anyway the northern parts of china are known for their 面食, literally translated to noodle dishes, though i guess a more accurate term would be pasta. it's too dry up here to grow rice (大米) so they grow alot of 小米 which i think is wheat, buckwheat etc. so they use these to make noodles. i love noodles, so it's quite fun eating those here, but they tend to come in fantastically huge portions and are too starchy, but since noodles are good here, we eat them every meal. never thought i'll say it, but i miss rice!
anyway this is one of
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Guess the name of this noodles
short post, busy trying to pack both my stuff and some of tj's stuff... went walking arnd Xi'an city today, and am surprised to see how advanced this place is. More abt tt in a separate post when i feel more free.
Friday, December 22, 2006
pictures
still reeking from the distinct smell of 重庆麻辣火锅. which in china is superb and v cheap (only 96 RMB for 4 ppl inclusive of 2 bottles of beer) but it's really super oily, and my stomach is so gonna suffer... but yeah, it was good while it lasted.
it's 冬至 or winter solstice today. in the northern parts of china, they celebrate by eating 餃子 (or meat dumplings) while in the southern parts of china (where most s'poreans originate from) we celebrate by eating 汤圆 or sweet dessert dumplings. uncle, auntie and me did end up eating meat dumplings at a super authentic (read: dirty, smoky) small restaurant. but yeah, pity tt tj still can't eat dumplings... winter solstice is also the shortest day in the year, and it was v cold today (i think it reached sub-zero) which was v shiok but v cold.
the HR woman went to see the doctor tdy, we managed to catch him while he's doing his rounds, he basically told us tt tj's improving well and if CT scan on Monday is fine, then he can be discharged (i.e. send home to S'pore)! and tt's good news for all of us, and we're hopeful, after all he doesn't feel any more pain in his internal organs... but yeah, the rate determining step now is still his company's arrangements to send him back. so far we still don't have a good indication (despite having pushed for an answer as to when he's gonna be evacuated since one week ago) they only told us tt they're arranging it and it lies on Monday's CT scan. but yeah, while talking to the Doctor the nurse who accompanied tj from yulin to xi'an called and asked to talk to me, and asked me abt his current condition, including wat he's eating, whether he's still breathing pure oxygen and how he currently pees/shits etc. i asked y she asking all tt, they said they're making arrangements... which to me is good news too. at least somebody is doing something...
he asked me to post a few pictures to assure everyone he's ok. so here they are:
taken 2 days ago on 20 Dec 06, the stitches on his face were just removed so you could still see the remnants of the bandage.
today 22 Dec 06. he looks so much better with don't you think? =)
the bruise on his left back. looks absolutely painful.
close-up of the scar on his right cheek. tell me if you think it's manly and cool...
both of us. i'm wearing only a blouse and pants cos it's warm indoors. and it's hard to take a photo w/o having a double chin when u're lying down...
remaining hopeful for Monday. hope we all get a nice Xmas present from his company... and he gets to come home for new year...
it's 冬至 or winter solstice today. in the northern parts of china, they celebrate by eating 餃子 (or meat dumplings) while in the southern parts of china (where most s'poreans originate from) we celebrate by eating 汤圆 or sweet dessert dumplings. uncle, auntie and me did end up eating meat dumplings at a super authentic (read: dirty, smoky) small restaurant. but yeah, pity tt tj still can't eat dumplings... winter solstice is also the shortest day in the year, and it was v cold today (i think it reached sub-zero) which was v shiok but v cold.
the HR woman went to see the doctor tdy, we managed to catch him while he's doing his rounds, he basically told us tt tj's improving well and if CT scan on Monday is fine, then he can be discharged (i.e. send home to S'pore)! and tt's good news for all of us, and we're hopeful, after all he doesn't feel any more pain in his internal organs... but yeah, the rate determining step now is still his company's arrangements to send him back. so far we still don't have a good indication (despite having pushed for an answer as to when he's gonna be evacuated since one week ago) they only told us tt they're arranging it and it lies on Monday's CT scan. but yeah, while talking to the Doctor the nurse who accompanied tj from yulin to xi'an called and asked to talk to me, and asked me abt his current condition, including wat he's eating, whether he's still breathing pure oxygen and how he currently pees/shits etc. i asked y she asking all tt, they said they're making arrangements... which to me is good news too. at least somebody is doing something...
he asked me to post a few pictures to assure everyone he's ok. so here they are:
taken 2 days ago on 20 Dec 06, the stitches on his face were just removed so you could still see the remnants of the bandage.
today 22 Dec 06. he looks so much better with don't you think? =)
the bruise on his left back. looks absolutely painful.
close-up of the scar on his right cheek. tell me if you think it's manly and cool...
both of us. i'm wearing only a blouse and pants cos it's warm indoors. and it's hard to take a photo w/o having a double chin when u're lying down...
remaining hopeful for Monday. hope we all get a nice Xmas present from his company... and he gets to come home for new year...
new arrival(s)
busy day for the driver today, he had to make 2 trips to the airport. the project mgr left, a china HR rep came down, and tj's dad came down too.
we kinda miss the project mgr, cos he was the only helpful one, who'll help us make phone calls to arrange for stuff... HR rep wasn't v helpful, didn't even stay long to see him to find out how he is, seems like she's only coordinating the insurance matters related to tj's accident. they haven't given us any straight answers yet, despite us pushing and pushing since last week, and now tt it's Xmas and everyone else is enjoying their holidays, it seems like our case is just swept under the rug, and tt's super demoralising.
tj's only beginning to see the seriousness of the corporate situation, including the costs involved in medical evacuation. but he still remains hopeful tt his company will take care of him. yes they will, they have indicated tt they'll get him home, but they didn't say when. 3 months later is also getting him home you know?
the better news of the day: tj just moved his bowels. haha i can't believe tt i'm blogging abt this, but yah, we're really just grateful for small things like these tt show he's getting better. his internal organs also don't hurt now which definitely is good news. but then constantly lying flat on his back has put abit of strain on his tailbone so it hurts and he can't sleep properly.
he just has so much food cravings. hp he'll be cleared to eat dairy soon so he can maybe have a bite of the xmas log cake he so craves...
gonna try spending as much of Xmas with him, decided to fly back on Xmas day, and get ready, maybe have to fly back to Xi'an if he has to stay there longer. sighz. everything seems to be hinged on Monday's CT Scan, i really hope he'll be fine... and tt the doctors are responsible enough not to go on leave on Xmas... we need something to give us Xmas cheer too...
we kinda miss the project mgr, cos he was the only helpful one, who'll help us make phone calls to arrange for stuff... HR rep wasn't v helpful, didn't even stay long to see him to find out how he is, seems like she's only coordinating the insurance matters related to tj's accident. they haven't given us any straight answers yet, despite us pushing and pushing since last week, and now tt it's Xmas and everyone else is enjoying their holidays, it seems like our case is just swept under the rug, and tt's super demoralising.
tj's only beginning to see the seriousness of the corporate situation, including the costs involved in medical evacuation. but he still remains hopeful tt his company will take care of him. yes they will, they have indicated tt they'll get him home, but they didn't say when. 3 months later is also getting him home you know?
the better news of the day: tj just moved his bowels. haha i can't believe tt i'm blogging abt this, but yah, we're really just grateful for small things like these tt show he's getting better. his internal organs also don't hurt now which definitely is good news. but then constantly lying flat on his back has put abit of strain on his tailbone so it hurts and he can't sleep properly.
he just has so much food cravings. hp he'll be cleared to eat dairy soon so he can maybe have a bite of the xmas log cake he so craves...
gonna try spending as much of Xmas with him, decided to fly back on Xmas day, and get ready, maybe have to fly back to Xi'an if he has to stay there longer. sighz. everything seems to be hinged on Monday's CT Scan, i really hope he'll be fine... and tt the doctors are responsible enough not to go on leave on Xmas... we need something to give us Xmas cheer too...
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
the big baby
getting more and more used to seeing him lying down on a bed not being able to move. but we count our little blessings, yesterday he was allowed liquid food, and tdy robin and auntie went around shopping for more "food" for him, so they bought more basins, towels, topped up phonecards, bought baby food etc.
and yes, he's like a big baby tt cannot do anything himself, we feed him, wash him (his face, hands etc.) and an attendant helps clear his pee and shit and is there generally to help him when we're not around. tt's the system in china, nurses don't do menial work and there are no ah mahs to help, so we hired the 24 hr attendant, who's duties above all, includes looking after his drip to see it doesn't run out. and his mum treats him like a big baby, bought him a children's book at the bookstore, and only remembers that he like snoopy as a kid. hmm...
anyway they removed the bandages for his face, he has these 2 parallel scars on his right cheek... which he thinks look manly and cool. for me... ok lah... they don't look tt deep so i think they will lighten over time. and there's always concealor
as time drags on, there's little/no news over his evacuation, and w the project manager leaving tm, there seems little hope that tj can be back b4 the new year. which is frustrating, and we've had enough trying to play corporate diplomatic games with his company, and the newly assigned contact point is being such a bitch. she told his father this: "tj will be there for a long time, won't it be v troublesome if you all keep flying up and down to visit him?" tj's father was totally hopping mad when she said tt, and he's really a v v v patient man who doesn't get angry at all. of course we'll go down, we'll take turns to keep on flying down as long as he's here, we won't leave him alone. anyway tj's dad is flying over tm, and we're now deciding our schedule now, and tt includes me flying back probably on 25th december, going to work for the next few days, and flying back down when tj's mum is back in s'pore. we're now running into visa problems, or rather lack of visa, cos we can only stay legally w/o a visa for 14 days, and since we don't have a visa in the first place, there's nothing to extend. and when tj was listening to our travel plans, he looked sad, knowing tt he's causing alot of inconveniences to us. but yeah, we won't give up, and we will do wat it takes to make sure he's well and back in s'pore.
i hate the situation now, but our hands are quite tied as the events unfold and become clearer to us. i just wanna to go home w tj, and tj just wanna be able to enjoy all his fave xmas goodies. unfortunately, he has to wait until next year...
and yes, he's like a big baby tt cannot do anything himself, we feed him, wash him (his face, hands etc.) and an attendant helps clear his pee and shit and is there generally to help him when we're not around. tt's the system in china, nurses don't do menial work and there are no ah mahs to help, so we hired the 24 hr attendant, who's duties above all, includes looking after his drip to see it doesn't run out. and his mum treats him like a big baby, bought him a children's book at the bookstore, and only remembers that he like snoopy as a kid. hmm...
anyway they removed the bandages for his face, he has these 2 parallel scars on his right cheek... which he thinks look manly and cool. for me... ok lah... they don't look tt deep so i think they will lighten over time. and there's always concealor
as time drags on, there's little/no news over his evacuation, and w the project manager leaving tm, there seems little hope that tj can be back b4 the new year. which is frustrating, and we've had enough trying to play corporate diplomatic games with his company, and the newly assigned contact point is being such a bitch. she told his father this: "tj will be there for a long time, won't it be v troublesome if you all keep flying up and down to visit him?" tj's father was totally hopping mad when she said tt, and he's really a v v v patient man who doesn't get angry at all. of course we'll go down, we'll take turns to keep on flying down as long as he's here, we won't leave him alone. anyway tj's dad is flying over tm, and we're now deciding our schedule now, and tt includes me flying back probably on 25th december, going to work for the next few days, and flying back down when tj's mum is back in s'pore. we're now running into visa problems, or rather lack of visa, cos we can only stay legally w/o a visa for 14 days, and since we don't have a visa in the first place, there's nothing to extend. and when tj was listening to our travel plans, he looked sad, knowing tt he's causing alot of inconveniences to us. but yeah, we won't give up, and we will do wat it takes to make sure he's well and back in s'pore.
i hate the situation now, but our hands are quite tied as the events unfold and become clearer to us. i just wanna to go home w tj, and tj just wanna be able to enjoy all his fave xmas goodies. unfortunately, he has to wait until next year...
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
tj went for a CT scan this morn, the system there really is a pain in the ass, and alot of diy. they'll literally go outside to ask young guys to help lift a patient up onto the CT scanner etc. and being inexperienced, they end up hurting the patient, my poor tj who has a broken pelvic bone and fractures at different places...
after tt he made his way out, into a so-called "private ward", which is in alot better condition than the normal one that he was going to be placed in. which is good, so tdy we spent his bday w him, first his mum talked to him (while i went back to hotel to make phonecalls and send emails) and later in the afternoon it was my turn... nice to finally see him and he says seeing me makes him smile alot, but i have to be careful not to say funny stuff cos it hurts when he laughs, and seeing him being so vulnerable makes my heart ache. but at least he can drink some fluids including porridge water, which in this part of china is like red bean soup w/o the beans and sugar.
ct scan results were out, on all counts there seems to be improvement for his spleen and liver, but now both kidneys appear hurt (it used to be only one) and there's fluid accumulation in his chest cavity. but the chest one according to the doc is some reaction by the body due to stressors from other parts of the body and he didn't sound tt concerned abt tt.
we still dunno when he can be back. they've arranged for a ct scan next monday, and there's no next step from then on. everything hinges on his suitability to be moved, which makes sense but tt just means tt we're in here for the long haul.
on a separate front, we're quite frustrated w his company, our official coordinator who has been quite helpful so far suddenly left without a word, uncle had to frantically call and call him, until a colleague told us we went to myanmar... i mean i can understand tt he has to go attend training and wat not, but at least have the decency to tell us, and arrange for a replacement? but no. he just left w/o a word and w/o handing this over to anyone. not to mention tt his replacement's been such a bitch with regards to travel arrangements for tj's bro. i got two separate company ppl to call her, and they talked until they were mad at her, but she refuses to budge cos it's "company's policy, if i bend the rules this time, then next time everyone wants the same thing" you mean she wants another accident to happen? so now tj's bro is not coming down, and we have to start thinking abt planning schedules so tt there's always someone w him while he's here, and being without a visa, we can only stay here for a max of 14 days.
thanks all for ur well wishes, he's unable to reply ur msges but he's touched by the concern. he wanted me to take a picture of him and post it on his blog but i found it quite weird... not to mention his lappy's usb doesn't seem to read his camera...
tt's abt all for tdy. frustrated at my helplessness... but yah, gotta remain strong...
after tt he made his way out, into a so-called "private ward", which is in alot better condition than the normal one that he was going to be placed in. which is good, so tdy we spent his bday w him, first his mum talked to him (while i went back to hotel to make phonecalls and send emails) and later in the afternoon it was my turn... nice to finally see him and he says seeing me makes him smile alot, but i have to be careful not to say funny stuff cos it hurts when he laughs, and seeing him being so vulnerable makes my heart ache. but at least he can drink some fluids including porridge water, which in this part of china is like red bean soup w/o the beans and sugar.
ct scan results were out, on all counts there seems to be improvement for his spleen and liver, but now both kidneys appear hurt (it used to be only one) and there's fluid accumulation in his chest cavity. but the chest one according to the doc is some reaction by the body due to stressors from other parts of the body and he didn't sound tt concerned abt tt.
we still dunno when he can be back. they've arranged for a ct scan next monday, and there's no next step from then on. everything hinges on his suitability to be moved, which makes sense but tt just means tt we're in here for the long haul.
on a separate front, we're quite frustrated w his company, our official coordinator who has been quite helpful so far suddenly left without a word, uncle had to frantically call and call him, until a colleague told us we went to myanmar... i mean i can understand tt he has to go attend training and wat not, but at least have the decency to tell us, and arrange for a replacement? but no. he just left w/o a word and w/o handing this over to anyone. not to mention tt his replacement's been such a bitch with regards to travel arrangements for tj's bro. i got two separate company ppl to call her, and they talked until they were mad at her, but she refuses to budge cos it's "company's policy, if i bend the rules this time, then next time everyone wants the same thing" you mean she wants another accident to happen? so now tj's bro is not coming down, and we have to start thinking abt planning schedules so tt there's always someone w him while he's here, and being without a visa, we can only stay here for a max of 14 days.
thanks all for ur well wishes, he's unable to reply ur msges but he's touched by the concern. he wanted me to take a picture of him and post it on his blog but i found it quite weird... not to mention his lappy's usb doesn't seem to read his camera...
tt's abt all for tdy. frustrated at my helplessness... but yah, gotta remain strong...
happy happy (for now)
went to see tj and dr in the afternoon. finally got to see tj, he looks quite all right, he sounds ok, and he just seemed happy to see me, and i was v v v glad to see him, and the bonus was tt he looked fine... so i can be relieved on tt count. he just wanted to get out of the ward, wanted to be able to eat something (he hasn't eaten for 5 days i believe) but i told him to be 乖乖 and not eat first, make it home first and food can come later. i told him tt he had to voice out his own opinions if not nobody will know, and when i try to voice out his opinions my voice has little weight cos i'm not exactly family.
so tdy's a day of good news, other than getting to see tj and seeing he's fine, we also saw the doctor, who informed us that results of tj's blood test is good, his red blood cell count is back to normal which indicates tt the internal bleeding has stopped. they will do ct scan tm morning to assess the internal damage to the organs. and he can be moved out of ICU into hopefully a private ward, where there's more privacy and it's cleaner. if not then a normal ward will do, but the conditions there really not good, so we're keeping our fingers crossed on tt one. he's happy and we're happy tt he can get out of ICU.
when will he be back, i dunno as yet, gonna extend my leave and stay longer to accompany him. doc said decision can be made on saturday/sunday. not very happy w the way his company and insurance company is handling this issue, am working w his bro now to try to diplomatically get our way... hp to get him back to s'pore asap. i really can't stand the state of china's hospitals...
in the meantime, if u're reading this, tj's b'day is Dec 19! please send him a happy b'day greeting and send him ur regards at his china mobile no.: +8613619122457. You'll be charged internet sms rates though, and he won't reply you (must save money), but i'm sure he'll be glad to hear ppl care.
so tdy's a day of good news, other than getting to see tj and seeing he's fine, we also saw the doctor, who informed us that results of tj's blood test is good, his red blood cell count is back to normal which indicates tt the internal bleeding has stopped. they will do ct scan tm morning to assess the internal damage to the organs. and he can be moved out of ICU into hopefully a private ward, where there's more privacy and it's cleaner. if not then a normal ward will do, but the conditions there really not good, so we're keeping our fingers crossed on tt one. he's happy and we're happy tt he can get out of ICU.
when will he be back, i dunno as yet, gonna extend my leave and stay longer to accompany him. doc said decision can be made on saturday/sunday. not very happy w the way his company and insurance company is handling this issue, am working w his bro now to try to diplomatically get our way... hp to get him back to s'pore asap. i really can't stand the state of china's hospitals...
in the meantime, if u're reading this, tj's b'day is Dec 19! please send him a happy b'day greeting and send him ur regards at his china mobile no.: +8613619122457. You'll be charged internet sms rates though, and he won't reply you (must save money), but i'm sure he'll be glad to hear ppl care.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
sightseeing
not supposed to go visit him in the hospital tdy, and since the doc isn't arnd, we decided to go sightseeing to while away the time. but b4 tt, we went to the ICU to pass him some stuff, which included his spare hp battery, some love notes, the book yun lent me (One More Day by Mitch Albom), wanted to pass him his mp3 player, but then the battery was flat, so borrowed a portable movie player from adam (the company guy who's accompanying us) to pass to him in the morn. we stood outside the ICU to get the nurse to pass him stuff, and the v cheeky adam walked into the ICU pretending to be an ignorant angmoh, saw tj, and waved to him. stupid ang moh.
so after tt i received an sms from him saying he's v glad to receive the goodies so he has something to do... which was good enough news for the day. so we made our way down to visit the terracotta warriors (兵马佣), a famous tourist attraction in Xi'an. it was interesting and quite amazing, will blog abt it separately another day when i'm in a better mood. after tt we went for foot massage too. which is a good way to relax after the tense emotions tt we've been facing the past week.
his aunt and uncle called him secretly and he answered the phone, so emboldened, i went to call him too, though the conversation was super brief, and he was super whispering, i was happy to just hear his voice, and i hp he was happy hearing mine too... we're hopeful tt he can be moved out of ICU tm so we can take care of him. but we'll see how it goes.
next steps: another blood test will be taken tm to monitor his red blood cell count, we'll talk to the doctor tm and see him during ICU visiting hours, and hp tt he gets out of ICU. in the meantime we're working towards getting him home as soon as he is cleared for evacuation.
i finally have the password to his lappy, so was talking to some of his friends on msn. glad to receive so many well wishes. keep ur prayers and regards coming, i will pass them on to him. its always good to know ppl love and care for u...
fingers crossed, but we're hopeful...
so after tt i received an sms from him saying he's v glad to receive the goodies so he has something to do... which was good enough news for the day. so we made our way down to visit the terracotta warriors (兵马佣), a famous tourist attraction in Xi'an. it was interesting and quite amazing, will blog abt it separately another day when i'm in a better mood. after tt we went for foot massage too. which is a good way to relax after the tense emotions tt we've been facing the past week.
his aunt and uncle called him secretly and he answered the phone, so emboldened, i went to call him too, though the conversation was super brief, and he was super whispering, i was happy to just hear his voice, and i hp he was happy hearing mine too... we're hopeful tt he can be moved out of ICU tm so we can take care of him. but we'll see how it goes.
next steps: another blood test will be taken tm to monitor his red blood cell count, we'll talk to the doctor tm and see him during ICU visiting hours, and hp tt he gets out of ICU. in the meantime we're working towards getting him home as soon as he is cleared for evacuation.
i finally have the password to his lappy, so was talking to some of his friends on msn. glad to receive so many well wishes. keep ur prayers and regards coming, i will pass them on to him. its always good to know ppl love and care for u...
fingers crossed, but we're hopeful...
hands are tied
spent the morning getting more rest and getting things done, left for the hospital at 1.30, waited for the doctor who was on leave, tried to get medical records (for 2nd opinions by tj's uncle and other docs) but can't cos the doctor's on leave, queued up till 3 to see tj, but couldn't cos though the visiting hrs for ICU is "everyday" from 3 - 4 pm, weekends are not considered part of everydays. go figure, then later when the field administrator guy went to pass them the towels etc. (in China, relatives bring the patients their food, bring the nurses toiletries to wash the patients) he got to go in for a short while to talk to him! disappointed tt i didn't get to talk to him again, and i know he's really bored, but at least we got to pass him our notes and he passed us one, so when i saw his note i was v v happy, cos it's something from him...
china's medical system really pisses me off, but i'm trying not to let it get to me, trying not to insist too hard to break their regulations, yes i'm a foreigner but tt doesn't make things ezier just cos i'm foreigner, though i do wonder if i'm ang moh would it have made a difference. but yah, dowan to make them pissed off, cooperate, so tt tj can come back sooner. but it's counter-productive when his father and mine say "can't u ask the company to let u see him longer" and things along those lines. how can we? it's a common ICU, it's not just tj we shd be worried abt, but the other patients, alot who have just completed surgery and prone to lots of infections... but yeah, just hp tt our small notes keep him gg, let him know tt we love him lots and explain the situation to him better...
for now, our hands are tied, cos just waiting for him to get well. but we're trying on the side to make the insurance company to commit to evacuating him as soon as he is stable, we don't want him to go thru any more delays.
other than tt, his vitals are stable, at least now he's cleaned up and feel better... i miss him more than ever, being so near yet so far, and though it seems tt i'm making a wasted trip, i'm glad i came, i'd like to think tt he feels better just knowing i'm 10 min away... i just wish i can see him soon though...
china's medical system really pisses me off, but i'm trying not to let it get to me, trying not to insist too hard to break their regulations, yes i'm a foreigner but tt doesn't make things ezier just cos i'm foreigner, though i do wonder if i'm ang moh would it have made a difference. but yah, dowan to make them pissed off, cooperate, so tt tj can come back sooner. but it's counter-productive when his father and mine say "can't u ask the company to let u see him longer" and things along those lines. how can we? it's a common ICU, it's not just tj we shd be worried abt, but the other patients, alot who have just completed surgery and prone to lots of infections... but yeah, just hp tt our small notes keep him gg, let him know tt we love him lots and explain the situation to him better...
for now, our hands are tied, cos just waiting for him to get well. but we're trying on the side to make the insurance company to commit to evacuating him as soon as he is stable, we don't want him to go thru any more delays.
other than tt, his vitals are stable, at least now he's cleaned up and feel better... i miss him more than ever, being so near yet so far, and though it seems tt i'm making a wasted trip, i'm glad i came, i'd like to think tt he feels better just knowing i'm 10 min away... i just wish i can see him soon though...
Friday, December 15, 2006
Xi'an
yes. after much stalling tj's mum and i finally made our way down to china. first a 0120 flight to beijing then transfer to Xi'an. by the time we reached the hospital (Shaanxi people's hospital) it was already 1330. what we saw there made our hearts ache so much...
the touted biggest hospital in the area is super old and dirty. lights don't work, ppl smoke everywhere, walk in and out etc. tj's in the ICU, which is unlike ours in s'pore, is a room shared w six ppl. other patients include those gg for chemo, just finished operation and those gg to die... and each patient can only have 1 family member visit for 5 minutes... so his mum went, and when she came out, the story she told me made my heart go out to him...
he was in ok spirits, but knowing him, he tends to put out an okay outward appearance rather than to burden ppl and/or make them unhappy... he hasn't bathed/washed/changed his clothes since monday (the accident) and just been thru a treacherous 6 hr ambulance ride to xi'an, where his parent's heart dropped everytime they heard the phone ring... he made it safe, vital stats are stabilising and improving... but he cannot eat, drink, move or use the phone,as such, he just lies there and watches all the dying ppl arnd him. imagine how tt will affect ur mood...
and yah, we finally got a clearer picture from the doctor. basically, his broken hip is no longer an issue, as in it wasn't disaligned tt much, so even if he didn't do anything to it, it'll be fine. but as a result of the thingie falling onto him, his internal organs were hurt... so now his spleen, liver and kidney are bleeding. they've stabilised yes, but yah, any sudden movement or rupture could cost his life. i didn't know the extent of his injuries until now... and while they did say he's improving, they can't be sure, and proceeded to tell us horror stories abt y we shdn't insist on moving him out of ICU.
so we waited and waitied to see him, since ICU is shared, they have this v strict rule, tt each patient can only have family members visit for 5 minutes, and ICU visiting hours are only from 3 - 4 pm each day. so only his mum went... and it was like so near yet so far... i already mentally prepared wat to say to him, but was turned away at the door. felt super upset, and finally broke down and cried in the car... not a good move, supposed to stay strong esp for auntie...
worried for her, she hasn't slept well in days, didn't sleep on the plane ride, drank coffee and ended up with a bad headache. then she told me tt she kept regretting encouraging him to go for this job, a sentiment i totally shared... yet she was trying to comfort me, when i can only imagine how bad she feels, coupled w the fact tt uncle's being a v kancheong spider abt the whole thing. keeps calling to get updates from us when we don't really have anything to tell him, and we pad the truth so he won't get worried
writing this from my v good room in sheraton hotel xi'an. tj's company is treating us well, taking care of our food, lodging, transfers etc. as i speak, i'm using the broadband internet connection on the project manager's spare computer (he v kindly lent it to me so we could skype) and i feel guilty, for staying in such a nice place, eating not too bad food... since we can only visit him at 3pm, we're probably gg sightseeing arnd xi'an in the morning. but honestly, i'm not in the mood to, and it only adds to the feeling of utter helplessness and uselessness tt i'm feeling right now. he's hurting, suffering, in such danger but yet i can't do anything abt it, not even hold his hand, smile and tell him everything will be all right... i just want to tell him tt he means the world to me, i need him to be patient and strong and brave for himself and for the both of us.
quite drained from the journey here which i only managed intermittent sleep. but yet not sleepy cos thinking abt alot of things... blaming myself for not telling him not to take up this job in the first place, letting him be stubborn, not being firmer on my stand to break up w him if he doesn't quit... thinking of how he'll be suffering on his b'day (19th) and christmas. while we are hopeful, i think he'll really only be relieved on the day he returns to s'pore, even if it means a long stay in s'pore's hospitals... and now, we're just all getting ready for the timetable and shifts so tt there'll always be someone here w him
i now have ownership of all his stuff... looking thru his bag i found chippy and daley... and when i saw them, i was so sad, cos i gave them to him as angels to accompany him on all his trips away from me and now he doesn't have them...
selfish me, before the accident i kept hinting tt i want a v nice xmas present... now all i want is for him to make a speedy recovery.
guilt, frustration, worry, anxiety, sadness, heartache...
the touted biggest hospital in the area is super old and dirty. lights don't work, ppl smoke everywhere, walk in and out etc. tj's in the ICU, which is unlike ours in s'pore, is a room shared w six ppl. other patients include those gg for chemo, just finished operation and those gg to die... and each patient can only have 1 family member visit for 5 minutes... so his mum went, and when she came out, the story she told me made my heart go out to him...
he was in ok spirits, but knowing him, he tends to put out an okay outward appearance rather than to burden ppl and/or make them unhappy... he hasn't bathed/washed/changed his clothes since monday (the accident) and just been thru a treacherous 6 hr ambulance ride to xi'an, where his parent's heart dropped everytime they heard the phone ring... he made it safe, vital stats are stabilising and improving... but he cannot eat, drink, move or use the phone,as such, he just lies there and watches all the dying ppl arnd him. imagine how tt will affect ur mood...
and yah, we finally got a clearer picture from the doctor. basically, his broken hip is no longer an issue, as in it wasn't disaligned tt much, so even if he didn't do anything to it, it'll be fine. but as a result of the thingie falling onto him, his internal organs were hurt... so now his spleen, liver and kidney are bleeding. they've stabilised yes, but yah, any sudden movement or rupture could cost his life. i didn't know the extent of his injuries until now... and while they did say he's improving, they can't be sure, and proceeded to tell us horror stories abt y we shdn't insist on moving him out of ICU.
so we waited and waitied to see him, since ICU is shared, they have this v strict rule, tt each patient can only have family members visit for 5 minutes, and ICU visiting hours are only from 3 - 4 pm each day. so only his mum went... and it was like so near yet so far... i already mentally prepared wat to say to him, but was turned away at the door. felt super upset, and finally broke down and cried in the car... not a good move, supposed to stay strong esp for auntie...
worried for her, she hasn't slept well in days, didn't sleep on the plane ride, drank coffee and ended up with a bad headache. then she told me tt she kept regretting encouraging him to go for this job, a sentiment i totally shared... yet she was trying to comfort me, when i can only imagine how bad she feels, coupled w the fact tt uncle's being a v kancheong spider abt the whole thing. keeps calling to get updates from us when we don't really have anything to tell him, and we pad the truth so he won't get worried
writing this from my v good room in sheraton hotel xi'an. tj's company is treating us well, taking care of our food, lodging, transfers etc. as i speak, i'm using the broadband internet connection on the project manager's spare computer (he v kindly lent it to me so we could skype) and i feel guilty, for staying in such a nice place, eating not too bad food... since we can only visit him at 3pm, we're probably gg sightseeing arnd xi'an in the morning. but honestly, i'm not in the mood to, and it only adds to the feeling of utter helplessness and uselessness tt i'm feeling right now. he's hurting, suffering, in such danger but yet i can't do anything abt it, not even hold his hand, smile and tell him everything will be all right... i just want to tell him tt he means the world to me, i need him to be patient and strong and brave for himself and for the both of us.
quite drained from the journey here which i only managed intermittent sleep. but yet not sleepy cos thinking abt alot of things... blaming myself for not telling him not to take up this job in the first place, letting him be stubborn, not being firmer on my stand to break up w him if he doesn't quit... thinking of how he'll be suffering on his b'day (19th) and christmas. while we are hopeful, i think he'll really only be relieved on the day he returns to s'pore, even if it means a long stay in s'pore's hospitals... and now, we're just all getting ready for the timetable and shifts so tt there'll always be someone here w him
i now have ownership of all his stuff... looking thru his bag i found chippy and daley... and when i saw them, i was so sad, cos i gave them to him as angels to accompany him on all his trips away from me and now he doesn't have them...
selfish me, before the accident i kept hinting tt i want a v nice xmas present... now all i want is for him to make a speedy recovery.
guilt, frustration, worry, anxiety, sadness, heartache...
standing in
hmmm.. as of now, car shld be waiting for her connecting flight to xi'an. hope they've figured out where to go when they reach..
as for tj.. yay! he finally made his way to the hospital! so tats one thing less to worry abt..hope they get all their medical skills, equipment and watever else right this time round..
as for tj.. yay! he finally made his way to the hospital! so tats one thing less to worry abt..hope they get all their medical skills, equipment and watever else right this time round..
Thursday, December 14, 2006
off to xi'an
finally we decided to not sit back anymore and head down to china to see tj. abt time. i shd've been more assertive and maybe we'll be there earlier. went to office tdy to settle stuff, get my ticket etc. and took half day to settle other stuff, last minute shopping for winterwear.
on his condition, well he's on his 4th bag of blood... and though the internal bleeding was not yet stablised, they decided to move him to xi'an after a conference call btwn the doctors and tj's bone specialist uncle. it's a pretty big risk, cos xi'an is a 5 hr ambulance ride away, and i'm not tt keen on him travelling on china highways... plus if the membrane (of the liver) ruptures, it'll be v v v jialat. but yah, after much consideration they decided to go ahead. but my poor tj is now v confused w all the change in instructions... and i'm v v worried as well... in the morning he sounded quite his usual self on the phone, but as the info changes and changes, he seems more and more worried and even resigned to the situation... and tt just gets to me... and unlike wat his parents and bro think, tj doesn't call me tt much, all of my news comes from them, and he seldom sms-es too. and tt just leaves my imagination going wild... and my mood swings from depressed to super depressed...
so yeah, taking the 1am flight to beijing then transferring to xi'an to see him with his mum. though we won't be of much help there, i hope our presence gives him the moral support he needs... though i have to be strong and offer him the support he needs and not break down myself...
i'll be enlisting the help of yun to update in this blog so tt concerned friends can know of his condition better. tentatively i'll be back on 20th december, hpfully with him... poor dear, his bday on the 19th and xmas is coming... ;( i just hp he gets well soon...
on his condition, well he's on his 4th bag of blood... and though the internal bleeding was not yet stablised, they decided to move him to xi'an after a conference call btwn the doctors and tj's bone specialist uncle. it's a pretty big risk, cos xi'an is a 5 hr ambulance ride away, and i'm not tt keen on him travelling on china highways... plus if the membrane (of the liver) ruptures, it'll be v v v jialat. but yah, after much consideration they decided to go ahead. but my poor tj is now v confused w all the change in instructions... and i'm v v worried as well... in the morning he sounded quite his usual self on the phone, but as the info changes and changes, he seems more and more worried and even resigned to the situation... and tt just gets to me... and unlike wat his parents and bro think, tj doesn't call me tt much, all of my news comes from them, and he seldom sms-es too. and tt just leaves my imagination going wild... and my mood swings from depressed to super depressed...
so yeah, taking the 1am flight to beijing then transferring to xi'an to see him with his mum. though we won't be of much help there, i hope our presence gives him the moral support he needs... though i have to be strong and offer him the support he needs and not break down myself...
i'll be enlisting the help of yun to update in this blog so tt concerned friends can know of his condition better. tentatively i'll be back on 20th december, hpfully with him... poor dear, his bday on the 19th and xmas is coming... ;( i just hp he gets well soon...
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
update
after tons of screw-ups w the doctors and the stupid agency, they finally arrived like 2 days after the incident. and now conducting tests. poor tj just lying there in pain, not knowing wat's happening, not knowing if he actually can get to go home... all alone... and we're just passing msges arnd, his parents receive news from his company's safety + HR manager and pass on the news to me. and it sucks, cos news changes within minutes... we tot he's ok to fly home, but then suddenly cannot le. and now they discovered internal bleeding, his liver bleeding, which makes transporting him a big NO-NO now. so poor boy will still be there by himself
the initial idea was he gets to fly back. then we waited for the f$@@ed up doctor to make his way down to certify him fit to fly. but now they found the internal bleeding, i don't think he'l make it back anytime soon. i know he wants someone to be there, maybe not me, but at least his parents, which is y i'm already on standby, not sure y we're still here waiting, even if he does transfer hospitals in the end, at least we're in china and are nearer and can just make it to whichever hospital he ends up in right? so we're just here waiting, and i'm getting more and more anxious and worried...
the initial idea was he gets to fly back. then we waited for the f$@@ed up doctor to make his way down to certify him fit to fly. but now they found the internal bleeding, i don't think he'l make it back anytime soon. i know he wants someone to be there, maybe not me, but at least his parents, which is y i'm already on standby, not sure y we're still here waiting, even if he does transfer hospitals in the end, at least we're in china and are nearer and can just make it to whichever hospital he ends up in right? so we're just here waiting, and i'm getting more and more anxious and worried...
Monday, December 11, 2006
the worst feeling in the world
the worst feeling in the world is when you're bathing and your phone rings and you know it's your darling but you wonder y he's calling so many times when he's still supposed to be working and he's using his s'pore line to call. something must be wrong but you don't know what so you carry on bathing. next his parents start calling you like mad, and finally you pick up the phone... and you hear the bad news:
your baby's in an accident all the way in china, he broke his hip bone and his face now requires stitches. and all this while you keep telling him to be careful, to quit his stupid job cos it's just not worth it... but he wanna prove himself so you grudgingly let him go... and now he's hurt... and you hurt too... but you can't cry cos you don't want him to worry, but yet you worry and are upset... you want him to come home, but not this way... he's ok but his bone will have to be pulled in place only tomorrow noon cos the doctor is not in the hospital, only the substitute doctor (what kinda STOOPID hospital does china have?) and after tt you have no idea when he's coming back, and you're worried and you just want him to come home but you don't know if he's stable enough to make the journey back...
you just wanna cry but you can't... like something stuck inside...
your baby's in an accident all the way in china, he broke his hip bone and his face now requires stitches. and all this while you keep telling him to be careful, to quit his stupid job cos it's just not worth it... but he wanna prove himself so you grudgingly let him go... and now he's hurt... and you hurt too... but you can't cry cos you don't want him to worry, but yet you worry and are upset... you want him to come home, but not this way... he's ok but his bone will have to be pulled in place only tomorrow noon cos the doctor is not in the hospital, only the substitute doctor (what kinda STOOPID hospital does china have?) and after tt you have no idea when he's coming back, and you're worried and you just want him to come home but you don't know if he's stable enough to make the journey back...
you just wanna cry but you can't... like something stuck inside...
Monday, December 04, 2006
Apologies for being me
This is one of those posts where I have tons to say but don’t know how… this is one of those days also tt I wake up wanting to go back to sleep, drag myself to work, find out my boss is on urgent leave, and then I totally don’t feel like doing any work. Which is the reason for this rambling post…
I try, to be the one, cheerleader-confidant-advisor-lover all rolled into one. And yes, your sweet words keep me afloat, sustain me till your next return and then you proceed to humour me, to make me feel impt, cherished and treasured… Yes it works… sometimes. But only when you’re back I guess…
Not all of it is ur fault. Ur job takes a lot out of you. I know it’s tough to have a physically demanding job, work 12-hr shifts for 35 days straight with no rest in between. It must suck, not having tv to watch, not being able to chill with friends over ice cold beer, being so far away in a forsaken land, away from friends and family, in the freezing cold. And you are tired at the end of the day, and discouraged cos of the job scope and nature…
It’s difficult, knowing you’re working hard, feeling discouraged, not getting paid enough, not being able to live up to your OWN expectations, feeling tt ur job sucks, hearing u say tt u and ur colleagues agree tt u can’t stay long in the job… and I have to console u, cheer u on, tell u tt u can do it… while putting my own feelings aside, of me starting to feel unhappy in this job cos little gets done and I have little power to change things, of me feeling lonely, of me hating how my schedule revolves around urs when you’re back briefly…
You tell me I’m sweet, I’m the most important person in the world… but yet when I feel upset at night and just want to hear your comforting voice, I can’t, because it’s late, you’re already sleeping, and I don’t wanna disturb you. Because if I do, I’ll end up feeling bad, apologizing for waking you up… for ur tiredness the next day… and it becomes my fault for just wanting what I should get from my bf…
I try, to be the one, cheerleader-confidant-advisor-lover all rolled into one. And yes, your sweet words keep me afloat, sustain me till your next return and then you proceed to humour me, to make me feel impt, cherished and treasured… Yes it works… sometimes. But only when you’re back I guess…
Not all of it is ur fault. Ur job takes a lot out of you. I know it’s tough to have a physically demanding job, work 12-hr shifts for 35 days straight with no rest in between. It must suck, not having tv to watch, not being able to chill with friends over ice cold beer, being so far away in a forsaken land, away from friends and family, in the freezing cold. And you are tired at the end of the day, and discouraged cos of the job scope and nature…
It’s difficult, knowing you’re working hard, feeling discouraged, not getting paid enough, not being able to live up to your OWN expectations, feeling tt ur job sucks, hearing u say tt u and ur colleagues agree tt u can’t stay long in the job… and I have to console u, cheer u on, tell u tt u can do it… while putting my own feelings aside, of me starting to feel unhappy in this job cos little gets done and I have little power to change things, of me feeling lonely, of me hating how my schedule revolves around urs when you’re back briefly…
You tell me I’m sweet, I’m the most important person in the world… but yet when I feel upset at night and just want to hear your comforting voice, I can’t, because it’s late, you’re already sleeping, and I don’t wanna disturb you. Because if I do, I’ll end up feeling bad, apologizing for waking you up… for ur tiredness the next day… and it becomes my fault for just wanting what I should get from my bf…
Monday, November 27, 2006
The Winds of Change
Ok so my mum went to hire a fengshui shifu to take a look at our house in an attempt to improve the business of my dad’s company. So he came, recommended a few changes, and yes so now my house is in a state of mess.
Everyone has to change room. So now I’ve shifted to my parent’s room, my sisters shift to my room, and my parents go to the sisters’ room. We spent yesterday afternoon shifting stuff, and dismantling beds + shifting king size mattresses are no joke I tell you. Not to mention inhaling the gigantic dust bunnies generated (I wonder what the maids have been doing all these while). After shifting everything not enough, must still shift cupboards from downstairs and my maid’s room upstairs for better luck. It’s like musical chairs, only with furniture. A bitch I can tell you. And we haven’t even started moving stuff in the wardrobe (clothes etc)
So now everyone is not happy:
1) Sisters. Now their room is a good ¾ of the original size, they have to squeeze two beds and two tables leaving them with little room to walk or dump more rubbish. Plus now their wardrobe size is halved, meaning they have to walk to my room to take clothes. AND they no longer have a tv. Worse, cos of fengshui, cheryl’s table is now at some weird 45 deg angle, making the room look smaller than it actually is.
2) Me. Now that my room is squarish, the placement of all cupboards and bed have to be by the wall (since fengshui man already dictated tt my bed has to flush against the wall.) This leaves me with a nice big sitting area but everything else looks weird cos I’m just pushing all cupboards to the wall. I now have a TV and a toilet in my room (was happily watching movies on hbo the whole of last nite) but then the toilet means my parents will come in every now and then to use it (and NOT close the door after) meaning I have less privacy and a stinky room. And I kept questioning the choice of furniture placement cos I always feel tt fengshui is supposed to bring harmony etc but I’m v v sure placing tables at 45degree angle will only cause ppl to bump into it more etc.
3) Parents. Dad now cannot come into his toilet and has to use the common toilet if he so wishes in the wee hours of the morning. And you know guys when they’re sleepy (or not) they tend to “spray” on the toilet seat. 20+ years of using an all girls’ toilet means we do not have the habit of lifting the seat up… so yah… Mum is pissed cos we’re totally not supportive (I keep questioning stuff) and she ends up shifting a lot of things by herself.
4) Maid. She has to endure my mum’s screams (mum’s a bitch tt way), help shift the heavy stuff, clean tons of dust bunnies, rearrange everything back etc. especially since nobody else really gives a damn.
I hope it’s just teething problems. We still have to shift our wardrobe and rearrange our stuff. Stupid fengshui man. All that trouble better count for something…
Everyone has to change room. So now I’ve shifted to my parent’s room, my sisters shift to my room, and my parents go to the sisters’ room. We spent yesterday afternoon shifting stuff, and dismantling beds + shifting king size mattresses are no joke I tell you. Not to mention inhaling the gigantic dust bunnies generated (I wonder what the maids have been doing all these while). After shifting everything not enough, must still shift cupboards from downstairs and my maid’s room upstairs for better luck. It’s like musical chairs, only with furniture. A bitch I can tell you. And we haven’t even started moving stuff in the wardrobe (clothes etc)
So now everyone is not happy:
1) Sisters. Now their room is a good ¾ of the original size, they have to squeeze two beds and two tables leaving them with little room to walk or dump more rubbish. Plus now their wardrobe size is halved, meaning they have to walk to my room to take clothes. AND they no longer have a tv. Worse, cos of fengshui, cheryl’s table is now at some weird 45 deg angle, making the room look smaller than it actually is.
2) Me. Now that my room is squarish, the placement of all cupboards and bed have to be by the wall (since fengshui man already dictated tt my bed has to flush against the wall.) This leaves me with a nice big sitting area but everything else looks weird cos I’m just pushing all cupboards to the wall. I now have a TV and a toilet in my room (was happily watching movies on hbo the whole of last nite) but then the toilet means my parents will come in every now and then to use it (and NOT close the door after) meaning I have less privacy and a stinky room. And I kept questioning the choice of furniture placement cos I always feel tt fengshui is supposed to bring harmony etc but I’m v v sure placing tables at 45degree angle will only cause ppl to bump into it more etc.
3) Parents. Dad now cannot come into his toilet and has to use the common toilet if he so wishes in the wee hours of the morning. And you know guys when they’re sleepy (or not) they tend to “spray” on the toilet seat. 20+ years of using an all girls’ toilet means we do not have the habit of lifting the seat up… so yah… Mum is pissed cos we’re totally not supportive (I keep questioning stuff) and she ends up shifting a lot of things by herself.
4) Maid. She has to endure my mum’s screams (mum’s a bitch tt way), help shift the heavy stuff, clean tons of dust bunnies, rearrange everything back etc. especially since nobody else really gives a damn.
I hope it’s just teething problems. We still have to shift our wardrobe and rearrange our stuff. Stupid fengshui man. All that trouble better count for something…
Thursday, November 23, 2006
butterfly
When you love someone so deeply
They become your life
It's easy to succumb to overwhelming fears inside
Blindly I imagined I could
Keep you under glass
Now I understand to hold you
I must open up my hands and watch you rise
Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me
We truly were meant to be, so spread your wings and fly
Butterfly
I have learned that beauty
Has to flourish in the light
Wild horses run unbridled
Or their spirit dies
You have given me the courage
To be all that I can
And I truly feel your heart will
Lead you back to me when you're ready to land
Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me, we truly were meant to be
So spread your wings and fly butterfly
I can't pretend these tears
Aren't overflowing steadily
I can't prevent this hurt from
Almost overtaking me
But I will stand and say goodbye
For you'll never be mine
Until you know the way it feels to fly
Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me
We truly were meant to be
So spread your wings and fly
Butterfly
They become your life
It's easy to succumb to overwhelming fears inside
Blindly I imagined I could
Keep you under glass
Now I understand to hold you
I must open up my hands and watch you rise
Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me
We truly were meant to be, so spread your wings and fly
Butterfly
I have learned that beauty
Has to flourish in the light
Wild horses run unbridled
Or their spirit dies
You have given me the courage
To be all that I can
And I truly feel your heart will
Lead you back to me when you're ready to land
Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me, we truly were meant to be
So spread your wings and fly butterfly
I can't pretend these tears
Aren't overflowing steadily
I can't prevent this hurt from
Almost overtaking me
But I will stand and say goodbye
For you'll never be mine
Until you know the way it feels to fly
Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me
We truly were meant to be
So spread your wings and fly
Butterfly
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Random
Haven’t updated in a while, busy spending time w tj while he’s back, nursing my flu etc. still having the flu, not surprising considering the sucky weather, but yeah, this morning the sky outside my office looks beautiful, a lovely blue, with only wispy clouds and a cool breeze thanks to last night’s rain. I’m dreaming of a holiday! Tj is most prob going to San Antonio in March 07, and I’m most prob going to meet him in US and we’ll go on our own holiday! And I’ll be going on my free ticket, which only means I got more cash to spend there! Hehe. Excited, but tt’s still a while to go…
My left knee is really acting up, I’m not sure why also, used to be that wearing high-heels for one full day will trigger it, but after macritchie my knee aches everyday. Not so much the knee, but the thigh muscles near it, dunno how to explain also. So like an older lady, I have to rely on glucosamine cream and tablets. Sighz. And not wear my pretty heels. I need pretty flats! Any suggestions where to get those?
Blogging for the sake of blogging. Sleepy and bored at work. Sigh. My poor tj is working 12 hr shifts everyday, sometimes even longer cos he pia. I’m just glad he’s on morning shift so at least I get to speak to him at night. Will have to make do I guess…
Dreaming of a holiday, dreaming of Christmas, dreaming of you coming back again…
Back to work, last minute scheduled meeting at 3pm that I have to prepare for…
My left knee is really acting up, I’m not sure why also, used to be that wearing high-heels for one full day will trigger it, but after macritchie my knee aches everyday. Not so much the knee, but the thigh muscles near it, dunno how to explain also. So like an older lady, I have to rely on glucosamine cream and tablets. Sighz. And not wear my pretty heels. I need pretty flats! Any suggestions where to get those?
Blogging for the sake of blogging. Sleepy and bored at work. Sigh. My poor tj is working 12 hr shifts everyday, sometimes even longer cos he pia. I’m just glad he’s on morning shift so at least I get to speak to him at night. Will have to make do I guess…
Dreaming of a holiday, dreaming of Christmas, dreaming of you coming back again…
Back to work, last minute scheduled meeting at 3pm that I have to prepare for…
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Crazy Weekend
decided to finally go for the treetop walk w tj cos he's never been there, i've already been there last year with jkaiser. quite fun lah i feel, nice walk in nature plus tj and i have been whining for the longest time abt how we shd both get off our lazy asses and go do some exercise.
so yes, we reached macritchie at 12pm (we ended late the previous nite so couldn't really wake up). a nice walk in, it was nice and warm, there was the occasional rumble of thunder but it sounded like it was far away so we ignored it. i found out tt tj has never really been in macritchie cos apparently schools in the east don't hold cross country runs in macritchie, only in east coast park etc. he was quite amazed at the beauty of macritchie and with the fact tt ppl could canoe there, and i related jkaiser's canoeing adventure to him.
well i'm pretty out of shape and my left knee has been giving me trouble these days, but no big worries as we walked and talked, but the sky grew progressively darker, but we went on... tj's sandals gave way 800 m from the treetop walk, but we continued cos we were so close... and we made it, the view was lovely as usual, but cos the wind was quite strong the bridge was quite unsteady so i didn't enjoy it as much this time arnd. in fact just wanted to get out of there. we got off the bridge, and then it started to rain, moderate at first, then it really started to pour. luckily we both brought brollies, there was an ang moh family who didn't and were really quite wet. dunno wat happened to them, we overtook them. brollies weren't much use in tt weather, and water also got into our bags (we both cleverly put our hp, wallet and his camera in the outer pocket, bad move cos they all got slightly wet) after 30 min of pouring rain, we made it to the ranger station, where there was approx 20 ppl there seeking refuge from the rain. we took a break from the rain, had some food (sandwiches never tasted tt good) after another 30 min of waiting/napping/eating the rain got smaller, and we decided to make our getaway. which consisted of another 1.5 hrs of walking towards civilisation (towards island country club) in hopes of getting a cab. we finally did, and headed home to shower etc.
after a brief rest, we took a bus to parkway to get a cake for yun, then proceeded to dinner at some tze char place. after tt we made it to yun's place at 9 to surprise her. she didn't know we were coming, but i think she guessed we're all acting weird. so yah, ade, del, joce, tj and i went up to her place complete w cake and present. hope she liked her mini "surprise". pics!
after cake cutting, we proceeded to phuture. music wasn't bad, but aiyah, nobody lancing leh, so sianz, we left at 12.30 cos there really was nobody dancing! so bored. so bak kut teh supper is the best solution. hehe. by then i was absolutely bushed. happy b'day yun!
so yes, we reached macritchie at 12pm (we ended late the previous nite so couldn't really wake up). a nice walk in, it was nice and warm, there was the occasional rumble of thunder but it sounded like it was far away so we ignored it. i found out tt tj has never really been in macritchie cos apparently schools in the east don't hold cross country runs in macritchie, only in east coast park etc. he was quite amazed at the beauty of macritchie and with the fact tt ppl could canoe there, and i related jkaiser's canoeing adventure to him.
well i'm pretty out of shape and my left knee has been giving me trouble these days, but no big worries as we walked and talked, but the sky grew progressively darker, but we went on... tj's sandals gave way 800 m from the treetop walk, but we continued cos we were so close... and we made it, the view was lovely as usual, but cos the wind was quite strong the bridge was quite unsteady so i didn't enjoy it as much this time arnd. in fact just wanted to get out of there. we got off the bridge, and then it started to rain, moderate at first, then it really started to pour. luckily we both brought brollies, there was an ang moh family who didn't and were really quite wet. dunno wat happened to them, we overtook them. brollies weren't much use in tt weather, and water also got into our bags (we both cleverly put our hp, wallet and his camera in the outer pocket, bad move cos they all got slightly wet) after 30 min of pouring rain, we made it to the ranger station, where there was approx 20 ppl there seeking refuge from the rain. we took a break from the rain, had some food (sandwiches never tasted tt good) after another 30 min of waiting/napping/eating the rain got smaller, and we decided to make our getaway. which consisted of another 1.5 hrs of walking towards civilisation (towards island country club) in hopes of getting a cab. we finally did, and headed home to shower etc.
after a brief rest, we took a bus to parkway to get a cake for yun, then proceeded to dinner at some tze char place. after tt we made it to yun's place at 9 to surprise her. she didn't know we were coming, but i think she guessed we're all acting weird. so yah, ade, del, joce, tj and i went up to her place complete w cake and present. hope she liked her mini "surprise". pics!
after cake cutting, we proceeded to phuture. music wasn't bad, but aiyah, nobody lancing leh, so sianz, we left at 12.30 cos there really was nobody dancing! so bored. so bak kut teh supper is the best solution. hehe. by then i was absolutely bushed. happy b'day yun!
AIC
a busy two weeks, went on course on wed - fri (8-10 nov). airline industry course, the title speaks for itself. enjoyed it tremendously, it's always nice to meet diff ppl working in the same big organisation to learn abt the grass on the other side. our group had a lady from Sydney office, she's a cool character, her family hailed all the way from croatia but she's been living in Sydney for a v long time. we also had ppl from the taipei and san fransciso office. not to mention pilots and the Divisional Vice President was in our team too. but he was pretty nice.
so yes, the course is fun but shiong also, cos of the management game we had to "play". basically we were gonna start a new airline with USD50 mil to fly routes w/i SEA. and yah all in the span of 2 afternoons. we ended up staying till 9pm to rush it out. but it was super fun and an "always amazing" experience. and yeah, just in case u were wondering, if you really had USD50 mil, pls invest in something else. an airline is too much work for too little money in my opinion.
and yeah, we got to drink officially on the job! the beer was brought in to "lighten things up" during the session with senior management... and on the last day one of the pilots bought beer for some of us (i was hanging arnd waiting for tj to come pick me up) so it was fun chatting w pilots, they really are an interesting bunch, and friendly too. so everything ended on a nice note...
so yes, the course is fun but shiong also, cos of the management game we had to "play". basically we were gonna start a new airline with USD50 mil to fly routes w/i SEA. and yah all in the span of 2 afternoons. we ended up staying till 9pm to rush it out. but it was super fun and an "always amazing" experience. and yeah, just in case u were wondering, if you really had USD50 mil, pls invest in something else. an airline is too much work for too little money in my opinion.
and yeah, we got to drink officially on the job! the beer was brought in to "lighten things up" during the session with senior management... and on the last day one of the pilots bought beer for some of us (i was hanging arnd waiting for tj to come pick me up) so it was fun chatting w pilots, they really are an interesting bunch, and friendly too. so everything ended on a nice note...
Friday, November 03, 2006
24th b'day
yupyupz, my bday came and went. a v good one this year. shall let the pics do the talking.
part 1: family
came back on 31 Oct to this: my living room was decorated with streamers and balloons!
we went jumbo seafood (serangoon gardens) for dinner. as usual, great seafood, great company. and thanks to the 2 additional guests, we managed to finish pretty much most of the food!
after tt we went home for cake-cutting. not really my bday yet, but who's gonna resist a yummy hazelnut ganache from rive gauche? and here is my "free" bouquet from prince flowers too! v nice of them to offer an apology bouquet for their boo-boo.
part 2: walk around the city
took leave frm 1 - 3 nov since tj's off anyway, so we went off to celebrate my bday. first up, lunch. wild rocket @ mount emily is good, delicious fusion food in a cosy setting. the set meal was quite worth it. refer to the food blog for details.
after lunch we proceeded to national musuem of s'pore to check it out. they're putting the finishing touches on this grand old dame, i loved how the new extension looks modern but yet blends in nicely w the old structure.
we just explored the place, and went into this outdoor area, i love this shot. pity the birks kinda spoilt my outfit.
after namos, we went off to singapore art museum for more culture.
the deutsche bank art exhibition was on, and we figured tt we both weren't into really visual arts. haha! by tt time it had started to pour. but we braved the rain and headed off. finally we travelled by bus to suntec, and walked to oriental hotel for some martinis and free steak sandwiches at morton's bar. yum! we then had dinner and left for clarke quay for part 3 of the day.
part 3: fantastic friends
by tt time i was pretty tired from walking the whole day, and was getting kinda cranky. tj left me at the mrt saying he had to "settle my surprise" and 5 min later i got this sms saying tt he had been "kidnapped" and ask me to go find him, leaving behind a clue. so off i went, stationed at the 1st pitstop were joce and yun who handed me the next clue. was pretty brain dead and the clue wasn't tt obvious, but thanks to super generous hints, i made it to the 2nd pitstop. station "masters" were ade and del, and finally after some guessing we made it to the lounge in crazy horse, where tj was there waiting... the place was v opulent, tons of cushions, sofas, swinging chairs and beds (i kid u not) and it was v quiet. we had drinks, cut my 2nd cake (which v incidentally was the same one from rive gauche, ade so happened to buy the exact same one). no photos as yet (yun send me the photos by yahoo pls). will update when i've got them.
fantabulous b'day. thanks to tj, my family and friends who made it so. love ya all!
part 1: family
came back on 31 Oct to this: my living room was decorated with streamers and balloons!
we went jumbo seafood (serangoon gardens) for dinner. as usual, great seafood, great company. and thanks to the 2 additional guests, we managed to finish pretty much most of the food!
after tt we went home for cake-cutting. not really my bday yet, but who's gonna resist a yummy hazelnut ganache from rive gauche? and here is my "free" bouquet from prince flowers too! v nice of them to offer an apology bouquet for their boo-boo.
part 2: walk around the city
took leave frm 1 - 3 nov since tj's off anyway, so we went off to celebrate my bday. first up, lunch. wild rocket @ mount emily is good, delicious fusion food in a cosy setting. the set meal was quite worth it. refer to the food blog for details.
after lunch we proceeded to national musuem of s'pore to check it out. they're putting the finishing touches on this grand old dame, i loved how the new extension looks modern but yet blends in nicely w the old structure.
we just explored the place, and went into this outdoor area, i love this shot. pity the birks kinda spoilt my outfit.
after namos, we went off to singapore art museum for more culture.
the deutsche bank art exhibition was on, and we figured tt we both weren't into really visual arts. haha! by tt time it had started to pour. but we braved the rain and headed off. finally we travelled by bus to suntec, and walked to oriental hotel for some martinis and free steak sandwiches at morton's bar. yum! we then had dinner and left for clarke quay for part 3 of the day.part 3: fantastic friends
by tt time i was pretty tired from walking the whole day, and was getting kinda cranky. tj left me at the mrt saying he had to "settle my surprise" and 5 min later i got this sms saying tt he had been "kidnapped" and ask me to go find him, leaving behind a clue. so off i went, stationed at the 1st pitstop were joce and yun who handed me the next clue. was pretty brain dead and the clue wasn't tt obvious, but thanks to super generous hints, i made it to the 2nd pitstop. station "masters" were ade and del, and finally after some guessing we made it to the lounge in crazy horse, where tj was there waiting... the place was v opulent, tons of cushions, sofas, swinging chairs and beds (i kid u not) and it was v quiet. we had drinks, cut my 2nd cake (which v incidentally was the same one from rive gauche, ade so happened to buy the exact same one). no photos as yet (yun send me the photos by yahoo pls). will update when i've got them.
fantabulous b'day. thanks to tj, my family and friends who made it so. love ya all!
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