iF wE HoLd On tOgEtHeR

2007-08-21T21:27:00.000+08:00

it's been a month since i last blogged...Sigh...think blogging is really for the youngsters...i am getting tired and lazy liao.

Haven't really been fully recovered since I last fell sick...my morning cough still refused to go away..its the phlegm that is irrating me every morning....

Joel went school today...Jim is off, brought him there. You know what? They went school without the BAG...consisting of Joel's baju and all the necessity. Luckily, the food and drinks are in another carrier carried by 2gu..

Afternoon, i decided to go for a walk (shopping). It's been a while since I let myself go and relax. Each time I plan where to go ( i end up coming home with an hour or two). A lousy shopper! Today, not too bad. I left home around 3pm and back home around 8pm (not bad ba?) Was a bit lost dunno where should i go and in the end, decided on VIVO. Wanted to go daiso, had a hard time finding Daiso..so malu gotta ask the security guard for help! The place is much more smaller than the one at IMM....bought some items and hang around until evening. Dropped by Plaza Singapura on the way home....had some snacks. Saw long Q for Miss Donuts...again? Why is donuts so popular these days? Are they really that delicious? So decided to try my patience and joined in the Q. Almost dropped off the Q and the lady behind me said : Hang on, we are almost there!" Her first time trying the donuts too! Haha..

Findingds: Hmm...slightly better than those from the market...but really nothing fantastic! No more next time!

2007-07-25T22:41:00.000+08:00

i am getting better liao...at least no fever today. Past few days was like going up and down, though not very high, but feeling very uncomfortable and drowsy. Wasn't able to take care of Joel, luckily Jim was off from Tues to Thur. Still got the guilt feeling of sleeping at home while Joel goes to ah ma house...think i can never learn to LET GO....

Joel has not been well either, always feverish when i touch him. Still coughing. Hope he can make it to school tomorrow cos 2mr got swimming. He hasn't been swimming for months liao...last week we went but the swimming class was cancelled cos weather was no good, drizzling and thunder.

Jim will bring him there, while I do my chores at home.

Haven't been going gym for about 2 wks....oh no, that's too long a period. Must faster recover and get back to gym soon.

TC sent us this link : DEAL OR NO DEAL. Kinda addictive to it... try it out!
http://www.nbc.com/Deal_or_No_Deal/game/dond.swf

2007-07-22T10:58:00.000+08:00

Cos...

I AM SICK!

BE BACK SOON!

2007-07-17T15:55:00.000+08:00

sianz today.... Joel is back to school after 2 week's rest (on mc). Schedule is slightly changed. Now they decided to have group PT instead of one to one...not much of use anyway. And the teachers are not PT trained professionally, so can only do some simple stretching exercises (with the help of printouts)...

Joel class used to have one volunteer (Leng Leng) some time ago. She is in her 40s, married without children. Teaches piano for income. After helping out the school for some time, she left the school to further pursue her education. Bachelor in special need education in Australia. Out of her own pocket. Volunteering at the school changed her life and perception and decided to devote her time in this area. Now she is back to Joel's class as a part-time teacher while studying part-time. Isn't this a great decision? Who on earth would want to spend so much money for a bachelor degree in something that probably won't give her high returns...

As i said before, for those who are so fortunate and yet still complaining about life, take a trip to the school, spend some time with the children and guarantee it will change your perception totally! A simple task like walking, eating etc is like so automatic to the normal person, but to the children there, they are struggling even to make a simple move, to hold the spoon or even to sit probably. So appreciate your every move, your everything around you...when u are able to eat on your own, appreciate that ability, and don't complain about what goes into the stomach.

One of Joel's schoolmate passed away last Saturday, he was only 10. Heard he died of phemonia and high fever. He actually had brain tumor at birth. Very sad when heard of the news cos we see each other quite often at the PT room. And helped each other when putting the kids of the tilt bed for standing... the last time I spoke to his maid, he was still ok. Very sad and scare each time kids in the school passes away, there are always cases especially after the school holidays.. very scare to hear it, really (u get what i mean?)

Its easy for some to say that its a relief for the child and the parents. That's not true! Even the maid who cared for him would feel sad after all these years with him. Who's heart would not ache having to let the child go, especially your own flesh and blood? Sigh...

2007-07-12T22:48:00.000+08:00

hi there!
haven't been blogging...
Joel has not been feeling well for the past week (had fever, seizures, stomach wind etc)
Had been to school once since school reopened, so far haven't gone again..
yesterday he had fever around 40.3 deg...luckily after medication and sponging, he got better..
Was so worried about the dengue thingy recently - talk of the town!!
I myself am very prone to mozzie bite...think one of these days sure kill by the mozzie...(CHOY!)

Here are some pics of my dearie -Vonvon...her convocation day! Finally waited until this day!

2007-07-03T22:18:00.000+08:00

2007-07-01T21:48:00.000+08:00

its the beginning of the 2nd half of the year - 1st July (also SAF day). time flies unknowningly. people aged too..sigh.. the thought of stepping into the 40s category sounds scary (hehe anyway still got "few" more years to go). It's SL that i mean referring to....wahaha!

Weather has turned unusually HOT and HUMID! Its is so unbearable! Each time stepping out of the house means got to change a new set of clothings when reach home...the high temperature makes one lose temper easily (especially when your "friend" is here)....i knew it, but couldn't control my temper.. just enjoy making others angry (haha, victim = > jim, of cos)

Joel is much affected by the hot weather too! He has mild fever past few days and is not eating well. He just want bread and milo.. anyway, better than not eating at all. Maybe he has not been drinking enough water. His bad habit started again. Each time he drinks, he kept it in his mouth and spill it out at one time, wetting his shirt...very naughty, right?

Today is also the first day of GST increase (from 5 to 7%). Govt is so "kind" to give its citizens GST rebate or reliefs according to their "weath". I managed to secure $200...you think what? strike lottery? got to pay back govt one, you know. Now give you, later take back from you even more....its like that one. gotta get used to it. But be clever, cut down on spending lor. then dun have to pay GST. buy from those places who are willing to absorb GST...oki, enough of craps!

2007-06-29T22:46:00.000+08:00

this whole week didn't get a chance to go gym cos school re-open liao. this evening managed to go cos Jim is off today (but not feeling very well). Anyway, he had enough rest in the afternoon so i went in the evening for an hour plus. (not 4getting my bananas magic). Since Vonvon also started exercising, hope she buy my idea of bananas b4 exercise...

some time ago, I collected 2 small cutie bags from the stuff the SL re-cycled. the bags are new and sweet, so tot of giving to one of my neighbour's little ger. She is 5/6 yrs old, K1. This poor ger come from a single family (mum too young to have her and dad didn't want to acknowledge her). So most of the time she is with the nanny who care so much for her. She is such a sweet and polite girl, will greet me whenever she sees me.

She was so happy when she came over to my place today to pick up the bags, plus some stationery and a mug. The one she carries to school right now is so old and torn and i was surprised that it is her nanny who sew the bag. The feeling is mixed! Really when you see the joy in her. It is something that we almost re-cycled it and yet to her, its like a pleasant surprise.
The nanny also don't mind the dresses which I hope its still at mum's place..

Lesson learnt today : Don't keep complaining about life....count your blessings when you compare with someone who are less fortunate.

2007-06-27T22:39:00.000+08:00

My heart ache badly today....

cause of ache is :

Draw on Wednesday 27th Jun 2007
1st 6904 2nd 6904 3rd 7173

2007-06-26T22:18:00.001+08:00

today is the first day of school for Joel after the June holidays. he woke up early in time for school. was feeling grouchy throughout (after too long rest at home). when it come to music lesson, he was energised! He clapped along while the teacher play the instrument. The teacher held on to the guitar while Joel strike the strings, he did so well! and each time after one performance, when teacher asked him keep the instrument, he put it back nicely into the basket. (but at home, he will throw far far away each time i ask him to keep his things)! what a world of difference!! :-(

Before the music class ended, he started feeling sleepy...eyes were like half closed....anyway, he really enjoyed himself during the lesson. The school is undergoing some kind of restructuring...(heard due to financial issue). The PT dept will be affected. Think this is very stupid cos most special need children requires PT more than anything else. Without the PT lesson, i dun know how else the kids are going to exercise. Anyway, i haven't heard from the school formally, will certainly oppose the idea when the school brought it up.

Met a kind cabby on the way home..he charged us $8 for a $9.70 trip. Isn't he nice? haven't been able to find time to visit the gym since last friday...oh no! too many days of lapse liao...gotta catch up this week before i gets lazy...

2007-06-25T12:00:00.000+08:00

Heel Pain
(HEEL SPUR)

The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fascitis which is commonly referred to as a heel spur. Plantar fascia is a broad band of fibrous tissue which runs along the bottom surface of the foot, from the heel to the toes. Plantar fascitis is a condition in which the plantar fascia is inflamed. This condition can be very painful and cause considerable amount of suffering.

Long standing inflammation causes the deposition of calcium at the point where the plantar fascia inserts into the heel. This results in the appearance of a sharp thorn like heel spur on x-ray. The heel spur is a-symtomatic (not painful), the pain arises from the inflammation of the plantar fascia. Symptoms include a dull ache which is felt most of the time with episodes of a sharp pain in the center of the heel or on the inside margin of the heel.

Often the pain is worse on first rising in the morning and after rest and is aggravated by prolonged weight bearing & thin soled shoes.

CAUSES OF HEEL PAIN
Excessive load on the foot from obesity is a major cause of plantar fascitis. Which is why this condition is common in middle aged and over weight adults.

A sudden increase in weight, such as pregnancy can also lead to plantar fascitis.

A sudden increase in walking or a sporting activity can also be a contributing factor. A classical example is a post man who has returned to work after a period away from the job can develop this condition.

Tight plantar fascia (this is often caused by tight calf muscles).

Excessive flattening of the arch on weight bearing.

Biomechanical problems (walking abnormalities) is a major cause of plantar fascitis.

Different types of arthritis can also lead to this condition such as osteoarthritus and rheumatoid arthritis.

2007-06-22T23:28:00.001+08:00

When I hear somebody sigh, "Life is hard," I am always tempted to ask, "Compared to what?" - Sydney J. Harris

2007-06-22T13:32:00.000+08:00

this week i went gym 4x! Its like an addiction. the more you workout, the more sweaty you are, the more you want to go (really! no joke). as i see the perspiration coming out all over the body, especially the upper arm with plenty dots of perspiration waiting to drip down, the feeling is so damn shiok!!

Now i can manage and elliptical equipment very confidently, at least for 30minutes (without pain in the knee cap). Before i leave the house, i would take 2 bananas (this time no joke again, you feel so energised while working out). I learnt it from the lady instructor (in her 60s, still doing her thriathlon. She is such a kind lady, met her last than 10 times. She lent me a pair of sport shoes on the first day of my visit to gym (very malu, my shoe sole was flipping out before i could start working).

Recently, she gave me another pair of new balance shoes (which she claimed she doesn't need it). It is so new. the plastic price tag binder was still hanging on the shoes. She said she bought another new pair cos her competition is coming soon. and before she passed over to me, she made me promise not to ask her anything about the shoes.

Anyway, i like it very much. She even thank me for giving her a chance to give...(for good deeds). So i must work hard and make the best use of the shoes....

2007-06-21T23:11:00.000+08:00

BANANAS
Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose - combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proved that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

A banana can help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must for our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND among people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work: Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronic ulcer cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.

Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be re-balanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine", eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%"

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

A banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.

A banana contains:
86 calories in a medium banana 1 gram of protein3 grams of dietary fiber26.9 g carbohydrates23.9 g sugar 467 mg Potassium43 mg Magnesium27 mg Phosphorus7 mg Calcium1.3 mg Selenium.4 mg IronAlso trace amounts of zinc, manganese and copper95 IU Vitamin A11 mg Vitamin C22.5 mcg Folate (important during pregnancy).7mcg Vitamin B6.6 mg Niacin .31 mg Pantothenic Acid.67 IU Vitamin E

Soooooo.......... "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

2007-06-18T00:33:00.001+08:00

There is only one way to happiness, and that is to cease worrying things which are beyond the power of our will.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters - HAPPY FATHERS' DAY!

2007-06-15T10:49:00.000+08:00

Joel is unwell. He had seizures yesterday. Various episodes...it was like every 2 hours once. this time round the fits lasts longer than before...and followed by fever. Managed to stop it by inserting the valium into him..so by evening he was much better.

This morning woke up with a smile. So happy to see him happy again. The feeling is different. I mean in the past, i got to worry about his tumor, about him having to cut his head bla bla bla....this time round, it was a big load off the mind. So i can manage him more positively and happily.

Yesterday Jim finally received his excellence service certificate! He left home about 7am and went to head office to receive his award. They had a small tea party. Thereafter he went straight back to his shop and worked until 12 midnite. HE WAS EXHAUSTED! it was like working for 18 over hours...

As for me, I am very much addicted to working out at the gym these days. The sweating is fantastic. It is more like a stress reliever..Initially, when i first started out, i had problem working on the epilitical machine (something similar to stepper)...cos my right knee goes OUCH!
so i started out brisk walking on the treadmill for 1/2 hour, then increase to 1hour. Then i tried the epilitical again, about 5-10min. And now i can hang on for about 1/2 hour - 45min without pain in the knee. This is tougher then treadmill, the sweating was like running tap..great sense of achievement!< hey hey..dun laugh! i know u guys can do it better!

So these days, if time permits, i spend about an hour there, at least 2 times a week.. its about consistency..in the past, u can only work out a private gym, which are very expensive. But these days, almost every estate comes with a gym at the sports complex. So make hey while the sun shines!

2007-06-13T21:57:00.001+08:00

Prayers answered today!! The feeling was like getting a BIG TONNE of load of the shoulder. We had a medical appointment with the surgeon today..to review the latest MRI result on Joel's tumor. For the past weeks, Jim and I did not mention about the case. Think deep in our hearts we really hate to talk about this issue. As the days past, our hearts get heavier. We were so worried about the results. We even brought Joel to waterloo street temple to pray yesterday.

When we were at the hospital waiting for our turn, we were quiet throughout. Think at this point in time, no matter what you talk, nothing is gonna gets into the ears. When Dr.Ng shared with us the recent happenings, about the chance of reducing the tumor without having to do under the knives, we were so thrilled! This was what we have been wanting. We researched through the webs and knew other countries were able to treat with radiosurgery but not in Singapore.

Really thank god that Joel did not go for the surgery last June. He probably got the 6th sense that there will be other alternatives in time to come. True enough, miracles happened! Looks like Joel is going to be the pioneer patch to test out the machine.

On 30 October 2006, SingHealth is collaborating with BrainLAB AG, a global leader in software-driven systems for targeted, less-invasive medical treatments, to establish the world’s first state-of-the-art digitally-integrated neuroscience centre. Driven by neuroscience expertise from the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), the leading regional specialist centre for cutting edge treatment, education and research in the neurosciences, the new facility will be located at SGH.

Novalis Radiosurgery System: an integrated treatment system that shapes beams of focused high-energy radiation from all angles to deliver non-invasive, precise treatments that shrink or control the growth of tumour cells of the brain, head, neck, spine, liver, lung and prostate. With the Novalis technology, harm to surrounding tissue is significantly reduced.

What is radiosurgery?
Radiosurgery is a radiation therapy procedure that uses a special system to precisely deliver a large radiation dose to a tumor in a single session. The goal of this non-invasive procedure is to destroy the target without surgery or harming nearby healthy tissue. It is used to treat brain tumors and other brain disorders. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer, such as lung and spinal indications. It is also called radiation surgery, stereotactic external-beam radiation, stereotactic radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and stereotaxic radiosurgery.

What is Novalis® Shaped Beam Surgery?
Novalis is an advanced treatment device for patients undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for a variety of medical conditions, including different types of cancer. With Novalis, the treatment beams are shaped to match the exact contour of the tumor or lesion so that even irregularly shaped tumors or lesions can receive doses of radiation consistent with what has been prescribed, effectively destroying the tumor. Sophisticated software calculates the ideal access points to the tumor or lesion and defines the treatment plan. During treatment, Novalis moves around the patient’s body so that the radiation penetrates the entire tumor or lesion from different angles quickly. While the tumor or lesion receives the full dose of radiation, the surrounding healthy tissue only receives a small percentage of the radiation, which reduces potential damage to delicate structures such as the brainstem or spinal cord. Novalis was first implemented almost a decade ago for the treatment of brain tumors or lesions, where pinpoint precision is required to focus radiation treatment on tumors or lesions close to critical structures. Now, experts are taking advantage of the precision of Novalis to increase the range of a patient’s available treatment options and treat other areas of the body, such as the lung, liver, prostate and spine.

What is the advantage of shaped beam radiosurgery?
Traditionally, circular beams are used for radiosurgery. The resulting dose of such an approach is a spherical dose volume. As most lesions are very irregular in shape, several of those spherical dose volumes have to be composed together to cover the complex tumor shape. Other systems try to move the circular beam to “paint” the dose into the tumor volume over a time. Both approaches are time consuming and do not ideally tailor the dose to the exact shape of the tumor. This can result in lower than desired irradiation to parts of the tumor and higher than desired irradiation to healthy tissue. Novalis Shaped Beam Surgery has set a new standard by shaping each treatment beam to contour the exact shape of the tumor and avoiding normal tissue with highly accurate and homogeneous doses.

Will there be any side effects?
The procedure itself is not painful. Side effects that you might experience immediately following treatment include headache and dizziness. Your doctor will discuss specific side effects with you, which may occur depending on your overall treatment plan.

What types of conditions can be treated with Novalis?
Depending on your particular case, Novalis Shaped Beam Surgery may be the right treatment option for you. Novalis can be used to treat non-cancerous and cancerous conditions such as:
Arteriovenous malformations (AVM)
Cavernous angiomas
Trigeminal neuralgia
Intractable seizures
Parkinson’s disease
Brain metastases / Gliomas
Acoustic neuromas
Pediatric brain tumors
Recurrent brain tumors
Pituitary adenomas
Meningiomas of the skull base
Craniopharyngiomas
Spine, prostate, liver and lung malignancies

What are the benefits of treatment with Novalis?
There are several reasons why you might want to request treatment with Novalis:
Novalis is extremely precise and radiation damage to normal tissue is minimized
Novalis ensures that the tumor or lesion receives an even distribution of the prescribed radiation dose by shaping the beam to accurately match the outline of the tumor or lesion
Novalis is optimized to deliver radiosurgery in the shortest possible time, averaging 15 minutes, preventing errors due to minor movements during long treatments
Novalis is one of the most technologically advanced procedures available today
Novalis is non-invasive, with only minor incisions for cranial halo procedures
Novalis is painless and treatment is usually performed on an out-patient basis

2007-06-12T23:11:00.001+08:00

A Lesson in Life

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, if they be events, illnesses or relationships, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere.

If someone hurts you, betrays you , or breaks you heart, forgive them. For they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to who you open your heart to.

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love and opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.

Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Hold your head up because you have every right to.

Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you either.

You can make of your life anything you wish.

Create your own life and then go out and live it.

2007-06-11T22:53:00.000+08:00

BE THANKFUL

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference.
It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

2007-06-11T22:49:00.000+08:00

TOP TEN FRUITS
How you rank fruit depends upon the reason you're eating the fruit and your individual tastes. The four most valuable nutrients in fruits are fiber, vitamin C, carotenoids (e.g. beta carotene), and phytonutrients (health-building substances). Here are our rankings - an overall "Top Ten Fruits" list and our top choices for fiber and vitamin C.
Our top ten ranking of fruits is based upon their content of these nutrients: vitamin C, fiber, carotenoids, calcium, and folic acid. Availability, safety, and versatility also influenced these choices.

1.Avocado
2.Papaya
3.Guava
4.Cantaloupe
5.Orange
6.Apricots (dried, unsulfured)
7.Mango
8.Strawberries (organic)
9.Kiwi
10.Grapefruit (pink or red)

2007-06-11T22:24:00.000+08:00

THE TOP TEN VEGGIES
Taking into consideration the following factors - protein, fiber, beta carotene, vitamin C, B-vitamins, folate, calcium, zinc, iron, and phytonutrients - here are our top ten veggies in alphabetical order:

Artichokes
Beans (kidney and black)
Beet greens
Broccoli
Chick peas
Lentils
Spinach
Sweet potatoes
Tofu
Tomatoes

For more information on nutrition facts, visit this place http://www.animalliberation.org.au/vegonutr.php

2007-06-04T22:11:00.000+08:00

EVERYONE'S A CRACKED POT
An elderly woman had 2 large pots. Each hung on one end of a pole that she carried across the back of her neck.
One of the pots had a crack in it and always ended up being only 1/2 full of water when she arrived home.
This went on for 2 years, with the woman taking home only 1-1/2 pots of water every day.
One day, the cracked pot, ashamed of its imperfection, decided to speak to the woman.
"I am ashamed of myself, of this crack of mine that causes water to leak."
But the old woman replied: "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path but not on the other pot's side?"
"I planted seeds on your side of the path and every day, while we walked back, you watered them."
"I have been able to pick those beautiful flowers to decorate the table because of you."
The point of the story?

Everyone has a flaw. You have to take people for what they are and look for the good in them.

2007-05-31T00:05:00.000+08:00

HAPPY VESAK DAY!
Here's a touching story to share: THE BROKEN HEARTED DOE (Mu Lu Duan Chang)

There was a young man named Xu Zhen Jun who enjoyed hunting. One day, he was hunting on a hill and shot a young deer with his arrow. Not long after, he saw a doe running towards the injured deer without any thought for her own safety. She licked its wound with her tongue and looked extremely sorrowfyl. Not long after, she laid down and died.

Xu then brought the deers home. Upon slitting open the doe, he found that the liver and intestines were badly shattered. On witnessing this pitiful sight, he was grief-stricken and broke down immediately. Feeling remorseful, de destroyed his bows and arrows and vowed never to hunt again.

All animals, just as human beings, love their offsprings. They would feel extremely sorrowful when they were separated from their loved ones. The doe loved her injured fawn deeply and thus could not bear to leave him. The pain and sorrow overwhelmed her and she died piteously.

Treat animals with loving kindness and compassion.

2007-05-30T22:25:00.000+08:00

its coming to the end of the month soon...5 months gone in a blink of eyes..2weeks time will be eating rice dumplings again...oh! how i miss mum's dumpling. Too bad, she won't be making this year cos she is scheduled to eye surgery around that time. Getting worried for her, cos she is already left with one eye, with this surgery, she will not be able to see temporarily. Lets pray the surgery a success!

Jim is off today, went for the Vesak day - 3 steps 1 pray (san bu yi bai) at guang ming shan. weather is extraordinary hot today, the floor must be burning hot. dunno he can take it or not. I have started him on green tea daily..looks like his headache getting better. Talking about green tea, it is really wonderful. Its been 5 months that i have been taking green tea daily. and I hardly get headache since then (choy! touch wood). It also kinda reduces the urge to eat (i dunno why). anyway, i know for sure it BEATS cancer....

Joel is a happy boy today. These few mornings, since 2gu have started for her wee hours morning stroll, I have to take over to sleep with Joel. I like it, in fact! its just so close to him, i enjoy it. He is so nice cos when he see u still sleeping, he quietly play with his gloves without disturbing me. BUT, he waited too long hours, he will smack his hand on your face!! Bet u wake up instantly!!

This morning decided to go gym since Jim is around. Went to Yio Chu Kang stadium fitness club. Co-incidently, met the lady instructor whom i mentioned earlier. She was there working out. Quite a nice place too, excerpt slightly smaller than Yishum stadium club. I think I will just stick on to YCK for the time being. this is my 3rd time working out..it is addictive! The sweating sensation is fantastic...20minutes of brisk walk on the threadmill, and the rest are muscles building and stretching exercise. I can't do the stepper and cycling cos my knees are giving me problem...

After the gym, i adjourned to the pool next door. Did only 6 laps cos i scared over exert it...the feeling is good. Self-satisfying...not to slim down but more of building up my body and health so that i am in a better shape to take care of Joel.

who cares to join me, all are welcome!!

2007-05-29T22:52:00.000+08:00

Recently just discovered a type of root vegetable called the chinese burdock or Huai Shan(huai shan). It tastes sweet and of neutral nature. It nourishes the lungs and kidneys, strengthens the spleens, stops diarrhea, uplifts the spirit and benefits Qi. It really looks ugly outside, like a bamboo stick, with brown skin, and plenty of prickly roots...but it tastes marvellous. I boiled it with carrots, sweet corn, and add some dried red ates, wolfberries... and a few drips of light soya sauce will do. Go and try it!

As far as i know, mum used to buy the dried huai shan to cook her herbal chicken soup...i have not seen the real one...until today. Hope its not too late to discover the wellness of this vegetable..

Realised that Joel has grown much more sensible and he seems to understand what we talk. The grin on his face, the fast responese sometimes really surprising...he will quielty listen to you when u whisper in his ears, and the naughty grin seems to tell he knows what is it...

U know what, as soon as he sits down, he will reach for his favourite container (the small tub of ice cream container) and choose his favourite yellow lego to put into the container, pick another lego and start shaking it. the yellow one is a must, the other one anything also can. The he will reach out the Slinky Pop Toob and hand it over to you. What u need to do is to co-ordinate with him, once he started making noise, u have to start twisting and turning the toob. NO RESTING.
u put it down and stop it, he reach it and hand it to you again.

if he sits on his own, then he is ok. but the moment you sit next to him, he start searching for the toob...really funny guy!

slinky pop toob is a stress reliever thingy. You can twist it, stretch it out to over 30 inches, make noise with it and connect it to other Slinky Pop Toobs. It comes compressed at 9 inches long and makes a popping sound as you stretch it out and push it in. Fully extend the tube and twirl it around to make a whistling sound..

ok, that's all for now. GTG! Gd nite!

2007-05-22T22:31:00.000+08:00

yesterday went to yishun stadium gym in the evening. Surprisingly quite a nice place with plenty of equipment. really value for money - $2.50 per entry. For only this price, u can stay there as long as you want. $2.50 leh...not even enough to buy a plate of food at certain places...

I was quite lucky as when I stepped into the premises, a kind-hearted instructor (hindu lady in her 60s) greeted me and offered her services. As the place was quite crowded, I was feeling quite lost dunno how and where to start from. So upon understanding my needs and requirements, she asked me tried various machines....each a short while in order not to over exert myself. If not for her, i would not have the chance to try so many machines and understanding the functions of each machine.

I hang around there until about 8pm and she suggested that i should stop since i have not been exercising for quite some time.

This morning brought Joel to school. Today got flu vaccination. It is sponsored by HSBC. Joel was quite alright with the jab, think he probably got used to needles in the past. anyway, Joel is always a brave boy.

I was expecting to have aches over the whole body but surprisingly, i was okay! No pain at all...hmm...not bad hor! Think i will continue to find time to visit the gym when possible....it really makes a lot of difference spending the 1 - 2 hours there. The feeling of sweating all over the body is damn SHIOK!!.... so to those out there : don't procastinate if you have ever thought of working out but have not make the first step to do it, DO IT NOW! It's never too late to exercise. I need the strong body in order to take care of Joel, hopefully losing some weight at the same time.

HEALTH is WEALTH!!

2007-05-15T10:58:00.000+08:00

Joel woke up around 6am...stayed in bed until about 7+. Had breakfast ard 8am cos last feed is 9am. So i was like trying to feed as much as possible in order for him to last for the next few hours....i know its alright to fast sometimes. But somehow as parents, it still ache the heart when the child couldn't eat. And Joel fuss a lot when he is hungry...continuous fuss can drive me nuts at times.

now 3 of us are hanging around at home to kill time....hopefully things turn alright. Its 11am now..tried to make me sleep for a while but this junior simply don't co-operate..anyway, try to play with him...

got to reach KKH before 2pm...so should leave the house around 1pm...sigh...its raininig since this morning...makes me feel sianz on a rainy day.

last night around 12midnite, vonny msn me. Was shocked to see her online. She just had her shower but have not eaten...think she bought smelly toufu for supper/dinner. This ger really had fun. She stays at hostel around15 bucks per night..so economical compared to hotel...think she really shopped until drop.

ok, gtg. will update tonight.

I am back ...we left home around 1pm and reached KK about 1.30pm. Joel started fussing and Jim gotta to calm him down by playing with him. After the administration, Joel was ready for MRI around 2.45pm. I had a quick lunch at 3pm while Jim refused to eat. (he is always like that, son nvr eat, he also nvr eat). Sorry I can't cos if I dun eat, i get very weak and irritable. Around 3.45pm Joel was done. But he was still drowsy with the GA. Luckily he managed well this time, and by the time we got home was 4pm +. Surprisingly he turned out lively unlike the 2 of us, so exhausted...Jim had a terrible headache...think he was too stressed. While for me, i kinda took it more positively liao...

Around 6pm, Joel had dinner (din gave him much cos we scared he might feel like throwing out due to the GA)...gave him milo before he slept.

2007-05-14T09:45:00.000+08:00

wow this is my 101 post...101 stories of mine....a little fraction of our lives..

anyway...yesterday was Mothers' Day...HAPPY LAU Bu's day. Wishing all moms in the world a Happy Day! Thank you all the mummies for their hardwork and dedication to the families and children. I feel that mommy is really the roughest job in the world. Easy to say but difficult to do. One big criteria to be eligible for the job - BIG HEART. Its always when one's become a mother, she can then fully appreciate what her own mum has done for her. When we were still "childless", we always tend to take our mums for granted. did not really care for her like what she did to us, find her nags very annoying, etc etc...but when you really come to stage of her role, u will then realise how hard and heartpain sometime to raise a child up. One lesson learnt - LOVE UR MOMS (not forgetting the DADs).

Tomorrow is another "difficult" day for us..cos Joel is going for his MRI scan for his tumor. Really hope things get better. His appointment is 3pm so he has to fast for 6hours prior to that. As he is not able to keep still for the scan, he has to be sedated. That's why fasting is required.
This day has come...gotta to pray hard!

2007-05-03T21:20:00.000+08:00

Brought Joel to school this morning. Luckily the weather was good in the morning..cos today got swimming lesson (its Joel's favourite lesson). Don't know what happened to Joel today, he was so grouchy throughout. Kept making noises continouously...not sure if he is feeling unwell somewhere. Can't keep him in class cos he will disturb the rest if he continues like that. So teacher and I decided to walk him round the school to calm him down. That did not help either. Was almost losing my cool, really.

Finally when it came to swimming lesson, he was much better. Enjoying himself happily in the pool. It started raining before the lesson ends. After that, he had some snacks. The rain was so heavy, we had to wait till it gets better. It was still raining, but much better when we were waiting for cab. So damn disappointed with our singapore taxi...think its getting bad to worse. A few of them drove past (with the green sign on)...without stopping. There were a few others waiting for cab too, 2 of them were carrying their children in one hand while the other hand, unbrella. Still no sympathy from the cabby at all...no one want to ferry such special need children, especially during raining days. Finally after all of them were gone, we were the only one left waiting for cab...and a kind cabby stopped for us. I was already drenched after having to put the wheelchair in the boot.

My advice to those cabbies who did that to us, Don't travel along Margaret Drive Road if you have no sympathy heart...cos there are many special need children there. If you can sleep peacefully without dwelling over what you did today, then I have nothing to say.

My left bum was bruised..and slightly swollen. Yesterday I missed my stool and ended up on the toilet floor when i was washing my clothes. So the left bum kinda hit on the stool..luckily not on my spine...and cut my flinger while opening a can. Sigh....unlucky day, isn't it?

How? Like my new skin? Much vibrant isn't it? I like it, will probably hang on to it till my mood changes again. But likely to maintain the most important factor - GREEN. My lucky colour!

2007-05-02T16:45:00.000+08:00

Some pics we taken on 30april when we were at clarke quay....

2007-05-02T16:13:00.000+08:00

haha what a funny day! last nite after much discussion with rgds to where to go for the "trip", we decided to go JB. Anyway, its also considered an overseas trip right (whether be it by coach, bus, plane, or train).

So after settling Joel at ah ma's house, we took a train to Kranji and took a bus CW1/2 (80 cts per pax) to the JB customs. Of cos before going, we already consulted our JB consultant (his 6th sister who has been going there so often). We decided to go City Square which is just a stone's throw from the customs. Quite a big mall though. Too long never do window shopping, so was quite uneasy initially. Cos in Singapore, Jim & I hardly, or rather never shop patiently or comb thru the entire mall. Usually we just grab and go...

Each time we have to calm each other...cool down, take your time, dun rush...etc. etc..so went from floor to floor, shop to shop and took our own sweet time. Bought a shirt for Joel and 2gu, a sandle for myself, and some snacks for the family (looks more like come back from a trip mah).
Did not even spend a cts on drinks or snacks...instead spent 20cts ringgit each for the toilet. No, Jim went twice, so he spent 40cts RM.

We reached Jb around noon and by 4pm, we were back in singapore liao...same thing, took CW1/2 from JB at 80cts RM each all the way to Kranji (of cos gotta get in and out of the bus to get the custom clearance). Was quite easy though.

When we reached ah ma house, Joel was taking his snacks. He kept making noises continuously...like some kind of anger. Looks like he knew we went out without him....I told him I happened to meet daddy downstairs... next time if got the chance, will consider bringing him along. This trip was too rush...anyway, hope he can get the reimbursement done soon. Transport fare to and fro by bus : S$0.80 and RM0.80...what a cheap holiday!!

Tired out liao....CIAO!!

2007-05-01T23:23:00.000+08:00

1 May - Tuesday

Its Labour Day today, a public holiday! The 2 boys are going back to their camp this evening. This weekend break is really good for them. Re-charge them up and get ready for the next challenge!

Was very tired this morning cos of the fun last night. Couldn't hear my alarm ringing...luckily Joel did not wake up too early this morning..

Jim actually planned to go batam with his friends tomorrow (to get his passport stamped and a "real" proof of trip ticket)...but seems like not happening. Think his friend could not get a off day tomorrow. But really hope he gets this thing done quickly so that he can submit his claim and get his money fast cos it going to take a while for the HR to process the claim. So i decided to SMS him to see whether i can go with him instead. Knowing its not going to happen, i still wanna try my luck. Since birth of Joel, Jim and I have never been out alone. He always have this sense of guilt of leaving joel at home. So no point lingering over this when i know he won't enjoy himself with me, without Joel. On the other hand, I seems to be more "realistic". Think once a while we should just let go and enjoy ourself. Going out with Joel does not mean we stop loving him right? I think I have changed over the years, looking things at a brighter side, taking things as it comes. I would just enjoy and let go without thinking much. I used to feel guilty in the past when I had to work, or go out with friends/family and leave Joel at home. But now, I am more +ve about it cos I know he is always in good hands.

Anyway, Jim replied that he is busy closing shop and shall discuss when he comes back. Its not going to happen, i know him enough. I just ask for fun only. He is a 24-filial son and 24-good father. Maybe by the time in future he wants to bring me go anywhere, it will be very awkward cos I'd probably be used to not going out with him anymore.

2007-05-01T22:53:00.000+08:00

30Apr - Monday

Father in law is discharged from hospital..luckily or else got to spend another PH there. But his health is really failing these days, think becos of his age. Though he is now at home, he seems to be rather weak and lethargic..probably due to the medicine. Really hopes he gets stronger and healthier... another lesson - HEALTH is WEALTH!!

Vonvon went for her hair cut today...she is like a freed bird...just being released from the cage for so long..waiting to enjoy her freedom. SB took 1/2 day leave to accompany her too. When i knew Jim's probably be able to come home early, i quickly contacted Vonvon to check out where they were so that I can join them. I must admit I am really a "fast" person, it took me about an hour to wash up, dress up, took a train from AMK to Suntec - all within an hour!! Lai was with them too for dinner. I wasn't hungry so did not take my dinner. Tell u, it was really funny that night. We kinda had a "shoe-exchange" game the whole night through.

I went out with a pair of new shoe, a gift which I have not worn before. slight heels but was ok initially...oh no, by the time i reached city hall mrt, my 2 feets were badly injured and torn. Walking another step is enough to kill me. No choice, dragged all the way to suntec and quickly hunt down a shoe shop and just grabbed anything that fits. Vonvon was another joker, she was so nicely dressed in stripped blouse with 2 straps, black pants and a pair of YELLOW shoes. The left heel was badly tilted. She looked like as though she stole her mum's shoes...kekeke...

So we decided to change our shoes ( she took over my newly bought black shoes, I took over SB's and SB happily took over the pair of shoes that hurt me). She was ok with it and we happily moved on. Not long after, SB found her feet begining to hurt and we had our shoes changed again. (haha, the people at suntec must have thought we were having some kind of game)...

We adjourned to Clarke Quay for a drink. I tell u, the place has changed so drastically compared to the donkey years ago! It was fantastic, a place so vibrant with people and lights. Lots of ang-mohs....drinking and chatting happily. We wanted to try something new ("Shisha") dunno got the right spelling....kinda fun and interesting. Had a drink and photo shooting at one of the pub. Really had so much fun...Vonvon had grown up like one of our friends...can't imagine that hor. Will show u some pics that we took later. Before midnight, we were rushing to catch the last train and my feets started to give my problem in my new shoes. I ended with the pair of YELLOW shoes that I laughed at vonvon while she ended up with another pair of new shoes...comfortably. Struggled all my way home in the tilted yellow shoes...sigh...maybe its retribution (shouldn't laugh at her yellow shoes in the first place). Another lesson learnt - dun stinch on cheap shoes....invest in a pair of good quality shoes and it would bring you to everywhere, comfortably!!

Anyway, i really had so much fun that night. Not only vonvon was a freed bird, me too! I haven't had so much fun for quite a long time (many years i guess). Its good to just enjoy and let go once a while, right?

2007-04-27T23:31:00.000+08:00

27April - its cherilyn's birthday today...she is ^-^6yrs old liao!! Happy birthday to mei mei...i called her this afternoon to wish her..and she kept giggling...like very paiseh. I asked her for a pce of cake, she said got a small pce, leftover from school one....and she kept laughing! what a cutie pie!

This morning went SGH to visit my father in law. He was admitted yesterday cos he wasn't able to pass urine for a long time. Plus his legs are badly swollen. Luckily he was sent in earlier cos the hospital found out that his blood is very thin...too thin that may endanger his life. Should he falls down...it will cause internal bleeding and clotting. Kept him company until afternoon when someone took over.

Heard that the boys are back hom from their 2wks training in tekong. Finally they are back to their home sweet home... bet they miss the smell of their pillows..

2007-04-20T22:06:00.000+08:00

hi all! paiseh..paiseh...so long nvr blog...Yun is very pissed off liao..say i nvr blog...
Ya lor, dunno why, sometimes just dun feel like blogging. after some pushing, then blog again.
Think i haven't been blogging since the boys went army. Its been 10 days that we went in liao, dunno how are they adapting to it..hmm..they should be fine, i guess cos they both have been very active in school. so physically they are not a problem. Its the best time that the boys learn how to be independent, to be more macho and mature. Mummies and daddies should learn how to let go instead, dun tie them to your apron strings...its time they learn how to fly on their own.

ever since jimmy started at the new outlet, he has been very busy. I have been busy too cos when Jim is busy, i have to bring Joel to school. In the past, Jim would bring joel to school while i stay home do the housework, run errands, marketing etc. Anyway, i told Jim not to worry about school, i can manage it. He just need to concentrate his work.

Jim is happy with the new outlet cos his customers base is here. So its like "going home to mum's place"...his old customers would just pop by just to say hello when they are at AMK hub, even Zhu MiMi was there yesterday to say hello to him. Think he is really a Shi Nai killer....

Oh, he manage to have his new passport done and collected today. Got to faster decide to go "overseas" and have his passport stamp so that he can claim for his "$$". Because of audit issue, he has to at least prove that his travel overseas in order for the accounts to process his claim.
Anyway, maybe he should take this opportunity to enjoy himself and take a break. Think a day cruise is a good idea, isn't it? since he doesn't want those overnight trip, a cruise would be better than going batam...he plan to take a boat to batam and come back straight away...u think so easy meh....there got a lot of "girls" waiting at the jetty for customers...he might end up in someone's bed..kekeke...just kidding, wait he say i mad again!!

Too bad Joel's passport expired too, if not if 3 of us can go together, that would be wonderful isn't it? Bring Joel for cruise also not a bad idea hor? Nvr mind, just wait...got chance one day...wait patiently.....

2007-04-09T12:09:00.000+08:00

group photo CEO presenting the award
Jim with the VP, EVP, Director
Oh..this is the one and only award....made in USA
Jim with CEO, Chua Sock Koong

2007-04-05T23:33:00.000+08:00

i am happy today...though very exhausted but still feeling happy...Jim is attending the award ceremony today. went early for rehearsal first. then the ang moh mcee gave him some questions for him to prepare when he go on stage.

Think everything went on quite smooth. Its going to be a unforgettable event for him. 1000 over people were there with all the top singtel management. a big picture of him was flashed on stage when he on stage... i dunno what speech he gave but i ask him got thank me or not, hehehe..he said GOT la, thank me and joel....

He said all his bosses were so happy and proud cos this is the first time their retail dept won this award. This competition has been held 4 years...never a time they won. It is the ONLY winner out of the whole company. anyway, its going to be a turning point in his life, i think.

Today i brought Joel to school. Got swmming, PT, art. During PT, teacher make him walk, sit and stand up and finally, tied him to the tilt bed and stand for 15minutes. Joel was quite obedient and guai guai did what was told. He make easter egg for art. Then went for his favourite lesson....SWIMMING. he had so much fun in the water with me. he can now swing his hands, kicks his legs on his own without me holding (with hand float). then he will lie on the water and happily flow here and there.

Now listening to Jim talking about his "GREAT" events today....

Tmorow going to pray our ah ma and ah gong....this year earlier than before. Got to make sandwich for them to eat. They love my egg mayo. so gotta wake up early.

See ya.

2007-03-30T23:27:00.000+08:00

Just feel like putting this up...think its really funny!! chicken little....

2007-03-29T20:41:00.000+08:00

Today is joel schooling day. Jim has to go back to AMK hub outlet to get ready for 2mr shop opening. So I brought Joel to school. He had PT, arts and swimming today. Really exhausted! The PT teacher is really ON....make Joel walk with walker....and many more stretching. I was already perspiring in the air-con room with all these exercise. ..cos got to help him walk, etc. Then we have arts & crafts. He had a bowl of rice using sterofoam and starch...a pair of chopsticks using straws...kinda fun. Joel's hands were full of foam with starch...this is for sensory purpose.

Then we had swimming...today's pool not very crowded, wonder where the other classes gone to? The water is damn warm...like having a hot suana. Joel had fun in the water. me too!

After that Joel had his snacks before going home. Before we could reach home, it started raining cats and dogs. There is no shelter at our blk so i have to bring out the wheelchair to the void deck, run back to the cab and carry Joel to the chair...was drenched by then!

I was really tired out...with my back aching badly. Took a quick nap when Joel went to his bed. But he didn't sleep. Thought he should be quite tired too, but then he still did not want to sleep...
luckily i managed to catch about 15minutes of rest...if not i really cannot sustain any longer....

It rained almost the whole day...the clothes are still damp. somemore today got so many clothes with all the swimming costumes, towels, uniforms, me and 2gu clothes...etc...looks like got to iron dry the clothes tonight....

What a tired day!!

2007-03-28T21:59:00.000+08:00

The word "dizzy" is used to describe everything from feeling faint or lightheaded to feeling weak or unsteady. Dizziness that creates the sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving is called vertigo.

Keeping your sense of balance depends on your brain processing a variety of information from your eyes, your nervous system and your inner ears. However, if your brain can't process signals from all of these locations, if the messages are contradictory, or if your sensory systems aren't functioning properly, you may experience dizziness and loss of balance.

Dizziness is one of the most common reasons older adults visit their doctors. Aging increases the risk of developing any of several conditions that may cause dizziness. Although it may be disabling and incapacitating, dizziness rarely signals a serious, life-threatening condition. Treatment of dizziness depends on the cause and your symptoms.

Causes
Under normal circumstances, your sense of balance is controlled by a number of signals that your brain receives from several locations:
Eyes. No matter what your position, visual signals help you determine where your body is in space and how it's moving.

Sensory nerves. These are in your skin, muscles and joints. Sensory nerves send messages to your brain about body movements and positions.

Inner ear. The organ of balance in your inner ear is the vestibular labyrinth. It includes loop-shaped structures (semicircular canals) that contain fluid and fine, hair-like sensors that monitor the rotation of your head. Near the semicircular canals are the utricle and saccule, which contain tiny particles called otoconia (o-toe-KOE-nee-uh). These particles are attached to sensors that help detect gravity and back-and-forth motion.

Good balance depends on at least two of these three sensory systems working well. For instance, closing your eyes while washing your hair in the shower doesn't mean you'll lose your balance. Signals from your inner ear and sensory nerves help keep you upright.

However, if your central nervous system can't process signals from all of these locations, if the messages are contradictory, or if the sensory systems aren't functioning properly, you may experience loss of balance.

2007-03-28T18:40:00.000+08:00

this morning accompanied mum for her checkup at TTSH for her frequent giddiness. YS drove us there together with Kenneth. The doc asked some questions which are quite in line with mum's condition and did a physical test (by asking her lie on the bed, pulled her back from behind, turn here and there...) and it actually can stop the giddiness for the time being without having to take any medicine.Amazing isn't? All she need to do is to sleep at 45deg angle for tonight and tomorrow...hmm..must go and find out the theory behind...

Later we dropped by ENT to see if we can have her eye appointment bring forward from oct to an earlier date cos mum is complaining that her vision is getting blur. Since she is left with only one eye, it is crucial that she take care of the other one or else it will be complete blindness. The counter girl was kind enough to squeeze us in for today's appointment. The whole room was really packed with patients, mostly elderly. It was really a long wait, and she was like moved from one room to another, did a potential vision test for her faulty eye (but too bad, no cure).

We were there from about 10am to 1.30pm. Cold and hungrey....finally the eye surgery is fixed on this coming June 11. Think she must be tired out today!

Again, HEALTH is WEALTH!! Its really torturing to go through the test and treatment when a person is unwell. So take care of ourself to minimise the unnecessary pain!

A piece of good news again - Jimmy is selected the winner of Excellent Service among the whole singtel group. Yes he is the champion for providing excellent service! Think he duly deserve that after all his 10 over years of effort and hardwork. He got cash prize and trip to dunno where...yet to know. will update again, k! Yippee, i am very happy today! hope tonight i can be happier (cos got big sweep....kekeke)!!!

2007-03-26T21:39:00.000+08:00

Aiyah! I forgot to post one very funny incident happened the night before (ie..sat night). It was in the middle of the night when i realised someone grabbed hold of my hand and twist it hard. Huh...it was Jimmy!! I asked him what he was doing...he silent for a moment and started giggling.. too shy to tell me. Then he told him he was catching thief..someone stole from his outlet...so poor me became his "dream thief". Shit! dunno what he will do the next time, hopefully i can sleep in peace every night.

OK, back to last night. Jim was so drowsy after the medication and slept well the whole night.. whereas Joel did not sleep well. He was awake almost the whole night through. Though I was also very exhausted, I tried to stay awake to keep an eye on Joel...of cos on and off fell asleep on the sofa at the living room until 7am.

Jim went back to work in the afternoon. Think he really got no choice cos they are very short-handed recently. He is much better after the medication.

One pce of good news - We have successfully voted in favour of the LUP - Lift Upgrading Programme! By 4th quarter of 2009, we should have lifts landing on every floors including the blk at my in-law. Yippee! No more carrying Joel up and down stairs....but hopefully we can tahan another 2 years....anyway, better than nothing right?

Think i am going to doze off soon...good nite.

2007-03-26T01:11:00.000+08:00

It's a tiring day..Jim is off but he isn't feeling well. He has been feeling chest pain for the past days and the GP kept giving him wind medicine. I think more likely is due to stress. I had the same feeling before. Having carried Joel too often, the chest was like being torn apart, very painful. Slight movement, cough, yawn will also cause the pain. At times, breathing become very difficult. At the time, thought i was having heart attack.

By afternoon, he was feeling bad. So painful that he kept saying he got breathing difficulty. It was so scary, i tell u. So happened YS came by to pass me something and i got him to send Jim to the doc. So he ended up at Tan Tock Seng A&E. He had his blood tested twice, one at 5pm+ and the other one at 9.30pm. Also x-ray done. Doc was concerned that he got virus in the chest. Anyway, 2 results were tested ok. By the time we left hospital, it was already 12 midnight.

7gu and 2gu brought Joel back home and 7 gu hang around until Joel go to bed. Joel like know whats going on... couldn't sleep until we reach home. When he saw us, he quickly stretched out his hand to feel us..like asking :how are you, daddy?

Anyway, Jim has been give 2 days MC and to review in 2 wks time. But he insisted going back to work tmr. I tell u, his mum and sis are going to jump up and down....mc still want to work. He is such a stubborn mule..

While waiting for him at the A&E observation room, see people in and out. Some in wheelchair, some with blood stain...its such a busy sight. All kinds of people, youngsters with leg injury, old folks in wheelchair, ah bengs pretending to be sick just to get MC etc etc....

I kinda realised something : HEALTH IS WEALTH. Its really no good to be in hospital. The few hours there already make one feel sick. So to all out there, stay healthy! Dun take healthiness for granted. Its our responsibility to maintain it.

Good nite!

2007-03-24T21:48:00.000+08:00

isn't this cute? Just feel like showing everyone..

Its weekend again! Coming to end of March liao...soon it will be Ching Ming (time to pray to our ancestors). Also the 2 boys (Kenneth & Lennard) are going army next month liao.

Oh yes, Jim will be transferred to AMK hub hello! outlet next week. Its a really a piece of good news. Firstly, when he first joined Singtel, his first outlet was AMK. So his customers base are all here. Secondly, he dun have to leave the house so early like before..just a few bus stops away from home. We are so happy for him, at least he dun have come back late like midnight hours...

Mum made "soon kuey" today again. Think becos everyone says its nice so motivate her to make more often. Looks like her health is getting bad recently, esp her eyesight due to the cataract. But she is going for brain scan this coming wed first. Then maybe see whether she can bring forward her eye appt from october to an earlier date.

2007-03-22T15:21:00.000+08:00

mood change, skin change...so i decided to change my blog skin again..since Lai enlightened me that GREEN is my lucky colour for both Jim & I, managed to find something close to green and at the same time not so china (chee-na).

Supposed to go school today but Joel couldn't wake up on time. He did not sleep for hours last night. Poor Jim reached home around 1.30am. I slept around that time too. Spent the night changing my skin lor.

Jim woke up early this morning at 6.30am. Its their annual stock take today, so all the hello outlets are closed for the stock take. Just reached home around 3pm and now snoring all the way liao. I can see how exhausted he is. Tonight still got to go for their annual dinner & dance. Cannot don't go, must "oh-gong" if dun go. Hope he got luck for his lucky draw tonight. Lets start praying for him now......

2007-03-20T10:56:00.000+08:00

hi guys! sorry to keep you all waiting! u know, sometimes when u feel so enthusiatic, u keep posting and updating without fail...but there are times when u just refuse to even log in into your own blog...sigh... maybe getting old liao..haizz... forgive me, k?

anyway, i will try to keep the blog alive.

School re-opens this week. Joel supposed to go school today, but weather is too humid recently. So decided to skip class today. My back is aching so am happy too that we dun hv to go school. You know is very tedious cos I have to move him from one class to another, which requires a lot of carrying and moving him. So usually by the time we got home, I am the one who is really exhausted. Jim is getting old too. Getting sick more often these days. Think he is getting very stressed with his work. He is very short of manpower recently, so he is like working non-stop without off days for the whole week for very long hours. at times, he reached home past midnight and still got to wake up early the next morning...dunno how long more can he take it??

Time really flies...its the 2nd month of the lunar calendar liao...3 more months will be Duan Wu jie. (time to eat rice dumplings)... today is Jim's chinese birthday, 2nd day of 2nd mth of chinese calendar. His 5th sister woke up early in the morning to make him the chinese noodle with red eggs (the traditional way of celebrating birthday).

Recently I am kinda addicted to playing online Uno game with my nieces/nephews. Its really fun. But hardly wins cos the stupid opponents (the computers) always gang up to bully the 2 of us. Its hard to beat them. Maybe becos they are not human, hahaha... Yun was the one who started making me play Uno. In the end, both of us decided to gang up by helping each other, throwing skip card, telling each other what colours we need etc etc.... it was so funny! Anyway, just a way of de-stressing... Recently Yun has been losing to me on Reversi....hehehe, think she is really getting hot!! Bet she silently train up and have her revenge soon...oh oh!

Ok lah, that's all for now. I promise I will update as frequent as possible, k.

2007-03-01T23:27:00.000+08:00

Brought Joel to the dentist this morning. It kept bleeding recently. We were concerned that the silver crownings are giving him problem. Think the new teeth are coming out and pushed against the crownings over them. Anyway, he is such a brave boy today. Spent about 1 -1/2 hour on the dentist chair fighting with one dentist, 2 assistants, mummy and daddy. He is such a powerful boy, we had a hard time pinning him down. I really broke my jaw while I held on to his legs. Joel had a few fillings, scaling and polishing. Think only Dr. Elizabeth Tan got such patience coaxing him while fixing his teeth. Really, she is such a kind soul. Dr. Tan is also Joel's school voluntary dentist. Poor boy, when u see him struggle, its so heartache. Anyway, its for his own good.

2007-02-21T11:23:00.000+08:00

20 Feb is the third day of Chinese New Year is generally accepted as an inappropriate day to visit relatives due to the following schools of thought. People may subscribe to one or both thoughts.

1) It is known as "chì kou" (赤口), meaning that it is easy to get into arguments. It is suggested that the cause could be the fried food and visiting during the first two days of the New Year celebration.
2) Families who had an immediate kin deceased in the past 3 years will not go house-visiting as a form of respect to the dead. The third day of the New Year is allocated to grave-visiting instead. Some people conclude it is inauspicious to do any house visiting at all.

21 Feb - fourth day of chinese new year. Today is also Jim's birthday. He is 41. What? 41 already??? Time flies....when i first knew him, he was only hmm....22. Wish him good health, good wealth and strike the coming $10million toto jackpot....haha! By then we will be richest in the family, or maybe in the AMK estate.

ok, gtg. continue 2nite if got time.

2007-02-18T23:20:00.000+08:00

THIS IS PRINCESS YUN!! Pretty right? She is our camera-girl today!!

2007-02-18T23:09:00.000+08:00

All the kids (6 boys & 4 girls)......joel in red hugged by ang lina
Me & Joel
Yong jiejie, princess Yun, 4th aunt, jimmy & joel
the princesses (ang lina, leng jie jie, princess yun, ting jie jie, yong jie jie)

2007-02-18T22:22:00.000+08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL FROM J's family (Jimmy, Jolene & Joel)

Family photo taken today (its also grandpa 82th birthday)

Me & Yun

2007-02-17T21:24:00.000+08:00

CNY Eve - Reunion Dinner Day....everyday was so crowded. People keep buying things non-stop as if no need to pay. I am too weak to beat the crowd. My flu is getting bad, plus cough and giddiness. No suay right? I tried to stay away from Joel so that I do not pass the virus to him.

They had steamboat for dinner, every year the same thing. Poor me....I had fried noodle for lunch and dinner. YS called me asking me to join them for steamboat but I am really very tired and no appetite. Just wanted to grab a quick rest when possible.

Tomorrow is 1st day of CNY, also my father in law's birthday. So its going to be very crowded in the house. Looks like I got to evacuate myself before I pass the virus to all of them. Anyway, hope the Year of Pig (Joel's year of birth) brings peace joy and prosperity to all.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2007-02-15T22:49:00.000+08:00

Joel woke up early this morning in time for school. He had swimming class today. He is in chirpy mood today. Jim brought him to school and went to work in the afternoon.

My flu is getting bad. Went to the doctor in the afternoon. Flu epidemic again! Through the conversation with the doc, Dr. Cheah was interested when i mentioned about the filtered water thingy. She bought a pitcher from me. Likely to get another one. I was trying to push her the higher end one but she is afraid her maid might mis-manage the filter. Anyway, is a good start. Hope she can help me bring in more businesses.

Good nite.

2007-02-14T22:29:00.000+08:00

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

4 more days to CNY....people are all getting busy preparing for the new year. Luckily weather has been very sunny these few days, just right for us to do our washing. Just heard from the weather man that it is going to be hotter for another 2mths...oh no! my face going to freak out!

The wet market, the provision shops, supermarkets are packed with people and goods. Dunno why people got so much things to buy? I can't beat the crowd, just take and go!!!

Yesterday brought Joel to school. He has been missing the tuesday class since school started this year. Yesterday first time to meet his new physio teacher...a senior therapist. Had a great session with him. He really make Joel walked with the aid of walker. I was already sweating all over though its air-conditioned. Then Joel was like tied to a tilt bed in a standing position to make hims stand for about 15mins. Good for his muscles and blood circulation. Glad that he did not fuss about being tied up...will continue to do so for the next few sessions.

Its been a while that I have not been to school. Most of the time daddy brought him there. I stayed home to do the errands, and housework. Very exhausted. my back ache badly yesterday. So bad that the painkillers can't ease the pain.

This morning woke up with a bad flu. Very lethargic and the flu is making me drowsy. On my own medicine and hope i can recover in time for the CNY. Gotta drink more water, my energised water....good nite!

2007-02-10T22:21:00.000+08:00

10Feb - 8 more days to CNY!! Can't believe it! Brought Joel to Taka to his new year clothes (since i still got some Taka vouchers). Bought him 2 shirts and a pair of shoes. Joel is a good boy today. We went early before the crowd starts coming in. He did not fuss about it. Previously when we bring him out shopping, he will fuss throughout the journey. Think he dislikes crowd, dislike the way people look at him. So before we left home, i talked to him nicely that we have to bring him out so that we can buy the right clothes and the right size for him. Think he understand!

So before 12 noon, we were out of Orchard already. Joel had a good lunch, he finished almost the whole packet of Japanese food (his favourite salmon with rice). Took at nap in the afternoon. Grandma cooked dinner, I fried egg. Joel had quite a portion of dinner too!! So happy when he behaves so well!!

Surprisingly 2gu came home early around 7pm. Usually she will shop till 8pm +...maybe weather too hot today or the shopping malls too crowded?? 9pm +, Joel already in bed. And me, going to iron clothes. Jim starts work on Monday.

Gtg. Good nite!

2007-02-07T20:53:00.000+08:00

Joel woke up very early today, earlier than me. Had breakfast without fuss. Jim is off from today till sunday (clearing leave again). He brought Joel to ah ma house while I went for my usual errands.

Msg Biren this morning with rgds to Hyflux endorsement matter and also to find out if she is keen to invest in the product. Indeed she is keen, but too bad, she bought a Diamond brand last year. Timing is not right. But she will help to pass the word around to see if anyone is interested. She is really a sweet girl. Though she is a famous artiste in Singapore, she has no airs at all. Not that I want to ride on her popularity, its just that I really have no way out. The only thing i can do now is to try to spread the words around so that I do not miss out any opportunity.

Afternoon brought Joel to KKH for spinal bone checkup. It is really getting worst. We are so worried that the bend might cause the lung cage to press against his internal organs. Went for ex-ray and indeed turned out to be quite bad. The plastic brace is of no use to him now. the only way is to operate. Operation again!!! No way!! Anyway, we decided to KIV the matter first as we have to deal with tumor which is more pressing issue. Meanwhile, try to keep him upright as much as we can. Also need to source for a special tailored chair to keep him upright.

One after another....wonder when i can stop worrying and Joel can stop going through the pain and torture? He must have hated me so much for not able to give him a complete life...sigh...we have no money to buy you luxuries, the only thing we can afford free of charge is ENDLESS LOVE AND CARE. Yes, its true. Each time you suffer, we too! You are every inch of our flesh...

2007-02-06T22:14:00.000+08:00

The kidneys are bean-shaped excretory organs in vertebrates. Part of the urinary system, the kidneys filter wastes (especially urea) from the blood and excrete them, along with water, as urine.

Today Clara came over my place, explained in more details about the wellness and benefits of the filtered water. The benefits are really fantastic. You may not realised how good it has helped your body if you are already taking energised water. The water is so clean without the chlorine, bacteria, toxins and thus our kidneys will not overwork trying to filter wastes for us. Anyway, had a great lesson today.

Frankly when you take in the water, you may not find any immediate difference. Some who are more sensitive will find no odour in the water. In the long run, your body will tell the difference. Your immunity builds up, your health gets better, the more youthful you look.

Joel is a happy boy today. Supposed to go school but Jim feels that Joel should have more rest at home since he just recovered from his seizures. Noticed he passed urine more often than before and the colour is not as yellowish as before. Hope the water is working in him, am sure it is!! My father in law is so much better too! So happy for him.

Bee Tin is a wonderful "sales person"......she closed 2 pitchers sales for me. Think more opportunities coming the way already. Thank you , sis!

Joel has a medical appt tomorrow. To check on his spinal problem. We are afraid that if his spine keeps bending as he grows, it will press against his organs. By then, it will be disastrous! Hope its not too late to correct it. Think will have to make hime a plastic brazer. Phew!! So tired, got so much problem to deal with, very tired! No choice, life moves on.

2007-02-05T23:22:00.000+08:00

Saturday - 3 Feb
My 6th sister in law & hubby came over to my in law place and cooked dinner for the family. My bro in law wanted my father in law to be happy and asked all the rest over for dinner. Think dad is indeed happy. Afterall he has not been well for the past few days and hopefully with this gathering help him gets happier and thus stronger.

Sunday - 4 Feb
Jim went back to work after a few days off. Joel had fever 38deg in the middle of the night. Daytime he was still ok, no sign of fever at all. Then an hour later, he had seizures. After medicine, managed to sleep until the next morning around 9am. Luckily he was ok thereafter.

Monday - 5 Feb
Joel is much better in the day time. Took a short nap in the afternoon. Hope he had a good night sleep tonight...sweet dreams!

BT managed to help me sell 2 pcs of pitchers to her colleagues. Don't know how she did it, but she really did! Very nice of her just worried that it might affect her job. Anyway, thank goodness i have bunch of good siblings...who have been helping me in all ways. I owe them too much, so much that I don't know how else to repay back. Maybe they were the ones who owed me in the past lives...that's why this life they are repaying and helping me ????

My tail bone ached badly again! So painful that i could hardly bend. Brushing teeth become such a painful task..i can't even bend to rinse my mouth. no choice, got to really on painkillers to ease the pain.

Gtg, gotta to help Yun to post her blog...she has problem logging in again.

2007-02-02T22:18:00.000+08:00

Joel woke up early this morning. Had slight fever. Did not take his breakfast till about 11am...managed to eat a little. He is a good boy, though sick but he did not make a fuss. He played with his own toys without being cranky. Slept in the afternoon after taking the medicine. When i fed him dinner, he ate well too. I think he had fever because weather was too hot for swimming yesterday, and also he did not sleep well last nite. Anyway, just try to give him as much water as possible.

Joel's grandpa is much better already. He is more alert compared to the days before. Thank goodness, we were all so worried for him. For the past few days, the whole family took turns to take care of him, tried not to leave him alone in the house.

It's my mum birthday today 2 Feb. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our wonderful lady of the house. Hope her wishes all come true.....wish her good health, good wealth....

Time flies...2 more weeks' plus will be Chinese New Year. Can't imagine how time flies that fast, it was like just not long ago that we celebrated CNY???? On the first day of CNY, it is also Joel's grandpa birthday. So it is a big occassion for us, the whole family will gather early in the morning.

Yet to look for new clothes for Joel....better do so these few days.

Ok, that's all for today. Another tired day for me.... ;-(

2007-02-01T16:33:00.000+08:00

Joel woke up early this morning, in time to go school. Yippee! Today got swimming lessons, Joel hasn't been swimming for quite some time already, he enjoyed it! Took home some art pieces that he did last year, which I keep them carefully. Here are some pics:

2007-02-01T00:36:00.000+08:00

Joke of the day:
A Japanese man was in a hurry to go to the KLIA airport, so he took a Proton taxi. The taxi driver took his sweet time driving within the speed limit but the Jap was getting impatient. The following is their conversation on the way to the airport .

A Toyota Camry overtook the taxi.....zoom....
Jap: Look ...look ...Toyota!! ...very fast!!!.... made in Japan! Proton...no good.... made in Malaysia
Driver: yah....
After a few minutes a Nissan overtook the taxi....zoom. Jap: look.... look.... Nissan!!!..... very good!! very fast! made in Japan! Proton.... no good.... made in Malaysia
Driver: yah....yah...
After a few minutes a Honda overtook the taxi...zooom. ! Jap: look.... look... Honda!!.... very GOOD!!....very fast!!....made in Japan! Proton...no good...made in Malaysia
Driver: yah...yah...yah....!
Arriving at the airport,the Jap is about to pay the taxi driver. Jap: How much?
Driver: RM150/-
Jap: Oh... very expensive..... you overcharge ! !
Driver: Noooo .... look .... look .... Sony meter!!....very good!!.... very fast!.... Made in Japan!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yesterday was too tired to post, anyway, happy belated birthday to TC, my lao da jia (eldest sis). this month a lot of Bdays.....3 sisters, and 1 niece.
Joel is happy today. Jim brought him cut his hair. Nice cut! Hmm...he poot poot today but with help...so sad. I won't give up anyway, continue with the filtered water and monitor.....am sure it's good for his body.
My father in law has been behaving oddly past few days. He has become so weak and fragile. Though he is not able to walk well, but he has never been like that. He could hardly walk, hold his spoon, open the door etc. At night, keep waking up and acting strangely. Keep seeing "things" at night. Giving away money saying he strike lottery which he didn't. Jim and his bro brought him to pray this evening, hope really help him.

I am very tired too, gtg.

2007-01-29T22:54:00.000+08:00

29th January - Ting's birthday! She just turned 11.....but she talks like 21...really! A very pretty young teen....who yaks a lot (we call her chatterbox)! Sometimes really enjoy talking to her...but not too long or she drives you nuts :-) Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Tingting!!

Joel is chirpy today...continue to take the hyflux water.......tonight while he urinate, he PASSED MOTION ON HIS OWN!!!! Really! he never did that in the past. He only poot poot on alternate days with help. But today, he did it on his own. I really hope that it is the water that helped him.... if he continue to take the water, can continue to poot poot on his own.....then i strongly think its the water. Maybe it works on children easily compared to adults. After all the 30 - 40 days of toxic taken in the body, perhaps its slower to recover now. If truly that helps, i will consider buying the GURGLE which fix to the tap (cost only $150) with every 3 mths filter replacement at $38....anyway, will monitor and keep you guys updated.

Jim is back to work today. I hope he is not having the gum disease as mentioned by Kenneth. don't have much idea about the disease, will check it out at the website later. Joel got school tomorrow. Hope he can wake up on time, if not keep missing school, they might expel us very soon!

Good nite!

2007-01-28T21:48:00.000+08:00

Jim is off yesterday and today (clearing leave). Anyway, his extracted tooth is still giving him problem...seems like its not the tooth that cause the pain, its the gum!! Looks like he got to re-seek treatment again.

Joel is in chirpy mood. I started him on the filtered water yesterday. Its been quite some time that we brought him out, so decided to bring him to Si Ma Lu temple for praying. It was very crowded, could hardly make our way in. Make it snappy and adjourned to BJ. Bought him Japanese lunch (take away) and faster leave the place...very crowded too! He loved it and finished 3/4 of it.

2gu went shopping on both days....it was like 10hrs per day. She can really shop before noon and come back around 8pm plus. Really salute to her! I dun think i can take it.. i am one who doesn't like window shopping, cannot stand the crowd....

I cooked dinner for my in law and Joel this evening. A soup (yong tau foo), sardine and onion egg. simple but nice. think they are tired of eating outside food too. Joel is so supportive! he finished one fried egg, one portion of sardine, soup and a bowl of rice. Thanks Joel!! I must say he is very obedient and guai today!! Eat without fuss, take medicine without struggling and he even poot poot on his own. Really, he did it without having to insert the solution from the chinese medical hall...in the past, he needed that! Today i just need to insert the Glycerin from the doc and in an hour's time, he poot poot on his own. from the output, can tell the difference between doing on his own or using additional help, its very different. Really hope that its the water that is helping him! Will monitor....

Very tired liao.. gtg!

2007-01-26T23:06:00.000+08:00

it's 26th of January!! what day? Its the day when my mum suffered the pain of giving life to me xx years old. My birthday lah! Getting old already still so happy?? actually nothing special anymore.....unlike in the younger days, birthdays are meant for partying and gathering.....not now anymore ;-( Now if you still receives wishes via sms, etc, you can tao chiao liao (i mean laugh secretly).....

Anyway, Joel is much much better liao. Early morning see him smile is a good start of the day. Today i received the stock of pitchers liao. hopefully can clear them asap. Past few days I have been making contacts with my friends to let them know about Hyflux. So that i don't miss the boat should anyone intend to invest one. Most of them replied actually, i was so worried that they "siam" me like ghost.....

Of the Jimmy's long time customer is really sweet.....she wanted to buy joel a gift for the New Year, and asked me to buy the pitcher for joel (she pay)....and even ask me out to find out more about the product. So sweet isn't it?

Its not going to be an easy task but still better than sitting at home "dan si"....there are roadshows coming up next months and i try to make it to gain more experience. Anyway, its something really good for the body so i am not that worry. just that people might scare of the maintainence cost...but think about it, everything comes with maintenace cost too...things that are good and useful usually comes with a price. Just like investing in cosmetic set.....you need that to make you look prettier..... or vehicle, you need petrol to get it running... etc etc......

Anyhow, hope i am on the right track....and hope to meet up more "gui ren" like the above customer.......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME !!! :-)

2007-01-25T12:25:00.000+08:00

Joel did not sleep the whole night, no joke, not even a minute. He was making so much noise and sometimes groaned the whole night through until this morning. So around 7.30am plus, washed him up and he refused to take breakfast. Really don't know what's wrong with him?? we have to guess whether is is headache, stomachache, toothache or?? Each time he did not sleep well, seizures will follow. True enough, at 9am he had one espisode. Fell asleep after the fits and woke up around 10am. Brought him to the family doctor for checkup, doc suspected wind in the stomach.

Jim stayed awake the whole night through after he reached home 12midnight and went to sleep around 7am. Just woke up around 12 noon as he works in the afternoon. Really salute to this father and son can stay awake whole night. I can't, 2gu can't too....

Though i feel very sleepy, but the continuous noises from Joel makes me very paranoid. I keep waking up. Tried to stay cool and calm...its not easy really. Cos its so hearting to see him suffer like that not able to tell us what's wrong.....

Now he is still sleeping after came home from the clinic. He was already dozing off when i wheeled him back. Hope he gets better, cos all of us will be better too.

2007-01-23T17:56:00.000+08:00

Jim was in pain the whole night thru. There was no 24hrs dentist around. So logged in to website to check if there is any. Only SGH emergency a&e got on-call dentist. In the end, he decided to hang on until the next morning. Meanwhile, I checked the website to see any remedies to stop aching tooth...and found some formula:

- rinse mouth with warm salt water
- put tea bag ( eg lipton tea) on the decay tooth
- place ice bag over the cheek (near the tooth)

I tried all the above...at least he can sleep until morning. I can sleep too! So tired cos this morning got to bring Joel for checkup at KKH. Jim went to extract the tooth early in the morning. I guess its also a bit of heatiness. Sometimes when a person gets heaty, its gum will pain easity, thereafter the decay teeth will very much affecyed.

Joel appt at 11am and by the time everything was done, reached home around 2pm. Joel lost weight. 3 mths ago he was about 43kg, this time round only 39.2kg.. hope he dint tsf the weight to me.... :-(

Anyway, reviewed on the seizures condition, his spinal problem (referred to the spine doc), his penis or urinating problem, the pituitary tumor issue (to go for another MRI)....next appointment for review is 2mth's time.

2007-01-22T22:33:00.000+08:00

Jim got his bad tooth extracted early yesterday morning. He was in great pain the whole night thru, even the panadol did not ease his pain. So first thing in the morning, he got it off at the dentist near our place, luckily they open on sunday. So he took MC yesterday..as far as i can recall, this was his FIRST MC throughout his dunno how many years of employment with Singtel, believe it? So he guai guai rest at home the whole day.

This morning he went back to work. Afternoon, he sms me saying he is having a toothache again. This time the culprit is another neighbour tooth....looks like 2mr got to extract it off.

Joel had medical checkup tomorrow. 2gu and I will bring him there. its a 3mth's time checkup mainly on his epilepsy issue, review his medications, etc. As his doc is available only on tuesdays, Joel got to miss school again.

Gtg, got to cook some porridge for Jim to eat tonight. Ciao!

2007-01-21T00:22:00.000+08:00

Its saturday today. Jim went off early for work. Joel woke up 8am +. He is much livelier but still on medication which makes him drowsy. Slept whole afternoon and by 9pm, he was sleepy again. tonight he poot poot by using Glycerin suppository. We stopped using Lactulose syrup of did not help him at all.

Heard the energised water helps in the bowel system cos Beetin said her kids after using the Diamond energized water have not got constipation. Think the energy water really works cos it filters the toxins, bacteria and chlorine leaving the water with high oxygen content. I am quite eager to start with the Hyflux Energised water since it is much affordable and also it is our own home grown brand. Really hope Joel and all of us get into better health after using the filter water system.

In fact, I have wanted to invest in Diamond Energy water long long ago. But because it is too expensive and financially i am really drained, it has become a dream to own one. Now with the pitcher, though smaller in size, at least Joel can have a taste of it. Till one day when finances improved, then i invest in a home system which is still much more cheaper than Diamond.

I shared this with SB and she is very keen to have one pitcher, maybe 2. She also wanted a diamond but couldn't afford. So when i told her about Hyflux, she is happy too. at least the brand is so reputable and price affordable. She will use it in the office and help me create awareness. So so happy...at least she can also drink energised water soon!!

I did tried out the experiment by putting metal paper clips in one cup of energised water and the other tap water. Left it for few days and true enough, the one in the energised water still shiny and clean. The other in tap water has turned rusty. That's why I am so convinced with the energised water magic.

At least after getting into this lobang recommended by BT, I am more energised now! Hopefully i can make use of this opportunity to get out of my financial situation. It's really tormenting to brainstorm which bills to pay, when to pay, if pay this cannot pay that......everyday worry about the bills unpaid, the PUB man coming to cut the supply....etc etc... anyway, take things as it comes. that's what i learn. You cry you worry, problems remain unsolved. As my exboss said before, if you can't control a situation, no use worrying them. Like if there is big storm out there and yet you have to go out, you can't keep worrying at home cos there is no way you can stop the storm...i think i have improved a lot. I used to worry this worry that, worry what others think and what others feel. But these days, i stop. But i owe a lot of people by passing my problem to them, the kindness remains in my heart and shall not be forgotten....

Ok, gtg. Jim is having a bad toothache....think the wisdom tooth is giving him problem. having headache already. Looks like 2mr got to get it out. See, another problem come. I can't worry cos its not going to stop the pain. what i can do now it find him painkillers....

good nite.

2007-01-19T22:46:00.000+08:00

My parents...photo taken in vietnam. Dad looks very cool! like those HK movie star hor?
My mum...hmmmm must have caught something shocking..... some macho hunks? oh no! its a bird! its a plane! its superman!

my beloved nieces and nephews:
from left backrow: Lennard, Kenneth
front row: Edna, Wei Jun, Tingting, Vonvonster

2007-01-19T22:26:00.000+08:00

its end of the week again! joel doesn't seems well these few days. very quiet than before...not a good sign. think he must be feeling unwell somewhere. hope he gets better.

Jim got to know one of the doctor from raffles hospital. She came to buy phone and chatted with Jim. Very nice person. She is willing to help us to see how she can help Joel....with the tumor thing...she even said that if we have financial problem, we dun hv to pay her service, just need to settle the hospital part. So glad...at lease another avenue out. Good to hear a second opinion. Really hate the idea of operating from the head. Frankly, i am not ready. My heart is not ready to take it....anyway, seeing KKH doc next tuesday, hopefully can borrow the relevant medical reports, MRI for Raffles hospital to review.

2007-01-18T21:50:00.000+08:00

Another joke stolen from "someone"....haha enjoy...

Never before had Linda looked in the box that her husband Micheal kept under their bed. The box had been there for the past 20 years of their marriage but she had never invaded his privacy. One day, while cleaning, she decided to take a look in the box. She didn't figure it was anything he was hiding since she could have looked at it any other time but hadn't. In the box she found 3 eggs and 10 thousand dollars. This seemed very strange so she went
to Micheal and asked, "Why are there 3 eggs in a box under our bed?"

He replied, "Well, every time I was unfaithful to you, I put an egg in the box."

Linda was surprised and hurt that he had been unfaithful but she consoled herself with the fact that they had been married for over 20 years and he had only been unfaithful 3 times.

"But where did the 10 thousand dollars come from?" she asked. "Every time I got a dozen, I sold them."

2007-01-17T18:24:00.000+08:00

How? Like my skin? Oh! i mean like my blog skin? wanted to change some time ago but couldn't find one that i really like. Happened to come across this one which i kinda like it, actually i prefer brighter ones but this seems ok, not too dark huh? I have to spare a thought for the elderly mah... i mean at least my age group...

so far...got one +ve comment from Kenneth liao...hmmm...not too bad!

2007-01-16T21:35:00.000+08:00

it's about a week plus since i last posted. hmm..sometimes just dun feel like posting. Joel missed school for a week already. He was unwell last week, plus the weather was wet, so skipped school.

Yun got into band for her cca. lucky she dint get into hockey...think the coach must have found her legs too woobly for the game. I dun think it suit her too! She is always complaining here pain there pain, how to play hockey like that? Think band suits her better...maybe in no time she become superband?

I got this joke from Kenneth which i found it really amusing...so wanna share it here:

Best Salesman
An Indian moves to Montreal and goes to a big department store looking for a job. The manager asks, "Do you have any sales experience?" The Indian says, "Yeah, I was a salesman back home". Well, the manager liked the young man, so he gave him the job. "You start tomorrow. I'll come down after we close and see how you did, but let me give you a bit of advice. If a customer comes looking, say, for toothpaste, you might suggest for him a toothbrush, or shaving cream etc. You get the idea?" "Of course," the young man said. His first day on the job was rough but he got through it. After the store was locked up, the manager came down. "How many sales did you make today? The Indian says, "One" The manager groans, "Just one? Our sales people average 20 or 30 sales/day. How much was the sale for?" The Indian says, "$101, 237.64." The manager exclaims, "What? $101,237.64? What did you sell him?" The Indian replied, "First I sold him a small fish hook. Then I sold him a medium fishhook. Then I sold him a larger fishhook. Then I sold him a new fishing rod. Then I asked him where he was going fishing, and he said down at the coast, so I told him he was going to need a boat, so we went down to the boat department, and I sold him that twin engine Chris Craft. Then he said he didn't think his Honda Civic would pull it, so I took him down to the automotive department and sold him that 4X4 Pajero." The manager says "You mean a guy came in here to buy a fish hook and you sold him a boat and truck?!" The Indian says, "No, no, no, he came in here to buy a box of Kotex for his wife and I said, "Well, since your weekend's already screwed up you might as well go fishing!!" The manager fainted...

what u think? funny arh?

2007-01-06T22:31:00.000+08:00

6 Jan - Its SB's birthday today. She is the first person to celebrate bd of the year....who ask her to come out so early...Vonvon is the last. Oh we have many bd this mth..next will be ME lor...then Ting ting...then TC......hmm whom have i missed?

The weather is very hot today...haven't got such sunshine for quite some time already....managed to sun my clothes, my bedsheets...joel's jacket....and lots more! Very satisfied!

Since Yun started secondary school, hardly sees her lately. Think she is busy with the orientation programme. somemore camp over the school. She hasn't been blogging as much liao. Yeah, just saw her latest post tonight about her camping and her new frens.

Have you guys heard about the recent news The Ashley Treatment? What's your thought then? Do you agree with the parents decision about freezing the size of Ashley? Some may find it not ethical or invading human rights...but i fully understand what's the parents are going through. As one of reader highlighted....don't jump into conclusion until you are confronted with such situations. Its not easy to manage and care for special needs children as they grow bigger. Physically its really tiring. Personally i don't know how it will affect the girl such there be any side effects of the treatment, overall i see no harm in keeping the girl small. It may seems cruel to some but to us, the girl can be well taken care of. Anyway, whatever it is, there are bound to have outrage over this. Who cares, as long as the parents are comfortable with, who cares? Only little Ashley knows best!

2007-01-04T15:47:00.000+08:00

Haven't been blogging..not that i am lazy. its the network that is. makes me lose my patience. so better wait until traffic is smooth. I don't want to go thru the same frustrations again.

Ok, Happy 2007! My family are back home liao. Children are back to school while adults are at work. the busy routine lifestyle starts again....very sian hor? why humans got to go thru the same thing over and over again....study study study...work work work....holiday holiday holiday......sigh....

Well, am quite disappointed that my new year did not start with a bang! I mean my own family is ok...its about Von's thingy....u know that i mean. Though really don't know exactly what she is going thru..feel sad for her. Don't know how else to help her. Think she is going thru the adulthood period and hope she can get it past and get back to track again.

Joel is back to school today. woke up late and was late for school. Not he woke up late, is WE woke up late. Plus the weather like very cloudy, can't decide to go or not to. So decided to go since got swimming today. Joel has not been swimming for quite some time, so when he got in the water today, he like forgot how to swim. This year Joel's teacher is a guy...happy leh! Cos man is stronger to handle him. the lady teacher usually can't help much...

ok, to be cont'd..

2006-12-31T22:54:00.000+08:00

Last day of the year already!! Yes, today is the last day, to be exact, another hour will be the end of 2006! Welcome 2007! Hope its a year of prosperity and peace. It was like we celebrated millenium year recently and now is 6 years past...

Think people are now having fun waiting for the countdown. While some are blogging like me, summarizing their achievements for 2006 and resolutions for 2007. Oh, I have no resolutions at all. never had one, no point having one....just hope for good health for joel and family and everyone. Hope for more $$ to tie me thru the year.... Hope my favourite numbers open (haha, you know what i mean)...hope my hair grow faster for the CNY....

Its a year of Ups and Downs...that's life, i guess! Next year will be a tough year for us...cos we got to settle Joel's tumor problem. So scared that it grows bigger and bigger....really have to face it though we hate it so much. Seriously, if Joel is normal like other kids, he should be in his PSLE this year....just too bad, dint get a chance to go thru the anxiety like other parents do. Maybe its a blessing in disguise for him, no need to go thru the stress of taking examinations. Oh no, stop it! I am crapping again....but i like to talk it out sometime.....cos i am worried i get blown out of proportion one day....

I better stop my "if this" "if that".....just hope that all things turn better....really hope 2007 be a year full of wonders and surprises.....full of miracles and joy......lets pray!

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!!

2006-12-30T23:00:00.000+08:00

30th dec - eve of the end of the year! School re-opening next wednesday...my family coming back from vietnam on 1st Jan...

Last nite was chaotic...exhausted. Joel did not sleep the whole night at all...think he is feeling unwell again. Supposed to poot poot but having inserted the "help", he still did not let go any. Jim kept awake until 5am. Poor thing, he reached home from work about 1am...and got to stay until 5am before he took his rest. He wanted me to sleep first so that I got energy to take care of him today. So i slept at 1am to 5am to take over him.

Joel finally slept around 6am +.. until 12 am. We were so worried that if he does'nt sleep enough, he will get into seizures again...unluckily thank goodness he did not. He woke up in a happy mood and had his breakfast around 12.30 noon. Jim is off today. 2 gu as usual left in the morning for her shopping spree.

Hot weather today! I stayed at ah ma the whole day so didn't get to sun the clothes. It started pouring in the evening, not too heavy. Joel refused to take his dinner, so he had light snack (cereal with bread) before he goes to bed. Hope he sleep well tonight.

Jim left for his ex-boss house warming party at yishun tonight. Think he must be very exhausted too having not enough sleep last nite. me too, very tired liao. Think going to fall asleep any time liao.

Good nite.

2006-12-29T15:17:00.000+08:00

29 Dec...2 more days before 2006 come to an end! Time flies unknowingly. Very frightening isn't it? What have we accomplished for the past 363 days? Is there any major events that worth remembering?

To me, all days involved Joel, be a joyful or hurtful. Though he can't vocalise to express his happiness, the smiles on his face told me so. Each time he hold on to us tightly, trying to be affectionate to you, you know he is happy. When he rubbed his head against yours, its so wonderful. It conveys the love for each other. I just love to hug him, a sign to tell him that we love him very much. So whenever there is a chance, dun feel shy showing your love to your children too! Its so good to be hugged...and loved!

The weather is very good today...managed to sun all the clothes that have been hanging around for days (not fully dried). I have to iron dry the clothes but it is still not better than the power of SUN. Meanwhile, clean up the house bit by bit, dump away trash that has been sitting there for years, get ready for the new year to come.

Recently i recalled not having seen this old man staying at 612 for quite some time. He would always smile and wave when he sees me. Though he is about 80+, he look quite strong, always strolling at the void deck or go opp buy things. Then i asked around for him (hoping not to get the bad news) and true enough, he left few months ago already. Though I hardly know him, somehow, it affects me. Life is so full of uncertainty. today you see the person, tmr he is gone. So live to the fullest each day, cos you may not know what happen next.

Esp for the loved ones around us, treat each day as if the last day. Then you will be able to fully express your love and concern. Not until the person is gone.

Arrhh...what happen to me? Preaching again? No lah, just some year end thoughts only....sigh...

anyway my family is coming back from vietnam soon....next year (sound very long, 2 days' time)
Very fast hor......think 1/2 month at vietnam is too long liao........should go europe hor. looking foward to seeing them back.

2006-12-27T00:03:00.000+08:00

27 Dec 2006 - For our Vonvonster
This day, 22 years ago, a little baby girl was born (by TC)
She is the first grandchild in the family.
Everyone dotes on her like treasure..maybe we never had a kid in the house.
Tai ma, ah ma, ah yi-s, gu-gu and many more.

She was taken care by my mum, who is also her ah ma.
SL and I went thru the names from A to Z, and settled for YVONNE.
Followed by the direct translation Yiwen (not the naughty mozzie).

This little baby ger did not look a bit cute at all;
I got to cuddle her in my arms when she refused to sleep.
Swing her until she slept. I was only Sec 4 then.

As days went by, she has grown to be so adorable,
Our ah ma, who is her tai ma loves her dearly.
Two of them will sit and watch by the window.
She is such a sweet tongue girl, greet whoever she meets.
Even neighbors like her too!

On her 1st day to school, I brought her there.
We had a tug a war game there. The teacher on one side, and me the other side.
Vonvon was in the middle screaming her lungs out. It hurts so much.
Finally I lost, to the teacher. She was in the room, still crying.
While I hung outside the room, crying too!
All the parents left after the children went in, except me.
I waited at the nearby void deck worrying for her,
Soon, days after days, she was a happy child at the school.

1988, tai-ma left us. Kenneth and Nerd were born the same year.
Vonvon was 4 years old while I finished my A levels too.
We were very closed cos I stayed with her family most of the time.
Be it Pandan garden or Yishun, I was there with them.

This girl has always been so sweet. Never make us angry at all.
I started working and dating, did not spend much time with her then.
I cannot remember her schooling days at Aitong nor Anderson.
Still, she was a trouble-free girl who cares a lot for my mum, her ah ma.

Soon she went into JC and university and completed her final year.
Times flies, she is already a big girl, ready to be in love,
This girl, just like our own kid, is already an adult unknowingly.
Maybe she is the first grandchild, maybe we love her a lot,
We still worry and care for her.
Maybe she is close to all of us, maybe she knew how to cheer us,
Maybe that is just her, maybe that is our dearie Yvonne.
HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY!! Stay cheerful all the time.

2006-12-26T10:32:00.000+08:00

Today is Boxing Day, 26 Dec. Halo, dun think its day to box here box there ok! Nothing to do with BOXING (Mohd Ali type of boxing)....

Historians say the holiday developed because servants were required to work on Xmas day, but took the following day off. As servants prepared to leave to visit their families, their employers would present them with gift boxes.

Despite its name, it has nothing to do with pugilistic competition. Nor is it a day for people to return unwanted Christmas presents. While the exact origins of the holiday are obscure, it is likely that Boxing Day began in England during the Middle Ages.

Church Alms Boxes
Another theory is that the boxes placed in churches where parishioners deposited coins for the poor were opened and the contents distributed on December 26, which is also the Feast of St. Stephen. As time went by, Boxing Day gift giving expanded to include those who had rendered a service during the previous year. This tradition survives today as people give presents to tradesmen, mail carriers, doormen, porters, and others who have helped them.

Above are just some of the info extracted from the web sites....

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it started pouring early in the morning.....looks like its not going to stop for the day. Jialak! the nurseries along Upper Thomson Road are going to flood again. they have already lost so much money during the flood last week.

2006-12-25T12:50:00.000+08:00

Today is 25th Dec....MERRY CHRISTMAS to all! Looking forward to a peaceful and prosperous 2007!

good weather for xmas...at least got sun! good weather for me too....happily sunning the clothes. So while jaga-ing the clothes, update my blog at the same time. Oh no, Kenneth said that TC fell in the toilet while ah ma's leg cramp....alamak, why like that? Mum's leg cramp is expected cos past few days was a lot of walking and travelling....but TC? Why she fell in vietnam toilet? Hope she is ok.

Jim brought home some gifts last nite...(of cos not for me lah!!). they had gift exchange in the office. budget is $10. so he bought a waist pouch (these days very popular among youngster, like a fishing bag like that), cost exactly $10. you know that he got in return...a miserable 8cm x 5cm display item with picture in a damn old box (obviously its not newly bought)! The funny thing was this guy who supply this gift happened to draw the gift from Jim. In other words, they both got each other gifts...think he felt paiseh too! My point is, at least make a point to prepare something appropriate and within budget lah, dun anyhow grap anything from home that has been lying there for years. No meaning right?

I remembered there was once I got the same experience too! I got a photoframe in a gift exchange game. Actually i did not know who was the one who bought the gift. But inside the photoframe, there was a card from dunno know wishing my colleague HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Sigh....

anyhow...just some of xmas remarks....

BTW, do you know which xmas carols most MUM & DAD like most???...guesss lah........dunno? wanna give up? OK, tell u the answer! Its......................its........................its............................
SILENT NIGHT!!

2006-12-24T10:20:00.000+08:00

haha...this morning kenneth tag me from Hoi an while vonvon tag from dalat....see the technology these days are so intelligent liao!! The 2nd group has reached dalat while the first group are going to join them today in dalat. Walao, dun tell me they are going to go thru again what they have been to the first few days....the vege farm, the valley of love etc???

Think Vonvon's daddy & mummy would like the vege farm in dalat..oh ting and wei jun, stick to your family, dun lose your way ok. Unlike Kenneth, Lennard and vonvonster, they are old enough to track their way back.. ;-)

Vonvonster is going to celebrate her xx birthday in vietnam...so nice! muack muack!! Think ah ma is going to tired out her legs and buttock after so many days and hours of travelling...is she ok. Hi kids, make sure she takes her medicine, ok.

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the first group reached dalat liao but the second group not back ffrom dalat tour...they gonna meet tonight....walao, 14 of them in the hotel!! Kenneth says they are going the ambush the hotel to gif the 2nd group a surprise when they come back from the tour......gonna be fun man!! also going to be chaotic!!

Really hope 113 unit number open tonight..then it will be jie(1) da(4) huan(1) xi(3).....at least cover the cost of the trip.....i also got a feeling that it will open soon...tolong tolong, if not top3, starter also buay pai!!

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raining whole day in singapore....orchard road is closed for x'mas party. Hmm... should be RAIN party....think some are celebrating xmas in a big group while others candle lit dinner....the families one stay home for turkey feast....the lonely ones eat maggie mee...sob sob.....

Oh yes, i still got my xmas log from MARRIOT Hotel. Yes, its MARRIOT hotel. very nice ok, at least not that pathetic.....

OK, lets hope for good news tonight!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Walao! My heart pain so much!! I wanted to buy vonvonster birthdate 1227 n 2712 but somehow did not. I truly came out starter...there goes my $$$, at least also got $250. Sigh :-(
These days haven't been lucky wif 4d...either missed by a draw or 2, or number missed by 1 or 2....sigh....

2006-12-23T21:51:00.000+08:00

Today is saturday...BT & TC family flew to Vietname to join the rest..dunno they reach liao or not?? Kenneth has not responded today...

It rained early in the morning..was hoping to catch a longer sleep since the weather is so cold to sleep. Alamak, joel woke up around 7.30am. No choice, got to pull myself up from the bed...he is back to his happy ways...had his breakfast without fuss. Jim got to leave early for work, so i brought joel down to ah ma house.

6gu, 8gu came ah ma house 2day, 8gu baked cakes again...oh yeah, my christmas log that i redeem from marriot hotel is still in the fridge, untouched. Its a small pce of chocolate mousse cake, very nicely done. 2gu doesn't like choco cake, so looks like jimmy and i got to split it! What a sin, isn't it?

It christmas the day after tomorrow....but no xmas mood leh! When we were staying at Woodlands, we had this medium size xmas tree that we displayed every year. I was always the one to set up (its fun dressing up the tree) and jim was the one to keep it....that tree came out from the store room altogether 5 times only (for the 5 years that we stayed there). When we moved house, we gave it to our neighbor cos our AMK flat is too small for the tree. Furthermore, we hacked off the store room so there isn't space to keep the tree. During those years (from 98 to 2002), Chee Wai and Yong will come over our place for a simple xmas party. Now they are grown up and have their own lives already.

Sigh...jus some of the christmas nag.....life is getting boring, so is christmas! Where is santa? Is there really got santa? Or its just some fairy tales? Now to me, christmas is just a sign that year has come to the end....get ready for the next year! Haiis....boring life. How i wish i can be in vietnam with them now.....sigh.....

2006-12-22T13:19:00.000+08:00

DONG ZHI
Today is Dong Zhi, the thanksgiving of the Chinese calendar. "Dong Zhi" literally means "arrival of winter". Coinciding with the winter solstice, it is an occasion for the family to get together to celebrate the good year they have had. Tang Yuan is cooked and eaten to symbolise unity and harmony within the family.

ORIGIN
Winter solstice signifies the beginning of winter. The sun is at the Tropic of Capricorn and this results in the longest night of the year for those living in the northern hemisphere. The festival began as a farmer's festival to celebrate year-end harvest.

CELEBRATION
Dong Zhi is a time for family reunion. Tang Yuan, sweet soup of glutinuous rice flour balls, is indispensible during this festival. "Yuan" (literally meaning "round") signifies "yuan man" (complete) and Tang Yuan means "tuan yuan" (family reunion). Eating Tang Yuan is symbolic of family unity and family prosperity. For good luck, families prefer to have some pink tang yuan to mix with the white ones.

Since my parents are on holidays, i went back to 113 to pray the ancestors and goddess of mercy, I bought 2 tubs of tang yuan from the stall. Opened the windows to let the air ventilate the house after a week of complete closure. Fed the fishes in case the auto feeding machine doesn't work. As I stepped near the 3 pathetic fishes, they swam to me...as if asking me for food...so is the device working or not...should be or else they wouldn't have survive until now. Anyway, i manually fed them more food, take is as a christmas gift lor!

HAPPY DONG ZHI to all!! I wonder they eat tang yuan in vietnam or not??

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Since Jim if off today, decided to 2 things: 1) Haircut 2) go redeem the xmas log from Singtel. Left home at about 4pm and went to the salon downstairs. I haven't cut my hair for almost one whole year. The very contradictory is each time when my hair grew long, i will tend to shorten it ( i mean real short, not just trimming). Then when the hair is short, tell myself that i will keep long hair liao...sigh...this is woman!! Anyway, i order for real short hair...without 2nd thought. Who cares my face look a big piece of pizza...i just want it short and simple. Phew!! Its like tonnes of weight off my head...hmm...not very bad looking lah.

Headed for Marriot Hotel to have the log redeemed. Walao! Orchard Road is full of PEOPLE!! So crowded that you can hardly move as you like....you just got to follow the crowd and the speed. Actually i tot of giving myself a good time by hanging around until night time to see the xmas lightings. After seeing the crowd, forget it man! Come home better!

Cooked porride for dinner with toufoo egg...hmm not had, simple and nice......Jim is playing with Joel now while i molest the combie...i scare later i will be too tired to post.

Oh Kenneth has not responded today!! Dun be lazy, Kenneth!!! Hurry up! update me!!!

2006-12-21T20:38:00.000+08:00

Kenneth finally responded....got worried cos since he reach dalat, he has been updating their activities...so when he stopped postin, i got a little concern. They are now in Hue and will be moving on to Hoi An.

Hue is located in Thua Thien prefecture and is in the central part of Vietnam. Located 660 km from Ha Noi and 1080 km from Saigon, Hue has always been considered the fulcrum of Vietnam's two rice baskets, the Red river delta and the Mekong delta. Hue became the name of Vietnam's most well known ancient capital because of the local mispronunciation of the word Hoá in Thuâ.n Hoá.

Hoi An is a small town on the coast of South China Sea in central Vietnam. The former harbour town of the Champa people at the estuary of the Thu Bon river was an important trading centre in the 16th and 17th centuries, where Chinese from various provinces as well as Japanese, Dutch and Indians settled down. During this period of the China trade, the town was called Hai Pho (Seaside Town), during the French occupation. Originally Hai Pho was a divided town, because across the "Japanese Bridge" used to be the Japanese settlement. The bridge is a unique covered structure built by the Japanese, the only known covered bridge with a Buddhist Pagoda attached to one side. Today, Hoi An is still a small town, but it attracts a fair number of tourists, also being a well established place on the backpacker trail. Many visit for the numerous art and craft shops and tailors, who produce made-to-measure clothes for a fraction of the western price. Several internet cafés, bars and restaurants have opened along the riverfront. Some popular evening venues, especially with western visitors, are Tam Tam's restaurant and bar and the Mango restaurant.

2day started 2 rain again. According 3 the news, it has reached the highest record of heavy rain in the past 28 years. It sun in the morning and started raining in late afternoon. Good news from Princess Yun....she got into CHIJ St. Nicholas Sch. Her first choice. Ah ma also happy for her cos the school is near our place.

Tmr is Dong Zhi (time to eat tang yuan)...its 3 days before Christmas based on the ang moh calendar. there isn't a fixed lunar date for it. that's wat i just got 2 know.

Tmr i plan to drop by 113 to check on the house, make sure the mozzies are not having a fun time without the owners around. also bring some tang yuan for prayers.

see ya.

2006-12-20T21:19:00.000+08:00

haven't heard from Kenneth today...dunno they reach the destination safely! Long journey...so many hours of coach and train...dunno mum can take it or not. Heard from the news today that dunno which party of Vietnam got bird's flu and hope its not the places that my family are visiting.

Finally the rain stopped! morning sun was good. The whole night rain makes the road very wet. of cos lah, u think i would let the sun off so easily? no way, man! sun the clothes before the weather changes again...i dun want to keep ironing dry the clothes. It won't smell as good as the sun efforts in drying the clothes.

True enough, it started raining in the afternoon again but not as bad as the past few days. Luckily i kept all the clothes already or else i can't imagine. Joel slept quite long in the afternoon. he had slight cough and maybe the syrup make him drowsy.

Princess Yun was so bored at home, nothing to do and was trying ways and means to agitate someone, or rather make that someone talk to her, play with her. Oh my goodness! She is a damn gambler (maybe she watched too much Chow Yun Fatt or Andy Lau movie), she loves playing card game...black jack, xx, xx what ever you name it. Too bad i can only play black jack. And to add some fun to the game, we decided to invest a little. 10 cents per game. And i LOST to her, owe her 40cents! We were making so much noise hoping to wake Joel up and that boy simply ignore us and continued with his dream world. Finally woke him him at about 5pm. Washed him at 6pm and had dinner at about 6.45pm.

Yun and bro went to the library with their dad after dinner. She insisted that she couldn't see my tag board from her combie and also from the library combie. I really dun understand why. Since Kenneth can see it and tag me from Vietname, why can't she see it. So i decided to go the cbox and update and reinstall....hopefullly this time it works.

Kenneth, where are you all now. you havent been tagging me today, so a bit worried....come on, update me, pls!

2006-12-19T15:16:00.000+08:00

Hi there! Since i dun have the chance to travel with them to Vietnam, i can also take this opportunity to learn about the places they are going. Here is some info to share:

Da Lat - City of Eternal Spring
Da Lat city is probably one of Vietnam's most well known vacation destination. Since the turn of the century, Da Lat has been the vacation spot for well-to-do vietnamese and foreigners. It is the unofficial honeymoon mecca of Vietnam. Located on Lám Viên (Langbian) high lands, part of the greater Central high lands of Vietnam (Cao Nguyen Trung Phan), the city is 1500 m above sea level and is 305 km from Saigon. The name Da Lat originates from the hill tribe people in this region. It literally means Stream of the Lat people.

Nha Trang
The city of Nha Trang is becoming more popular with the tourists in recent years. Yet, with a population of 300,000, Nha Trang still retains its small town atmosphere. This resort town is well known for its miles of beach and the friendliness of its people. The city is flanked by nearly ten kilometers of prime beach where the water is warm year round. The average temperature in Nha Trang is 26 C. Nha Trang also has the lowest level of humidity in all of Vietnam.

Today, Nha Trang ranks among the top of all beaches in Vietnam. Nha Trang is 1,287 km south of Hanoi, 624 km south of Hue and 442 km from Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon). Nha Trang has several famous islands. Most notable are Hon Tre, Hon Yen, Hon Rua and the Spratly islands. The name Nha trang is a Vietnamese pronunciation of a Cham word Eatran or Yjatan. Ea or Yja means river, and tran means reed. According to the locals, there once were a lot of reeds along Ngoc Hoi river. The river winds its way through the town. Ngoc Hoi was later renamed Nha Trang river. Another theory of the origin of Nha Trang's name has a more amusing twist. Long ago, in this part of the country, all the houses were made out of the reeds and mud gathered from Ngoc Hoi river. The only house that was made out of bricks were the house belonging to Dr. Yersin, a French immunologist who made his home here. The house itself was painted prominently white and could be seen by vessels coming from far away. Once there was a foreign vessel passing by. The captain asked his translator where he was. The translator not knowing where they were blurted out Nha` tra('ng or white house in Vietnamese. The captain duly noted on his chart Nha Trang. Because most foreign languages do not make use of tones, the captain's name for this part of the country stuck.

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Oh! Weather is wet in singapore. It has been raining for 2 days non-stop....in true, i mean NON STOP!. It was pouring heavily all night and day. A lot of places are flooded. There was a hugh tree uprooted by the strong wind and rain near my place. I have to practically iron all the clothes in order to dry faster.....

Joel is getting better and better liao. Thank goodness! Appetite improved and back to his chirpy ways.

Ciao ...will come back tonight.

2006-12-17T21:51:00.000+08:00

today's weather is extremely wet...it rained all day (drizzled a little and poured heavily the next minute)....dunno is Dalat raining too?? Hope not cos it's already very cold (8 deg)...Kenneth hasn't update today. Think he must be having a fun time whole day thru. Kenneth, take care of your grandmother ok, her legs are weak...so the cold weather might add on to her pain.

Joel is much better today. Finally see his smile...makes my day! Today Chee Wai celebrated his 21st birthday at ah ma house. He did not want to have the celebration actually. His mum insisted so he got no choice. Da gu did all the cooking (mostly vegetarian food)...they are all well cooked. Again, the house was full of people....when it comes to celebration. Hardly got space for movement. Joel ate well for dinner.. think the food was too good to resist.

It was still pouring when we returned home. Joel was too tired today...so now he is in bed zzZ liao. Me too.

Good nite!

2006-12-16T22:07:00.000+08:00

Jim is off today. Joel is much better today too! So happy! His appetite is much better liao. So relief!! 2gu went shopping again....she can shop for about 12 hours.....really pei(4) fu(2) her!. Princes Yun went out with her gang while her bro went KL with his dad. Ah ma house is quiet today.

Weather was very uncertain today..sudden hot sudden cool. Drizzle a little on and off while the sun remains scotching hot.....think the world is getting upside down....

A piece of good news from TC today.....our Vonvonster passed all her Uni exams. This is the final year for her. Really happy for her.....afterall all her hard work and efforts finally paid off. I know she must have gone thru extreme stress for this exams. Hope she can find something that she likes to do when she graduate....no hurry lah..enjoy a little first, k.

Mum and family are in dalat now... not an easy trip for her. Got to fly to Ho Chi Minh first then take a few hours of coach from there. Dunno whether she can take it or not. Anyway, heard that is really a nice place for holiday and the weather is very cooling. How nice I could join them now???

So tired now...gtg....

2006-12-15T21:21:00.000+08:00

Thank god! Joel is much better today. The family doc came back from holidays and we brought joel to see her this morning. My goodness! can't imagine the crowd after a week close of the clinic. Anyway, joel seems to be better after the medication.

last night was chaotic. I was in total daze. Joel was groaning in pain in the evening. It was really non-stop and tears were rolling from his eyes. We knew he must be really in great pain or else usually he won't react like this. Since he couldn't vocalise, we really had no clue where exactly is he feeling uncomfortable. I was really worried that he might be having severe headache (cos the tumor in his head can lead to severe headache). 2gu suggested that we send him to hospital but i knew that even if he goes to hospital, those junior doc wouldn't know what's wrong with him too. Luckily after taking a tab of painkiller, he was much calm down.

You know those few hours was so painful to bear...esp seeing his tears rolling down. Joel is a strong-willed boy, he doesn't shed tears unnecessary. So this time roung he must be really in great pain. Jim rushed all the way home from work. Think his heart must be beating fast on the way back. Sigh....tough life. Think is about time we look into his tumor problem. Running away from reality is going to put more pain on the boy. We will let joel go for another MRI to see how the tumor has changed. Really pray that it vanish out of the blue.

This whole week has been a tough one since joel fell ill last friday. Mentally stressed up! Hope he gets better and we can bring him for swimming. I mustn't let myself down...got to hang on there for Joel. This is your life...you got to face it. Whatever you owe in your past lives got to return this life. No way to change it. So face the fact and move on!!!!

2006-12-14T14:05:00.000+08:00

Almost 1/2 of my family going Vietnam today.....they will only be back next year....sob sob...can't join them.....very sad! I actually yearn to join them in the tour... think it's going to be very fun to be out of singapore with the family (guess to be crowd can lead to arguments too!). Anyway its really a rare opportunity to travel in such a big group. The first patch left today (including mum & dad, bro & family, & LY). The second patch will leave 23 Dec (including TC & family, Bt & family). Hope mum & dad can take this opportunity to improve their relationship a little bit. I really dun want them to come back quarrelling....

My feelings are really mixed! Happy to see them going for tour in a family together but sad that i can't join them. If not for my situation (you know what i mean), i would have join them in all occassions. I love with my family, i love to play with the kids. Yet the world is simply so contradicting. the more you love to do something, the more the situation stops you from doing it. Dunno when got the chance to join them in a tour again??

Think mum miss me too! B4 she left this morning, she has me to drop by her place. buy 4d for her during her absence...and passed me $100 in case i got $$ problem. Dunno when can i stop her from worrying for me....think she feel very heartpain that i cannot join them for tour too! Anyway, wish them have a fun time there!

Joel is slightly better now but not fully well yet. Appetite is still bad. He just want to drink water. and at times just take cereal. no rice for him. can't sleep well at night. Our little prince, get well soon. Each time you fall sick, mummy & daddy fall sick mentally too! Our hearts ache so much each time you suffer. How i wish someone invent a machine that can transfer the pain from one person to another....or better still stop the pain by pressing the button??

Its end of the year again! Everywhere is filled with holiday mood and Christmas joy.... i have no feeling. no joy for me. no life for me. i wonder what's my purpose in life? Why am i breathing for the sake of breathing? Why am i going thru the same life day after day? Why my life is filled with pain and anxiety more than joy and happiness? Think the only joy i have is when i see joel well and healthy. When i see him smile...that's happiness. Maybe that's the limit given to me in terms of happiness! Oh oh...here i go grumbling again! better dun spoil other's mood.

See them again next year 2007!!!

2006-12-12T15:47:00.000+08:00

Wow! So long nvr post liao....Yun said I am a lazy blogger...she went korea for a week and came home liao i still haven't posted anything??? :-) She has verbally warned me if I am not going to post, she is going to hack into my account liao....haha! Oh! She is capable of doing that, dun ever doubt her capability....so i better key in something or she is going to be on my back again...

actually few days ago i did wrote something real long... a summary of what's happening in the those days where i did not post. but then hor, when i tried to publish it, it said technical error and apologise for inconvenience caused. I tried to rescue it but too late liao.... not draft was gone too! So angry....din re-do!

anyway, 4get about it! Wish Ly belated birthday on 1st dec, francis on 10Dec and yes, 5 dec, my wedding anniversary. I got married this day 13 years ago.....wow! long time hor? can't imagine time flies soooo fast...that we hardly realise.

Joel has been sick for days liao...very sad! started with stomach wind and was on antibiotics. since he is not able to talk, the doc has given something that can kill the germs for all areas. Guess the medicine was too strong for him and he ended up vomitting and diarhea (anyhow spell). the worst is he started getting seizures....very bad ones. a few episodes in a day. poor boy...he hasn't had anything in his stomach the whole day (other than medicine). I inserted valium into his anus and hopefully it helps to stop his seizures. Now he is still in deep sleep. lets pray he gets better when he wakes up.

This school holidays haven't got the chance to bring Joel out.. really dun want him to spend the holidays falling sick.

ok, gtg. going to check on him every now and then.

2006-11-28T21:25:00.000+08:00

A love for material goods

A lawyer was driving his big BMW down the highway, singing to himself, "I love my BMW, I love my BMW." Focusing on his car, not his driving, he smashed into a tree. He miraculously survived, but his car was totaled. "My BMW! My BMW!" he sobbed.

A good Samaritan drove by and cried out, "Sir, sir, you're bleeding! And my god, your left arm is gone!" The lawyer, horrified, screamed "My Rolex! My Rolex!"

2006-11-27T22:12:00.000+08:00

sigh...getting lazy recently liao...dun blog as much as i did previously. Yun say i san1 fen1 zhong1 re4 du4....hmmm, not quite true leh...just that am quite tired recently. Oh yes, Jim is back to work 2day after 2 weeks holiday in Spore. Can u imagine how he feels? He grumbled and grumbled like a kid...saying he dun want to go back to work...haha!

joel kept making a lot of noises today. Dunno is it he is unwell or what..how nice if he can talk. Then at least we know exactly what's wrong with him... it's very hard and tormenting to guess what's wrong with him. One thing for sure, he is unwell or else he won't be behaving like that!!

Weather is turning cold recently. it suns in the morning and rains in the afternoon... becoming a routine liao. the mood seems to be like the weather too, very gloomy leh. Dunno why? just feel very very sian....Hate the routine lifestyle, day in day out. Maybe my back started to ache again..certainly my mood. One move one bend becomes very painful for me...got to rely on painkillers again. Can't imagine in 5 - 10 yrs down the road, dunno how and what would happen to me by then...i hate life!!

2006-11-25T09:11:00.000+08:00

Went swimming @ YS place on 24 Nov. The water is really COLD. no joke about it. Though the sun is hot, the water is icy cold. Joel kept shivering for about 5 - 1 minutes and daddy got to hold him tight and slowly let him adjust to the water.
See... he is really enjoying himself! He loves swimming.

Now we can let go of him to let him swim on his own..... As for me....it took me quite a while to go into the water....it's icy cold.....dun see me fleshy fleshy like that, i can be very useless one... :-)

2006-11-20T23:34:00.000+08:00

19 Nov - Sunday
weather was very hot. so decided to stay home instead of bringing joel out. worried that he might fall sick due to the hot weather. 2gu of cos won't stay home lah....out she goes for her shopping spree. I must really kowtow to her...she is one who can shop from morning to night...(without buying things). I must admit that i am a lousy shopper. B4 i could reach the mall, i start to feel tired liao....and when it comes to big crowd, my temper will change and affect my shopping mood. 2gu can really shop from one destination to another, almost covering spore major malls in a day.....

so we stayed home with our parents in law. I cooked a dish, mum in law cooked some. it turned out to be fantastic, better than buying outside. joel seemed to enjoy the dinner we cooked too...he finished almost everything on the plate...make my day when he eat a lot.

20 Nov - Monday
weather wasn't that good...a bit gloomy... rained heavily in the afternoon. Jim is still on leave for the whole week...he went back to shop in the afternoon to clear some work b4 it pile like mountain. 7gu is also on leave today. good to see her around cos joel likes her very much, he enjoys her singing...though she kept singing the same old songs again and again. She is the only one who really dotes on joel so much....she won't allow the rest of the kids to make noise when joel is sleeping...

Oh, i suddenly felt sick in the afternoon....nose started running. feverish and lethargic. took some medicine and layed in bed. luckily jim was able to come home in time to pick joel from ah ma house. if not, dun think i got the energy to even stand still, let alone having to carry joel.

cooked a little porridge for dinner.. with bottled pickles and canned peanuts. felt better liao. gotta help yun to post her blog too....hope one day she has the freedom to go online soon!!!

Just finished watching ANTM tonight last episode liao. going to rest after this....so that tmr i can spend time with joel.

2006-11-18T22:29:00.000+08:00

Riddles for the day:-

Q. What do prisoners use to call each other?
A. Cell phones.

Q. Why did the man put his money in the freezer?

A. He wanted cold hard cash!

Q. Why did the tomato turn red?
A. It saw the salad dressing!

Q. Where do polar bears vote?

A. The North Poll

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its a saturday! Scotching hot in the morning again....too bad i dare not leave my clothes out in the sun cos we are bringing Joel out. Dare not risk anymore...weather changes like women these days...anytime from sunny to rainy.....better dun play play huh...

We went to Guan Yin Temple at Si Ma Lu...very crowded. Make a quick offering and praying and quickly siam....hop over to BJ for a walk...walao...equally crowded!! Maybe of the school holidays, people are out for shopping spree..

When we got home, the sun was still scotching hot...aiyah, wasted hor, if i let it sun, the clothes would have dried by now...never mind, next time lor.

Dunno what happened to joel today?? No appetite...but drank plenty of water. Maybe cos of the weather....hopes he gets better tomorrow.

Jim is still holidaying in Spore....its been such a long time that he stays home for week (clearing leave b4 the company confiscate them)...next week another week at home.....can't imagine how he feels when he gets back to work the week after...haha sure buay tahan wan!!!

Anyway, have a good weekend!!!

2006-11-17T09:44:00.000+08:00

missed last nite post again! Sorry! too busy liao...was busying re-arranging the furniture and spring cleaning at the same time. Since jim is off, might as well make use of the time to help clean up the house hor?

Yesterday evening brought joel to TP for a walk after dinner...bot some groceries at ntuc. Took some pics at the same time.

That's jim & joel...nice ba? Joel was in a happy mood yesterday...not much fuss from him like b4. Maybe he prefer to shop in the evening than daytime...cooler maybe!? ^*^

Ok...gtg...lots of things to do again. to be cont'd ......

2006-11-15T23:06:00.000+08:00

so glad that joel is back to his happy chirpy way liao...still on medication and hopes he can recover fully soon! went to KK to replenish Joel's medicine again....hate it man! The tones of medicine really irks me...especially they are going into joel's stomach!! Hope he can stop taking all these real soon.....

Jim is attending his boss (irene) farewell celebration...karaoke....hehe...think he can sing?? No thanks! Hope he dun get himself too drunk...

Oh, yun got me homework again!! She got so much to say in her blog, especially with so many pics to post (pic taken with her new 6280)......

am now watching project runway....quite interesting show. the judges can be very mean with their critism on the participants....think this is common in the states...in spore, dun think pple can take it openly....

2006-11-14T20:26:00.000+08:00

Oh i hv been missing post recently...Joel is not well. Poor boy, he did not sleep even for a second the whole nite thru. He was moaning and moaning, with tears in his eyes...it so tormenting for us cos we really dun know what's wrong with him...whether is he having headache? stomach ache? or what? Tired and exhausted trying to keep our eyes open to keep him company, sametime trying to keep our mind cool not to lose our temper. We knew he must be hurting somewhere or else he won't be like that.

By 6am...he had seizures (expected cos this happen when he doesn't get enough sleep). Then he managed to sleep until 12noon. Brought him to the doc immediately he woke up. Luckily after medication and sleep, he is much better liao.

We are all exhausted too....Jim, 2gu and I slept throughout the afternoon too. Really, I have come to a point that one must stay healthy in order to be happy. Cos each time Joel falls ill, our hearts fall ill too....

Jim is clearing leave these few days. Glad that he is around, his presence certainly give me more strength to take care of Joel and to continue living on.....