Sunday, May 20, 2007

What a week!

140507:
Mum informed me dad will be back in Singapore after an ordeal in Indonesia. A part of me was glad and hopeful that he had changed for the better. A part of me was sad to find out what he went through the past few years. There was a tinge of suspicion yet a voice whispered forgiveness… Perhaps this is the much needed closure on this episode a man called ‘dad’… Oh God, guide me to the straight path and protect me from hell’s fire.

150507:
The 3 hour gathering was compact with catching up on each other’s lives - V’s second baby girl is due this September (let’s go for 13th), Paul got married this year as planned; Spens to walk down the aisle next (good luck!), Y’s new job seems to bode well for her current married lifestyle. Talk of sideline business came up again… interesting conversation. Spoke to a dear friend in between dinner and dessert; glad mum is doing ok.

160507:
Went back to check on the lil tyke – Irfan…wonder if there is a way to put it tactfully across to his mum not to take food she is allergic to… looking at the eczema on poor Irfan enraged me…I know he is not my child but could you bear seeing the poor tyke itching and not knowing how to communicate the discomfort to people around him? For God’s sake, he’s a baby.

Imagine your hands being tied, your mouth gagged and itch powder poured all over your body - you have no way to scratch or yell out to someone to help you get rid of the itch. Suffering in silence is something no one condones right? I rest my case…

At the end of the day, it boils down to mindfulness… Save the debate about different living standards and definition of hygiene… Any mother would want to protect, nurture and bring up her child in the safest environment possible… that’s what we call motherly instincts.

180507:
Tender closes today and I could already envision the busy months ahead once the project kickstarts end June... So now is the time to really hang loose and de-stress as much as I can... Seeing the way things took a turn this week, all I can say is "Expect the unexpected"... Somehow that seems like an understatement... vibes, folks. Oh how I love it that God loves me so much! Amen...

190507:
NLB’s inaugural Sports Carnival in the morning. Verdict = interesting. Saw my HOD in action - she's really good with ping-pong (those smashes!)... And of course my dear Idah playing soccer with the guys...

Met up with Rye to see how he was doing over brunch. “Certainty”… what was that about? Hmm… Anyway, got to rush home to change and head to class. In between, had an interesting conversation with aunt Sophie… learnt a lot from her about 'marital bliss'. Resolved to take up course on child psychology…

PS: What a week… Grandpa is rather unwell. Stay tuned to find out what will happen in the next Episode on “The Journey back to Batu Pahat”…

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Planet Earth...


A variety of deep emotions tugged at my heart strings as I witnessed the hungry polar bear tries his best to spread his weight evenly on the thin glacial ice (that are melting drastically by the seconds due to global warming) as he searched for food... not a bite in weeks while braving the windy ice storm. It could die in such sad conditions any time soon. Not just the polar bears, even the penguins and walrus are fighting for their livelihood. Read the Ice World documentary brief at http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/planetearth/

And to think that it is men, the 'creature of great intelligence of the highest order' in the animal chain that are doing the greatest damage to planet earth. How much longer could we tolerate seeing the sufferings of others? Do we have to wait till the consequence of our action or lack of it (disrespect for the natural order of the world) hits close to home or directly affects those close to us to make a difference? Imagine if you are the dying polar bear... Is that the state you want to die in? What kind of living conditions do we want our future generation to live in? Imagine the worst from now on.

Prevention is better than cure. There needs to be a united global voice to ensure a conducive living condition for our future generation. You may think that we are powerless as individuals and do not feel the need to make a difference and improve the living conditions of all species on planet earth.

If you feel at a loss as to where to start, there are hundreds of websites with great tips: you can start by seriously reducing, reusing and recyling. Check out:
http://www.wastewatch.org.uk/
http://www.wrap.org.uk/
http://www.recyclenow.com/
http://www.wwf.org.uk/

Get involved. There are small changes we can all make which will make a big difference. And if all else fails, in the words of one man, "if you cannot save planet earth, do not breed.You are not helping human kind one bit! Remember, the planet does not need us like we need it for our livelihood."

PS: The image of the dying polar bear haunts me till this day and I can't help but tear up just thinking of it.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Little Miss "Fifi"

Something was amiss when the scan took awhile to complete.
Guess no one knows your body better than yourself...

The report came back 3 weeks later.
Diagnosis - a 15 x 12 x 7 mm right breast fibroadenoma.
Verdict - Not the end of the world.
If this test is a sign of God's love for me, I accept it with open arms.

Surfed the web to find out as much accurate info about it.
Spoke to my family before making an informed decision.
Will remove it... Will get a referral letter soonest possible.

In such a situation, keep an open mind and think positive.
Everything happens for a reason;
God works in mysterious ways...

I hope by sharing this story, my lady pals will go for screening:
- the painless breast ultrasound (if you are below 35) or
- mammogram (if you are above 35).

If you need more info before investing in a screening, read these:
http://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg/c_breastcancer.htm#H
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understanding-breast-changes
http://www.healthsearches.org/Categories_of_Q&A/Diagnosis/1370.php http://www.youngsurvival.org/young-women-and-bc/survivor-stories/

Early detection could change the outcome of your life.
You live life just this once... Go for it - you have nothing to lose!
Meanwhile, have a good rest on Labour Day :)
Look to your health; and if you have it, praise God and value it next to conscience; for health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of, a blessing money can't buy. - Izaak Walton