Winn's updates

Changes...

2010-04-17T19:45:00.002+08:00

Changes...... Indeed I have been experiencing much physical changes during the past months. Soon into my 22nd week of pregnancy, I have certainly lost my better body shape. Hubby would always correct me by saying that I am pregnant, not fat, whenever I looked at the mirror and commented on how fat I have grown! Well, while I know what hubby said is factual, I guess being a woman, I am just being conscious of how I look!

Having said that, I am happier with the impending arrival of my baby than the 'physical sufferings' I am going through now. Well, in fact, I have much to give thanks for! Cos I have not experienced any of those unpleasant symptoms of pregnancy like morning sickness or leg cramps (hubby got some of that though! :p ); the difference for me so far are only occasional heartburn and the tendency to get tired if I am outdoors for too long, and of course my bigger shape now... but well, it's not so bad as compared to what I know could happen to a woman during her pregnancy!

Right now, I am just happy to be feeling the movement of my baby now and then. Sometimes, after feeling my baby's movement, I will just watch my tummy in anticipation of my baby's next move :D It's such a cute and wonderful feeling! Tomorrow, I will be going for a scan on my baby's organs development. I look forward to seeing how my baby has grown and to have the doctor ascertain the gender of my baby. During my 12th week of pregnancy, the doctor informed that my baby is likely going to be a boy. Though he was 95% confident, he cautioned us against rushing out to buy clothes and baby stuff... Haha... I couldn't resist since the yearly sale will end soon around that time. Well, I never bought that much anyway :]

I thank God for this baby. God has been so good and faithful. Often times, well meaning people have told me to conceive and not wait, or else I might not have children when I think I am ready... To me, God always know me best and I don't see that he will 'punish' me by withholding children from me due to my lack of faith in trusting Him to have kids when I am not ready... God has been great in providing for hubby and me the past years... and faithful to meet my 'conditions', so that I can have the confidence to try for children. God is incredibly gracious. Though He has given us the name for our child some 2 years ago, He waited for us to be ready... He first revealed the name to hubby, and later to me when I reached a stage where I was more ready to try (but not without having the 'conditions' met first so that I will not fear or lack faith to try). At a time when both hubby and I are in agreement and ready, He blessed us. I thank God that hubby and I don't have to struggle at all to conceive. Thus, looking ahead, I will trust God to see me through this pregnancy, the delivery process as well as bringing up this child! For He loves this child enough to think of him and have given him a name, even when we (the stewards He is entrusting us to take care of this child) were not ready yet then. God is indeed faithful!

Given that I am going into my final trimester soon, I will be heading back to my home country in Singapore to settle down and deliver my baby. I trust the medical support back home more than here in Dubai, as well as the family support I can count on, being a first-time mom. My family has been very welcoming and anticipative of my return. Thank God for family members like this!

With 2 more weeks left in Dubai (and not knowing if I will return), I guess I have no regrets coming here. Not just because of the exposure in living outside of Singapore or in a Muslim state or a prosperous place the world has heard so much about, but more so, the greatest benefit for me during the past 2 years in Dubai has been cementing a firmer relationship with hubby, settling our finances in a better place and ta-da... starting a family! Initially I have some apprehension in giving up my beloved career but looking back, I know I have made the right choice.

As for Dubai, I will miss the friends made here, as well as the church life here. Ironically, hubby and I enjoyed our church life here more than back home! Yes, there are downsides here, like rude people and drivers, bad traffic (and ever changing lanes as if designed to cause accidents), the heat during summer peak, lack of the wonderful food back home, seemingly unfair regulations and the hopeless administration here...... However, there are also the good here that I will remember and appreciate... like the winter period cool that Singapore never have, toilets that are clean, posh and require no queue, more opportunities to dine at restaurants (since price differ only slightly as compared to food courts), as well as the abundance of interesting buildings (some castle-like hotels like Atlantis, the surf board architecturally shaped Burj Al Arab, Wafi's paramid struture, the extravagant and grand golden Emirates Palace Hotel, the heritage-like buildings at Souk Bahar and Mardinat Jumeriah, as well as the famous Palm Jumeira and Burj Khalifa).

Well... am not sure at this point in time if home is the next long term 'stop' after my baby's arrival... or whether God will open doors for us to go to another part of the world for hubby's work, or to return to Dubai. Whatever changes ahead, I trust that God is ahead of us and may He lead us onto his paths of green pastures, still waters and His righteousness!

Good News

2009-12-30T04:39:00.002+08:00

It has been almost 3 months of my tai-tai days. I do enjoy this break. Have been able to catch up on my reading and take my time to surf the net. Still have not get around to viewing all the movies and HK drama serials videos but am starting to. I always thank God for the luxury of being able to wake up in the morning whenever I like, without having to go through the morning rush of going to work, and certainly the unhurried time I have in reading His word each morning.

I have been more active in church as well. Been attending the Ladies Groups weekly Meetings. Basically, there are 2 groups - Asian (mostly Chinese) and Ang Mos. These ladies are all wives of working husbands, and they themselves either have children to look after or are not working. I continued to attend the Healing & Restoration Room, as well as the Life Group every week with hubby.

Sometimes while walking around in malls (especially when wondering if I was wasting my time away or starting to feel bored), I suddenly realised how blessed I am - to be able to not work and be financially stable, to be able to shop during those hours and not having to shover with the weekend crowds. I thank God for blessing hubby in his job. Though Dubai is debt ridden, yet God kept hubby in his job.

As a matter of fact, I almost return to my ex-company to work. They wanted me back after learning that I will be staying in Dubai for still some time. However in the midst of it, they faced financial challenges from the developer (which is typical in Dubai nowadays) and decided to cut back on manpower costs. Well, maybe it's God's will for me not to return.

So, is that good news or what? The good news is not about job, though I did manage to attend more interviews than previously in Dubai. The good news which I discovered days ago, is that I am now pregnant! Earlier on, I was musing with a friend about whether I might be pregnant. She said that if I am expecting, this would be the best Christmas gift! Another friend even calculated the dates and said on the day I celebrated my birthday in December, I was already pregnant! Never quite thought of that...

God is so good. Hubby and I just started family planning a few months ago. Though God has given us a name for our child a year or so ago, He has been gracious to wait for us to be ready and can't wait to pour forth His blessings, long prepared for His beloved children.

Now, perhaps God did have a plan for me not to work during this period after all! :D

An Overdue Entry

2009-10-17T21:57:00.002+08:00

I am amazed that people actually still visit this blog! Yes, Mary, as you have said, I am more into FB than blogging these days.

Indeed, there had been some updates in the past recent months. The biggest update is that I have quit my job. I wanted to join hubby as he prepared to relocate to another state for work. I was also tired of being asked to take on work that primarily should be undertaken by colleagues. When a colleague told me that he kept coming to me (for work stuff) because he had been told by 2 senior staff to approach me, if he wants to get things done right and fast, I was not sure to be flattered or upset about it! Even on my last day at work, my big boss said he would have asked me to follow up on a task (which is another colleague's primary work), if not for me leaving (and not being available to follow up after that). Surely there should be some fairness to me? I can only conclude that it is difficult to work happily in a team where your colleagues are either lazy or keep making mistakes at work, plus bosses do not step in to correct the unfairness.

After my decision to quit, hubby's office informed that he would not be relocated to the other state after all. However, there are a few options for him in consideration. There had been talks of him going to that state after all, or to remain in Dubai, or to relocating to another country. Am still awaiting confirmed news on that.

In the meantime, I am enjoying my time catching up on my reading, watching TV and movies, surfing and going out with friends. What was more enjoyable was the Paris holidays I have gone on with hubby right after I left my job.

Well, hopefully good news will come soon from hubby's office. Then, you will see me on blog again!

1 Year Anniversary

2009-07-21T02:14:00.004+08:00

It's been a year since I relocated to Dubai. Yes, my 1 year anniversary in Dubai - if I can call it that way.

Recently I was at the airport to fetch someone. The heat and humility reminded me of the first time I arrived in Dubai, when I stepped out from the airport into the open. This is my 2nd summer here. Time flies.

It's been a while since since I blog! Wonder anyone would still come to this page these days after not seeing any new updates repeatedly. Ha!

The biggest change during the last 6 months is that I am driving on the roads now :) That I would say is probably my biggest achievement in Dubai, considering that even friends with driving licenses in their own countries could not pass the local tests at their first attempt (and some requiring more than 3 tries) while I was able to, by the grace of God, cleared my test at my first try. Thank God too for saving money for me! The day I got my license, it was also my last day of the gek-sim (aka. frustrating) administrative system at the driving school. I can still recall being angry at the verge of tears at the way they do things there.

Dubai is infamous for their accident rate, largely attributed to the high speed and roundabouts. Cross junction traffic lights are rare here. My take is that due to the constant construction, roads get changed quickly and some were managed quite badly, that it appeared designed to create accidents! With the recent implementation of speed cameras, I believe the number of accidents had been reduced. However, today's papers revealed that the count of speed fines in the last 6 months was a 6 digit figure. Still, it beats the 3 digit death statistic caused by traffic accidents within a 6-month period last year.

I thank God for His protection on the roads. Have lost count of how many times He has watched over me! Hubby and I agreed that my driving style has been 'dubaified'. Can't beat them, join them... but safety is still number 1 priority. Losing some face and suffering some indignity is still better than losing your life or money over car repairs. In Dubai, once your car is hit, you have to file a police report by law. Quite troublesome so can pass it.

So, for the last quarter,
No more queue for taxi and enduring of the heat or cold out in the open :)
No more endurance of bad attitude or weird taxi drivers under bo-bian circumstances :)
No more harrassment from bo-liao men while waiting for public transporation :)
Able to listen to my type of music and messages in the car, versus listening to Indian or Pakistani loud music
Able to arrive home earlier! As early as 6.30pm, compared to as late as 9pm previously :)

Hallelujah!!!!!!

Exodus

2009-01-21T02:09:00.002+08:00

December had been a slow month. Most of the holidays of the year are 'concentrated' in that month. Being year end, it is also a month when people travel out of the country for holidays. For me, I enjoyed not having to wait long at taxi queues. Nevertheless, I have wondered if the turnaround was solely because of the holiday period or is it due to people leaving the country brought about by poor economy...

Recent local news reported that about 3000 people left Dubai after losing their jobs. Some had abandoned their vehicles at the airport, leaving behind months of unpaid installments. Personally, I have also witnessed more than a few cases of people caught in awkard positions while changing jobs, or being given the termination. Most took it badly. Some portrayed a strong front. Whatever it is, I think it is not easy to face such situations and hope all things turn out well for each of them eventually.

January came. The taxi queue grew longer at times. However, the wait was not that long these days. I was able to arrive back from work for as much as an hour earlier! :D

Traffic at the infamous Sheikh Zayed Road has also been more of a breeze. Not that there is no jam anymore. Jams still happened whenever there road accidents occured. However, it was not like standstill like before.

Guess that's good news for public commuters like me! Taking driving lessons currently. Pray that I can obtain my license in good time!!

Year End Thoughts

2009-01-01T01:02:00.002+08:00

Today is the last day of 2008. Yours truly is blogging in the last 2 hours towards 2008.

This year has been a year of huge changes for me. It was also special. In terms of career, I had my sense of fulfillment as I was recognised for my work, which I had been preparing to do in a deeper context for years. Being involved in the transformation of the lives of people was beyond monetary satisfaction. It was also in some ways personal discovery and also appreciation for different aspects which my mind had not conceived of previously.

It was unfortunate that I had only a year to enjoy it. Despite being given the "privileged" green light to continue, I had to make the difficult choice to leave my work behind. It was certainly not easy but yet I know, the right thing to do.

Thus, I uprooted from Singapore and left for Dubai to join hubby, who came earlier to work since April. 6 months had passed and I am still around. Yes, I had my complaints of the maddening traffic and the summer heat. Sometimes, I had came to the stage to laugh about it, even the bad customer service standards here. However, I always thank God and even gave affirmations to those service providers who provided good services. Hopefully, positive strokes will encourage them to keep up the good service and cause a rippling effect?!

It was not easy to find a similar job here at Dubai. After some vain attempts, I had to adjust my expectations to take on jobs that are not as appealing. Did not quite think that I would be working in a construction sector! Nevertheless, it feels good to know that I am part of the booming construction sector in Dubai... In future, I will be able to tell my children and grandchildren that their mother/grandmother had been a part of Dubai's countless and interesting structure buildings :)

Having said that, I do miss my work prior to coming to Dubai. A lot... :I Well, guess there are seasons in life. I will be back, I know for sure. Someday......

Have taken up driving classes. After some ding-dong-ing due to the frequently wrong and inconsisent information system here, I had at last embarked on my journey towards attaining a driving license! Thank God that my instructor is encouraging and of a good temperament. That makes learning easier.

Today, I encountered yet another episode of crazy traffic. Wanted to return at 4.30pm from a mall (it's easiest to get cabs from shopping malls) but the queue today was incredibly long! Was it due to new year's eve? I detoured to wait for cabs out in the road but in vain. Even for the 2 buses that came, I was unable to board. Mentally and physically exhausted, I decided to go for an early dinner to replenish my energy. Thought the queue at the mall taxi stand would be shorter but boy, it was even longer! Never seen so many rounds of snake queue... Still, I thank God that I had my iPod and book for company, and that the queue was half an hour, not longer... if not, I might have killed someone! >:( The time I finally board a cab was 7.05pm.

The purpose of the 'detour' from today's topic was to reinforce my point: I NEED a license! Really don't wish to be victimised by the traffic situation again. I can pass my driving test... I will pass my driving test... I must pass my driving test! Apart from being freed from the traffic burden here (being stuck in Dubai typical traffic jam is the lesser evil of being stuck in a place where you cannot go anywhere), having a license will be handy in the future.

As for family, I realised that my mom missed me a lot. I kinda feel bad of being away...... *sigh* but I have to be with my husband. Prior to leaving, I know I will be missing the growing up years of my nieces. Nevertheless, am glad that at least I see pictures of their development. Siblings, keep those coming in! My sister's girl is looking more and more like her, whereas my brother's girl is getting prettier by the day.

:)

Desert Safari

2008-12-28T15:23:00.003+08:00

December is a slow month in Dubai, cos most of the holidays in the year are 'concentrated' in that month. In fact, I am blogging this on a holiday! During a previous 3-day holiday period, hubby and I went on a Desert Safari tour. It's a must-do for anyone who have stayed in a desert area (or so-called... for Dubai, i guess).

Earlier, all I know about Desert Safari is that you get to experience driving around and being out in the real desert. Instead, it exceeded my expectations! I must say it felt different being surrounded by just sand, minus the real roads in far sight. Wasn't quite prepared for the rollercoaster like jerks as our guide drove his 4x4 wheeler skillfully up and down each sand slopes... We actually went on this tour with another family. The little girl was initially scared and kept quiet most of the time, whereas her older brother was enjoying himself, evidently :)

For me, it was quite fun. However, I started to feel a bit nauseous after a while. Somehow, after coming to Dubai, I realised my body can't take well to the repeated jerks whilst in car and being stuck long in traffic jams. After 15 minutes of solid safari, the driver drove onto the main road and headed toward the camp where we had dinner and night entertainment. He told us that it would be only 2 last minutes of safari. Within a minute of safari driving, the little girl threw up! Believe me, at that moment, I was trying hard to hold back too! The driver pulled over and allowed the little girl to alight with her parents and recovered. Thank God that I was able to hold on well... :p

The evening was an overall pleasant experience. Though sitting on a camel was scary at times (when it suddenly got up or kneel down to let me 'alight'), I am glad that I had done it! Ha! ;) There were the traditional dances performances as well. There was one where the male dancer had this flying saucer like skirt that lighted up when he danced with it... There were some good sports who volunteered to take that to dance with it. I must say that the turning around over and over again is not easy... Don't they get dizzy? And of course, how could I not mention the sensual belly dancing by the female dancer? The MC had to repeatedly urged the guys to sit down and not block the people behind (who are cosily seated at their tables) from viewing the entertainment. Even hubby and I had to step up to tap the shoulders of those guys to be more considerate.

It was indeed very cold out at the desert at night, especially now the winter season has just set in. Our guess was that it was 16 degrees celsius or below?! I thank God that I brought my gloves along, and of course, my jacket.

Alright, previous attempts to post pictures at this site had been a problem. Here's yet another of my attempt, though not sure how successful it will be!

Rain indeed.......

2008-12-07T01:57:00.002+08:00

A few days ago, i witnessed rain while travelling in my company transport. It wasn't just rain but downpour. Somehow, my workplace area tends to be more prone to rain... I attribute it to the more plentiful water supply there. It's a man-made marina place... and close to the beach... well, whatever.......

Today, I became a victim of the rain. They say it tends to rain in Dubai for not more than a week in a year. Well, I have heard that flooding can be a problem. I have seen for myself the great jam the poor drainage system had caused. 2 out of 7 lanes being unusable is quite a big deal, not to mention the frequency of road accidents here given the higher speed limit and the way of driving here.

Just to clarify, I wasn't referring to being stuck in the jam in being victimised. It was kind of worse than that. This morning, I entered my office to find that my department area is flooded. The carpet is wet. Not a big deal for me. The documents being wet was some of a deal for me. Perhaps I should give thanks that my workstation is largely intact i.e. PCs still usable, whereas another department was virtually drenched by water......

Something that amazed me was the work culture here. I have heard of such stories but today, I am a real witness to testify. Instead of going to where the action is i.e. pumping out the source of water leakage, a total of 10 over workers assembled at the worst hit area in the office, awaiting confirmation to move the office stuff so that they could change the carpet.

Goodness. Didn't they see that the water was still dripping down?!? I find the question quite incredulous as I told the foreman to coordinate with the party responsible to fix the leaking roof first, before thinking of moving any stuff. He then proceeded to call some other parties.

What a Saturday. Thought I could at last start doing some non-urgent work for today's half day of work. Blame it on the rain.

Rain in Desert Land

2008-11-17T01:19:00.002+08:00

Weather is changing... Gone are the gruelling days of summer when temperature could hit a merciless 48 degree celsius :( Now, winter is coming!

Yes! Winter! I never knew that in such a desert land, there is such a thing called "winter"! Not to mention about rain :) Have heard that it rain here once a year! This morning, I stepped out, expecting the usual cool wind. I got more than that... I realised that the ground are wet. It seemed more than dew.

Some colleagues said it is dew... Some said it is rain. My guess is it must be rain.... if not, how to explain the puddle of water at the side of the road? Whatever it is, I am looking forward to the rain! =D

Taxi Adventures

2008-11-17T01:15:00.001+08:00

Somehow, my previous posting did not get published. Hope this won't turn out to be a double-post! This is not a grumpy post. Rather, it's quite funny, though it is potentially worrying at the same time.

A kind colleague who drives alighted me near my place after work today. Thank God that I am spared the enduring wait of public (and crowded) buses. I proceeded to take a taxi from my alighting point but no taxis stopped. I “detoured” for 20 minutes to buy some essentials at the mall. Still, when I returned to the mall taxi stand, the queue was still equally long. I decided to wait, since my earlier wait elsewhere was fruitless.

When my turn finally came, I was thankfully pleased that this driver was very polite, friendly and spoke good English (easier to communicate). Again, I was mistaken as a Korean, if not, Japanese. Hmm… that means I am still pretty fair in complexion after almost 6 months in Dubai…

5 minutes into the journey, the first adventure occurred. A sudden hit! I thought the taxi was hit at the side by oncoming vehicles (the driver was turning out from a small road). Or did it hit the curb? The driver excused himself and exited the vehicle to inspect his damage. It was only when I turned around then I realised we were hit at the back by another car.

Oh… Why am I so “lucky”? I thought my journey would be even further delayed.

It was not so, thank God. Though the taxi driver did not manage to get any compensation (the other party refused to pay, he said), he proudly declared that his taxi was still in good condition, unlike the other driver’s car.

So, the journey continued. Only a few minutes of interruption.

I am thankful that this driver has a good temperament. I told him that it would be wonderful if most taxi drivers here are like him, since I had encountered quite a number of rude drivers. He agreed and added that he had learnt about customer service back in his country of origin.

Good – I thought.

In Dubai, it is common that taxi drivers asked questions, like where you come from, etc. I do likewise, in order to be build rapport and communication, so that I can give directions easier.

Towards the end of the journey, this driver asked me a common question: Is my family also here? I replied yes. I can’t believe what he said next! He actually said that if I were single, he “would not let me go”. Good grief!! My heart almost stopped. Was I hearing things???

The last gesture confirmed that I was not hallucinating. (No, I wasn’t molested – just in case your mind drifted). When I arrived at the villa and was due to pay the fare, I deliberately asked the driver to turn on the lights so that I can see my notes clearly. How else can I stop him from asking or saying crazy stuff?!

As I was short of smaller change, I told him to return me just 10 dirhams and keep the balance 4 dirhams. It is not uncommon here to leave the change for taxi drivers. My reason to let this driver keep the change was not just to quickly “get away” but I genuinely felt he deserved the “tips” since the journey was overall pleasant (minus the car bump and his unexpected expressions towards the end). The driver expressed his thanks for the tips. However, I tried really hard to suppress my laughter when he kissed the 10 dirhams note and gave me a big grin as he returned me the note.

What am I to make sense of that? Tell me! Hubby said I should sue him.

Traffic Woes

2008-10-17T04:43:00.004+08:00

If I had the time to update this last night, it would be a super grumpy email ;{ Perhaps it would still be but it is definitely with less "steam" than last night... However, God's hands have moved and things may come to a better - in fact, much much better outcome :) Thus, I am in a more lighthearted mood as I write about yet another hair-tearing experience of my commuting in Dubai.

Each time the off-work hour is nearing, I would experience a mixture of feelings. The upside is that I could go back to unwind from work. However, the downside is the uncertainty of what kind of traffic madness I would be facing for the day......

I often hear people here say that without a car, it's very inconvenient. Having taken buses and taxis, I thought their words were just unjustifiable expressions from being too pampered by private transportation. I was proven wrong, as I began to take public transport on a daily basis - during peak hours. That made all the difference :s

So far, I had 2 very extreme experiences of feeling angry and upset to the point of almost tears!! The first time was when I could not board the bus, even after I had waited for the second bus to arrive (both the first bus and second bus were full). Attempts to hail a taxi were almost fruitless, as taxis stopped for others who suddenly appeared out of nowhere ahead of me. Otherwise, the numerous taxis that passed me by were occupied, if not, the driver chose not to stop. It was after more than half an hour before I managed to get into a taxi. By then, I had became so tired that I cancelled going to my original destination and headed back instead.

The other experience was even worse! It was 2 persons' anguish this time. Hubby and I called for a taxi to go the airport. We had called for the taxi in advance but waited in vain for more than 1 hour. Repeated calls were equally helpless. Hubby even walked out 20 minutes to the main road to hail for a taxi but to no avail. We were super worried that we might miss our fight! Thank God that a taxi responded to our call after more than an hour. His question of whether we could pay the road toil for him to quickly come over to us, was no longer worth asking. That tiny amount is nothing compared to missing a flight! For 2 persons!! I recalled that even after reaching the airport and knowing that we had ample time, hubby and I were still anxious. That was so stressful! It was after we had sat down and finished our meal then we started to "recover". What a less-than-desired "adventure"!

Apart from unreliable taxi reservation service, the taxi drivers here is another challenge. I thank God that not all are bad but just a few is enough to make your day bad. Had enough of taxi drivers being rude so I had learnt to behave beyond assertive to aggressive towards rude drivers. This is also another uncertainty: whether you end up returning in a pleasant or stress-filled journey.

For my journey from work back to my place, I usually take a taxi after my company bus alight me at a busy bus stop. Public buses are usually a disappointment so I had kind of given up. Taking a taxi saves me much more time; the extra spent on the fare is definitely worthwhile. It's not just time but physical energy spent walking back half an hour from the bus stop nearest to my place if I were to take the public bus, after its long winding road journey (and transfer of bus).

In returning back, though I needed to walk a bit to get to the spot where taxis are more likely to stop, it was not an issue. The road crossings were however not pedestrians-friendly and in fact are quite dangerous for those who were not as cautious or slow. The spot I eventually reached to wait for taxis is a hotspot. "Competitors" rally around the taxi whenever one care to stop. The driver thus has the advantage to choose his passenger...... I had ever taken one taxi when 2 other men desperately requested for car pooling. The driver was nice enough to ask if I am ok with the arrangement. Seeing that the 2 men were dressed in suits and seemed decent, I agreed. After all, their destination was along my way (they were even willing to accomodate with my preference, if any!). Later, I learnt that these 2 men had actually taken a bus from another more "remote" bus stop to that particular hotspot to take a taxi! I am not the only helpless victim of the transport system here after all.

A few days ago, I experienced another blow which finally pushed me to the edge. Enough. I shall for sure take up driving lessons, regardless of how much stricter the passing standards may have risen. That day, my company transport was late in picking the staff off work. 2 colleagues told me that I could board the other bus, since it would be passing by my dropoff spot. I checked with the driver and he readily agreed. So did one more staff who usually takes that bus back. Later, I realised that 3 extra staff (including me) boarded the bus. It was ample for all to sit but certainly not as cosy as before. All of us joked along the way and had fun. However, towards the end of my journey, a colleague whom I deem close told me that I should "stick to my (designated) bus"; she was of the view that all who are designated to whichever bus should follow the bus "in good times or bad times" i.e. even if the bus is late, you should jolly wait. I was very taken aback by her remarks but held my cool. If I had known that my boarding of that bus would cause such great inconvenience, I certainly would not have board it. That kind of in-your-face feedback that you are an unwelcome extra is really yucky. It wasn't bad to the extent that all of us were sitting shoulder to shoulder. I find it hard to understand the rationale, since such occasions are only exceptional. Why the need to be so "possessive" and so unwilling to share?

With that, I pray that my days of facing such stress on returning from work during peak hours could end soon. Hubby and I initially decided to rent a car (buying one is a problem currently due to some administrative issues). However, it seems that God has open up a better option...... We have committed that to Him and anticipate to see how things develop.

Stay tuned :)

Another Taxi Journey

2008-10-14T03:24:00.002+08:00

This posting is a mixture of whiny and perhaps puzzling one... cos it started off bad but ended off well, I guess.

For the background, I ended up taking a taxi back today because of the maddening traffic condition here during peak hours. The day before, I had my first experience taking the company bus during peak hours. Aarrghh... the 45 minute turtle-style jam along Sheikh Zayed Road (notwithstanding its 7 lanes!) was so frustrating! Plus the fact that my body was on "low cell", I almost throw up! Thank God for the sweets I had. After alighting, it took me another 15 minutes for a cab to stop (some cabs 'consider' passengers on destination basis). By the time I reached home, I was truly peng-shan.

Thus, today I decided against taking the company bus and instead try out an alternate way. My original plan was to take a public bus (gotta walk out for about 20 minutes) then transfer to a cab (no buses come into the 'deep' end where I stay). *Sigh* I saw my bus passed me by again (it had happened for the previous 2 times). This time round as I walked on, I realised the bus stop seemed to have moved! Funny thing is that here, not every bus stop has a distinctive bus stop sign. I recalled previously, I realised that a particular spot was the bus stop only after I stopped to ask a person (who was at that spot waiting for the bus).

How do I know for sure that the bus stop has moved? Cos' I recalled taking photos at the bus stop, where I would not have gone past the twin towers! Where is the familar make-shift seats and site office? Would I be waiting at the correct place if I just anyhow 'park' myself there?

When a cab was passing by, I swiftly waved my hand for it. Rather not risk walking to nowhere and having to wait in vain for more than half an hour, especially when it's turning dark.

Into the cab I went... I had learnt to talk to taxi drivers here more assertively, even aggressively when necessary... I recalled scolding a downright rude taxi driver (one of the 2 drivers whom I had scolded). I cannot take it when his misunderstanding of my words and his own impatience gave way to rudeness and repeated scolding. Hello?! I don't owe you any favors because I sit in a car driven by you! I pay for your service and I am your boss! Which employee scold the boss and get away with it? Of course those were not my exact words to the driver. I told that rude driver off repeatedly that he was rude and questioned why he was treating customers in that manner. At the end of that journey after I had paid the fare, he returned me the change with a more respectful "Thank You".

For this driver, I thought the manner he replied "Ok" was unyielding, after I told him my destination and the directions i.e. which (jam) road to avoid. Inside me, I was thinking this better not be another egoistic driver who cannot receive instructions. I was not rude or commanding in my tone.

Later, this driver put on earphones. I wondered how he would be able to listen to my instructions when I needed to tell him where to turn. The music that blasted out from his earphones are typical Indian or local music, or maybe Pakistan. Maybe I should be thankful that this driver did not blast the entire taxi with such music but exercised some consideration...

As the driver drove past the narrow and construction-ladden road, we witnessed some labourers arguing loudly - in the middle of the narrow roads near traffic barricades. The driver actually laughed and commented "Fighting!" God knows what he was thinking!

I asked the driver if Jumeirah roads would be jam at this hour. He replied "Everywhere jam" (at this hour). How I wish he could be more encouraging. Later, he said "too many Chinese" which I interpretated as his stated reason for the heavy traffic (hope I was wrong). I wondered what the driver really meant! I told him I had seen more Fillipinos and Indians here than Chinese. I added that the traffic was bad here probably due to the high number of cars.

I took the opportunity to ask him if he could hear me if I were to give him road directions, since he was listening to his earphones. He replied affirmatively "No problem" and added that I could tap his shoulder, as he demostrated to me by tapping his own rather forcifully.

At the end of the journey, he actually thanked me and wished me good night. Am glad that the journey back today was a pleasant one and the driver was not annoying. Ha!

Gone Too Soon......

2008-10-11T19:33:00.002+08:00

I know the title might remind you of a song sung by MJ but it echoes how yours truly feel about the 2 weeks away from Dubai and back home.

Time flies when you're having fun, I guess. It was almost plain crazy in terms of busyness back to Singapore. Catching up with friends, running errands, busy with sis-in-law's wedding, sorting and packing stuff to be brought to Dubai. Am glad that hubby and I had less madness and more time to ourselves when we dropped by KL Midvalley for 2 days before returning to Dubai.

Some friends, regrettably, I do have the luxury of time to catch up with. Thankfully, I have been blessed to bump into some friends along the streets! 3 to be specific! Haha! Praise God!

A friend was amazed (or should I say shocked?) to see my list of to-dos. Hubby mentioned about me who had everything planned out during our return trip. Well, this may sounds a bit exaggerating; the list run into 3 pages. Most of it was what to take to bring to Dubai...

That's the difference between me and hubby. He is a "free-spirit" kinda personality while I am a planner and pragmatic person.

We gotta makan the familiar fabulous food of Singapore! Soya bean curb, fish soup mee suan, cha siew, dim sum, hokkien mee, indian food, buffalo wings, chu qian yi ding nissin instant noodles, and of course, mom's homemade soup! :p Pity that I did not get to eat the famous fish soup bee hoon at Holland V. Hubby did not get to eat the ayam penyat at Changi V but he was not as die-hard for it though... strangely... Very regrettably, I missed eating the tau sa pia which I had specifically asked hubby to get it when he passed by Balestier. By the time I was ready to eat it i.e. the evening of the 2nd day the pia was bought back home (hubby bought 20, i tink), none was left!!!

Mom complained that I didn't spent much time at home. Well, guess it's typical of me (she used to say of me "roaming the streets constantly" in Cantonese; guessed I can't fully explain the essence unless you understand what "lan gai" means in Cantonese!). Earlier, hubby and i have thought of staying in a chalet when back, since it might be quite packed staying in either parents' places. However, we eventually decided to stay with parents, since it makes more sense (after all, we are back to spend more time together), besides the economical reasons. Looking back, if we had stayed in chalets, that meant we would have spent even lesser time with our families!

Prior to coming back, I have made brief mention to siblings of having a family dinner together (we had it during parents' birthdays or CNY). However, it slipped through the cracks and no mention or follow up was brought up. After I left, mom told me that she had bought more food for the dinner gatherings. Huh? Ok, next round of return, I must be more thick-skinned in getting everyone back for dinner!

Nevertheless, I think when it comes to moms, it is never enough time. To think that I actually spent 2/3 of my return staying with my parents (versus staying with my in-law)! Well, what to do? Now, I can only hope time will pass abundantly and quickly, for my next return back to Singapore. God only knows when it would be for next year!

Transportion

2008-09-18T00:49:00.002+08:00

Yesterday, I hopped into a cab to return to the villa. Usually, I would inwardly declare 'Hallelujah' if the driver did not blast the taxi with Arabian music or similar-like music. Couldn't remember if this driver played the music that set my head spinning, but one thing I could not shake it out of my head up to now, is that the driver was selecting the different ring tones from his mobile phone to listen at random - and yes! - whilst driving at the same time!!! Playing with your mobile phone while driving??? This is so unthinkable and intolerable back in Singapore!

Thankfully, I managed to reach my destination in one piece. That was truly the grace of God, for on the 2-lane road while my taxi driver was driving at about 60 km/hr, another car dashed out to the road into the very same lane! It was probably an angel of God, not my taxi driver, who swayed the car sideways to the other lane. :s My taxi driver appeared pretty upset by the road unworthiness of the offending driver, for he wound down his window and looked towards that driver.

Guess what? The other driver also wound down his car window... he waved and smiled, somewhat apologetically, I guessed. That saved the day. No road rage... for my taxi driver smiled and waved in acknowledgement.

Whew!

I've been taking taxis more often than buses, as the bus system here has still quite a way towards establishment! During peak hours, I was denied the right to board the bus as the ladies section was full (only the seats, not standing space!). I waited for the next bus, but again it was again! I recalled feeling frustrated almost to the point of tears when I kept waving for taxis and they simply were occupied or chose to go other preferred locations or got 'stolen' by others who 'jump the queue' by waiting further in front but started waiting for a taxi around the same area later than me.

Another thing I discovered about the bus system here, is that not all bus stops have a bus sign there! How on earth would a person know that a bus would stop there, not to mention the bus numbers?! The buses do not arrive on schedule, so whatever is stated on the bus stop signage does not count. I have tried waiting for more than half an hour and subsequently gave up, for I did not want to feel silly being denied to board the bus because the bus was full. Sometimes, while waiting, I feel as if I was part of the Snoppy gang, forever waiting for the school bus that never came......

Hair Cut for Health Card ?

2008-09-11T07:48:00.003+08:00

Recently, I was at a hospital for a medical checkup. That was part of the requirement for me to apply for residency visa. When i went to the counter to collect my medical report, the counter staff pointed a certain direction and minced some words, which include "hair cut". I was baffled and asked hubby why they would need me to cut my hair??! Silly me actually even expressed fearful hope that they would not cut my hair too short... I must be crazy.......

Upon going to the next counter, I realised what the staff had said was actually "health card". Aiyooo.... gave me a scare! Pronunciation problem!

Since I am on the topic of hair cut, I might as well share my hair cut experience. Having been here for 3 months, I have to go for at least a hair trim. My hair is dry in nature and tends to split if left uncut for too long. The worst split was 5 ends. Horrible.

As recommended by hubby and my sister-in-law who have been living here longer, I went to Satwa (the Fillippino area in Dubai) for a hair cut. I checked out a few saloons before settling down in one. Here, the saloons are strictly separated for males and females. The local females here are not supposed to let their hair be visible, thus even the windows and doors are covered and the interior not visible from the outside.

I entered the saloon. Many ladies were having their hand done (heena as they called it). It was somewhat a strange sight beholding so many women of a different culture in one room, most of them seated in a relaxed posture. I went to the upper floor where a Fillippina cut my hair. Job well done. Fast job. Good price.

Can't sleep :(

2008-09-11T07:17:00.002+08:00

Tonight (more accurately speaking, this morning), i can't doze into dreamland like before. It's actually the 2nd night. Last night, i went to bed (after the first 'failed attempt') at 3 am. Hubby was slightly awakened and asked what time it was. I didn't want to specify, for i know he would nag at me. He persisted however. Told him. Strangely, he became more alert and chided me in a lighthearted manner for waking him up. He was not as dreamy as i thought. Hours earlier, he aired his usual complaint of me not going to sleep the same time as he does. I told him that i was too alert for sleep. And I talked to him, whilst watching TV and reading newspapers. He said i was trying to stop him from sleeping and actually wanted him to accompany me in staying awake! I protested in jest that if i could fly all the way from Singapore to Dubai to accompany him full time, he should not even harbour any complaints of me requesting a few minutes of companionship!

Of course, yours truly was not seriously asking him to stay awake with me. To stop his persistent whining, i had to stop. Let him off. And he was fast asleep. Though he had entered dreamland (by the sound of his snoring), i decided to turn off the TV and aborted the movie i had wanted to watch. Thought i would just so some brief reading and then turn in. Reading at night actually led me to sleep easily.

That didn't work as well as thought out. I got up from bed and checked my Facebook and surf. Went back to bed at 3 am.

I thought i would have a better night tonight since i have exerted more energy today. Hubby urged me to sleep early. I joked with him that we have an "appointment" at 3 am. Well, perhaps words really have power... I really couldn't get into sleep! Even though my body feels tired and the need to rest, i just couldn't enter into sleep! How do i 'de-active' my mind and shut it down? Am not worrying or particularly troubled but my mind was perhaps just too active...... or am i just trying too hard to sleep?

Was not as cruel to wake hubby up at 3 am, though i sensed that he perhaps knew that i was not sleeping well, in the midst of his turning and pauses of snoring... Actually, it would help a lot if his snoring is muted or not as loud... He likes to say that i disturb his sleep by sleeping late... he is the one who disturb me from sleeping all night long!!! I had shown him a video clip of his snoring. He actually smiled quietly, then later told me off and repeatedly asked me to delete the clip.

You ever had the feeling that after countless tossing and turning, your head felt heavy or uncomfortable? After almost 2 hours of agony, I decided to pick up a book to read. Have been wanting to go through that book for days but never got down to it... It was my 11-year old bible, where i had highlighted many meaningful verses through the years. I went through all the highlighted verses, including some notes written by myself and given by others. It was a good time of reading and thinking.

After lying down for 3 hours, I know I will not go into sleep easily. Body did not feel as tired now. The rooster did its scheduled duty: crowed at 3 am. Actually, it was 15 minutes earlier i.e. 2.45 am. My housemate ever said that our neighbour's rooster always crow at 3 am, and again at 5 am or so. So, end up my appointment was with the jet-legged rooster......

It Went To The Press!

2008-08-25T15:55:00.002+08:00

In my life thus far, there are few occasions where I have been 'honored' in public platforms. Ha... I guess the first memorable one occured when I went on stage to receive a basketball shooting competition medal during my secondary school years. The second one was quite unexpected. I took part in a somewhat small scale 'beauty' contest and actually won first prize (there were only 3 other contestants, fyi.) To this date, hubby remembered the way I looked that day. I remember winning some cosmetics and a pretty Charles & Keith red heels. I shared the shopping voucher prize with mom.

The recent incident, I should say, is the third occasion when I feel truly proud of myself. Haha! I wrote an commentary article and it got published. Actually, hee... it was more of a complaint letter :p I recalled I had previously written a complaint letter to a telco company. My brother came across the soft copy in the PC and after reading it, commented that the writer is such a bitch!! ;(

Well, the recent letter was only my second 'complaint' letter. It was written more out of indignation and a call for corrective action. I was not at the scene when the arguement took place but I felt anger on behalf of my brother-in-law and hubby, as I witnessed them taking the nonsense from the lazy cleaners. Thought I might as well put my literacy skills to good use, since I can afford the time. I emailed my thoughts to the local press on 20 August 2008. It was published on the next day and was the first article among the letters. To know more what I am talking about, read what I have extracted from "7 Days" (Dubai's free newspaper) dated 21 August 2008:

(Title) Lazy staff need some green education
It is clear that the message to go green, recycle and to save our planet has gone out to the world. Major companies and developed countries have joined in to cut down on wastage and to encourage recycling. Dubai, as I read in the local papers, is also involved. However few they may be, I was encouraged to see recycling bins in public areas.
Last Friday, my family and I took pains to tie up old newspapers and transport them to the recycling bins at the bus stop outside Union supermarket (Al Wasl road). As the opening was too small to insert the newspapers into the bin, we left it neatly stacked beside the bins. Never did we expect to be rudely confronted by uniformed contractors (whom we assumed are either the cleaners or staff responsible for cleaning the bus stop or recycling bins). We were told that we cannot leave the newspapers there. We clarified that the newspapers were placed there for the very purpose the recycling bins were there. However, we were told off and repeatedly urged to remove the newspapers. Honestly, it was more convenient for us to dump the newspapers into the big trash bin outside our villa. Why would we spend time and money to buy raffia strings to tie up the papers and carry the newspapers and transport them to the recycle bins, if not for the part in just doing our bit for the environment? And why should some lazy staff who would rather spare themselves the trouble to carry the heavy load of newspapers get in the way of going green? I would like to suggest that recycle bins that have bigger openings be used, and relevant staff be educated on the need to recycle and not take the easy way out.

The title was renamed by the publisher. It was a better title, since it better reinforced the thrust of my letter, though the new title sounds less diplomatic. Ha!

Being a Woman in Dubai

2008-08-20T03:44:00.002+08:00

Prior to coming here, I have heard much about how women are not meant to be seen and are lower in social status or even oppressed in middle eastern countries. Having been here for 2 months plus, I must say that Dubai is somewhat different.

Perhaps it's due to the opening up of Dubai to the world, women here are more 'free'. Women are allowed to drive here (there are even female taxi drivers!). Nevertheless, I do see the local women here dressed in black from head to toe, well, most of them. Have heard that how conservative they are dressed actually depends on their husbands! My housemate once told me that she had seen a local man, after talking to his wife, lifted up her veil. That left her face exposed (not just her eyes). And it seemed alright. No big racket about the more liberal difference in exposure. According to my housemate, it seemed that the husband was asking if the wife was feeling too hot, to which she replied yes... How sweet... Thus far, I have only seen for once, a local man holding the hand of his woman. That was in a shopping mall. Apart from that, it is usually a local man shopping with a few veiled women, usually his wives. Yes, all his wives. Up to 4, I was told...

Some local women here do not have their full faces covered, especially the younger ones. I supposed they are too young to be married, thus such laws do not apply to them? Not sure... I was kind of fascinated that some women, especially older ones, wear some sort of metal frame on their faces, then have the veil covered over it (I knew it cos' sometimes, they left their faces exposed while wearing the metal frame). Some women actually had their entire head covered. It's really quite a challenge to walk but I guess they have got used to it.

It's not uncommon to see local women shopping, even for clothing! I do wonder what the point was, to buy clothing from stores, when they seem to be wearing their traditional black dresses all the time! I was told that they wear the nicer clothing inside...... Well, perhaps it does matter to them... with the limited freedom they have, I guess even being able to wear it gives a good degree of personal satisfaction. Being a woman, I can empathise. Perhaps the local women do not need to cover themselves in black attire when they are indoors at home? That way, they can wear the nicer clothing? Hmm...... I really wonder......

Though I am not a local woman here, I was on the receiving end of privileged treatment today :) Yea, women here are quite 'protected' and priviliged. Buses have assigned seats for ladies. 2 incidents happened today to reinforce the privilege of being a woman here.

On my journey back to the villa, when the bus I have been waiting arrived, it did not stop as it was full. *Sigh* Peak hour traffic! I thought I would be stranded, cos the road I was waiting hardly have any taxis ride by. Even if so, it would be likely occupied due to the peak hours. When the next bus arrived, many swarmed to the door entrance. Here, the ratio of man to woman outdoors is almost like 15 to 1! As I was in a hurry to get back, I too hurried to the door entrance (remember: I have received pretty 'good grounding' as a Singaporean!). Then, I heard the driver shouted something which I could not make out of. Later, I heard a woman saying loudly "Excuse me!" as she wriggled herself through the sea of men towards the door exit. Aaahh!! The driver is going to take women only! Haha! That meant that there are still seats or standing space available for women! Up the bus I go! ;)

The bus was pretty packed. Though there are standard markings for seats assigned for women, it is not a rare sight to see men seated on them. What more it being a packed bus! I was a bit surprised though, that 2 men got up and gestured for me to sit. They were actually sitting on seats reseved for female passengers. Not knowing how to express my thanks verbally, I merely gave them a smile and nod. I got to sit! and have my shoulder rested from my bag! and have my arms rested from carrying my shopping bags! Yeah! =)

As the bus continued its journey, up some female passengers came. The driver actually told the men (who were seated at a view visible to the driver) in quite a rude manner to get up. I saw the men reluctantly got up and the women took the seats. Rightfully.

I recalled a past incident when a bus driver had threatened to report a male passenger to police, as that passenger had hurriedly board the bus, without letting the female passenger alight first. Not sure if there were any physical contact (be it accidental or intentional) but it was sure a big fuss that the driver kicked!

Well, whether it is the culture or religion warrants for it, I guess it's just a gentleman's way to give up his seat for a lady, regardless of whether the lady is well groomed or not as attractive-looking. I acknowledge that upbringing, education and culture all play a part in how a man will response. For me, perhaps I am just blessed that I am at the right place for now... Back in Singapore, whether you are woman or not, when you are at the MRT train entrance/exit doors, you squeeze in like every other tuna fish do! Where got privilege for women to board first? Body contact or not, everyone squeeze in! Everyone just can't afford to lose out to others who could board the train! Even if you are carrying heavy stuff or even pregnant, there is no guarantee that others will give up their seat for you...

Alright, I am not badmouthing my homeland. Am just not very proud of the kia-su and I-Me-Myself attitude of my own people. Guess at the end of the day, there are good things to learn from other cultures.

Traffic

2008-08-01T06:54:00.002+08:00

It's 3 am here. The rooster is having one of its jet-lag fits again... crooning away... as hubby continued to snore in his dreamland. The next day is a non-working day. No worries about sleeping late.

Some days ago, I got to experience first hand for myself the infamous traffic jam situation here. Prior to coming here, I heard about Dubai traffic jam reputation. Thought it would not be worse than Singapore but my recent experience proved me so very wrong! For a distance that could have taken 15 minutes at most, it took 1 hour! It was a normal work day evening when people finished work to return home. I felt nauseous as the taxi I was in, inched forward bit by bit, as I saw light from outside turned to darkness in that endless journey. Being stuck in that jam for 1 hour had led me to decide that hubby and I will get only auto cars in future... Spare our feet the suffering to control the 3 panels below!

Thankfully, the taxi driver was a patient guy. Yes, he had bits of frustration with the traffic but he was definitely a lot more patient than most male drivers whom I know would be cursing and swearing by then! The driver's gentle temperament certainly lessened the frustration in me. I also appreciated that the driver switched from Arabic music to English pop music in the early part of the journey. Thank God that this driver was also willing to heed my suggestions to try other routes. I've seen drivers who ignored passengers' instructions to go by a certain way. One driver even told the passenger to exchange seats with him to drive, since he wanted to go a particular route! That passenger (whom I know) subsequently handled the driver in a tougher way (no fists fights, just to clarify). I thought that was justified.

Road accidents had been occuring more frequently here. I was shocked to read about the statistics: 150 road accident deaths in the past 6 months!!! That's pretty crazy! Hopefully when the train system is set up in a couple of years, such deaths could be avoided. Meantime, the speed limit of 120km/hr (or more) had been reduced to about 100km/hr... on the 7-lane long stretch of Sheik Zayed Road, infamous for traffic jams and road accidents.

Finally obtained my Residence Visa!

2008-07-25T03:49:00.003+08:00

At long last! After 4 visits to the local immigration centre and a medical check up, I finally got my residence visa!

It's hard to forget the frustrations of going from one department to another department, receiving half-told or inaccurate instructions, being told to pay repeatedly and wondering if things are proper, being told to return on another day as some documents are lacking, etc. I would definitely remember a customer service staff who looked at her mirror more than she made eye contact with me while serving me!

Still, there are some staff who are more professional and helpful. Now, I'm just happy that I have finally got my visa! It's valid for 3 years. Think the repeated payment totalled to about S$1000. Not sure will fully maximise it though.

With the visa, one of the things that I would start doing is to register for driving lessons ;) Driving lessons here are slightly cheaper than in Singapore. Had 2 failed attempts back home. Was close to getting a license but chose not to retake cos needed to set aside money for my wedding then. Plus, I have a 'driver' who faithfully send me and fetch me around. After knowing my boyfriend (now hubby), I realised I have saved a lot on public transport!

Well, hope this time round, I could make it! And hope the instructor would treat woman students with respect! Don't anyhow scold, hor! Would need to be on wait list for 3 months but it beats not being able to "start my engine"!

Stuff

2008-07-22T04:49:00.002+08:00

Wasn't sure what to name the title of this entry cos it's a mixture of stuff i wish to write about... so, there you go.

One interesting thing to comment about is the speed of blog publishing here at Dubai. I'm not talking about a few minutes but days! My last entry took a week! (Thank God that i have not been so silly to re-submit my entry!)

Another funny (actually more irrirating) stuff is that my neighbour had a hen... or do u call that a rooster? whatever... it's those chicken-like animals that wake you up in the wee hours of dawn. Here, the rooster works really hard... It not only 'serenade' you in the expected hours but also in the morning and afternoon, as well at 12.30 am! And even at the midnight hours, it 'serenaded' for as many as 10 times in a row! Goodness!? Had that rooster got jet-lag or what?!

A housemate will be packing up and returning to her country tomorrow. No idea if she will return. Sad :( 1 less companion. Left me and another housemate. Will miss her jokes and cooking. She has always been the "main cook" for the lunch among 3 of us. After her departure, my housemate and i got more reasons to beef up our cooking skills. In a way, i have more opportunities to cook and learn cooking since coming here. It's a good thing. Never thought that i could cook curry chicken (for someone who doesn't take spicy stuff)! Ha! Even my mom find it incredible!

My laptop died in its sleep some days ago. It just could not be switched on no matter what kind of rescue techniques or CPR I tried on it. Here, there is hardly any repair services for IT stuff (heard that they would buy it, repair it and sell it to poorer states). Thank God that hubby promptly got a new laptop :]

A major thanksgiving: My flat has been officially rented out and at a price that surpassed expectations! God has truly exceeded what we have asked of and imagined. The flat matter being settled is certainly a huge relief. My thanks to my brother, who has been a great help in this matter.

In response to John's comment (and maybe some who had not expressed his comments but had similar thoughts), I apologize for not posting photographs or having any tag board. Truth is, I am rather hopeless when it comes to such stuff... The last time I tried to post a photograph, it ended up as a mess (and a mess that i have no idea how to clean up). Those who know me, you sure have assess to my Facebook, right? There, you can view photographs of me in Dubai ;) And those who don't mind giving me private tuition on how to set up and manage a tag board, do drop me an email, yea?

The Difference in Dubai

2008-07-01T20:13:00.002+08:00

Weather
Needless to say, most people know that Dubai is hot place to live in. When I first arrived, I found the weather quite similiar to sunny Singapore and tolerable. However, since last week, it got noticably hotter. I was out with my companions waiting for a cab. I felt as if my skin and feet were burning! Am I glad that we managed to hop into an aircon cab after a long wait! Unlike before when I would readily go out for groceries or shopping in the afternoon, now I think twice before venturing out. I have already tanned! With just twenty minutes of sun exposure out of 4 days in a week! The sun and UV here are indeed merciless! Have started applying sunblock on my arms, neck and even feet whenever I go out. Now, the next item I am gonna get is an umbrella. The last I checked at Carrefore, it was out of stock :( My housemates joked that perhaps we need to get a veil like the local ladies here...

Nowadays, even shower water gets close to boiling-point hot! And I have not even switched on the heater at all! *Sigh* The thought of going for showers feels punishing! Will need to prepare shower waters in advance to prevent my skin from getting cooked!

Don't believe the cold water indicator in washing machines here. Thanks to the weather, you get hot water when you opt for cold water to wash your clothing.

Despite my complaints, there are also good points about the weather. If I hang my wet jeans out in the sun, it dries completely within an hour. And this afternoon, I have just thawed my frozen chicken out in the sun :> I took it back after 20 minutes, just in case it gets cooked! :p

Taxi
For getting around, taxi is a more common mode of transport than buses. Some bus stops are actually airconditioned! Dubai is building the train line (they call it 'Metro') but it won't be ready until a few years more :( There are no sight of motorcycles here, probably due to the excruciating hot weather.

Here, it is a common thing that taxi drivers are new to Dubai. Thus, my hubby ended up guiding taxi drivers to our destinations most of the time. In terms of getting around, I have to say hubby is good ;) However, if you do not know how to get to your destination or have no idea of any nearby landmarks, all the best to you...

Another difference here is that the taxis driven by women serves primarily women passengers only. They will drive male passengers on condition that there are female companions.

Mosque Speakers
In neighbourhood and shopping malls, from time to time, you get to hear Muslim prayers or chanting. Though Singapore includes Muslim as one of its religions, I have not seen such an intensity in the Malay Kampong Glam area in Singapore.

Shopping Malls
Am sure that most have heard about the great shopping in Dubai :) Among the bigger malls, I've been to 2 thus far. 1 had been upstaged by the other. The other has less than a year to enjoy the honour of being the biggest shopping mall in Dubai, before it get upstaged by another bigger mall next year. The current biggest mall, Mall of Emirates, is so big that I can imagine it 4 times bigger than VivoCity... and I have not covered the entire place despite having been there for more than 3 times, thus it could be more than 4 times bigger than Singapore's VivoCity.

There is a strange mall here that really surprised me. This huge mall is situated in the midst of desert roads! You can be driving for an hour on roads where you see only sands and dried up shrubs and then suddenly, you see this shopping mall. Despite its obscure location, its huge carpark is almost full on off work days. Even on week nights, there are a good number of shoppers.

I have been on roads where the surroundings are true blue deserts. It reminded me so much of the scenes in the movie, No Country For Old Man. I have seen camels wondering in the desert too! :) Wonder who feeds them and how they survive. They looked so thin :s

That's about all for now. Very soon, there may be more developments and I will post again!

Life in Dubai

2008-06-15T20:15:00.002+08:00

Today is the 6th day of my stay at Dubai. The weather has been kinder than I thought. It's very sunny here. Was amused when I saw the sunburnt index in the local papers weather forecast session ;) Except for my face, I have not thought of applying sunblock on my hands and legs. However, if I am gonna walk out consecutively, I will start applying sunblock, for I have seen someone who have tanned considerably after walking out in the sun for a hour on a 3 days-a-week frequency!

Most may ask what I have been doing since arriving. Well, been very relaxed. Except for doing some laundry and minor chores, I have been either surfing the net, reading, watching TV or ha... spending time with the lady housemates (partners of 2 other staff here).

Here, I stay at a villa with hubby's colleagues. There are about 13 bedrooms here! Though the name 'villa' sounds luxurious, the accommodation here had been compared to a labour or even concentration camp by some! Why? Because apart from the individuals' bedrooms and toilets (am thankful our room has one and we don't have to share with others!), no one cleans the common area. The space outside the villa is also wasted, as greenery or at least cactus, could be planted outside... Well, I am not complaining, since there are endless supply of food here. I can help myself with bread and spread, milk, fruit juice and fruits anytime. All meals are taken care of my the inhouse chef. Am glad that I have Asian fare for meals and don't have to eat any spicy local stuff! Although the kitchen is not tidy up to my personal standards, ingredients and most food are available for personal cooking. Have brought a Singapore Heritage Food book. Will try out the recipes out this week with my 2 lady housemates :)

Have been blessed to have 2 friendly lady housemates. We have gone out for marketing and shopping on some days, well, maybe 3 out of 5 days since my arrival? :p In case you are thinking that I am turning into a tai-tai (aka. Lady of Leisure), throw that thought out, cos' I don't buy dresses or diamonds when I go shopping with them. Have in fact bought the least items, if I made any purchases at all. Bought mainly food items and domestic essentials. Not used to spending hubby's money lavishingly cos' have been quite independent. Well, perhaps things are indeed turning out as I have earlier wanted: to spend 1 or 2 months getting to know Dubai before I start work. Hmm.... hubby is not stingy for me to spend on myself anyway; he knows that I am discreet, especially if spending his money ;p Just last night during a group shopping trip, he bought 2 blouses for me :) Well, he has been good to himself too: the 1 item (shoes)he had bought for himself - the value had exceeded my 2 items!

Anyway, in time to come, I hope to do that gives better 'yield'. After trying out more cooking recipes and shopping (and even playing mahjong with my housemates!), it can get quite boring if this carry on too long, isn't it? Am contemplating whether to take up driving lessons here. Either that or find a job within the next month.

As for now, time will be spent being around to provide moral support for hubby, reading the books I have brought, watching movies and E! Entertainment TV, surfing for suitable jobs, etc.

Leaving for Dubai at last

2008-06-09T22:03:00.002+08:00

Am blogging this while waiting to board the plane. At last, I can finally leave for Dubai to join hubby. Friends were surprised that I was still in Singapore when they received sms or calls from me. It came to a point that I even feel embarrassed each time they asked when I was leaving! For I have delayed my flight for 3 times. I have stayed on to attend to lend support to hubby's family. The outcome of my mom-in-law's operation turned out to be worse than earlier thought. After 2 weeks, the situation is still not perfect. Nevertheless, more support has came in. Hope things will turn out fine eventually.

Mom and my younger brother sent me to the airport. Really appreciate my younger brother (hey lad! i'm appreciating you in public domain!), who has been a faithful 'Ahmad' who transported my stuff from my home to store it temporarily at my mom's place. There were also those evenings when he drove me back home after I had dinner at my mom's place. And, well, my parents and I stay in the same town...

Didn't want to hug mom goodbye, for I know that would prompt tears. My mom surprised me by hugging me. (It is never our family tradition to hug). As I saw her crying, I can't help myself too...

Nevertheless, i thank God that my mom is in good health, and is enjoying her grandchildren. Just today, my niece whom mom was carrying, stretched out for me to hug her (which was unusual). After carrying my niece for less than 1 minute, mom wanted to take her back into her arms!

Guess that's a mother's heart? :)

My Arm

2008-05-14T23:36:00.002+08:00

Today, i made a purchase decision that feels like it had costed me my arm... :\ For a personal item to be worn by me, i guess this is probably the most expensive one i have ever paid for. I did debate internally and had thought of getting it after several months have passed. However, i had a good amount of experiences that by the time i returned, the item was no longer around (i think a lot of ladies out there can empathise with what i am saying). The other part of my mind however told me that such an item is not like the typical clothing and shoes you see at shopping centres, thus the fad will not go off so soon; you will still be able to get it; just hold your horses!

$750 for a pair of spectacles. Now, for a heartlander like me, it does cost an arm! Not sure about you?!

The maroon-coloured thin titanic frame Silhouette caught my eye when i first laid my eyes on the specs in the first spectacles shop i checked out. (I actually had finally gotten to actively look for a pair of transition lenses - with less than 10 days to flying off to the land where the sun is merciless! :p )

I used to own a pair of maroon Espirit eyewear which was thin frame, superlight and comfortable to wear. However, the shape of the lense is no longer in trend and i think i will look oddball if i were to wear it now... Thus, I have been keeping a lookout for thin frames eyewear. Have seen Silhouette and thought it was too expensive for consideration then.

Then.......

You probably are asking what make me change my position? It was not a swift change though. I went to a few other shops and saw another maroon-coloured thin frame lense. It was a few hundreds less. However, the size of the lense is not as idea for sun shade. The Silhouette lense is bigger yet not obiang; the design is nicer too. I thought since i would probably be wearing specs at the new land i am going to, why not wear something i really like?? So much for rationalising... I told myself that it's time that i stop stinging and scraping and saving... Time to pamper myself a bit, without burning up my bank though...

Managed to bargain $80 off. You must have imagined that i am either a market aunty or just plan desperate.... but do throw in persuasiveness and talent to do well in a sales job too... :p Yea! If not, can you imagine paying $830 for just a pair of specs?!? Still quite unthinkable for me... not that $700 is a small amount nevertheless. The optician told me that Silhouette is an excellent quality brand, thus the steep price. He assured me that the frame would not rust or go off color (it would only turn rainbow even if there were any change from the original color - like real? Time will tell.). He added that a customer had been using the same brand for 8 years and returned only to change the lenses.

At the end of the day, i must say that the optician did a fairly good job in making me feel better about my purchase decision. Hope it's money well invested! Know what? Now, I actually feel happy just thinking about the specs! Look forward to my optician's call to receive it! Ha! ;)

Unwelcome Guests

2008-05-13T23:44:00.002+08:00

Last night in my shower, i spotted this unwelcome guest again... Usually, hubby would come to my rescue when i called. However, not that he is not with me physically, i have only myself to fend for!

I do not have this problem in all the previous places I have stayed in but somehow in this area, spiders just seem to bloom like nobody business. A neighbour shared my experience. I guess the season also matters... For a month, I have not encountered much problems with this irritating eight-legged creature. Even if they showed up, they are smaller and not as menacing-looking. So, it usually ended up being vacuumed as i clean my room... (ok, i know that may not be the best way to get rid of them, but that's my most convenient way!)

So, that spider was lurking at one corner of my shower room. Can't help looking at it from time to time. That idiot just lurked back and forth. Such a distraction!!!

After i got out of shower, i gathered my 'tools' i.e. a net, a badminton-like electronic bat (hubby loves using that to kill off other insect intruders), and an umbrella (to reach the ceiling where the spider was). Funny thing was after i returned to the shower room, i can't find the spider at that same spot. It couldn't know that i was coming for it?!? Then, i saw it lurking at the other corner, near the window. How i wish it would automatically run for life but it didn't. It insisted on running all over the place and even hung on to my umbrella, then spinned somewhere towards the floor behind the WC. I tried to look for it but i couldn't as the toilet light was not bright enough. How i wish the threat "you can run but you cannot hide!" could apply to the spider then! Earlier when i first saw the spider on the ceiling, i even wished that i could just momentarily possessed Peter Petrelli's power (those who follow Heroes, season 2 would know what i am saying) and could just need to raise my palm and electroculate the intruder into nothingness (without breaking my shower room mirror, of course).

I actually had the thought of flooding the toilet floor to kill off the spider but later thought it too much of a hassle, since the spider might just spin another web and came off ground level. Thought that the spider would make its escape eventually or showed up another time to be killed..... so decided to abort the plan.

Am not sure if it's the same fellow but it really boils me when just minutes ago, i spotted a similar-looking spider on my study room table! It was just half a metre from where I am typing now! Is it back for revenge or just from the same clan??! I decided to use the net to trap it, then electroculate it or beat it flat.

Wrong move. These creatures just moved too fast! And disappeared equally fast as well!!! After being alerted that it was in danger, the spider just quickly moved and somehow disappeared!! Do they really have the ability to turn transparent to protect themselves? I can't find it!! And even now, i wonder if it is hiding somewhere very nearby or nesting eggs somewhere!

I HATE SPIDERS!!! Why did God create spiders?

Packing up... Nostalgic arise from photos packing

2008-05-12T16:52:00.003+08:00

With 10 more days to flying off, I know I have to start packing away the heavyduty stuff at home. Had done so for the stationery. Not yet for bedroom stuff (that would be a 'major project')... some loose ends in the middle room and the least challenging - kitchen.

Today, I started packing away the photos in a box. Actually started with the magazines but simply too much to finish at one go... So decided to do the more realistic task first... Of course, those who know me would have guessed that I would flip through the photos before I pack them away...

Well, I can't say totally that I long to go back to the past, although there had been some pretty good memories (as well as bad ones). Nevertheless, I just can't help feeling nostalgic as I looked at those photos :]

My first compilation of photos was my secondary school years. Had cut out pictures from school magazines, on top of using my own developed photos. Am glad that I had actually written down the names of the schoolmates and some teachers! Thanks to email and FaceBook (and of course the good intention of friends who initiated contact!), I had met up with some old schoolmates recently! Imagine more 14 years of not seeing one another! Most of them (except one whom I used to termed as my 'godbrother' back then), had changed a lot... Of course, people tends to change for the better and modern :) It was great catching up. Had learnt that some of us had also changed quite drastically in terms of personality and outlook in life, perhaps, which I guess is just part of life.

Then, I flipped through the seemingly endless albums of my 3 years in Ngee Ann Poly. Except for some pictures taken with the Harmonica Troupe, my tutorial mates and for my graduation, the bulk of it were memories of my good times with Campus Crusade for Christ. That was certainly a period in my life I would not forget, for the Lord has used that period to establish my knowledge in Him as well as my relationship with Him. I have met many good people who have helped me in my growth. Looking at the photos of the LTI camps, mission trips and Stop-Out-Staff just brought back so much warmth. Again, thanks to God, I am still maintaing touch with some brothers and sisters of my batch :)

When I looked through all the photos, I thought about how some of us (friends and people in my life) had gotten on in life now. Some made good; some not as good; some still pretty much status quo; some totally lost contact; some still in contact. I started to think if life is what happens to us... you know the quote that "Life happens to you"? Then, I realised that it's really what we do with life that happens to us, isn't it? The choices we made, the respones we made, the outlook we want to own in life, etc, - those are the things that really shape our lives, isn't it? It certainly matters who we have in our lives, and at which junction in our lives... for those are the people who support us and influence our thinking. I recalled a young friend who did not quite take to what I have shared with her, that people come in and out of our lives at different seasons, for a purpose. Looking back, I am thankful for the people I have encountered thus far - be it in a positive way or negative way, for they have helped shaped me into who I am today. Well, I have to quantify that I definitely am not totally there yet. But one Person I truly am thankful to is my Abba Father, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Ever faithful and unchanging.

Another thing struck me when I looked through my bookmark collections... Wow... most of them are still in good condition! My God... having been with me since I was a primary school student?? I think I stopped collecting bookmarks after I reached poly level. Now, I know why I have a tendency to be reflective and even melanchoic! Still, I love the poems and reflections of the bookmarks. Have no intentions to discard them. They will stay with me for... God knows how long more?! Perhaps I am seeing them as part of my childhood? You know, it's kinda strange that when you grow older, you sometimes go around collecting the stuff you have during your childhood? I kept my Strawberry Shortcake figuries (mind you, it's the original version which now fetch a good price in the toy market!). My sister who recently came to my place exclaimed when she saw that . She immediately said she wanted them, since I would be clearing my stuff... Hello, who say that I am clearing them? Call me hoarder but I don't care! (Think hubby will be shaking his head if he read this portion... but anyway, he is as guilty lar i.e. keeping his toys. At least for me, I handle them with more TLC...)

As I looked through the photos progressively, I can't help smiling when I see the 'transformation' of my look from my schooling to my working phases. Haha... followed by periods of dating and entering into the workforce... Working at different companies... Enjoying the fun and challenges, as well as enduring the hardship and politics at work.

It really has been many years... Am glad that a friend whom I have not seen for years commented that I "still look the same"! Haha... nice words to hear for a lady! Well, I guess at age 30, I still have it going... Being a woman in this generation is not really easy... Everyone around, especially mothers ("yummy mummies" - they termed it!), don't seem to have aged despite the passing of time! Guess I must ensure that I take the proper diet and take good care of myself to resist the aging process! Yea, all you guys out there, I know this is a profound mystery to you. You don't need to understand though... ;) I just thank God that he had given me a young-looking face. Ha... A colleague once commented that I looked like a secondary 2 student after seeming me dressed in sporty attire... Now, maybe that's too young? Well... well... well...

It's been one and a half weeks since I started clearing my leave from work. Yet I feel that as if it has been such a long time! In fact, only 7 working days had passed! I missed my work. Have been working with young offenders for the past year. Missed my "clients", "my boys and girls" - you can say that. From time to time, I do wonder about how they are. Well, I am just a passing cloud in their lives (hopefully a "good cloud"). Having said that, I know that somehow I gotta trust Him to let go and trust Him to put something more and bigger and better into my hands! I trust that He honour obedience.

Now that I am on leave and no longer need to "fight fire" at work (the nature of my job), I have been packing and cleaning up here and there, pacing myself. Going online more often and now have more time to update my blog, FaceBook and Friendster. Still got much to update though... Watching videos which I never have the luxury of time to really watch in the past. Alas, finding that I hardly have time to read the books I have purchased :p Looks like they are going to Dubai with me as well! Am making use of this precious time to catch up with friends too! Am glad to have met some longtime friends. Be meeting up some more next week. Am excited! =D

Ok, gotta start preparing to go out to meet some colleagues. Meeting two other groups on Friday and Sunday. Am truly blessed! :)

Guess at the end of the day, it's people and relationships that truly matter? Any amen to that?

Leaving Singapore......

2008-04-22T23:06:00.002+08:00

It's interesting that right after my whiny blog about the growing population in my homeland, is a posting about me leaving Singapore. No, it isn't planned that way - just in case you are wondering......

Hubby has left Singapore weeks ago. Credit and glory to God, he has found a job at Dubai, UAE. In a sense, it is a wish fulfilled for him, since he has always wanted to experience life outside of Singapore.

For me, it was not as straightfoward... though I am also curious to experience living outside of Singapore for a season. Why am I not as dying to go like hubby? Well, reason being I have to give up enjoying something that I have taken 6 years to prepare......

It has been slightly over a year, since I started doing direct work, in terms of working with people in society who needs help. By God's grace, I was given the 'best deal' after 1 year of service. I was blessed! Am still blessed! ;) Have actually decided to tender my resignation. I was not expecting that I could get unpaid leave since I was just recently converted to permanent staff status. However, all the seniors I have spoken with encouraged me to try. Try, I did. And successful indeed! Such don't you count as blessings? There may be naysayers at work but who cares, right? I am just happy to be given the privilege to do the kind of work for the past year, which not many can come into this position to do. And of course reap the harvest of having clients who remembered and took time to call me to say thanks. How heartening... And how can I forget to also appreciate the people and colleagues who have showered me with care, concern, support and love all this while! You know who you are! ;)

Now, I am just looking forward to another week of work, before I start to clear my leave. After that, my no-paid leave will commence. That's when the move begins...... I hope to catch up with some friends before flying off in May.

4 million to 6 million

2008-04-06T00:02:00.002+08:00

Met some old friends today and 1 of them commented that i have not been updating my blog... Yea, it's been a while... Blame it on typical too-busy-life of a Singaporean... alright, maybe I'm finding excuses. Anyway, there was an entry i wanted to write abt mths ago...

You might be wondering abt the title... Nay, it's not $, in case any typical Singaproean out there thought so... ;) It's the projected population growth for Singapore that I was writing abt.

I recalled our MM LKY had commented that 6 million may be quite a huge population to count for tiny Singapore ('tiny' being my word). I agreed that 6 million is definitely not for comfort. Already, I am feeling that Singapore is getting pretty (or rather, "unpretty-ly") crowded :(

Let me quote 1 recent incident to illustrate: I'm usually blessed to enjoy free rides from hubby who drives. On rare occasions, I take public transport. There was this Friday evening that I needed to transit at the MRT interchange, City Hall. I expected that it would be crowded as it was peak period i.e. 5.30pm to 6-nish. However, I wasn't prepared for what was to happen......

Ok, it wasn't as dramatic as you might have imagined. I guess i was pretty amazed by how crowded conditions led already kia-su Singaporeans to be more kia-su... and perhaps ugly... While waiting for the arrival of the trian, I saw this Pink-Kong standing beside me. (it's a term i have unfortunately learnt from a prejudiced male colleague, who used it to describe fat ladies). When the train door opened, boy, she was fast to dash in, notwithstanding her size and the crowd inside the train. Naturally, I quickly walked in. However, I was shocked that people (i think, men!) were pushing me forward from behind, as they tried to get into the train without being caught by the closing doors. So, you guess it... My front body was squeezed into the back of that lady - no thanks to the help of the communters from behind! At this point, i just wish to clarify that I am not against fat ladies; it's just that in space-constrained situations like this, i have some impure thoughts wishing that she would not take up too much space...

I am one who detest other bodies touching me in buses or trains, even if it's incidental. Guess I guard my space quite tightly. Nevertheless, during that agonizing journey (thankfully only 2 stops!), there were 4 or 5 other men whose shoulders were almost in contact with my back. I felt like exploding! Anyway, I tried to understand lar... Hmm... should they try to be funny, "there will be blood"! Ok, I'm exaggerating, but point is, I will be ready to make a scene should wolves-like behaviour manifest.

That's for trains ride. Am sure most pple already knew that going to the ladies at shopping malls are equally trying. That trend of long queue had been around for some time, though it seemed longer now... or was it just me? Heard of some pple who said that Singaporeans like to queue? Not me though.

*Sigh* 4 million... counting on to 6 million. I'm just thankful that I live in 1 corner of quiet Singapore for now. Peace. Precious peace and space!

Blessing in return from above ?

2007-10-18T00:11:00.000+08:00

Hubby and I will be flying to Hong Kong for a brief holidays next week with my parents. It was a last minute thing. I was just wondering, did our earlier blessing (to the Lord) brought abt this? ;)

I thank God that we had ample resources to go. It has been a long-time wish of mine to bring my parents to Hong Kong for holidays. They have never gone beyond Indonesia. Mother had been busy with babysitting my niece. Younger bro had wanted to sponsor mother for a trip as well, esp upon seeing the 'hard' and 'heart' work mother had been providing for my elder sister and her daughter... Recently learnt that the confirmed 'window period' mother is available for a break i.e. no babies to take care yet, until my 2nd niece 'arrive at her doorstep'. Thus, proceeded to check out packages. It was rather late for any package tour. After some ding-dong-ing, it was decided that me and hubby would go. I never quite thought that I might go, as earlier, I have given my promise to cover a colleague's work for 8 days during the rest of this mth. Anyway, am glad that there is no compromise in my work and other family members were able to make adjustment to faciliate parents to go on this trip.

Mother is already having 'withdrawal symptoms' for not taking care of babies. *sigh* Anyway, 1 thing for sure is that she does look forward to visiting HK. Am glad that hubby, who had visited 3x, is able to play tour guide. :)

Am taking the 6.45am flight! Will be back on Sunday late night. Hope to return work on Monday morning, without being zombified !

Glad to 'conquer' Hong Kong ahead of projected time! Here we come! :)

"Popped-up" tiles

2007-10-17T23:44:00.000+08:00

Alas... It has finally happened. The neighbours on the left and right of my unit were already casualities... They had been thru' the inconveniences of moving all their furniture out of the way and physically staying away for the work to be rectified. Now it has finally happened to me and hubby :(

It was a Sunday evening some months ago when we returned home. While awaiting the light to come on, I found myself almost tripping over! When the light came on, I realised, Wala! the tiles had poped up in a row...

We spoke to neighbours and found out that some form of compensation was given for alternate accommodation plus HDB rectification is of poor quality. Of course, my contractor husband took over from then onwards.

We managed to book Aloha chalet for 4 straight days. Unfortunately, after that 4 days, the flat was still not in any condition to stay in. Thus, we decided to spoil ourselves to stay at a local hotel. After all, we have never done that. Earlier, I was very much looking forward to try out The Scarlet. However, the room I wanted to experience was way too sky rocket high to even dream about... Thus, we settled at Holiday Inn Atrium, which was booked online.

The services we had there was disappointing. One wonders why staff treat you differently when you did not produce any passports and informed that you are locals. What was most unbearable was that hubby was denied entry when he returned the 2nd day afternoon for a shower and short rest! The staff only record my name and not his! Days later, I found out that the hotel had not cancel the security deposit tied to the credit card used for booking the rooms, when all accounts were cleared during check out time. Unthinkable! I wrote a complaint letter weeks after checking out. I thought they have 'wakened up their ideas' since they took the trouble to check out my mailing address and sent me a nicely-worded apology letter and offered some promises of enrolling into their international membership - if I contact them via email or phone. Sad to say, this time round, after sending a less angry and more appreciative worded email, there was no news.

Holiday Inn Atrium hotel - blacklisted for good.

I guess you can sense the fury in me as you read about the unpleasant 2-day stay hubby and I had there. Talking about it jus seemed to stir my blood to boil! However, I am glad that God has blessed us, in that despite of the 6-day 'holiday' we had, we had ample finances to 'along the way', changed our kitchen tiles, which had no 'popping signs' but were easily dirtied. And at the end of it all, we still had leftovers from the compensation! Am glad that hubby agreed with me that we should bless the Lord accordingly from the onset when we received the compensation.

God is good.

The Day of Strange Happenings

2007-05-01T22:23:00.000+08:00

Some weeks ago, i encountered not 1, not 2, but 3 counts of strange happenings in 1 day. So much so that i knew i have to blog it some day when i'm free.....

Strange Happening #1 : Couple 'steaming' in car
It was broad daylight! It was raining heavily! Wonder if this couple thinks the heavy rain will hide their 'activity' in their car? i never quite imagine that they would dare to do it outside a prison institution! Did they think the most dangerous place is also the safest place? Felt so pai-seh when i saw it! Alright, if u r thinking of asking whether i have seen anything more sensational - no. The clothes were on. And I am glad. A colleague whom i sms said i should have taken a pix and sent to STOMP!

Strange Happening #2 : Socks for Clowns
Have you ever purchase a pair of socks that's packed together but turned out to be 1 longer than the other when you wear them? That was what happened to me! I bought the socks as the rain wet part of my shoes and socks. Needed a pair of new socks anyway so went to get it at a nearby megastore.
Was really upset at the store for selling such stuff! The service staff who attended to me didn't help either. She kept insisting that i have worn one side wrong, even though i have taken my feet off my shoes to show her. After my outburst, she gave up and asked me to take off the socks, walked with her (a long distance) to show her manager. You mean you still expect me to walk around half the store barefooted?! Or inserted my now dried feet into my damp shoes again?! By then, I reached my limit. I grabbed the receipt back from her and stormed off. I wanted to forget the whole thing but when I thought of having to buy another pair of socks just to fit the other side, I felt indignant! Why should I pay extra for the mistake of the store!?! So, I traced the manager who thankfully handled customers better. She brought me back to the socks dept and upon seeing my socks of different length, changed for me. She was also puzzled by the 'clown' socks. I thanked her and added that I did not meant to be a nasty customer to the other staff, but she really needed to learn how to handle customers better!
It was a waste of time. Nevertheless, i am glad i fighted for my right.

Strange Happening #3 : Man in Woman's Clothing
Was browsing some clothing in a ladies boutique when I saw from the corner of my eye the Malay boutique lady coming towards me. The voice shocked me. I looked and realised the face looked every inch a man! And the arms are so thick.. how can it be of a woman's? Alright, i got the Malay part right but not the gender. I held my composure. He (or she) did provided good customer service. And I have not shown any discrimination, for in the end, I bought a skirt. No lar, it was not out of fear I made the purchase; it was a planned purchase from the start.

Taste

2007-04-06T16:13:00.000+08:00

Has it been a while since I last update abt my brain? ok.. tink it will sound weird for those who haven't read my previous post 'Ward 10A, Bed 28'. Anyway, there's been some development abt my taste since some mths ago. Food, most of the time, for the initial tastes, tasted weird. Perhaps I should be thankful that the injury has not affected my taste drastically. I learnt that if the impact on my head had indeed been at the back of my head (which was where the bumps were), it would have affected other more important senses, like vision, and motor skills, if I recall correctly.

Still, as time goes by, my taste sense is also 'evolving'. Do you know my favourite chocolate also tasted different now? Ok, thankfully not 100% though. Earlier, I have thought it changed because I just came back from US where the chocolate tasted different!

Just an hour ago, I ate bread with minced hardboiled egg with mayo. Ereghh... the smell and taste felt like rust! ;{ I was also wondering if the egg has been kept in the fridge for too long. *Sigh* Although these 2 senses did not impact as negatively as would have been for the other senses, sometimes it does really got me down and flustered!

Saw my neruologist last wk (2nd review appt). Would not need to see him again. Good and bad. Bad cos' there's nothing much he can do in the future anyway. Good in the sense that my brain smell senses are improving. Seems like the 'neighouring' cells near the injured ones are replicating the original smell function. Or so that's what the doc said. 3 mths back, I can't even smell a thing! At least for now, I can smell at least 1 type, however pungent it may be and affect my taste. Doc said my taste cells were intact.

Ok, that's abt what I wanna update abt my brain. Hope I will be able to post better news next round.

US Trip

2007-03-04T23:25:00.000+08:00

Am actually writing this in my return journey from USA. This plane I am taking is the 2nd of the 3 planes I need to take in order to get home. 12 hr flight for this one... Gosh...

Initial Plans
J & I meant to go Australia for our anniversary celebration. We made a point to go honeymoon each year during our wedding anniversary period, no matter how trying the day to day financial situation may be; after all, life is too short to be slogging for tomorrow and missing out on enjoying today.

Our Australia trip was changed to US due to friends who recently relocated to US extending their invitation for us to visit. Cost was a significant hindrance but we thought there probably won't be a better time than now to go. After all, you don't get free accommodation offered at US very often :p

"You serious about going?"
Have received a few comments from those who have visited US, that it is not value for money enough, considering the air ticket cost. $2800 for 2 persons' return tickets. With my new job's commencement date being brought forward, it ended up only a short period we could stay there. 10 days perhaps. Minus all the travelling and time/days lost.

And there was the part about winter. "It will be very cold..."; "There were snow storm there earlier...". Well, we enjoyed experiencing snow 1st hand. Yes, it was very chillling cold at times but for one who has been under the tormenting heat of my tropical country, snow was refreshing different, extreme nevertheless. Like I said, it was an experience each time before going out, having to put on snow cap, wool shawrl, jackets, gloves, blah blah blah... But after a while, I must admit it became quite a chore!

Another reason we 'detour' is to explore future opportunities. I have always wanted to further my psychology learning in the States. Hubby on the other hand has dreams of staying and working overseas. After speaking to our host, we realise the opportunities here are better than we have imagined.

Things that are different here...
Food. Am not talking about the portion you get at restaurants but certain food packaging you see at supermarts. Ok, it's portion, still. Sugar and flour were packed like huge rice packs back home; mayo is stored like those huge Dynamo liquid detergent containers; even the size of muffins here can match up with the size of a baby's face!

It costs about the same whether you eat out or DIY cook at home, say for just a few persons. Ingredients, along with basic neccessities here, are more expensive.

"Take away" vs "To go". Here, we hardly receive any response when we stated the former. Only speaking the latter yield acknowledgement.

Here, some branded goods at certain places are much cheaper. A fraction of local prices. Same goes for most magazines. Reader's Digest here costs less than $5 whereas it costs you more than double back home. Yes, I am comparing both amount in home currency.

Final Verdict
We enjoyed this trip. Unlike other trips where it was free and easy where we shopped and ate all the time, here we got to experience some American life by staying in a house and doing grocery shopping, etc. Not to be excluded is that hubby got to shovel snow off the car pouch!
We have also enjoyed catching up with our host and his family. It was great learning from him as well as we chatted on some nights, apart from watching videos!

So, after 'conquering' Bali, KL and Bangkok, is Australia or/and Hong Kong next?

Moving On

2007-03-04T23:17:00.000+08:00

(This is one of the two posts done before my new job started; was actually 'penned' in my PDA while in the skies...)

Finally, I am able to return to direct work in thc social service sector. Having worked in a family service centre (FSC) for 3 yrs, it made me appreciate direct work more as I last worked at a social service statutory body doing admin & marketing support work. Back at the FSC, I miss the clinical sessions most. Never quite get to do such work in a fuller capacity then. I thank God that the new job will allow me to do just that! And of course thank God especially that the daily travelling distance to and fro work now is not as long as my former workplace.

I look forward to 2007.

Greener Pastures...

2007-03-04T18:40:00.000+08:00

Have been 'absent' for a while due to my 'low-tech' expertise in handling some technical mandatory enhancements. Thank God for a kind and helpful who showed me the way to restoring my assess to blogspot :)

As of Feb 5th, I have stepped into the 'greener pastures'. For those who do not know, I am into social work. Finally, I am able to take on the kind of work I have always wanted... after 5 yrs of waiting, apprenticing and preparing. This job is, among the 3 job options I have sought earlier, most challenging, and also the one I foresee I will enjoy most.

Colleagues have been wonderful, though a bit siao at times. But it's ok, as I am also guilty of such behaviour at times :p I thank God for a supportive and friendly environment. One senior called it dynamic. Just last Fri over lunch, another senior colleague commented in mockery that I 'learnt fast', after hearing the way I, urm, conversed with him in their 'usual lingo'. Oops! Hope that didn't hurt :P

Apart from the work nature that is one-to-one nature and provides a reasonable degree of flexibility and autonomy, the other thing I am also thankful for is my work posting being at a place where I need to adjust the least, in terms of conforming to the rigidility but necessary regulations of my employer. Ok, some of you may be lost at sea by now; just know that I am thankful :) and share my joy! Otherwise, like some of you have done, feel free to email to me personally to chat upclose if you are too shy to leave comments. (sorry that I have done some amendments to allow only bloggers to leave comments. anti-spam measures lar..)

Can't believe so soon it's been a month! Doesn't feel like yet. I no longer dread going to work but look forward! Looking forward to taking on my work full scale as time goes by. I also appreciate the availability of some peer colleagues whom we have started meeting up now and then to support and learn from one another. One of us called it "Newbie Support Group". Ha... come to think of it, perhaps it could help in alleviating another 'casuality' among new staff... One peer who joined on the same day has decided to call it quits after a week. Tragic. Was quite taken aback by the reaction of my boss, whom after learning about that probably in her email, shouted out of her office for the rest of the colleagues to really take good care of me, lest I suffer the same fate... hmm... wonder if that was done in panic or jest? Anyway, I recently learnt from a colleague that we are still short of 2 staff.

Stay tuned... cos' I will soon be retrieving some earlier previous mths' updates... like my holiday trip before I embark on this new job.

No More Crumbs!

2007-01-06T12:44:00.000+08:00

The following is extracted from a book titled "No More Crumbs" by Rod Parsley. It's given by a friend and I found time in my hospital stay to read it. It is so beautifully written that I can't help but to share it with like-minded readers:

"So God touched human life throught a man - Jesus.
He came not to be served but to serve.
Like the father waiting for his prodigal son to come home, the Father waited for an eternity for us to come home, back into His arms.
After waiting and waiting, God could wait no longer.
Love seeks out that which is loved.
Before we could ever turn back toward home, He came to us through His Son, Jesus.
He gave us everything we asked for and more.
Before we asked, He died for us, offering us His eternal gift of love - everlasting life.
He wants us to live forever so that He can love us forever!
Like the prodigal son, we may run to the Father, fall at His feet, and beg to serve Him.
He always refuses.
Instead, He picks us up, bathes us with His tears, clothes us with a white robe of righteousness washed in the blood of Jesus, puts the ring of power and authority on our finger, and ushers us into a feast fit for the King.
Do not expect to sit under the table and hungrily grad for any crumb that may fall.
No, in Christ you sit at the Father's right hand - the seat of honor.
And to your surprise, when you reach out to fill His cup and serve His plate, His hand stops yours.
In wonderment, you look into His eyes.
All you want to do is to serve Him.
Then you know the truth.
He seats you at the King's table for one purpose - to serve you.
Suddenly the reality of His dream for you is fulfilled: No more crumbs!"

Hope you have enjoyed it as much as I do! Shalom :)

New Year Aspiration

2007-01-06T12:26:00.000+08:00

U may call me lame but I rather replace the popular but cynical term 'Resolution' with 'Aspiration'. After all, the phrase "resolutions are meant to be broken" is so commonly heard (and realised) these days...

2006 has not been a healthy year for me. I have seen myself taking probably the most number of MCs in any year. My hubby thought it was due to my job which 'make it sick'. Hmm... maybe there's some fraction of truth in that.

Apart from the brain injury last year, the beginning of this year saw myself being under some kind of stomach flu like virus. It started off with me feeling tired. I thought my body was not adjusting well as I slept late (like 3am or beyond) for some past 3 nights during the long weekend but made it up by getting up date the next day though; I remember that I deliberately slept earlier on the eve of the working Monday in order to be more alert for work. Still, I gets tired.

I didn't have much appetite that Monday. Got a colleague to buy back my favorite chicken pie from Prima Deli but didn't even come close to touching it. Started to feel colder that afternoon and realised the aircon temperature was adjusted very low. In the late afternoon, I took a bottle of chicken essence, thinking it could provide me some energy.

Everything come out that evening, while my hubby was driving us back, in that longer than usual journey due to traffic jam.

Poor car. Poor hubby.

Sorry, this is my first time vomitting in the car after all. Didn't know it's better to stop, alight and throw up on the side of the road :P I threw up a bit as I wind down the window. Thank God there wasn't any motorcylists beside!

Doc whom I saw the next day gave only 1 day MC. The wait at the clinic was painfully long. Back home, I went in and out of toilet for at least 5 times despite having taken the medicine. Even the porridge I took (and did not finish) that evening came all out within an hour. And it came out from my nose as well! GROSS!!

It felt really terrible :(

Went to see another doc the next morning. This time, I felt so weak that I could hardly walk. Thank God for my hubby who delayed his appointment to accompany me. Doc said I looked very 'shack' and was dehydrated. I only realised that I haven't been passing much urine until she asked so. She said if my condition worsen, I will need to be hospitalised to be put on drips. Not another hospital stay!

This doc is more professional, provided more advice and is more unhurried. Well, you pay for what you get.

I felt better with each passing day, though improvements are slight but still, it's better than nothing.

Well, this incident again reinforces my goal to get a fitter (and slimmer) me by the end of 2007. I have planned to sign up for some exercise programmes or facilities to pscy myself to exercise regularly. Of course, when I earlier pen that goal down, I have in mind to lose the extra kilos I have put on and tone a slimmer me. Now, after the recent illness, I have indeed lost some kilos. But toning is different matter altogether. It's better to look slim and toned, rather than thin and haggard, yea? Of course, the bottomline is still fitness as the number one priority!

So, all the best to me, ya?

Brain matters

2007-01-02T22:59:00.000+08:00

Went for a scheduled MRI in Nov. Went for the consultation in Dec. For the first time, I saw for myself the actual size of the blood clot and its location in my brain. Didn't think it actually took up that much space as previously thought. It was right in the middle. The technology that comes with MRI is marvellous... little wonder why it costs so dearly...

I saw my consultant clicked at lightning speed the different pictures of my brain scans pictures to reveal the different angles and showed me the comparisons and improvement. I saw that no matter he showed the right or left part of the brain, I seem to see the clot at both sides. It was indeed smacked right in the middle... Strike lottery (as if I buy) also not as accurate!

Still, I thank God that the blood clot has diminished quite a lot. Doc said recovery varies. Some takes months; some takes years. A lot also depends on whether there is scarring after the blood clot totally heals. Hope it will be good news by the next review in March.

Strangely, I thought I have been able to detect a particular strange smell at times. It is most obvious whenever I take the first bite of meat.. It's the same taste when earlier on I took the first bite of food and a weird taste came on (and also left as quickly as it came).

A kind friend has referred his neurologist friend for me to raise any Q&A. Felt shy to go to his clinic (which is in hospital). After some time, he ended up calling me up! Free phone consultatation! Wow... His feel, after hearing my story, is that my brain may be in the process of trying to make sense of my taste and smell senses. Hmm... I wonder for how long more?

Since this incident, I have not been keen to bake or cook. Felt weird that I can't smell. Well, some day, I will get to it.

Smell

2006-10-23T23:18:00.000+08:00

I didn't know that I have lost my sense of smell until towards hospital discharge when doc tested me.

Still remember during hospital intake, I replied the consultant doc that I have no problem smelling when he queried, after stating that the part of my brain that got hurt was right above my nose...

Still remember my wondering of why the revolving liquid air freshener in my hubby's car didn't emit any smell...

But I don't wonder when I got into his car and didn't smell any thinner or weird smell - which was quite typical of his profession ;)

And certainly never question if the current haze-infested environment carries with it smell of burnt or soot, whatever you wanna call that.

Once, I caught myself walking near those 'walking chimneys' (aka. smokers) just to see if I can smell their cigarettes. No, I couldn't. And quite silly, actually. Just b'cos I can't smell it doesn't mean my lung will also reject their toxic, yea? Have stopped doing that since. Would rather do other kinds of tests... Like smell the coffee I make for my hubby every morning? Sounds good...

Still, I thank God that more of the time, I am blessed that I can't smell - for now - cos I have 'escaped' more of the bad smell than miss out on good ones... Nowadays, I put on perfume for the sake of others, no longer myself...

Despite of all these, my BIG THANKSGIVING to God is: He watches over me. One day during my MC period, I was boiling some tonic in the kitchen whilst at the same time surfing the net in my room. Was quite shocked when I return to the kitchen to discover that there were no flames at all though the gas switch was on! Must be the wind (I stay near the sea) and the window I left opened unknowingly (and quite unusally whenever I cook). Thank God for His protection, cos I definitely never smell a rat or anything unusual...

For now, I just gotta remind myself to fix my mind on the good report (from ABOVE!). The British doc told me some may regain their sense of smell while some may not; a friend's nerologist said it will come back; the chinese doc said it will come back too. Well, majority said yes and I should be comforted. Sometimes, being a persimist weights me down but I'm just gonna put my confidence in what God says - that I am whole and well. He has already completed the work - exchanged His health and wholeness for sickness and pain at the calvary.

Amen to that. I received.

Ward 10A, Bed 28

2006-10-07T03:33:00.000+08:00

Would think that most of you have guessed it right... Ward 10A, Bed 28 was my address for some recent past 3 days. Am glad to be out breathing fresh air.. even though lately the skies have been infested with the Indo haze... Anyway, I have not been able to smell anything though it was said that the breeze at times smelt of burnt.

The Big Question: What Happen?
Brain contulsion. That was my diagnosis. I actually went on with daily life without knowing that I have been suffering from a 'bruise' in my frontal brain.
No wonder the headaches were especially bad and so persistent...
No wonder I have dizziness for so long...
No wonder my appetite is lacking... and sometimes felt nauseous
No wonder food tasted so bland...
No wonder I feel tired so easily... and struggle to function at my optimum at work...
Just don't feel myself so finally decided to see a doc - again, and doc referred me do a brain scan...
The polyclinic doc I saw during the first time gave me painkillers and some anti-nauseous medicine, despite of the account I have related to him. I guess he, like most people, thought mine were the typical after-effects of hangover. Initially, I thought so too, but just couldn't quite swallow the bit that I am so lousy, given that I have down more potent stuff previously and never got drunk. Anyway, for the record, I ain't a regular drinker. It was a colleague's farewell that my boss (who is close to his 50s but I guess, young at heart!) suggested going to MOS (not the Japanese chain Mos burger but nightspot Ministry Of Sound). I was not very for the venue, though I don't mind going to the zhi-chai dinner run by the other colleague's parents. Nevertheless, I was a little curious about the place on why the hype over it and also the part abt music which is my love. My other half was not keen at all for me to go, regardless of whether he comes along. Waste of money - that's his primary reason. Ok, so I decided not to go and told my boss. He understood though I could sense his disappointment, as another colleague also 'back out'. When the day comes however, my other half called up to say he can't meet me due to some urgent work; he asked me to "find my own programme". Means what? Out of some pressure from colleagues and my curiosity, I went along, since the time he finish work will coincide with the time I leave.
Did have some good time with the games we played while waiting for others to hit the dance floor. Other than that, there was nothing fantastic actually. Good concept they have but music wise... at least for the 'room' I was in, it was no good. How on earth will pple be enticed to dance with such music? Had some alcoholic drinks, danced for little bit, then left earlier with another colleague. Both of us were kinda just patronizing our boss and senior colleagues, you see... good to give face lor... We don't seem to have very valid reason unlike the colleague who opt out.
I took a 10 min walk to the nearest MRT station and took the train to the specified MRT where my other half would pick me up as agreed at the taxi stand. I didn't see him at the taxi stand though.

........

The next thing I know, I awakened on my bed, feeling the hurts at the back of my head. There were 3 bumps! Should be blue-blacks.. Wonder why?! And very bad headaches, can be said the worst I ever experience. Then I suddenly remember that I FORGOT to take out my contact lenses! I SLEPT WITH MY LENSES ON!!! Still blurring, I arose and walked to the toilet, only to find that my lenses have been well kept in its places. Hmm... I asked my hubby. He took out my lenses for me? Unthinkable! No, he didn't; Some of the things he told me was truly incredulous... I took my lenses out myself? I changed into my sleep wear myself? I kept asking him the same qn over and over again? And this I did, that I did? How come I don't recall? Thought it was quite funny eventually. Must be the hangover. Wished there is some sort of video where I could see how he carried me from the ground back to home and what happen after that. I learnt later that he didn't carry me; he woked me up and I walked back to his car - which I certainly don't recall. A bit scary, come to think of that... Just quietly give thanks that God's protection was over me and it was my hubby who found me lying on the ground, unconscious, not anyone else...

My Blood Pressure
It's strange that there wasn't any warning signals before my collapse that night. My blood pressure level tends towards to low side but have never shown its ugly head to such an extent. The last time it was really bad was when I exercised too vigoriously when I haven't been exercising consistently prior to that. The boxercise trainer did the standard warm up and cool down but it wasn't sufficient for me, taking into consideration the intensity. As the punches and kicks slowed down, I felt my muscles numbing, head blacking out and more discomfort. Never felt that way since a long, long time ago. Tk God that came on during the cooling down period and the exercise came to a stop then. I felt so terrible that I stooped, then eventually sat down before recovering in 5 min. Was not even able to response to a friend who came by to talk. Almost felt bad for being somewhat rude. That friend didn't follow up either.

ê Day i don on ê Green Robe
The 2nd doc I went to referred me to the NeuroScience Department in one of the hospitals. I was not quite expecting that I would need to go to A&E and even be warded! It appeared that appointments were tight and the clinic assistant saw that I needed attention earlier that she referred me to A&E (my head was stealing some rest from the pillar when I answered her that I injured my head).
Was still not ready to be warded as I felt it was too exaggerating! I'm here for a scan only! The attending doc recommended me to ward as the descriptions of some of my bodily experiences were alarm symptoms. If I opt to be outpatient and return on the next available date, I need to sign some indemnity. And the next available date could be as late as 2 wks later!!
Ok, might as well get it done once and for all. After all, I was assured that the doc will assess me the same evening and so on.
I felt real strange semi-lying on a hospital bed while the doc typed in my details into his PC. Felt even stranger when the bed I was on was later being pushed by another staff from behind. I am really in hospital! Later, I had my first taste of having a needle poked into my vein. And that thing stayed there for the next 3 days. Eeek....
As I was being assured of a bed place (in that populated hospital) and being pushed to my ward, I felt as though I was in one of those dramas... In A&E, pple really tend to walk faster as well.
After i was being 'parked' at my ward and bed, another nurse placed the green pajamas patients are to wear on my bed end. I changed into it - after 2 hrs + after reconfirming with the nurse that I really need to wear that. ok, perhaps it still haven't sink in yet into me then... I know I can't escape, since probably no docs in their right minds will administer scans for anyone in civilian wear.

The ScanS... and Tests..
It was not 1 scan but 3 scans I went thru. Quite an experience... CT, MRI, EEG - now not only I know from the textbook I used to study but have also acquired practical knowledge... in some sense... Was quite worried abt the expenses that could arise from the scans initially. The 'lightening up' (jardon used by doc) was at the frontal lobe of my brain, right above my nose, though it was the back of my head that hit the ground. The doc went on to do another test the next day and it was really, really gruelling... My face almost wrinked as I typed this... Lumbar Puncture - extraction of brain fluid from my spine. Terrifying, right??! The first doc gave up on me after a few attempts; said I was too tense. I say she was too rough and hard on my spine! of course, i didn't verbalise it. She called for another doc and he was more assuring and affirmative. Did it. My first time experiencing how GA felt like.. And the next worse thing was that I gotta lie flat on my back for the next 6 hours. Gosh!! I have never watch TV for so long continually until that day. Can't sleep too as I tend to turn and toss. I received compassion from some nursing assistants, of which some say 4 hrs is good enough, some say have to die die fulfill 6 hrs...

Feels like ER
For those who watch the english drama ER, a scene where docs and nurses talked among themselves quickly and excitedly as they worked on the patient in the operating theatre was common. It happened exactly after my LP was done. I heard sayings like "This is the first in Singapore..."; "Let's send it down before 3..."; "...gotta spin it round", etc. I asked what was all that abt and even if "first in Singapore" means I am some sort of guinea pig?? NO, no, the doc reassured. It was just a new and the first in Singapore high-tech machine the hospital purchased and my sample would be the first to be tested; it's more accurate than the naked eye's observation, as done in the past. *whew* ok, that don't sounds so bad...

Thanksgiving
Though a hospital stay is less than desired, I certainly thank God for the visits and care shown by many during this period, however short it may be. On top of his usual role as my driver, my hubby became delivery man as well, bringing me stuff I requested for nightly. Most family members have shown assuring support as well. Even remote church members also came visiting (i call that remote as these friends are not from my church, neither the former church I attended).
And of course the FREE upgrade! I opted for the lower end ward as it is within govt subsidy. However, due to lack of beds there, I was given upgrade to a higher ward which includes TV and aircon!! That's a savings of $100~ per day! And the 'space' I occupied was the only spot that has a window in the room, which was actually quite breathtaking... Tk God for such loving care He shown me.

Interesting sms
From my 10 over year good friend -> "how long is your 'holiday' there?"
From a mutual jovial friend my hubby and I know -> "what happen 2 u? is it (my hubby's name) knock yr head against wall?"
From a young friend whom I have emailed before hospitalisation abt my intention to perm my hair -> "ok.. i will pray for u.. what happen? i only heard tat u wan to do something to ur hair.. how come end up, u injure ur head/brain..? it mus be a long story, rite..."
From a colleague who learnt of my LP ordeal and how it was carried out -> "Aiyo, sound scary. Pls take care n rest well."
From my hubby, in response to my remarks abt the less than desired sounds made by 'Darth Vader' neighbour patient when I was having meals -> "remove her mask and she will no longer make any noise." (btw, the term 'Darth Vader' was coined by my bro to describe that patient's breathing and sometimes phlegm sounds; none of my doings)

Of course, there were some other touching and heartwarming smses as well. My tks and heartfelt appreciation to all of you who have prayed for me, visited me, called me, and bought stuff for me, yes, even crackers and tihbits!

Will need to go for a review scan and consultation in the coming mths. Meanwhile, now that I am discharged and resting at home for a while, I just wanna believe that these persistent dizzyness, appetite lack, food bland taste, proneness to fatigue and headache will go away completely and sooner than the few mths it takes for the affected part of my brain to recover. Supposed to be a few mths. Hmm... and certainly hope my sense of smell can return. Moving on, I'll just have to gradually start my regular cardio workout in order to improve my blood pressure level. And ha.. certainly not take alcoholic drinks as freely as I used to in the past.

Aunties, pls stop!

2006-09-29T00:09:00.000+08:00

You've heard of sayings like "Two's company; three's a crowd". How about "Three women make a market"?

I experienced the full force of the latter saying on Monday. Did not recover from the persistent headache and appetite loss for the third day so naturally I headed for the doc. Didn't think it's good to continue to pop panadol for the third day, especially so when these discomfort came about after a God-knows-how I fall and hit on my head and subsequent lie flat on the ground then discovered by my hubby... Was really embarrasing... but also quite drama.. ;) Wish I could see it in tape! Thank God the only one who saw this was my husband since it was quite late at night then. Till now, I have no remembrance of my doings right after I stopped at the agreed spot to wait for my hubby to pick me up. I only wondered why my head hurted when I awoke the next morning.

Have thought the doc would recommend a more conservative approach after hearing my story but hmm... he gave some muscles relaxers and pain killers only. And of course, the MC! :D

Anyway, back to the aunties story (sorry that I 'detoured' so much!), at the clinic, I was seated unfortunately right in the middle of these 3 aunties, who actually did not know one another earlier but somehow struck up some good (and long and loud) conversations among themselves. And there I was, having some forces pounding relentlessly within my head... wishing just for some peace... How I wish I could have a remote control to mute them! If not, at least the aunty 2 seats away from me could move to sit nearer the other 2 aunties! That way, their chatter could be more 'contained'.

Of course that didn't happen. They continued to chat like there will not be any tomorrows...

Sometimes, I wonder in the midst of the chatter, do they remember this poor girl caught in between them, desperately needing some rest and quiet? I was not willing to move elsewhere as that would mean I have to stand for the long wait of medicine since there were no other seats and I really needed to sit down.

Hmm... next time I just hope people (perhaps esp. aunties!) will be more considerate :I Am still nursing my head even as I blog!

TGIF @ Work

2006-09-24T03:56:00.000+08:00

This is the long overdue sequel to one of my first blogs titled "Colleague's left, what's next?".

For a short recap, I set up a mini lunchtime Christian fellowship group with 2 colleagues - after 1 year of enduring 'spiritual desert' at work... After that particular colleague quitted, another came along. However, I wondered if I have already served the purpose? Later, I learnt that there was already in existence a fellowship group that meets every Fri. They called their meetings 'TGIF', whereas mine was 'TWWJ' - This Wed With Jesus. I was keen to 'combine forces' but the newcomer was not keen for some reasons. I knew there was some issues but did not wish to pursue.

After some time, this person also left. Didn't quite feel it's ideal to go at that time but we respect others' choices and wish them God's best, amen? Thus, we finally 'invite ourselves' over...

The beginning was a bit bumpy for me due to some person's perception of the church I am attending. No mention of names here but it's the origin of the catchphrase "Greatly blessed, highly favoured, deeply loved". It's a simple but classy way of terming God's heart for His children.

When somewhat challenged by well-meaning pple on the church's doctrines, all I could (and wanna said) was that it's the (spiritual) fruits that will tell. After that, I shared with the other colleague (who came from the same group as me), that if this form of challenge were to continue or grow, I would voluntarily opt out of the group in order not to stumble others. It's not as if I am afraid of being shot each time I were to attend the meetings but more of that I don't wish to be part of the reason for the meeting's purpose of sharing and edifying to degenerate into theological debate that nourishes little or leave a bad aftertaste.

So, guess what was the ending? Recalling back during one of our meetings, I was pleasantly surprised when one of the members said she was looking forward to my sharing. It was my turn to share then and we were watching some videos earlier while eating our lunches. I was ready to pass my slot and go with the flow but that verbalised request just somehow stirred me... God's people are just so hungry to know more of His love, grace and all sufficient spiritual food.

Guess the iron rod can go now... :P God be magnified!

R u a Spiritual Farmer? Harvesting yet?

2006-09-24T03:00:00.000+08:00

I'm the type who loves quotations (not poems though). Found it meaningful and easy to remember simple truths this way. I used to archive meaningful liners here and there. One day, perhaps, I will include them here for sharing, but more so, to remind myself! Here's one for the believers!-> "Christians are spiritual farmers - words (God's word and promises) are the seeds and faith (believer's) is the water." - from Believers' Voice of Victory

Lesson from a kettle...

2006-09-23T23:12:00.000+08:00

I once heard of someone learning some precious lessons through his hobby of planting and pruning. Well, this is not exactly new to me cos' I'm someone who takes to analogy learning pretty well too.

Close friends who know me and my other half will know that we have been 'battling' a certain situation for sometime (it's not having babies - just in case that pops up your mind ;). And it's only human nature to wonder when it will come. There are definitely times when we were unbelieveably positive about the future while there are times when both of us were down in the pit of pits; sometimes, one of us might even masked on a brave and nothing-bothers-me front (though somewhat bleeding inside), so as not to affect the other one, lest the other is pulled down as well. People who are in love, you understand what I am getting at?

Having said all that, this is to the concerned friends out there: we do talk abt such issues when we have to; it's not always the quiet building up of volcano waiting to erupt spectacularly (or tragically) someday :]

As for the kettle... I was in one of these moods when I was filling up water in our kettle for boiling one night. As the tap ran, my eyes stared in front blankly. After a while (as if suddenly burst out of my daydreaming), I wondered why there was none of that typical sound of splashing water... know what I mean? I looked down and realised, to my surprise that indeed, the water was filling up the pot.

Only quietly. Unnoticed.

Instantly, I felt as if the Lord softly telling me, that though I may not see it, it is coming. To the like-minded people out there, you may have came across this verse - Faith is the substance of things hoped for and evidence of things unseen - Hebrews 11:1. Another verson states it this way - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Well, that's what I like to share today =) May you find encouragement in the darkness of your days too! Shalom!

Chasing Fireworks!

2006-08-13T01:43:00.000+08:00

Last week, I didn't manage to have a proper view of the fireworks. How often do you get to catch it anyway? First, for the eve of National Day, I was occupied with some kind of farewell fellowship (if you can term that!) with some friends. Sad that they are leaving Singapore for some years (yes, depart on National Day) but well, people come and go.

So, when I hear from colleagues the next day that the fireworks the night before were really spectacular, I felt what a great thing I missed out! Hence, I decided with my hubby that we better make sure we catch the fireworks on National Day! But... I got the timing wrong; thought it could start later, like the night before! Thank God for husbands who remember... (though they don't always remember things). We ended up rushing to a HDB block near ICA to view it. My hubby again complained that I perpectually imagined his white corona to be a rocket :P We were desperately looking for carpark lots in the multistorey carpark but couldn't find any! I wound down the window so as to take heed of the start of the fireworks. In less than 2 min time, I heard it! My hubby stopped his car at an unauthorised spot, on his hazard lights and out we rushed out! Yea, his car was blocking other cars but hey, at that moment, everyone else will be watching the fireworks, um.. ya? Thank God that the carpark was connected to the flat and we managed to catch sight of it, even though it was a smaller sight. It was shorter than I expected :( Nevertheless, we still give thanks. At least we caught it this time, considered that it was an almost miss! :>

Have not given it much thoughts but learn that this weekend, there would be fireworks too! So, last night (Fri), my hubby and I 'smuggled out' from a meeting (to put it plainly: we actually pre-leave before official time, lar!) and .... we caught it!! This time, we were closer. Right before we cross the traffic light towards the Esplande, right on time at 9pm, the fireworks came on! I remember running in my heels towards the scene for a better look. Sometimes, I feel my hubby is playing the daddy role in making sure I don't hurt myself or run across the road (of course I didn't!) hee hee...

I was really happy. Recorded 2 scenes on my sony erricson mobile. Didn't expect that tonight (meaning Sat) will have another round! This time, we were out with a couple friend and their 2-yr-old boy. We went to another place for viewing and it was nicer than the night before =]

I mused to my hubby, that it seems after Lee Hsien Loong took over, we have been able to enjoy fireworks more often! Not bad! ;) Well, as some said, after all, what went up there was also ultimately our money. Ha! Nevertheless, it was definitely cheers and boast to the spirit of Singaporeans!

NLB Great Sale Squeeze

2006-08-13T01:12:00.000+08:00

Last year, I missed the National Library Board sale. Prices was slashed to unbelievably low though the books naturally are not in crisp new condition... This year, I was more diligent ;) Tk God for a hubby who would drive me there in the morning - to join the 'snake' queue. I arrive 5 min after official opening time but the queue was already more than 400 metres long, if not, longer!

The Singapore Squeeze
Now, I know that apart from the strange phenomenon that Singaporeans love to queue up for things, I am fully aware that Singaporeans can be ugly in certain settings (for e.g. when they are all fighting for that seemingly 1 thing which in the end they may not desperately need after all), I wasn't ready that I hardly have more than 1 min to browse the books on each section so as to decide whether to buy it or not! It felt almost like factory assembly line! Move, stop, pause, move on...

One Lesson To Bring Back...
You guessed it - the attire! Though it may sounds familiar to warfare preparation, you will not lose out if you wear prepared for any pushing or stepping on - be it someone else's feet or worse, wheels carrying full load of books dragged mindlessly by frantic browsers! I was frustrated and stated in the most diplomatic and firm tone for that fellow to watch out for his wheels. But, all fell on deaf ears. *sigh* Well, the conclusion is: wear shoes and keep your open toes shoes at home! If possible, wear thicker clothing so that you won't be suceptible to blue-blacks when you get out of the place!

More Kiasu-ism To Come!
What I was not prepared for was a sighting in the queue. Well, it was a long, long queue as expected. Thus, to make the wait less torturing, I picked up one of the books I planned to buy and read as I queued and moved up the queue, while at times, using my feet to shift my plastic bag of books ahead as I moved forward. Gradually, I saw more and more of this 'technique ' being practised. But, my jaws almost dropped when I saw a lady singlehandedly dragged 2 bags of books from behind her, and with each move forward, pushed not 1 but 3 bags of books ahead of her!!! Did her helpers abandon her or was it kiasu-ism in manifestation?!

To sum it up, it was indeed an experience to remember for some time to come. I have been to warehouse sale before but never been in such a packed place. It was almost like a 'warhouse' sale... I actually almost lost my balance twice due to the hurried pushing of others in their relentless pursuit of their books. Well, thank God that His angels got hold of me! ;> I will surely be more prepared for next round (yes, i'll be back!) The 45 min wait and some uninvited kia-su pushing were somehow worth it, cos' I took back 5 good books that cost me only $10!

Now, what?

2006-08-06T01:19:00.000+08:00

Results are out. In fact, have been out for 2 wks. Guess I don't sound as excited cos' the hype has died down as time goes by... I thank God that I have passed. B grade is not too bad... considering that this subject is one of the killer ones... Well I guess i ain't sounding too excited cos' I came to realise that things will be pretty much the same for the next quarter, if not longer than that. Earlier on, I was quite excited at the changes that could be coming up (ever heard of people looking forward to changes?). Now, I have kinda resigned to the fact (or rather, decision) to hold my horses and wait and see.

Some of you might know how that feel... *sigh* the process of having to bite the bullet and hang on... the agony of wanting and yet having to hold back... the longing for breakthrough that seems so near and yet so far away... and you wonder whether ultimately you will get there or is it just a dream?

Just have to psych myself: Relax. Be patient. Enjoy the process. No point sulking since you're gonna go thru' the process anyway. Might as well enjoy it. Yea? :I

The road to liberty has not been easy... and Liberty is so wonderful!

2006-06-20T02:01:00.000+08:00

19 June 2006
This is a rather special date, for it marked the day of my last exam for the semester - for my degree programme. Indeed, the journey was not as easy (and short) as I have thought but am glad it's all over. Not to say that I did not enjoy the stuff I have learnt though. It was good, though the assignments and deadlines were at times quite stressful.

Why was it not easy?
Now, I am FREE from the thought of restarting my 'study gear' when the next semester starts. It doesn't concern me anymore! And no more mandated reading of texts. I can pick up other reference bks I have longed bought for reading at my leisure... Yea, am quite sure I will clear this paper; have actually estimated my grade - best and worst scenarios - both in safe ground ;) Of course, with God's goodness included in (actually, overtaking everything else), how can I not do well??

Prelude
Anyway, the day didn't started well for my 9am paper. In fact, the trouble began the night before... I have planned earlier to be in bed by 1am. However, at 12+, I began to hear some vrooming and it kept repeating... Now, my place is really at one end of the island; you can literally see the sea. You can say that it's quite u-lu here, cos you hardly see cars at night along that long stretch of road out there. So, I thought some punkies are playing with their bikes there, but no... they were further, yet so resounding (in a bad way). Guess where they were? Irritably smart of them - they actually were across the Sungei river, vrooming back and forth in barely 200 metres of lane, at a kumpong-like land. Don't know how they got there but it sure is a place not as assessible for traffic police to visit.

I dismissed the noises and resumed my study, only to find myself more disturbed by those inconsiderate persistent noises... Why? At an hour when pple are sleeping? Did they think that b'cos they were across a river, their engines become mute? In fact, it was so loud that I suspect modifications have been made to increase the engine decibel. Even the police officer on the phone could hear that.

Yup. I rang up the man in blue. First, it was a lady who picked up. She was diligent and agreed that she heard some noise in the background. Would alert the traffic police, she said. In case you think I was too worked up or the study stress has gotten to me, it was half an hour later before I rang up triple nine (the police lady did not answer on what the more appropriate no. to call was, even though I asked in the beginning).

And, you suppose things are ok after that? I realised I could not get into sleep anyway with those noises, so I decided to study a bit more, so that those bikers would have called it a night by then. 2 am arrived. Vrooming continues. And naturally, the next phone call also took place. A male officer picked up the call. This time, he was the one who exclaimed at the loudness of the noises he heard. He totally agreed with my diplomatic speech of feedback (no, I didn't lash out at anyone, even though I was tired and upset) and he sounded eager when he said he would check with the traffic police for updates.

No reports or updates came back to me. Perhaps that officer took note that I have mentioned I need to sleep now for the sake of my exam next morning! I remembered the vrooming continued even when my body touched the bedsheets. Probably I was too tired (slept at 4+am the night before) that it didn't take too long before slumberland enfolded me...

Cosy Morning + Surprise from Car = ?
My hubby woke me up. It seemed that I have missed the sound of my alarm... (it happens whenever I gets too tired). He actually willingly volunteered to sleep outside for the night so that I could have better sleep for my exam the next day! :p Tk God for such a considerable husband! Well, of course, that came by after my complaint of his unbearable snoring when I tried to get into sleep at 4+ am the night before. I ended up sleeping on the coach that night. So, I guess, hmm.... fair, right? ;p

Anyway, I mumbled to him that the weather was good, and I will rise after 5 more min when my alarm ring again. It won't be so bad cos' he would be sending me to the exam venue :) Punggol to Bukit Merah. Travel duration by public transport vs car is a whole lot of precious differences!!

In case you wonder if I messed up by exceeding my 5 promised min - no. Everything was good. Until the car hit the road... We realised the car tyre was not doing well. And the cosy weather that preceded the heavy downpour has came down. What a combi! At 8.10am, we were at a sheltered area where my hubby changed the tyre. Honestly, I was very tempted to act on what I have told him earlier (twice), that I would take a cab to my exam venue. Sometimes, he gets more anxious than me, esp when it comes to punctuality. I gotta catch up with him on that! The fact that 2 empty cabs actually whisked by didn't help, esp when 1 even stopped for a longer time than expected. Should I or should I not? I thought that my hubby would be real disppointed if I should 'jump ship' (jump car, in this case), since he actually changed the tyre himself, dirtied his hands, when he could have send it to a proper place to change it, which has to be done ultimately. If I should hurriedly rush off, he probably would be left thinking "So, would somebody tell me what I am doing this for?"

So, I commit this to the Lord. God, Your word has said that I am a priest (the royal priesthood verse, for those who know what I am talking abt). And the words of a priest has power, as does a believer in Christ, as mentioned in other verses of the Book. Thus, I asked (actually more of declare or command) the rain to simmer so that it will be easier for my hubby to drive later, and that I will not be so late till I don't have enough time to finish my paper.

And, indeed, the rain simmer. We set off at abt 8.20am, from SengKang. Though the rain has simmered, it was still quite heavy but I tk God that it was at least visible and not as hazardous. Traffic holdup at one of the expressways did not help. Worse, my stomach didn't feel well (the kind that you wish to go to the loo to do some 'closure') but I was stuck in the middle of the jam in the expressway, and to risk arriving later was rather unthinkable. So, pray lar... This is one of those times that all you can do (the only thing you can do, in fact) is to call upon the higher Source of help. You might think I was stressed but I mused abt last night's episode of Lord of the Ring (Twin Tower) where Gollum strugged with the evil forces, by confidently and repeatedly speaking "Leave and never come back!". Indeed, there are so much Christian anologies in the movie. Don't the verse in 1 Peter 5:9 also says "Resist him (devil), standing firm in the faith (in Christ's finished work and victory)..." and in James 4:7 "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Now, doesn't that sound like Gollum's words... "Leave and never come back". The word is "flee", which I shared with my hubby. The devil is not walking away in a manner that is like throwing up one hands and just give up; it spoke of fright and fear, otherwise, why the word "flee"? Somehow, the words "Christ's finished work" kept coming to my mind as I prayed. I would say that I was calmer b'cos I rested on His finished works. I just realised that the first part of James 4:7 says "Submit yourselves, then to God." By resting on His finished works, I was submitting, I realised. No need to depend on myself, which can't do much anyway. My hubby realised that we have not prayed for journey mercy the night before, though he has prayed for me for my exam. I shared that even though God knows all things, we need to speak forth and articule our requests. Perhaps by not speaking, the devil came into that 'untouched' part to wrack havoc. I also realised my spoken words of "will have no time to check thru' my ans" came true. That was when my hubby asked if I would be able to complete my paper, since I was running late.

Anyway, as I began to give tks and focused more on my revision notes whilst in the car, we arrived! Though I knew everyone else has entered the exam rooms, I knew the better thing to do is to settle the more urgent thing first... After coming out from the toilet, I entered the nearest exam room. And I don't even need to walk more than 5 steps! Seemed like all other seats were occupied except that one. Hmm... God reserved for me?

The Exam
Right after I settle down at my seat, the exam personnel announced that all examinees could start writing. Wow! It was 9.20am when I went in. That meant they started at 9.10am actually! I just missed the earlier 10 min reading time! Thank God!!

I tk God too that the paper was quite manageable. Actually mistook that there were 100 qns (MCQ). Even thought I was progressing well at half time. Towards the 3rd quarter of the paper, I started to slow down my pace. Even tried to re-find that particular strand of my split-end hair which I have earlier spotted but dismissed it to concentrate on my paper. Tkfully, that did not take up more than 5 sec, though it was still precious. Yea, I have this habit of trimming off my split-ends whenever I spotted them. That explains why I always have a small pair of scissors with me. I am not mad, just consciencous...

Was not too ready for the shock when I read qn 100 and realised there were still some more qns behind! Oh gosh! 50 more! It's 150 qns for this 2-hr paper! Again, the frentic pace resumed, with some self-chiding for my complacency :s

All tks to God's grace, I managed to finish all the qns. Could not check thru' my ans or re-think some tough qns but I did my best... Much later, my coursemate called my hp. She wondered where I was before the exam and was shocked when I told her I was late for 20 min. And you know what? She could not finish the paper, even though she arrived on time! Wow... what went on for me was really God's grace at work! not my works!

FREEDOM!! Now, to reward myself...
It really feel so shiok to know that I would not be touching books and no more deadlines to meet - for some time to come. This did not fully sink in, even after I have left the exam building, but it sure did during the afternoon, when I kinda paint the town red... Nope, didn't spend till my pocket broke. In fact, I realised God even looks after the small things for me... even in shopping, can you believe it? Indeed, it's a good thing to bring God along for shopping :P

Bugis * Orchard * Plaza Singapura
Erm... you might have wow to that. Honestly, I also feel a bit pai-seh to list those places out. Have not quite done my shopping this far apart. But, of course, I have my reasons for that.

First, Bugis was the spot I planned to go to get an orange rugged belt for my darling (aka hubby). He was quite fasincated by it, until he saw the price tag... I wanted to buy for him cos' i have been enjoying shopping while he did not buy any 'I-want' stuff as he was not as liberated as me to shop at leisure. I myself was also taken aback at the price of the belt, which is more expensive than a typical lady's blouse I might purchase. And indeed, the clothing I bought today (1 pants and 2 tops) - the price by the individual item, could not match up to the belt price. Now, it's true after all... Men's stuff are expensive!

And the part abt God at work for my shopping... It was seen as a blessing in disguise! Today, I learnt to rest in God's soverignty - even in purchasing stuff! At a boutique, I tried on 3 tops. Needed to get some working clothes as some of my existing ones are wearing out, or rather, have worn out. Earlier, I hesistated in buying from this boutique, cos' their clothing are not cheap. Without discount, 2 pcs can easily cost nearly S$70! And it's not top-notch super brand, as far as I am concerned. I am certainly not happy to part with that amount of $ that easily at this point in time. This time, 20% discount is offered if you get 2 pcs. After trying, I made my selection. The new piece that was brought up by the sales girl has a stain which I was not confident of cleaning off. And it was the last piece (always the case?). For the other top - the only piece left was the one I tried on. Now, these clothing are knitted material. I noticed that there were signs of wearing off, even though it was quite slight. Well, I guess, it does not rest well for me to pay for something that is of compromised standard, just as it is for some of you out there. To make things worse, after I have at last decided to just close one eye and buy, the boutique staff told me (quite abruptly) that their Nets machine is not in service until some serviceperson arrive hrs later. After telling me that, she resumed to reconciling the cashier slips she has laid on the counter, where the 2 pcs I was supposed to buy, also laid.

GEMS? Go The Extra Mile Singapore? Was there really such a campaign that have gone on? Gone with the wind, perhaps... Such lousy service really put me off. Don't they know that I was a sincere buyer? Given the amt of time I have spent in the boutique and the compromise I was ready to make? They did not even offer any alternatives after telling me that they cannot accept Nets payment at that point in time. What would you have done if you were me?

Off I left. Without a word. Anyway, the sales girl was not expecting me to say anything (she was busy with her slips). Perhaps tkfully so I left without saying anything. If I have done so, that might have been an episode of me losing self-control, a fruit of the Spirit! Ok, God has better things in store for me. Or at least, I deserve better service, even as a shopper! Later, I realised that God knew I was not completely happy with the purchase (and the service), so He actually 'close the door' for me. Isn't He wonderful? I was pleasantly surprised to realise later that with the same amt I would have paid for that 2 pcs, I actually brought 3 pcs later, and I like them all! In fact, out of the 3 pcs, 2 were the type of clothing that I have been wanting to get. All 3 were on discount. God is good, amen?

And the Angel re-open the door, upon hearing the Password?
After buying the 3 pcs from Orchard, I went on the Plaza Sing, my last stop for the day, to get the discounted bedsheets. By then, my arms and hands were quite tired, having carried my bks and the shopping stuff for hours. Took the train to Dohby Ghaut. Would have been able to enter the train in time, had not the man in front block the walkway on the escalator with his bulky bag. Still, though I missed the door (yea, I tried to rushed in), I still give tks. Tk God, now, at least I won't have to compete for the chance to sit on those limited sitting area, whilst waiting for the next train! And I really have no idea that God is so near, that right after I gave tks (in my mind), the train doors, actually closed, reopened! Wow! I ran in! I am so dearly loved, that God is willing to hold the train (and all its passengers) just to let me catch this train... :p

I didn't manage to get the bedsheets in the end. A bit disappointed but it was fine. Have not expected that the shipman could be delayed, after all the advertising in their newsletters. Nevertheless, I remained happy, cos God has blessed me much! Now moving on after my studies, I have new goals to pursue!

Exam blues...

2006-06-15T00:58:00.000+08:00

Hiya... been a while since i last update here... was actually reading some blogs then i thot, hmm... maybe it's high time i update mine too... Actually, blog is such a nice way of knowing what's going on in the lives of pple u care, as well as a good avenue to find similar-minded mates in terms of interests, etc. Still, nothing beats the personal touch of meet up or phone call. ok... am advertising for neither blog of teleco, ok? Muz clarify...

For the last 8 days, i have been 'imprisoned' at home for the sake of completing the last 'leg' of my degree race... Well, actually i did 'got out' over the wkend... but that's more to submit my assignment (which ate into my exam revision time) and well... to give myself some sanity break as well... after having worked so hard on my assignment! I'll be ashamed to disclose how long i took to finish that so i shall not say so :p

The reading of the text is quite dry. Nevertheless, am psych-ing myself to love it! After all, it's psychology I'm after. Certain topics, well, not that bad after all lar... I jus wish that i could progress faster... Ha.. i guess at the back of my mind, i am still harbouring hopes that i can 'go out' and do some stuff i have much earlier planned for during this long 1 and half wks of leave! now, it seems the risk is too high... better finish my revision safely first... the rest can wait... can't afford to wait another full year to finish my course if i don't clear this module!

Am taking a break from my reading on the laptop. Was in fact trying to load up the MCQ questions but again, it took too long that one begin to wonder if there's any virus coming on! *sigh* So, naturally, i went on to check out other stuff online ;) Only have to tell myself not to have 'over time' break... Am i too hard on myself? But really hate it that my progress is this slow.. :(

One last note, and this is a thanksgiving :) The reason i can blog at this hr is all thks to a laptop recently acquired at $800~ during a promotion. Yea, it's first hand and not the cannot-make-it type of model. In fact, am listening to online radio right now and the speakers work v well too ;) As some of you might know, yrs truly are not very well off, so part of the money that purchased this laptop actually came 'pre-maturely' from the progress package... Ha... what a way to promote votes... the Singaporean way... if fines work well, i guess it worked for votes as well!

Guess most of you don't know that in order to get this laptop, i have to queue up outside Courts early in the morning, even when the aircon is not on yet and the security guard is walking around... U can exclaim and laugh but i seriously have never thought i would do such a thing! The perils of 'poverty'! When i reach the spot, which is abt 3 hrs before opening time, i realised i was the 17th person in queue! Truly Singaporean... me newbie lar.. But gosh! The fact that each outlet has only 3 laptops to offer was definitely bad news to me then... I'm 17th in the queue! Nevertheless, i prayed (and sms 2 more persons to pray! hubby included of course, cos' he's the one who suggested getting the laptop) and sat myself down to read thru' the Sat's thick pile of newspapers. Have even bought my course bk to read + music to listen to... Never quite imagine that i could also be 'entertained' by the musings of others (kay-poh) in the queue. Heard 1 uncle (who seems to know everything and is kinda 'indian chief') that the first 3 persons actually came all the way from the Bt Timah outlet, which was already lined up with many the night before... Yea, I know Seng Kang is quite off location wise but, you mean they have started queuing since last night??? Unthinkable... and I sincerely hope i won't ever reach that stage!!

Some minor arguements even arose when other newbies tried to queue at the other end... when the queue has stretched to the opposite end (near escalator). Courts staff were asked to be involved in calming unnerved 'queue-ers'. I just 'kan si' aka. watch show, lar! In the end, it's still happy ending - those who try to cheat were told that the queue started at my direction. Hahaha!!! Aw-bee-good, uh! =p

And the happier ending is: I GOT THE LAPTOP!!!! I was the 2nd 'qualifying' person to buy the laptop, based on the numbered ticket given to me. Was somewhat amazed. Indeed it is God's intervention!

So, now i don't have to take shifts with my hubby in using internet or word processing stuff, since he often use it for his work purposes... u know, working on his quotations and emailing, and esp his design software, which slowed the system terribly!!! Now, we just have to move the modem here and there, depending on whose need to use internet is more justifiable ;) Don't worry, we don't fight over this :]

God is good :)

Winn's updates

2006-03-16T09:49:00.000+08:00

Friendship - such a fragile ship at times...

Lately, a friendship my good friend and I have shared with another friend has gone down the drain :( We threesome have known one another since our secondary school days.

After leaving school, one of us went on to poly; another went on to another poly then private school; this friend stayed on for another year in school, then later to private tertiary upgrade. Then, my good friend got hitched at age 21; she's the earliest one to get married among us three. Years later, I also got married.

We threesome used to meet up on one another's birthdays and occasions like CNY or X'mas or ad-hoc gatherings. However, this friend suddenly gave us the virtual cold shoulder i.e. never reply via email about updating or meeting up. I have thought that she was busy. This friend of ours can be quite 'inconsistent' at times; my good friend and I felt weird about it but have got used to this aspect of her.

However, this time, the verdict is really bad! One day, she sms-ed us that her hp no. would be changed soon and would update us her new no. by a certain date. I thought it was one of those mass informed smses. So, I waited... and waited... past the said date... Still no update? So, I sms-ed back to ask for update. Still no reply =(

My good friend and I were puzzled by her behaviour. She called her up. Apparently, the feel my good friend got was that she was trying to avoid her. Her mom said she was "not at home". I tried calling her a few times but can't reach her as well -> "not at home"

So, since she lives so near me, I purposefully dropped by to visit. She was there! Cordial but somewhat distanced as we talked. I brought up the subject of her avoidance. She, not surprisingly, denied so. I updated that our good friend is pregnant! She expressed pleasant surprise and asked about how our good friend was adjusting. Hmm... We talked about other stuff and at some points, it sounded just like old times when we chatted.

The following night, both my good friend and I received a nasty sms from her. In her sms, she said she was sick of us and told us (me) not to suddenly appear at her place. I remember though, that she wrote about wanting to be left alone "for the time being". It was near Christmas then.

So we did. We were upset that she refuse to tell us what went wrong. Was it something we have done or said? Let us know! At least we know how to improve! It's a friendship of 18 years! How can we let go of it so easily?

We did not dare to venture in yet... During the CNY period, I dropped a card at her place. Meant to insert it in her mailbox but alas! it was locked! No choice got to hand deliver up. The door was opened but it was too great a risk for me to turn up 'unsolicitated' again - if you know what I mean! I knew it was not exactly nice but I have no choice but to leave the card at the doorstep...

So, that was it. Neither of us have hear any news from her. Sometimes, as I have told my good friend, I wish I could bump into her mother while doing marketing near her block and find out what's with her...

I've been promoted! - to an Aunty!

2006-03-09T14:04:00.000+08:00

Ha! It may sound a bit old to be called Aunty but I'm happily awaiting my newly arrived niece to call me so!!

Baby Angel arrived on Jan 11th at Mt Alvernia at 8.10pm (or so). Indeed, it was God's answered prayer for my sis who kept reminding me 'uth'-less time to pray for a painless childbirth process. Yes, a friend has read a book on this written by a Christian author and yea, she could testified that her 2nd delivery was painless! My sis did not look out for the book at Christian bookstores nevertheless *sigh*

Anyway, she was admitted at 4+pm and ta-da! after 10 minutes of real pushing, the baby is out! Not bad for a first time delivery! My bro-in-law kept saying the baby is very cute and that once the doc turned her over to face all the eyes above watching, baby Angel's eyes immediately opened! Quite a bit of hair also. Didn't cried much too; just a bit of baby typical cry 'oh-er'. Easy baby? as what my sis always prayed for??

Though I call her Angel, her registered Christian name is Angela. The mother (yea, my sis) is concerned that she may be teased at by friends when she grow up in future. Angel was in fact the preferred name my sis thought of. Still, it's the parents' call :) It was interesting that my bro-in-law initially wanted her to be named 'Mary'. Their surname is 'Looi'.... Sounds like marrying $?? A prophecy??!? My sis-in-law is also called Mary. Anyway, I'm thankful for Angel or Angela :p

It's cute to play with Angel but, ha... as many have said this and I am in total agreement: taking care is another whole new ball game! I'm happy to have my free time now. Can't imagine at this point to give up the luxury of waking up late, doing my reading, watching TV, etc. Friends have always asked "So, when's your turn?" My reply is always: "I can't hold the baby with 1 arm and the other arm my textbook! Either one of them will die or I, myself to go first!" Well, this study-after-office-hours reason will be invalid soon after I complete my degree in mid-yr (by His grace!). Still, it's important to have sound financial ground before having an addition in the family. J and I have recently went to a 3rd place for our 2nd year honeymoon. Wedding honeymoon was Bali; last yr was KL Sunway Lagoon with Sam Hui's concert; recently we went to Bangkok, yes, shopping paradise indeed! (Have never shopped to the extent of my feet having sudden sharp pains! Was actually limping slightly during the last days there!)There is still (at least) one more place I would like to go before I settle for motherhood... Australia!

Well, we'll see...

Colleague left, so what's next?

2005-07-29T00:23:00.000+08:00

Colleagues come and go at my workplace. Recently, one of my lunch kakis also left. She is more than just a colleague - she's the reason I started TWWJ at my workplace, for the purpose of growing her knowledge and faith in God's goodness. When she told me she was leaving, I started to wonder where the purpose of TWWJ should head...

However, after this, on at least 2 occasions, I saw how she has applied God's grace in her thinking and outward behaviour towards others. Wow! So, that was it! God seemed to have spoken to me at that instant, that I have achieved what I want, or rather, what He wants through the TWWJ.

It's also a bit 'scary' when you know people take your words very seriously... Earlier on, she was hinting me of her resignation, by recalling some 'advice' I have given her - that everyone has a God-given purpose in life, that one shouldn't waste too much time 'wandering around' but seek to fulfill God's will for their lives.

Ha... and now, indeed, she's going towards where her talent, passion and desire lies. May God bless her abundantly in her "land of milk and honey"!

B is flesh, A is grace!

2005-07-29T00:14:00.000+08:00

When I logged on to my uni's website and saw my results, I was indeed surprised but glad nevertheless. Perhaps the word 'glad' is too 'dilute' for the description...

Got B for Abnormal Psychology. Didn't quite expect that (though there was a small possiblity) cos' I have not totally covered all the topics. Wow! B!!

A was for Research Methods in Psy A. Thought I would get a B at most, cos' that was based on my assessment of how far I could go. Now, I learnt that with God, I can go a lot further! This is indeed God's grace =) As this subject was actually a repeated one, I remembered praying to Papa that I want to do very well, since this was a repeated subject. However, when it comes to the revision, urgghh, it just didn't seemed that realistic. Nevertheless, all glory due to Him!

Assignment Blues & Exam Ever...

2005-06-16T00:21:00.000+08:00

Now! I'm back to 'civilisation' too!! Feels so wonderfully great! =D

Actually, today marks the beginning of my exams. Why the celebrative mood? Well, for the past week, I have been deeply buried in intensive revision. Before that, I was frantically rushing for assignment deadlineS (nope, it wasn't last minute attempts, in case you're judging too early ;> ). You can almost say that I have 'reclused' in isolation during those days. What do you call having to eat with, drink with, bath with, sleep with, dream of XXX ?? Replace the 'XXX' with assignment or exam revision, you'll understand what I mean by my rational for using the word 'recluse'! Seriously! Apart from the usual daily necessities, I was just doing revision. Being sick didn't help either... Many (I think I'm the 5th to 7th candidate) have caught some virus at work over the past few weeks. Was mentally doing the 'Sars-like' flowchart already...

Still remember that late afternoon after coming out from a meeting, it begin with an innocent feel of itch on my throat. Hours later, I started to feel some throat uncomfort. At night, reality hits! -> It's REALLY sore throat! How come so suddenly? In the middle of the night, I woke up feeling something weird in my throat (can't remember if it's terribly dry or pain). When daylight comes, indeed, my worst fears came true - I can hardly hear my voice. Have 'lost' my voice twice and was once mistook as a mute but sweet girl (that fellow even said "wasted"!) ;-{

And in case you think, that's the worst it can get, that's not just yet!! At the nearby clinic, doc took my temperature and said I didn't have fever (only when I asked). I saw that the reading was 36.9 (hope my science teacher is not reading this but I kinda forgot what degree was the 'dangerous' level =P Was 36.9 degree celsius the norm or ceiling? Feel free to post yr comments...) What confused me was that among the medicine given to me, one of them was for treating fever. When I exclaimed in question "I have fever?", the pharmacist look at me strangely, and tactfully answered that I could take it "when needed".

????? So, do I or do I not have fever?

Anyway, after the 'fever' (felt somewhat better after taking it and sleeping), I started to develop phlegm and later cough. The 'finale' was flu. Was probably tired b'cos of that. Hee... this is not very lady-like, but I actually slept on one of those rod-iron chairs that allows for lean back, when I arrived 1 hour earlier for an external meeting. No worries, cos' I was in neighbourhood area, not cosmo city area ;) Could hardly make it through the day. Was given a kind 'go home' by my nice supervisor after lunch. Still, much as I can't wait to sink into slumberland, I can't just leave yet cos' that day was the last day before I embark on my 11-work day leave! Took an hour (thank God it's not more!) to clear some work and arrange for some handover during this period.

As you can see, the sicknessES just added to the typical stress while one prepares for exams. The first paper (have 3 papers in total) is most crucial, cos it's one of the papers that I failed last year. This particular subject has high failure rate, rumored to be as high as 40% last year or the previous year (lecturer even said that one student had a heart attack during exams! *gasp*). Need to sit for 2 papers to complete the exam for this ONE subject! And no fooling around! If you fail one but pass the other paper, even if your total aggregate justify for a pass, you will still be considered having failed the course! I was given feedback that I failed more in the first paper. So, now you get the full picture why the last week was esp. stressful for me?

Nevertheless, thank God for bringing me through. Tks to those (you know who you are) who have kept me in prayers during this period =) I nearly spent the entire time studying for the wrong chapters. Thank God that I discovered it earlier! If not, I will have to race even harder against time to complete my revision.

Alas, as I was walking into the exam hall this afternoon in Spring Singapore (the former PSB in Bukit Merah), I still have not adequately cover all in revision. However, it doesn't make sense to linger outside the halls though it was then just the 10 minutes reading (but no writing permitted) time, when everyone else are already busy thinking up answers in there. And so, I went in. Believers, that's the best way to allow Him to work through you, isn't it? Bo-bian mah, so, how? Die or don't die, also gotta trust Him. Who else can I hope in anyway? Whatever the case, He never fails.

After a gruelling 3 hours (even my pen ink run out! gotta used spare pen), I came out, thinking, ok, it wasn't as bad as it can be. However, this was strangely familiar when I took the exam the first time round last year (I even joined coursemates in laughing it off, saying how easy it was! Come to think of it, aiyo, so ashamed...) *Sigh* Hope in the Lord, hope in the Lord...

Got 2 more papers to biah... Can afford to relax a bit but can't be too complacent =I Can't wait for this whole exam season to be over when I will really pamper myself...=} No, not going to paint the town red (otherwise, my heart will 'pain' + account may be also turn 'red'). Have already drawn out a list of stuff to do after the 27th! ;] Anyway, focus, focus!! Study!

T.W.W.J.

2005-05-02T02:16:00.000+08:00

Behold... it's TWWJ, not TGIF, not WWJD ;)

TWWJ -> This Wednesday With Jesus!

Ha... this name is kinda 'franchised' from the lunchtime fellowship group i adopted from one of my ex-work places. Yea, have (finally!) started a lunchtime fellowship group at my current workplace. It's been a year since i joined my current organisation that i started the group. Was quite not used to the 'void' initially when i first joined... cos' in all my 3 ex-work places, i've enjoyed attending some sort of Christian fellowship group @ work (i'm blessed, i know.)

So, how did it all start? Well, ... the story goes... first was the yearning (as stated above). Second, i got wind of a man of God (known in Christian circle) setting up some businesses nearby my workplace, which translated into shops! One of which is conducive enough for a small fellowship group. I mused and didn't gave it much thought, except this: Is this a sign from God? Third, i was convinced by Him (during a mega Christian group meeting) to just do it! Fourth, i approached the man of God, who readily agreed! PTL!!

Fifth, i started falling sick and if i remember correctly - was not at work 'coincidentally' for two consecutive Wed (wasn't on MC for two wks though, in case u're wondering...) Hmm... some warfare at work?

Finally! The group started. Though the first two sessions were just the two of us (myself and another colleague who is kinda "wandering in the desert" but keen to "come home"), i found myself benefitting a great deal as well! This small ministry cause me to study the Word more since i normally prepare for the sharing. So far, i have been leading the worship, Word, well... the whole session. Hope newbies can take over some of the time soon!!

The last Wed we met, another sister joined us. So, now indeed, it is "the two or three" of us who gather together, and God is among us as He promised! There were two more colleagues who expressed interest to join us but were constrained by work during the Weds that have passed.

From the beginning, i told myself, even if this group begins and ends only with two members, it's worth it - cos' it brings the Truth closer to my "wandering" colleague, and by His grace, will bring her back completely. TWWJ's objectives here are to uphold one another in faith and prayer, as well as to share the Lord's goodness.

If the Lord makes this group grow, He will provide a bigger place (say amen!). Interestingly, last Wed, i saw one of my big bosses on my way back to office (carrying the guitar). She's quite a fervent Christian, as far as I know. As you might have expected, questions were asked and answers were given factually. And... i ventured in good faith in sounding her out for a room within the office (having religious meeting @ work might be quite sensitive; was told by a colleague to keep it 'low profile' if i were to hold it TWWJ within office premises). My big boss said "Uh...", nodded and smiled... well, not sure if wryly or thoughtfully. Now, come to think of it, a lot of things I've done did require some degree of 'extraordinary courage'? Muz have gotten it from Him!

So, do pray pray for provision, ya? A meeting room within office premises will certainly save time (precious time esp during lunch hour) and the hassle of bringing the guitar about.

The Lord taught me one lesson on trusting Him during the last session. I was quite concerned on the space constraints (i was told that the current place can sit three persons). Initially, it seemed that five persons would be coming for last wk's TWWJ!! Though i kinda exclaimed "Huh? How??" in my heart, i remember the oil in the widow's house - the poor widow Elijah ministered to. Miracluouly, the oil's supply seemed infinite though bottles after bottles were brought to contain it. The oil run out ONLY when their oil bottles have run out. I thought, hey, i shouldn't be too concerned about chairs and inadequate sitting capacity... After all, TWWJ is His meeting. He's the ChairPerson and will ensure there's enough seats.

True enough, while three of us turned up, there were four seats in the room, plus one more which the shop staff offered as an extra.

Talk about trusting! Ha... Keep us in prayers. Shalom!

Car's coming! Bang!!

2005-03-07T09:24:00.000+08:00

6 March 2005 (Sunday night)

J & I were returning home from my mom-in-law's place slightly after 9.30pm. Were planning to catch The Apprentice at 10pm and before that driving to the nearby more economical petrol kiosk to pump up our petrol. Instead, at 10+, we ended up in the middle of a T-junction...

I was puzzled when J gave way earlier to some oncoming vehicles but still went on with his right turn when a long blue lorry was obviously approaching. I told him (which he later told me I did so - calmly) that there was a car coming. Next thing, BANG! I was pushed further by the impact to my right side. The lorry hit the side of our white Toyata Corona - at the side door where I was sitting! Part of the left front side on the car was also damaged; the left tyre was knocked into a dent position; the left front light "oozed" out; and of course, my door was jammed; aircon was down also.

However, I am safe and sound! In one full piece! No blood, no sprain, no bruise, no blue-black! Had just some slight discomfort that resulted from the sudden impactful knock but guess there shouldn't be any internal injury. My first thought was: God! My guardian angel must be seriously injured! To think that the car was travelling at a fairly fast speed!

Thank God that the lorry driver and his pregant partner was safe and sound too! The mother-to-be just got a bit of a shock and some brushes on her leg. Friends advised her to do a scan for her baby. She was quite nice and even smiled when we came out of the car! I later learnt from her that at the point before our vehicles collided, she told her partner to quickly brake the lorry, which certainly lessened the impact on my seat door! Otherwise, where would I be now?

J's insurance could pay for the damages of the lorry (they could still drive it though) but nothing for our car repairs which could easily cost up to $2000. J is quite discouraged. We have recently just re-collected our car as it was tough to service the instalements. Now this happened.

Nevertheless, we are still glad that we escaped unscathed. No police reports made; no demerit points. Just some financial issues to grapple with. Those who knows our Abba, talk to Him about us, ya?

He is our covering.

1st Anniversary =)

2005-03-04T23:56:00.001+08:00

21 Feb 2004 - That's the date I was officially taken off the title of singlehood. Ha... sounds sad? Not exactly though. So soon, one year has passed on. Though marriage has not been totally smooth-sailing, I would say the pluses has surpassed the minuses so far. It takes two to clap, a "Third" to get involved, usually, to make things right ;) Tk U, Abba...

18 Feb 2004
That was the Fri i took leave from work to embark on a purposefully-planned 1st anniversary honeymoon with my honey hubby ;) The Sunway Lagoon trip was certainly better than our first honeymoon at Bali. Over there, we get to go to a wet and dry theme park, enjoyed a nicer view room w cable TV, and wow! endless streams of shopping! (and mind u, they're extending the shopping area!)

I took note of their indoor ice-skating rink as well. Been donkey years since i last ice-skated at Kallang Leisure Park. Dinosaur years since i skated at MacKenzie!! (some more "senior" folks might remember??). Didn't get to note the price but overall, most of the prices at KL are lower than in Singapore.

J & I really went on a shoe-string budget. We didn't have much $ anyway but did want to enjoy our marriage. Little but important things do count. Don't get caught up by the urgent, seemingly bigger stuff in life, right?

We went to Sam Hui's concert too. Allocated seats were near the right side of stage but sound projection poor :( We wandered to the opposite side of stage which though was further away, we heard the words much clearer! First time for me to attend a pop concert (to think it is out of my country!). Didn't think it was that worth the $. Musicals more worthwhile.

Back to Singapore on 20/2 nite. Back to work on 21/2 - which was in fact the actual date of our wedding anniversary. But, hey, who cares? So long we have celebrated! Ya? =)

Winn's blog is born!!

2005-01-16T02:21:00.000+08:00

Haha... so glad! Been almost 2 yrs since i wanted to start a blog for myself - after a friend from Aussie emailed his 'blogsite' (if there's such a word).

A gd friend is going to NY soon. She, too, has just started a blog. Good for updating..

Hope this webblog (think this's the more correct term...) will be done right.. Am passing time now in Pacific Coffee, waiting to meet friend at 11.15am elsewhere in town.