My wheels

The DJ posed this question over the radio yesterday morning, in lean times, what is the one thing one cannot give up. Honestly I cannot give up the freedom of driving around. Though the petrol price is on the rise, the expensive parking lots are getting harder to find and not forgetting the ERP gantries.

I can dine out less, have one less pair of shoes but I want my freedom to drive.

English in Malaya

The recent commuting between two capitals gave me time to indulge in my favourite pastime.
Ever wonder what sort of lives the british rubber planters in Malaya led in the 1950s? How they were selected and shipped here on a 4 or 7 years tour of duty to run an estate thousands of miles from home. To a hot and humid country infested with mosquitoes and snakes and sometimes miles from civilisations and a bathtub. Chance upon this book, "Eleplants, tigers and Tappers" by Micheal Thorp a planter landed in Malaya in 1956 barely 21. How he had to learn the malay language, the trade of planting rubber to tapping latex to running an estate of 600 workers. A must read for all those curious to know a little of this part of history not found in school textbook.

MG Crisis

After 60 bottles of IvIg 19 days in the ICU dad was finally won the battle. Dad first realised he was suffering from myasthenia gravis disease, a neuromuscular disorder, when one day his right eyelid started drooping. After some lengthy examination, the neurologist comfirmed that he was suffering from ocular myasthenia gravis. For the next 14 years he was on steroid to suppress the immune system response until recently. As the dosage was decreasing over the years and nothing happened, the neurologist decided to withdrawl it totally. Then, slowly over the next few weeks, the eyelids began to droop, the head was just too heavy to hold up and chewing was a chore. The neurologist noted and decided to increase his steroid. A sudden increase in dosage and frequency, dad suffered an MG crisis. Barely made it to the A&E when his lungs collapsed. Intubated for the next 17 days. At 71 and with an irregular hearbeat, we were worried. Both hands and one foot had intravenous lines. He was drifting in and out of consciousness unable to speak he wrote. When he wrote about dreaming of his parents and his recently deceased sibling, brother got really worried. Then miraculously he recovered. The lungs strong enough to breathe on it's own. Yesterday, he was discharged from UMMC. 21 days later.

Stamps

Getting more and more unusual. The local stamps.

H&M

30,000 square feet store boasts three levels of apparel and accessories but does not have a single public toilet. That is what I discovered at H&M. Youngest and I snaked our way into the entrance only to see more queues. At the dressing rooms and the payment counters. When I had the sudden need to visit the ladies, I was told by the staff that the nearest toilet was the next building or to 313 shopping mall. Better empty your bladder if you intend to visit H&M anytime soon.

Lost N Found

September started with me turning my drawers upside down the cupboards inside out desperately looking for the children's Msian nric. Kept in a drawer together with all the travelling documents. Horrors! when I pulled out the drawer and I could not find them. Panic, I searched through and for the next few days, every possible place I might have absentmindedly shuffled in, was rummaged. Everyone that I lamented to, never fail to remind me to check the drawer. Arghhh.... After spring cleaning and throwing out 10 bags of rubbish still no ic. Tonight, Husband, decided to look into the drawer once more. Sure enough, there was a narrow gap between the bottom drawer of this old antique bureau table. Upon Further investigation, he found all the 3 ics drop to the bottom compartment of the bureau. And I thought I was slowly losing my mind misplacing something so important. Now to proceed with the renewing of their passports.

Wet Monday

I saw a good deed today. She, at 167cm dressed in suit evidently on her way back from lunch. Wallet on one hand a packet on the other, glanced up, took a deep breathe was about to walk into the drizzle when she was stopped. A petite elderly woman, holding a single umbrella asked if young lady would mind if they share her umbrella. Stretching her hand up balancing the umbrella over young lady's head they walked into the rain. A touching act of kindness.

Sunday Morning

Chinatown on a sunday morning. Today is the 15th day of the 7th month of the Lunar calendar. According to taoist belief, it's a day when the realms of heaven and hell open. Offerings are made as a mark of filial piety. Seen here, lanterns hung around the temple

Bluetooth & Handsfree

Handsfree means a bluetooth speaker phone. Loud and clear without having the ears plugged on a long messy wire. Quite fed up with the tangle wire and misplaced earpiece when I stumble upon this. Had it installed on the car visor. To answer, tab the "cannot miss" button . Control the volume with the big knob. Double tab to dial the last call made. Bought one for mum as she refused to use the earpiece as she finds them too troublesome.

Only happy thoughts

Have not been writing lately, cause it's only complain and grouse running round and round the gray matter. The stubborn, the paranoid and the quirk.

XLIF

90 minutes operation and one hour of recovery later he was up and chatty. That was 8pm on friday night. By noon the next day, he was asked to walk around wearing a lumbar support around his waist. A keyhole surgery on the spine known as XLIF(Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion) has realigned a slip bone that was compressing his nerves, giving him much pain and slowly numbing his ability to walk. Dr Benjamin Tow, spent a year in the states training for this procedure. He assured my dad that though he has only done 3 of this kind since his return beginning of this year, he has confidence that my dad will recover faster then the traditional open surgery. He was right. The wound was only two little holes and the pain minimal. By sunday he was ready to be discharged. Being a sunday, he had to wait until monday for the physiotherapist to certify him fit enought to leave.

Trick or Treat

It's hard to train old dogs new tricks Even harder to train smart dogs clever tricks.

Cathy the Cat

She was forgotten when the owner moved away. Spents her days around the lift landing waiting. All that walk by never fails to give a pat or greet her. She is my Cathy.

MBS

Singapore's changing skyline. Marina Bay Sands icon ship design sky garden taken from the esplanade. 3 years ago it was just another piece of reclaimed land dotted with trees on this plain grassland.

Osculation

My curiosity got the better of me and I had to pick this book up and straight to the borrowing machine. I want to know what chemistry is involve in this passionated lip locking exercise which some cannot get enough.

Drink n be Merry

In conclusion, I have neither the taste buds to detect the fresh, fruity or honeyed nor the nose to sniff the aroma of lycee, greengrass or gooseberry. Over the weekend, on invitation of friends, attended a session on wine appreciation over dinner. Was all excited as until then, I guzzle my wine preferring the taste of white over red. Not knowing how to sip and enjoy. However, after going through Pinot Noir to shiraz and a bottle of sweet Riesling, I still prefer white wine. The next bottle of wine I purchase, I'll eye, nose and swirl the aerated liquid round my tongue.

GoingHome

The home, sanctuary for the body and soul after a grueling day at the battlefield. A refuge, comforting and secure, away from the maddening crowd. A quiet retreat to recuperate the weary bones and fried brains. A time to spend with loved ones. Sadly some dread the thought of going home.

Constructive Not destructive

Giving constructive advice is much more effective and productive then making cutting and sarcastic remarks which, not only gets one fuming but also no solution.

Searching For a Friend

Me : Hello, May I speak to Julie L**?
Stranger: Where are you calling from?
Me : I'm L**** calling from V*****
Stranger: I'm sorry but Julie has left the company 4 years ago.
Me : Oh! Is there any way I can contact her.
I'm an old friend of hers.
Stranger: Why don't you give me your contact and I'll pass to herwhen I see her.
Me : Do you have a contact number?
Stranger: No, but Penang is so small, we're bound to see each other.
(Not convinced and still determine to find her)
Me : Do you know where is working now?
Stranger: I think she left for W***** U
Me : You have the number of the U?
Stranger: Let me browse...... Ah, it's ****
Me : By the way just to confirm that we're talking about the same person.
Is she in her forties, shoulder length hair?
Stranger:Yes, yes, and Slim built and wears spectacle?
Me : Yes, that sounds like Julie. Thank you.
3 calls later, I had her direct line. The minute I heard her voice, I know, I've found her, my long lost friend Julie Lim.

X Men

Friday night-Popcorn and movie night aka. family outing. Xmen 1st Class. Action packed right from the start, commented son, father thought it to be too predictable while youngest simply enjoyed the, not too squeamish plot. Eldest had to missed for she was working late.