Monday, December 29, 2008
Awal Muharram
I'm not happy as I have to work today, while the whole of Malaysia is on holiday. If it was just Selangor I wouldn't mind. Darn!
It would've been nice to sleep in as it was rainy and gloomy and cosy...
And it was probably a once in a year thing to have so few cars on the dreaded LDP in the morning. I could've counted the number of vehicles.
Nevermind. Another 2 days and it's gonna be 2009!
Happy New Year everyone!
Christmas
Next day, mum and dad came and we were up for a week of lots of shopping and eating. So our Christmas Eve dinner with my aunts was in an Indian Restaurant. No turkey served! hehe
Thursday, Friday and Saturday were filled with shopping. From One Utama to Ikea to Pavillion and Sg. Wang Plaza, we ventured while mum shopped. Most of the baby stuff are ready, so there's nothing much to get. Just 1 or 2 items for the house and that was it. While mum practically went into every other shop and browsed everything. Gosh!
TOday, it's back to normal, but the fact that today is Awal Muharram and while the rest of the country is on holiday, I'm stuck in the office, having to work! Adoi!! This is indeed no fun.
Since last week, I've been having dreams almost every night. And every night its a different type relating to delivery. Guess I'm just excited about it. I just can't wait for the day to arrive.
Last night, we finally got to washing all the clothes and linen bought for Jr. And my bag is packed! :D
Wonder what new year would be like.....
T'was the Week of Christmas
Blood with the filter
I was stuck with this from 6pm onwards....I had to 'ferry' it around everytime I went to the toilet. TO make things worse, apparently I was administered with this drug which would cause frequent urination. Aiyo, imagine the hassle.
I was in a 2-bedded ward, but before I was put on the drip, the lady beside me 'moved' out. The nurse told me she moved into a single-bedded room. I guess it wasn't ready when she got there. I got a little worried about what would happen later that night. :)
I kept myself sane by channel surfing but at that time, there wasn't much on TV or paid TV channels. I ended up watching Disney channel. hahaha Then I did some reading and Dr Siti came by at about 7pm. Saying she'll pop by tomorrow and I may have to go to her clinic to scan.
Dinner came and went and after that I was strapped on to this CTG (dunno what it meant) where fetal movement n heartbeat was recorded for 30mins. So I was lying down with a belt strapped on the tummy. Can't move much. By that time, there was about 1/4 left of that 1st pint. But it was really, really slow then. After about another hour or so, finally the nurse came in to 'pressurize' the pack by putting that pint into a bag which would be pressurised. It looks like the device used to take ur blood pressure readings, but this is in a bag form.
Thank God the other lady moved out already. SO hubby stayed on till midnight. Otherwise by 930pm he would be chased out! Only until midnight, this bit of blood finally finished. Apparently its due to the filter that causes it to be so slow.
The 2nd pint came and right from the begining it was put into that pressurized bag. After about 1.5hours, I noticed that blood was trickling and was really slow again. SO I 'called' the nurse and she came in puzzled too. Finally after a while, she decided to depressurize the bag and remove the blood from there and noticed that it was all gone! hahaha the 1st took almost 6 hours and the 2nd was only about 1.5 hours. A 'normal' duration is about 3 hours or so la.
So that was my adventure. My 'ordeal' was supposed to end bout 2am. However I was not left in peace. Every 2 hours, the nurse would come in and take my temperature and blood pressure readings. Aiyo...so mafan (troublesome). And at one time also fetal heartbeat. I didn't sleep well.
I ended up waking up at 645am (almost like any other working day) and felt groggy and not well-rested. PErhaps that was how they wanted me to be - to feel like I'm in hospital. hehehe otherwise I'd be too cheery and not sick-like...
I waited anxiuosly for breakfast but was totally dissapointed. They chose oatmeal for me. Adoi! So I ended up eating the bread only and my own supply of 'bytes'.
Dr Siti came and saw the CTG results and said to see me to scan at her clinic. Then, Dr Ng came in to check on me, I felt the same as before though I'm supposed to be 'energized' now. I guess its because to begin with I wasn't the wee bit tired or feeling lethargic. I Was ready to go home.
Went for the scan. Baby is now 2.63kg at 36 weeks. I finally 'told' Jr that he can come anytime now as we're all ready for him! We can't wait for his arrival!
The finished 2nd pint
Got out of hospital and had the days off till Christmas.
Friday, December 19, 2008
44444 already?
Just missed 44444
And is it a coincidence or what? On both occasions, I didn't have much fuel left. hahahaha
It's only 1yr and 5 months and it's surpassed 40k. Well, I guess this seems much better than the Mahindra. Less than 6 months and I was into 25k already. That time I was travelling JB-KL-JB almost every weekend. Gosh! Can't imagine....Right now the daily trips have been cut tremendously the past 1 month cos I've not gone to site for sometime now.
It's the weekend again. I'm looking forward to the gathering of Explorace friends, dunno how many will turn up. Erm, other than that, it's gonna be more spring cleaning again in anticipation of mum & dad's arrival on Christmas eve and well, the baby! :D
Everyday's been the same, anxious and looking forward to new challenges. Next week, will be more of 'hospital time' for me. Yeah....gonna be a 'dracula' for a day. Hope all will go well then.
OK, here's the story.
When I got preggy, I went to my doc (here I mean my hematologist) first. I wanted him to recommend an experienced ObGyn who can and knows what to do in my case. So he says that in my case, the only thing I may have is that I may feel tired and perhaps sometime in the middle of my pregnancy (around 4th or 5th month), I'll need blood transfusion. That is normal for most of his Thallassaemia patients. Thallassaemia minor, that is. This is because when preggy, blood gets diluted, and hence the red blood cell count will usually be reduced by 1 or 2 counts (erm, I can't remember the units - opps!). So anyway, I braced for that and I wanted that to be my challenge. To stay away from transfusion!
So at 4 months, I was feeling much better than the first 3 months. I was climbing steps with no problems, walking as fast as I normally would (on flat terrain la of course) and I just felt great. On my 6th month visit to my doc again, he was happy seeing my condition. Though my blood count is stable aroung the 6s (its usually about 8), I was doing great. So I was estatic. Throughout, I've not felt faint even. I seem to have all the energy in the world. Of course with the exception that I couldn't do anymore cardio la.
I breezed though and now that I'm approaching 36 weeks, I have to be transfused. This transfusion is to elevate my blood count to a safer level in case surgery is required. It's a safety precaution. There will also be blood loss during delivery and this should help keep the situation more stable. So, next week, I'll be 'checked in' for some 'dracula-action' .
If trasfusion was carried out earlier at the 'expected' 4th or 5th month, at the end, I still may have to have this 2nd transfusion. This is because one transfusion usually lasts for about 1 month only.
So looks like I managed to go through the 'challenge' I set for myself and I'm just so happy.
I'm anxious. I keep having funny and weird dreams about delivery, the transfusion and all that is to come the next 4 weeks. NOw the tummy is the only obstruction to what I can usually do before this. Bending forward is not so possible now so I have to re-position myself at times when needing to pick up something from the floor. Sleeping patterns have changed recently. I'm sleeping later than before. Weird. I just can't go to sleep.
Looking forward to more 'action' next week!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Did I mention?
And hence ,I don't think the chocs which have been lying in the fridge will last till new year! Yes, I've finish half a large bar in less than two sittings (and that also cos last two days I wasn't lazing around at home). I was controlling myself. Could've finished that whole bar at one go! Yikes!
I'm looking forward to some choc/cheese cake slices this weekend....yummy!
Oh no!!
Trip to the East
So the journey began to Kuantan. Stopped at Temerloh Rest Stop for a break - nice nasi lemak they have there too. Actually it was the first time for me travelling to Kuantan via the newly (not so new now) opened Karak highway. I think it's been two years already? The last trip I used was up to Mempaga only. That was barely halfway point. The new stretch starts further from there. So gone were the really winding and some parts single carriage way where you have to crane your neck to checkout the oncoming traffic before overtaking. However, it did take about 3 hours for us to get to the meeting. I didn't dare sleep (luckily I wasn't sleepy then) cos I needed to know where the meeting place was and where was the site too.
After everything was over, while we had lunch, somehow something too me by surprise. My boss knew I took part in Fear Factor? huh? when and how? I'm puzzled. Cos right after I went to settle the lunch bill, as soon as I got back to the table, my boss said 'they' (those people we had meeting with and hence lunch) wanted to know how I got to FF and what I did. Oh boy, was I surprised. hehehe Uptil now, I dunno how he knew. Don't wanna ask la.
Didn't manage to enjoy the 'beach' hehehe
The journey back was nother 3 hours or so too....dropped by the site and then shortly after hitting the highway, I dozed off. Hope I didn't snore! hehehe woke up approximately an hour later, fully rested and energized. :D
Guess there'll be more trips down Karak Highway next year for me.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Mid-morning Snack Anyone?
Bored of surfing the net and doing some reading...hehe
--------------------------
Over the weekend, hubby received 3 wedding invitations from his friends, 3 consecutive weekends of eating, right after Christmas, through New Year, I'd say. Luckily they were all nearby, and not like last 2 weeks, those were far away....
And something just struck me - how come this year none of my friends got married huh? Erm, ok well, there was one in Penang and that was about few weeks back. Other than that, zilch! Not a good year? Or everyone still 'searching' and 'waiting'....
Speaking of which, it's really funny. This friend of mine la. He seems to be so aloof about it when I asked him about his wedding. I wonder why. Citing being busy perhaps is no excuse. We go back a long way, about 13 years I guess, since high school. He has along the way 'prospered' both physically and well, now emotionally la, now that he's happily married. Congratulations Logan & Pamela! May God bless both of you. (sorry la, it has taken me few weeks before I actually write bout it here - forgot la....:p)
Pasta Carbonara - finally
Imagine - I actually whipped it out for erm 'late tea' yesterday (in view of a late dinner) and then I made too much sauce so I had it again this morning for breakfast. Haha, so now I'm stuffed. And its amazing how fresh spring onions make the difference in the dish. I was too lazy to add the spring onions last night cos it was a miserably small portion, so instead I just sprinkled some parsley flakes (yeah, the dried ones). This morning, I decided to add the fresh spring onions, and my, my, my...it was awesome. The taste and smell of it was sort of enhanced. Yummy! I could do it again tomorrow. :D
And the best part of last night was - I had seafood pasta later in the night. Hehe yeah, this time the plate was piled full with squid and clams. Yummy! But in a tomato-based sauce.
When I got the carbonara recipe (okay, before this I had no idea what exactly went into the making of this dish other than cheese, milk, probably some cream and bacon and of course pasta la), I was surprised to find that it had eggs in it too. Then when I read the instructions/directions, I realised the egg isn't really actually completely cooked. And when I tried it myself I also noticed the same. Or does it? Well, I actually have no idea. My night attempt tells me it wasn't, but this morning when i did it again, it seemed to be, cos perhaps my egg&milk mix this time was better. Cos the night attempt had my carbonara sauce looking abit weird with bits n pieces of coagulated cooked eggy. Hmmm....but anyway, it's ok with me, whether its cooked or not. It was just my attempt at being cautious of what I take now and previously cos at my early stages of pregnancy, I was a huge carbonara 'consumer'. So if the eggy wasn't properly cooked, it's well, not encouraged....
Anyway anyhow, just hope that so far it's been so good, so it will be good! :D
No pasta tonight definitely...erm, I think.... :) hehe
Monday, December 15, 2008
Baby n etc...
We went to Pantai Cheras to visit the couple and their newborn on Sunday. It was really interesting, hearing first-hand everything that she had to go through prior to delivery and almost the whole works during delivery. She looked ok, but said her body still aches after the 'battle'. Gosh, I'm trying to imagine it when it's my time. Not too far away....
Unfortunately, as we were leaving, it was raining very heavily. We parked outside, not in the basement, and guess what - can u imainge, water was rising at the area we parked. Already almost 1-2inches of my poor tyre was in water. And that was in the hopsital carpark area. Adoi!! Terrible la! So we braced the rain and didn't want to wait any longer - in case the water level rose even more!
After that, since we didn't have lunch yet, we went to Wong Solo Ayam Bakar in Ampang. This used to be our favourite joint cos if its Ayam Penyet and Ayam Bakar. Lovely. However, it's more expensive than anywhere else. There's another Ayam Penyet shop - Waroeng Ayam Penyet in Curve, slightly cheaper and closer to home which we frequent more lately. But the taste still can't beat Wong Solo's ....somehow it just taste better. Anyway, after our meal, we were shocked by the bill...but anyway, it's been a while, so its ok la. :D
Then, it was off to our weekly pasar malam outing, only this time, it was only 430-ish and we were there for fresh stuff only. It was rainy so no mood la wanna hang out there long long...:)
It was a night at home after that....Kyle XY and the documentary bout the Half Man Half Tree ended the night superbly...
Warehouse sales
I found the warehouse sale my aunt mentioned, but it wasn't what I was looking for, so I didn't go. I went to another, also featured on that page, but I already knew of it from the papers. Anyway, so that got me sort of hooked. Every end-of-the-week, I'll just check out that page. And so last Friday, I found a Crocs' Clearance Sale in Sri Damansara (aiya around tat area la). Well, sale started on Friday, so if i went on Saturday, naturally most would be gone. But since we didn't have much planned for the day, we headed there anyway. As expected, the sandals of my size were gone, largest were of size 4....then shoes, found a unisex kind of pair, but was slightly too big, bought it anyway, for Dad...hehehe so if Dad refuses it, I'll just wear it with a pair of thick socks. Hehehe well, after my 1st pair of Crocs, I find it to be unbelieveably comfortable, especially at time when I really need the cushioning from too much window-shopping with extra weight. :D
Bought some really cheap baby stuff there too, well, just 1 or 2 toys, not many varieties of Fisher-Price toys there, but they were really cheap.
Then we were off to the movies again! hehehehe this time, really dunno what to watch anymore, we ended up watching 'Cicakman 2'. Can u believe that? Anyway, there were some unrealistic portions, erm, not so nice parts, but ok la...few doze-off-sessions to add...:) But since it was free, I think it's ok la.
Then, for some reason or other, after that, we actually headed to Ikano/Cineleisure to continue. hehehe in total, we walked for about almost 5 hours, minus the movie and the makan etc... Goodness can u imagine?
Well, my left back-of-my-knee pain is still there, and today it's slightly better. I think I need to rub it on and off. But its really weird la. I just hope it goes off as sudden as it appeared la. Cos in the morning, sometimes that nerve/tendon/muscle really hurts esp when I take the first step out of bed. Have to limp.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Road trip again
Perhaps not. Since Mum & Dad will be here the following weekend and well, as much as I'd like to go home and meet up with friends who are back from overseas for the Christmas and New Year holidays, I think it's best I stay put around here.
We had Thursday off as it was Sultan Selangor's birthday. It was sleep-in and movie day. Bolt was quite good. Somehow it had small twists to it and made it interesting, more than just another animated movie.
The best part is now I realised (yeah, like a few moments ago) that my boss wants me to pop by the site tomorrow night during the shutdown. Hello?? Well, lemme see....if I pop by at 10pm, should be ok la, but if I'm expected to pop by at midnight, I think it's a big 'no thank you!'...Though it's just a pop-by and I'm not expected to do anything, I think it's wiser for me to not go...we'll see how things goes. Hubby will have to be dragged along.
It's really weird. I was technically on medical leave on Wednesday cos I went for my routine check up. And the best part (again) is that my boss can ask me to attend a meeting which he already agreed to attend the day before. Goodness! Well, I told myself that I'll go only if it didn't rain and luckily the office wasn't too far away from my house. It's getting ridiculous la!
Haha, I can smell the weekend already! :D
On another note, it's only now that I'm begining to feel preggy! hehehe yes, my ankles get swollen more often and this annoys me cos I like to walk alot. And I do get unexpected dizzy spells, even while sitting down. And I do feel the weight on me when I lie down now. At 34 wks, baby's 2.3kg makes its pressence felt. :D
Can't wait for the road trip, Mum & Dad and some long break to come!! :D
10 Unusual Marathons
1. Marathon Du Medoc (Medoc wine region, France)
This marathon passes 50 chateaux, features Bordeaux wine at the water stations along the route and
provides foie gras to runners in need of refueling.
(Wow....foie gras...I wonder what the entrance fee is like.)
2. Little Rock Marathon (Little Rock, Arkansas)
This race features a 'lipstick statoin' at Mile 26.1, so runners can freshen up before their finisher's picture.
The race also boasts the lasrgest finisher's medal, measuring 6.25 inches (15.6cm) by 4.25 inches (10.6cm).
(I think it'll take more than just 'freshen up at a station' to make me look good for the finisher's pic...hehe)
3. Walt Disney World Marathon (Orlando, Florida)
Half Marathon and a full marathon on consecutive weekend days in early January. RUnners who complete
both get a special 'Goofy Medal', named after Disney's famous canine.
(Hmm this, I don't mind taking part. Perhaps I'll plan my holiday to Disney World to coincide next time :P )
4. Flying Pig Marathon (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Popular with first-time marathoners and those who may have said they would run a marathon 'when pigs
fly'. The title also honours the city's hog butchering history.
(Erm, nothing spectacular, just the phrase, I guess)
5. North Pole Marathon (Norway)
Takes place deep in teh Artic Circle around the summer solstice, attraction about 40 runners. In 2007, the
temperature was -4F (-25C). One year, runners donned snow shoes because of a storm.
(Wow! Think I'll pass this, but it'll be an experience....)
6. Country Music Marathon (Nashville, Tennessee)
Some 50 contry artists perform on 28 stages along the course. A post-race concert was headlined last year
by Steve Cropper, a founding member of soul ban Booker T. & the MG's.
(Entertainment as you run, sounds good...)
7. Everest Marathon (Nepal)
At 17,000 feet (5,184 metres), it is the highest marathon, taking runners along mountain trails starting at
Everest Base Camp.
(I'd love to try scalling Everest, but perhaps not in a race...)
8. Athens Marathon (Greece)
Retraces the steps of the messenger Pheidippides, who ran from Marathon to Athens in 490 B.C. to deliver
news of the defeat of Persian invaders.
(Erm, ok la...Mum, wanna join me? hehehe since you love history....)
9. Great Wall Marathon (China)
This race starts with a 3.1mile (5 km) uphill stretch, includes part of the Great Wall, and takes runners
through villages and rice fields.
(Intersting!)
10. Safaricom Marathon (Kenya)
Two 13.1 mile (20.1km) loops of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy game reserve.
(Sounds intersting. Do I get to 'meet' some special spectators on the way?)
I wonder if Malaysia will try to have one up on this list?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The Weekend That Was....
Braised Lamb Shank
Clam Chowder was a bit of a disspointment but the rest were fantabulous!
Came home happy, contented and ready to put those tired feet up and just chill!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Yippee, it's A Long Weekend!
Nothing planned, we'll just have to wait n see...
Another round of 'spring cleaning' yesterday and I managed to unearth lots of books. Hehe so I guess I'll have lot of reading for next year! On top of that I added another 3 just now. Yeah, online shopping is addictive, especially when you've got nothing much to do!
And last night I felt that baby's getting heavier. Yes, I do feel more of the weight especially when I bend forward or when trying to get a 'perfect' sleeping postition. I can't wait to take another peek at him again sometime next week. Yeah, I think this time Dr will 'peek' to check on the fluid level, size and weight...
Had another round of soup ekor yesterday and it was splendid. Yes, it's gonna be a weekly thing, I'm presuming. We used to do that a couple of months back, until recently where we keep missing the weekend pasar malam, hence no supply of fresh oxtail. So we're back in business again, I guess! :D
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Transporter 3
Anyways, luckily the show and complimentary popcorn was distraction enough to make me sometimes forget about the trickling sweat...yes, it WAS that BAD....
We watched Transporter3, premier show before the release of the show today. Good action movie, but there were some unrealistic scenes and parts where the continuity of the scenes were not there. Go check the movie out and see if can spot them.
After that, Sup Ekor was waiting for us at home. Yummy....this time, really yummy (forgot about the pics) but then there were portions were meat was still relatively tough. Think it's either old ekor or it didn't spend enough time in the pot...
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Crap
bleeeeuk!
Ah, I found it!
Thank goodness my weird tummy has slowly recovered. Still got bits of that weird feeling though and I hope after lunch it'll just dissapear. I was worried last night as I had achy-joints and tired legs which usually leads to fever or something of that sort. Perhaps the lil' rub-down helped.
I'm still looking out for good deals and planning my holidays for next year. Amidst all that, few weeks back, I realised that I currently am allocated a really pathetic number of annual leave. SEriously, I don't remember when it became so little, but I never thought that it would be. Yeah, you guessed it - 8! miserably 8 only. The bare minimum which the Labour Law allows. Thank goodness, hopefully by next year it'll be increased. But goodness, it's gonna be a loooong journey to those 20-odd days in a year! Hah!
Monday, December 1, 2008
All the Glitz and Glam
Thank goodness for the performances in between which kept me alive and waiting for more. Although it was mentioned that there were 191 participants in the KLIFF, out of which there were only a handful which were nominated repeatedly for the various awards. Were the others totally out of the league of these few? Funny, to think of it. Anyway, I'm no expert in this field so I just took it in as pure 'entertainment'.
Everyone there were by invitation only. So the crowd was 'less happenning'. The opening act by Datuk Siti was splendid and the finale by Ning Baizura was no less. I enjoyed Point Blank's performance of 'I am Warrior' (or something which sounds like that) the song was superb and they had a small martial arts troupe as their dancers. IT was entertaining. It was interesting to note that when Ning belted out a medley of songs from the 007 series, 'junior' was also enjoying the music, kicking to every base beat. That and the medley of songs from Mamma Mia did 'wake' him up. The rest were pretty mild movements which didn't 'attract' my attention.
I love Sarimah's outfit (other than the puffed sleeves she had) and her wit on and off stage.
That was the highlight of Saturday...and Sunday began with a day filled with spending.
Warehouse sale was our first stop after brunch. It was stuff for junior. Then after some 'light entertainment' of badminton at home, we headed of to more shopping, this time the pasar malam and then the hypermarket. It's been awhile since we spent so much at one go at the hypermart. 'Stocking' up I suppose.
tired from all the shopping...
Weird tummy this morning makes things worse. I just don't get it. AFter brekkie, I just want something sweet, and since milo is out, I'll wait till later to have a biscuit or cookie. But today is just weird. I really dunno what to do. Just let my tummy rumble a bit once in a while, while I soothe it with plain water. If I take coffee or milo, the next thing would be me running to you-know-where. So there's just no point.
Arrrrrrrgh!
Another slow week ahead albeit some work already assigned to me. Boring! :p