A week of frantic reading marathon. Acquired another book to keep the imaginative brain thinker running on overtime. Even had a matching bookmark.
Brown rice I simply love
Had a sudden craving for something spicy, sour and fiery! Tom yum soup. Surfed the web and found. Diligently wrote down. A pot of nutritious stock. Sour lime excite the salivary glands. Subtle fragrant of the kaffir leaves and coriander sents the palate wild with anticipation. Tangy lemongrass, red tomatoes and exotic blue ginger add zest, piquancy of Tom yum.. A packet of spicy tom yum paste and chilli padi raises the body temperature. Fish sauce to blend all the sweet sour and spice together. Lastly fresh fish slice, prawns, squids and mushroom to makes this a fest for the senses.
When in the middle of the night the child under 4 develops a high fever or incessant coughing, any considerate mum would spent the night sponging the fever, worrying. A dose of paracetamol. Patiently wait till day break before, frantically calling the clinic for the earliest appointment. The good nurse would oblige. On arrival, there would be others waiting. At 10.30 a.m wiht baby in arm pacing around, the pediatrician has yet to arrive. The nurse, apologised. She has called. He is on the way. Probably making his round in the wards. 
Amazing how these tiny tablet could give so much relief. Relieved from the constant sneezing, the congested nose and the sleepless nights. Dead against pill popping has led to months of discomfort and a very sensitive nose. Waking up in the middle of the night sneezing and a stuffed nose, breathing through the mouth, ended with me down stairs reading at 3a.m
Last week, I had a mammogram done. A first for me. I am 2 years behind schedule. Pleading Ignorant is bliss. "It won't happen to me" thoughts calm the nerves and an excuse to put it off for another month or another year. However, only early detection can this one life be saved from the spread of this marauding savage cells.
Have been burying my nose in my Current read.
Hush no sound for there's only silence 
Things of old brings comfort and snugness. 
On a wet, rainy day, with an umbrella, I stood at the pedestrian crossing waiting. Around me, students with their colourful umbrellas and a caucasian lady. After much thought I moved forward, offering to share my umbrella with her. What she retorted next, startled me. " It's only rain. I like walking in the rain." I was stumped. The lights turned, she breezed ahead leaving me feeling silly. Now, if a compliment should be accepted graciously why can't an offer be taken gratefully?
Every so often, as the car comes to a halt at the traffic junction,a truck load of foreigner workers stops beside. These mother's precious sons, toil in under the blazing sun, working with toxic chemicals at contruction sites or at shipyards. Many coming from some of the world's most populace countries. India and China. Ironically these are the two countries, where the male offspring is the most sought after. Where female fetus are aborted or killed upon birth. Often wondered what these men's childhood had been like. Did they, like our boys here at 7, put on a neat set of uniform, spotless pair of shoes, a bag on the shoulder proudly being led to school by their parents? To seek an education. A means to crawl out of the poverty circle. What were their ambitions? When did their innocence childhood shatter? When they had to go hungry? When were they forced to leave their mother's ambit? When the grumbling tummy became unbearable?
Owls, birds of prey that hunts in the dark. Spent the day sleeping for when it's dark, that when the hunt begins. Silent and swift, from above comes the claws in one quick snatch, the scurry little rodent's life is snuffed. 
My daughter,charming coral born in the year of the oxen. Never wanted the pacifer since day one though papa tried very hard to tempt her. Partially breastfed for the 1st year of her life. Especially during the night feed. Too tired. A stroller baby as brother and sister would stroll her around the house when my hands were full. Spent most of the time in the kitchen playing with all the spice bottles, pot and pans with the kitchen cabinet wide open till the bottle of sugar spilt.
When Joyce, a SAHM gave up her 5th maid for faking a suicide in a bid to be sent home, She made up her mind. She would not be render a helpless wreck without maid. The family will just have to adjust. The morning gallon fruit juice would be ceased to be on the breakfast table. An hourly maid comes in twice a week to give the home a mop out. The car gets a wash once a week ,at her convenience, at the petrol kiosk while the hard to iron clothes gets a make over, at the laundry service, when she does her groceries. Meals? Tiffin meals on weekdays and eating out on weekends. She prepares a dish or two when she's in the mood. 
On this day we remember the children. Children, our genetic linkage to the future. In every generation there are children forgotten, abandon or deprived. Deprived of care, love and guidance. Most painful are the ones, sold as child labours or left to fend for themselves in the streets. Children not only brings joy but strengthen the family bonding. Children rejuvenate the child in us. Gives us a reason to visit the zoo, ride on the swing and play hide and seek. 
Every so often we pop in and out of shopping malls. To run an errand, go for groceries or for classes. Do we, unconsciously expects some familiarity? 
Washing hair these days is a painful affair. After every wash, a quick glance at the water outlet shows a massive tangle of hair stuck on the trap. Been this way for the last couple of years. Been looking around for some remedy but so far nothing. A girlfriend recommended a drop of brandy or two after every wash. It worked for her. Her crowning glory shows it. MDD suggestd that it's a matter of time before I have to visit Svenson or Beijing 101!!!
She put a little red packet into my fruit bags. 
Green with envy she sits, sipping a cool Green tea 
Frizzy and carbonated drinks are never on my drink list, but had a sudden craving for the last few days, a tall glass of ice cool root beer. Twinkle toe had written it on the grocery list for our weekly sunday shopping. Yesterday at 4.15pm while waiting for twinkle toe, she, all sweaty from her table tennis practise came walking cautiously down the slope with one hand holding a full cup of drink while holding a thick file on the other balancing a school bag on the back. Gleefully she announced "Root beer for you mum. Bought it just for you". I was so touched.
One sure remedy to keep cool on a hot humid day. Binge on oranges. Quench thrist, Loads up on the vitamin, Add fibre to the diet. The acidity helps in the digestion. Keeps wrinkles. at bay with the orange oil that coats your hand as you squeeze out that last drop of delicious goodness from the Orange.
Watched on the chinese channel two nights ago on a very very busy life of a full time mum aka Auntie. Most mornings are spent at the CC in various physical exercise activities. She participates in most of the courses conducted by the CC. Ranging from beading to belly dancing. She is chairperson in the parent support team of her daugthers' school. She even takes time to attend regular classes ranging from japanese lesson to Cantonese Karaoke at the CC. I am impressed. Impressed on how she makes time to pursue new interest, to keep abreast with trends.
Is the celebration of the Mid-autumn festival, another term for the celebration of the Autumn equinox on the solar calender. When on this night the moon is at it's fullest and brightest. A symbol of bountiful and abundance.
Once in awhile, someone comes along, reads your thoughts, shares her thoughts and experiences. Then out of the blues when you least expects it, a SURPRISE. Brightens the day, gives a reason to smile on an otherwise mundane Thursday. Thank you!! Only in this last few decades people are able to come together, be acquainted on a common interest. Reading each others' rants. I am delighted to have met over cyberspace wonderful bloggers like you and you. Thank you.
Heard over the radio this morning. Advanced Medical Directive gives one of sound mind the decision to decide over the right to live or die when the time comes. When the quality of life diminished. When one is in a state of complete immobile and unconsciousness, it's a mental torture. A torment of the loved ones to make that terminal decision. I would not want to see my children agonizing over my existence . Let me decide for myself.
The musketeer fought with it. Zorro marked his presence with it. Robin hood defended the poor with it. Today, my girl holding a foil lunged forward like Robin hood would in anticipation.
Mum just could not believe anyone could fail art!!! I did. One week later, I was taking art lesson from Mr Tan an art teacher and my form teacher in Sec 1 in CHIJ Light Street. Every friday, I would hitch a ride back with him after school. We, together with his son and daughter have a quick lunch clear the table and it was art lesson time. My most frustrating time was having to paint stilllife of a pair of dirty school shoes with the smelly socks draped across it. For the next three years, I diligently attended his class and was actually looking forward to his art class every week.
PM's National Day Rally speech had me seriously wondering since. As a SAHM, with no income, no gold bullion stash away and the realization that the next generation will have a harder time, with most, having brought up in comfortable surrounding, keeping up with the high maintenance lifestyle ,will be a pinch to be fillial. Where does this leave SAHMs? Looking back, was it naive to give up a career just the well being of one's offspring without first putting aside the acorns for the winter season?
3 hours in the operating theatre, S$33,000 and 6 weeks of recuperation later, this is what is in dad's spine.
Rating: All 5 popcorns. Managed to catch the 9.30pm movie on the latest Bourne sequel. Once the reel starts so did the chase. One minute to catch your breath and composure as he experience flashbacks. Then the heart pounding pursue continues. The car chase scenes highly energertic spin the eyes as he screeches and crashes about and still survives with a scatch or two. Matt Damon perfectly fit Bourne's identity.Suave spy Jason Bourne, is every bit human. Oozing with conscience. Direct, forceful a man with very few words.
We thought wrong. The eggs did hatched. Little fries, were swimming in less than 48 hours. The papa has been diligent at his job since day one. Labourously gulping mouthful after mouthful of air to exhale into tiny bubbles to float the eggs. Then the minding of the fries. Picking up the wandering fries again and again all night and day. Depositing them back to the bubble haven. Amazing, even in the animal kingdom, solely driven by instinct, each still knows their responsibility to their young.
Phew!!!! No drilling. In fact, the built up of plaque was less than 6 months ago. Must be all the vigorous flossing and brushing. Visiting the dentist is one of those appointments dreaded. Everything in the dental room looks painful. The comfortable chair that has to tilt all the way to as much as 20 degree head down. The painfully sharp probing tools. The screeching drill abate the soothing music background. For want of preserving my precious one and only set of enamels, I must keep to the half yearly appointment with her. She, Dr Lam, on the other hand is every bit a professional dentist. Patience, soft spoken and gentle. On the wall are the many many laminated 'Thank you ' cards and such. They speak volumes.
Once awhile when, I need a dose of dialect, this is where I tune to Fm99.9 To listen to some refreshing views and topics discussed. Even the advertisments have a touch of uniquely local flavours. Something the advertisments over here lacks. The language used has also the local flavours. Meaning, smatter of chinish here a blabber of malayish there. So uniquely asian.
About one year ago, the tank was given a good scrub, dried and turn to it's side. No more fish. Can't bear another death. No more goldfish. The last grand dame died after being with the family for 5 years. Caught some horrible fin eating bugs from new batches of goldfish. Strolling through the heartland, this caught MDH's attention. The female Beta fishes in brilliant hues of blue twirling and gliding in the bed of green seaweeds.
Again I am reminded. Reminded of how today's excellent heathcare system has endowed many middle ages another 50 more able years. Indeed music to the ear but is it? With this comes, the question of survival. The question of a comfortable income after 60 And for the next 30 years. An active mind and body after 65. Above all the acceptance by the society. 
Agreed. More varsity places should be created. At the end of the day, to the majority newly graduates, paper qualification still opens more doors. Gives a more presentable 1st impression when looking through a resume. Gives that bit of edge in business and social gatherings . Most of all, that bit of self confidence. Of course not forgetting, with it comes the accorded renumeration.
Mopping around for the past few evenings. Desperately looking for a book to read. Not just any book but a good book. A queer creature I am. The normal bedtime ritual involves, tucking into bed with a book in hand to. Slidding lower into the blanket, till finally slipping into oblivion. Never mind about the effect on the eye. 
A dot in the world atlas this Island may be, but she has made many pearly islanders of yonder very proud to be here.Many have made a mark for themselves in the various medical fields. Then there are others who have won the hearts of the local to champion for their cause. This island has made it possible for dreaming big For it is attainable if you dare to aspire.
