"Who is looking after your sons?"

....That was what my little 4-year old nephew, D asked. Heheheheh...

Yes. I am still here in PJ...but going down to Singapore later this afternoon for a night. Need to do some paperwork stuff tomorrow morning, and then back to PJ. Yeah. Short trip. Don't really want to stay too long in Singapore - VERY EXPENSIVE leh!

Then Thursday will be more doctor's appointment... My dentist to pick up my mouthguard (to stop me from clenching my jaw) and my one-week post-op check-up with my eye doctor (had my LASIK enhancement last Friday). Feeling a bit weird with my eyes... using my RIGHT eye for distance, and my LEFT for reading. Odd feeling that I need to get used to.
Yeah lor. "Lou far" in my RIGHT eye already. When I went to my friend's house on Saturday, commented to them about being "Lou far"... and lo and behold, both my girlfriends discovered that they are also kinda "Lou far"...but we all insisted that we still FEEL SOOOOOO YOUNG. heheheheh..

As for my sons, I think they are doing fine. No real complaints from H....but then, my H is more lax than I am. He probably allowed the boys to more no-goods than I would have. Definitely less screams and shouts from H as somehow, boys are more afraid of him. He only needs to say it ONCE. With me, I need to say it like FIVE times before my boys would respond.
NOT Fair .... Well, this is a good break from all the screaming and shouting - for boys and also for me!!!

Okay lah... I will post photos of our LOOT from Bangkok when I get back to Jakarta...

Leaving all the boys alone for TEN Days

Yup. Yup. Yup.
I am leaving all the three boys alone for 10 days.

Where am I going?

First to Bangkok for a couple of nights. Meeting my two sisters and mom in Bangkok for our first ever family GIRLIE HOLIDAY. Mom and sis, M flying from KL. Sis, D flying from Singapore. Will also be meeting my old friend, YY in Bangkok for lunch.

Then, it's back to KL for me. I have to have my Mouth Guard fixed by my dentist. I don't know if I mentioned it in my blog, but I have developed a BAD habit of clenching my jaw sooooo00 tightly that it has given me bad headaches and tireness (can't sleep well in the night...waking up still tired!). Hopefully, after this contraption is fixed, I will feel better.

Primary reason of going back to KL is to have my LASIK enhancement. Did my LASIK last August (2009) and they did tell me that most likely I needed an enhancement as my prescription of very high then. The computer didn't allow to fully-correct my eyesight. So... got to do it again. But just gonna do one eye...leaving the other for reading when long-sightedness (Lou Far Ngan) sets in. Then there's the post-surgery check-up a day later, and then a week later.
That's why I will be 10 days away from my boys.

H is actually in Singapore now.... and when he called me a while ago, he was at SANDS. I said "Eh? What is this? Told me you need to work. Why at SANDS gambling?"... and my kepoh S2 who has been eavedropping interrupted and said "He SHOULD be relaxing and enjoying himself now....cause from tomorrow, he will have to take care of us for TEN DAYS!"
Hahahhaha. True. True.

My boys' schedule is quite gila next week...with the Student-Led Conferences with the Teachers on two different days, then there's the Mandarin Classes, the re-scheduled after-school activities, etc. etc. ...Naturally, I had to brief my H and tried to do it over dinner yesterday night. He said "Don't tell me. Don't tell me. I am not listening. Email to me." And EMAIL I did.
I don't know what's with men. Before I booked my flights to Bangkok and KUL, I told him the proposed schedule...when I was going, when I was coming back etc. Obviously, he wasn't listening...as he went "WHAT? TEN DAYS??? Why sooooo LONG?" when he asked me again about my schedule two days ago! Actually told me to fly back home for 3 days, and then fly back to KUL to collect my mouth guard and to have my second post-Lasik check-up.
AIYO... really never sit plane before meh???

Anyway, did a whole load of grocery shopping this afternoon. Packed and labelled all the meats/chicken/bones etc and freezed them in their respective "day package". Typed out the boys' menu for breakfast and dinner for the next 10 days (except for weekends....H probably will take them out anyway) - this is for the maid so that she knows what to cook on each day. Am almost ALL organized except that I need to buy a few more items, and to make Lor Mai Kai tomorrow.

Also made a fairly large fruit cake yesterday for H to munch on while I am away. It would have been much better if I had checked on it before the recommended cooking time. I don't know why I didn't...when I usually do. As a result, the cake is slightly over-cooked. Oh well.. next time lor then... BTW, had an order of cupcakes from a friend for yesterday too. See here.

That just leaves packing my own barang-barang.....

So What's Been Happening???

Since I wrote the post about coming home, I have been suffering with neck/upper arm pains. Yup. Since Friday night until now. I tell you... So many sessions of chiropractic adjustments - and it takes only ONE session of sitting in front of the computer (sorting out all those holiday photos) to mucked it all up!!! Yes. Yes. I admit my posture when doing so is terrible. BUT still?? Yes. Yes. No excuses!! Anyway, got my H to drive me to the chiropractic clinic on Saturday for my much-needed adjustment. No miracles...but there were LOUD cracks! Hopefully, I will get better soon - I have been doing my neck exercises and have bought a gym ball to sit whilst on the computer instead of a regular chair. Sitting on the gym ball forces me to sit upright and not slouch (cause if I slouch, the imbalance will cause my butt to land-on-the-floor). Also had a 90 minute body massage + an additional 10 minute shoulder massage during my cream bath yesterday. So should work kwa? Arm did feel better today... (Errr... actually, maybe I shouldn't be blogging so much today??)

Supposed to be eating LESS but then my H wanted to have the Chinese Buffet Brunch over at Mulia Hotel on Sunday... So off we went. Wah .. so LAKU. No more tables when we got there at 11.30 am. H was kinda disappointed as he was looking forward to eating the Roast Pork, Suckling Pig etc. We ended up having International Buffet instead. Not as satisfying and more expensive too. Actually, I was kinda surprised that there was a sizable crowd....I mean it is the Ramadhan month after-all.

Nothing much happening ler... other than mom and grandma visiting for 2 nights with 7 relatives from Macau. Met up with them for dinner on Monday night. And yesterday, mom took the 5 kids (3 relatives + 2 of mine) to Ancol. Supposed to go to the theme park but was sooooooooooooo packed (National Holiday) so went somewhere else. I took one of the cousins to the spa (90 minute massage and 30 minutes of scrub - Ahhhhh BLISS!). She was saying it was soooooooo cheap and insisted to pay. We then went for lunch, and some shopping (she bought four pairs of shoes), followed by creambath, and dinner... Other relatives and grandma? The Indonesian relative (whom they came to see) took them out.

Today? Ran some errands (paid some bills, took boys for their MUCH needed haircut)...that's it lor. S1 is still out with his friends. Left him at the mall to meet-up with his friends for a movie and dinner. Yeah. So big boy liow....

Makan Makan

All I have been doing since coming back is eating non-stop. Really really have to control my diet when I get back to Jakarta.... really don't want to go on medication for my over-the-limit cholesterol. Donno what I ate last night summore.... I came home feeling sick and vomited out all the contents of my stomach. And I woke up with rashes around my eyes in addition to puffiness. Wonder if I am allergic to something I ate last night???

Speaking of makan makan, feeling kinda hungry liow. Mmmm..what to eat for lunch??
Then there's tea with my ex-boss, and the steamboat and durian feast with fellow bloggers tonight. I lurrrrrvvvvvvveeeee steamboat and durians!

Weekis Horribilis

The Queen of England has Annus Horribilis, I am having a Weekis Horribilis…if there is ever such a term....

This is a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooong post.

First Day of the week - Sunday. Though it wasn’t a school day, we were in school for the annual school fair. I had volunteered to help out in the Hair Art Stall in the morning. And since H was going to be coming as well, I had made an appointment with S2’s teacher for a short discussion regarding S2. You see…I had received complaint emails from his teacher regarding his disruptive behaviour in class blah blah blah. At the short discussion, it was more of the teacher talking with H interjecting with a few questions. I just listened. I was quite bothered and worried but the Hair Art Stall did get quite busy and thus didn’t have the time to ponder. And later on (after duty ends), I was perched on a chair on the school lawn sipping champagnes at 11 am (eh…all for charity!!).
What worries???

Monday was kinda normal. Woke boys up, told S1 to have a great time at Pancawati (Whole year group departs in the morning for their 4 day/3 nite Residential Trip. Scheduled to return on Thursday afternoon), and then went back to bed. Was halfway on the road to my Monday Art Class when my friend called to say that our Art Teacher couldn’t make it, but I could still paint at her place. I was kinda lazy so decided to go home instead…to bum around, surf the internet, eat my roti canai with curry chicken etc etc…. Later in the evening, met with 8 other moms to watch Sex and the City 2 at the Premiere Class. Was kinda nice…to be served your Martinis and Nachos inside the cinema. Yeah. Yeah. I know the girls in SATC drink Cosmopolitans… but I felt like a Malibu Martini which they made with Passion Fruit.
How was the movie?
Entertaining chic flick…but felt the first movie was better. If it weren’t for Samantha, I think the movie would be kinda flat. Don’t you think?

Tuesday started off well…. Went to my scrapbooking group….did some pages and then started chatting. And the topic of S2 came up. The year-end report is coming up and as we might be moving end of this year, this particular report could be the FIRST one that the new school looks at. He may be cheeky and boisterous but certainly does not have any behavioural problems. Certainly do not want them to get the wrong impression about my S2! And recently had an encounter with a lady in a restaurant, whom I started talking to whilst waiting for our respective tables. Her 6-year old son was turned down for a place at the American school because of “behavioural issues”. So you can imagine me panicking over S2’s report. I immediately emailed his teacher to tell her that I was coming to see her right after school.

As I was l leaving my house, I checked my email and saw that his teacher had replied and it was a looooooong email….my S2 was a little depressed in class, and even cried in the morning. Adoi! Met with S2’s teacher for about ½ hour and had a pretty good discussion. She had decided to give S2 (and another boy) additional project work outside of class. She felt that the two boys (these two errr…..Nerds are really happy and excited when doing challenging Maths) were getting bored in class with the ‘regular’ and mundane end-of-year stuff. Reason that he cried was that he was abit surprised with his reading and comprehension test results, which were just average. His teacher said “because he is really good in Math, he expects everything else to be the same”. Oh Well…you cannot be good in EVERYTHING.
Anyway, she assured me that the report will not be worded in a negative way, but it will be a target for S2 to be less “silly” (don’t know how she is gonna word that in a proper sentence. Basically, he’s a smart boy BUT it’s his silly-ness that is the problem).

Tuesday stress is NO WAY over.

Since I was in school, I went to the Medical Room to pick up the boys’ test results. Well, you see….the school requires the students to have up-to-date health information and have provided the Mantoux test (Test for TB exposure) at school.
And what do you know????
Both the boys’ results were POSITIVE. I informed the nurse that false positives are quite common for BCG-vaccinated people, but she went on to say that the induration is big…blah blah blah. There were recommendations for Chest X-Ray, Blood Testing for ESR and consultations to a Paediatric pulmonologist. I tell you ……I almost PENGSAN!!!

Not only that...I received an email from ANZA (where I do my scrapbooking) indicating the staff that serves our coffee/tea/sandwiches etc is positive for ACTIVE TB.

Can you imagine my fear?

I was gonna take S2 to his Mandarin Class from school, BUT with these results…… I told my driver to step on it…for the CLINIC, of course!!

Chest X-Ray, Blood Test, Paediatrician…the works. Four nurses were in attendance to take S2’s blood sample because before the procedure is even started, he cried liow. ADUH! Whilst waiting….I was contemplating of dragging S1 to the clinic the moment he returns from his Residential Trip on Thursday. I just want to get all this out-of-the-way!!!!! The X-Ray film and usual blood count results were made available pretty quick …..the Paediatrician had a look, indicated lungs are pretty clear, blood results were consistent with his conditions (allergic reactions etc) but he still required the ESR result and confirmation from the radiologist. Later, after dinner I picked up the full blood report– one hand holding the report, the other with my iPhone to check through medical websites. ESR is NORMAL….which is good! Though I didn’t get the full results, at least my fears for TB is somewhat allayed.

A bit jumping the gun here….BUT… The next day, the paed called to provide with the full results. ESR and X-Ray ALL NORMAL. Phewwwww...

Wait. Wait. Tuesday is NOT over yet. Remember my S1’s Residential Trip? It went horribly horribly wrong. Read here…..and here for the lengthy posts.

Thursday - Somewhat 'normal'. S1 was home from school....and I dragged him to the CLINIC to have the necessary tests done + to get the latest flu shots. I did the tests too....and since blood was already drawn, I tested for my cholestrol and sugar levels. TB results are negative. Phewwwwwww...
But my cholestrol levels are a little on the high side. How high? Donno...as I haven't picked up the full report. The doc called with the results...told me to CONTROL my diet.
Now, H is giving a hard time at EVERY meal. BLeah.....

People and Nature are giving me a hard week. Technology got jealous and wanted-in to contribute to my misery. Have I gone bonkers or what?? What the heck am I talking about?
My Internet lah. It’s been on-off-on-off for the last two days. Frustrating man! I am actually typing this on MS WORD…so that I can cut-and-paste to my blog when there IS connection.

And now…my S2 is ill. Coughing, wheezing and having a fever. His blood work from Tuesday was good. Maybe he picked up some germs at the clinic then. Probably have to keep him from school tomorrow.
Aiyaaaaa…What lah?
It’s Sunday already.
And should already OUT of this Weekis Horribilis!!!

Tomorrow will definitely be a NEW week.

Blog it to Death...

Well, I've talked it to death. Now, I guessed I shall blog it to death. Then maybe, I would be so numb that it would no longer affect me. I had lunch with a girlfriend this afternoon, and somehow....even after I've talked it to death in Bali, tears still flowed soooooo freely. I have to say that the Bali trip did help. At least, it was the girls who saw me crying constantly .....rather than H. I know he felt really sad about the loss, and that he tried to be strong for me. And if he sees me crying repeatedly, he'll feel pretty lousy.

Anyway, I supposed things weren't all that right from the beginning. When I went to see the obgyn at about 7 weeks (calc from my LMP), he did the scan, checked that the sac is at the right place, and said that the embryo is at 6 weeks, and too small to see the heartbeat. Perhaps I miscalculated the timing. No alarm bells as I told him that conception was very close to my 'next' period. I asked if I could proceed with my Bali trip (Trip was planned waaaaay in advance), and he replied that he'll decide when I see him again in two weeks.

So Bali Trip was put on hold. As initially, there was going to be four of us - S, C, KL and I. So happens that KL found out that she was pregnant. And because she suffered a miscarriage in January, she decided to not take the chance and opted out of the trip. Both C and S were gonna cancel the trip if I werent' going....afraid to be mistaken as 'le$b!@ns'. GILA, I know.

Two weeks went by pretty quick, and went to see my obgyn on Tuesday, 27th April. I was 9 weeks. Before he said anything, I knew something wasn't that right. I couldn't see the flickering heartbeat on the screen, and then he said it is still really small - only 6 weeks in size. Didn't grow at all in the two weeks. Plus there is no heartbeat whatsoever. Though deep down, I knew it was gone...I was still hoping.. hoping that there would be a miracle..... BUT he went on to talk about NOT Viable, 23 chromosomes from father...blah blah blah, problems in the replication etc etc, genetic abnomality etc etc. I was almost spaced-out by then. I actually wanted to NOT do anything, and just let nature takes its course...but he was afraid of infection and insisted that I have some medication to assist, and to see him in a week's time.

H was waiting for me when I got home. I had cried bucket-loads in the car, and continued to do so in H's arms. I was taken aback when H, who is usually soooooo strong hugged my belly and started to sob. And naturally, that made me cry even more. Somehow, whenever I feel better, H would say every December, we would have a cake to remember her by....and that surely open the waterworks again. This was hard...as I was convincing myself that I lost tissues rather than a baby.

It was inevitable. It wasn't the medication because as soon as I popped the pill, I thought that I should put on a sanitary napkin. Went to the toilet, and I was bleeding already. This was less than 5 minutes after the pill. So definitely NOT the meds working. That night was bad. Cramps were agonizing, that I had lower back pains etc. Even had pains shooting down my thighs.

Decided to go ahead with my trip to Bali with my girlfriends on Friday. H also wanted to go away alone with me after my Bali trip. Even booked flights to go to Sydney for Tuesday night (5th May). But I decided to cancel the Sydney trip... though it would be good for both of us to go. Why cancel then?
- Boys still have school, and that means I would have to call my mom to come babysit. She's okay with it, but I didn't want to inconvenience her too much as she has some other obligations.
- Our flight back from Sydney was to be Monday, 10th May. And my Mother-In-Law was arriving in Jakarta on the 8th May. I wasn't comfortable with the idea of her coming to visit, and both H and I not around. H was adamant that the boys can 'take care' of her for the two days. He even said if it's too much hassle, he would ask his mom NOT to come. Aiyo. How can? Right? Men! We almost had a fight over this.
- There's the possibility of me having to do D&C on Tuesday (True enough! I had to! Cannot imagine me flying to Sydney after the D&C!)

I was cramping quite a bit in Bali, and bleeding just as much. Thought all that agony would have pushed everything out. But. But. Still need a D&C. Oh well....

Right now... I can't think. I don't know if I will try to get pregnant again. Before the pregnancy, I am very confident that I don't want anymore children. Now, I've had a taste of being pregnant, and have had thoughts about what life would be with another little one, I am not so sure anymore. H said we could try again. But the thought of another miscarriage is really too much. I'm not sure I can take another miscarriage ...emotionally. I don't know. So...for the time being, I am just gonna let things be. One day at a time.

D&C Done.......

Tuesday, 4th May - Left the house early in the morning for the hospital. The admissions was quite quick. I am the one admitting but seems like H has more papers to sign. Guessed it is because he is the payor? Too late to get our insurance to pay direct....so have to pay first and claim later.

They put me in a delivery suite and sorted out the preliminaries. Everything went smoothly, though they did have a tough time looking for my vein for the IV. The nurse was like *piak* *piak* my left hand, then right hand, then left hand. Apparently, my veins very fine. H joked "too much fats, cannot find the vein". Not long later, I moved over to the day-surgery room to have the procedure done. Up until now, I was fine...until the midwife came and strapped my legs to the stirrups. And then I did break-down abit. Stuffed up my nose and all. But thankfully, the doctors (obgyn and anasthetician) came quite quickly to start on the procedure. Have to say when the anasthetic was injected, it was d@mn painful. Was almost cursing. Then I heard them say "Udah tidur?" and I answered in a very irritated manner "belu....."... ZZZZZZZZZZZ.

The next thing I knew, H was standing next to me. I was keen to leave ASAP, but then they wanted to make sure I could drink...then eat etc, without feeling nauseous. Anyways, managed to leave the hospital at about 11.30 am. Was pretty hungry, actually went to have lunch with H at the Penang Bistro before heading home. I don't know if there is the residual medication from the anasthetic or what, I was feeling blardy sleepy. Think I slept like 3.5 hours.

Anyway, apparently I have to go through "confinement". I don't know how this works when I absolutely do not feel like I need one. I supposed I just follow what I can. No cold drinks. No "cooling" foods like watermelon, pineapple etc. But I don't think I can stay at home all day. Errr...don't tell mom, but in about an hour's time, I am meeting a friend for lunch. Donwan to stay at home and stare at the four walls lah.

Aiya.......what a bummer!

A bummer indeed!

Just got back into town from Bali.
Thought that after my Bali trip with my girlfriends, everything will be better. I've shared my feelings about the miscarriage with the girls. Talked about it to death. Cried enough. Endured the cramps and heavy bleeding.
But. But. A check-up with my obgyn this afternoon revealed that the medication did not expel all the products of conception. The embryo is gone but still lots of blood and the placenta is still in there. Bleah...
Make my mood back to pre-Bali only.
Bleah...
Going into the hospital tomorrow morning to have D&C.
*sigh*

I am feeling Better...

....both physically and emotionally.
Time will heal

I have wanted to avoid posting about this. But wondered if journalling would make me feel better. I don't know.

I suffered a miscarriage on Tuesday.
I was 9 weeks in.
I admit when I found out I was pregnant, I did cry at this surprise.
After a night of pondering-over, I was rather glad. Happy. Excited.

We have had names for him. For her. But I really think it was a her.
Silly H even talked about bringing her to New York for next New Year's Eve.

And now...All's a void.

Honestly, I feel a sense of emptiness....

Worsening Eye Sight!

Who? Who?

Aiya...both my boys lah. I think I mentioned about S1 needing glasses sometime back...around Oct 2009. It was -0.75/-0.5. It wasn't that bad but we got him prescription glasses anyway. And he insisted on getting a pair of Converse Frames which was over USD 100. Including lens, it was over USD 150. And what do you know? Less than 3 weeks, he lost those very expensive glasses. Didn't bother to replace them as 1) the power is not that bad, 2) Didn't fancy buying another pair, and the irresponsible bugger loses it again.

But he has had problems with reading the board, and apparently the Head of his Year sent him to the School Nurse on Friday. Coincidently, I met the School Nurse at a Function yesterday which told me that his eye sight is pretty bad, and should definitely get glasses. So brought him to the optician this afternoon. And what do you know?? It's now -2.00L/-1.75 R. Waliow!!! That is a huge increment. Gave him a choice of glasses or contact lenses. He said he wants to try to wear the contacts. Spent a rather long time, and he still couldn't put the trial lens in. Then H did it for him, and he screamed that the lens stung his eye. Ding Dong here and there...we are back to getting a pair of glasses for him. Again...another pair of Converse Frames...and the total price is over USD 170/- Okay!!! You say CIALATT or not? I've already discussed with S1....I could only receive partial claim from the insurance company, and that he will have to pay 50% of the remainder amount. And if he loses the glasses again, 100% will be payable from his pocket money. I certainly am not paying for carelessness and irresponsibilities!!

And whilst we were there, might as well check S2's eyes as well... ALAMAK! Increased too!
From -2.50 L/-2.00R to -3.00 for both eyes. And since we had a USD 50 voucher from S1's purchases, we use this to pay for S2's change of lens. Kept the old frames to save some money....even then, I had to top up about USD 5.

*Sigh* What to do? Both parents are short-sighted. BUT I think it's also due to the reading in dim areas, the iPods, the PCs etc. So, how NOT to nag to reduce their time spent on these things????

Orthopedic Consult

I have finally decided to seek the opinion of an orthopedic surgeon regarding my spine.

To date, I have been to about 20 sessions of spinal adjustments by the chiropractor. Though I do feel better than when the conditions first appear, the symptoms are still there. One day I would feel great, and another, I would feel pains in my shoulder and arm.
Perhaps the bad bumpy roads are aggravating my disks? I don't know.

The consultation with the orthopedic surgeon will be tomorrow. I just want to make sure that it is really nothing serious. Wish me luck!

General Updates - 23 Nov 2009

Week Long Break!
Boys are having a week long break. And what does that mean??
Games. TV. Internet.
What else?
Originally, intended to either bring the boys to Yogjakarta or Singapore. H actually prefer that I go to Singapore. But with my 'cacat' neck/back/arm, decided to stay put to keep to my chiropractic schedules.
Besides, we are without passports....as our visa/permit needs extension.
Donno why sooooo many holidays one. And it'll only be another 3 weeks before they break for 3 weeks over Xmas/New Year.
Anyway, planning to take them to Waterbom on Wednesday....if it doesn't rain....RAINY season now...

CryBaby
Me. That is.
I find that my tear ducts are ULTRA sensitive these days. The more so, the older I get.
I cry at almost any movies.
I actually cried a few times watching 2012 yesterday!
H was very amused...
GILA or not??
BTW, thought that 2012 was quite a nice movie...

Neck/Back/Arm Pains...
Am better...but still not totally okay.
Despite of the pains, I adhered to my usual planned activities last week.... did went painting on Monday, scrapbooking on Tuesday, tour to Villa D'Equilibrium on Wed, gym on Thursday (though I reduced my time and extent). Friday...think I just lazed about after my chiropractic adjustment. Hee hee..
Went for a swim with the boys this evening...could feel that my right arm has minimal strength. Needed a noodle to help me afloat. Don't know when I would totally be okay... the chiropractor mentioned at least 36 sessions. My insurance policy generally covers up to 16 sessions only, and they would only approve more sessions with a medical resport. Yes. Will be getting the chiropractor to prepare a detail report. Will see how this goes...

New Painting
Yes! I've completed another painting. Actually, completed last Monday.
Check it out HERE.
You like?

What happened to my Baking???
Yup. Haven't baked for ages. And I mean ages!!!!
For one, I've been in pain....and also lazy. There are numerous Xmas bazaars around town that I could have had a stall selling my cupcakes. Boys' school had one on the 11th. And then the American school just last Saturday, and then there's another bazaar tomorrow...and another next week. But But But....PAIN and LAZINESS just does not allow me to commit. :-)
Plus, I wanted to finish off my paintings... going to participate in an art exhibition next month.
More details later...

New Maid
Two weeks. So far so good....and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll last longer than the rest! She's not really a cook, but as long as she can prepare and cut the ingredients, deep-fry stuff (I hate doing this), do simple stir-frys...should be okay lah. She made fish and chips today, which turned out alright. I can do the more complicated stuff, if required.
She's definitely neater than my last runaway maid. How can I tell?
You know those cleaning sponges and cloths that you normally keep under the sink? Where no one sees?
Well, the last maid basically THROWs everything intho the cabinet. Whereas this one actually folds the cloth, and nicely stack the sponges.
So. I'm hopeful....

Better Today....

After days of agony....and basically immobilized in bed, I finally felt better yesterday evening. I supposed it's because I am pumped full of painkillers, anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxants...coupled with the few sessions of chiropractic treatments.

I was in so much pain on Friday that I went to see my regular GP. She looked at my XRays, recommended that I continue with my chiropractic care, and prescribed me with the above-said drugs.

I tell you... really "hou-chann" (good earning capabilities??) this chiropractor. I'm in and out of the clinic in 15 minutes flat. The nurse/ assistant will massage my back with those electronic handheld massagers for a few minutes to loosen up my muscles and tendons and what-nots. Then he comes in. I think he only lay his hands on me for 7 minutes or so. And you know how much that costs?? USD 60 !!!!
Really "fatt-tatt" ...don't you think?
Do I hear you say GO somewhere else?
Aiya. This place comes highly recommended. Plus the chiropractors are all foreigners. My chiropractor is a Californian chap. Don't think there are that many practicing chiropractors here.
What to do? Expensive also must pay ler...

You know what my silly H said?
"Ah? Like that only ah? And costs USD 60? I also can press press here. Twist twist there for you! Better still. I go and open one shop."
Aduh!

Agony!!!!!!!

That's where I am in now!
I am in so much pain that I also don't know why I am at the computer.
But one can't be sleeping all the time right??? That's the only time that I don't feel the pain.
I did have a 2 hour nap...Just got up actually. My S1 was adamant that I rest, and not go with him to their Chinese class. I usually drop them off and then I go off to the gym. But not today...

What is wrong with me??
Well, I thought it was a PULLED muscle.
As you know, my main RAN AWAY last wednesday.... and my sister and family were arriving in town on Saturday. So what do I do?
I cleaned the house on Friday. I thought I was SUPERWOMAN as I cleaned ALL the toilets, mopped the floors, even had a private painting class, did grocery shopping, etc etc. By the end of Friday, my neck was pretty stiff and in pain. But tolerable.
Monday, the pain had gone to around the shoulder blades...and by Tuesday, I could feel my right arm in pain too. By Wednesday, I was in tears.

I then got some referrals from friends for a chiropractor...and trott off to see him in the afternoon. There was this gadget that measures the alignment of the spine... I could see some deviations but the main bit that was kinda out was at the vertebrae at the base of my neck.
Saw the chiropractor (not bad looking chap ...heehee) and he sent me off to have Xrays taken at a hospital. Saw him again this morning... BOY! Is my spine CROOKED or what???
Aduh. I could see my spine bending to the LEFT and then to the RIGHT. And when he showed me the SIDE view of my neck area, it was waaaaay OFF normal! ADUH! He said that this condition did not arise overnight nor over months. It was built up over a long time. Just that four months ago, my body was giving me signs of troubles to come (remember my SUPPORT PILLOW which I went out to buy??), and here it is FULL BLOWN.

I was hoping that with today's visit, everything would be miraculously sorted. BUT BUT. Guess what?? I have to have intensive sessions like 3 TIMES a week for 8 Weeks, and then twice for another 6 Weeks. And that is just to correct my NECK. The other crooked bits? He said to try to use more of my left side, and he'll teach me some exercises to reduce the STIFFNESS of my mid-back which is starting to show signs of extra bone growth (as in cantonese "kuatt-chi"). Damn depressing lah. And to think that I am still soooooooooooooooooo YOUNG. Have been kidding myself, huh??

Next session is tomorrow. Wish me luck that my pain will be alleviated!

Still Aching...

I woke up this morning with still a pain in my neck. Looks like the support pillow needs some time to correct my sleeping posture. Or do you think it's the mattress. We have had the same mattress since we got married 13 years ago. High time for a change, don't you think? I'm told once a mattress is about ten years old, it's time to change to a new one. Otherwise, the old springs and what-nots will NOT provide the necessary support. I did look around and am rather surprised that these days, the IN type of mattresses are of the Latex type....not many spring ones are in the market.

Myriad of Stuff...

Busy Busy Busy
Have not been updating my blog as I have been busy baking. Baked almost every day...Baked last Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and today! I think I might have cupcakes coming out of my ears! My S2 said "when mommy sneezes, cupcakes come out!" Hahahah...
Check out my cupcakes at http://www.atouchoffrostcakes.blogspot.com/

Age Catching Up...
I know I always say that I feel young like I am 18 years old. But this stupid body of mine just refuses to comply with my mind. For the last week or so, I have had really bad pain in my neck and upper vertebrae. Both H and I agree that it's my pillow that's not giving the necessary support.
Shucks!!! There goes using cheapo RM 9.90 Ikea pillow... and it's time to start using pillows with SUPPORT! And so... after days of waking up going "Ooooooh. Arrrrgghhh..", I went to get myself a Therapedic support pillow. Thank goodness there was a 50% discount as I certainly don't fancy paying USD 100/- for a pillow! So I will try out my new pillow tonight...and I shall see if I wake up in bliss or in agony.

"Is he your son?"
I had 4 extra cupcakes from one of my baking sessions, and I asked S1 to bring them to school to share with his mates. When he came home from school..
Me - Who did you share the cupcakes with?
S1 - S had one. And then I ate the remainder 3.
Me - Huh? Why? How come you ate all 3??
S1 - What do you expect when 10 girls came swarming? I only had 3 cupcakes!
Hahhahahahahahah.....
H - if it's your father, I would have taken one girl to this tree, and then another to that tree blah blah blah...
Later that evening, when we went out for dinner, S1 was acting abit weird... and I told H that S1 must have "Pei sapp kor lui-chai hakk tou!" hahahahahah
The next day, when H told his friends about this... they said "Are you sure he is your son??"

Sick?
S2 woke up crying this morning...complaining of a headache, and he had a temperature. Gave him a panadol and fever came down. He's not coughing nor have other symptoms.... I think it's probably the heat. It hasn't rained for the longest of time. Plus we have been eating rather heaty stuff. With no maid, I've been roasting or baking our dinners. And when we eat out, it'll be either deep fried or grilled. I've given him some Chinese "cooling medicine" plus getting him to drink lots of water. So hopefully, his body will be normalized by tomorrow. But I'm keeping him at home tomorrow. Don't want him to go to school and then the nurse calling me to pick him up. Too troublesome.

3 Weeks after Lasik
Two days ago, out of the blue... my left eye suddenly felt so uncomfortable. I didn't rub it nor do anything unusual. Neither was I in a dusty environment. I was sleeping, and heard the phone call. When I woke up to answer the phone, my left eye just suddenly felt irritated. I rinsed it with loads of artificial tears to no avail. I thought I might have shifted the flap or something whilst I was sleeping. Was quite worried. I actually wanted to go to the Lasik Center here yesterday but it was closed. But luckily, my eye is all normal by this afternoon.
My vision is much clearer since the last time I wrote. The subtitles on TV also seems to be clearer. I've been such a long contact lens wearer that sometimes, I would still think "oh. I need to take off my lenses before bed"....forgetting that I don't wear them anymore!!! It is quite a drastic change.

Time Flies
I can't believe how fast time flies these days. I kept thinking that it's still more than 3 weeks before we jet-off. But actually, it's just slightly more than 2 weeks. I still have quite a few bookings to do...

Flew Back on Sunday....

Boys and I flew back from LCCT-KUL on Sunday (16 August) evening. I thought we were taking the 2 pm flight, but when I took out the printed details, the flight was actually at 7 pm. So duh-duh. But this later flight allowed for a Bak Kut Teh meal... not in Klang but better than nothing lah.

Our AirAsia flight was delayed by an hour. Though we had some snacks at the airport, we still had to purchase the inflight meals. My nasi lemak was only so-so. S1 had Mamee cup noodles and S2 had the lasagne. They were rather hungry....gasak everything. They had McDonald's on arrival too!

Monday's a public holiday here....National Day. We started off the day with brunch at Social House. S1 had the Breakfast Set which comprised of Smoked Salmon Bagel with Cream Cheese, Bamboloni (Italian Donuts) with 3 different Spreads and Orange Juice. S2 had a 4 cheese pizza and I shared a Lamb Shank with H. The food was yummy....as always. I don't know if S1 must have really enjoyed his meal or what...but he was feeling rather generous, and wanted to treat us to a movie. Not any ordinary seat but the PREMIUM SEATS for all of us. WOW!! Not like him.... So we proceeded to the cinema to check out the schedule for ....

Unfortunately, the PREMIUM cinema was not showing G.I.Joe... so opted fo the normal seats instead. And you know what my S2 said?
"Not fair. These are not even PREMIUM seats!". I then replied "complain some more... wait kor-kor don't want to pay for your ticket!" Don't you think this guy is TOOOO much??

I didn't know that G.I.Joe was a GROUP of soldiers. I always thought it was just ONE man. A G.I. named Joe. That shows how blurr I am....

Anyway, I still don't have a full-time maid. Was talking to my part-timer yesterday...telling her that I would need her to come 3 times a week until Raya holidays. Thereafter, she needn't come in anymore as I would require a full-time maid. She then asked how much if I was paying...and she said that she wants to work for me full-time then. Her contract at some food stall would have ended then, and she could start work in October. Had to ask if she was willing to handle pork. She misunderstood and told me that she can't eat it. ALAMAK! I didn't ask her to eat maaaaa... just handle and cook. So far, her cleaning is so-so only lah. But think she will be less of a problem than my previous maid as she seems more intelligent and relatively quiet. Will see how lah.

As for my eyes (10 days Post-Lasik)...vision is better. But fluctuates from soooooo clear to a bit misty. I supposed sometimes might be due to DRY SPOTS. When I went to check my eyes on Saturday (15th Aug), I'm told there were quite a lot of dry spots in the lower side of my flaps. Doc said probably because I sleep with slightly open eyes (scary!!) and prescribed some lubricant in the form of ointment. He also mentioned that vision will be fluctuating for at least 3-6 months...before it stabilises. I'm still counting days to the day when my vision is crystal clear ......

My Lasik Procedure...

Had my Lasik done on Friday (7th August) morning.... opted to have two eyes done at the same time.

Contrary to what some people say, I did NOT SEE CLEARLY immediately after the procedure.

I have to say that I was quite nervous ..... couldn't sleep from Wednesday. And as a result, when they checked my eyes on Thursday, the intraocular pressure was a little elevated. But did have a fairly good sleep on Thursday night. Mom went with me to the center at about 9 am.
After the standard brief check-up and marking of the eyes, I was led to a different room to be suited-up, hair and feet covered, face washed and then waited for my turn. There was another guy who was there for an enhancement to his right eye. I was immediately after him.

When it was my turn, doctor wanted to have a talk with me first.... apparently due to my HIGH myopia, bigger than average sized pupils etc, there are higher order abberations that cannot be corrected in ONE procedure, due to safeguards set in the Lasik machinery. So I guess perhaps in about a year's time, I would need to undergo my own enhancement. Will see...

Anyway, I was led to the chair where the flaps are to be created. Opted for the Nasa iLasik procedure where the flap is created by tiny bubbles introduced by laser instead of a mechanical blade. Of course I was scared....but the opthamalogist was quite good, explaining every single step. He was like "look at the center of the ring where there's no light...you are doing well. Okay...The lock. The laser is descending down to your eye. Do not worry. You won't see anything at this point. Don't panic....laser is active... counting down counting down... 5 4 3 2 1. Done".

When both flaps were created, I was led to the other laser machine, where the cornea is zapped into the required thickness and shape. Having the flap flipped open was quite unnerving. Though it was NOT painful at all, I could see blur shadows of the procedure. Then the laser was put to work. The scary part here was being able to SMELL burnt tissue... Yucks! Other than that, it was a breeze. I could see him closing the flap and smoothing it down.

By 10.40 am, procedure was completed. He asked me to read the clock. It was a blurr... I could only barely see the hands of the clock as everything was soooo misty. I could hardly open my eyes for the next few hours. A quick check by the optometrist, and I was sent home with my antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and artificial tear drops.

My eyes were soooo sensitive to light. Blur blur blur was all I saw. Abit worried. So went to bed. Thank goodness that when I woke up, my vision did improve. In about six hours, I could sort of watch a bit of TV albeit with my dark dark sunglasses.

The next day, I had the post-op check-up with the ophthalmologist again. According to him, the most important thing is the creation of the flap. If the flap looks good, all that needs to be done is to wait for nature to take its course... the body will heal itself. So..keeping my fingers crossed that my vision will improve significantly with time.

I did drive to SS2 to eat "tong sui" at KTZ (yum yum.......mango loh, hak lor mai, makk chok, fah sanng woo) yesterday... but eyes get tired very quickly. Read that this is normal ...during the healing process which will be between 3 to 6 months.

And here I am now....blogging about my Lasik experience.... I can use the computer, read the papers, drive, watch tv...but my vision seems to be a little cloudy still. But better the previous days. So, am hoping there would be improvements with each day.....

My next appointment would be next Saturday (15th August)....and if all is A-O-K, I fly out the next day as boys start school on the 24th August. At least, I will have a week to get their school uniforms and bags sorted out.

My Boys....

Wah....very unlike me to have such a long period of NO Blogging hor??

S1's 12th Birthday
Yup. Time flies.... my baby is 12 already. We had a small birthday celebration with family on Saturday. Sar-Ee baked some cupcakes as this mommy was too lazy to do so herself. On his actual birthday, I took him to have his MyKad made... really BIG boy liow!

S2's Surgery
S2's surgery went ahead rather smoothly. We were at Gleneagles at about 7 am last Friday (31st July), and they wheeled him into the OT at 8.15 am. I think he was at the Observation ward at at 10 AM. But I wasn't allowed in...until about 10.20 am, the nurse called me in, said that S2 wants me... The first thing my son said? "I need to wee-wee". :-) which was a good sign.
Anyway, he was discharged at about 2 pm... He was quite good I have to say....
Follow-up consultation with the surgeon is next Saturday.

Updates - Wed, 29 July 2009

Yes. Yes. I know that I have not updated my blog for awhile. Have been away and also had been lazy...amongst other things.

Twosome in Bali
I flew to Bali on Friday, 17th July to meet up with H. His flight was about half an hour earlier than mine. We stayed a total of five nights. I tell you.... five nights is certainly NOT enough. I didn't have enough time to laze on the beach nor to enjoy my customary beach Bale massage. Diving already took two full days... and golfing another day. And then there's the looooooong drives between locations. More about Bali in a separate post.

Bangkok - City of Angels
Spent two nights in Bangkok with Laundryamah. We left on Friday, 24th July and returned on Sunday, 26th July. All we did was SHOP and SHOP and SHOP. We stayed at the Citadines Apart'otels on Sukhumvit Soi 8. Not bad for the price we paid. They have a few other locations along Sukhumvit too. Laundryamah says she will stay there again next time. Not sure if she took photos of the room.
Read here for Part 1 of our trip....and will post more later.

Cupcakes Cupcakes
Yes. We did bake cupcakes for my niece's Full Moon. Not 100 but 125!!! Not only that... we had to bake in UNKNOWN territories....my sister's kitchen. We were quite chaotic with this and that not available. Not found etc etc....
At the end of the baking session, we had cupcakes coming out of our ears!!!
Go here to see a small portion of the cupcakes...

REAL Vacation...
For the boys! All they do is veg out in front of the TV or computer screen. I've not signed them up for any holiday Mandarin lessons this holiday. The only thing that I've signed them up is the technology workshop at BV. They go there every weekday from 4 pm to 6 pm. What they do there? I really don't know...but I think different days they do different things like engineering, games, etc etc....

H Away
Not that H is with us in Malaysia anyway.... He's currently in Boston. Doing some course thingy at MIT. Told him to check-out the KITCHEN AID for me....since it is much much cheaper in the States. But he said probably NO time. Bleah....
NO time to look for my KITCHEN AID but got time to buy his Blackberry!
Really...donno why he needs soooooooooooooooooo many phones! If he fiddles me more than his phones ah... I win lottery already!!!!

Medical Stuff
Okay. Not exactly medical... But S2 will undergo surgery this Friday, 31st July to remove the two impacted teeth in his gums. These two teeth are EXTRAS above his two front teeth. Gonna do it at Gleneagles in Ampang. Gotta be there very very early in the morning. It will be a 1.5 hr surgery. Day only...so no need overnight stay.
As for my Lasik, it's scheduled for next Friday, 7th August. So....am wearing my glasses full time in preparation. Have to say that I am not very used to very my glasses the whole day....makes me tired so very quickly.

Okay. Gonna stop now. Tired liow...Continue tomorrow...