dinner with D&G

i just had dinner with my favourite cockroaches.

that's right. the self-termed, self-styled, dynamic duo at the previous work place who used to be my Right Hand (RH) and Chief Strategist-cum-Advisor (CSA) respectively. Also known as D&G.


we met at serangoon garden's Café Cartel and they spent about 2 hours updating me on what's happening at infohell. they've inherited the trash that i used to deal with, and much more. all i can say is that i don't miss the place, but i sure miss the people.

the food was good but the company was greater. ;P

Xian's Dental Experiences

Warning: this is a long, long, long entry.
Xian has a sweet tooth.

She loves biscuits, snacks, sweets, ice-cream, sugar-coated donuts and anything chocolaty. In fact, I’m beginning to suspect she's got an in-built chocolate radar detector! Once I secretly popped in a Ferraro Rocher when she wasn’t looking. I gobbled it up quickly and even licked my lips to ensure that I didn’t leave any trace of it behind. When talking to her she suddenly eyed me suspiciously and asked:

“Mummy, are you eating chocolate?”
“No?!! Who said so?”
“I can smell chocolate! Mummy can you give me one? Can I eat?”

*Sigh*

She’s acquired her penchant for chocos from me.

That’s a bad thing, especially for young kids. Xian brings home little snacks and goodie bags from school frequently. (They’re either from teachers or classmates who’ve celebrated their birthdays). We’ve banned her from eating tidbits without our supervision but the wily little foxette tries to sneak them into her school bag or pockets sometimes. She’d hide upstairs in the bedroom and quietly devour the sweet treats. MIL only discovered the deed when she saw the empty wrappers in the bin.

Naturally all the snacking has caused cavities in her set of not-so-pearly-white milk teeth.

And I noticed, too late of course, that her teeth were decaying. MIL suspected it first when she noted that Xian was taking longer than ever to eat her meals. She also refused to consume meat that required chewing. In fact for the last few months, Xian was surviving on porridge cooked for her younger sister. (We’d prepare larger portions to feed them both).

So about a month back we decided it was time for Xian to visit the dentist. Hub brought Xian to the dentist at Kovan estate opposite our new home and MIL and Wen tagged along. I was stuck in a full-day workshop – on a Saturday – and the hub called to break the news that Xian’s cavity-ridden molars needed lots of work.

The dentist “tsked-tsked” the hub (and me), chided us for the condition of Xian’s teeth and accused the negligent parents for not brushing her teeth properly. (I knew she was trying to “educate” us, but the manner in which she did wasn’t exactly very tactful – according to the hub).

Anyway, Xian allowed the dentist to work on a small filling but the dentist didn’t want Xian to be traumatised by the drill-and-fill experience on the first visit. Unlike adults, children have very short attention span/little patience to sit down and allow strangers to pry and poke into their tiny mouths. We were advised to make appointments for the following sessions to get the rest of her molars cleaned and filled. There were about 10 cavities in total. YES. 10. *Faint*

The following week I accompanied Xian to the dentist for her 2nd appointment. Xian was in cheerful spirits and bravely told me that she wanted to “do all four teeth”. (I would be happy if she’d allow the dentist to complete two.) I hadn’t been to the clinic before as it was hub who took Xian there the first time. I was rather put-off by the sad-looking, run-down, dingy place – it was clean, but squalid and I didn’t have a good impression of it. I made a mental note that I’d probably not want to have my teeth checked in such a dreary environment. But I could be wrong, so I just brushed away the negative vibes.

My sixth sense proved right. I was outside with Wen in the waiting area while MIL followed Xian in. Halfway through there was a commotion in the consultation room and I entered to see what was going on. Xian was lying on her side, on the dentist chair, facing away from the dentist (who looked extremely frustrated). MIL was cajoling and persuading Xian to open her mouth so that the dentist could finish up. The dentist had already completed the drilling but needed to fill up the holes. Hub stepped into the room as well and we all tried to give her some encouragement to have her teeth filled. I even enlisted Wen’s help to clap along as I started singing. It was nightmare but Xian finally relented and allowed the dentist to do her job though it remained clear that she’d NEVER go back there to have her other teeth done. The dentist advised us to look for a child-specialist as she wasn’t confident of fixing the remaining teeth. She suggested someone from Mt. Elizabeth hospital (which meant that I’d have to pay through my nose and cough blood) who had – wait for this – done HER (the dentist) own son’s teeth!

The other alternative was to knock Xian out with G.A. and do up all the cavities at once. But hub and I both refused to consider that option as Xian’s way too young. I immediately sent out text messages to friends (with young kids), asking them to recommend a dentist who’s good with children. Finally, Juliana (mum to 3 kids) called and suggested we try her son Mikey’s dentist who also happened to be their family friend. She was full of praise for the dentist and related Mikey’s wonderful experience.

I was sceptical of course. I’d never heard of an enjoyable dental experience. (An enjoyable dental experience? Now that’s a crazy oxymoron!) Only snag was that the dental clinic was all the way in North (Woodlands) and we are east-enders. But like all panicky mums, distance and price were the last things on my mind. I just wanted to solve Xian’s dental woes quickly and with as little pain (for her) as possible.

A cheerful voice answered my call to the dental clinic. I explained to the nurse Xian’s traumatic experience and stressed that we needed a dentist who can work magic with children. A tall order indeed. I was reassured when she said “Don’t worry! We’re very used to treating children. Dr Seah’s very good with kids.”

It was worth a shot, so I made an appointment on the earliest possible date, on a Wednesday at 11.30am, even if it meant I had to take leave.

On the appointed day, Xian went off to Kindergarten as usual but the hub and I picked her up earlier to drive her to Woodlands. Juliana had advised that I give Xian some Panadol as a painkiller so that she wouldn’t be so affected. After a loooooooong drive, we reached the clinic. It was welcoming sight - spacious, clean, bright and carpeted. The TV was on and the place smelled fresh, not clinical. We were greeted with a warm friendly smile. While waiting, Xian ran up and down the long reception area while I filled up the forms. My hopes were high.

The dentist, Dr Jon Paul Seah, beamed and squatted when he spoke to Xian (so she didn’t have to look up at him). He spoke in chirpy tones and Xian warmed up to him instantly, and she even broke into giggling fits. No doubt about it – he was working his magic. He then ushered her to the next room to take an x-ray of her mouth so that he could see her full set of teeth. Xian had to wear a long heavy coat (that weighed like a tonne) and Dr Seah told her it was a superhero cape. “Do you want to be Superman?” he asked. That really won her over cos my daughter loves being a superhero, Spiderman being her favourite.

The x-ray was a real eye-opener as not only did it reveal the trouble spots, it showed us Xian’s permanent teeth growing from the bottom. All her adult teeth have already formed – and they’re HUGE! Dr Seah didn’t admonish us about Xian’s decayed teeth and even disclosed that he’s got 3 kids of his own and related that it’s common for young kids these days to have decaying teeth owing to the availability and assortment of sweets. He went on to explain that with better nutrition, the teeth size are getting larger. Conversely, all the processed foods we consume means we don’t work our jaws too much so the mouths are smaller. Large teeth in small mouths would of course result in uneven teeth? He winked and said “Looks like we’ve got a future braces case in our hands.” Bad news for us. More money to spend.

Before he started looking into her mouth, he explained what he was going to do and said “Uncle’s going to see how many worms you have in your mouth and get rid of them!” Xian got to wear cool shades while he set to work. There was even an iMac screen mounted so that Xian could watch TV while the doc pried open her mouth. The hub and I looked at each other nervously when the drilling started.

Xian was supremely distracted by the video and was watching so intensely that Dr Seah completed two fillings within 15 minutes and she didn’t even flinch!

It was simply A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Xian seemed reluctant to climb down the dentist’s chair. As a reward, she was given a box of “goodies” (inedible) to choose from – stickers, kiddie sunglasses, hair clips. She selected a Spiderman sticker and a pair of colourful shades. Xian definitely had a super experience at Dr. Seah's clinic.

We went back again on Tuesday night. Sum was held up in a meeting so I called for a cab to zip us there – it cost me $20.60. I brought Wen along this time so that she’d be accustomed to the environment and wouldn’t develop a phobia when it was her turn to check her teeth. I was a little worried as in my rush, I’d forgotten to given Xian the Panadol. I was quite frazzled while in the consultation room as hub wasn’t around and I had a restless Wen to deal with while worrying about Xian. Dr Seah must have sensed it because at one point he looked at me, smiled and said “Don’t worry Mummy. She’ll be fine!”

I needn’t have to fear of course. Dr Seah had promised Xian that she could watch the Disney movie Cars and naturally she remembered and asked for it. He good naturedly obliged and, of course, that must have worked as well – this time 3 fillings were completed! He explained “We gotta be really fast and quick because they just don’t have the patience to sit down so long. In fact, she was getting tired already.” That’s why we are going back one more time to treat the final two cavities next Sunday on 11 February 2007, just before Chinese New Year.

This trigger-happy mumsy snapped several pictures of Xian in the dentist chair and the sporty Dr Seah even got her to pose for the camera and joked that nobody takes pictures for his kids when he’s treating them. And for being such a co-operative patient, Xian was rewarded with two hair clips and a Barbie sticker on her second trip. Wen was also quite anxious to get her fair share of the action and climbed onto the seat once Xian got up.

So far, Xian’s dental visits to Dr Seah’s clinic have made me poorer by $325. (And I haven’t even counted the previous session at the other place) and I probably need to pay another $90 for the next visit. I’m sure it would have cost me much more if I’d heeded the first dentist’s advice and taken Xian to the specialist at Mt. Elizabeth Hospital.

More importantly, Xian’s actually looking forward to her visits there, which means that she’s gotten over her dental phobia! I've learnt my lesson and will take Wen for her first dental check once she's about 2 years old. And for anyone who needs a patient, professional and excellent dentist, here’s the address of the wonderful dental clinic:

Sunshine Smile Dental Implant Centre "Smile For Life"
Dr Jon Paul Seah
Blk 408 Woodlands St 41
#01-09 Singapore 730408
General Enquiries: 63654398

Fax: 63652503

Smile. Indeed. :D

mumsy the techno dunce

i'm trying my level best to keep up with technology. and i hate to admit this, but i'm struggling with it the hard tried-and-tested way! unlike the gen-yers who are tech-savvy geniuses, i'm a fumbling idiot when it comes to using the latest gadgets like my new N73 from nokia.

the hub called me at work last monday and asked me to go buy a new phone (he wanted to use my old one as his office fieldwork phone). the contract with the service operator (M1) had expired, which meant that i was entitled to renew the plan and purchase a new phone. so i made my way down after work to chinatown to meet the hub.

to cut the boring details, i settled for the N73 with a 3.2 megapixel camera (i'm a nokia die-hard cos i'm accustomed to its features). actually they only had 2 models available in the small shop. and i couldn't resist testing the camera functions - here's a test shot of the hub - he's holding onto my old nokia phone.

as you can well imagine, i was extremely delighted with my new "toy". the moment i reached home, i opened the box to read the instructions and loaded up the Nokia PC Suite which would enable me to transfer my images, videos and other data files to my PC. i'd already backed-up the data from my old phone and was hoping to port over the information to my new phone. not exactly sure if i'd installed the software correctly, but i spent over 3 hours trying to do a data transfer...

it was unsuccessful.

*argh!*

i'd followed the instructions. step-by-step.

next, i tried the 3G web functions. i drew another blank. i was using a starhub SIM card i realised that the phone was still configured to M1 settings although i'd already uploaded the starhub settings. my new N73, the poor fella, was obviously confused as much as i was. i couldn't override or delete the M1 logos, icons and settings (i guess this is configured on purpose to prevent people like me who buy a phone from M1 and use a starhub SIM card etc.)

*argh! argh! argh!*

allow me to explain the mess. the hub's M1 line was originally mine - the account's under my name - and he wanted the number. coincidentally, i was one of the trial starhub users and was given a free line to use. meanwhile i had also gotten a supplementary M1 account (for his office staff) but i took it (M1) back after the guy left. then the hub wanted the starhub line for his office (free incoming calls - back then starhub was the only service provider to offer that, and the original plan's no longer available for new subscribers). my phone bills rocketed sky high under the supplementary plan and the hub subscribed a new starhub line under his name for me to use (searched the market for the most suitable plan for me to use).

in short: hub’s phone line (M1) is in my name. and my phone line (starhub) is in his name.

don’t ask me why we have to further complicate matters. things are staying that way cos we want to retain the numbers and loyalty perks.

anyway, while at IMM yesterday (to buy an outdoor wooden bench and chairs) i decided to seek help from the experts. when i approached the starhub guys, they suggested i go back to M1 since i'd purchased my phone from them. the M1 customer service dude deleted some of the M1settings but informed that he wasn't authorised to tinker with some configurations.

no matter. as long as i can use the basic functions. it's not that i would download tonnes of ring tones, games, and graphic images etc. on the other hand, i was excited about the image web uploading service from my N73 to flickr and i was so thrilled to bits when i managed to get some pictures uploaded! hooooooooo-raaaaaaaay!!!

perhaps this proves i'm no longer in the running for the cyber-caveman award. :)

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

The Fragile Truth: Mortality is Fatal

We are mere mortals.

This statement struck me hard two Fridays ago when the hub called me in the middle of a workshop I was co-training with 10 other colleagues (It was a pilot run and all trainers were involved).

The hub never calls me on the mobile unless it’s an emergency or there’s something important we need to devote immediate attention to. So when I saw his number flashing, I didn’t hesitate to pick up the call and left the classroom.

“It’s very bad. Worst case scenario 6 to 12 monthly only.”

My heart leapt out and I froze. I was so stunned, my mouth went dry as I struggled to comprehend the severity of his words. When I finally found my voice, it was trembling: “6 to 12 months? So fast? Are you sure?”

What was a routine medical appointment in December for the FIL has turned out to the harbinger of horrible news. There was a 3cm growth on his liver and it seemed to be getting bigger. The doctor scheduled for a few more checks and confirmed that FIL’s condition was critical and something had to be done instantly. Liver Cancer.

There were 3 suggestions – operational, radiation and chemotherapy. Each had its advantages and disadvantages but a decision had to be made quickly.

At his age of 72, an operation to remove the affected part was less advisable and results of FIL’s blood test were against his favour. After several intense family discussions carried out in hush-hush tones (involving mainly the MIL, BILs and the hub) and the specialist’s advice, radio therapy remained the only feasible option.

Coincidentally, his treatment is scheduled on 5 February – the same day we intend to bless our new home.

The news unnerved me. I do get along with the FIL although I sometimes get a little irritated when he starts grumbling about the kids’ “unruly” behaviour and comparing my girls with their cousins. That aside, the FIL doesn’t bother me much. I’ve been staying with the hub’s folks for almost 6 years now, and I’m accustomed to FIL’s quirky habits. Plus he’s a great help with the kids – the FIL fetches Xian from kindergarten every day and Wen’s stuck to him like glue whenever I’m not around. (He outwardly grumbles about her reliance and attachment to him, but inwardly he’s very fond of my toddler). And the hub is FIL’s favourite son.

The FIL’s weekly obsession is 4D and TOTO – he places a few dollars aside to indulge in the Singaporean Dream of striking it rich. He gets inspiration from vehicle numbers, serial numbers from toys and whatever items that has numbers on them. Sometimes he plays Mah-jong with MIL’s siblings during the weekends. He doesn’t usually win but when he does, all his 6 grandkids will receive a token treat ranging from 50 cents to 2 dollars each – which is usually the entire sum of his winnings.

The entire family’s in a sombre mood. No-one openly talks about his condition and we’re all calmly going through the normal routines. Perhaps the truth hasn’t sunk in yet and we’re in denial. I know it’s hard for the hub as he’s closest to the FIL and the thought that we’ve possibly less than a year to spend with him is torturous. I remember vividly that when the hub broke the news to me 2 weeks back I couldn’t hold back my tears. I’m only the DIL, related by marriage, a legal piece of paper, and I’m emotionally affected by the news.

While waiting for the bus en route to work the other day, I chanced upon a poster at the bus stop. I stared at the message, whipped out my phone to snap a picture of it as a reminder.

After the hub’s call that fateful Friday, I’d telephoned my folks to relay the bad news. I placed myself in the hub’s shoe and imagined that my dad or mum was the one who’d only 6 to 12 months left on this world. It’s utterly devastating. It’s an inevitable fate for all living beings. Questions hit me, fast and furious: Are we prepared to die? To leave this world and everything we’ve slaved over the past 60, 70, 80 or 90 years? When the time comes, can we bravely stare Death in the face, let go of all emotional attachments and fade into the unknown realm?

I will know my answers one day. By then, unfortunately, it would be much too late to share.

Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night
by Dylan Thomas (1914 - 1953)

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

the spitter

a few months back i had accompanied my colleague, pooh, to the finance department to collect her cheque.

while waiting at the counter, she suddenly burst out laughing. curious, i turned to see what had gotten her doubling over:

*yikes*

it was the feedback box. only it crudely resembled a phallic symbol, painted in red! we glared disbelievingly at the offensive plastic object. not sure WHAT the management was thinking when they had it erected, i mean, constructed - and had it placed in the finance and administrative department, no less!!!

perhaps the folks thought it was a good conversation piece? my guess is that they didn't even realise that it resembled sir phallus.

maybe it's just us naughty girls with our warped mentality.

i called it "the spitter", which got pooh cracking up again. naturally i couldn't resist taking a shot of it (camera phones are very useful in such situations). i only remembered it when i was transferring the pictures from my nokia phone and caught a glimpse of it in the folder.

hmmm...i wonder if it's still there. i should've submitted my feedback about the feedback box.

memory loss

ooops. i did it again.

this morning i dashed out of the house because i was LATE and while trying to cross the street, spotted the bus trundling towards the bustop.

and then i realised i had to squint my eyes because the bus number wasn't very clear.
*d'oh!*

i left the glasses at home!!!! lucky for me staring at close range in front of the computer isn't a problem. just as well because i've to write/edit some articles for the newsletter and prepare materials for a training session. plus i don't have any classes to teach today.

2007 doesn't seem to be starting off too well for me. on monday i forgot my wallet. on wednesday, it's the glasses. seems like my short-term memory is failing. what's next? will this eventually lead to *gasp* Alzheimer's disease???

*ARGHHHHHHHH*

so googled "memory loss" and hey presto, got a few useful links:

"Helping Your Brain to Work Better" http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/10/81.cfm
"Preventing memory loss" http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Preventing_memory_loss.htm
"Vitamins: Boost for the Brain" http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20040326-000003.html

most of the sites offered advice on having a good night's sleep (which i don't because wen wakes up at least twice in the night to suckle) and cultivating good eating habits (yikes, i survive on snacks during term time when i have irregular meals owing to timetabling issues).

hmmmm. no wonder i'm suffering from short-term memory loss.

In addition, the sites recommend regular exercise, no smoking/drinking, and taking some vitamins. i exercise once a week (yoga) though it seems insufficient, and i don't smoke or drink alcohol (plus points). as for vitamins, i only pop them when i remember to do so (again, this is where my memory fails me). of course there's the other argument that consuming vitamin supplements in excess is very dangerous. it's safer to get the vitamins and minerals from natural food sources.

but for a quick-fix to revitalise my brain, maybe i'll stop by the pharmacy later to stock up on vitamins B,C, E and iron supplements etc.

if i can remember.

wallet-less woes

i hate it when the hub is *always* right.

i've a nasty habit of leaving my wallet, mobile phone, keys, cheque book and spectacles lying around the house. (yes, i'm one of those people who never put things back in the original position). naturally this is the perfect recipe for disaster as i'm prone to walking out of the house without one of the essential items.

today, i forgot my wallet. *argh*

luckily i packed 2 pieces of pizza (yesterday's leftover) to work so lunch's settled. and my EZlink card's always in my bag, not in my wallet.

we had gone over to my folks' last evening for our weekly weekend visit and since there wasn't a need to spend any money, i didn't realise it was missing until this morning when i packed my work bag. i though i'd left it in the car but couldn't find any trace of it. a quick mental search through my groggy brain left me in a panic-stricken state as the last time i remember holding on to it was at NTUC on Sunday noontime. we'd gone straight back to my haven @ arif, so i made a calculated guess that it was lying somewhere there. further deduced that it's probably in the kids' bag (usually with the water bottle and extra diapers).

i grudgingly woke the snoring hub...

Me: "you going to arif? can you help me check if my wallet's back at arif?"
Hub: “mmphfh…?”
Me: “can’t find my wallet. can you check for me…”
Hub: “mmphgdkj is in the car?”
Me: “no. checked already. I think it’s in the little mamy poko bag…”
Hub: (grumbling) “uh? the pink one is it?”
Me: “no. the mamy poko bag. red with the pooh bear picture on it.”
Hub: “why you always like that? important things cannot leave it in the kids' bag one la.”

i remained silent as i knew i was in the wrong. i helped myself to $20 from his wallet to "tide" me over in case of emergency. later the hub called to inform me that he'd found my wallet (there was a resigned tone in his voice).

*phew*

i keep telling myself i have to be more careful about such important documents. but of course i never ever learn.