with the renovation. And very agitated after visiting my new place. The whole place is just in a mess and with only 10 days left, I don't know how the project manager is going to handover the place to us.

December 4th is mummy's birthday. I took a half day leave and treated her to a high tea buffet at Zhou's Kitchen. Thinking that it was a Friday afternoon, there shouldn't be any crowd so we went for a walk in. But to our SURPRISE... the queue is this long.... It was kinda crazy and we stood in queue for almost 15 mins before we got a table. Well, that's not too bad! At night, the grandchildren came round to celebrate with her... Overall, I could feel happiness and contentment in the air. Nothing is more important to a woman whose greatest wish is to see her children grown up and be happy.

Been looking around and flipping through magazines for a new look. Intending to snip off my long hair and go for a total new look. Came across TCS actress, Rui En's latest image for her upcoming drama serial. Photo source : yahoo news I kinda like this look and am considering to snip off the lenght till this short. But I wonder if it is a good move.