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"!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Stuff
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?
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?
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
The Difference in Dubai
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!
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!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Life in Dubai
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.
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.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Leaving for Dubai at last
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? :)
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? :)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
My Arm
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! ;)
$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! ;)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Unwelcome Guests
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?
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?
Monday, May 12, 2008
Packing up... Nostalgic arise from photos packing
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?
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?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Leaving Singapore......
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.
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.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
4 million to 6 million
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!
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!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Blessing in return from above ?
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! :)
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! :)
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
"Popped-up" tiles
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...
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.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
The Day of Strange Happenings
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.
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.
Friday, April 06, 2007
Taste
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.
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.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
US Trip
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?
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
(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.
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...
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.
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.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
No More Crumbs!
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 :)
"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
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?
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?
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Brain matters
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.
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.
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