THE Christmas bugs bites...

Been in and out of office this week to clear the work that's piling up. And to provide my poor colleagues some form of relief before I get back to work proper after my M.C. And in the midst of all the Christmas promos, Christmas decor, Christmas creatives at work... The bug bites!!!!!

Day 13... Friends!!

Gracie, Elaine, Eileen, Trish and Mel came over to my place to visit me today. And in a cute and cosy way, they all bought their own dinner, to have dinner with me at home!

We all hardly get to meet up 'impromptu-ly' these days with each of our busy lives, and so I really appreciate the effort and the time...

A pity I forgot to take pics! =( But I guess there's always another time! Trish brought mebright cheerie colorful flowers though... and here they are!!

My lousy camera phone doesn't do the colors justice!

And then, Hippie got a little sad when Trish kept calling him 'Fibroid'!!! Cuz she claims that he is of the same color as my fibroid when I showed them the pics...


But he cheered up, with Polar Puff rolls for treat!


Once again, I feel so blessed!


P.S. Dan, thanks for the thought too! I know you and Yilin love me too but can't be here! Appreciate it!! =D

Day 10...

Woke up feeling good today. I can finally turn to my side to lie for a while, resuming to a certain extent the usual morning tossing and turning that I love to do in the mornings and nights. But of course, it was no where near 'tossing'. Slow, careful turns, and only a few minutes on each side. Staying too long on each side will make my wound hurt mildly.

But anyway, Mummy cooked me a big pot of the scrumptous chicken soup for my meals today!

Hippie overlooking the yummy pot of chicken soup...

The soup was a nice, warm touch to what seems to be the start of the rainy season. It's been raining for the past few days, and today, saw the heaviest of rains, noisiest of storms, with thunder and lightning.

It's been 9 days since I've stepped out of home...

On a brighter note, I've been allowed to start on a variety of snacks! Haha... this range from boiled sweet potato, to polar puff sugar rolls! Hee!


P.S. Been strongly encouraged by mummy to drink up the fish essence which came with Hippie. *burp...*

Day 9... More treats!

Mummy decided to be a little more adventurous with my (our) lunch today. She made one of my favourite dish, 'Mui Fan' (rice with seafood gravy & egg), but without all the delicious seafood & egg. In place of the yummies, she added fish balls and sliced fish. Apparently, I'm not supposed to eat egg, or too much of it...

It's actually a rather healthy dish because there is always a generous serving of veg, cooked till soft, with the gravy. The dish is cooked in such a manner that all the nutrients is supposed to be in the gravy... hmmm...


Gracie and Kar dropped by today... and Grace brought me home boiled fish soup! =D She was just sharing with us the story of how anxious and excited she got about doing marketing, and boiling of the soup that Kel got a little envious! Envious he was, because he claimed that she has never used the same amount of zest when cooking for him! Haha...

And while they were here, a delivery man brought me bright, cheery looking gerberras, fish essence and a Hippo! And guess what? They were sent with love from Gracie, Kar, Mel, Eileen & Elaine! It was a pleasant surprise, though they shouldn't have gone to the expense! =)

See the little Hippie they sent me for company? =D

I love yellow flowers! They brighten up any place and they are surely cheerful looking! =) Thanks dears! I can't help but be reminded day after day, with God's grace, of my blessings and the love that is around me...

P.S. Aunty Jenny made me a healthy 'appetiser' as well, to whet my appetite. Stuffed tomatoes! So healthy and full of Vit. C! =D

Day 8... A day of treats!

Lunch was SCRUMPTOUS today!! Told mum that I still feel something soupy, and I think she feels that I'm ready for something a little more complicated, yet healthy!

One of my favourite kinda soup!

Other than this, I received another surprise today, which made my day! One which was couriered to my doorstep!

Piping hot Don-Pie!

This treat came from Trish! Apparently she saw my gripe on facebook about how I can't eat Don Chicken Pie and she sent me one today! AND the good news is, it's been a week, so I'm supposed to be able to eat this NOW!! Hur hur hur...

The 'Flower' that came with the Pie... Hee...

I'm constantly counting my blessings for the loved ones around me. I supposed we may not be in touch all the time, but the best part about any good relationship, is to know that they are always around, in spirit, if not in person. I truly appreciate all these thoughts, the messages I receive on my phone, on facebook, on e-mails, the visits, the little surprise treats... I love all you guys too, you know! =D

P.S. Removed the dressing for the other 3 Op Wounds. I can't really tell if they look good or bad yet, because they are still encrusted in dried blood... (Cause the dressing's waterproof)... Ok... not trying to be gross here... But I think it's not too bad... The holes are smaller than a 5-cent coin and from what I understand, there's no stitches. They used some dressing strip with silicon to bond the wound... Hrmm...

Day 7...

Was whining to mummy about the 'sick people's food' that I have been having for the last 6 days! Told her that I feel like I just need something to excite my taste buds a little... and she made promises of fish grilled in 'Western food' manner for lunch the next day...

And grilled fish she did cook... The very same type of fish I have been having for the last few days! Apparently it's the type of fish that would be good for wounds, recovery...

Fish simply pan grilled with light soy sauce...

I know it looks kind oily, but actually mummy didn't use any oil at all. What she used was her non-stick frying pan, tomatoes and light soy sauce. The fish was however, slightly oily. I think it's due to its own natural fatty acid / fish oil.

It was definitely a refreshing change on my taste buds... BUT I also felt queasy after the meal. I guess I'm not ready for anything non-soupy, anything that takes a little more for digestion.

BTW, do forgive the blurry image taken by my lousy camera phone... =P Been using my phone to take quick shots alot because the bluetooth transfer is simply so convenient...

Woke up this morning with my op wounds hurting a little. I think it's part of the process of recovery, and healing. Have been spending most of the days on the living room couch that I know now the meaning of being a couch potato. I eat here, nap here, surf the net here, read here and watch the tv from here... I really don't mind it and actually make it a point to, because I figured that for all the time that I'm at home, I might as well make my presence felt and accompany dad a little since I am usually 90% of the time out of home when I'm up and well.

There's Chee Cheong Fun (without the relevant sauces... thus without the 'fun') lying around on the table, which I was supposed to take for breakfast, but I didn't feel the stomach for it. Wonder if I should take it for dinner? But I fear the sense of nausea which I'm feeling slightly after the 'western food styled' fish I had for lunch today...

We shall see how it goes. In the mean time, I'm gonna catch up a little on all the other blogs that I follow, take my shower, and be adventurous about the remaining 3 gauzes on my tum tum...

*Wish me luck!*

Update: I did give the chee cheong fun a shot for dinner, in my own improvised style and it actually tastes good! I had altogether 2 bowls of it! And I didn't feel queasy. Not bad I would say! =)

Plain Old Chee Cheong Fun with leftover shredded chicken from the day mum cooked Macaroni, a drip of sesame oil, a trickle of light soy sauce and chopped up version of my favourite side dish, pickled 'Cai Xin'!

The all-mixed up Chee Cheong Fun which actually tastes much better than it looks!

Pickled 'Cai Xin' which goes well with everything! Porridge, Rice, even Chee Cheong Fun!

Day 6...

For some bizarre reason, I developed a slight sore throat this morning when I woke up.

Probably caused by the more than usual coughing that I experienced the day before. Or was it possible due to the Oat crackers that mum bought for me? But I only had a piece... Or the ginger drink?


Lunch was simple and plain, as prepared by mummy... didn't feel like I have the stomach for oily stuff as well...

Plain old Mee Sua with minced pork (ONLY)...

Checked and cleared my 200 over e-mails since I felt 'strong' enough to do so... Felt more tired the past few days to sit through that 200plus work e-mails.

Sitting in the living room, with the fan circulating the humid air, with the slight gloomy 'going to rain' weather, and the TV running, it felt kinda comfortable. I didn't think that I could stand being stuck at home for soooo many days with not even a foot out of the main door to my home, but it really isn't so bad. I guess it's good training to the one month confinement that I might experience when and if, I ever do get to have a little one... =)

In a bimbotic way, I was kinda enjoying the TV while doing my stuff on my lappie too... TV series re-runs of Growing Up, Style Jury, Amazing race... haha...

And out of no where, an epiphany hit me too! While I'm resigned to bed & rest, I might as well make the most out of it! Do things like Facial masks and get myself rejuvenated for the mass that will hit me when I return to office!

Haha... Looking forward to that!

P.S. Mustered up the courage to remove the gauze around my belly button after shower today. Looks horrible. Shall wait till tomorrow, after shower (also to test water for any pain, for one wound first) before removing the other 3. I might fairly well just do it one by one....
P.P.S. Received the Chicken of essence hamper and cheerie sunflowers that office sent me! Sure made me smile...

D Day...

And so, after months of knowing that an Op is due, it was time to feel somewhat akin to an animal in the slaughter house, under the mercy of the Butcher.

BUT of course, I don't think it was that bad. The Docs and the Nurses had alot more compassion and was really gentle with me.

Day 0 - 21st October 2009 (Wednesday)
FLEET was ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. Not to mention that I had to take 2 doses! The first was so bad that when it was time for the 2nd dose, it almost made me cry! Had to be coaxed to consume the 2nd bottle...

The taste was undescribable. Ultra salty, Ultra Sour? The thought of it now makes me feel like puking (again). I'm so hoping that I won't ever have to take that evil liquid stuff that makes me pee through my A**H***, literally.

Day 1 - 22nd October 2009 (Thursday)
Reported at 10am, as instructed by a admission personnel who called me up the day before. Brought me to a room for a pre-Op check. After some neccessary procedures, it was finally time for me to move up to THE room.

Rob was there with me the whole time, until it was time for me to change into my gown. His presence was a God sent, cause it kept me calm. Reminded myself numerous times that it was not easy for him as well, to have to see me through this!

Nurse Rose walked me into this small little room before entering the Operating theatre. She told me what the room was called, but I forgot... Lol... There, I was asked to lie on the trolley bed. After which, I was informed that they will be hooking me up to the drip. I felt the Ant bite, and I refused to look. However, I heard the nurse telling me that they must draw some blood from me for some tests, before I heard a tube dropping on a floor numerous times. Ms. nurse then said apologetically that my blood was flowing too fast, and my left hand was covered in blood... ... ... I was actually fine, as I didn't feel pain, and she fixed on the needle, and wiped my hand clean. I remember turning my hand 180 degrees to make her job easier...

After being pushed into the OT, I was asked to shift over to the operating bed, which I remembered as being warm and comfy. Haha... Doc came over and spoke to me in real friendly and gentle tones, and explained briefly the procedure. After which, I was asked to take in deep breaths of oxygen... and the next moment, I could hear someone trying to wake me up by calling my name.

I felt a dull internal ache through my whole body, and it hit me within seconds as extreme pain, to the point of being a little numb. I remembered the nurse asking me on a scale of 1 - 10, I remember telling her 8-9, and she activated a jab of morphine. Relief from the pain, flowed through me, within seconds...

I was wheeled out of the observatory lab, to the ward and the first person I looked out for was for Rob. I saw him, and I remembered smiling and waving to him feebly.

After being brought to the ward, I remember shifting back onto the permanent bed, and was given Mediven stockings to be worn, to prevent the clotting of the blood. This, I was told, is to be worn throughout for two whole weeks. They brought me air-pumped leg massagers for circulation of the blood.

Don't I look just like someone who just gave birth? Haha...

After which, through everything else, the only thing comforting was Rob's presence.

Rob beside me the whole time...

I dozed off and on, even when my mum & dad were visiting. I remembering giving kudos to Rob's patience, as he sat beside me the whole time, reading my book, watching me... leaving me only to pee and eat.

At about 11plus, he was asked to leave as I was in a 5-bedder room and he was not allowed to stay. After which, I couldn't sleep throughout the night, as the nurses came to me with anti-biotics, anti-nausea, blood pressure machines, thermometers and........... Bed pans.

Yup! An experience first time ever, I had to use a Bed pan, due to my incapability of movement. And this also brought a realisation on how noble a job, nursing is. The caring for, the cleaning of, the patience exhibited by the nurses in my ward, especially those on night shift, is undeniably admirable.

And so, the night ended with 4 holes, and 2 cuts...

Day 2 - 23rd October 2009 (Friday)
When I finally dozed off the night before, it felt like I was woken in minutes by the Doc on his morning round... Tried my luck and asked if I could be discharged. Doc said that from the looks of it, yes! I suppose it was because I didn't feel nauseous, and my blood pressure was pretty stable. No signs of high fever as well...

The Physiotherapist came, and he tried to make me sit up, and walk. All I felt was pain pain pain. And the weirdest part was, this pain that disturbed me the most, came from somewhere near my right collar bone. The pain was so bad that I couldn't lift my arm, it hurt to breathe, it hurt to move...

But I felt so much better, when Jie brought the God-kids to visit! And they brought me gifts! I had to explain to Matt what I was doing in a hospital, and I explained it to him in a matter-of-factly manner. Despite his age, 7, he has a great comprehension of language and could easily understand adult's talk. So proud of him for that...

Smiley flower from Matt, and Minnie Balloon from Julia...

But in any case, discharged I was... with specific instructions to monitor my pain and remove me gauze (that covered that wounds) in a few days' time...

The bumpy, 'gone in 60 seconds' Taxi ride home was horrible. The pain felt worse, and I couldn't breathe properly...

Home never felt more comfortable... T'was a good night's rest that I had... Other than the fact that I was so restless in bed, being unable to toss and turn as how I would have usually done...

Day 3 - 24th October 2009 (Saturday)
Woke up with a very sore and bloated tummy. It was probably because of all the air that was pumped into me for the Op. Felt like I suffered 1,000 punches internally... Lol...

Stuck for two weeks, with my Mediven Stockings...

Mum prepared lunch... one that's good enough for a 'sick person'... though I wasn't sick...


Rach, SW, Raq & Ra came over to visit, together with little Reyes.

I had good company for a good 3 hours and I didn't feel half as bad about the pain...

Always counting my blessings for all my dearly beloved friends....

Day 4 - 25th October 2009 (Sunday)
I woke up feeling slightly better. I could sit up and move around with more ease, though it still hurts with the movements. Was careful not to do any action / movements abruptly.

Received an SMS from XY, telling me that they are on the way to visit. And visit they did, with DON PIE!! (Which I was NOT ALLOWED to eat...)



But Aunty Lena knew better, and brought me Don Kueh Lapis as well... =)

Mummy made me macaroni soup with Chicken, but felt nauseous after eating it for lunch. Wonder if it's because the macaroni is causing indigestion. So told mum I'd like to revert back to porridge the next day....

Day 5 - 26th October 2009 (Monday)
Developed a throat itch. Made me cough quite a bit... and it hurts to cough! Also, realised I'm still bleeding slightly, which made me wonder if it was because of the coughing.

From then, started to try clearing my throat as much as possible, instead of coughing.

Experienced my first sneeze too! Tried to stifle it so much when I felt it coming that my whole body quivered... and it still hurts!

Spent the day reading Shantaram (which is absolutely captivating just that I tire easily and cannot bring myself to read at length, updating this blog and walking around to exercise every now and then. Mummy made me some ginger drink which caused me to fart quite a bit. It's a good thing, to get rid of the air in me, which makes me feel bloated still. But tummy has gone down a little, whether it's the swelling, or if it's due to the release of the wind. But it sure hurts alot when I feel the air circulating in me... This must be a fraction of the pain that one experiences when the womb contracts... *urgh*

Either ways, it's good.... Don't they always say anyway, that pain makes one feel alive?

Told myself I need to make better use of my time at home when I feel better, and don't tired so easily...

Of pride and achievements...

A short while back, a very dear friend sent me a message over gmail chat, sharing with me a plan of hers...

She wanted to bake one dessert a day, for 30 days, to celebrate her entering the big '3' stage of her life. At the same time, she would blog about her baking experience. She asked me what my favorite dessert was, and I told her 'Apple Crumble'... I love apple crumble for various reasons...

And she did it! She dedicated one of her entries to me and apple crumble... and it really was touching...

A friend for more than 10 years, I can't help but feel very very proud of how far she has come. She has polished herself in so many aspects of her life, her different facets, that I can't help but admire her brilliance in her various talents... Writing, Photography, Baking and Cooking.

Bon Vivant

It looks simply delicious...! Thanks babe... for this! =D

P.S. All pictures on her blog 'Bon Vivant' are taken personally by herself! Do take a visit.

Improvisation

Lately, I've been pretty particular about buying comfy shoes. I realized I have a horrible habit of not wearing shoes that I buy again if they give me blisters / or bite me at certain areas.

Afterall, we've only got one pair for feet for the rest of our lives and we better treat them well!

I've also learn various ways to keep my shoes comfy, including:

1. Wearing toe socks with cushioning at the ball of my feet so that my toes are protected against blisters causing friction and the ball of my feet will not hurt so much if I have to walk around / stand alot.

2. Using this product known as 'Foot Glide' which is almost as good as 'waxing' your feet, instead of your shoes so that there is less friction.

3. Applying body lotion to the inside areas of new shoes and leave them on overnight, so as to soften the shoe.

4. Adding another layer of inside sole to soften the base of the shoe, or added cushioning to 'crucial' areas.

5. And lately, I started using 'Gel insoles' which are the greatest things for feet ever! There are 2 types of gel insoles. One type which is 'harder' and the other type which is 'softer'. Recently I bought these from Royal Sporting House, and it costs S$9.90 for 2 pairs! Much cheaper then the likes of foot petal etc.

I've happily added one pair to my Asics running shoes to give me an added Oomph and bounce when I run, and to this pair of flats which I use for driving and walking.

I'm loving it! =D

Randomness...

There's this air of restlessness around me today. I wonder what's up with it because while I have tonnes of work waiting to be done, I can't seem to get down to doing it.

There's like so many things that I wanna do, that's floating around in my head. I can't help but feel that I'm not anchored enough to achieve any of it. Perhaps its time again for me to get back down to earth and embed my feet firmly into the ground, and to remind myself that there's serious things to do. No more fooling around.

Adapted from The Economist

Anyway, read The Economist today and it said that the global economy seems to have hit rock bottom. But no one knows what the recovery process is like. V, U or W... it's gonna be a rocky road up.

That's interesting because some how deep down in my gut, I can't help but think that the worse is yet to come. With the time lags for action / reaction in the international economic borders, we're not there yet. We have perhaps not reached the depth of what U.S. felt 3-6 months back. But then again, with the China economy helping to 'hold up' the impact of recession, perhaps Asia was not meant to feel that depth.

I guess nobody really knows.

Argh... I rather be thinking about frivolous things at this point of my restlessness. I need new motivation! Rain on me!

Shanghai!

I love Shanghai!

Or rather I loved the recent trip that I took there...

I love how the old fuses with the new... the fusion of architecture from different eras, different cultures. The french influence on some places and buildings from days of French concession.

I like how things are reasonably affordable by Singapore standards and how I feel so at home there.

I can't imagine how working there is like, because of the language barrier, but I can imagine that I would want to pay a visit there again someday! =)

The food's there very yummy!

Some random shots....

Alluring...

Life's been a blast... I wish...

Work seems like a tunnel, without a light at the end lately... and I can't help but feel comforted when I look at visions like that below!!



I can't decide if it's for better or for worse that I have to stay within a tank with nothing to do but swim...

The Phantom Tollbooth

A good friend once gave me a book - The Phantom TollBooth as a present for my birthday. In fact, here's what he wrote in the book -

"Zen, this book got to me more than most other books I've read. I hope it reaches you as much as it did to me. Merry Christmas & Happy Birthday. Mark, 271207."


Haha, yup! It's now 2009 and this is my first time reading the book. Sorry Marky... It got left in my book cupboard and somehow my must-read list kept growing until I discovered this gem again in my cupboard.

But I must say that it is really a very interesting read. One day into the book and I'm on page 70.

It is rather cleverly written and it reminds me of Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton all at once... Reminds me of "Mathilda", "Alice in Wonderland" & "The Magic Faraway Tree" all at the same time. There's lots of word play (figuratively and literally) and imagery involved and to me, it's highly entertaining.

Nothing speaks louder than some excerpts from the book itself...

"I wonder where I am," said Milo in a very worried tone.
"You're... in... the... Dol... drums," wailed a voice that sounded far away.
He looked around quickly to see who had spoken. No one was there, and it was as quiet and still as one could imagine.
"Yes... the... Dol.. drums," yawned another voice, but still he saw no one.
"WHAT ARE THE DOLDRUMS?" he cried loudly, and tried very hard to see who would answer this time.
"The Doldrums, my friend, are where nothing every happens and nothing every changes."

Another one...

"Most people are just too lazy to make their words," he continued, "but it's much more fun." (says a words sales man).
"Is it difficult? I'm not much good at making words," admitted Milo, spitting the pits from a P.
"Perhaps I can be of some assistance - a-s-s-i-s-t-a-n-c-e," buzzed an unfamiliar voice, and when Milo looked up he saw an enormous bee, at least twice his size, sitting on top of the wagon.
"I am the Spelling Bee," announced the Spelling bee. "Don't be alarmed - a-l-a-r-m-e-d."

So, I think everyone who was ever interested in childhood stories and fantasy, should pick this book up reminisce and enjoy.

Looking forward to the rest of the book... definitely - D-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y.

Babies Galore!

It must be a boom time again!!!

Lately I've heard of so many mummies to-be! There's ER, TC, GW, CL, CA, Jes, Miki! So many!!!

I guess that's just part and parcel of life... Babies do come after marriage!

So cute!! =)