Renotalk: Simple Kitchen Makeover

Update 24-March-2016

Since there are still requests for the contractor's contacts and I am not so active in this blog for the moment, I am adding the contractor's details for your reference. Happy renoing!

Here are the contacts:

 

 Call Walter for the door cabinets.96901413

He can make whole kitchen cabinet. He also sourced for my Cresto counter. Very fast guy.

If you go to his workshop -superior decoration at AMK Ind. Park 2,  The glass merchant is across his shop. On the same lane is PVC door maker.

 

2LT Glass & Mirror Aluminium Contract (for my backsplash)

Chirstopher Loh

90074166

 

SK Aluminium Design (for PVC door undersink)

Sam Lim

90089203

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For the previous months, I have been having headaches from reading too much of Renotalk.com, Singapore's Home Renovation and Lifestyle Portal.  Jumped from blog to blog and scanned as many google images I can on Kitchen Cabinets and Backsplash.

There are 3 contractors around my neighborhood.  After work, I visited them and requested for quotes.  I only managed to get from 2 as the other 1 is always "on-site". 

As I walk through Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2 everyday to the office, I noted that there are some renovation workshops there.  I told myself it is hard to deal directly with the manufacturers as most of them do not speak English and I was encouraged by one of the contractors when he said he'd offer free help in designing.  Truly, during our discussions, he would note what is a better design and even offer some reno terms that I'm not familiar with. 

After getting the quotes from the 2 contractors, I almost signed with the lower quote.  But then on the day I was to sign, I wasn't feeling well, so I just delayed it.  

Out of nowhere, I pulled my husband along and we went to the industrial park on one Sunday morning.  I expected the workshops would be closed but they were open but the bosses were not around.  We were given their contacts.  After some calls, house visits for measurements, quotations (some quoted double than the others meaning they don't want small projects)... we have saved $1,275 and our kitchen is now brand new!!!

Here's a breakdown of the items and quotes.

Before and After Photos talk louder than 3000 words description  =)

Before: Dull and Old Gray Cabinets

After:  Space widening Black and White Cabinet with Lime Green Glass Backsplash to make cooking more fun!

Next project: L-box with Cove Light box for our Living and Dining room.  I'm still praying that the Lord will lead me again to cheaper source as He did for our Simple Kitchen Makeover.  

Thank you Lord, lika tikman mo yung menudong niluto ko :-)
Love you! 

Last Night, 3 Restored Friendship

I became close to a Pinay colleague at work.  We eat lunch together everyday, go out for dinner sometimes, exchange email/sms 24/7.  Then her friend from Pinas joined our company.  I told her that I knew, things would change and that I would be OP from then.  She assured me our friendship was tighter than theirs..."you and I are sisters" she said.  But the first meeting with the new girl, my worry was confirmed.  Of course they would talk about their barkada whom I have no idea of.  So I would amuse myself with my iPhone. Months passed and the situation worsened, the new girl even insisted to call me TITA (my goodness! I'm not that old).  Then in June, "sister" announced she's leaving for another company.  After her leaving, my heart was hardened for being hurt.  I chose not to communicate, seems she has totally forgotten me as well.  News about her irritated me. But constantly, God was very clear on His messages to me. LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!  Finally last week, I found forgiveness for my being hard hearted.  Last night, we had dinner =)

***

Days before iOS 6 was released, I decided to upgrade to iOS 5, argh.  Although I knew that I needed to back up my contacts, I was lazy.  So all contacts are lost.  I sent PM to chosen friends requesting for their numbers.  One friend was not responding.  I sent follow ups and could also see that she was still active in FB.  My thoughts raced.  What did I do wrong?  Last night, I sent an emo message, she finally responded haha.  She said her account was hacked.

***

I had no best friend for the past 3 years.  Me and my best friend had an argument on our attitudes while we were still housemates.  It was a heated, tearful and painful argument.  We parted ways. We still communicate but just because we are mature and long years of friendship couldn't just be erased.  Last night, we forgave each other! I now have a best friend again =) 

Thank you Jesus for my friends!

2D1N at Festive Hotel, Resorts World Singapore

It has been a while since my last post.
I was content on visiting other blogs =)
These few weeks, I was also busy Googling: renotalk solid surface, renotalk cove lights, renotalk down lights.  I've learned many things and hopefully I can proceed with little bit of reno for our crib.

Segway na segway ang intro...

Last year, I felt that with all the help that my Mom has extended to my own family, I should at least treat her.  What better time that during her birthday? So last year, I suggested to book at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel to hubby.  There was a little argument due to $$.  Happy ending, my Mom was so delighted, I enjoyed the pool very much and now wish to experience it again, hubby was glad I argued with him because my parents-in-law and my sister-in-law and her whole family were our guests.  They were able to enter the Skypark for free =).  So this year, no more argument on Mom's birthday treat. Mas atat pa siya...aprub agad ang budget.

I was planning to book 3D2N at a new hotel in Batam, Indonesia.  For our family of 5, it would cost about S$600.  But then I realized that my daughter had school. Even for primary one, it's a no no to be absent. Ang OA lang talaga dito.  The week before Mom's birthday was my daughter's week long school holiday. Hindi kasi organized ang aking utak, yun...dun sana kami nag holiday. So we can't have the short vacay.

We decided on 2D1N at Festive Hotel in Resorts World Sentosa.  My first choice was Fullerton Hotel, I thought that having a view of MBS would be great. Hubby wanted Rasa Sentosa, I rejected it telling him that it's so liblib. He wanted it for the child friendly amenities.  Since Festive was new and they had Family Room, we both agreed on it. 

We booked it through Latestays.com for S$340, $40 more expensive than MBS (we had staff discount through a friend).  I still think MBS experience was grand! E alangan namang MBS every year...so sige I need to convince myself.

At the end of our 2D1N staycation at Festive Hotel, I told hubby that it was a good choice.

Here's the fun that we had for Mom's 67th birthday:

Friday

Half day ako sa work dahil 3 pm pa naman ang check-in.  Medyo nahirapan kaming hanapin ang hotel sa liit ng RWS hahaha, pano ang sinusundan kong direction was Festive Grand. Tongek! Theatre pala yun, yung hotel was just Festive Hotel.  Check in was swift, my kids were given door gifts which consisted of tooth brush, body sponge and ballon cheering stick.  Why they gave the ballons, I don't know.  I told my pack to rest for 1 hour then we'll go swimming, I though of getting a nap. Picture picture, watch TV, unpack our clothes...booom, 2 hours is gone. Swam for 2 hours then headed out to USS for dinner.  Glad that Malaysian Food Street has opened.  It's Singapore Hawker food in the midst of an expensive place.  Because we had budget, eat all you can! At least the food there were affordable.  We watched the show at the Lake of Dreams, pang turista lang =( inantok ako during the show.

Saturday

No rise and shine schedule.  We were up by 9 am, same as our usual weekend.  Since we got the room for a deal, no breakfast.  Anyway, from reviews, the breakfast at Festive was not that good. Pare parehas lang naman sa lahat ng hotel...American Breakfast (kuripot ka lang kamo!).  Headed to Malaysian food street again.  Cge eat all you can...roti prata, kopi and toast. Napadami ang breakfast, we agreed to skip lunch.  Picture picture hahaha.  Balik sa room and by 11 am, we were ready to check out pero swim muna kami ulit.  I let them go ahead while I made sure all things were ready to go.  At 11:30 Mom and I headed back to the room to shower.  After which, I checked out.  I expected check out to have long que...naku parang ghost town sa reception. So walang ganun karaming guests ang hotel.  Actually there were so few people at the pool, meron ding another Filipino family who like us, sinulit din ang pool. Kapal ng mukha namin, kahit naka check out na kami, nasa pool parin si Audrey and we were at the cabana.  Wala nang ibang tao.  Naisip ko nga, para masulit mo ang bayad mo sa 1N sa hotel, maaga palang, andun kana, ipa-store mo lang luggage mo, then magswim ka na. Pagka check-in sa hapon, matulog sa masarap na kama. Feeling ko nga yung ibang families na lumalangoy doon were not hotel guests.  Security was not tight at all.

After Audrey became super nog nog, we headed to the Maritime Experiencial Museum.  It was good for the kids.  There was a "typhoon theater" naexcite ako kasi nakalagay doon, experience the perils of a storm at sea.  Gusto ko nun! yung tipong rollercoaster.  Haha....wala. But it's really good for learning kids.  The life size ship replica in the museum was so nice.  It showed great craftsmanship.  Mom also mentioned it.  She'd never have the chance to see and touch those things if not for the museum.  There was also this pottery making station with a big LCD, para ka lang naglalaro sa iPhone and whoala! may maganda ka nang jar.  People lined up to use the application.

Dinner was at Aston's Specialties at 5 pm.  Affordable and has the Filipino taste of grilled meat.

Happy Birthday Mama! Thanks for the treat >__<

Back to School Saya 2012

Last year I started my charity stint  "Back to School Saya".  I try to help needy kids for school supplies.  Tinataon ko ito ng bigayan ng increase sa suweldo at dahil birthday ko din.

This year I planned to help a friend who has 3 kids she's raising on her own. Last year ko pa pinagpepray na sana matulungan ko sila.  But on Valentine's day, I received a shocking news.  Namatayan ng asawa yung dati kong inspector sa HICAP.  She has a young daughter.  God told me to change plans and so I did.

I let her know of my intension to send some cash for her daughter.  Nakakatuwa ang sagot niya.  "Dininig din ng Panginoon ang mga panalangin ko!" 

Western Union just confimed via text na nakuha na nga ni Ate ang pang Back to School ni Patchuchay.

Praise the Lord!

James 1:27 ...to look after orphans and widows in their distress...

Something new with blogger ha!  Nalito ako sa pag post.

I miss blogging!

non stop kasi ang work =(

this made me cry

I love you too my Audrey Rose!
Let's have a great time in Hongkong Disneyland on your birthday.

mmmmwah ^.^

Monster Mommy

Everyday, I will check with my fellow Pinay na colleague about some things na patungkol sa anak kong babae.  Kasi matanda lang ng isang taon ang anak niya kay Audrey.  Madami akong natututunan sa kanya.

Hirap kasi ako sa anak ko.  Primary 1 na siya at umaga ang pasok.  Hay nako, first week of February, talagang I branded myself na as a Monster Mommy.  Every morning sa breakfast nagiging monster ako hahaha and huhuhu.

Bakit kaya ganun? Nung ako maliit super behaved naman ako (ahem...totoo yan, lagi akong example ni Mama kay Audrey).

I attended a talk sponsored by the school on how to improve the IQ of your children.  Hay naku, dito sa SG, super ang demand ng parents sa pagiging first class ng mga anak.  Ito talagang matagal kong itinuro sa sarili ko na hindi dapat ako maging ganun.  I'll just let my kids be their best.  E ano nga raw, sa pagkain daw nakasalalay ang katalinuhan.  So the famous saying na "Breakfast is the most important meal" is so true.  But we also need to make sure na healthy ang breakfast.

Dati oatmeal with 5 tablespoons of milo ...yes I said five...ang breakfast ni Audrey.  Tapos madalas yung milo lang ang kinakain niya.  Or bread with loads of nutella.  Kahit bigay ko na yung gusto niya, bagal parin siya gumalaw.  So i searched for healthy breakfast options...nak nang! salad, blueberry muffin, veggie omelet...ano ba yan, nasubukan niyo na bang ipakain sa bata yan? Hindi kaya nila kakainin yan.  I bought flatbread, put peanut butter, cheese, strawberries and banana.  Isang kagat...ayaw na.  See?  Pero pumatok ang banana with peanut butter (2 tablespoons...OK lang basta natural).  Instantly, gumanda rin ang mood ng anak ko that week.  But today, medyo hmm hmm na naman...

Something funny and nice happened this morning. Pagkahatid ko sa anak ko, I noticed one Lolo trying to fix the hair of her apo.  Clue less si Lolo pano itali, bawal nakalugay sa school.  So I offered to help, mega braid ko ang hair ni girl.  Sa paghipo ko palang ng buhok ng bata, ang lagkit, di pa nasusuklay. Isa sa mga issue namin ng anak ko ang ayos ng buhok, napaka-arte niya hahaha.  Sabi ng lolo, araw araw daw nag aaway ang bata at maid nila, "today the maid give up". So hindi naman ako nag-iisa...pero maid ang sabi ni Lolo, saan naman ang ina ng bata? Well...

I just felt better na kahit monster mommy ako, laging bagong ligo ang anak ko at maayos ang buhok.  Medyo nagdadalaga narin ang anak ko, I hope we can be the best of friends sa paglaki niya.  Pero mukhang typical teenager story na magiging most hated niya ako...wag naman po sana.

Feeling mo Beauty Queen?

Parang gusto kong lumuha nung pumila ang mga kapwa ko Engineer sa botohan ng Best Dressed segment ng aming Dinner and Dance noong Sabado.

Feeling mo beauty queen ka? Haller...it's just the dress no!

Padangat Ko

Padangat Ko means "mahal ko" in Bicol.

I was shocked when a pretty girl tagged my husband to her photo which had the caption "Para sa Padangat Ko".

Hindi ba kayo manghihina kung makita ninyo ito?

So nag email ako sa kanya to inform him, ang sabi lang niya, hindi niya kilala si Mitch.  His friend just tagged him the photo.  Huwag na daw namin pag usapan.

Tiwala naman ako sa asawa ko, anyway nasa Japan itong Mitch na ito. 

Ang ganda niya ha!

Hello Kuripot Thoughts :)

Almost dalawang buwan din akong hindi nag blog.  But I love reading posts from the links on the right. Everyday ako nagchecheck ng new posts. Mas masayang magbasa ng blog kesa sa FB! I deleted my FB for two weeks...weh di ko kinaya, downloaded the app again.  Para akong timang, everytime I open my FB, I warn myself to be ready to get hurt.  Ano nga bang nakakhurt sa akin?  I confess that I get so envious of other people's "better" life.  I have a good life, but they have better.  Bakeeet?  My other me always scolds me that I am feeling wrong, envy is a sin...bad bad bad ako.  But I can't help it.  Pero takbo agad ako kay Lord, "Lord, pick me up please, I'm so down".  Nakakainis na itong feeling na ito.   It's so stupid but how ah? what to do ah? 

Anyway, happier notes, my trackers on this site say:

2 months and 3 days to go to our HK adventure.  Air Tickets, Hotel and Pocket Money -- check!  Good job Mommy hehehe... super excited ang anak ko.  We'll be shopping these coming weeks for her wardrobe (naisip ko lang, dapat buong family pala bumili ng wardrobe for this trip, medyo malamig pa sa HK...tsk tsk butas bulsa na naman).

1 year 5 months na pala akong nagbe-breast feed!!! whoa, ang laki na ni baby ah.  Well, I do not know how much BM my son is getting from me.  Pero basta excited parin siya pag darating ako and he really needs to latch before going to sleep.  Ginawa na akong pacifier ng anak ko.  The feeling of breasfeeding is really rewarding.   

I went window shopping with my Mom the other night.  Super fun.  Tawa kami ng tawa. 

Thanks blogosphere, it's more fun here!