After almost a year of closure, my upstair bathroom is finally open again...
Since there was water leakage from the main floor ceiling, we then decided to not use the bathroom until it's fixed. Can't believe it's been a year now. During this time we use the basement washroom instead.
The fixing is not an easy process. It almost goes on for a month. How well the process go, totally depends on how good the plumber is. And I'm really "taking a chance" to ask the handyman who helps out my coworker, to fix my problem.
I guess it's not an easy process for him (the plumber) as well. It took him several attempts to find the leak. Finally, the leak is identified: the water pressure regulator besides the valve to refill the toilet water tank, is leaking every time the toilet is flushed and water is refilled. It's not easy to find because this component is actually hiding inside the wall of the cabinet.
The fixing itself is quick and easy though(just change that component!). Then we continue to use the bathroom for a few days to see if there is extra leakage, before closing the ceiling.
Luckily, that seems to the only leakage and he then came over 4 or 5 times to fix, patch and re-paint the ceiling.
Finally, after the long await, my bathroom is now reopened.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
New Year
I am not gonna call it a new year resolution. But rather, a new year wish list:
Lose 20 lbs,
Be more decisive,
Learn to make better decision.
In general:
Stay healthy,
World peace...
And this is my ultimate dream:
Win lotto jackpot! haha :D
Lose 20 lbs,
Be more decisive,
Learn to make better decision.
In general:
Stay healthy,
World peace...
And this is my ultimate dream:
Win lotto jackpot! haha :D
Happy Holidays!
Las Vegas Trip
Dec 23-27
After getting a promotion, my workload is doubled if not tripled! So we decided to go for a short vacation during the x'mas holiday. We have thought about LA, New York etc...But end up going to Las Vegas because of the price. Where else we can stay in a 6 star hotel with a decent price?
In order to further save $, we have decided to fly from Seattle. We first drove to the Seatac Airport and park at the nearby parking lot: Seatac Parking. Reasonably price (half price compare to park at the airport). There is frequent (and free) shuttle bus to take you to/from the airport. The parking lot itself is fenced and seems quite secure. By flying from Seattle instead of Vancouver we have saved $200/person! Definitely worth to do it again (and of course, my husband doesn't mind driving). Anyway, we arrived at Vegas around 9pm. We walked around the hotel (Mandalay Bay) to get us more familiar with this place and had a quick dinner in the hotel cafe.
X'mas Eve
Today we are going to have lunch with my ex-coworker couple in Paris Hotel. There is free tram that takes us from Mandalay Bay to Excarlibur, which is just right across New York New York. Still, it takes around another half an hour walk to Paris. I am definitely not aware of the cold. I still remembered few years ago when I was in Vegas in December, it's around 10C. Cold but not freezing. This time, it definitely feels colder than Vancouver. Finally we got to Paris Buffet entrance. Oh my...the lineup is way beyond the 90 minute mark! We end up waiting 2.5 hours for the buffet and start our lunch (supposely brunch) at 2pm! And of course, feeling so exhausted, I just keep eating. My eyes roll bigger with the varieties of food and crepe station...And right after I had my last dessert...I started to feel stuffed, overly stuffed. On the way to Wynn, I do bump into my ex-coworker again. AMAZING! I thought walking around would help digesting but even I walk back to the hotel (another 1 hour) I am still feeling stuffed, so stuffed that I can't even sleep well. In the end, I need to throw up a little bit to get rid of the indigestive food. By the time I manage to sleep, it's already around 6am. Henry is not any better, he also feels stuffed but at the same time, he got a little bit fever! We both took some tylenol and rest...
X'mas Day
X'mas day just flies during our sleep. By the time I got up it's already 5pm. "Luckily" there is a Chinese noodle house inside the hotel, I just bought a bowl of congee (it's $11US!!!) and a plate of vegetable (choy sum for $12.95!!). Henry had a little bit share of congee and we still have no energy to go out and explore.
Being stuck at the hotel room for so long, I finally can't resist of paying $11.95 to go online...
Boxing Day
While we started to gain energy little by little, we need to move to another hotel. Today we are leaving Manadlay Bay and stay in Wynn hotel. We took advantage of the buy 2 get 1 free night deal of Mandalay Bay so we stay there for 3 nights (avg $100US/night). The very last night we would like to try the newest 6-star hotel - Wynn. There is special rate for $159US/night. The Wynn receptionist is so nice to allow us to check in at 11am, and also upgrade us to the almost top floor a panoramic view hotel room. Things feel so different in Wynn. As long as we open the door, there is music from the TV screen-saver. Both the TV and phone menu has my name on it. Very personalized service! There are more amenities in Wynn than MB too. In Wynn's hotel room, there are bath robe and very nice quality slipper for guests. And for the first time, I found a bathroom scale inside the washroom! Although, both hotel offer TV inside the washroom.
Since we don't have any great x'mas meal, I decided to pamper myself with the in-room service. I ordered a afternoon tea set and a chicken noodle soup for Henry. Overviewing the Las Vegas Strip area on the 58th floor while having our afternoon tea is definitely breath taking.
After the meal, I have a quick walk to the shopping mall right across the hotel.
Didn't buy anything, though.
We already reserved the O show ticket @ the Ballegio. At first we plan to have dinner buffet at Bellagio then we go to watch the show. Since we are still recovering, we can't have any buffet yet so we decided to have Chinese food again. Too bad there is no Chinese noodle house in Wynn, so we went to the Venetian hotel that I remember had there is a Chinese noodle house. After a short wait in the lineup, we are having congee as our dinner again! Then we decided to take a taxi to Bellagio (although there's only 20 mins walk!). We don't want to get a cold any more! And at that moment, I saw the fine print on my printed ticket: need to get there 1 hour before the show or subject to cancel! Oh it's already 9:25 and the show is starting at 10:30!! The strip is super congested and my heart just beat faster and faster! If the tickets are cancelled that means $275 is gone!!! >_<
If the show is fabulous, the venue itself must be magnificent! The stage is once a pool, then in the next split second the dancer can walk on it. Water's all gone! Amazing! Besides the usual movement, there is also a few diving scenes, which make me think whether the team members are mainly from China? Cirque du Soeli show is never disappointing, it's even better than the first one I have seen (Mystere in Treasure Island). The live music with Er Wu accompaniment is so good too! The 2-hour show is truely great! After the show (already mid-night) we took a few picture in Bellagio and took taxi back to the hotel.
Dec 27
It's time to say goodbye. There is even lineup for checkout. But being a 6-star hotel, Wynn staff is offering free hot chocolate with whipped cream for us...yum~
On the way to airport, the taxi driver (a Black guy) keeps talking about politics which almost bores me to death. You know, I have no interest in AMERICAN politics anyway... But Henry is interested to chit chat with him. Anyway, we are still early for our flight and fortunately, there is free Wi-Fi in LV airport, unlike Seattle or Vancouver...
The flight got delayed 1.5 hour this time (our last flight is on time). It's already 7:30 when we fly back to Seattle. Waited around 20 minutes (1 bus is full) for the shuttle bus, we finally got back to our car. Another 2.5 hours drive back to Vancouver... After we come back, we have congee (again!) in Fung Ming's congee place. I should definitely lose some weight with all these congee meal!
This ends our X'mas vacation: a true relax vacation that we lie down on the hotel room bed almost every day! The hotel definitely worth the price!
Dec 23-27
After getting a promotion, my workload is doubled if not tripled! So we decided to go for a short vacation during the x'mas holiday. We have thought about LA, New York etc...But end up going to Las Vegas because of the price. Where else we can stay in a 6 star hotel with a decent price?
In order to further save $, we have decided to fly from Seattle. We first drove to the Seatac Airport and park at the nearby parking lot: Seatac Parking. Reasonably price (half price compare to park at the airport). There is frequent (and free) shuttle bus to take you to/from the airport. The parking lot itself is fenced and seems quite secure. By flying from Seattle instead of Vancouver we have saved $200/person! Definitely worth to do it again (and of course, my husband doesn't mind driving). Anyway, we arrived at Vegas around 9pm. We walked around the hotel (Mandalay Bay) to get us more familiar with this place and had a quick dinner in the hotel cafe.
X'mas Eve
Today we are going to have lunch with my ex-coworker couple in Paris Hotel. There is free tram that takes us from Mandalay Bay to Excarlibur, which is just right across New York New York. Still, it takes around another half an hour walk to Paris. I am definitely not aware of the cold. I still remembered few years ago when I was in Vegas in December, it's around 10C. Cold but not freezing. This time, it definitely feels colder than Vancouver. Finally we got to Paris Buffet entrance. Oh my...the lineup is way beyond the 90 minute mark! We end up waiting 2.5 hours for the buffet and start our lunch (supposely brunch) at 2pm! And of course, feeling so exhausted, I just keep eating. My eyes roll bigger with the varieties of food and crepe station...And right after I had my last dessert...I started to feel stuffed, overly stuffed. On the way to Wynn, I do bump into my ex-coworker again. AMAZING! I thought walking around would help digesting but even I walk back to the hotel (another 1 hour) I am still feeling stuffed, so stuffed that I can't even sleep well. In the end, I need to throw up a little bit to get rid of the indigestive food. By the time I manage to sleep, it's already around 6am. Henry is not any better, he also feels stuffed but at the same time, he got a little bit fever! We both took some tylenol and rest...
X'mas Day
X'mas day just flies during our sleep. By the time I got up it's already 5pm. "Luckily" there is a Chinese noodle house inside the hotel, I just bought a bowl of congee (it's $11US!!!) and a plate of vegetable (choy sum for $12.95!!). Henry had a little bit share of congee and we still have no energy to go out and explore.
Being stuck at the hotel room for so long, I finally can't resist of paying $11.95 to go online...
Boxing Day
While we started to gain energy little by little, we need to move to another hotel. Today we are leaving Manadlay Bay and stay in Wynn hotel. We took advantage of the buy 2 get 1 free night deal of Mandalay Bay so we stay there for 3 nights (avg $100US/night). The very last night we would like to try the newest 6-star hotel - Wynn. There is special rate for $159US/night. The Wynn receptionist is so nice to allow us to check in at 11am, and also upgrade us to the almost top floor a panoramic view hotel room. Things feel so different in Wynn. As long as we open the door, there is music from the TV screen-saver. Both the TV and phone menu has my name on it. Very personalized service! There are more amenities in Wynn than MB too. In Wynn's hotel room, there are bath robe and very nice quality slipper for guests. And for the first time, I found a bathroom scale inside the washroom! Although, both hotel offer TV inside the washroom.
Since we don't have any great x'mas meal, I decided to pamper myself with the in-room service. I ordered a afternoon tea set and a chicken noodle soup for Henry. Overviewing the Las Vegas Strip area on the 58th floor while having our afternoon tea is definitely breath taking.
After the meal, I have a quick walk to the shopping mall right across the hotel.
Didn't buy anything, though.
We already reserved the O show ticket @ the Ballegio. At first we plan to have dinner buffet at Bellagio then we go to watch the show. Since we are still recovering, we can't have any buffet yet so we decided to have Chinese food again. Too bad there is no Chinese noodle house in Wynn, so we went to the Venetian hotel that I remember had there is a Chinese noodle house. After a short wait in the lineup, we are having congee as our dinner again! Then we decided to take a taxi to Bellagio (although there's only 20 mins walk!). We don't want to get a cold any more! And at that moment, I saw the fine print on my printed ticket: need to get there 1 hour before the show or subject to cancel! Oh it's already 9:25 and the show is starting at 10:30!! The strip is super congested and my heart just beat faster and faster! If the tickets are cancelled that means $275 is gone!!! >_<
If the show is fabulous, the venue itself must be magnificent! The stage is once a pool, then in the next split second the dancer can walk on it. Water's all gone! Amazing! Besides the usual movement, there is also a few diving scenes, which make me think whether the team members are mainly from China? Cirque du Soeli show is never disappointing, it's even better than the first one I have seen (Mystere in Treasure Island). The live music with Er Wu accompaniment is so good too! The 2-hour show is truely great! After the show (already mid-night) we took a few picture in Bellagio and took taxi back to the hotel.
Dec 27
It's time to say goodbye. There is even lineup for checkout. But being a 6-star hotel, Wynn staff is offering free hot chocolate with whipped cream for us...yum~
On the way to airport, the taxi driver (a Black guy) keeps talking about politics which almost bores me to death. You know, I have no interest in AMERICAN politics anyway... But Henry is interested to chit chat with him. Anyway, we are still early for our flight and fortunately, there is free Wi-Fi in LV airport, unlike Seattle or Vancouver...
The flight got delayed 1.5 hour this time (our last flight is on time). It's already 7:30 when we fly back to Seattle. Waited around 20 minutes (1 bus is full) for the shuttle bus, we finally got back to our car. Another 2.5 hours drive back to Vancouver... After we come back, we have congee (again!) in Fung Ming's congee place. I should definitely lose some weight with all these congee meal!
This ends our X'mas vacation: a true relax vacation that we lie down on the hotel room bed almost every day! The hotel definitely worth the price!
 |
| Las Vegas X'mas |
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Time flies...
It's not my intention to not even post one single blog for 3 months.
It's either life goes too plain and not much to talk about, or too many things to talk about which I got so little time left for writing. It's the later case.
Now let's try a quick recall/recap...
Halloween
This is the first Halloween that I have ever considered dress up myself. Of course, there must be some incentive. Whoever gets the best costume within the company will get a ticket to Beckham's soccer game! Being a fan of soccer game (who grew up in HK is not interested in soccer game?) and of course, a fan of the superstar Beckham, I definitely don't want to miss the opportunity of going to the live game FREE!
On the night before, I bought a set of costume from Save On Food. It's not easy to find something that fit (you know, I don't want to dress up as a sexy French maid to work). I decided to choose a witch outfit. It includes a black dress, hat and a belt. The dress fits surpringly well (i.e. the dress that could hide my excess fat! haha)
Although, in the end, I didn't get the best costume award, nor the draw for the ticket, I still feel glad with my first attempt to dress up myself during halloween. I'm feeling more into the local culture now.
Soccer game
I have mentioned that I didn't get the draw for the ticket, nor the prize so I was thinking I won't be able to go to my first live soccer game. But every cloud has a silver lining! I finally got a ticket from a coworker. Beckham is playing in a LA team against the Vancouver team. I doubt myself should I cheer for the Vancouver team or the Beckham team? I bet the 48000 crowd in BC place mostly (if not all) come for Beckham. However, Vancouver team do get a lot of applaude when they are attacking. My seat is not particularly close so most of the time I rely on the binoculars for close shot of Beckham. He did play more than half of the game and I guess that's all mattters, not the final 0-0 score.
Level up!
Basically I do not like to introduce any big changes to my life. Whatever I am comfortable with, I'd like to stay where I am. I don't even want to upgrade my computer if I don't absolutely need to. Why do I need to get used to new interface and the new feature that I don't ask for? The newer the better? Maybe, but I hate the hassle of adjusting to new settings.
Anyway, after all these years riding on a flat roadway, I finally reach a mountain range. Due to the organizational change and resignation of my supervisor, I got promoted to the management role. If you asked me, I may prefer to stay where I am. But anyway, I guess I just need to try my best. There are already a few issues during the transition period, some misunderstanding that I found kind of upset. Just hope for the best in next year then. I need some luck. And some courage.
It's either life goes too plain and not much to talk about, or too many things to talk about which I got so little time left for writing. It's the later case.
Now let's try a quick recall/recap...
Halloween
This is the first Halloween that I have ever considered dress up myself. Of course, there must be some incentive. Whoever gets the best costume within the company will get a ticket to Beckham's soccer game! Being a fan of soccer game (who grew up in HK is not interested in soccer game?) and of course, a fan of the superstar Beckham, I definitely don't want to miss the opportunity of going to the live game FREE!
On the night before, I bought a set of costume from Save On Food. It's not easy to find something that fit (you know, I don't want to dress up as a sexy French maid to work). I decided to choose a witch outfit. It includes a black dress, hat and a belt. The dress fits surpringly well (i.e. the dress that could hide my excess fat! haha)
Although, in the end, I didn't get the best costume award, nor the draw for the ticket, I still feel glad with my first attempt to dress up myself during halloween. I'm feeling more into the local culture now.
Soccer game
I have mentioned that I didn't get the draw for the ticket, nor the prize so I was thinking I won't be able to go to my first live soccer game. But every cloud has a silver lining! I finally got a ticket from a coworker. Beckham is playing in a LA team against the Vancouver team. I doubt myself should I cheer for the Vancouver team or the Beckham team? I bet the 48000 crowd in BC place mostly (if not all) come for Beckham. However, Vancouver team do get a lot of applaude when they are attacking. My seat is not particularly close so most of the time I rely on the binoculars for close shot of Beckham. He did play more than half of the game and I guess that's all mattters, not the final 0-0 score.
Level up!
Basically I do not like to introduce any big changes to my life. Whatever I am comfortable with, I'd like to stay where I am. I don't even want to upgrade my computer if I don't absolutely need to. Why do I need to get used to new interface and the new feature that I don't ask for? The newer the better? Maybe, but I hate the hassle of adjusting to new settings.
Anyway, after all these years riding on a flat roadway, I finally reach a mountain range. Due to the organizational change and resignation of my supervisor, I got promoted to the management role. If you asked me, I may prefer to stay where I am. But anyway, I guess I just need to try my best. There are already a few issues during the transition period, some misunderstanding that I found kind of upset. Just hope for the best in next year then. I need some luck. And some courage.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
September wedding
I don't recall I have been to any wedding in September, except this year. I do think that September is not a very popular wedding month, compare with June July August.
Two wedding invitations happened to be in September this year. They have one thing in common: the wedding venue is the same as mine!
The September 16th wedding took place in the UBC Golf Club. The ceremony took place in the Westpoint ballroom. Although it's not the same ballroom as my wedding, I'm still very glad to be the guest of this small but yet intimate wedding. The groom is an old friend of my husband. He even met some of his old highschool friends from out of town, what an added bonus!
The other wedding is on Sep 29. This date is certainly very special: it's also my parent's anniversary day! The ceremony took place in a Catholic Church while the dinner banquet is also in Richmond Kirin, same restaurant as my wedding banquet. And this time, I can finally taste the dessert! I still remembered during my own wedding, I don't even have a chance to have my own wedding cake and dessert! After I changed to another dress and was about to try my wedding cake, I was told that I need to go out and say farewell to the guests. After that, the table is clean up and my wedding cake and desserts are all gone! Finally, I can try out the wedding banquet dessert this time!
Anyway, they all bring back good memories. My wedding seems just happened not long ago and yet it's already a year. How time flies!
Two wedding invitations happened to be in September this year. They have one thing in common: the wedding venue is the same as mine!
The September 16th wedding took place in the UBC Golf Club. The ceremony took place in the Westpoint ballroom. Although it's not the same ballroom as my wedding, I'm still very glad to be the guest of this small but yet intimate wedding. The groom is an old friend of my husband. He even met some of his old highschool friends from out of town, what an added bonus!
The other wedding is on Sep 29. This date is certainly very special: it's also my parent's anniversary day! The ceremony took place in a Catholic Church while the dinner banquet is also in Richmond Kirin, same restaurant as my wedding banquet. And this time, I can finally taste the dessert! I still remembered during my own wedding, I don't even have a chance to have my own wedding cake and dessert! After I changed to another dress and was about to try my wedding cake, I was told that I need to go out and say farewell to the guests. After that, the table is clean up and my wedding cake and desserts are all gone! Finally, I can try out the wedding banquet dessert this time!
Anyway, they all bring back good memories. My wedding seems just happened not long ago and yet it's already a year. How time flies!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
油漆記 Sep 15 - 23
雖然我很愛看HGTV, 但並不代表我很熱衷DIY(自己動手做)。
前文提過, 我將會跟一位朋友一起動手把自己的apartment油漆一番, 終於到了開工的日子。
工欲善其事, 必先利其器, 我們得先去購置一些工具, 沒想到所需的工具遠比我想像中的還要多。
除了油漆(那是必需的)外, 還買了不同的油漆掃、手套、膠盤、鋪地膠布、封牆邊的膠紙(還分藍綠兩種)、牆身清潔劑、磨砂海綿、磨砂機用的膠貼,「制服」一套, 因為沾上油漆後都不會再穿上吧。再加上朋友的工具, 浩浩蕩蕩出發去。
從早上十時開始, 先貼上圍着門邊和牆腳的膠紙, 房子都變成「工業重地」了。別小看這「貼膠紙」的程序,三個人一起做, 都花了三個小時。之後便到了附近一家港式西餐廳吃午飯。
午飯後,「戲玉」還未到呢, 油漆尚未開始, 先來打磨一下牆壁。我的朋友載上護目鏡和和口罩, 開動着小型打磨機, 像極 Super Handyman Challenge 裏面的師傅一樣, 而我呢? 就是師傅身邊的學徙, 挺着大塊膠布, 阻擋着籃粉(原身牆為藍色,打磨時藍粉飛揚)的去路。
打磨之後, 還得給牆身清理一番, 才正式開始油漆。
好了,「戲玉」終於到了, 我們二人各拿着油漆掃, 開始掃上白色的底油。起初底油極是難上, 老是覺得不夠均勻, 沒法蓋着原本的藍色。到後來, 手臂因不停向上提着, 酸痛不已。
直到夜幕低垂時, 室內照明不夠, 只好停工, 原來不知不覺已到八時多了。
星期天我放了自己一天假期, 在參加朋友的婚禮後都沒有「開工」。
到了星期一下班以後, 接了我的朋友, 便到那裏繼續我們的工作。大約做了三、四個小時後, 所有廚房跟大門地方都已完成第一層底油了。
星期二, 我們已完成掃上第二層底油, 徹底把原本的藍色蓋着。天啊! 房間立時變得明亮, 簡直使我想放棄再掃上顏色的油漆呢!
星期三, 原本我的朋友說下班後有事不能來, 卻是記錯了日子, 她上課的時間是在星期四。結果我們都是繼續油漆去。經過一番努力, 第一層顏色差不多全掃上。我也試用了滾筒來替大幅的牆壁上色, 才發覺大滾筒一點也不易用, 滾了幾次, 手臂更酸了。我想是我的手臂有着太多的脂肪, 太少的肌肉的關係。
星期四, 我的朋友不能來, 但眼見房間開始有着一點煥然一新的感覺, 豈能罷休, 於是便獨個兒去完成未完成的工作。
起初, 我們的目標是把原本藍色的牆壁掃上米白色, 但看着外面走廊的牆壁有着一塊一塊修補釕子的白印, 還夾雜着傢俬刮花的痕跡, 真的使我「慘不忍睹」, 迫使我下定決心, 要把外面的牆壁都來一次翻新。首先是掛電視的牆壁, 跟着是旁邊近窗的。但掃了一幅牆之後, 總得把另外一邊都上色才算對稱, 否則兩邊顏色有些微分別, 醜也醜死了。之後看到飯廳的牆壁也有點陳舊, 把心一橫, 把那幅巨形牆壁都上色了。要知道, 那些牆壁都還未貼上封邊膠紙, 還得先把膠紙貼上, 地面鋪好, 才能開始油漆。時間就在不知不覺中溜走, 直到H來電催我回家, 甚至媽媽也從HK來電, 我才依依不捨的開始清洗我的工具, 要知道清冼盤和掃都得花上半小時的工夫, 結果十二時才離開。人是有點累, 但我還是對今天的工作進展非常滿意: 我在四小時內共完成了四幅小牆(其中一幅掃了兩層)、一幅大牆, 再加上睡房門邊和櫃門邊, 對我來說簡直是壯舉!
星期五, 與H家人吃過晚飯後, 都情不自禁的繼續油漆去。儘管到達時已是十時, 逗留了個多小時, 加掃一些不太均勻的地方, 已及開始替廚房掃上第二層顏色。
星期六, 我和朋友都期望今天是last day, 其實也只剩下門口處兩幅大牆壁和厨櫃以上的地方, 應該可以在今天完成吧。
開始時, 我戰戰驚驚地問:「這幅牆我油得還可以吧?」
「不錯呢。」她回答。
儘管她有可能是不想我失望而沒有狠下心腸說出「實話」, 但這個「鼓勵」卻真的使我樂上了一陣子, 倒覺得這幾天的精神沒有白費了。儘管, 以朋友一絲不苟的工作態度, 以她完美的標準, 我的油漆水平大概只有合格吧。尤其是每當我拿起漆掃想替她完成未完成的部份而換來一種「不要碰我」的臉孔時, 心下總來得一點沮喪。也許朋友都是那種有始有終的人, 就如開始了一件藝術雕塑後, 又怎能假手於人呢。
可能是我的藉口吧, 我並不要求這次的工作滿分, 因為怎樣漂亮, 最終欣賞的都是不知名的租客, 那怕他一不喜歡這顏色, 便來一個大翻新, 把我們辛苦數天的成果一一抹去, 我倒寧願可以完成多些牆壁。所以午飯後, 我們竟然以兩個小時的速度, 把那幅大而陳舊的牆壁都掃上了一層顏色。送了我朋友回家後, 我便趕快回去再掃上第二層油漆, 之後再以白色底油修補天花校上掃過了界的顏色。轉眼間, 黑夜便降臨了, 我終於可以為我第一次的油漆工作劃上一個句號。
油漆是完成了, 但並不代表所有的工作都已完成。
一件事情的終結總是帶來另一件事的開始, 那便是清理工作。
首先是把所有牆邊門框的膠紙撕開, 同時又要小心翼翼地不能把油漆都一拼撕掉, 那並不是很容易的工作。之後便得把厨櫃地板都清潔一番, 再以從save-on food 租來的洗地毯機把客廳的地毯都清洗一次。直到這時, 我才放心脫了鞋子把雙腳放在這有着一灘二灘污洂的地毯上。直到夕陽西下, 我們這個油漆工作終於完滿結束了。儘管我沒有把所有牆壁都翻新(除了壁爐上和飯廳旁的大牆), 驟眼望去, 整個單位都有一種煥然一新的感覺,像是年輕了十歲呢。
在此, 我很感謝我的朋友, 犧牲了一些新婚燕爾與先生相聚的寶貴時間, 同時亦教曉我油漆的方法與心得, 使我對DIY 的興趣濃厚了不少呢。
前文提過, 我將會跟一位朋友一起動手把自己的apartment油漆一番, 終於到了開工的日子。
工欲善其事, 必先利其器, 我們得先去購置一些工具, 沒想到所需的工具遠比我想像中的還要多。
除了油漆(那是必需的)外, 還買了不同的油漆掃、手套、膠盤、鋪地膠布、封牆邊的膠紙(還分藍綠兩種)、牆身清潔劑、磨砂海綿、磨砂機用的膠貼,「制服」一套, 因為沾上油漆後都不會再穿上吧。再加上朋友的工具, 浩浩蕩蕩出發去。
從早上十時開始, 先貼上圍着門邊和牆腳的膠紙, 房子都變成「工業重地」了。別小看這「貼膠紙」的程序,三個人一起做, 都花了三個小時。之後便到了附近一家港式西餐廳吃午飯。
午飯後,「戲玉」還未到呢, 油漆尚未開始, 先來打磨一下牆壁。我的朋友載上護目鏡和和口罩, 開動着小型打磨機, 像極 Super Handyman Challenge 裏面的師傅一樣, 而我呢? 就是師傅身邊的學徙, 挺着大塊膠布, 阻擋着籃粉(原身牆為藍色,打磨時藍粉飛揚)的去路。
打磨之後, 還得給牆身清理一番, 才正式開始油漆。
好了,「戲玉」終於到了, 我們二人各拿着油漆掃, 開始掃上白色的底油。起初底油極是難上, 老是覺得不夠均勻, 沒法蓋着原本的藍色。到後來, 手臂因不停向上提着, 酸痛不已。
直到夜幕低垂時, 室內照明不夠, 只好停工, 原來不知不覺已到八時多了。
星期天我放了自己一天假期, 在參加朋友的婚禮後都沒有「開工」。
到了星期一下班以後, 接了我的朋友, 便到那裏繼續我們的工作。大約做了三、四個小時後, 所有廚房跟大門地方都已完成第一層底油了。
星期二, 我們已完成掃上第二層底油, 徹底把原本的藍色蓋着。天啊! 房間立時變得明亮, 簡直使我想放棄再掃上顏色的油漆呢!
星期三, 原本我的朋友說下班後有事不能來, 卻是記錯了日子, 她上課的時間是在星期四。結果我們都是繼續油漆去。經過一番努力, 第一層顏色差不多全掃上。我也試用了滾筒來替大幅的牆壁上色, 才發覺大滾筒一點也不易用, 滾了幾次, 手臂更酸了。我想是我的手臂有着太多的脂肪, 太少的肌肉的關係。
星期四, 我的朋友不能來, 但眼見房間開始有着一點煥然一新的感覺, 豈能罷休, 於是便獨個兒去完成未完成的工作。
起初, 我們的目標是把原本藍色的牆壁掃上米白色, 但看着外面走廊的牆壁有着一塊一塊修補釕子的白印, 還夾雜着傢俬刮花的痕跡, 真的使我「慘不忍睹」, 迫使我下定決心, 要把外面的牆壁都來一次翻新。首先是掛電視的牆壁, 跟着是旁邊近窗的。但掃了一幅牆之後, 總得把另外一邊都上色才算對稱, 否則兩邊顏色有些微分別, 醜也醜死了。之後看到飯廳的牆壁也有點陳舊, 把心一橫, 把那幅巨形牆壁都上色了。要知道, 那些牆壁都還未貼上封邊膠紙, 還得先把膠紙貼上, 地面鋪好, 才能開始油漆。時間就在不知不覺中溜走, 直到H來電催我回家, 甚至媽媽也從HK來電, 我才依依不捨的開始清洗我的工具, 要知道清冼盤和掃都得花上半小時的工夫, 結果十二時才離開。人是有點累, 但我還是對今天的工作進展非常滿意: 我在四小時內共完成了四幅小牆(其中一幅掃了兩層)、一幅大牆, 再加上睡房門邊和櫃門邊, 對我來說簡直是壯舉!
星期五, 與H家人吃過晚飯後, 都情不自禁的繼續油漆去。儘管到達時已是十時, 逗留了個多小時, 加掃一些不太均勻的地方, 已及開始替廚房掃上第二層顏色。
星期六, 我和朋友都期望今天是last day, 其實也只剩下門口處兩幅大牆壁和厨櫃以上的地方, 應該可以在今天完成吧。
開始時, 我戰戰驚驚地問:「這幅牆我油得還可以吧?」
「不錯呢。」她回答。
儘管她有可能是不想我失望而沒有狠下心腸說出「實話」, 但這個「鼓勵」卻真的使我樂上了一陣子, 倒覺得這幾天的精神沒有白費了。儘管, 以朋友一絲不苟的工作態度, 以她完美的標準, 我的油漆水平大概只有合格吧。尤其是每當我拿起漆掃想替她完成未完成的部份而換來一種「不要碰我」的臉孔時, 心下總來得一點沮喪。也許朋友都是那種有始有終的人, 就如開始了一件藝術雕塑後, 又怎能假手於人呢。
可能是我的藉口吧, 我並不要求這次的工作滿分, 因為怎樣漂亮, 最終欣賞的都是不知名的租客, 那怕他一不喜歡這顏色, 便來一個大翻新, 把我們辛苦數天的成果一一抹去, 我倒寧願可以完成多些牆壁。所以午飯後, 我們竟然以兩個小時的速度, 把那幅大而陳舊的牆壁都掃上了一層顏色。送了我朋友回家後, 我便趕快回去再掃上第二層油漆, 之後再以白色底油修補天花校上掃過了界的顏色。轉眼間, 黑夜便降臨了, 我終於可以為我第一次的油漆工作劃上一個句號。
油漆是完成了, 但並不代表所有的工作都已完成。
一件事情的終結總是帶來另一件事的開始, 那便是清理工作。
首先是把所有牆邊門框的膠紙撕開, 同時又要小心翼翼地不能把油漆都一拼撕掉, 那並不是很容易的工作。之後便得把厨櫃地板都清潔一番, 再以從save-on food 租來的洗地毯機把客廳的地毯都清洗一次。直到這時, 我才放心脫了鞋子把雙腳放在這有着一灘二灘污洂的地毯上。直到夕陽西下, 我們這個油漆工作終於完滿結束了。儘管我沒有把所有牆壁都翻新(除了壁爐上和飯廳旁的大牆), 驟眼望去, 整個單位都有一種煥然一新的感覺,像是年輕了十歲呢。
在此, 我很感謝我的朋友, 犧牲了一些新婚燕爾與先生相聚的寶貴時間, 同時亦教曉我油漆的方法與心得, 使我對DIY 的興趣濃厚了不少呢。
 |
| Painting |
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Paint Jobs
I never thought about I would be involved in painting; nor my car will get a new coat of paint without involving in a serious car accident.
I still remembered about 3 or 4 years ago I went to check out the apartment when the tenant moved out. The unit is nice and clean, the paint is not new but still fresh. Now that the tenant moved out, the unit shows signs of the age: vapourized window, moulding developed around the window corner. The entrance wall was painted neon blue and now with dirty spot, my old bedroom became a yellow room and the rest of the wall brownish cream colour. What kind of paint job is that? In the balcony, a PLANT grow from the gap of the stone brick! The only bright side is that both bathroom are super clean and tidy.
So, the unit definitely need a fresh coat of paint before it can ever rent out again with a decent price.
Seeing my friend did a very good job painting her own apartment, I deicded to call for her help. And of course, I will share the work as well.
Let me see the list of work...cleaning the wall, sanding, taping the baseboard, take out the socket covers, paint one coat of primer, and two coats of actual paint...
Now that I'm looking forward to my first paint job, my mom's car actually got a new coat of paint as well. It looks so brand new now!
What happened was, I drove this car to work occasionally during the last three months while the insurance is activated. And sometimes I park at the far end of the parking lot.
Then one day, my coworker started mentioning that his car paint got damaged (tons of tiny black spots) and no matter how he wash, wax those spots never came off. As he started to talk around his case, he found out that he's not the only victim. And we all suspected that the black spot came from the roof work of the building next to the parking lot. And guess what, he reported to ICBC. ICBC actually sent people here and took pictures. Finally, ICBC accepted the claim and he is able to get the car repaint by paying $300 deductible.
The black spots on my car are numerous but tiny. You won't be able to see from a far distance, especially I didn't wash my car for almost a month. So I'm a bit reluctant to file the claim (because I don't really want to pay the $300 deductible). My Mom is also reluctant to file the claim (she's more concerned that the paint job involved taking the body apart and if the bodyshop does not do a good job, the car will "fall apart" and never be as nice as before).
As the insurance is almost over, I finally took it to car wash and yeah..those spots became more visible now (without mixing with other dirt) and actually knowing the claim has a valid term of 2 years, I finally decided to file the claim.
The estimation is done in the North Van ICBC center. The staff there are curteous and not much questioning involved as I already linked my case to my coworker's case. As far as I know, there are already 10 people file the claim.
My estimated damage is $3xxx for the new paint job.
The next question is, should I fix it now or wait until next year when I activate the insurance again? And which bodyshop should I go?
After discuss with my Mom, I took the car to the bodyshop where we visited before. And the shop is nice enough to offer delivering the car back to my home with their own car plate/insurance when the car is ready. I don't need to worry about the expired car insurance.
Today, my car is all new and fresh and I'M LOVING IT!
Hm...how come my other car is not damaged so that it can get a new paint??? It is desperately in need of some body work...
I still remembered about 3 or 4 years ago I went to check out the apartment when the tenant moved out. The unit is nice and clean, the paint is not new but still fresh. Now that the tenant moved out, the unit shows signs of the age: vapourized window, moulding developed around the window corner. The entrance wall was painted neon blue and now with dirty spot, my old bedroom became a yellow room and the rest of the wall brownish cream colour. What kind of paint job is that? In the balcony, a PLANT grow from the gap of the stone brick! The only bright side is that both bathroom are super clean and tidy.
So, the unit definitely need a fresh coat of paint before it can ever rent out again with a decent price.
Seeing my friend did a very good job painting her own apartment, I deicded to call for her help. And of course, I will share the work as well.
Let me see the list of work...cleaning the wall, sanding, taping the baseboard, take out the socket covers, paint one coat of primer, and two coats of actual paint...
Now that I'm looking forward to my first paint job, my mom's car actually got a new coat of paint as well. It looks so brand new now!
What happened was, I drove this car to work occasionally during the last three months while the insurance is activated. And sometimes I park at the far end of the parking lot.
Then one day, my coworker started mentioning that his car paint got damaged (tons of tiny black spots) and no matter how he wash, wax those spots never came off. As he started to talk around his case, he found out that he's not the only victim. And we all suspected that the black spot came from the roof work of the building next to the parking lot. And guess what, he reported to ICBC. ICBC actually sent people here and took pictures. Finally, ICBC accepted the claim and he is able to get the car repaint by paying $300 deductible.
The black spots on my car are numerous but tiny. You won't be able to see from a far distance, especially I didn't wash my car for almost a month. So I'm a bit reluctant to file the claim (because I don't really want to pay the $300 deductible). My Mom is also reluctant to file the claim (she's more concerned that the paint job involved taking the body apart and if the bodyshop does not do a good job, the car will "fall apart" and never be as nice as before).
As the insurance is almost over, I finally took it to car wash and yeah..those spots became more visible now (without mixing with other dirt) and actually knowing the claim has a valid term of 2 years, I finally decided to file the claim.
The estimation is done in the North Van ICBC center. The staff there are curteous and not much questioning involved as I already linked my case to my coworker's case. As far as I know, there are already 10 people file the claim.
My estimated damage is $3xxx for the new paint job.
The next question is, should I fix it now or wait until next year when I activate the insurance again? And which bodyshop should I go?
After discuss with my Mom, I took the car to the bodyshop where we visited before. And the shop is nice enough to offer delivering the car back to my home with their own car plate/insurance when the car is ready. I don't need to worry about the expired car insurance.
Today, my car is all new and fresh and I'M LOVING IT!
Hm...how come my other car is not damaged so that it can get a new paint??? It is desperately in need of some body work...
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