LettingGo

When one is left in the dark on the going ons and happenings, wild imagination takes over the mind, fearing the worst. Comforted to know that he knew the appropriate action to take when confronted by an unexpected situation.

Two For One

Lunch time offer, 2 for the price of 1. Swenson restaurant has a queue forming even before the doors open for lunctime at 11am. A good reason to have lunch and ice cream with the children. As son is at a two day camp, it was lunch date with the girls. Breaded chicken for youngest & FortyNiner burger for eldest. When in Swenson, meals are never complete without an ice-cream dessert so it was a CookieSummit to share of course.

WeightingIssue

Save Gaia? Recycle,Reuse,Reduce. Save the Economy? Replace, Replenish,Reward. Which has greater influence/marketing/advertisment?

Saturday@BirdPark

First stop when visiting the BirdPark has to be the LoryLoft. A huge 9 storey walk in aviary where lories of every colour, shape and seize fly round and around looking for a nectar drink. Youngest never fails to tempt them to come closer to her, with the nectar cup. The next must see are the owls. Snowy owls, barn owls never fail to facinate. A quick breeze pass the flamingo, ostrich, casawary to visit the toucans, hornbills and the much sung song kokobarras. The visit is never complete without paying dues to the majestic huge sea eagles/american bald eagles. Funfair/carnival@ the Birdpark organised by the BloodBank.

Mum's Food

Talking about food, will ultimately lead to reminising mum's cooking. No matter how simple/plain or yucky the dish may be. Our generation that is, still have this privilege to savour. When asked, hubby remembered his mum's steamed yam cake. Yuckiest dish he had to swallow, cooked cockles. On doctor's order. To increase iron intake. I remember how on busy afternoons, mum would crack an egg in the just cooked steaming hot rice. Add soya sauce & oil then give it a quick mix. Top it with spring onions. Best eaten steaming hot. Strange but it was delicious. A dish that is not safe to cook up these days. Which of your mum's dish do you remember best?

BlackOut

Vasovagal. A new word learnt on gaining consciousness. Fainting due to sudden stress/shock/hunger/tiredness. A morning of cooking/washing and baking. A quick bite of lunch. All culminate to tiredness and low glucose level. Late saturday morning, during the process of blood drawing, I passed out. Upon waking, found the nurse wiping the sweat and checking my pulse. Doc on site assured me, it was normal. After an hour and throwing up, I was able to stand up. It's going to be a while before I next volunteer.

OrientalTeaCake

While browsing around delicious writes, I discovered this recipe from another SAHM. Green Tea with red bean and yogurt cake? Project started at 8 a.m. patiencely waited for it to cool before offering youngest a slice. Apprehensively she savoured. Quietly she finished and later declared that I can make this cake again. Moist and fluffy a good oriental tea cake.

BloodMobile

Donated only once. Had meant to be a regular but somehow, everytime when the donation unit comes to my area, I'm not able to make it. Last week, a postcard arrived. An invitation for two to spend saturday at the BirdPark in celebration of the World Blood Donor Day this 13th June. Youngest is delighted. Me, guilty. This saturday, the bloodmobile will be at my CC again.

Battle@21

In an isolation room in Sgh lies a 21 year old. Though ravage with lupus since young, this determine youngster, seen the world, Enjoyed life to the fullest. Into her 3rd year as a medical student, she encounter her 2nd challenge. Malignant brain tumour. Her strong fighting spirit is keeping her mum going and her siblings close by her. Of late, another blow. During the 3rd chemotherapy, she suffered a fit and running a temperature. Again she is undaunted. With nothing to lose, she consented. The doctors are using stem cell therapy as the last resort. If she has to go, then it'll have to be a fierce battle all the way.

TreeOfThousandUses

Sweltering hot days again. Nothing like a cold coconut drink. Of late, I've taken a liking to drinking coconut water. For S$1.20 it's open-it-yourself. Easiest& most convenient method is to feel for the eye of the coconut then stick the straw in. That is if you are not interested in the fleshy bits. Found, on checking the web, coconut water is both an energy and isotonic drink with healing and health benefit. It's organic. According to this source Have we been looking to far and wide, when this fruit of life, is just under our nose?

SuddenAttack

Aspirin 300mg and Nitroglycerin these two medicine should be administered immediately then to the hospital's A&E.

Advise by a doctor friend, should one suspect to be suffering from chest pain, radiation to the left arm, shortness of breath, palpitations, sweating and fatigue. It could be a heartAttack. Time is of the essence here.

G/friend disclosed that her hubby had a heart attack early yesterday morning. He is only 51. It's so sudden and unexpected. Disturbed by the news

Mum'sDay

Wednesday: Things to do:

8.10am *Meeting with youngest's teacher a

9.00am *Weekly stretching classa
11.30am*Pick up lunch@ the hawker centrea
12.00am*Prepare stew for dinner a

12.30am*Pick up youngest from schoola

1.00pm *To son's poly with hubby to sign documentsa

4.20pm* Drop youngest at tutor's housea
7.00pm*Pick youngesta

All in a Day's work

A Day@45

A visit to Dr Lam, for the regular dental checkup and it's off for a lunch/movie date with my roomate of twenty years. Can't remember if we have ever watched a movie on a WeekDay afternoon. Thoroughly enthralled by the heartstopping, nailbiting pace movie, Angels & Demons. A must watch for all those who enjoy suspense/thriller & DanBrown's books. For dessert, it's Homemade, pineapple UpsideDown Cake.

MidWay

One more week and it's MidYear. Youngest will be having a MidTerm break and Singapore, it's MidYear Sales. For me, it's MidLife juncture. With eldest going into tertiary education, son in Poly and youngest in secondary next year, it's time, this StayAtHomeMum looks for a second career. With the current economy, it's going to be tough. There is volunteering. Alternatively, to take up a course. Seriously pondering before my brain synapses stop transmission.

MinglingNight

Last night was one of those rare ocassion of canapes and cocktails evening. Meeting new people and listening to interesting happenings. Most colourful character of the night, William Xavier. Canapes, a dieter's answer to small eat portion. Eating a variety in spoonful seize. Most interesting has to be the laksa in sylish shot glass.

LearningFun

At 3 half, Her morning starts with playing, mingling and laughing, exchanging words in chinese with teachers and playmates. Then mid morning, a quick change of attire, it's more fun again. Playing, mingling and laughing, exchanging words in english with teachers and playmates. As the weekend arrives, it's more fun again. Waddling and splashing together with other little darlings learning to swim. Clutching the miniature case all ready for fun, plucking and twanging at the violin class. A little haversack and a water bottle it's off for a game of playing with chinese characters. Fun begins with Learning.

At 4 He spents the morning with all the other playmates playing, mingling and laughing speaking in a melting pot of english, chinese, malay & dialects. Then mid morning, it's more fun learning how to. How to eat & clear the table/bath/dress/comb his hair/get along with others/observe the teachers going about their chore. Come weekend it's fun again. Watching & helping mummy with the house cleaning/ folding the laundary/supermarketing/ cooking. Fun begins with everyday living.
I wonder who has more fun.

UnconventionalPath

More polytechnic students are graduating with very impressive records. Some excelled because they were given a 2nd chance, others, the passion for the course. A young man quit school at 15 due to bullying. Worked, fought, mixed up with bad company but finally realised he wanted to study. From then on, there was no stopping. At 26 he is going on to engineering NTU. A feisty girl with STPM from Msia who would not take no for an answer, came convinced and went on to prove her worth. Her next stop, NUS pharmacy. Another, after one year in NTU, she realised had no interest in engineering, with the blessing from parents & support from friends, she switched to diagnostic Radiography@ Nanyang poly. She took a chance and now going on one more year to graduate with a degree in Australia.

Polytechnic traditionally was mainly for those unable to qualify to JuniorColleges then to university. An instituition to train middle level professional with specific and relevant workplace skill. However of late this is changing. More and More brilliant 'O' result students are choosing this path, much to the angst of their parents. Students who, have strong interest in certain career path or are late bloomers. Giving them a choice to work or study after graduation. In many instances, many go on to finish with a degree from the local/foreign Universities.

Reluctant parents upon going through the prospectus of the Poly will realised how diverse/exciting are the courses offered. The prospect of continuing to a local/foreign universties makes it even more enticing. Slowly but surely nurturing the passion and fueling an individual to go further in many many little known profession. Carving a niche profession from the usual Doctor, lawyer,........

FindingFault

The bathroom scale gave up on us months ago. Have not been keeping up with the usual exercise regime due to rain/visitors/the mid year exams/picking up youngest/ excuses and more excuses. When last week at the gym I discovered to my horror, I had put on 2kg, I blamed the bathroom scale. Had it been working this would not have happened. But I should have seen it coming when I, felt discomfort wearing my favourite jeans/ T-shirt/ am munching tibits with children now and then/ heartily tucking into that piece of homemade cake. Yet I put the blame on my bathroom scale. Now we have two at home.

LadyLuck

Yesterday's finale of the Amazing Race 14 was indeed nailbiting. One of the rare occasion I managed to follow weekly. Luke and Mum were so, so close to winning and he had to forget the very last two events that happened barely 24 prior to that. The cheerleader team had a head start but the cab driver had to fail them time and time again. It's not the sheer strength, brain power and determination, it also about sheer luck! It clearly shows, life is so unpredictable.

TheBrownEnvelope

This arrived today bringing much joy and relief. An early morning phone call and Eldest was amongst the last batch to be interviewed exactly one week ago. The panel of interviewers had told her that it was going to be tough as the faculty was overwhelmed with very qualified applicants. A start of a new & exciting chapter ahead for her.

InTheAir

It's hard to stay calm and not be unduly worried when there's constant bombardment of the latest figures, developments and severity on the media. It's in the air, travel 1st class in the lungs, it'll arrive here eventually. MexicanSwineFlu

Sugar&Spice

Of late, my new interest is getting more interesting/fattening. Found this unusual buttermilk spice cake recipe while browsing. Made a quick check and to my delight, I had all the ingredients. Curiosity had me started on the recipe immediately. Had to 1st check on how to make the buttermilk though. The batter wafted fragrant spices of nutmeg, cinnamon......

After an hour, a soft and light cake wtih a whiff of middle eastern aroma, to go with a cup of coffee.

とんとろねぎ

When having dinner at a Japanese Restaurant, it has to be sashimi or anything raw. It's a place I feel comfortable eating seafood raw. Something I don't prepare. Enjoyed a meal of Don toronegi, minced fatty fresh tuna belly on a bed of rice top generously with spring Onions@TanPoPo.

ColourTemptation

When Greedy Green invades, it leaves a trail of tainted linens. The habit white and definately not the saffron robe nor the golden foundation can withstand such powerful alluring Green.

OrangeBerry Loaf

With 30g butter, One large egg, 1/4 cup oats, 3/4 cup orange juice and a cup full of cranberries & blueberries. This is definately a healthier breakfast loaf for Youngest as she noshed a slice while reading a story book this morning.

Hot day Cold soba

IMG_1602
In my opinion, soba is best eaten cold. A satisfying lunch@Shimbashi Paragon of cold soba with vegetable and tempura mushroom on a very hot sweltering Mon afternoon.

SwimmingLadies

Learnt swimming at 19, with brother at the CSC from a Mr Lim Boon Lee. The tallest of the cohort. Overcame my awkardness(being the oldest) by reassuring myself that I knew no one and no one knew me at the pool. That was how I had the courage to learn.

Last evening, I saw two ladies in the 60s having lessons in the pool. I'm impressed.

TeaCake

Just like how mum made it. Banana cake for tea. My thanks to SAHM for sharing this recipe with me.

A Grand's Joy

Beaming with delight he announced. Another grandchild on the way. Three grand daugthers just as he hoped for.

A boy would complete the picture perfect family but he begs to differ.

To grandpa, granddaughters are charming & cheerful with quiet disposition. Simply enjoyable to read and spent time in the park or just splashing in the pool

To grandma, they are just adorable and genial. A pleasure to play and teach them. From observation and personal experience, it's usually the daughters that read mum's mind like an open book. She is closer to the parents and are normally sought after for advise on family matters. So much easier to confide in.

To mum, daughters bring immeasureable joy. Joy of dressing her in frilly frocks. Tying her tresses in pink ribbons. So much girl things to do together.

To dad, it's her sweet smile and innocence eyes that melt his heart. Though quietly he would like to have a son, Just like him. To show him the joy of growing up.

After all he too was just as charming, cute, innocent cheerful, lovable and most of all an obedient and filial son.

YasminAhmad

Was too startled to catch what she said. Flash on the screen, a funeral eulogy in progress. The bereaved wife talking about her late husband's sleeping habits. Then on reading the papers, I understood. The director behind this advertisment and the other on the doting father, is a malaysian lady Yasmin Ahmad. She was approached by MCYS on the recommendation of PM Lee Hsien Loong, who had seen her series of family and racial harmony commercials done for Msian oil company Petronas. Had a quick browse on Youtube. Her advertisments done with the asian touch that only we understands. Heart warming messages. Her films deal mainly around the inter-racial/faith relationships. A sensitive subject to be broach with caution.

Changing

DrT has been attending to all our sniffs and colds since before the children came along. His medications, colourful syrups in plastic opaque bottles. Black for coughs, yellow, green or orange for running nose or fever. Tummy upset, then it's kaolin. A very old-fashion traditional medicineMan. There was a time when his prescription gave me itchy eye(adversed reaction to the eye drop) eldest's eyeball rolling(adversed reaction to the vomit medication) misdiagnosed my cough/fever(on my mycoplasma pneumonia), a hepatitis jab for my mum that left her with a blueblack mark for weeks, and with the latest, oversight, of an acute appendicitis. To err is human, to forgive divine. DrT is in his 60s, a jovial optimistic man. However with the latest episode, we are changing our family doctor.

WalkingPneumonia

The pages of 'MindYourBody' last week, wrote about mycoplasma pneumonia.
One evening as we were about to enter the cinema to watch the much anticipated BatMan 'Begins' I suddenly felt cold. Muffled a few coughs & feeling really uncomfortable that evening. . Little did I know, I was having a fever, when hours before, I had felt fine. Next morning, fearing the worst, Dengue fever, I visited the GP and had a blood test done. Returned home with flu medication. Result came back negative but the fever raged on with dry hacking coughs for the next 4 days & 2 visits to the GP. The lungs sounded clear but, doctor friend seriously insisted & arranged for an X-ray. Shock to discover white patches in the lungs. Immediately an appointment was made with a chest specialist. He was so sure of his suspicion that I was immediately put on two antibiotic for mycoplasma. Later, the sputum test comfirmed. Do not take any coughs with fever lightly as this bacteria attacked silently. A walking Pneumonia

LostFriend

Secretly I envy women who, after eon years still meet up and stay in touch with their childhood/primary through JC girlfriends. They hold no barriers and hide no secrets. I drifted through primary, secondary then 6th forms without making any lasting friendships. Communication channels were limited then. Mostly by snail mail. Phones were not a fixed fixture in every household. Best friends were normally those staying around the neighbourhood. Mine was Patricia H/well. Knew her since 9. We spent our school holidays cycling, once from AyerItam to GurneyDrive, outing or just chatting at each others' home. At 14, her parents' divorced, she left with her dad to Kapit, Sarawak. Slowly our friendship waned. Every new learning instituition/workplace brings into my life new acquaintance. We met up after an absence of 10 years at my brother's wedding. The wedding ironically also made us distantly related. Though we talked incessantly, the comfort feeling was not there anymore. We never saw each other again.

OliveOliver

Read in the papers. Latest arrival, Petal Blossom Rainbow together with Poppy Honey and Daisy Boo make JamieOliver a proud father of three darling daughters with the cutest name around. The teacher will have a hard time keeping a stern look calling out those names. Unusual but better choice than picking names from the periodic Table.

SuturesYarn

Eldest had her stitches removed last friday. Puzzled, I asked.
The doctor was not truthful or was he? When questioned, on why the sutures were not dissolvable, he explained. The appendicitomy is a 'dirty operation' as such, stitches has to be done individually. (Dirty? In case it has to be undone to clean up the mess? Then the surgeon is incompetent!) Dissolvable sutures is done in continuous stitch. (But it was not a perforated appendictis). I question no further but on pondering, his explanation left me more confused. Was he spinning yarn?

CarrotCarotene

1st attempt on making a CarrotCake with the recipe compliments from Yochana's great baking site. A must try for beginners. Stir in without much fuss. Next on the list, my favourite, banana cake/bread. First I need to find a reliable recipe.

TheGreatUnknown

Of late more is being written on dying. And very timely too. Most spent a lifetime on how to live well but not many really know how to die well. A taboo subject to most, especially the older generation. Don't want to know or don't care to know. In the saturday's Special Report, it's on facing reality, planning and dying well. Watched on YouTube with admiration, how positively Randy Pausch view his condition and then prepared his last lecture, a final legacy for his children. Closer to home, ShinNa blogged about her final journey. How she prepared her children, aged 3 and 6 of her eventual departure.

According to poll done by NgeeAnnPoly, the top three fears about dying is being a burden to family and friends. The other, medical cost and pain.

As Dr Ong Kian Chung puts it, in many cases, most next of kins would want to do the utmost to salvage a hopeless situation resulting in unnecessary prolong suffering. A classic case of "paliating the relatives, rather than the patients"

Advice given from LeePohWahCeo of LienFoundation

*Don't maintain a conspiracy of silence.

Avoidance and denial of death may lead to lifelong regret, unresolved guilt and prolonged grief

for those who live on.

*Don't busy yourself fighting death, instead of living. Quality rather than quantity.

*Seek help from hospice palliative care services.

It takes alot of courage and preparation to go on a solo one way ticket adventure to the great unknown without a stitch.

ManicMarch

March has indeed been one consequential and anxious month. The 1st week saw eldest & family going through an apprehensive waiting game. Waiting for that friday for the release of her much awaited result. Then, for the next 2 weeks, frantically going through the pages, calls and webs checking for information before application begins. Going to the various instituitions to seek and clarify. Just when things seems to be looking up, eldest had to be rushed to A&E for an acute appendictis operation. This week, going to the various drop boxes for application submission. The timely visit from mum brought some relief. Visited the hospital again today. This time, dad's regular check up with the nephrologist.

Appendicitis

A dull stomach pain around 11 am on tues. Eldest thinking it must be her gastric working up, drank a glass of milk. By lunch time she was doubling up but, still swallowed down her lunch. At 2.3opm the GP assured us that eldest was just suffering from a gastroenteritis as she had no other symptoms. No fever. When eldest started doubling up and rolling on the floor in pain, we sought a 2nd opnion. When eldest cried out in pain as Dr Chan gently pressed on the lower right abdomen, he confirmed. Acute appendicitis. Immediately, he wrote a letter and insisted eldest be admitted to the A&E ASAP.

Finally, after waited 2hours for the blood test, a CT scan and 4 hours later, she was finally wheeled into the OT at 5.30 in the morning.

Quite an experience for the family. Eldest, the 1st time being operated on. The excruciating pain left her too weak to protest to all the jabbing needles. Discharged two days later still in pain. Wound pain. Suddently the realisation that even laughing uses the stomach muscles.

What troubled me most was the fact the surgeon took so long to confirm eldest's condition even thought the GP had wrote a letter. At every stage, I had repeated to the Doctors, that she was taking Dhatracin antibiotics. Could that have suppressed the fever?

EarthHour

Writing my thoughts in darkness as youngest insisted that the lights, and lights only be turned off at 8.3o for an hour. Earth Hour So visiting grandpa and grandma too had to sit in darkness watching the telly and eldest holding a torch to keep herself visible to others. To keep all from accidentally touch her airing stitches. She has been having a belly exposed as the stitching tread ends are giving her unnecessary discomfort as it rubs against the clothing.

FunAlley

Never mind the bruised thumb and broken thumb nail. Last week's 4 hour lesson organised by the school really taught youngest a few tips on how to bowl. Spend thursday afternoon at the Bowling alley. A first in a long while. Both of us had a gutter start before hitting any pins. Apprehensive but then realised that no one was interested in our scores. We warmed up. A strike each after two games. Next to us was a young family of 5 and a maid. Took two lanes and when the one year old was sleeping the maid joined in the fun. Mother very heavily pregnant still managed a few strikes. Another avenue of wholesome family fun. Will be there again.

FoodSample

There people who loves sampling food then politely smile compliment and walk away. Then there are people who would sample the food, politely ask a few questions, then leave, armed with a packet or three. I fall into latter. So it's quite impossible to visit the supermarket at the basement of Isetan@ Shaw Centre without walking off with more than intended to purchase. At anytime of the week, it's teeming with some japanese food fair with fresh fruits, savoury seafood, japanese snacks all directly flown from japan. Complete with japanese personnel manning and local sale ladies, encouraging everyone to sample. The seasalt sundried sardines were heavenly and healthy, but at S$19 for a pack of 7? I had to drag youngest away. The very refreshing sweet lemon at S$5.40 for one? I bought the kumquat at S$11.50 for a pack of 12! The lady serving me was just so enthuasiatic even though I had hesitation written all over me. Asking me to try try try the assortment of all the fresh fresh fruits. I just could not walk away without buying after I had eaten slices of lemons, kumquats and pomelos on her encouragement.

StiffUpperLip

Eldest has decided not to attend any of the open houses conducted by the three universities today and tomorrow. From past experience, attending open house of secondary schools and Junior colleges, it's a showcase of all the CCAs and the impressive marketing talks by principals. With such stiff competition, it's a matter of being accepted into a course. Most frustrated was eldest classmate, scoring 7 straight 'A' trying to apply for the A* scholarship. She was told, they are only considering those who have taken all the subjects in H3 level. All she wanted was to be bonded so she could do her research and not have to worry about not being employed. She WANTS to be bonded.

BowlOver

After 9 weeks of enrichment @ the classrooms, it's fun time. At the bowling alley for many who opted in the week long game feista organised by the school. Here across 30 lanes, the instructor patiently guided, the mostly 1st time bowlers the dos & don'ts, the stand & movement of a bowler. Youngest came home with a very very tired left arm and a gleeful gleam in her eye.

MissedRide

Finally at the most crucial stage of the race, the engine choked and so missed the last express ride to continue on the smooth journey. What next? With a huge load of baggages and no contigency plans it's going to be confusion, riding ahead into the tunnel.

StewRoast

A stalk of australian leek, chilli, carrots, radish and mushrooms, it's stew. Stew Roast Pork. With the Sauteed onions the rest of the colourful greens join in till fragrant. Add the chicken stock and simmer. Just as the leek is really soft in goes the roast pork cut in thick cubes and a piece or three of the bone ham. A dash of sweet wine, pepper and salt. 1o min of simmer. Thicken the gravy sprinkle some coriander and it's ready to serve on steaming hot rice. That's what for dinner last night. Hmm...so RachelRay.

blank

It's when the head is swirling with so much happening, that nothing comes to mind. The northerners bickering when it should unite in these troubled times. The constant constant reminder of the thousands who are and would be jobless. How travel fairs still draws huge crowds and the poor elderlys are reminded that all is not lost. There are the nursing homes across the causeway. The human aggression surfacing with fierce competition to suceed and survive. Finally when the rain arrived on our shores, the lightning struck Merlion smack right on it's head!