My cousin had his wedding reception last Sunday. I was really looking forward to it, or so I thought I was. Maybe subconsciously, I did not want to go.
You see, this is my cousin's second wedding. His first one didn't work out. As much as I had wanted to be there to celebrate with him and his new wife, I could not. One very obvious reason is of course due to my chicken pox. The other was that I did not want awkward looks and conversations from relatives.
When my second uncle's daughter got married, they were so secretive about it and they used me as an excuse of not telling everyone. They said that they did not want to hurt my feelings. Ha!! What utter bullshit! If you don't want to tell then don't tell. Don't use me as a lousy excuse. I am happily divorced and there is no reason for me to be unhappy, unless of course they were afraid that I would jinx up their daughter's marriage.
Well, in a way, I was glad that I was not there last Sunday at my third uncle's son's wedding. Then nobody can say that I had anything to do with anything if anything happens. I was very honoured though, coz my cousin actually asked me to be receptionist. Hahaha! This is the sort of thing I liked to do. I did that for my other cousin's wedding and it was fun being the PR person.
Well, most of my cousins are all getting married now and I am happy for all of them, coz I cannot wait to be auntie to all those cute nieces and nephews! As for me, I will continue my journey in looking for a partner. No, not for marriage, but for companionship. I need to start widening my circle of friends from now.
Anyhow, I had to decline the invitation to be receptionist and I stayed at home, like any other good patient.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Need to cool that seething madness
I was seething mad. In fact, in a way, I am still seething. Spurts of smoke (imaginary, of course) can still be seen spurting out of my ears occasionally.
I called up my boss to inform her about my extension of medical leave and guess what she told me? She said that if I did not have the word "Chicken pox" on my medical certificate (MC), then only one day of official MC will be counted.
I was so stunned at that point of time, I did not know what say. Not only was she insinuating that I was lying to her, but she was also (directly or indirectly) insulting and questioning the integrity of the doctor.
As I put down the phone, the fact of the matter slowly sank in. I almost wanted to immediately blog it down but I thought I would cool down first. But I can't cool down. I do not care whether it was HR's policies or what but it was really RUDE!
The funny thing was that just a day before, one other colleague had gotten an MC for 2 days. She looked fine the day before but because she went to the polyclinic, she got the official 2 days. On the third day that she was supposed to come back to work, she had already earlier applied for leave to shift house. I am not going to say anything here but I would let you, my readers, be a little bit of Sherlock Holmes and go figure out why I am so mad.
Therefore, is it right to say that if I go and waste my time, wait at the polyclinic, then I will get my official MC for sure?? Or is it that all private doctors are quacks??? Because that is the message that she is sending me. RIDICULOUS!!
Plus the fact is, I DO have chicken pox!!! I have scars to prove it, even though it is not many simply because I was given the anti-viral pills to stop the spreading. You know, just because of some minorities who abuse the system, we people, who do not want to fall sick at all are always the victim. Maybe we are too obedient. If we talked back, then maybe, there would be some sort of reaction. Then again, we are in a very Asian society and I find that most companies and organisations work in very Asian mindsets. Talking back is a big no-no. It is almost like death sentence.
I mean who likes to pay money to the doctor every month??? Who likes to wait there for hours just to see the doctor??? Seriously, sometimes I wish Asian bosses were more empathising towards their employees, but I think that would take us 10 decades to reach that level of empathy. There is no magic; changing cultures take that long, if they ever succeed, that is.
Anyway, I went to the doc's and it showed on his face that he felt that this was all a joke too. He commented, "An MC is an MC" and smiled. The doc's word IS the law in the medical world. Well, in normal everyday life, GP terms, at least.
I called up my boss to inform her about my extension of medical leave and guess what she told me? She said that if I did not have the word "Chicken pox" on my medical certificate (MC), then only one day of official MC will be counted.
I was so stunned at that point of time, I did not know what say. Not only was she insinuating that I was lying to her, but she was also (directly or indirectly) insulting and questioning the integrity of the doctor.
As I put down the phone, the fact of the matter slowly sank in. I almost wanted to immediately blog it down but I thought I would cool down first. But I can't cool down. I do not care whether it was HR's policies or what but it was really RUDE!
The funny thing was that just a day before, one other colleague had gotten an MC for 2 days. She looked fine the day before but because she went to the polyclinic, she got the official 2 days. On the third day that she was supposed to come back to work, she had already earlier applied for leave to shift house. I am not going to say anything here but I would let you, my readers, be a little bit of Sherlock Holmes and go figure out why I am so mad.
Therefore, is it right to say that if I go and waste my time, wait at the polyclinic, then I will get my official MC for sure?? Or is it that all private doctors are quacks??? Because that is the message that she is sending me. RIDICULOUS!!
Plus the fact is, I DO have chicken pox!!! I have scars to prove it, even though it is not many simply because I was given the anti-viral pills to stop the spreading. You know, just because of some minorities who abuse the system, we people, who do not want to fall sick at all are always the victim. Maybe we are too obedient. If we talked back, then maybe, there would be some sort of reaction. Then again, we are in a very Asian society and I find that most companies and organisations work in very Asian mindsets. Talking back is a big no-no. It is almost like death sentence.
I mean who likes to pay money to the doctor every month??? Who likes to wait there for hours just to see the doctor??? Seriously, sometimes I wish Asian bosses were more empathising towards their employees, but I think that would take us 10 decades to reach that level of empathy. There is no magic; changing cultures take that long, if they ever succeed, that is.
Anyway, I went to the doc's and it showed on his face that he felt that this was all a joke too. He commented, "An MC is an MC" and smiled. The doc's word IS the law in the medical world. Well, in normal everyday life, GP terms, at least.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Pox!
I cannot believe it! I caught the chicken pox!!!! There were 5 rounds of it at my work place and I thought I would be safe from it but in the end, I still got it!!! It started on Monday afternoon. There were all that flu-like symptoms of backache and post-nasal drip and so I thought I was coming down with flu.
I went home, ate my dinner and was bathing when I felt the shivers. My feet were very cold and I wished that I could stay in the shower forever. I was too cold. I stayed as long as I could in the shower as I could and braced myself for when I needed to get myself out and put on clothes. It was the coldest few seconds in my entire life.
Huddling myself in my towel, I grabbed a pair of socks, opened the window threw the towel back onto the rack and went straight to bed without even turning on the air-conditioning. Oh, of course, I ate Zyrtec before going to bed.
Next morning, I almost could not get out of the bed and out of the house. Took a cab to work. Too painful to walk. Mum had asked me why I did not want to go and see the doc and take M.C. Told her I could not as I was doing the closing shift. Don't want to mess up everybody's schedule.
Come afternoon, my temperature was 37.5 degrees. Asked my colleague for panadol and popped 2. At the same time, my other colleague spotted spots on my face and immediately asked if they were chicken pox. There was one obvious pimply spot on my lip and a few others on the sides of my face. That was on my right side.
By four plus, two more spots had appeared on my left chin. Eeeekssss!!! I had wanted to wait till the next day to go and see a doctor, but mum told me to just go as it made no difference. It did make a difference though for I though the spots were not typical enough to be called chicken pox.
We went to the doc's anyway. I was treated as a pox patient and have to stay at home for the next 5 days. I was given some anti-viral medicine as he was afraid that there might be completion when I get it so 'young'. There could be meningitis or even pneumonia. It was not cheap though but it was necessary.
When I went home and took my bath, found one more spot on my right boob. Hahahaha!!! This morning, lots have sprouted on my scalp and I have accidentally scratched on in my half sleep-stupor.
Anyway, I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will not get too many spots and that there will not be any scars. Sigh...there goes my cousin's wedding reception this Sunday.
I went home, ate my dinner and was bathing when I felt the shivers. My feet were very cold and I wished that I could stay in the shower forever. I was too cold. I stayed as long as I could in the shower as I could and braced myself for when I needed to get myself out and put on clothes. It was the coldest few seconds in my entire life.
Huddling myself in my towel, I grabbed a pair of socks, opened the window threw the towel back onto the rack and went straight to bed without even turning on the air-conditioning. Oh, of course, I ate Zyrtec before going to bed.
Next morning, I almost could not get out of the bed and out of the house. Took a cab to work. Too painful to walk. Mum had asked me why I did not want to go and see the doc and take M.C. Told her I could not as I was doing the closing shift. Don't want to mess up everybody's schedule.
Come afternoon, my temperature was 37.5 degrees. Asked my colleague for panadol and popped 2. At the same time, my other colleague spotted spots on my face and immediately asked if they were chicken pox. There was one obvious pimply spot on my lip and a few others on the sides of my face. That was on my right side.
By four plus, two more spots had appeared on my left chin. Eeeekssss!!! I had wanted to wait till the next day to go and see a doctor, but mum told me to just go as it made no difference. It did make a difference though for I though the spots were not typical enough to be called chicken pox.
We went to the doc's anyway. I was treated as a pox patient and have to stay at home for the next 5 days. I was given some anti-viral medicine as he was afraid that there might be completion when I get it so 'young'. There could be meningitis or even pneumonia. It was not cheap though but it was necessary.
When I went home and took my bath, found one more spot on my right boob. Hahahaha!!! This morning, lots have sprouted on my scalp and I have accidentally scratched on in my half sleep-stupor.
Anyway, I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will not get too many spots and that there will not be any scars. Sigh...there goes my cousin's wedding reception this Sunday.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Hairy business
Went to cut my hair today. Sigh...so much contemplation for just one hair cut. Really though, I am after all, spoiled for choice here. There are just so many around my 'hood that I can close my eyes and just point. Only thing is that I do not know which one is exactly good and which is bad.
Some are dirt cheap and have a long queue but really not so sure whether cheap is not always bad. One day, I vow to stand outside and wait for someone to come out from their haircut and judge for myself whether it is good or not.
Today's cut was done at Kimage. Not bad, but on the safe side. Still good though :) Would be going back for treatments and colouring though, for I think their prices are reasonable and I have gotten their discount card now. Would also go back if I feel really lazy and don't want to go too far away.
Some are dirt cheap and have a long queue but really not so sure whether cheap is not always bad. One day, I vow to stand outside and wait for someone to come out from their haircut and judge for myself whether it is good or not.
Today's cut was done at Kimage. Not bad, but on the safe side. Still good though :) Would be going back for treatments and colouring though, for I think their prices are reasonable and I have gotten their discount card now. Would also go back if I feel really lazy and don't want to go too far away.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Happy Saturday
Woah! It was a tiring but happy day today. I met up with two of my ex-colleagues and we did a lot of catch up! We spoke of the good old days and for a moment there, it was like I had never left the company. There were times though, when I felt a little left out.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed their company very much. We ate at Sushi Tei at Tampines 1 and then proceeded to eat desserts at Bakerzin. We sat at Bakerzin for like forever. They made me feel connected and yet, disconnected. There is, from one point in our lives, where our paths seperated. The gap that has developed, can never be filled up again. What we can only do now is to build new paths (different ones) that is unlike any other from before; that of friends.
After the very long chit chat, one of them took the MRT back with me. She alighted at one of the stops and lamented that we used to drop off at this very stop with her and we would take bus back to our homes. We used to stay very near each other. Now, she goes off the train on her own, while I continue my journey much farther than before.
I miss the East still. Which was why I requested that we meet at Tampines anyway. The only thing I forgot was how crowded Tampines could get and how very rough the people living there could be! This man was walking towards me and my arm was lifted and folded (as if reaching to scratch my back) and he rammed right into my arm. He purposely did it though because I was very sure that he saw me going his way. It was already very narrow and yet, he purposely rammed into my arm (his waist was up to my arm, that was how huge he was). It happened near Body Shop, near the entrance of Tampines Mall.
Then, as we were approaching the traffic lights that we had to cross to take the MRT, another lady bumped into my friend. The bump was not a light one but...it was more like I-want-to-ram-you-so-that-you-can-get-out-of-my-way sort of bump. I made this comment that people who live on the East side are so rude! Of course, I admitted that I was also an East-sider but I think I have blogged about this before and said that the people from around where I live are much more civilised!
Well, well, I guess I should not generalise too much, lest I get beaten up! Anyway, I ended up eating bread from Bread Society as I was too full to eat anything else! Ahem! If you click on the link and scroll to "Signature-back to basics perennials", you will see my favourite "Spinach and Cheese". Crispy with cheese on the outside, moist and soft on the inside. Oh! Don't forget to check out the cute head chef too!
Nevertheless, I enjoyed their company very much. We ate at Sushi Tei at Tampines 1 and then proceeded to eat desserts at Bakerzin. We sat at Bakerzin for like forever. They made me feel connected and yet, disconnected. There is, from one point in our lives, where our paths seperated. The gap that has developed, can never be filled up again. What we can only do now is to build new paths (different ones) that is unlike any other from before; that of friends.
After the very long chit chat, one of them took the MRT back with me. She alighted at one of the stops and lamented that we used to drop off at this very stop with her and we would take bus back to our homes. We used to stay very near each other. Now, she goes off the train on her own, while I continue my journey much farther than before.
I miss the East still. Which was why I requested that we meet at Tampines anyway. The only thing I forgot was how crowded Tampines could get and how very rough the people living there could be! This man was walking towards me and my arm was lifted and folded (as if reaching to scratch my back) and he rammed right into my arm. He purposely did it though because I was very sure that he saw me going his way. It was already very narrow and yet, he purposely rammed into my arm (his waist was up to my arm, that was how huge he was). It happened near Body Shop, near the entrance of Tampines Mall.
Then, as we were approaching the traffic lights that we had to cross to take the MRT, another lady bumped into my friend. The bump was not a light one but...it was more like I-want-to-ram-you-so-that-you-can-get-out-of-my-way sort of bump. I made this comment that people who live on the East side are so rude! Of course, I admitted that I was also an East-sider but I think I have blogged about this before and said that the people from around where I live are much more civilised!
Well, well, I guess I should not generalise too much, lest I get beaten up! Anyway, I ended up eating bread from Bread Society as I was too full to eat anything else! Ahem! If you click on the link and scroll to "Signature-back to basics perennials", you will see my favourite "Spinach and Cheese". Crispy with cheese on the outside, moist and soft on the inside. Oh! Don't forget to check out the cute head chef too!
Friday, June 18, 2010
On the other hand...
...after all the hype at work, there is after all, my down side. I have been feeling very needy. Actually, I felt this for quite a while already and it is my one weakest point (I think) I am so needy that I nag too much to my friends and probably bore them to death and scare them away.
I am probably doing the same thing in this blog. For this blog though, I do not really care, since I want to write what I want to write. But I think I need to learn when to shut up when enough is enough.
Tomorrow is another working day and it will be for the next few Saturdays. I just pray to the good Lord that I will be able to pull through till my course practicum is over. Then it's off to the Netherlands! Woohoo!!!
I am probably doing the same thing in this blog. For this blog though, I do not really care, since I want to write what I want to write. But I think I need to learn when to shut up when enough is enough.
Tomorrow is another working day and it will be for the next few Saturdays. I just pray to the good Lord that I will be able to pull through till my course practicum is over. Then it's off to the Netherlands! Woohoo!!!
Cornflakes Crispies for our Daddies
It had been a good week at work. For those of you who know me, you know what I do. For those of you who don't, you would just have to keep guessing, or you might have already guessed from bits and pieces on my blog.
We made cornflakes crispies two days ago and all of them could not wait to taste it. It was the first time we all made it and we were all anxious and excited at the same time. While we all had fun mixing all the ingredients together, I did most of the scooping of the crispies into the cupcake cups. Oh! I had fun sprinkling the hundreds and thousands too! :)
'Baking' it was a little tricky though for we only had a toaster oven to work with. The first batch got quite burnt and my colleague had to watch the over the oven after that. It was really nice though for after that, we put them into nice little packages to bring them home, to our Daddies!! It's after all going to be Father's Day this weekend! Oh! We made simple cards to go along with it too!
We made cornflakes crispies two days ago and all of them could not wait to taste it. It was the first time we all made it and we were all anxious and excited at the same time. While we all had fun mixing all the ingredients together, I did most of the scooping of the crispies into the cupcake cups. Oh! I had fun sprinkling the hundreds and thousands too! :)
'Baking' it was a little tricky though for we only had a toaster oven to work with. The first batch got quite burnt and my colleague had to watch the over the oven after that. It was really nice though for after that, we put them into nice little packages to bring them home, to our Daddies!! It's after all going to be Father's Day this weekend! Oh! We made simple cards to go along with it too!
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