Tuesday 27 October 2015

TILL WE MEET AGAIN


This month I bid farewell (with a heavy heart) to several of my favourite people in the office.  People whom I've grown to love. Folks who have become more than just co-workers.  But then, as we always say, the industry is small so it can never be "So long!".  It's "See you again."

The farewell lunch was at Roadhouse. If you love hearty burgers, you'll love this American Diner located on Dempsey Road.   I had a caesar salad, pork burger, and way too many French fries.  

Was too full to eat dinner.







Is the grass greener on the other side, Bear?


Tuesday 20 October 2015

中西合璧


昨天下午特地向上司申请早退,匆匆地赶回家与母亲和姑姑会合,然后一同搭的士到Chin Swee Road 的中医所。母亲自月初因为背痛的关系,给西医诊断了多次,止痛药也吃了不少。要知道吃西药是有副作用的。母亲吃了就出现头晕、胃疼、气胀、便秘等症状,人很不舒服。别小看母亲83岁了,平时买菜烧饭可难不倒她,做家务时更是一条龙!但最近她老是呆呆的,家务不能做,饭也没心情煮。住我们家隔壁的Susan阿姨上星期一陪母亲到一位她认为很厉害的中医师哪儿。针灸回来后果然有点起色,所以昨天又去一次。 

下星期一还得回去复诊呢。年迈的父母亲健康平平出问题,每个月都得陪他们俩回医院复诊,我的年假已经快用完,下星期就只好麻烦姑姑替我陪母亲走一趟咯!

Thursday 8 October 2015

TOUGH YEAR


Last night, I slept like a baby.

The night before I was back at A&E, this time with Mum.  She had a severe backache.  The pain must’ve been excruciating, she was almost in tears.  At the hospital she had X-ray taken (it turned out to be strained muscles) before painkiller was administered through a drip.  We got home from the hospital at 2AM.    

The past 12 months pretty much revolve around the office, my parents and their medical appointments, and middle of the night dashes to the Emergency ward.  Sometimes I feel like I’m swept away into a fog.  Each day passes in a blur.  I’m alive but not living, much.   

My parents’ health are fast declining. The thing is even though Dad has many health issues his mind remains fairly alert.  Mum, on the other hand, is strong physically but she has her “huh?” moments.  Now and then she forgets how to do the things she has been doing on a daily basis.  Some weeks ago, she went out to the supermarket to buy chicken thigh but came back with chicken breast.  “This doesn’t look like chicken thigh, Mum!”  but she swore it came off the compartment marked “Chicken Thigh” and it had to be.  So we went ahead and cooked it.  At dinner, Dad stared at the dish for sometime.  I sat quietly beside him at the dining table and waited for his reaction.  Finally he blurted, “HEY, THIS ISN’T CHICKEN THIGH!”   

The other evening my mother was preparing dinner when, all of a sudden, she came looking for me in the bedroom.  “Come with me into the kitchen,” she beckoned with some urgency.  She then led me to the stove where she was making soup. “Which should I add first, the fish or the mushrooms?” 

Mum complained about her backache again as soon as I got home this evening. The medication they’ve given her on Tuesday night isn’t working. It'll be a busy day at work tomorrow as I assist the setting up of two meetings - the first one at 10AM, the next one at 3:30PM. First thing in the morning I’ll pop into the supermarket to buy fresh strawberries.  Then, I need to pick up three dozen donuts. After that, I’ll need to remind the pantry lady to prepare coffee, tea and bottled water for the afternoon meeting.

Once the 3:30 starts, I’ll leave the office to pick my mother up to go back to the doctor’s. 

It’s a challenging year but I'm grateful for an understanding boss and supportive co-workers.

AU REVOIR

French Kiss by Huebucket I wish you bluebirds in the spring To give your heart a song to sing And then a kiss, but more than th...