Silver Sister's World

网友

2010-06-09T07:39:00.000-07:00

网战

经过三天的闭关，OMY说说吧总算甘愿打开大门，欢迎网友投稿。

网友是否知悔改？江山易改，本性难移。有些身经百战，若无其事。有些暴跳如雷，拂袖而去。还有些是执迷不悟，沾沾自喜。

几天的混战是几时累积的混帐？冤冤相报，何时了？

虚拟世界，网友也斤斤计较。谁是谁非，公说公有理，婆说婆有理。

贴歌、贴图，写诗，借华语的含蓄，借华语的同音异义，指桑骂槐。

唯恐天下不乱的网友竟下毒咒！

唉，难道你要成亡友才罢休？

寒窗暗恋之

2010-01-31T18:05:00.000-08:00

寒窗暗恋之一

若琴为了自修考进新跃大学。白天工作，晚上上课，过着充实的生活。

虽然若琴已四十出头，有十七岁的儿子和十四岁的女儿，但脸蛋还算娇美，身材还算苗条。

上语法课时，若琴注意到班上的一位男同学（在这称A君）。他身材魁梧，常着运动装，一副运动健将的模樣。他头脑特别好，听课时不用做笔记，发问时问的问题又是有经过大脑的那一种。

A君说话温文有礼，细声细气地，实在是出乎意料的斯文，和他的“猛男”外形很不相称。

上课时若琴很少有机会接近A君。顶多只是休息时寒暄几句。

后来双方在“脸书”网络交了朋友。若琴看到A君发表他对慕XX作家很欣赏，发觉原来他们俩喜欢的是同一位作家。于是若琴发了电邮给A君：

若琴：我也喜欢看慕XX的作品。

A君：我刚买了慕XX 的三本书，你要我可以借给你。

若琴：你看了吗？

A君：还没呢！但没关系，先借一本给你。

若琴：好吧！那就谢了。

就这样A君干净利落地把书借给了若琴。若琴受宠若惊，怀疑道：糟了，A君会不会是喜欢上我？

过后A君又两次在班上坐在若琴的旁边。除了丈夫以外，若琴从婚后没与年轻俊男这么靠近过，还真有点不好意思哩！想着想着，若琴的脸红了，心跳也加速了。

班上的女同学也注意到A君和若琴时常在一起讨论功课，有时也会用酸溜溜的语气问若琴，你是单身还是已婚？若琴啼笑皆非，怎么这些年轻女子竟吃起自己的醋来了！真是莫名其妙！一方面又暗喜自己半老徐娘还有魅力！

后来由于选修的科目不同，若琴和A君再也没有碰面，所以只有在“脸书”网络保持联系。

这一天，刚好若琴有空，就上网查阅A君上载的一些照片。嗯，拍得真好，若琴心想，有艺术感，与众不同，不愧是有才情的人。

再游览他写的博克，哇不得了，原来A君涉足断袖之恋！

若琴是又惊又叹。原来A君一直以来都不把她当女人看，因为A君以女人自居！若琴感叹世间造物弄人，这么一位好青年，怎么会落得男女不分？那以前A君是不是把自己当作避风港，在班上为了不接近不喜欢的未婚女生，更为了不接近心里暗恋的男生，而与已婚的若琴结交为好友？若琴纳闷，无奈。

2010-01-30T12:13:00.000-08:00

进修

一位中年妇女为了进修，报考了本地一所大学。

第一课，女生看到大家都有课本，怎么自己没有？问问坐在前面的男同学，原来在领读书教材时应该一起领课本。好，那改天又要去领课本。女生又打电话，又面对面向执行人员说明来由。费尽唇舌后，总算领到课本。

第二颗。女生又看到大伙儿有讲义，怎么自己有没有？唉，只好又问问坐在身旁的年轻女同学。原来讲义是要从网上下载的。女同学好心的取出个人电脑，示范给中年女人看。原来要点击这里那里。嗯，中年妇女心想：用电脑真是一门学问！

到了第三课，妇女怀疑自己是否有能力把功课搞好。这么讲师说的，他都一头雾水。什么“关键词”啦，什么“语法”啦，什么“语义”啦，到底将是在说什么？妇女纳闷，但还是坚持上课。

皇天不负苦心人，救星出现了。第四课来了另一位女讲师。这位女讲师精神奕奕，讲课字正腔圆，有条有理。中年妇女好似被打了强心针，对上课有兴致勃勃。

发表第一次功课时，妇女又下了一跳，怎么只拿到C？难道自己真么差劲？不行，妇女想，一定要加倍努力，不能输给班上年轻的同学们。

于是，妇女再接再厉，每次上课前都先上图书馆，找质料，多看书。第二次的功课妇女拿到A。第三次也是。讲师也注意到，给好的评语。妇女心里感到欣慰。

到了考试的时候了。临考时，讲师注意到妇女一脸的倦容，关心地问起。原来妇女前几天刚忙完公司的展览会。讲师还建议妇女揉揉轻打额前，有助于提神。

成绩放榜时，妇女考获B+。妇女打从心里感谢遇上好老师。若是没遇上这位良师，恐怕妇女早已放弃学业了！

至今，妇女还记得老师说要“勤查”（即勤查字典），“擒贼先擒王”（即先抓住要点，再理其他）。老师的教诲，妇女还紧记在心。妇女立誓一定要把功课搞好，才不会辜负了老师一片苦心。

In Memory of Sticky & Descendents

2009-03-15T02:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Sticky's last baby died. I am not sure what it died of. I think it could have died of hunger. It went four days without food after hatching.

Other babies died of other causes. Some died while moulting. One died of diarrhoea, I think. I think my husband decided to give their house a hose-down. So their home was a little more wet than usual. Some got bitten by their elder siblings. We would find a leg here and a leg there. Some went on bravely for a while though missing a leg or two.

My husband gave two of the bigger specimens to a science teacher. One baby died. So the teacher asked my husband for a replacement. Before my husband could give him the newest addition, it died. Sob!

Sticky's Family

2008-12-29T19:08:00.000-08:00

As at today (30 December 2008), Sticky has 5 offspring.

One was hatched yesterday, another on 28 Dec, and yet another one on 25 (Christmas!). There are 3 older ones that were hatched earlier (after 28 November, but I cannot remember when exactly).

By this morning, the one (nicknamed Still Stuck) that was hatched yesterday died. My hubby said its legs were all stuck in the egg. This is the second or third time that a young life had been lost this way.

Another was hatched with curly legs. So it was unable to perch upside-down properly, falling down many times. It failed to thrive despite food provided. In the end, it died after a few days.

After Curly Legs, there was one hatched with a bent back. Bendy Back survived for about three weeks. It had difficulty moulting and fell onto a leaf and died!

Earlier, one had two legs stuck to the egg, so it had only four legs. It died shortly after hatching.

Now, we have one with five legs. Its last leg was stuck to the egg during hatching. Let us see how it goes.

Meanwhile, Sticky is still at large, missing since 28 November 2008. Its two eldest offspring, Stickling and Sticklet died respectively on the toilet floor (after escaping) and in its enclosure, presumably from lack of water when we went for a 2-day holiday.

The survivors measure between 2 cm to 3 cm. They do not fight but may get stuck to each other when they crawl pass each other!

Brother's Courses

2008-07-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

Brother went for a Customer Service Programme

The next thing he has signed up for is a Point of Sale course in late August.

Cabinets and More Cabinets

2008-07-27T16:06:00.000-07:00

I have lost count of how many cabinets my father and brother bought for their new house. Let's see:
- 4 Jul 08 bought Toyogo 5-tier cabinet at $65
- 17 Jun 08 bought (6th!) Toyogo cabinet
- 16 Jun bought Toyogo cabinet (for Father's DVD collection)

So I think the tally is seven cabinets.

D-Day & the Aftermath

2008-04-26T20:33:00.000-07:00

D-Day came last Sunday and went very quickly.

It came so quickly that my father and brother did not have time for breakfast nor last-minute packing. Five men came and loaded all the stuff onto their two lorries. Then, my father had to go to the new house to supervise the shifting while my brother stayed back at the old house to do some last-minute packing.
I also went to the new house after an early lunch.

It worked out well that we planned exactly where we wanted to put each piece of furniture and the boxes. In the end, my father had to pay the movers an additional $50 because of the amount of stuff.

After that, I mopped the floor and my father and I went to buy the ironing board.

The next day, we went to the shop where we bought the TV to get the technician to fix the cables for us in the evening. That costs my father $25.

We went back to the old house to do further packing (and throwing).

On the third day, the cleaners from the Town Council came in the afternoon to dispose of:

- old marble table (that had been around since my brother was a baby)
- old chest of drawers with mirror (which had been around since I could remember)
- old shoe rack (which my father built and which had been around for as long as I could remember).

- old wardrobe (that had been bought when we moved into the old house in 1970)

- old washing machine (which had started to make strange noises when washing)

On Wednesday, my father left for a holiday.

Phew! That had been a lot of planning and doing for at least 3 months.

Welcome - Washing Machine & Bed

2008-04-18T02:07:00.000-07:00

Today (18 April 2008, Friday), the washing machine was delivered in the morning.

As I had to wait for my daughter to be dismissed from school, I reached my father's place at 12 noon. By that time, the washing machine was in already.

My father went for lunch. I pottered around to mop the floor and my daughter also affixed all the necessary e.g. hook for hanging the broom, hook for hanging my brother's clothes, hangers for hand towel, sponge for wash basin, etc. All the hooks and sponges which I got from Daiso on Tuesday, cost $8. The two hand towels, which I got from Toa Payoh Lorong 7 yesterday, cost $5. The four face towels, which I got from Carrefour cost $1-90.

When my father came back, my daughter and I went to nearby NTUC to buy a packet of house brand moth balls, a packet of house brand toilet rolls, 2 bottles of dish-washing liquid, and 2 bottles of toilet-cleaning liquid. All these cost $15.

Then we came back. Later, at around three o'clock, three men delivered the bed and mattresses. After that, my daughter and I proceeded to put on the mattress/pillow/bolster protectors, before we put on bed-linen. (By the way, the bolster and bolster protector, which my daughter and I got from John Little last Sunday, cost a total of $35-80).

Now, count down to D-Day: 2, 1.

Countdown to Moving In - 8, 7 ...

2008-04-13T04:35:00.000-07:00

Today (13 April 2008), my father and I had lunch together. Next, we proceed to the furniture mall to instruct them to deliver my brother's wardrobe tomorrow. (His bed and the washing machine will be delivered this Friday).

After that, we went to Toyogo at Blk 11 Lorong 8 Industrial Park. We bought a broom, a mop, a toilet brush and a pedal bin. We took the feeder service 238 to Toa Payoh Central, before walking to my father's new place.

While there, I fixed the little racks in the bathroom accessory cabinet. I must say that after this, I have become quite a handywoman ... I figured out how to fix the shoe rack and now this cabinet racks!

The gameplan as discussed last night with my brother and father is this: on Sunday, we will split into 2 camps - my brother at the old place; my father and I, new place. My brother will instruct the movers what to move and what not to move. Those furniture that are to be discarded are to be placed at the corridor for the town council personnel to collect the next day. Meanwhile, my father and I will instruct the movers where to place the furniture at the new place. My brother would clean up the old place and discard the smaller items because he would have to surrender the flat to HDB for inspection on a mutually-agreed day.

Birthday

2008-04-05T20:28:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, my Manager bought me a dim-sum lunch for my birthday.

On Thursday, my colleagues got me the American Cheesecake from Hotel Hilton (no joke!) to celebrate my birthday. And who did I get to help me cut the cake? My Silver Sister, of course! (If you are curious about what the cake looks like, refer to Page 26 of Lifestyle section in today's [6 April 2008] Sunday Times). It is ranked one of 50 yummiest cakes in Singapore! We all had a licking good time.

In the afternoon, my Managing Director learnt of my birthday and remarked, "You have survived another year!" (Indeed, I have. I count myself lucky that I did not die on the operating table in January, haha!) Then, he asked why the noticeboard (whiteboard) was not updated. I said, "Ask the Organising Committee." LOL. That is the way my company works.

Guarantees

2008-04-04T05:24:00.000-07:00

The following guarantees came with purchase:

3 month guarantee for ceiling fan
1 year guarantee for general renovation
2 years guarantee for 'Philips' electric kettle
3 years guarantee for washing machine

3 years guarantee for roller blinds

This morning, I met my father at the market. He was looking at some kettles at a shop. I suggested that he bought an electric kettle. He came back to my house to look at ours ('Philips'). We moved one plastic box from my place to his. Next, we brought the mattress protector, pillow protector and 2 soap dishes to his new place.

This is punctuated by a neighbour coming to our place to visit and vice versa. He will be staying at Level 22. Currently, his flat is into the first week of renovations. The flooring for the living room is done. The kitchen tiles are being topped with another layer of bigger, smoother tiles! What wastage!

Then we went to Courts and another shop at Toa Payoh Central. Finally, he bought a 1-litre 'Philips' electric kettle at the latter shop for $47. We saved about $3. That is the satisfaction we get from shopping around and negotiating. Ha ha!

On the way, we also bought 3 floor mats for a total of $10. I was surprised that my father settled for the brighter colours. For myself, I would have chosen the one-colour pieces. Anyway, it is his house - so he has his say.

Then, we brought the kettle and mats to the new house. I put in the 2 soap dishes and we set up the shoe rack together.

Later, at about 3pm, the serviceman came to fix the gas supply. He was pretty quick about it and finished in about 15 minutes time! We were all very pleased that we could go home earlier.

More Accessories

2008-03-28T03:02:00.000-07:00

Today (28 March 2008) the main contractor handed over the project and my father paid the final instalment.

I brought all the bathroom accessories to be fixed: toilet roll holders, soap dishes, towel hooks and hangers. The main contractor had affixed the wall clock and a bathroom mirror yesterday.

After that, my father bought the following items:

shoe rack @ $25-00 (from Toyogo)
pail for mopping @ $5-90 (from Toyogo)

We took feeder bus service 238 to Toa Payoh Central and then walked to my father's new place. Phew!

The next task would be to transport some plastic cabinets ... guess we have to call a cab the next time because the cabinets will be heavier.

We still need to buy a padlock, several hanger hooks, a pillow, a bolster and probably a bolster protector.

Accessories

2008-03-26T05:20:00.000-07:00

By today (26 March 2008), we have got the following accessories for my father's new house:

mirror @ $4-80 from Japan Home (paid by father)
2 pcs toilet roll holder @ $4-30 from Japan Home (Toa Payoh Central)
toothbrush holder @ $3-90 from Toa Payoh Central
2 pcs soap dishes @ $2-00 from Daiso (Plaza Singapura)
5 pkts assorted hooks @ $2-00 from Daiso
mattress protector @ $18-00 from John Little
set of 4 forks, tablespoons, knives and teaspoons @ $14-95 from Spotlight
2 pcs bedsheet @ $10-00 from Aussino

We still need to buy:

pillow
pillow protector
bolster
row of hooks
shoe rack

Through it all, I learnt that:

bathroom accessories can cost from $11 for a stainless steel toilet roll holder (wholesale price), $16 (retail price), or even hundreds or thousands of dollars
mattress protector can cost from $18 (sale price) to $39-90 (normal price)
mirror can cost from $4-80 (Toa Payoh Central shop), to $15-00 (NTUC), to hundreds of dollars, etc.

If you want to save money, you have to invest in time and effort in shopping so as to compare costs. There is no short cut. But it is worth it and deeply gratifying.

Renovations Decisions - Part 3

2008-03-21T00:50:00.000-07:00

By today (21 March 2008, Friday), the kitchen cabinet has been completed. So has the shower room. It is transparent! My father has bought a $8 wall clock and asked the main contractor to fix it in the living room.

This morning we (i.e. my father, brother, daughter and me) met with two other sub-contractors.

One, a contractor came to measure and quote for the roller blinds. We decided to have roller blinds for the living room, master bedroom and my brother's bedroom. We chose beige for the pink bedrooms (yes, the men had their bedrooms painted pink!) and grey for the living room. The cost - a hefty $980 after a discount of $7! My father paid $100 deposit. The blinds will be fixed in 10 days' time i.e. 31 March 2008.

Two, another contractor came to measure and quote for racks in the storeroom. We decided to have two racks. One costs $110 and the other, $90. So that is a total of $200. It will be delivered next Tuesday.

By next Friday, the main contractor will hand over the project. We will have to pay the balance of the bill. So far, we have paid $4,000 and $3,000 per fortnight.

There are two pieces of new furniture to be delivered: a single bed and a wardrobe. These are supposed to be delivered in early April. My father has to pay the balance of $700. We discussed how these furniture are to be placed.

We planned to get the washing machine delivered on 18 April 2008 (Friday). This is because my father has decided to shift on 20 April 2008 (Sunday). He reached this decision after consulting some Buddhist neighbours who advised him to shift either on 1st or 15th of Lunar month. My father chose 15th because it is a Sunday.

After my brother and father has moved in and unpacked, they may return the carton boxes to get back their $20 deposit. The cost of hiring professional movers will be $280.

So the outstanding fixtures are:
- door bell to be fixed onto wall
- shower room door handle
- cooker to be placed in kitchen cabinet
- bathroom cabinet to be fixed

The outstanding task for my father and brother is to pack their belongings.

The outstanding knicknacks to buy are:
- toilet roll holders
- soap dishes
- hooks (for hanging bath towels)
- toothbrush/toothpaste holder
- pails
- shoerack
- plastic cabinets/drawers

I also need to ask the town council to dispose of another three of my father's bulky items, possibly on 17 April 2008 at the earliest, or after 20 April 2008. I would have to give them three days' notice i.e. call them on 14 April 2008. The three items may be: my brother's bedroom cabinet with mirror, my brother's bedroom wardrobe and the kitchen marble table. We may have to pay to ask them to remove the additional items, such as, my brother's bed and the washing machine.

Disposal of Bulky Items - Part 1

2008-03-12T18:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I called the town council for help in disposing my father's old furniture:
- one two-seater sofa
- one dining table (given by neighbour)
- one 50-year-old dressing table

This service is provided free-of-charge! Isn't it wonderful!

We have to email our precise request e.g. what items to dispose, give our name, address, telephone numbers and email address. No field is to be left blank. How high tech!

We have to give three days' notice. So the removal will be on next Monday.

The next removal will be next month. By that time, we may have to pay for the extra items as we have more than three items to dispose.

Renovations Decisions - Part 2

2008-03-09T19:08:00.000-07:00

By 7 March 2008 (Friday), the following works were done:
- flooring for living room and 3 bedrooms
- flooring for raised area for kitchen (for washing machine and fridge)
- cornices for living room
- painting (started in masters bedroom)

We were shown a draft of the kitchen cabinet layout. We chose just a glass panel to cover the dish-drying rack. My father chose the colour for the kitchen cabinet - a very light brown; I, the table top colour - a peach marble-like design.

Next Monday, it was planned that the lighting will be fixed.

We have already ordered a new washing machine. My father has ordered a new television set. We also bought some red plastic bags for packing.

Secret Friend Week

2008-03-07T23:39:00.000-08:00

This week is Secret Friend week.

Last Friday, when I was off, my secret friend gave me a lovely stationery set. My colleagues were envious of me.

That spurred me to do some shopping for another secret friend of mine.

This Friday, my secret friend gave me a CD with 16 tracks of lovely music e.g. soundtrack from the movie "Chicago", "Flashdance", "Tootsie", etc. I also got a receptacle to be used for aromatherapy. My neighbouring colleagues insist that I 'share' the music. I am listening to it as I type this.

Back to Work - Week 2

2008-03-06T18:03:00.000-08:00

This week is so much better than last week.

For once, I have enough sleep. I remember waking up at 2.45am one night, did not sleep after that, was at the office from 8am till 6pm. I was really pooped!

Also, last week I had to settle the housekeeping issues.

This week, I tackled another department's issues. (Yes, I belong to 2 departments!)

I am off work today. But duties call ... I have to see to the renovation works of my father's new flat.

Back to Work - Week 1

2008-02-28T17:11:00.000-08:00

I went back to work and discovered the following:
- that we ran out of 4-feet fluorescent tubes (lighting)
- that one staff room ran out of photocopier toners
- that A is not talking to B
- that C argues with D and E
- that some equipment cables have gone 'walking'
- that some invoices still get misdirected
- that the airconditioning for certain rooms still get 'mysteriously' turned off
- that X got transferred and is replaced by Y
- that P and Q celebrated their birthdays this week!

I also got many hugs, and comments such as "Welcome back" and "We missed you". Only one staff member said I looked pale and whether I was well. Two matured members told me to take it easy and look after myself well. The rest of my colleagues said I look "well", "better" and even "Did you get a makeover?" Only two staff members gave me the cold shoulder.

And all these happened in 4 days!

Renovations - Decisions Part 1

2008-02-22T02:39:00.000-08:00

On 21 February 2008 (Thursday), my father and I met with the renovation contractors.

They will be responsible for the following works:

tiling living room and all bedroom floor
painting living room and all 3 bedrooms
making and installing kitchen cabinet
fixing all electrical works including ceiling fan, water heater
fixing all other fixtures e.g. bathroom cabinet and FOC dish-drying rack

We were also ferried to the sub-contractors' place. The first stop was to choose floor tiles. The second stop was to choose all lighting and electrical appliances i.e. lighting for living room, 3 bedrooms, passageway, 2 bathrooms, storeroom plus ceiling fan. The third stop was to choose kitchen and bathroom accessories i.e. cooker (without hood), kitchen sink, kitchen tap, bathroom cabinet with mirror.

We have already paid in full for the kitchen/bathroom accessories; a token for lighting and electrical appliances.

We will have to pay an instalment to the main contractor and to decide on wall colour and kitchen material on Saturday.

More Training with Father

2008-02-19T19:38:00.000-08:00

On 16 February 2008 (Saturday), my father and I went to Lorong 4 and Lorong 7 to look at furniture. This time, we also had my daughter coming along. We finally booked a single bed and a two-door wardrobe for my brother.

Then, my daughter returned home. My father and I continued to walk to Lorong 8 to look at some plastic things e.g. pedal bin, shoe rack and chest of drawers.

This adventure is 'punctuated' by breakfast, tea-break and lunch.

On 19 February 2008 (Tuesday), my father and I took bus service 163 to a shopping centre. We collected two free gifts from a promotion. Then we window-shopped till he bought a contour pillow for $29. It was supposed to be a bargain. The salesperson claimed that its usual price is $37.

This second adventure is 'punctuated' by lunch and afternoon tea-break.

After all this walking, I feel that my blood circulation has improved. My left leg does not feel numb. So I have not worn the compression stockings for about a week already.

Father's Training - Day 2

2008-02-12T17:52:00.000-08:00

On the next day, I went out with my father again.

This time, we went to a nearby furniture mall. Then walked to the next market place for lunch. Later, we went to Central and looked at more furniture. (You see, my father will be moving house soon and he needs to replace some of his furniture).

Upon coming home, I showered and napped! Still good for half a day only. Hmm... really, need to build up stamina for a full-day's work.

Father's Training - Day 1

2008-02-12T17:45:00.000-08:00

My father believes in walking as an exercise. If possible, he walks. For example, he walks from his place to mine (one bus stop away); from his place to Central where the MRT station, bus interchange, etc are located. So he does not use the feeder service. He only uses trunk services for further destinations.

On 11 February, besides going downstairs for breakfast, I also went out with my father.

We went for lunch and then to Ang Mo Kio to look at some furniture and later went to see some sample units that HDB put up for viewing.

We spent about 4 hours. I slept before 9pm - really pooped!

Chinese New Year celebrations - Day 4

2008-02-10T17:58:00.000-08:00

After four days of merry-making, my daughter and I have to stay at home so that she can finish her homework.

Meanwhile, there was still "Spider-Man" and "I Not Stupid 2" on the television.

Chinese New Year celebrations - Day 3

2008-02-09T20:23:00.000-08:00

On the third day of Chinese New Year, we usually do not go visiting.

So my daughter and I decided to go to a movie. We went to Orchard Cinema hoping to catch "27 Dresses" in the afternoon but it was all sold out. Undaunted, we tried our luck at Lido Cinema and met with the same result. So we decided to support local talent by watching "Ah Long Pte Ltd".

It is best that whatever you, do not have any expectations. I went without expecting very much but I was greatly entertained. The show had a generous dose of dialect. My daughter has never heard so much swear words delivered in dialect before!

After that, we went to my father's place to pick my son who had gone to visit his grandfather, which was his Saturday routine. We stayed for dinner instead and left after 9pm.

Chinese New Year celebrations - Day 2

2008-02-08T18:17:00.000-08:00

The first stop was to my father's place. My brother has a pretty little basket to put the mandarin oranges. The basket is a gift from his company.

The second stop was to my husband's best friend's place. His wife cooked a buffet spread. There was white rice, fried bee hoon, curry yong tao foo, two types of fish balls, and all sorts of fried stuff. The highlight for my daughter was that she got to carry a baby relative of the host. She was all of four months old!

The third stop was to the Botanic Gardens. We saw many foreigners: caucasians as well as mainland Chinese. I love the souvenir shop there. It stocks many unusual items e.g. its wrapping paper. This time the motif was batik printing, which was very realistic, like a piece of cloth. Previously, I bought some wrapping paper which featured wild animals. I gave it away to a childcare centre because the students there loved it very much.

By 6pm, I was very sleepy. But we still went for dinner, home for shower and watched "Shanghai Knights" on the television. I slept at 10pm - satisfied and happy after a tiring but eventful day.

Chinese New Year celebrations - Day 1

2008-02-07T18:24:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year - Year of the Rat. Coincidentally, it is also my son's 16th birthday.

We wore our new clothes and brought two oranges to my in-laws' place to 'bai nian'. My brothers and sisters-in-laws plus their children were already there. We gave 'ang pow' to all the children as well as my parents-in-laws. This year, the ang pows were especially colourful. Besides the usual red, we also have gold and yellow ang pows.

This year, my youngest sister-in-law (my husband's brother's wife) became the 'assistant cook'. She deep-fried all the stuff that needed to be deep fried. My father-in-law stir-fried bee hoon, spinach with abolone, etc. My sister-in-law even made a mango pudding and some jelly. They looked really pretty and I suggested that she took snapshots of them before the rest 'attack' the food. So she used her telephone to take photos of the puddings.

The men gathered to talk about their favourite topic - politics. The women also had their little talk in one of the bedrooms. We admired each others' new outfits and took turns to examine and ooh-and-aah over my sister-in-law's 'Hilly' handbag.

I asked my nephews and nieces about studying in polytechnics. Only one nephew completed junior college and is most probably going to the local university after his stint of National Service. Another niece is finishing her external degree after having worked for a few years after finishing polytechnic. They are good kids.

Then the teenagers sat down to a game of mahjong. One nephew played electronic games while another read the last instalment of "Harry Potter". This bored my youngest nephew who will be 11 years old this year. So he busied himself entertaining others. He had already prepared some 'lucky draw tickets'. He wrote some words and blanked them out with correction tape. For example, when my ticket was held against the light, I could read 'altitude'. He used a piece of paper rolled up as a loud hailer and said the winning ticket is 'altitude' so I got to choose a prize from amongst an array of paint-brushes. I gamely chose one and was further rewarded with a fortune cookie which I promptly ate. Inside the cookie was a piece of paper with four digits - implying that we should bet on 4-D!

I am so glad for this yearly get-together. We see each other's children growing up. We exchange tips. We eat together. We play together. Basically, we support each other. We are family!

Chinese New Year celebrations - Reunion

2008-02-07T18:19:00.000-08:00

On 6th February 2008, we had our Reunion Dinner at my in-laws' place.

We sat down to a delicious dinner prepared by my father-in-law. Then my in-laws gave my children 'ya sui' money which they were supposed to put under their pillows for good luck.

Then, we went home. The children were supposed to sleep late to increase their parents' life. Anyway, I slept at 9pm.

I am just very thankful that I can make it to the Reunion this time after my health scare.

DIY Physiotherapy - Day 3

2008-02-02T22:37:00.000-08:00

I went shopping with my daughter again. We went to the same place except we took four hours - double yesterday's timing.

I had to sit down twice. First, we sat down in the library after an hour's walking. Then, two hours later, we sat down to lunch. I discovered that I was still not used to the sights and sounds of a very busy Toa Payoh Central preparing for Chinese New Year celebrations in three days' time.

I bought a pair of slippers for my son and a pair of shoes and socks for my daughter. We bought another pound cake since my son took a liking to them after yesterday's trial.

DIY Physiotherapy - Day 2

2008-02-02T22:29:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, I decided to venture a little further.

So I roped in my daughter's help and off we went to Toa Payoh Central on the feeder service. We bought two pound cakes and some stationery for her art lesson. I was happy to find the bookshop almost desolated as everyone seemed busy with Chinese New Year shopping and is giving this bookshop a miss, for once. Then, we went home.

We took two hours in all. I was tired when I got home so I took a three-hour nap to recover.

DIY Physiotherapy - Day 1

2008-02-02T22:22:00.000-08:00

After a one-week self-imposed exile from the world, I have ventured out of the house on 1 February 2008 (Friday).

I went downstairs for breakfast. My husband of few words said to me before I left the house: "Walk slowly".

I was happy to see the hawkers and the shopkeepers. One hawker asked if I was on leave. I told her I was off work on that Friday, as were other Fridays.

Besides feeling a little disoriented, I am all right. I wonder if other people who have been away from society feel the same way - the prisoners who were released, the patients who were discharged after a long period of confinement?

2008-01-30T21:58:00.000-08:00

Thank you for the tonic basket and the balloon! The balloon is still going strong. As I was writing this, it floated out of my bedroom and into the kitchen.

2008-01-30T21:29:00.000-08:00

It was a night out of the 1001 Arabian Nights. We were decked in our best gold/silver costumes. At the cue ... "I don't know" we sprang into action and the rest they say ... is history.

2008-01-30T21:23:00.000-08:00

The original Silver Sisters

Pastimes for Convalescents

2008-01-30T19:16:00.000-08:00

What can you do if you are recovering from an operation and are confined to the house?

If you are literate, you can read and that opens up a host of things for you to read while you are recovering from your operation.

You can read books, magazines and the newspapers.

If you have internet access, you have even more things to do.

You may read up on your illness/surgery/after care e.g. I typed in keywords such as: 'thrombosis', 'graduated compression stockings'. You may check your CPF Medisave account (to see how much you have burnt when sick and how to make your money work harder). You may go online shopping for products. You may conduct your internet banking. You may read the news (try www.stomp.com.sg for the paperless bilingual newspapers). You may email/chat with your friends.

If you have a blog, you may post your thoughts. This saves you from explaining yourself. It will also be helpful to those who come after you (i.e. those poor souls who unfortunately like me need a laparascopy and a stint in hospital).

You may text your friends if you have a handphone.

For the illiterate, they may still have visitors, talk to friends using the telephone or handphone. There is also the television and radio to provide entertainment for all. You may watch DVDs or listen to your CDs.

Hey, nowadays, you can even watch YouTube and other television programmes on the computer.

There is of course housework to be done. First, start with light duties e.g. folding your laundry, washing your mug, cleaning the headboard of your bed, wiping the dining table. As you grow stronger every day, you may do more housework. However, stop at heavy duties e.g. changing the bedsheets and carrying heavy things.

First to Shopping, Then to Hospital

2008-01-30T18:29:00.000-08:00

Before you become hospitalised, you have to go shopping for a list of things.

For patients going for key-hole surgery (laparascopy), you have to consider that you will have three to four punctures in your abodominal area so anything with a waistband, especially the currently fashionable low-waist pants, are a no-no.

One-piece garments like dresses are ideal.

At home, you may wear those batik-printed dresses. These may cost from $6 upwards (if you buy from neighbourhood heartlands like Toa Payoh Central) or from $20 upwards (if you buy from the souvenir shops along Orchard Road).

Panties have to be either 'maxi' or 'bikini' style. This is because the surgery is from the belly-button downwards.

You will need a pair of footwear, preferably a cheap pair of flip-flops. This is because you will be down-and-out after the surgery and will be confined to your bed for at least one day, so nobody will be looking after your footwear. Ditto for jewellery, money and expensive personal items e.g. handphones - so leave them at home till you are fully conscious.

Depending on the ward that you have chosen to stay in, you may also need a set of toiletries e.g. toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, comb, and bath towel. (C-class wards do not provide any of these toiletries).

If you like reading, you may wish to bring a book to read to while away the hours, especially the afternoons, with only tea-break to break the monotony. There are others who played at their crossword puzzles and electronic games as pastimes.

Lastly, remember to put all these in a bag (together with your hospital admission card) and voila, you are ready to be hospitalised.

Painful People

2008-01-28T17:40:00.000-08:00

You can be discharged from the hospital if the hospital personnel observes that they have done everything possible they can for you e.g. operated on you, gave you medicine and provided you with physiotherapy, and you can perform self-help skills e.g. eating, walking and toileting independently. Then, physically, you are ready to go home.

However, some people chose to remain hospitalised. Why?

One patient told me that in the hospital, she gets more than three decent meals i.e. breakfast, morning tea-break, lunch, afternoon tea-break, dinner and supper. Besides the distinction of halal (for Muslim patients on religiious grounds) or non-halal food, rice or porridge or on the drip or nothing (if you are preparing for an operation), the menu varies everyday. A main meal like lunch or dinner comprises: rice with vegetables, a meat item and a soup. There is dessert too. Tea-break is usually crackers with a drink like "Milo", barley, ginger water or milk.

With windows on one side of the wall and an overhead fan per bed, the hospital ward is airy. For me, that translates to bright and breezy. For some lucky souls, like myself, we even get a window view, which sometimes we do not even get if we work in a windowless office, like I do.

The room service is superb. You just have to press the buzzer and the nurses are at your beck and call. You get the bed-linen changed everyday. (How many of us get that kind of service back home?) You change your hospital uniform everyday but are spared doing the laundry. Life is even better than having a maid at home. There was a patient who took up a lot of many people's time and energy because she was practically commanding everyone when things go slightly out-of-sync e.g. she complained her buzzer was not working; she fell off the bed the previous day; the chemotherapy treatment will make her blind!

If you are a social animal, there are other people to talk to e.g. doctors, nurses, student nurses patients, cleaners, caterers, physiotherapists. If you can walk to the patients' lounge, you can even watch television programmes!

For some patients, they get visitors and sympathy. Their family members, friends and colleagues are especially kind during this period.

All this attention, like painkillers, can be addictive. Therefore, it is harder for them to be prepared mentally and emotionally to leave the hospital if they are starved of attention back at home.

Dignity versus Indignity

2008-01-28T17:22:00.000-08:00

When you are sick, you can be rather undignified.

For example, you are confined to your bed and everything has to be done when you are in bed. This includes eating and excreting. Of course, this is assuming you are can eat and pass urine &/or motion at your own accord. Suppose you cannot eat or excrete by yourself, then you have to suffer more indignity i.e. have a drip or a catheter attached.

The other indiginity that happens when you are confined to your bed is due to your weak state, you neglect to groom yourself. If you are in hospital, the nurses may help you by offering you a mouth-wash for you to gargle with; a wet towel for you to wipe your face with; their help to wipe your body.

All these challenge your values that you were brought up with since you were a baby. All of a sudden, the values had to go out of the window!

We, the patients feel undignified because we had to ask for help for simple tasks that even toddlers can do. We feel violated and ashamed that nurses, who are strangers, see us in all our nakedness and vulnerability. But if you examine the intention of the nurses, they perform the services to preserve our dignity - to be groomed despite illness.

So it all boils down to intention and perception. And come to think of it, this also applies to all other things.

Medicine and Me

2008-01-27T17:39:00.000-08:00

Before the operation, I was prescribed the following medication:
- "Sangobion Capsule": take 2 capsules every morning. Take with or after food.
- "Ascorbic Acid 100mg tablet: take 2 tablets every morning. May be taken with or without food.
- "Vitamin B Complex tablet: Take 1 tablet every morning.

After the operation, I was prescribed additional medication:
- Co-Amoxiclav 625mg tablet: take 1 tablet 2 times a day for 1 week. Take with or after food. Take regularly and complete the course.
- Antacid tablet: chew and swallow 2 tablets 3 times a day when necessary. May be taken with or without food.
- Mefenamic Acid 250mg capsule: take 2 capsules 3 times a day when necessary for pain or to reduce menses flow. Take with out after food.

I have continued with the vitamins as well.

I tried to reduce my dependence on painkillers on Saturday (26/1/08). I took 1 capsule at 9am and waited to see when the next wave of pain will come.

Pain gripped my abdomen at 1.30am (27/1/08). I decided to take a painkiller so that I could sleep. So I am back to my regimen of 2 painkillers a day - one at 9am and the next at 9pm.

I will try to reduce the intake of painkillers later, possibly by middle of this week.

Life as a Wombless Woman - Day 4

2008-01-25T18:28:00.000-08:00

I had a good night's sleep - five hours straight with no interruptions. Bliss!

My father came to visit me in the afternoon and brought more tonics. I now have enough tonics to last me three weeks!

The only luxury I gave myself was the afternoon nap.

Otherwise, life is pretty much almost back to normal except I remind myself not to carry heavy stuff. I wiped the headboard of my bed, cleaned the dining table, and cleaned the porcelain basin.

I even handwashed the special white stockings that I have to wear for two weeks to improve blood circulation. I sure felt unsecure when I slept without it last night because it was left to dry near my kitchen window.

I am still reading "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" which I bought at a 25% discount. I finished reading "The Incident of the Dog in the Night Time" before I had my operation.

I have started to wean myself off painkillers. Instead of taking 2 capsules 3 times a day, I took 1 capsule 3 times yesterday. Today, I will experiment with taking 1 capsule twice a day. I am still continuing with the iron tablets, Vitamin C and Vitamin B tablets. However, the surgeon has reduced my iron input by half.

I looked at myself yesterday in the mirror. Now, the whites of my eyes look normal. They are no longer blood-shot like when I was taking iron tablets twice a day.

The only 'ceremony' that I still have to perform for at least one week is the preparation for the shower. I cut a rectangular piece of plastic wrapping paper and tape it around my dressings before I shower. The dressings can come off in one week's time.

I will see my surgeon in two weeks' time, before Chinese New Year.

Besides a little wind in the abdomen, I feel fine.

Life as a Wombless Woman - Day 3

2008-01-24T17:18:00.000-08:00

I woke up and went to brush my teeth. Despite the fact that there are only three toilets serving the C-class wards and another two toilets serving the B2-class wards, there is no queue for the toilets. This is sad as it implies that most patients are confined to their beds.

Yesterday night, I was issued a change of clothes. This signals to me that I am to shower today. (There are two types of uniforms for the patients. For those in the wards, they are to wear a tie-string long skirt with a tie-string V-necked blouse. These are in a dull pink, light cotton material. For those who need to go to the operating theatres, they need to change into a white blouse with strings behind and a red kimono-style bathroom robe.)

This morning the nurses dispensing the medicine put on a yellow vest that says: "Do Not Disturb. I am serving medicine". (I may not be 100% accurate about the second line as I was not wearing my spectacles). What a hilarious statement! What happened earlier? Did doctors/other nurses/patients disturbed the nurses who were dispensing medicine? Anyway, kudos to them for the courage to implement changes to improve the quality of their worklife!

I was happy to have Yong Tau Foo for breakfast. It came complete with sweet sauce and chilli. Yummy!

Just then, my surgeon came. He examined me and pronounced me fit to be discharged. Hooray! I quickly sent short messages to inform my husband, my boss and my brother.

After breakfast, I told the nurses I needed to go for a shower. They promptly taped my abdomen with a plastic bag and some tape to cover the dressing. Two of the three C-class toilets were occupied. The lock on the third one was not working. A nurse told me to use one of the B2-class toilets.

B2-class and C-class patients enjoy many similar benefits. For example, patients get similar subsidies on medicine for outpatient services. The wards are ventilated by fans (instead of air-conditioning). They share the same patients' lounge where they can watch television programmes or read the newspapers. Even the toilets look similar. B2-class ward has six beds. C-class wards has six beds too but they are partitioned off by 'half-walls' instead of 'full-walls'.

Besides the seating toilet on the right, there is a covered bin across the toilet and a laundry basket for the uniforms due for washing. Moving into the unit, there is the basin on the right and a shower on the left. There is an adjustable seat that is attached to the wall near the shower. There is also a shower curtain. However, there is no demarcation on the floor so when one showers, the whole floor is wet.

I shampooed my hair and showered. I had completed my set of self-help skills needed to qualify for a discharge i.e. be able to get out of bed independently, be able to eat independently, be able to walk independently and be able to take care of my toileting needs.

Physically, I am ready to go home.

Life as a Wombless Woman - Day 2

2008-01-24T16:35:00.000-08:00

I was awakened by a young, good-looking male doctor, who came to examine me. I think he must have been the ward doctor doing his shift. (This place has some of the most good-looking men. Its 24-hour outpatient clinic has a tanned hunk with rosy cheeks, who looks more like a body-building athelete than a doctor. The senior consultant who advised me to undergo the hysterectomy operation is a handsome man in his 30s. And now this man that stood in front of me can be described as 'cute' by most young girls.)

I asked for some ice cubes. The Indian nurse on night-shift dutifully gave me two cubes in a glass with a disposable spoon.

I was allowed to start drinking water, then "Milo" for breakfast and then to eat porridge for lunch.

A sprightly, petite lady came and introduced herself to me as a physiotherapist. She said she would help me to get up and walk. When she adjusted the height of my bed, I felt nauseated. She quickly ran to get plastic bags for me. I promptly threw up. So that ended the physiotherapy session. I asked her to come back later.

I saw another patient who had open surgery on the same day that I had my operation being helped out of bed and onto a chair. She was encouraged to walk. After that, her catheter was removed. I thought to myself: if she can do it, so can I.

So after lunch, my drip and catheter were removed. I asked to go to the toilet. A nurse helped me to the toilet.

By the time another physiotherapist came in the afternoon, she was impressed that I could walk the length of the ward corridor, from the patients' lounge, past the nurses' workstations, past the two isolation wards, past the B2-class wards, past the C-class wards and out the corridor to the lift lobby. Of course, I still walked very slowly then and was a little out-of-breath from walking and talking to her at the same time.

Two of my colleagues came to visit me. Besides a 'tonic basket', they also got me a balloon. It was tied to the basket so it kept bobbing up and down because of the wind from the overhead fan. It reminded me of the Chinese Lion Dance! I was thrilled to have it. (It was later 'usurped' by my 12-year-old daughter when she came during the evening visiting hours).

Another floral-cum-tonic basket also arrived from my employer in the late afternoon.

Then, I had porridge for dinner.

My father, husband, daughter and brother came to visit me. (My son was at home studying for his Geography test).

At 9pm, the nurses switched off the lights and the 'overstaying' visitors had to leave. Sleep was interrupted by the 10pm routine check by the night-shift nurses. At about 11pm, two patients checked-in, one to my left and one across my bed.

After that, I managed to sleep till the next routine check. I was looking forward to seeing the 'cute' doctor but I guessed he was not on duty.

Life as a Wombless Woman - Day 1

2008-01-24T16:15:00.000-08:00

I remember waking up in the Recovery Unit at 12.20pm.

I felt better than the previous time when I had a D & C done to have some tissue samples. At least, I did not wake up with a sore throat. Nevertheless, I asked for a drink of water.

I was wheeled back to the ward where I was told that I could not eat for the next 24 hours. Oh, my goodness! I had not eaten since about 4pm the previous day when I had to do 'bowel prep'. I was starving and the aroma from the lunch served to my ward-mates was not helping.

So there being nothing else for me to do, I decided to sleep. Anyway, I was confined to my bed with a drip (for the anti-biotics and saline) and catheter (for the urine) attached to me.

The only interruptions were the hourly temperature and blood pressure-taking. I dislike the machine that takes blood pressure. It grips the upper arm too tightly till it is painful. Sometimes, it does not read properly and the nurse has to do it again. Help!

The good thing about waking up at night is looking at the three efficient nurses at work - smiling, caring and getting work done (even doing porter's work like wheeling patients to another level).

Note: There are only three nurses from 10pm. They look after a maximum of 30 patients.

Demolition of the Procreation Factory

2008-01-24T05:54:00.000-08:00

On 22 January 2008, I had a hysterectomy.

Hysterectomy means removal of the womb (aka uterus). Some women use it as a form of birth control. In my case, it was to remove the fibroids once and for all that were in my womb. Both my gynaes encouraged it because I have no intention to have any more babies as my son will turn 16 this year; my daughter, 13. (The fibroids were giving me severe anaemia).

I asked three of my friends who had had fibroids. Two of them had fibroids recurring despite their open surgery. The first friend opted for a key-hole surgery the second time. The second friend did not wish to repeat the "trauma" and decided to wait till her menopause, which she expects to happen soon. The third friend underwent a key-hole surgery and also encouraged me to get a second opinion.

I also have three women colleagues who shared with me that their mothers also went through a hysterectomy for a similar medical problem.

Both my gynaes agreed (for once) that the fibroids are best removed by a hysterectomy. (Many years ago, one gynae suggested that I do a key-hole surgery for removal of a cyst, while the other gynae suggested that I wait and see.)

One of my gynaes predicted a heart attack if the surgery were delayed. So that did it - I made up my mind: I will undergo the hysterectomy by key-hole surgery.

I was on GA so I have nothing to report about the surgery except that I went into the operating theatre at 10.25am and awoke at 12.20pm.

After the surgery, I asked the surgeon if there is now a vacuum in my abdomen. He said the womb was previously surrounded by intestines so the intestines will just fall into place. I also asked the ward doctor (on behalf of my female colleagues who wish to know) how to prevent fibroids. She said there is no way to prevent it.

So from now onwards, I will not have menstruation. As my ovaries are all right and still intact, I will still have the natural symptoms of menopause as the natural body clock decides.

Goodbye, Factory of My Procreation. You have served me well. Now, I only have a photo of you (fibroids and all) to remember you by.

Bowel Preparation

2008-01-24T05:32:00.000-08:00

On 16 January 2008, I was given 2 bottles of "Fleet Phospho-soda" oral saline laxative.

The instruction printed by the hospital on each bottle was to "take 45mls 2 times a day at 4pm and 8pm on the day before op. Follow the instructions you have been given." I was told by the pharmacist to drink the entire bottle at 4pm and then repeat at 8pm.

The printed information on the box states the use of the laxative as: "relief of occasional constipation. To help clean out the bowel before medical procedures ... This product causes a person to have a bowel movement in 30 minutes to 6 hours". It was also stated that I am to "drink as much extra liquids as you can to help replace the fluids you are losing during bowel movements."

So armed with all these information, I took the first dose at 4pm. I had bowel movement so everything was fine.

At 8pm, I took the second dose. All hell broke loose!

I had to literally run to the toilet almost immediately. My rear end was transformed to a 'tap'. This continued till 1.30am. For once in my life, I had lost count of the number of times I had had visited the toilet.

I thought I might dehydrated but it was too late to drink, since I was told not to eat or drink anything after 12 midnight. Anyway, I skipped dinner and only had a cracker at about 9.45pm.

Actually, to tell you the truth - I did not even finish the second dose.

It was all so unpleasant that it even beat the surgery. Can you believe it?

My Near-Death Experiences

2007-12-07T04:23:00.000-08:00

Hi all. Have you been in a near-death situation? Well, I have. Once was in December last year. The other was just last week.
Last year, we went to China for holiday. The holiday destination was in winter, sub-zero degrees Celsius. I had altitude sickness. Was coughing (actually gasping for breath) and feeling clammy. My heart was pounding away. I felt like both vomitting as well as having diarrhoea. I thought if I go any faster, I may have a heart attack. The tour guide just said to continue walking slowly. On the way back, I got wiser. I hired one of the sedan-chairs.
As for last week, again it was the holiday season. I was all packed for a short trip. That morning of departure ... I had fever. So I went to the nearest clinic. The doctor said I looked pale. He insisted on a blood test. So I went to my company doctor for the blood test. In the later part of the afternoon, the company doctor telephoned to urge me to admit myself to the nearest hospital. So I went to the nearest hospital Accident & Emergency department. I was under observation for about 4 hours. (Most of the time, the doctors were too busy attending to 'sicker patients' to bother about me). I was later transferred via ambulance to another hospital as 'we don't have a gynae in this hospital'. I was finally warded at about 10pm that day (Thursday). That night, they immediately gave me a packet of blood for transfusion. The next day (Friday), I received a second packet. I was also sent for an ultra-sound scan. Early the next day (Saturday), I received the third packet of blood. By Sunday afternoon 1pm, I was discharged. Both the doctors who attended to me urged me to undergo a surgery to remove my uterus. They prescribed some medicine to tide me till the next appointment date.

2007-12-07T03:57:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my world!! =)