Days of my Life

Attended Yang Lee a.k.a Ah Meh’s wedding dinner @ Expo today! I’m so sorry, friend, that I’m unable to give you a bigger red packet. Hope you understand that I’m kind of broke as I’m on unpaid for quite sometime due to the condition of my leg. I’ll make that up during your child’s first month celebration.

Initially when I heard from Shu Hui that he’ll be inviting us to his wedding dinner, I thought to give it a pass. However, he called, asking for my address, just so to send the invitation to me. I couldn’t say no, could I? It’s kinda bastard to do that to a friend who went through the trouble just so you’ll be able to get the invitation.

Miurel, Shu Hui and I had planned to meet @ Bugis to take the train there @ 645pm. Shu Hui and I were debating whether will it be too late, as according to the invitation, we are to ‘report’ at 730pm. However, Miurel came out with this theory that it’s a Friday, meaning most of the guests, unless they took a half-day off at work, be rushing down after work. Therefore, we can afford to reach by 830 and still consider as early.

And I forget there will be this sick traffic congestion on the expressway to Orchard around evening. Basket! I took bus no. 700, thinking to do a transit @ Cityhall. However, by 640pm, the bus had just turned into Newton! To make it even worse, Miurel actually turned up on time! Best! 5 minutes earlier! Why the hell does people who are usually late, will turn up on time when you are, unfortunately, LATE? I got off the bus and transit @ Newton instead. I’ll be digging my own grave if I were to stay on the bus. It will be another 30 minutes before the bus can get out of the traffic in Orchard Road.

I called Shu Hui to inform that I’ll be 15 minutes late and at the same time, check on her current location. Sadly, that woman is still on the taxi, on her way to Bugis from Potong Pasir. I told her that Miurel will confirm blow her top and that if she’s to reach first, she has to go die first ( as in face the music and listen to Miurel niam )!

… I reached before Shu Hui! On a positive note, I didn’t get any shit from Miu. Woohoo!

Time check!  715pm and still no sight of Shu Hui! I drop her a line again. Turned out, she’s looking around for a shop that sells red packet. I told her to get her ass down to the train platform already and not to worry about that as I’d brought along an extra. I almost passed out when she told me that Kevin also needs one and there’s Yifu too

Because we are seriously running late, Miu and I went out of the station and went searching for Shu Hui. We ended up taking a cab to Expo -_-”

Miu know nuts about applying make up, she enlisted Shu Hui’s help with that. There they were, sitting at the back of the cab, applying foundation, lip gloss, blah blah, with Shu Hui guiding her through like a mentor. I was sitting in the front. I turned my head back and said, “Doesn’t it feels like you gals are getting ready for the next ge tai performance and I’m like the manager or something?”

How they laughed!

Surprisingly, by the time we reached, it’s only 8pm. We had to walk quite a distance to reach the exact venue.

It was kind of drag that both Shi Xin and Yifu couldn’t join us in the end. Yifu is still stuck in Bangkok while Shi Xin called the groom the last minute to send his regards and inform that he won’t be turning up.

That kinda set Shu Hui off. Haha… Just to sidetrack, Shi Xin got married silently. None of us, not even Kevin who’s the closest to him, knew. It wasn’t till the gathering during Chinese New Year at my home, that I heard wind of it. Shu Hui was complaining, ” This Shi Xin didn’t inform us when he got married and now he didn’t even turn up for other people’s wedding!”

“He lives all the way in Jurong East! Of course he won’t come! It’s so far for him!” Kevin said. And of course, we aren’t angry about his absence. Coz we know that Shi Xin is just, being Shi Xin. I think at some point of time in life, you will just accept your friends for who they are.

It’s good to see Meh again. I haven’t seen him for like 4 years? And I’d a himbo moment again. I can’t believe I actually feedback to Kevin, ” Look! Ah Meh seem so happy!”

Kevin kind of said in a whispering tone, ” Kee Lin! Of course he seem happy! It’s his wedding!”

Oh! Fuck me! What was I even thinking???

Haha… Anyway, I wish you, newlyweds, all the best! Cheers!

Physiotherapy was painful yesterday. A measurement at the beginning of the session shows that I’m able to hit 90 degree. I’d to go through ’sadistic torture’ for like 30 minutes just to hit 100 degree.

Pei Shi asked me whether I can take the pain, adding that it’s an up to you thing. According to her, the fractured parts are intact and the only thing that’s stopping me from a full-fledge bend is the stiffness of the kneecap joints. Honestly, they HAVE to be stiff after undergoing through those knife for 4 rounds. I’m ’suffering’ from weak quads too!

I really appreciate all her efforts. She tried different methods ( “I don’t know! I’m trying everything I can!” was what she said, while helping me to massage the back of the knee just to get it ‘alive’ again!) just to help me go beyond the maximum. Of course, at the end of the day, it’s still up to me, to see how much I can DON’T be a pussy, withstand the pain and suck it up.

What to do? I really want to squat again! The last time which I’d done that simple action was back in March.

And she delivered GREAT news! That I’m still able to run. Just that I need to wait for 6 months after the operation. I’m looking forward to get that adrenaline rush again.

I CAN RUN AGAIN!

And I WILL RUN AGAIN!

Xiao Ge is so funny and nice at the same time. The others be leaving for Taiwan soon. Actually we were planning to go somewhere for a vacation to celebrate our decade of friendship back in June, but I’d to give it a go because the fractured parts weren’t healing back then and I was required to go for another operation.

Now that I can walk again, he’s generous enough to want to sponsor me $500 (which of course, I won’t accept) just so I can join them for the trip. However the inablity to squat is one MAJOR issue. What if during the vacation, I really need to explode and there’s only those squatting loos? Happy Days!

I was crossing the street after the 2.8km evening walk when I saw Yusof Ishak lying on the floor, smiling at me. And there it was! A Finder Keeper moment, one which I didn’t have for a very long time. It was a $5 note!

Okay! Call it a typical Singaporean habit! The first thing I did was to take a look at the last 4 digits of the serial number. Surprisingly, the last 2 digits are 84. The year that I was born in.

I was about to put that note into my wallet when I suddenly remember an old wives tale which sent a shudder down my back. You know? That one about how you should spend the moolah which you had found the instance, else back luck will come following you?

I shook it off and decided to keep it as a souvenir.

Should I laminate it? There’s a law against burning  moolah, but laminating?

Whatever!

I’d finally bought a new bag. It was the last piece, on a 30% off the original price. I was at Jurong Point with Sharon and Genki last Sunday, searching high and low for the RIGHT one.  I’m very happy with my purchase as I seriously in need of one. What’s more, it’s a 3-in one! You can carry it around like a backpack, hold it like a lab top bag or sling it over your neck like a sling bag! All for $72 with spare.

Before that, we were having lunch at Yew Tee’s Xing Wang. I used a $50 note to foot the $23.35 bill. And that blur cashier actually gave me $46.65 as change! I was already outside the shop when I realised the blunder. Still, I decided to return it to him. He was very happy that I return his mistake. The smile on his face made my day!

… Who am I trying to kid anyway? TAN KEE LIN, you could have been $20 richer!!!

Haha…Good things did happened to me after that… And who says it doesn’t pay to be honest?

Oh My God! Just received a message from Ashley that Steph had put her dog, Happy, to sleep. It was a fatal dogfight, which resulted in him having about 20 bites all over. I’m so sorry to hear that.

Last week over coffee @  Xing Wang, Maverick was still telling me how their dogs will get so excited whenever they see visitors, especially the new ones. All 4 will rushed over and ‘pound’ onto the poor visitor. He even joked that it’s 3 +1 as one will make their way there slightly slower than the others, due to old age.

Shirmaine had finally contacted me today. A date had been set on next Monday for dinner. At the same time, exchange our long overdue birthday present. Thanks to her, I’m unable to join Robert Langdon on his latest adventure in The Lost Symbol.

Can’t wait for Monday! I’ve got so much to update her!!!

‘ Friendship isn’t measure by how long you’ve know each other, or how frequent you meet up! It’s how you will be there for each other in times of need! ‘

Just a thought!

I’m seriously fucked!

Something had went wrong with my e-application for the Marketing course which I’d applied. The strange thing is, the transaction for the application fee did went through but over at SIM, the database shows no record of the application.

I’d called Citibank to verify and is waiting for them to send me a copy of that transaction. Once I get hold of it,  I shall make another trip down to appeal.

When I first told Sharon about it, the first thing which she did was cheer, “Yeah! We go can travelling next year!”

After that, I told Genki over dinner. He too, CHEER ”We can go travelling” and both him and Sharon showed the V sign! What’s wrong with them?

That was on the 1st of October!

Earlier on, Sharon informed me that Xiao Ge sent his regards, that if I fail to appeal, not to think too much, as it’s fated that I’ll have to join them for the trip next year!

Got to be fucking kidding me!

And those are my so-called Good Friends! Haha Those bitches!!!

Friday was an ultra sinful day. I was eating non-stop, in small portions, over the span of 9 hours.

Due to the fact that we were able to keep the Service Level at a healthy green for 8 consecutive months, we were rewarded with a small buffet. Simple but tasty! Honestly, when I used WE, I don’t mean ME. Remember?  I was away from work for a couple of months

And there’s the Mooncake Festival celebration which literally means another round of food and of course, mooncakes! Managed to satisfy my crave without having to fork out a single cent! I know! I’m cheap! Just deal with it!

After work, Ash and I went to Yew Tee’s Xing Wang for dinner. We were supposed to share the Chicken Curry Noodle. To cut back on the fats and of course to feel less guilty about having fattening food. However we ended up ordering one each -_- So much for feeling less guilty!

Her good friend, Steph and husband, Maverick,  joined us for coffee. You know how people will have this awkward kind of barrier when they meet for like the first time? There isn’t any in their case! After  introduction was done and they get themselves comfortable in their seats, 2 hours of chatting and laughter followed suit.

We were discussing about wedding dinner, on how ridiculous it is that we have to give a big ang pau and get served with crappy food. And Steph told us that she don’t eat Abalone as it’s like eating her ’Tong Lei’. In English, she meant same kind. I was like, what is she referring to? The name Steph and Abalone certainly doesn’t rhyme.

… Or is she referring to her Chinese name? Bao Yu and … Oops! I don’t know her Chinese name.

She must had seen the question mark on our faces. She explained, “Don’t you think that they look like Virgina?

… Come to think of it! They really does! So that’s what Tong Lei is referring to! Oh my god! I came unglued after hearing that. Thanks to her! Whenever I see Abalone now, I will think of *ahem*. SHIT!

Steph used to work in M1 too! When she left, I was still in LDS which explained why we didn’t get a chance to know each other. Both she and Ash are very much alike. The no nonsense kind of girl, who won’t take crap from you! Speaks out their minds and ending practically almost every sentence with a hint a sacarsm. Those joking kind!

Unable to decide what to have for her choice of drink, Ash offered Steph a sip of Iced Yuan Yang which she’s having. After trying it out, she said, “It’s nice! but I don’t like it!”

I looked at Ash.

Ash looked at me.

Then Ash looked at Steph, “That’s an oxymoron!”

And they live in Bukit Panjang too and love playing Mahjong! I just found myself new Mahjong Kakis!

Yet another compliment letter!

Amazing. I can’t even remember the service rendered which had impressed her. My ex-team leader, Lisa, told me that it’s difficult to impress customer ( Let’s face it! PEOPLE do have ridiculous demands these adays ) and it’s even more difficult to impress one that will take the trouble to drop a compliment in for you.

Whatever the case is! Thanks to you out there who’d gave me the compliment! It’d certainly made my day!

I almost bought this book…

However the thought of making the purchase at the cashier WITHOUT looking like a total loser hold me back!

And it’s finally on the bookshelf!

The last book of the Lost Chronicles Trilogy! Still, it’s the hard cover version though which also means expensive! I’m not a big fan of paying a ridiculous amount of money for the same content when I can get it at a cheaper rate. The paperback should be out in say 2 months time. Good! Just in time for Christmas!

ALL I WANT FOR X-MAS IS YOU!!!

‘I’ve been searching my soul tonight! – Lyrics of ‘Searching my Soul’ by Vonda Sheperd

Okay! I’m being gangbang by various emotions at the moment!

I really need a break to sort things out! To know that at the end of the day, THAT’S what I really want!

Yes! I know I’d just went back to work after resting for like 2 months at home. However, you can’t really count nursing a fractured knee cap as a break, can you?

My ideal kind of break >>>> Travelling!

I feel like going to Bangkok again. Shopping is one reason and walking through the streets on a breezy, lazy afternoon, feeling the cool air brushing against your face is another. And I always thought that it’ll be hot in Bangkok but the last trip there had proved me wrong!

I, definitely, be going there again after the X-mas season. Reasons being a) To avoid the possible human congestion in MBK and Cha Tu Chak, that is if I were to go during the X-mas season and b) to still get to enjoy the X-mas Decorations. I went in January this year and may I say, Orchard Road Xmas decoration is nothing as compared to those in Bangkok =)

I’d already sent an e-application to apply for a place to study in SIM next year. I’ll be pursuing a Degree in Marketing ( RMIT ). If it’s successful, I’ll be back to the salt mines by 4th of January which is equals to there goes my Bangkok trip.

Well, in most situation, one just can’t have the best of both world!

I’m kind of behind the 8 ball, of late. That’s the result of going on unpaid leave for a period of time. Not like I have a choice!

I SERIOUSLY NEED TO SIDELINE!

I’d received a red bomb ( YES! That red bomb! ) from a friend recently. We were from the same class back in Poly and he’s getting married soon.

I haven’t see him since Year 2. Therefore, you can imagine the surprise I’d when I knew I’m included in the guest list.

The dinner be held in Expo, which is something new for me. Yes! I’ve been to Expo but it’s totally a virgin thing for a wedding dinner.

Not that I’m a miser but I’m really low on cash these days. That ang pau is going to burn a big hole in my pocket. Haha… I shall treat it as a reunion with old friends. Having said that, THEY BETTER SERVE SHARK FIN AND FREE FLOW OF BEER!!!

I’d already told Maine to either leave me out of the guest list on her big day or just treat me to Pastamania for a little celebration, so I can still feel VERY generous giving her a $50 Ang Pau.

Happy Days

Despite the fact that I’ve a limp, I went to Vivo’s Awfully Chocolate on Thursday evening, after work, to collect the 2 cakes meant for the celebration the next day.

And M1 had a Charity Carnival yesterday. I’d purchased a slice of Oreo Cheese Cake ( Secret Recipe ) for a hefty $10. Well! Anything for Charity! They’d even code-named it as ‘ HOPE ‘ cake, with the email sent out to all who had made their purchased  donation, ‘ Please collect your HOPE from the AA ‘.

I was telling Ashley about the $10 which I’d coughed out, and she told me not to complain as “I paid $20 lor! ” Since that woman is on a diet, I offered to finish off her share( She ordered Chocolate Indulgence ). She gave me a big NO!, saying that “I want to eat! “

… And she’s on a diet!

Pardon me! But I sucks at remembering names. The proceeds will go to a few Charity Organisation. One of them is a Children Home, I think! A group of kids came by to give a special performance to express their gratitude.

I caught them having lunch in the Cafeteria. All of them had a lunchbox each, and when they opened it up, I saw sparkles in their eyes. Broad smile started to form on their adorable faces.

What’s inside the lunchbox?

Burger and Fries!

I couldn’t helped but grin. It’s amazing how the simplest thing can make a kid’s day. When I went back to the office, upstairs, the first thing I asked Ashley,” When was the last time you actually smile when you see a burger? “

She had to take a moment.

Not only her, I’d to take a moment too.

Do you?

The stress-less-ness and the carefree-ness plus the naive-ness of kids! So pure and simple! I do envy them!

We were supposed to wear Pink and White to show our support. Let us be honest! I don’t have anything Pink! Though a self-proclaimer of Pink-Hate-r, Ashley actually said, “Pink is the new Black!”

 What an eye-roller statement!!!

She wore that Pink Haivanas slippers and carried that Pink Long Champ bag of hers to give her earnest support.

I looked at that pair of Haivanas and I looked at her, “I thought Slippers aren’t allowed even on dress down day?” This isn’t fair! why is it that girls can pull that off and get away with it?

Still trying to get her computer to start  up, she replied, “I don’t care! They said to wear Pink! And I’m showing my support!”

Happy Days

The physiotherapy session on Tuesday was good. The physiotherapist, Julie, whom I was previously under was allocated to another hospital. I’m currently under another one, whose name is Pei Shi.

Just as we were about to kick start the session, she asked whether have I been doing knee bending exercises on my own. I told her I haven’t been, mainly due to the fact that I’d a fall just last week and I’m not really sure given that condition, am I allowed to even start bending or not. The fear of bending the knee without getting it crack is also another factor.

She told me that according to the reports, my kneecap is already healing and since I’m afraid of getting myself started on those excercise, ‘Let me get you started!‘ she said.

I’m glad that I’m making progress! The initial knee bending measurement was about 40 degree. However she managed to help me till 70 degree towards the end of the session.

Thanks you very much, Pei Shi! I really appreciate it !

I’m glad that most of my favorite US Drama serials are back for the new season. There’s Fringe Season 2, Gossip Girls Season 3, ANTM Season 13, and  Survivor Season 19.

And SHIRMAINE SEOW, is still holding on to my birthday gift!

I can’t wait to get my hand on The Lost Symbol!

I’d a bad fall last Wednesday! Didn’t see that wet patch on the ground and the next thing I know, I slipped and landed on the ground in a very awkward position. The left kneecap turned inwards and the side hits the ground HARD !

The pain was excruciating. I couldn’t stand up afterwards. The first thing that came across my mind was ‘ SIAO LIAO ‘! The left kneecap, happens to be the injured one! I, certainly, doesn’t want to go through another operation to get it fixed.

2 passerby helped me up to a nearby seat to rest. I called Kartina (who’s working as a nurse tat the A&E Department in NUH) to check with whether is it ideal to call an ambulance. She advised against it, as it’s not considered as a non-emergency case, meaning I’ll have to cough out the ambulance fee ( That’s the last thing I need! ) and to make the matter worse, she informed me that the A&E be packed with people ‘around this time’.

I’d to limped home to get my crutches. At the same time, I informed Maine that I won’t be able to join her for dinner. It’s for her birthday

I took a cab to NUH. Rather than getting myself started to think on the worst, I channel my thoughts to what will I be doing later. Telling myself that will be able to go home, the X-ray will turn out fine… At the same time, I started praying.

Just as the cab was turning into Clementi, Maine called, expressing her concern. I told her that I haven’t reached the hospital yet, but I’m fine. And she replied, “Okay! But you are really serious hor? You won’t turn up later suddenly and tell me that it’s a surprise with a cake hor?”

-_-” That Bitch!

“NO! Why will I be joking about something like that?”

“No mah! How I know?”

“Go and die!”

I finally reached the hospital. And to my surprise, it wasn’t packed with people. I could even count without using up the fingers of my hands. God bless!

Registration and triage was fast. The nurse who had attended to me was very sweet and warm. She got a wheelchair for me and get a colleague to push me into the waiting area.

Micheal Jackson ‘Live in Munich’ Concert was having an encore telecast on Channel 5! And the King of Pop was singing Thriller. It goes, ”Cause this is thriller, thriller night…’

… Great huh? Even the TV is mocking me! I’m also having some kind of Thriller of my night over here! And honestly, I don’t really need it!

AND THE X-RAY TURNS OUT FINE!!!

It’s a miracle!

I’d to go through a 3rd operation on 10th of July, because the review wasn’t great. The fractured parts didn’t healed. I’d the injury on the 26th of March. And between that period, I didn’t even fell down.

Now, after that fall which I landed in an awkward position, it’s alright?

It’s a miracle!

I can’t explain it, but I’m very happy that I’m fine. Due to that hard hit on the ground, it’s swollen, and I experienced difficulties in my mobility. Had to survived on Kenny and Lanny again. The doctor bandaged up my kneecap to compress the swell, gave me painkillers and a week of MC.

Still, I’m just glad that everything is okay!

Praise the Lord!

I love this song by Colbie Caillat, Falling for You!

The last time a song which gave me this exact feeling was, I’m Feeling Ya by Santana Feat Michelle Branch.

I don’t know gal
I think I maybe
Fallin’ for you
Dropping so quickly
Maybe I should
Keep this to myself
Waiting ’til I
Know you better
I am trying
Not to tell you
But I want to
I’m scared of what you’ll say
So I’m hiding what I’m feeling
But I’m tired of
Holding this inside my head
I’ve been spending all my time
Just thinking about ya
I don’t know what to do
I think I’m fallin’ for you
I’ve been waiting all my life
And now I found ya
I don’t know what to do
I think I’m fallin’ for you
I’m fallin’ for you
As I’m standing here
And you hold my hand
Pull me towards you
And we start to dance
All around us
I see nobody
Here in silence
It’s just you and me
I’m trying
Not to tell you
But I want to
I’m scared of what you’ll say
So I’m hiding what I’m feeling
But I’m tired of
Holding this inside my head
I’ve been spending all my time
Just thinking about ya
I don’t know what to do
I think I’m fallin’ for you
I’ve been waiting all my life
And now I found ya
I don’t know what to do
I think I’m fallin’ for you
I’m fallin’ for you
Oh I just can’t take it
My heart is racing
The emotions keep spinning out
I’ve been spending all my time
Just thinking about ya
I don’t know what to do
I think I’m fallin’ for you
I’ve been waiting all my life
And now I found ya
I don’t know what to do
I think I’m fallin’ for you
I’m fallin’ for you
I can’t stop thinking about it
I want you all around me
And now I just can’t hide it
I think I’m fallin’ for you (x2)
I’m fallin’ for you
Ooohhh
Oh no no
Oooooohhh
Oh I’m fallin’ for you

Oh My God!

This is so funny!

A good friend of Ashley actually thought that Pork Luncheon Meat is a mixture of 5 different kind of meats, because it’s called Wu Chan Rou.

HAHAHA