and when she speaks
Friday, July 16, 2010
Listening to The Script- The Man Who can't be Moved :) Viva Espana. Walked to Cafe Iberico in the summer sun with Zoe, Yvonne and Teng :) Saw a 'green' parking lot- we all laughed and joked the green wasn't just environmentally friendly; it was also a sign of $$$ to the owners ;) Amazing tapas; especially the mussels and paella :) I *heart* paella :) especially the sticky rice part with everything thrown in - mumbojumbo :) Another of my quirky own self-created words :) Laughed and ate. Drank some sangria (more like stole people's apple pieces). Accidentally ate a lemon too *yuck* Chai Ling drove us home/train stop :) Great night; thanks to James-the organiser!Christine called the very next day after work; when I was planning to buy a vase and lots of pretty fresh flowers to liven up my apartment :) Decided to do dinner spontaneously. Talked and laughed in the car whilst waiting for 6.30pm to hit so we could park without getting a ticket :) Ate at THEORY. Great sweet potato fries. And I had the yummy seared ahi tuna with my favourite edamame pureed sauce on my ciabatta :) Home just before the rain fell!Sai Hei helped me out with my electricity cable (I thought it was my laptop charger cable that fizzled out); yay thank goodness it wasn't! Breathed a sigh of relief; for my laptop was back alive :) Vijai called, double-checking on that right eye which was hit with a mild pang of viral conjunctivitis for 3 days :) As usual, also gave his little schpill of words of wisdom and seniorly guidance :) Really nice and thoughtful of him. He's one of those who has a great big heart (was awarded most charitable resident in his hospital!) Walked to Bed, bath and beyond to get my pot :) Admiring all the kitchen utensils; browsing all the appliances and picking out my favorite colors :) Bought my much-needed set of hangers for my new collection of clothes *teehee* :) Whilst shopping; caught up with my girls on the phone!Got invited to learn dancing tomorrow night. Invited people to a picnic by the park tomorrow; just lounging on the grass (or picnic blanket) :) and eat baos :) Dim sum this Sunday with work friends :) If I didn't have to work tomorrow; I'd have been in Schaumburg shopping with dear ol' Seow Voon! :) and have Malaysian food for lunch! :) :) Booked my tickets to LA in September. To visit an old friend! :)
her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
12:29 PM;;
Monday, July 12, 2010
Bittersweet experiences. You reminisce on the great times and sometimes wish they last.But you must remember the bitter is there for a reason.That's how you learn to be a stronger person.
her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
2:43 PM;;
You know they say you put things in perspective when you're dealt with a life or death situation.Whatever that caused you to feel hurt or cry or feel overwhelmed suddenly pales in comparison...and you start to question your priorities in life and the things you really should value and cherish.That happened to me a few weeks ago. I ended up taking a step back and reflecting on what had happened to me. And it took me a long while to contemplate everything that had happened so abruptly. I still am in that thought process; although I am trying hard to gain control of my emotions and use my head to guide my heart. I had a patient whom I was covering for; who at 3am I was paged about- because his breathing rate had markedly increased and whose oxygen saturation had dipped to a very very concerning level. This was a very very sick fragile old man; who was recently transferred from the ICU- and I was specifically instructed that he was one whom my threshold for transferring back to the ICU should be very low- if the need came upon.I immediately grabbed my stethoscope and my thick pile of papers of all the patients I was covering for the general medicine team- and ran to his room. His grandson was in there; calming him down. The anxiety coming from the nurses was palpable. I felt so touched when I saw how his grandson was there by his side at 3 in the morning; with him; stroking his hand; talking to him telling him to take slow deep breaths, instructing him to relax... and just calming him down with his presence and his comforting touch.Looking at the tremendous concern he had for his grandfather; I felt so humbled.And inside, I realized this is what love looks like. Unconditional love at its very core. One without any hesitation or question when it comes to sacrifices; one given wholeheartedly; genuinely. I saw his hand holding onto his grandfather's tightly. Truth be told; I was ashamed at how warped I had been in my own world about my own misery when there were bigger things in life people were worrying about- like his grandfather trying to fight a battle against death.You never really realize what you have until you see how people lose the people or things they love most.I know I sometimes lose focus on living in the present moment when I dwell on my own issues and hardships... but I know it is so important to constantly remind myself that I really should be thankful for what I have I know for a fact, when I stop being so consumed with my own self- and instead shift my focus on others; I learn to count my blessings and remember what are the important things in life
I thank god for my patients; who are there to remind me on what really matters
her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
1:53 PM;;
her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
1:44 PM;;
Sunday, July 11, 2010
her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
7:12 AM;;
her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
7:09 AM;;
her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
7:07 AM;;
her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
7:01 AM;;
Yesterday I came home early to spend their last day in Chicago together.But they were out shopping *laughs*I waited for them, whilst finishing up some work.Then, before I knew it; we were rushing to get a cab, but the cab driver was so nice and honest to tell us taking the train would save us at least half an hour since it was traffic hour... We were cursing; swearing (we were running late!! all thanks to their preening -.-') and scrambled to get the three gigantic luggages they packed up to the blue line; and managed to get to the airport on time... We had 15 minutes to spare so I got the girls deep dish pizza once more (their favorite meal in Chicago :P) - we gulped it down pretty quickly...And then, I was dreading it... It was time to say goodbye to the two girls.My heart sank and I had this nauseating feeling in my gut. My friends and family know how much I hate saying my goodbyes and bidding farewell. I always end up the blubbering fool... much to my embarrassment.I kissed the two girls on their cheeks; as they did mine. And I did it, I think more than twice on both their cheeks.Then gave them both a tight hug, and didn't want to let go.My sisters looked at me (I'm sure pitifully; haha!) and said to me with sad eyes 'Jie, we'll see you again very soon!' Yeah; that will be 8 months down the road.Family, the strongest rock I have in my life; the closest to my heart too--- will always be family. I was choking down baby tears. And I think maybe, one or two managed to squeeze their way out of my eyes...They went into line; and got through the metal detector checks.
I stayed standing behind; waving every time they turned behind.And then, they both went out of sight; after one more vigorous wave goodbye- and a few loud bossy statements from me from half a mile away lol (Make sure you drink lots; buy a bottle of water! Switch of your phone in the airplane. Call me when you arrive at Abu Dhabi!) ... And then, I got a text from them: "Hi jie, we're in the plane already. Tata, don't worry, we'll see you again in a blink of an eye! :) Will call you in Abu Dhabi! Tata"I heart the two monsters. Jie had a great time with you two here *lots of love* and I hope you two did too.
her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
6:46 AM;;
I want somebody to cuddle up with during a movie on a couch. Stay up all night talking about nothing. Get lost traveling together. Someone who challenges me, yet inspires me. Someone to hold my hand and cross the road. Someone who I can throw my arms around and just stare into his eyes. Talk about dreams, make dreams. Someone I can wrestle with, you know, play hard sometimes and not worry about breaking a nail or an arm. A guy who will bring me flowers, once in a while, maybe a rock too or a shell of some sort. Something he saw that made him think of me, made him think “this might make my girl smile” as he smiles to himself. A guy who wants me, maybe even needs me, just a little, enough to hold onto me with everything he’s got.
her
STORY,
her ALIBIS
6:42 AM;;
