#JMHome post: 5. Coming all together bit by bit!

Okay, since the boyfren hasn't come to pick me up yet so let me finish this entry up! Don't want to delay it otherwise I will forget everything quickly. The renovation work is coming to the final stage. After this week, it should b 95% done and not many worker come in and out the house so we decided to clean and assemble the Ikea's furniture. It was seriously tiring day as my back was still aching and I was all sock w/ sweat! But looking at the whole house now, it is so satisfied and happy!

Will b showing you some Before & After photo.

Before - with loads of boxes laying on the floor

After - The extendable dining table which I only found out when the worker assemble it. It can probably sit up to 12 person ;)
Thinking to get 1 more glass cabinet at the side there to make it 3!

 
Before - The messy living room occupied w/ small box size of kitchen cabinet...

After - and now the living room is clean and tidy up. The furniture that suppose to live in there are all done! We left some decorative thingy and we r good to go ;)


Before - While there is some workers downstairs assemble the furniture, there r some up assemble my fav piece among all that we purchased- Mr Alex!

After - Tadaaaahhh... Mr Alex rocking handsome looo ;D




Our build-in-kitchen-cabinet slow in progress but steady! Will b finishing install by tomorrow. Can't wait to organize all my cookware, kitchen utensil, oven & start decorate it ;)

 
Curtain also finally up!

How do you like our new curtain? Don't they look pretty nice? Boyfren can't help and keep repeating this to me- 很有feel咯！

So, what is next now? Not much but seem like still plenty to do. We r packing & moving sooon!!
Superb excited ;) Everyday is a blessing and it is so exciting for us in this beautiful season. Counting blessing and name them one by one xx

#JMHome post: 4. What's up for the past week?

According to our schedule, our new house should b ready by now, otherwise end of Aug but because of the grill, we have to delay our progress. Another story to share in fact but to cut the looooong story short, we have to look for another company to do our grill. When we got this company to help us, it was the Raya week. Most of their staff were on-leave so drag until today, we finally got to install the grill. It needs 2 days to install as it is not as easy as we thought. But we thank God because we learnt our lesson and any all how, it is still the cheapest among all ;) 

Nowadays, almost every house need grill. To b honest, I don't really like it but we don't have choice. Safety has to come first! At least when Joel outstation next time, I will feel more safer. Of course, we also set up the alarm system too. Speaking of this, we finally get to install it by Saturday and w/ the grill and alarm system up, the interior part like furniture & deco is coming too. I seriously can't wait for this part to come. I personally love interior deco & I also purposely allocated some of my day off to stay there to clean up, unpack, organize &
deco the whole house.

Before

After

Looking at our calendar, build-in-kitchen cabinet, mosquito net (which I have mentioned zillion million times here in this blog, twitter & insta), pipping at the laundry area & toilet, assemble Ikea's furniture & install curtain should b done by next week! We have some small thing to install too like the digital hanger at the laundry area, the prevent lizard to come into our house (the most important part for me) & also touching up some of the paint at our door frame, wall...

We have a lil back-yard and now full of grass that taller than me. We don't even bother to do anything yet but we planned to clean it up and put simen as flooring so that we can plant some vege or fruit and we also can cook & have our meal outside there. So, Joel has agreed to get me a grill set. Superb excited when I come to think of it because I am gonna grill some chicken for burger, pork, corn... OH MY!!! Yummmmmiiiessss ;p

This was happened last Saturday. The whole house turn into major war zone w/ different ppl came in to do different thing.

As you can see, the kitchen is not that big but it is killing me to clean the whole kitchen!

Look at the hole, it is for the kitchen hob

Major drilling for pipping at the kitchen!

While the rest were busying doing their thing, we don't want to left behind doing nothing. So boyfren went and touch some of the painting that we used to do it.

The tired face of him. Unexpected painting work needed to be done. Both of us sweat from inside out!!
& me wearing the wrong attire and my black Channel flat became whity polka dot flat now :(
 
6 hours of cleaning upper & lower floor finally completed! We know it will all paid off tho we got back-ache, sore leg and hand & muscle cramp!
This is a complete empty kitchen but tomolo it will b fill w/ the build-in-kitchen-cabinet ;) Yay, so looking forward because kitchen will b my territory!

The curtain rods are all up and curtain are all ready to hang up!
 
Swept the whole car porch and it is looking handsome, don't you think so?
Clean, clear & bright!

So tomolo is the most fun part of the entire renovation work which is to assemble the Ikea's furniture which I have been looking forward to! Other than that, build-in-kitchen-cabinet also very exciting!!
We are ready to show you a whole new atmosphere of our new house! Stay tune
xx

Life can b colorful and wonderful if you do it right ;)

Something that Joel and I wanted to share w/ all of you ;)

1. push yourself to get up before the rest of the world - start with 7am, then 6am, then 5:30am. go to the nearest hill with a big coat and a scarf and watch the sun rise.

2. push yourself to fall asleep earlier - start with 11pm, then 10pm, then 9pm. wake up in the morning feeling re-energized and comfortable. 

3. erase processed food from your diet. start with no lollies, chips, biscuits, thenerase pasta, rice, cereal, then bread. use the rule that if a child couldn’t identify what was in it, you don’t eat it.

4. get into the habit of cooking yourself a beautiful breakfast. fry tomatoes and mushrooms in real butter and garlic, fry an egg, slice up a fresh avocado and squirt way too much lemon on it. sit and eat it and do nothing else. 

5. stretch. start by reaching for the sky as hard as you can, then trying to touch your toes. roll your head. stretch your fingers. stretch everything.

6. buy a 1L water bottle. start with pushing yourself to drink the whole thing in a day, then try drinking it twice.

7. buy a beautiful diary and a beautiful black pen. write down everything you do, including dinner dates, appointments, assignments, coffees, what you need to do that day. no detail is too small.

8. strip your bed of your sheets and empty your underwear draw into the washing machine. put a massive scoop of scented fabric softener in there and wash. make your bed in full.

9. organise your room. fold all your clothes (and bag what you don’t want), clean your mirror, your laptop, vacuum the floor. light a beautiful candle.

10. have a luxurious shower with your favourite music playing. wash your hair, scrub your body, brush your teeth. lather your whole body in moisturiser, get familiar with the part between your toes, your inner thighs, the back of your neck.

11. push yourself to go for a walk. take your headphones, go to the beach and walk. smile at strangers walking the other way and be surprised how many smile back. bring your dog and observe the dog’s behaviour. realise you can learn from your dog.

12. message old friends with personal jokes. reminisce. suggest a catch up soon, even if you don’t follow through. push yourself to follow through.

14. think long and hard about what interests you. crime? sex? boarding school? long-forgotten romance etiquette? find a book about it and read it. there is a book about literally everything.

15. become the person you would ideally fall in love with. let cars merge into your lane when driving. pay double for parking tickets and leave a second one in the machine. stick your tongue out at babies. compliment people on their cute clothes. challenge yourself to not ridicule anyone for a whole day. then two. then a week. walk with a straight posture. look people in the eye. ask people about their story. talk to acquaintances so they become friends.

16. lie in the sunshine. daydream about the life you would lead if failure wasn’t a thing. open your eyes. take small steps to make it happen for you.

Pretty sure that life will b more colorful and wonderful if we remind ourselves often ;)

#JMDay post: 6. The Marriage Preparation Course (Developing strong foundations for a lasting marriage)

I was meant to share our experience on "The Marriage Preparation Course" months ago but I hasn't have any time to do it. I don't want it to jumble w/ other entry but instead I want it to specially have a post for it because I think it deserves it ;)
Well, in fact it was a bit early for us to join the MPC because our wedding will be happening only next year but we just worried that this course wouldn't held until beginning of next year. So we decided to make ourselves available to attend it. At least we won't be so tight up or rush to join this if the church organize it again next year.

We are recommended to do The Marriage Preparation Course as Christian. Making the choice to get marry is part of the journey of being in a relationship. We prayed about it and therefore we are embarking this journey together as one. It is a big deal to get marry. And as common as it is, it is also totally an unfamiliar phase, especially for us. Nowadays, it is also common that marriage break down to divorce issue and this attributed by loads of factor. So Joel and I are very keen in in taking this course together to help and prepare us to develop a strong foundations for a lasting marriage.

Session 1 - Communication

Basically, communication is important in any aspect. Our personality, family background & circumstances might affect the way we communicate. So, learning to communicate and understand each others' need in order not to have communication break-down.

The best way to insure a marriage is to invest in it!

Look at our happy face ;)

Session 2 - CommitmentWe discussed about why Marriage? Either for friendship or family life, we both think that marriage is a covenant. It is difference between a covenant and a contract. Covenant is a promise to God to love and be committed to each other for as long as both shall live. Commitment is protective casing around our relationship. Intimacy requires vulnerability. Vulnerability requires trust while trust requires commitment. 

Investment on a marriage is to spend time together on a daily basis, weekly basic & annual basis.

Plan it, prior it and protect it. Do something that we both like and balance it up- this is what Joel has written down on his MPC's manual. 

Sometime I do ask myself how did we come to this far? It is so funny that to come to think of it. A 14 years old boy fall in love w/ a 19 years old girl and the extraordinary journey begin! Throughout this 7 years, I couldn't remember when is the time that we fall out of love. We constantly fall in love w/ one another but I do believe that in the future, there is season that we might fall out of love because we will constantly change. We are not the same people we were when we got married, and in five years we will not be the same person we are today. Change will come, and in that you have to re-choose each other everyday. That's when COMMITMENT comes into the big picture. What ties a married couple long after the initial 'love' is gone is commitment. When two people are committed in their marriage, they'll make effort to do whatever it takes. Even to rekindle their love and it is possible.

Session 3 - Resolving ConflictAs much as we don't like conflict, but believe it or not, conflict is the one who make us grow stronger and closer w/ one another. We are all different! Different brought up, different culture & background so we must also expect conflict no matter w/ families, friends, colleagues, the better half or even w/ our own self. Throughout this session, it makes us realize the differences between us like, spending and saving habit, tidiness issue or how we plan and organisation thing. Joel is hedgehogs, a quieter one. He will remain silent and keep everything in heart and burst out if he can't hold it anymore while I am rhinos, I will spit it all out and let him know the whole situation and point that why we have conflict. Over the years, Joel has been absolute quiet when it comes to conflict this topic but I see some improvement in him. He is trying his best to speak more after both of us calm down. He tend not to speak when we both on the boiling point. We are typical 'conflict-couple'. When we have any even a minor conflict, we learn to let it out, learn to tolerate, learn to accept our differences, learn to appreciate each other's strengths, learn to support each other's weaknesses and the most importantly is to learn to FORGIVE and MAKE PEACE.

'Love keeps no record of wrongs' 1 Corinthians 13:5

There are some pointer in the manual book to help us solve our conflict:1) Hit the 'pause' button: I know that Joel cannot talk when he is extremely tired or sleepy. So no talking at night (the 10 o'clock rule) otherwise it will become even more worst and as for myself, Joel knows that he can sort of do some "talk" when I am totally in a good mood like hooping into his car singing, doing all sort of silly funny act.

2) Identify the issue: Sometime we couldn't identify the issue but sometime we can. But all these, either Joel and I have to identify it and normally both of us will cool down and think. Mostly, I will be the one who try to digest and identify the issue that we have then I will talk w/ Joel and both of us will sit down and put it all out in front of ourselves and move towards each other to work on it together.

3) Discuss the issue rather than attack one another: To avoid labeling eg 'you always...' / 'you never...' We both rather feel so similar and guilty about this. Whenever we have conflict or argument, this pointer will automatically came to our mind to remind ourselves not to mention 'you always...' / 'you never...' or rather we should use 'I' statements eg 'I feel hurt when...' We are working on this and yes, we do still repeat it unconsciously. We also learn to control our temper instead of bringing the mood / anger that we have in the work place back home.

4) Listen to each other (take it in turns to talk): I remembered I always ask Joel: Do you have anything you want to tell me today? Not necessarily I love you or I miss you but instead how's the day? What had happened in his day that I have missed out? Joel will normally replied, nothing much or I am good and then keep quiet in the beginning but now he learns to tell me in details and he learns to listen to me and asked me, How's my day or What have you learn today? So communicate and listen to one another is very important.

5) Work out the possible solutions: This is kinda similar w/ Identify the issue. Once we identified it, we will talk about different possibilities who causes it and we will work out the possible solutions on it. Joel finds that write down in a list is helpful while I choose to be more spontaneous.

6) Choose the best solution for your relationship and see if it works. For Joel, he thinks that 3. Discuss the issue rather than attack one another while I think 2. Identify the issue is the most important of the 'six steps for resolving conflict'.

All in all, we do find that talk = communication is the most important aspect in every relationship which it is the 1st session in this course. As time goes by, Joel learn to talk more and I learn to be more quiet when we are having any conflict. Good thing is, we both love to talk any other time and we both enjoyed being the real self in front of each other.

Psalm 85

Love and faithfulness come together.

Session 4 - Keeping love alive & Session 5 - Shared goals and values are coming soon since we have missed out this 2 sessions.

xx

First 2 weeks of August... Gooooo ;)

#1

First of all, I just wanted to do a shout out to the most amazing boyfren on earth!
Belated 92 Wennnie Day. I love you ;)*
Remembered that I woke up w/ the sweetest text ever- Happy Wennnie Day to my Super Princess and I love you the most the most! Instantly put a big smile on my face and I literally had the best day ever. No lie*

W/o realize, the month of August literally left like 2 weeks. Yes, 2 weeks!! No kidding. It went pass so quick and it is almost come to an end soooonn... It was a superb busy 2 weeks beginning of this month so let me take you a tour on what I have been doing.

#2
We had a loooong weekend during the Raya week. So the Soma team decided to have a farewell lunch w/ Andrew before he goes off to US which is TODAY! Omggg.... My memory hanging on when he was young, tiny & skinny during St Patrick's time and now he is a grown up person, ready to go and explore a whole new stage of his life independently! Seriously miss the time when we were in South Africa. Having him around for the whole trip was a blessing to me. I will keep this wonderful memory in heart and miss this big guy.

Andrew, the big guy! Always put a cheerful big smile on his face and always give you hug when he sees u.

Roy, Samen, Andrew and me before "Miss Yes" arrive.

I have my craving fixed! Superb yummmmies compared w/ the other ordinary Japanese Res.

Superb fresh Sashimi too!

I must say this is the most delicious Salmon belly that I had before! Fresh, tender & juicy!

Unagi & Avocado Roll, also superb JENG!

Finally, a proper group photo! We all wore the same color tone that day ;)

A cheeky one.
We had a good day catching up w/ one another especially to Andrew!
Wishing you the best in US and may God lead you in every step you take.

#3

Parenting Course- In fact, Joel and I sort of getting so excited about it. I personally learnt a loads from both the speaker, Nicky and Silla Lee. Through the video that we watched, we are more confident in parenting our children in the future. One thing that I felt happy is that Joel really put effort in this course which he is showing me his passion & heart for our future children. I felt such joy in my heart for his respond and act.
Dear Our-Future-Children, whenever you have chance to read this- Please remember that both your parent are trying their best to give you the best in parenting you when you are in this world. We will also give our very best to make sure you are walking in the path that God wants you to be.
Love, Papa & Mama

#4

Codi and I tried to do Roasted Pork and it turned out kinda well.

Fried Chicken Tender w/ my own recipe for one of the afternoon's high-tea while watching Lee Chong Wei's badminton match.

Craving fixed!

#5

DCMLT 2 just happened. Thank God for this opportunity to learn how to minister to children w/ special needs. I also enjoying myself in doing craft in one of the session. Just a whole morning of doing nothing but craft. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It has been such a long time I dint manage to do any craft which I used to do it so often. But no worry, I think I will start again soon when the new house is done because we will b having a craft room like this--

Yay, superb excited again even when I am typing this ;)

I think my good fren also enjoyed it so much too and we both had a good time laughing and teasing each other!

After 3 whole day of training, a treat for ourselves w/ the invited Speaker, Rev Chu.

and of course, fruits is so much needed in this hot weather. Rain in a second then sun came out the next second*

#6

Finally, (HIGHLIGHT of my week) I'm gonna end this post w/ boyfren volunteers to join Worship team not being a musician but helping in PA & Lighting. I'm so glad that he is being kind and helpful when he sees the need in the church. Even he is an usher now but he still make his time and effort to come every Thursday night to learn and help out.
Praying that we can serve together wholeheartedly as a family from now till the very end of our life! Amen. 
xx