Random perspectives...

Today has been one of those days... Days when random thoughts just trickle into my mind... This post is going to be as random as the thoughts I encountered today...

Parents...
Aren't they just the greatest beings alive? There are people out there who might beg to differ, but I suppose I'm one of those lucky ones who have great parents... I remember those days when I hated their nagging... I thought I knew better for the things in my generation, but life lessons often leads to us to return back to them... Seeking comfort and their advice...

Sacrifices, hard work and efforts that they have put into our lives, are things that go unseen and often forgotten... But time and time again, they have never failed us... No matter how old, how feeble they are... I really love them... Wish there is so much more that I can do for them...

Work...
I truly am in the rat race... But it's such an innate part in me that I can't extricate myself out... A necessity of life? That's for sure but I don't know to what extend would the rat race be a necessity, and when it crosses the line to be beyond necessity but the fulfillment of personal want...

Went for the local musical 'Fried Rice Paradise' at Esplanade on Sunday with Yi Lin and Dan... I enjoyed it and watching it brought back memories of when I was actively involved in Theatre, when I was a student in NUS, taking Theatre Studies as one of my subjects. I wonder how different life would be if I had chosen Theatre as my core... Would I have pursued being in the Theatre and entertainment industry like Mel? But... Nah... I suppose it's just not 'me'...

Life experiences...
I truly believe in vicarious learning... Through the experiences of others... Through which, I often find precedence, and the ability to pre-empt myself for what the future may bring... Stories of success... The road less travelled... Stories of failures.... History through which there are lessons to be learnt...

More often than not, these stories though personal and intimate, help people move on... When made public, they sometimes call it Testimonials?

I wonder how many of us have an unspoken story behind us that will some day, some how shape our being? I know I do... One story of mine began on 13th June 2010 and ended on 24th August 2010... Something that I will hold close to my heart and hold dear... But it's a story that I've learnt to put in storage and look forward to new beginnings... :)

2010...

And so... *blows some spider webs off from the page*...

It's been a good 8 months, since my last visit here... and this blog is probably going ancient!

However, sentiments still hold strong for me towards this blog. Afterall, it's been through ups and downs with me since 2004... My loyal 'soul mate' I would say, having been here for me ALL the time!

SO... many things have come and gone, and upcoming... the most major one being my wedding of course... So this year has been a year of celebrations! Here goes the list:

1. Rob n Zen got married... (Finally as many would proclaim!)
2. Birth of Chloe Cheng
3. Birth of Madison Tan
4. Ownership of x2 iPhones 4 - One for me and one for Rob
5. Ownership of x1 iPad - Shared by both me and Rob
6. Hopefully a longer than usual trip to be planned some time end of this year!!!! (*crosses fingers*)
7. Wedding of ML & TL
8. Wedding of MF & WC
9. Wedding of RL and RO
10. Pending arrival of Baby Aquaskylet!

Plus many more to come! =)

And once again, I strive to keep this blog updated and happy... Gonna see how I can make this work on my iPhone so that blogging can be more impromptu and updated! =D

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

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.

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....

A Proposal and blessings a plenty...

He did it... despite me mentioning numerous times that I don't require A Proposal...

In his usual ultra sweet manner, the proposal was thoughtful yet not too elaborate, simple yet close to my heart...

Hotel staying has always been part and parcel of our relationship. It's a treat that we give ourselves once in a while since we established a more secure state of financial independence. To date, we've stayed in Oriental, Amara, Pan Pacific and Somerset at Cairnhill. Out of the 4 stays that we have had in our 9 years together, he always takes the initiative to make plans and with each stay, some little element of surprise.

We have been talking about planning one for this year, some time close to his birthday in June. However, what I thought was yet another simple hotel stay, turned out to be one of the biggest event in our lives... =)

An event that took weeks of planning from his side, while I was mostly kept in the dark.

I kinda knew where this was headed, when he asked for me to be blindfolded, while he drove to the hotel. When he was parked, I made a fuss about a million other people seeing me in that state and requested for the blind fold to be removed.

'Do you trust me?' was all he had to remind me, and what could I say? To a guy whom I love dearly?

I played along... and I let him lead me into the hotel lobby, while protesting that there must be one million other people looking at me. All the time, he was just calmly assuring me that the lobby was empty and the lift was right beside the reception table, beside the entrance.


He brought me all the way to the hotel room, and with blind faith, I followed his instructions and his reassuring voice for every step that brought me closer to our room.

Before we entered the room, he asked me to think of things that I don't like about him. I thought hard and long, and I realised that the issues that I used to have about him, are no longer as important as I used to think they were. My mind was churning but I really couldn't bring up anything about him that I disliked, simply because I know that he's been trying and putting in an effort to better himself.

As we entered the room, I strained my ears to listen out to the ambience and I couldn't pick up anything unusual, than a really quiet room.

He brought me to a sofa, and I felt him move around a little before he knelt down before me and held my hands. At that point, I knew it was THE moment. He asked and I said "Yes'...

I removed my blindfold, he proposed with the ring that we both picked out in 2004... It has been waiting for 5 years... =) Somehow everything was a blur as I started tearing, saying at the same time that 'I already told you I don't need a proposal...'

That was when he said,




I looked around in shock to see closet doors sliding open, toilet doors opening and my dear dear friends of 18 years rushing out with party poppers, heart shaped balloons and cameras taking pictures none stop.

My tears couldn't stop flowing as I hugged each of them tight and close... with my heart overflowing with emotions and happiness...

And if it wasn't enough, I had another surprise during dinner when he invited another group of friends who are as close to me as family, for an engagement dinner celebration.

And so on the 27th of June 2009, in New Majestic Hotel, in a room decorated by emerging local artiste also named as 'Lee Meiling', we got engaged 'officially'.

I can't help but keep counting my blessings, for the blessings that I have from my friends I love dearly, for all their efforts and well wishes and their participation in such a dear part of my life, my memory.

Most importantly, the blessing of having a guy who understands me so thoroughly in more than one way, and of an unfailing, unfaltering love that I often think I'm not worthy of.

Thank you Baby, for everything. It's not the bubbling champagne, or the foie gras and cod fish, it's not the luxurious hotel stay, neither is it the flowers or diamonds... It's these memories, and happiness in its most simple and sincere form... thank you for loving me so selflessly... I love you too.

P.S. These are little notes that I just had to keep - In response to my note of thanks to them:

Charm - "Yey!!!!!!! Congrats :) its about time! Very happy for u both.. Have a fantastic night ya."

RT - "U're most welcome my dear frens, yes both of u included. I'm personally touched tat the two parted and patched and i can feel that your love for each other now is much stronger than before separation. Keep it up and God Bless. ;)"

RL - "Heehee... Wish we cud make it more memorable 4 both ya! Bery honored & happy 2 be part of the whole proposal event. Congrats, wishin both eternal happiness! :-*"

Wil - "Our pleasure pls :) we feel family!"

Mel - "It was totally our pleasure to be invited by Robert to share in yr joy!!! You and robert are a very dear part of our lives. I hope u guys had a memorable engagement. See u tmrrw night!"

P.S. Just to add so that the event is complete, I found out very much later on that Rob actually bought 4 chocolate cakes and he made his rounds to seek blessings from my parents, my cousin and 2 of my aunties for his proposal plan! I was just... speechless... :'')

Light! Light! Where is the light!

Week after week after week I just remind myself that there is ALWAYS a light at the end of the tunnel. Just that it's a very long and complicated tunnel, with lots of turns and twists in the middle... So week after week after week, I'm just sticking out my neck hoping to see a glimpse of that light...

These days, it's the weekends that I look forward to. When I refuse! refuse! refuse! to think of work or talk about work (if I can help it)... (Sadly, I'm stuck at work the whole of this weekend!) As it is, life is stressed enough, without us having to think about work 24 hours a day!

In any case, last weekend was pretty good. Other than the fact that I spent x3 hours ironing probably 30% of un-ironed clothes, I managed to spend some exclusive girl time with Yann and Liann....

Brunch at Graze!

Sigh... wish I can have more time and resources to do such things more often...

LNY Mania...

The LNY period was CRAZIEEEEE... to the extent that I feel a little drab about coming back to work today! Lol...

Every day's packed to the brim with LNY visiting... From grand aunts / uncles - aunts and uncles and friends! But despite the fact that it was rather rushed, it's been nothing but fun...

It feels good that time is spent catching up with each other's lives. One of the more significant moments during this LNY was catching up with my Secondary School teacher over at my friend's place this year. A teacher whom I respect greatly and had a lot of fond memories of as she was my band teacher-in-charge. Reminiscing those good old days was good, as I've always shared that the best days of my life were spent in Secondary School.

The only regret I had was not taking enough photos! Hahhaa... shall do more of that in the upcoming weekends. More visiting to go!

Annual LNY Shot of the girl cuzzies!

Cousins cam-whoring!

Wished we squeezed in more cuzzies!

Little Blessings...

When times are tough, the going's hard, one learns more than ever to count the little blessings in life... Breakfast made by Rob...

Hee... It's nice to wake up to home-made breakfast by someone who doesn't usually make breakfast no matter how simply done it is... *sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet*... Lol...

Had a go at baking Jaime Oliver's Fennel Salt Baked Chicken over the weekend as well! Thanks to Mel and her generosity of allowing me to make a mess out of her home. Despite all the excitement that the bird was creating in the kitchen, it turned out pretty well!

Thanks to Rob who bought a whole chicken with its feet and head intact, Stephen had to gallantly offer to clean and wash the bird as I couldn't bring myself to massage the chicken all over with its half closed eyes on its head looking right back at me. Even when I had to grab its feet to marinate the chicken inside and out, it feels like I was changing diapers for a baby! =P

Anyway, overall, the chix turned out yummy, the whole process was fun and was a good talking point for the whole jing gang as it was highly amusing for them to see the whole chicken wrapped in salt!


In gloomy times like this, it's such little blessings of love and joy amongst loved ones that will keep you afloat. *Happiness!*