Monday, April 29, 2013
The Nuah Holiday
I've never been on a holiday where I spend more than 60% of my time "nuah-ing" in the hotel roomm. But well, there's always a first time. :)
We did just that over the last week or so. Mainly because I am tired half the time and I can't walk far or long either.
Am feeling quite bad for K as well since he's been the one dragging the luggage around and running errands like buying bus tickets and checking us in on the flights. And he needs to take care of me on top of all that. :(
But we're going back tomorrow already. Time really flies, whether you're busy doing something or doing nothing at all.
And oh yes, I still prefer HK over BKK. :)
Monday, April 22, 2013
Of Neuro Conversations and Coconuts
I went for my brain check-up about 2 weeks ago.
How time flies. The last time I saw my neurosurgeon (let’s call him JT) was back in 2009.
He said to me then “Things are looking good. Your scan looks great, everything’s settled and nothing is showing up. I’ll see you in 4 years’ time just to be safe and sure.”
And so I was back to see him on 10 April. While 4 years added wrinkles and freckles to my skin and more meat to my frame, JT still seemed pretty much the same, except for maybe a little more pudginess. He still looked pretty fresh. Wonder how he keeps it up.
JT: Hi Michelle. *flips my medical records*
Me: Hello.
JT: Wow, it’s been 4 years.
Me: Yeah...*laughs*
JT: So how’s your coconut?
Me: ???? Ah???
JT: Your head lah.
Me: Oh chey……
Lol…that was how we started the consultation. And then somewhere along the way….
JT: If you don’t mind, let me just feel your skull and see if there’s any depression where we opened you up last time.
Me: Orh ok.
JT: *prods around on my head for awhile and then stares at my head and face for a good 5 seconds*
JT: Ok lah, you seem pretty symmetrical to me. No visible depression or sinking in of the skull or anything. You should be doing alright inside your coconut.
Me: Orh ok. Good to hear!
Lol anyway, I’m scheduled for a detailed MRI either at the end of this year or early next year. The only thing he cautioned me was that he couldn't guarantee that there won't be a depression on my skull when I start hitting my 50s. We'll see how it goes till then.
My coconut will still stay safe for a good 20 years or more.
How time flies. The last time I saw my neurosurgeon (let’s call him JT) was back in 2009.
He said to me then “Things are looking good. Your scan looks great, everything’s settled and nothing is showing up. I’ll see you in 4 years’ time just to be safe and sure.”
And so I was back to see him on 10 April. While 4 years added wrinkles and freckles to my skin and more meat to my frame, JT still seemed pretty much the same, except for maybe a little more pudginess. He still looked pretty fresh. Wonder how he keeps it up.
JT: Hi Michelle. *flips my medical records*
Me: Hello.
JT: Wow, it’s been 4 years.
Me: Yeah...*laughs*
JT: So how’s your coconut?
Me: ???? Ah???
JT: Your head lah.
Me: Oh chey……
Lol…that was how we started the consultation. And then somewhere along the way….
JT: If you don’t mind, let me just feel your skull and see if there’s any depression where we opened you up last time.
Me: Orh ok.
JT: *prods around on my head for awhile and then stares at my head and face for a good 5 seconds*
JT: Ok lah, you seem pretty symmetrical to me. No visible depression or sinking in of the skull or anything. You should be doing alright inside your coconut.
Me: Orh ok. Good to hear!
Lol anyway, I’m scheduled for a detailed MRI either at the end of this year or early next year. The only thing he cautioned me was that he couldn't guarantee that there won't be a depression on my skull when I start hitting my 50s. We'll see how it goes till then.
My coconut will still stay safe for a good 20 years or more.
RIP Huang Wenyong
Somehow, veteran actor Huang Wenyong’s sudden death just this Saturday past has saddened me quite abit. My mum feels it too.
Maybe it’s because he’s a long-time actor who has been gracing our TV screens for the last 30 years and I grew up watching all his shows on TV. Maybe my mum feels sad because he’s around the same age as her and it strikes a chord within you when one who’s your age passes on.
In any case, 黄文永，一路好走。
Maybe it’s because he’s a long-time actor who has been gracing our TV screens for the last 30 years and I grew up watching all his shows on TV. Maybe my mum feels sad because he’s around the same age as her and it strikes a chord within you when one who’s your age passes on.
In any case, 黄文永，一路好走。
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Capturing a Life in Words
Back in February, I started on a blog post. The idea was a simple sraightforward one but the task behind it was quite mammoth. I didn't realise it until I started writing the first 2 paragraphs.
I chickened out and left that entry in draft mode till sometime last week when I picked it up again and wrote a whole lot more.
And then I realised, this can't be just a mere blog entry. The content alone would take up several A4 pages and if I were to add in photos, there would be much more pages taken up. The more I wrote, the more I realised that there were side stories and details which had to be thought through and maybe reasearched on.
And so, I have decided, I am embarking on a personal project.
To write Granny's story.
A biography of sorts.
From the time she was born till now, 97 years later.
Alot of it would be based on my own memory from what she shared with me when I was younger.
My current approach would be to draft up a skeletal framework of how each section of the story would be like and then fill it up with details later on, based on what I can yield from the recesses of my memory.
I have not shared this with Adrian or the parents yet but I am hoping that when I at least have a draft, I could then interview my Dad. I think he would be a treasure trove full of information to share with me about Granny. And then I can beef up the story with even more details and verify if the stuff I wrote was accurate.
I don't know if I am being ambitious.
This will definitely take a long time.
I chickened out and left that entry in draft mode till sometime last week when I picked it up again and wrote a whole lot more.
And then I realised, this can't be just a mere blog entry. The content alone would take up several A4 pages and if I were to add in photos, there would be much more pages taken up. The more I wrote, the more I realised that there were side stories and details which had to be thought through and maybe reasearched on.
And so, I have decided, I am embarking on a personal project.
To write Granny's story.
A biography of sorts.
From the time she was born till now, 97 years later.
Alot of it would be based on my own memory from what she shared with me when I was younger.
My current approach would be to draft up a skeletal framework of how each section of the story would be like and then fill it up with details later on, based on what I can yield from the recesses of my memory.
I have not shared this with Adrian or the parents yet but I am hoping that when I at least have a draft, I could then interview my Dad. I think he would be a treasure trove full of information to share with me about Granny. And then I can beef up the story with even more details and verify if the stuff I wrote was accurate.
I don't know if I am being ambitious.
This will definitely take a long time.
Granny
I don't think Granny even knew Dad and myself was there at her bedside yesterday.
She'd kept her eyes closed all the way, even when I was feeding her porridge.
Aside from that, she looked a little more gaunt compared to when I last saw her a few weeks ago.
Needless to say, she didn't utter a word.
Because she only opened her mouth a tiny bit for each spoonful I fed her, it took me more than an hour just to feed her her lunch. I was feeling tired and a little nauseous from the awkward position I had to be in to feed her. (I was sitting sideways on a chair and had to lean forwards each time).
After lunch, when we lowered her bed down, all she did was to continue keeping her eyes closed and then doze off to sleep.
I hope she'll be more alert the next time I see her.
Side note: The lady on Granny's left has passed on.....She had been there way before Granny started staying in the nursing home back in 2007. Sigh...
She'd kept her eyes closed all the way, even when I was feeding her porridge.
Aside from that, she looked a little more gaunt compared to when I last saw her a few weeks ago.
Needless to say, she didn't utter a word.
Because she only opened her mouth a tiny bit for each spoonful I fed her, it took me more than an hour just to feed her her lunch. I was feeling tired and a little nauseous from the awkward position I had to be in to feed her. (I was sitting sideways on a chair and had to lean forwards each time).
After lunch, when we lowered her bed down, all she did was to continue keeping her eyes closed and then doze off to sleep.
I hope she'll be more alert the next time I see her.
Side note: The lady on Granny's left has passed on.....She had been there way before Granny started staying in the nursing home back in 2007. Sigh...
Friday, April 19, 2013
Auntie Conversations
I need to record this down for posterity. One of the most hilarious of auntie exchanges I've heard in a long time.
I was in the ladies at Parkway Parade eariler this evening. I was washing my hands at the sink when two Chinese aunties came in and they each went into a cubicle.
Very soon after, there was a flushing sound emanating from one of the cubicles.
Auntie 1: Eh, ler ho liao ah?? (Hey, you're done already??)
Auntie 2: Ya, pang jio nia mah. (Ya, just peeing only what.)
Auntie 1: Wah lau, an zua ler an ni geen? Wah doh ah buay teng kor go leh!! (Wah lau, how come you're so fast? I have not even taken off my pants!)
Another Chinese woman and myself started smiling at each other at the sinks lol....
I was in the ladies at Parkway Parade eariler this evening. I was washing my hands at the sink when two Chinese aunties came in and they each went into a cubicle.
Very soon after, there was a flushing sound emanating from one of the cubicles.
Auntie 1: Eh, ler ho liao ah?? (Hey, you're done already??)
Auntie 2: Ya, pang jio nia mah. (Ya, just peeing only what.)
Auntie 1: Wah lau, an zua ler an ni geen? Wah doh ah buay teng kor go leh!! (Wah lau, how come you're so fast? I have not even taken off my pants!)
Another Chinese woman and myself started smiling at each other at the sinks lol....
Itsies and Bitsies
I have not seen Granny for 3 weeks already. Looking forward to seeing her tomorrow.
I hope she'll be alert tomorrow. And I hope she recognises me.
I know she recognises my photograph because Dad told me so. He showed her the photos he has of me in his mobile phone.
===============
Decided to pamper myself a little last night and slapped on a gel mask. It felt really good.
And my skin felt somewhat refreshed. Woke this morning to see my skin still looking happier than past days. :)
Although it's still peppered with newly sprung up zits....-_-
===============
On a physical front, I still think that Joanne Peh looks better with Bobby Tonelli than with Qi Yiwu.
===============
Loads of weddings this year, I'd better start saving up.
One in April just past.
One more in May
Two in June.
One in July.
One in December.
Is the Year of the Snake is a good year to get married??
===============
I have been a total slacker at work over the last two weeks, especially this week.
Part of the reason is my zombified state and I can't really get down to doing much.
Another excuse is that I have an able helper doing some of the things and all I need to do now is to check her work.
Another excuse is also that....I am procratinating on some work because I don't want to do them and I don't really know how to do them lol.
Oh dear, I've been a really bad employee these 2 weeks.
I hope she'll be alert tomorrow. And I hope she recognises me.
I know she recognises my photograph because Dad told me so. He showed her the photos he has of me in his mobile phone.
===============
Decided to pamper myself a little last night and slapped on a gel mask. It felt really good.
And my skin felt somewhat refreshed. Woke this morning to see my skin still looking happier than past days. :)
Although it's still peppered with newly sprung up zits....-_-
===============
On a physical front, I still think that Joanne Peh looks better with Bobby Tonelli than with Qi Yiwu.
===============
Loads of weddings this year, I'd better start saving up.
One in April just past.
One more in May
Two in June.
One in July.
One in December.
Is the Year of the Snake is a good year to get married??
===============
I have been a total slacker at work over the last two weeks, especially this week.
Part of the reason is my zombified state and I can't really get down to doing much.
Another excuse is that I have an able helper doing some of the things and all I need to do now is to check her work.
Another excuse is also that....I am procratinating on some work because I don't want to do them and I don't really know how to do them lol.
Oh dear, I've been a really bad employee these 2 weeks.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Time Zips By
Time seems to zoom past real quickly this year.
Seems like just yesterday when I was enjoying bakkwa during CNY.
It's already April!
What have I done so far?
Feels like I did alot and yet nothing all at the same time haha.
Seems like just yesterday when I was enjoying bakkwa during CNY.
It's already April!
What have I done so far?
Feels like I did alot and yet nothing all at the same time haha.
News These Days
It is somewhat depressing reading the news each day. If it's not some murder or theft or assault, it'll be some bombing or abuse or accident.
Maybe I should switch to reading trashy gossip magazines lol. Or maybe I should just watch "Keeping up with the Kardashians" or "Chicagolicious" or "Enews" all day long.
Ok, or maybe I should find myself another hobby.
I've fallen a little out of love with gardening and building terrariums though, ever since I shifted house.
Hmmm....What can I do....???
Maybe I should switch to reading trashy gossip magazines lol. Or maybe I should just watch "Keeping up with the Kardashians" or "Chicagolicious" or "Enews" all day long.
Ok, or maybe I should find myself another hobby.
I've fallen a little out of love with gardening and building terrariums though, ever since I shifted house.
Hmmm....What can I do....???
Happy Birthday to My Special K!
Bonne anniversaire mon bebe...Tu as deja 32 ans! Comme moi!
Enfin, nous sommes du même âge hehehe. :)
J'espère que tu reste heureux, en bonne santé et bénis toujours. J'espère aussi que tu peut réaliser tous tes rêves et espoirs.
Nous allons marcher ensemble toujours!
Je'taime tellement. Muacks!
Enfin, nous sommes du même âge hehehe. :)
J'espère que tu reste heureux, en bonne santé et bénis toujours. J'espère aussi que tu peut réaliser tous tes rêves et espoirs.
Nous allons marcher ensemble toujours!
Je'taime tellement. Muacks!
Morphosis
The last 2.5 weeks have not been entirely good for me.
Nausea, giddiness and sometimes breathlessness has crept into my life. I walk at a granny's speed to minimise any of these from happening or from worsening. I have been auntified and have resorted to carrying a pack of preserved plums in my bag to chew on if I feel the nausea welling up.
I am particularly susceptible to noise, constant chatter and crowded places.
I can't sit hunched over for longer than 5 to 10 minutes otherwise the nausea and discomfort starts up. I try to sit ramrod straight and then I get shoulderaches or neckaches, especially on the bus.
I am emo as well though it comes and goes. Am trying very hard to keep a balanced state of mind.
I find myself becoming a bit of an anti-social person. I don't really go out. I go to office and then back home again. When I'm at home, I spend most of my time in bed, either watching TV or napping.
I pack my lunch and eat at my work desk everyday to avoid the crowd and stuffiness at the foodcourt. I've pulled out of a social dinner as well because I felt really unwell at the last moment. That made me feel bad.
I don't sleep well at night and I wake an average of 2 to 3 times per night. As a result, I am a zombie at work.
I hope this phase passes over soon......real soon.
Nausea, giddiness and sometimes breathlessness has crept into my life. I walk at a granny's speed to minimise any of these from happening or from worsening. I have been auntified and have resorted to carrying a pack of preserved plums in my bag to chew on if I feel the nausea welling up.
I am particularly susceptible to noise, constant chatter and crowded places.
I can't sit hunched over for longer than 5 to 10 minutes otherwise the nausea and discomfort starts up. I try to sit ramrod straight and then I get shoulderaches or neckaches, especially on the bus.
I am emo as well though it comes and goes. Am trying very hard to keep a balanced state of mind.
I find myself becoming a bit of an anti-social person. I don't really go out. I go to office and then back home again. When I'm at home, I spend most of my time in bed, either watching TV or napping.
I pack my lunch and eat at my work desk everyday to avoid the crowd and stuffiness at the foodcourt. I've pulled out of a social dinner as well because I felt really unwell at the last moment. That made me feel bad.
I don't sleep well at night and I wake an average of 2 to 3 times per night. As a result, I am a zombie at work.
I hope this phase passes over soon......real soon.
Advice
Noticed that as people get older, they tend to dish out more advice, whether it was asked for or not.
I don’t know if I’m doing it as well, I hope not.
“You should…do this and that…”
“It’s better to….do this and that…”
It all stems out of goodwill and a genuine desire to help. Although I have to say it could come across as being bossy, instructive or nosey at times.
Perhaps a nicer way to provide advice to others would be something like....
“Have you tried….this other method?...”
“Maybe this other way could do the trick…”
Reminder to self….
I don’t know if I’m doing it as well, I hope not.
“You should…do this and that…”
“It’s better to….do this and that…”
It all stems out of goodwill and a genuine desire to help. Although I have to say it could come across as being bossy, instructive or nosey at times.
Perhaps a nicer way to provide advice to others would be something like....
“Have you tried….this other method?...”
“Maybe this other way could do the trick…”
Reminder to self….
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
Heart check-up
Cleared my annual heart check-up today. ECG results were normal. :)
The doc didn't comment on the blood test I did 2 weeks ago. And I forgot to ask as well. So I took the results home and compared it with the result ranges given by my health screening company last time. Everything's good. My good cholesterol HDL is in the highest range and the bad cholesterol LDL is in the lowest range. Glucose and creatinine is normal. Good!
I was nervous about the blood test results initially. I'm relieved now. :)
Ok, one more check-up next week for my brain. Been 4 years since I had a check-up for that.
The doc didn't comment on the blood test I did 2 weeks ago. And I forgot to ask as well. So I took the results home and compared it with the result ranges given by my health screening company last time. Everything's good. My good cholesterol HDL is in the highest range and the bad cholesterol LDL is in the lowest range. Glucose and creatinine is normal. Good!
I was nervous about the blood test results initially. I'm relieved now. :)
Ok, one more check-up next week for my brain. Been 4 years since I had a check-up for that.
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Relationships
It is during those quiet times alone that thoughts float in. These few days I keep thinking about some of the relationships in my life which have been estranged, whether knowingly, unknowingly or because of misunderstandings.
Some of these people were a part of my life for a good few years. But I guess each of us have gone our separate ways for so long now it is odd and awkward picking things up again.
People come, people go. Not everyone is meant to stay. Maybe it is suffice just to see their updates, if any, on Facebook.
I should treasure those who are by my side and those who have been there for me all these while.
Some of these people were a part of my life for a good few years. But I guess each of us have gone our separate ways for so long now it is odd and awkward picking things up again.
People come, people go. Not everyone is meant to stay. Maybe it is suffice just to see their updates, if any, on Facebook.
I should treasure those who are by my side and those who have been there for me all these while.
Sunny Days
The sun has been at its mightiest over the last 2 weeks. 9 to 12 years ago, if it were this sunny on a Sat morning , I'd rejoice for it meant a great day at Siloso beach in Sentosa. My friends and I would frolick in the sun, eat and sleep under its strong rays.
My mum always said then that we were mad. "Kids crazy enough to bake in the sun for so many hours"
I think the present day me would agree with her too. Lol.
My mum always said then that we were mad. "Kids crazy enough to bake in the sun for so many hours"
I think the present day me would agree with her too. Lol.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Cheesy afternoon
We spent our afternoon today attempting to make cheese. Both attempts failed. :(
When googling for possible reasons for our failed attempts, we discovered that store bought milk is likely to be highly pasteurized at high temperatures, which affects the curdling of the milk into cheese.
We only managed to get small drifty bits of curd like in the pictures and not big smooth pieces. Bleah.
When googling for possible reasons for our failed attempts, we discovered that store bought milk is likely to be highly pasteurized at high temperatures, which affects the curdling of the milk into cheese.
We only managed to get small drifty bits of curd like in the pictures and not big smooth pieces. Bleah.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
I hope
A close long-time friend of mine shared with me a few months back that he was considering getting a divorce. While he somewhat believes in the sanctity of marriage and the vows taken under oath to care for each other for a lifetime, he felt that cultural differences and the fact that they were living in different countries for most of the time had put a toll on their lives and he couldn't see how their future together looked like anymore.
I met up with him again last week and he was still mulling things over. He had just come back from his wife's home country alone after a tiff. Things didn't seem to be going well even though he tried spending a few months there with her and her family. I could feel though that he seemed more determined to get a divorce. We were just saying that it might have been a good thing that no children were in the picture otherwise things would have been more complicated.
I just received a text from him. His wife just told him that she's expecting.
Sigh.
I hope things eventually pan out well for the both of them.
I met up with him again last week and he was still mulling things over. He had just come back from his wife's home country alone after a tiff. Things didn't seem to be going well even though he tried spending a few months there with her and her family. I could feel though that he seemed more determined to get a divorce. We were just saying that it might have been a good thing that no children were in the picture otherwise things would have been more complicated.
I just received a text from him. His wife just told him that she's expecting.
Sigh.
I hope things eventually pan out well for the both of them.
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