25 Random Things About The Leech

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, just copy and paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.

Thanks a bunch Jess! Yes, I know that you are not pointing a gun to my head but you know how compliant I am to these sort of lists…so here goes:

1. When I was younger, I used to get nightmares that my mum would have another kid and I would be the unwanted and unloved middle child.
2. I don’t drink sugarcane water (EVER!) since that day where my dad stopped at the road side and my whole family (but not yours truly because yours truly did not like the murky green juice that the machine squirted out) had many sips of the said juice. The next day, all of them had really bad diarrhoea.
3. The only two edible things that I do not eat are bitter gourd and pepper (green, yellow, red…whatever colours it comes in, those are the colours that I don’t eat). Everything else is fair game.
4. My morning routine as I enter the office. Mumble, mumble (my attempts at wishing the co-workers good morning)…tries to fit key into room door and succeeds after the fourth try…dumps bags on chair…turns lap top on…heads to the pantry…pats darling coffee machine and presses the appropriate buttons (apparently, I know more about the coffee machine than the others who have worked here for the longest time ever)…takes a great big sniff and settles into chair…then gulp, gulp, gulp and ten minutes later, the cobwebs have magically been remove and work beckons.
5. I have no desire to get a big ass car because I am now making a little bit more money than I used to. My next car (in the far future…can’t bear to part with ichi ban buta just yet) will be a cute hybrid car…or an EV car! I do not need to go from 0 to 80 km/h in 2 seconds. I already drive like a maniac as it is.
6. I was 8 years old (or so) and walking back from dancing class with a friend when a creepy stranger guy tried to grab us. My friend was scared shit but I got angry (yes, kids do have a natural sense of what violation is) and started kicking and punching the guy in a blind frenzy that he had to let us go. I grabbed my friend and we ran all the way home. I shudder to think what would have happened had we not gotten away. Thank God we did!
7. I know that I will never finish this list if I don’t keep it short!
8. I love tom yam. That’s the only thing I crave for whenever I am overseas. For one week last year, I had tom yam every single day and was still in love with it.
9. I think that ordering Indomie goreng at the mamak is a waste of money (mamak = RM3.50/plate vs 1 packet off the supermarket shelf = RM 0.50) but I still order it anyway.
10. I am a sucker for guys with luscious lips.
11. I will always love Roger Federer no matter what ranking he is at.
12. I have this innate ability to fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow so I am not fun at sleep overs once the lights have gone off.
13. I like my space. I need my space.
14. I love wasabi covered macadamia nuts. It’s sad that I can’t get any in Malaysia.
15. I told my mum how much I love her right before she died. I am glad I did.
16. I once ate 36 oysters in one sitting. I have yet to repeat that feat.
17. I love (LOVE!) Japanese food.
18. I don’t like crowds. They make me feel claustrophobic. The only crowds I like and want to be a part of are those in any Linkin Park concert.
19. For the past two years, I attempted to write a 50,000 word novel in one month. As a result, I have two unfinished novels in my hard drive. The second try churned out a feeble one page; half of which were lyrics of Beyonce’s “If I Were A Boy.”
20. I secretly want a little penguin from Philip Island as a pet.
21. Almost everything piggy I own are given by friends. The only piggy thing I bought for myself is the headrest in Ichi Ban Buta. Everything else are gifts.
22. I hate having to choose between having a mango or a berrylicious fruit drink.
23. I can’t understand why Manju and Ratha don’t eat durians!
24. Barney scares me. I don’t like the colour purple because it reminds me of Barney!
25. There is a cupboard in my dead grandmother’s room that scares me because it is the perfect size to fit her body in. After her funeral, I was supposed to sleep in her room. I think I stared apprehensively at the cupboard a good while before dozing off. No, I did not dare open it and I don’t think I have ever opened it since.

Jan Nearly Went Without A Post

Sitting in front of the telly, watching a replay of the Australian Open match between Roddick and Djokovich. My heart goes out to Djokovich for not being able to complete the match. It's not easy...the conditions in Melbourne. It is HOT and dry. I know. My skin is still peeling leaving me looking like a skin disease victim. I was out with me cuzzies at a shopping mall today and I was wondering what was up with all the weird stares at my chest!!! It was when I went to the toilet that enlightenment came upon me with a glance in the mirror. I was flaking and peeling so badly that it looked really...well...gross. The new skin is shades lighter than the burnt bits around it. You can just imagine. No low necks for now.

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It is back to the grinding board tomorrow. Sigh. Am gonna miss the day matches...and think that Federer darling will be playing during the day session on Thursday.

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Reading: A Hat Full of Sky (Terry Pratchett)

Just finished: The Graveyard Book (Neil Gaiman)

Looking forward to: Best friend's wedding

Last laps in pool: 8 (with much 'encouragement' from Munchkin)

This Is Me Trying To Get Started On Christmas Eve

Christmas carols are playing on my lap top and there's a feeling of calm and peace in the air. As I type this post, preparations are under way for the barbeque tonight...and I am salivating as thoughts of perfectly marinated grill lamb float in out of my pre-caffeinated brains. My car smells like baguettes...not complaining though...it's a nice smell...a yummy smell. And how can Ichi Ban Buta not smell like baguettes? That was A LOT of baguettes in my trolley last night (ha ha...totally emptied Tesco's shelves)...people actually stopped to stare. I felt like telling them, "I like my baguettes, okay?!!! You got a problem with that?!!!" Then I would give them a troll like sneer and walk away. Ha ha ha! The baguettes are for the grilled garlic bread tonight, in case anyone is wondering. I think I will skip my lunch today.

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Okay, before I go, this is a list of 'me' that I penned down in Sept, 2004 in case I developed amnesia and needed to get to know myself all over again. Say what?!! Don't ask. I don't know why I think of these things. Amnesia indeed! Anyway, it was amusing going down the list because I realised that I have not changed much. Hhhhmmm, I don't know whether that's good or bad...more bad I reckon. But here it is anyway...with my comments in red (comments from my 2008 self that is):

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I don't smoke. (Still don't)
I drink somewhat. (Ha ha...yes, still somewhat!)
I hate capsicum and milk. (With a passion)
I have the gift of sleeping. (Thank God still do...as soon as my head hits the pillow)
I love traveling.
But only with the right sort of people.
I hate hypocrites.
But sometimes am one myself.
I like most alternative music. (And now indie groups too...and melancholic song writers)
I also like Simon & Garfunkle and the Carpenters. (So sue me!)
I love my mum dearly.
I am funny. (Damn perasan even back then)
I am also serious.
I love reading and buying books.
My diet is not very healthy. (You don't say)
I have three best friends since kindergarten.
I love cheese and caviar.
I collect pigs. (Not live ones)
I love driving. (Still do)
I love my dad and bro too. (No choice...ha ha ha)
I was a good student in school. (Again...damn perasan...why did I put this in?)
I can be very outspoken and loud. (Me...the shy one? Must have gotten this wrong)
I am a big fan of the Formula One Grand Prix.
I do things obsessively. (I draw a blank on this one)
I have an improving sense of direction. (Still improving...Ju and Div...no commenting here!)
I am a jeans and shirt gal.
I value memories...sad and happy.
I love to throw things away.
I love to cook when I have the chance.
I love to do art work.
But hardly have the time.
I like my eggs sunny side up.
I prefer noodles over rice.
I could drink tom-yam every day. (And I did...for an entire week)
I value my true friends deeply.
I am a thinker and a brooder.
I love curling up in bed with a good book.
I also love hanging out with my buds.
I like brainless romantic films.
If they're British all the better.
But I prefer dramas.
I like guys with lucious lips.
I don't like people taking advantage of other people.
I hate violence and any senseless lost of life.
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How I amuse myself. Yes I do. But it's time to go. Finished The Graveyard Book (Neil Gaiman) last night. Wonderful. Loved it and was oh-so sad when it ended. Made me think of The Jungle Book...somehow. Okay. Really going. Need to drink my coffee. Need to wake up. Need to get my tum tums ready for the barbeque tonight...that's motivation enough to drag my ass (pardon the language) to the shower.

An Entry For December

I have started this post so many times. I have started. I have paused and then I have deleted...again and again. I don't know why. Perhaps I am not ready to summarise this year...yet. Like the years of the past, this one is fleeting and I am grasping at its tail, asking it to slow down. But like any constant, it doesn't, it continues. So, that doesn't leave me much of a choice. I either blog now or December will be left post-less...a sad sad affair seeing how my determination to blog at a more frequent pace has twindled down, down, down towards the end of the year.

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But I can feel myself digressing.

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In a nutshell, 2008 has been a year filled with many bitter and many a sweet memories and many a firsts. After many years of not being around for the Chinese New Year celebrations, Jess and myself flew up to Penang to be with our Tai Yee...after stuffing our faces silly with steamboat the night before. Our first flight with Fire Fly. You don't want to be without your hand sanitiser in one of them planes. Maybe things have changed now. I hope. My first time voting (and the rakyat spoke up and was heard!). First interview for a promotion (yes, in all of my nine years in the hospital) and then waiting for what seemed like an eternity...and eternity of assumptions. And yes, my first promotion...the sweet yet humbling taste of victory. My first resignation letter (thank you Christie fot the Malay translation). My first hunting for a place of my own. My first time driving on the WRONG side of the road. My first time in Vegas. My first time in KK as a tourist...and not just doing the airport-swanky hotel-airport route. A lot of firsts...many that I can't recall just right now (hey, I turned 30 this year...I SHOULD be allowed to forget things)...but it has all been good...even when it was bad...it always ended up good (this may not make much sense but bear with me).

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I have learned much this year...seen much. Had my heart broken to a kazillion pieces. Had it put together again. Experienced first hand how some people can be rats...evil to the core. A harder lesson learnt is that these people sometimes disguise themselves as friends. I found out that back stabbing is such an easy feat that many have black belts in this discipline. People lie and snitch to get what they want and to get out of difficult situations...some of these people call themselves my superior. I guess that I have always known this...but experiencing it is something different altogether.

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But yet, I am ending this year on a positive note. Though this year has been a year of changes and has brought about many difficult and life changing decisions to make, I am thankful...for the Hand that has and always will continue to engulf mine. I am thankful for those I call my true friends...my loved ones. I have been blessed with a terrific care group filled with terrific (and crazy...I guess that you could call them terrifically crazy) people. I am thankful for His provision...it has been sufficient and MORE. I have been blessed with faith...in being sure of what I hope for and certain of what I cannot see.

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Dear Lord, I end this year with You. Next year is also Yours. And the one after that...and the one after. I don't know what it holds...but I know that You know...and that's enough for me.

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Merry Christmas and a great year ahead!

Goodbye

Be warned. This entry is definitely going to be rambly and melancholic. This is your truly and her thoughts at 1:51am. The twitching hour has passed and I am left with a sense of...

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Who would have thought that in the nine years I have been in this institution, the roots that have sprouted...have grown so deep. Happy days, sad days...mediocre days. Happy people, sad people...mediocre people. So many of these have come and gone. And like these things...these people...so have I...came and now...gone.

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And how do I feel?

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Sad among other things. Sad to leave some really good colleagues that I have the priviledge to now call my friends. Sad to leave the things that I love doing. Sad to not be walking down the halls that hold so many memories.

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But at the same time, I am glad to leave certain things and rodents behind. No no...this is not me being vindictive and evil. There's enough of that in the world already. I realise that no matter where I am, there is bound to be other rats around. So those of you who say that I am not a realist...I am...it's just that I choose to be an optimistic realist. And I bear no grudges. I bear no hard feelings. As I leave...I leave with a clear consciense and good will and I thank God that I am able to do that.

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So this is a chapter closing in my life and a new one starting soon. As the page turns, I am learning to let go and move on. But I am glad that some characters from the previous chapters are following me into this new one...at least not everything will be new...and scary. But I am excited and looking forward to it. Come what may...I have a Friend that is holding my hand and I am comforted.

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So I bid thee good night. It wasn't such a rambly post after all.

The Good Old Days...

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Can you spot yours truly in the picture above? I mean...common on...it's not difficult is it? There are only two Chinese girls in that class and I was not wearing glasses YET at the time. The year was 1998...kelas 4 Chempaka...

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An old school posted a couple of our primary school pictures up on Face Book. Some made me smile and others made me cringe. Before long, I was rolling on the floor with laughter...which I take as a good sign...at least I have a childhood filled with stupid memories. Like for instance...

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There was this one guy in our class (he is in the picture above but so not saying which one) whom Manju and myself (and I am sure others as well) used to bully...well...maybe bully is too strong a word...tease then. And he would always retaliate by saying stuff like, "I ask my mother to pour hot water on you!". Talk about an easy target. Yes...yes, kids are sometimes unkind...but in our defence...we just could not help ourselves. One day, when he could no longer 'tahan' us, he with much gusto stood up and yelled, "STOP PROSTITUTING ME!". I took one look at Manju and we burst out laughing. We think that the poor fella meant to ask us to stop 'prosecuting' him.

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Alas...

No More Food Please!!!

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Oh! Pig, pig, pig!!! That's what I've been. My birthday has come and gone but the 'festivities' have not. On Wednesday (my birthday proper), D, M and J and yours truly partied away at 21. The food there is really good and so was the bottle of wine we pick...white...not too dry with slight fruity hints. See, I should remember the good wines I drink but...do I? No! As a result, it's always eeni meeni minee mo...which bottle is to go? Anyway, got a bril pressie from D. Anyone wanna play with me?

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Yesterday was a Japanese feast with my hometown posse. And no...I did not beat my record of 36 oysters. I only managed 17 this time around.

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And tonight, another round of seafood with my ex-dg members at Telok Gong. Marmite and salted egg crabs, assam* fish, bamboo lala, too fu, butter mantis prawns, la la mee hoon and of course a dish of veggie (obligatory dish on most Malaysians dining table). Dawn...the little temptress...ordered a small bottle of toddy (todi?). Summary: STUFFED TO THE BRINK.

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There are no pictures of food at Genji @ PJ Hilton or at the Coconut Restaurant for a very simple reason. We were too busy eating to think about taking pictures. Alas...our memories will have to be out faithful reminder of these 'gluttony' days.

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Anyway dear friends...thank you for making this milestone a memorable and fun one. Thank you especially for all the free food and drinks. Ha ha. Yes, we may occasionally fight and have difference of opinions...but I trust that our friendship is strong enough to overcome all that and more. So I raise my glass to all of you...salute!

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Assam = spicy sourish sauce

I Feel The Lurve

It has started. The countdown to my big THREE-O. I feel it my bones. I need to start taking calcium tablets...at a more regular frequency (not the once a month dosing that I am currently practising...yes, I know...none compliant pharmacist) because according to Abbott pharmaceuticals, "Bone lost starts at 30". But hey...age is just a number I am told.

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I am not going to tone down...talk less...lose my hearty laughter...but instead I have every intention to LIVE MORE and make every second count. Who is with me?!!!

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Yeah!

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Tonight...was...let me think...fun! Yes definitely. True, I was very disappointed that the rain spoilt our paintball session. But hey, we can't always get what we want. So, true to our Chinese nature (yes...Div...don't deny that 'makan' gene in you), we went straight for dinner. Dinner was good...assam steam fish, salted egg crabs, Mantis prawns, yam basket, butter prawns and lots of veggie.

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The food was gone in the flash. Really. I am not exagerating. Then, came the birthday cake. Then came the series of unfortunate events that lead to yours truly having her face shoved into the cake in front of the entire restaurant. She was then allowed to clean up...first walking the walk of shame through the restaurant to the toilet. Then came the second wave. I should have seen it coming. I really should have...but I did not. Shame on me...must be getting soft with old age. Flour...water...sigh. Poor Bee had to drive a drippy Leech back home.

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We learn something new each day. The lesson of the day is this: it is really difficult getting flour out of one's hair...and clothes. The picture up up up there is of my hair...still with bits of flour (by this time it had become dough) in it even after a vigorous wash. My shirt too still has bits of flour all over it. I have given up scrubbing it. I will wait till it is dry to pick out the dry bits.

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Another lesson: friendship...is a really beautiful thing. Before you guys, The Rat had me thinking that my colleagues could never be my friends. Thanks for proving her wrong. So this blog is dedicated to you guys...in alphabetical order...Adwin, Amelia, Bee, Divya, Jing Yong, Poh Wan, Wen Chieh...cause you all ROCK!

Blur...

This Hari Raya…though not as strenous as last year’s white water rafting, abseiling and caving expedition…proved to be equally as entertaining though not entirely as healthy. After two days of intoxicating social dos that started on Friday afternoon, it was REALLY difficult waking up this morning to get to work. Granted, the roads were crystal clear (just gotta lurve the holidays!)…but I could not say the same about my head.

But I digress…or not. Over the last two days (that really felt like a weekend) I played some ping pong, managed a 6 minute change of clothes*, ‘socialised’ at tsb, watched many episodes of Shark, attended a close friend’s daughter’s Sangeet a.k.a Punjabi style celebration with lots of singing and dancing and juicy ribs, did a Kimi Raikkonen to Subang for waffles, shot a cross bow and pretended to be Legolas with a bow and arrow, ventured around the town of Kundang in search of lunch, walked the whole of Summit, pigged out on just too much food and ended the festivities with Mama Mia.

Mama Mia was entertaining but I just could not stomach the Pierce Brosnan singing romantic/angst love songs. It was just too weird for me. In my head, he will always be, “Bond, James Bond.”

Right then, that’s all the update for now because dear blog, a certain silver Honda City awaits to sweep us out for lunch.

* Kiasu attempt to avoid paying parking fees but later on found out that the exit bar was up anyway cause no one was around. Gah!!!

I Picture It In Black And White

While I was going through my stuff today, I found old pictures dating back to my university days in Glasgow, my college days in Sunway and my secondary school days in Kuala Terengganu. Old memories flooded my thoughts and nostalgia tugged at my heart. Friends, ex-boyfriends, family...acquiantances I cannot remember names off...they were all there.

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There was that picture of the four musketeers (Lauren, Manju, Ratha and yours truly) standing on my gate in my old house in KT. We must have just finished a tuition session in my house...probably accounting. We were so young and carefree.

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Then there was that whole album of the five of us modelling for Bahar (who is now a bonafide photographer traveling the world in search of that one perfect shot) in the basement of Vero's house. That brought a sheepish smile of...erm...embarassment..."What were we thinking off?!!". No one must EVER see those pictures. Cringe cringe! To think that we even had wardrobe changes and drabes as backdrops. Why? Why? Why?!!! Oh, the follies of youth...

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There were many pictures of the many Chinese New Year dinners the entire extended family had together...Teluk Intan, Kuala Terengganu, Penang and Bentong. The food! Oh the food! My mum and aunts would conspire weeks preceeding the event of what would be on the menu and who would prepare what...sheer geniouses at work. The younger generation knew better than to get it their way. Oh no! One cardinal rule: NEVER go into the kitchen while the aunts were at work. We knew our role by heart...eat up and pretend to help out with the dishes later.

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There was that one picture of Adrian and myself covered with chocolate sauce and flour...somewhere in the back streets of Glasgow. My birthday 'gift' to him. Of course my plans backfired on me. I was supposed to remain clean...but alas...the best laid plans...

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I could go on and on but I won't (yes, I can hear you sighing in relief). It is sometimes nice to remember the past...to laugh over the ridiculous and silly things we did (and trust me, I have PLENTY of 'stupid things done in the past' to laugh...and cringe about). It helps me take stock of my current situation and see how far I've come from those days and how much I have changed AND whether those changes were for the better or the worse. It gently reminds me of the invincibility of my youth and if I could do it then...I can certainly do it now!!! Lastly, it reminds me that I have been blessed with family and friends and a life rich with colourful experiences.

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So yes...take time to travel through the roads of years gone past. You never know what you might re-find. Enjoy the memories...this Leech is heading off to bed. Sweet dreams!

Just Another Manic Monday

A question one should always ask one's inner 'clutter' self: Can I possibly pack my whole life's belongings in one weekend to be moved to another location if ever the Mob decides to come after me?

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If the answer is no...then you have too many wordly things that I can bet you haven't even touched in the past year...no no...in the past FIVE years. Am I right or am I right! I never knew that I was a clutter freak until I this weekend where I had to have a major spring cleaning exercise...reasons of which I am unable to disclose. Anyhow, the amount of junk I threw out, recycled and donated were phenomenal. Okay, so most of the things were my dad's stuff but still, I had like clothes from fifteen years ago and stuff from all the conferences I have ever attended. Boy, did I have a good time of throwing things away.

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In case I have never said this before...I LOVE THROWING THINGS AWAY. The problem is that I don't set nearly enough 'throwing away' time as I would like and hence the 'collection' of clutter grows. So, my new take in life...SIMPLICITY! We actually don't use a whole lot of things in our day to day life...at least I don't. We DON'T need really need a lot of things to survive and be able to help others and have a good time.

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Ooops, got to go. The mania begins once more...one day I may explain this elusive entry but for the time being BUY LESS AND GIVE MORE!

A Myth...

And so...I have given up cold drinks, spicy food, fried food and all forms of alcohol. A promise I made to Amelia as I started my journey towards clear lungs and a fluff free throat. You (and I) really have no idea how difficult and also abnormal it is for me to order warm/hot drinks..."Satu limau...errrmmm panas kurang manis"...amidst the weird looks from my peeps. You see, I am the one who is always complaining that 'it is freaking hot in here...down the tempt man!' and constantly running to the cafeteria for ice.

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It has been 3 days now and I think that this whole...cannot drink cold water and eat spicy food is a myth BECAUSE THE FLUFF BALL IS STILL THERE and my lungs are getting chestier (ha ha...I nearly typed bustier). Okay...it is time to resort to medication. My plan is:

Ambroxol 30mg TDS

Actifed i ON

Vitamin C 1000mg OD

Benadryl 15mL ON

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And if that doesn't work...then Tommy, I hope that you are ready for me. HA HA HA!!!

Long Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

My resistance towards medication and desire in remaining antibiotic naive is wearing thin. I have been coughing my lungs out for the past couple of weeks. Actually, I have been 'trying' to cough out this the really irritating evil fluff ball that has taken residence in my throat. It (the no gooder fluff ball) is really good at NOT being evicted. I have tried apple cider vinegar (thanks Wen Wei...my perp...not my brother...yes...seriously!) which burnt a pathway from my throat right down to my stomach. It worked for a while but the fluff ball returned. I have tried Fluimucil and Mucosolvan...but alas...the fluff ball and phlegm remained. I feel bad for all my peeps around me. I try and TRY not to cough but this damn thing is just too good at its job of being...well...fluffy. Gah!

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This week is finally over and I am sitting in my cubicle (my extremely neat and well organised five by five by five cube!) feeling worn out and OLD!!! The amount of reports and paper work that is on my table has piled up over the last three weeks. I am so glad that my boy is coming back (miss bullying him...ha ha...and ganging up to bully our perps)...I really just need to sit in front of my pc and not be disturbed by phone calls and patients and annoying colleagues. Okay, back to work...I am determined to clear my table this weekend...DETERMINED I tell ya! Besides...the time is coming soon (sorry for being cryptic...but those of you who know...tahu tahu lah!) and now is as good a time as ever.

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Anyway, a few photos of my last trip to make me feel less worn out and aged. Ha ha...happy Merdeka ya all!

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Sunset at Redondo Beach. Gorgeous...chilly...just the way I like it.

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If my grafiti was that good...there would be more grafiti on the walls in my hospital...YEAH!

A room with a view...if my bedroom looked out at THAT...I would probably not need to roll around so much before psyching myself to get out of bed.

I love the beach...the smells...the sounds.

I miss my long wavy hair! It is short now...a victim (the hair) of the hot Malaysian weather and a little too many oysters...a story that can only be told face to face, I am afraid. Anyway, that (the glass) was a giganto iced margarita...pekat enough...just the way I like it!!!

Dinner followed suit.

Yes my fellow 'Live To Eat' club members...fried lobsters and crab legs and yes...it was THAT good.

Down In The Dumps

Sometimes I feel so stripped down. All my defenses have disappeared over night and I feel raw and exposed. And it certainly doesn’t help that I am listening to very melancholic music right now (The Pierces: Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge). I suppose that the lyrics are actually rather ironically funny, but in my current mood of gloom and sensitivity, it sounds dead depressing. Life is really a matter of interpretation, isn’t it?

It’s just this time of the year that brings me down and I try not to let it, but starting from mid August I just start getting really gloomy (I know, I am going to use this word a fair bit here, my sincere apologies) without knowing why. It just hits me all of a sudden. Blam! And I am left wanting to crawl into a hole and just hide…hibernate.

Then I realise, oh, this were the couple of really difficult weeks leading up to my mum’s death. Okay. This fact sinks in and suddenly I feel less gloomy…because it helps to understand where the gloom (hey, this is only the fourth time!) is coming from. Then at least I can start working on it.

So I guess that for the time being, I am going to stay away from people who grate my exposed nerves and remember to breath deeply (like a hundred times) before I say something biting in response to imbecilic remarks. For those of you dear to my heart (you know who you are), please bear with me if you catch me in one of my moods. I really don’t mean to bring anyone down. Those who can’t bear with me, then I guess that you are not dear to my heart and I seriously am not in the least bothered about what you think.

And P/S: Don’t dish out advice that you yourself do not or cannot follow because it just seems really silly coming out from your hypocritical mouth.

There, I have said it. I have said it and I am going to leave it.

Eating Alone...

Okay, so most of us associate eating as social events...get togethers...catch ups. You pick up the phone and go, "Ho loi mo kin...oi yum cha mo?" (directly translated as "Long time no see...want to drink tea a.k.a makan*-lah*?"). You get the point.

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But there ARE times when one becomes hungry at odd hours and one does not have one's boyfriend or girlfriend or normal friends for that matter to lunch or dine with and one is forced to venture out into the cruel world in search of nutrition (especially when that one is too lazy to cook).

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That happened to me this afternoon. It was a terrible call (and still is...oh ICU...why do you plague my on call days with your inefficiencies!!!) and I finished rather late in the afternoon. Having eaten neither breakfast nor drunk any coffee, I was famished. The kind of famished that leaves one yearning for her favourite dishes (tom yam, durians, steamboat, crabs, sashimi, raw oyters...). It was coming to 4 pm and so I decide to head to this Chilli Pan Mee shop near my house. I entered the shop and sat down at a table meant for two. It was clearly just me and my handbag. The douchebag of a waiter took a while to take my order because he thought that I was waiting for someone else. Sacrilege!!! She could not possibly be eating alone. Sound the sirens. We have a social outcast on our hands!!!

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I had to wave him over to take my order...a bowl of spicy pan mee and a herbal tea. All through my order he kept asking, "Only for one? Only for one?". Yes dude, I am eating alone. What's wrong with you? Have you not seen anyone eating alone before? Are you afraid of eating alone? Hello? Which freaking universe are you from! Now scramble along and bring me my order for ONE...yes you heard it right...ONE ONE ONE ONE ONE!!!

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Oh boy, what is the world coming to when a lone person is unable to sit by himself or herself and eat in peace. Two nights ago, I finished clinics at 10 and again was famished. In a restaurant somewhere in Taman Tun, I saw a lone guy sitting with his claypot and a story book. He looked like he was enjoying his solidarity..serenely reading his book and eating his 'loh she fun'. Way to go dude!

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*makan = eat

*lah = a totally useless post-fix added on by Malaysians (yes, the Singaporeans stole this as well) in casual conversations

Beijing's Olympic Mascots

Why am I so fascinated with the mascots? Well, a couple of months ago, a friend took a trip to Beijing and as a result...souvenirs! She gave me a set of keychains...five in all...one for each of the mascots. They (the keychains) are really cute but when I tried asking my chinese speaking friend (or rather my chinese reading friends) what the names meant...well...not many of them knew and I was still left curious as to the identity of those little critters. So what more can a girl do than to GOOGLE!!!
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In China's traditional culture and art, the fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest. And so Beibei carries the blessing of prosperity. A fish is also a symbol of surplus in Chinese culture, another measure of a good year and a good life.
The ornamental lines of the water-wave designs are taken from well-known Chinese paintings of the past. Among Fuwa, Beibei is known to be gentle and pure. Strong in water sports, she reflects the blue Olympic ring.

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Jingjing makes children smile -- and that's why he brings the blessing of happiness wherever he goes. You can see his joy in the charming naivety of his dancing pose and the lovely wave of his black and white fur. As a national treasure and a protected species, pandas are adored by people everywhere. The lotus designs in Jingjing's headdress, which are inspired by the porcelain paintings of the Song Dynasty (A.D.960-1234), symbolize the lush forest and the harmonious relationship between man and nature. Jingjing was chosen to represent our desire to protect nature's gifts -- and to preserve the beauty of nature for all generations. Jingjing is charmingly naïve and optimistic. He is an athlete noted for strength who represents the black Olympic ring.
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In the intimate circle of Fuwa, Huanhuan is the big brother. He is a child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport -- and passion is the blessing he bestows. Huanhuan stands in the center of Fuwa as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit. And while he inspires all with the passion to run faster, jump higher and be stronger, he is also open and inviting. Wherever the light of Huanhuan shines, the inviting warmth of Beijing 2008 -- and the wishful blessings of the Chinese people -- can be felt. The fiery designs of his head ornament are drawn from the famed Dunhuang murals -- with just a touch of China's traditional lucky designs. Huanhuan is outgoing and enthusiastic. He excels at all the ball games and represents the red Olympic ring.
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Like all antelopes, Yingying is fast and agile and can swiftly cover great stretches of land as he races across the earth. A symbol of the vastness of China's landscape, the antelope carries the blessing of health, the strength of body that comes from harmony with nature. Yingying's flying pose captures the essence of a species unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the first animals put under protection in China. The selection of the Tibetan Antelope reflects Beijing's commitment to a Green Olympics. His head ornament incorporates several decorative styles from the Qinghai-Tibet and Sinkiang cultures and the ethnic design traditions of Western China. Strong in track and field events, Yingying is a quick-witted and agile boy who represents the yellow Olympic ring.
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Every spring and summer, the children of Beijing have flown beautiful kites on the currents of wind that blow through the capital. Among the kite designs, the golden-winged swallow is traditionally one of the most popular. Nini's figure is drawn from this grand tradition of flying designs. Her golden wings symbolize the infinite sky and spread good-luck as a blessing wherever she flies. Swallow is also pronounced "yan" in Chinese, and Yanjing is what Beijing was called as an ancient capital city. Among Fuwa, Nini is as innocent and joyful as a swallow. She is strong in gymnastics and represents the green Olympic ring.
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And the cool part of it is when you put their names together -- Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni -- they say "Welcome to Beijing".

08.08.08

I have been such a lazy blogger of late. I have spurts of semangat-ness* to blog about certain things but when I actually park my butt in front of the computer, I suddenly want to do a hundred and one other things. If only I could publish my thoughts telepathically...from my brain right into the website.

But this being a special day where it is:

• Bernard's birthday
• Sister Tee's mum's birthday
• The start of the Beijing Olympics (I am one of the mascotts...the cute green one!)
• The date...did you not notice the date?
• Friday!!! (Always a good reason to celebrate)

We are celebrating Uncle Swee Ming and Aunty Kok Moi's birthdays at DG today. So that basically means one thing: MAKAN*!!! A good thing that Amelia and myself decided (or more like I psycho-ed her) to start our dieting today. Ha ha. Let's see how long that lasts. Sigh, have been over indulging in a little tooooooo many durians. I just can't help myself. I LOVE DURIANS!!!

Alrighty then. Time to hit the road. Subang here I come...are you ready for the Great Leech?

*semangat-ness = enthusiasm
*makan = eating a.k.a a feast

If You Want The Rainbow, You Must First Put Up With The Rain

Last Friday, Randy made us reflect retrospectively on our lives. That was not a problem. The problem was he wanted us to go back THREE YEARS and pen down God's footprints on paper. Yours truly could only go back two years and this was not because God was not good...but I just could not remember the specifics any further back. Seriously! But that was not bad. I had DG members who penned down what happened in the last three MONTHS...same case...failing memories.

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But I digress. The point of this blog is not about excellent memories (or the lack of). I remembered so many painful memories. Memories I wished I could blot out forever. But as I thought more about it...maybe not. With those painful memories came happy ones...grateful ones...building of character...testing of faith. With the pain came glorious healing and endless showers of love, assurance and peace. If God allowed all of it to happen...then I will cherish those memories and hope that I am a better person for it.

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Now back to failing memories. Ha ha. Maybe someone should boil 'fu chuk yee mai' (plus extra EXTRA gingko) every Friday. Hey, it's my turn for warmth next week right? I know what I am gonna con* someone to cook for me: tom yam fu chuk yee mai!

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*Unfortunately have to con because me and the kitchen...hhhmmm...you know how the story goes.

It's Still Blur...But This Is What I Think It Is

In the 9 years that I have spent in this institution, I have learned some lessons...the sort that only life and living it can teach. I can attest that most of these 'lessons' are bitter in nature...painful...some so much so that it becomes hilariously ridiculous (in retrospect!).

The past three weeks have been a lesson of sorts as well. While being away on a much needed break, I got news that I have been promoted to a higher position in the hospital. I must confess that the news came as quite a shock. I was at a friend's place bunking over and my phone starts to go crazy (with the baby laughter) in the middle of the night. That's when I got the news.

Well, I thank God for the impossible. I thank God for showing me that indeed...vengeance is not mine and that He rewards those who do not repay evil with evil. I must say that it was hard having to keep turning the other cheek...but I am glad I did.

And no, I am neither happy nor glad that the other person did not get the promotion. I am sure that she must be devastated and I feel for her...even though I reckon my sympathy is lost on her. But let's put it this way. At news of my promotion and the controversy surrounding it, someone asked whether I thought the promotion was fair. Without hesitation I said yes. Then he said, "Forget about everything else." I could have kissed him for that statement. Made me feel...at peace...with the whole thing instantly. The sun shone and all was well again.

Gossipy Gossips

A quote by Eleanor Roosevelt (I love her quotes by the way):

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Great minds discuss ideas

Average minds discuss events

Small minds discuss people

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It seems that I have been plagued with people who fall into the latter category. I just don't understand them...really...I don't. These are those who ABSOLUTELY need to know what's going on in other peoples lives. Those who have nothing better to do than to poke and pry and when they can't get anything on you...they make things up.

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I have been a victim of such mindless and often times baseless gossips. When it reaches my ears, I am left dumbfounded and speechless (very rare attributes of the Great Leech)..."What the **^$&^!". It used to hurt. But now it is just hilarious...to think that there are people who actually bother talking about me. Soon, I might even love the attention!

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But it bothers me when those same people start to gossips about other people in my vicinity. The conversation can become very mean and malicious and it leaves one feeling icky and dirty...tainted...dark...you get the idea! Sigh...why? Why? WHY?

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Questions...with no answers. So a quote of my own: "Can't join them? Leave the room."