Yes, I have time ....

but I am not your personal assistant! There are some things a friend can help u do but there are others where u need to be doing on your own.

Certain roles come with certain responsibilities. U chose to accept the role and u made the decision to do something. U should have thought about the time needed to fulfill these roles. If u can't find time to fulfill your responsibilities, then u really need to rethink your priorities.

I am your friend and u might think I am selfish for saying "NO" but I really think it is not my responsibility and I really do not want to get involved when u r the one who should be doing the work.

I will be more than willing to help in other things when u really need it. I think that I have helped my friends in some way or another, both physical and mental help .... I refuse to think of myself as lazy and/or selfish and I hope that u and my other friends wouldn't think that way too.

Day out with Mom and Sis.

My sis accompanied me to get me stitches out today at SGH. They had booked an appointment for me at 2pm.

We made our way there, navigating the maze of buildings at SGH.

We finally found Clinic J!

My queue number .... 4D anyone?

Crap ... I was 1 min late!

Did not have to wait long before going in to the office. The dr. looked at my lip, said it was healing well and that I could get my stitches out today. He also told me that I would have to massage it as the area would be a little hard as its healing. He said that chewing gum is a good way to exercise the area.

WTF?

"Gum is illegal here!" I said.

He said that its illegal to sell but not for personal consumption .... haha. Well, thank god my sis has some chewing gum courtesy of Gwen, smuggled in when she was on vacation.

Anyway, I was then brought to another room where a nurse was the one to take out my stitches. Thought it was funny that she asked whether I fainted at a bar. When I told her it was after donating blood, the look of remorse on her face was priceless!

The taking out of the stitches was pretty painless with slight tugs. When I told her it didn't really hurt, she said that my threshold for pain is quite high ...

DUH!

This is the before .....

This is the after. There is still some scab there that will take some time to fall off ... that is if I can stop myself from biting my lips. Btw, I have missed my Chapstick these past few days!

The whole thing cost me $33.25. It looks like I would have to contact the blood bank to see about reimbursement.

After we got done, we met my mom at Vivo. We had actually planned to go last Wed after our blood donation but I met with the unfortunate accident. My mom has never been to Vivo so she was pretty excited to go to a HUGE shopping mall. The items she was looking for? More shoes and bags.

My sis and I brought my mom to all the shoes stores there and my mom bought THREE pair of shoes! She liked a bag too but is going to wait for my dad to come home to use his credit card for some discount. I think my mom enjoyed herself pretty much. I had to teach my mom about shopping and how NOT to tell a sales person that she has bought something at the airport and that it is cheaper there. Everyone knows stuff is cheaper there and the moment u say that to a sales person, they know u won't be buying from them so the level of service drops.

After the 3 pairs of shoes for my mom and 1 dress bought for my sis by my mom, we made our way to Sushi Tei. Told my mom that we love going there so we decided to bring her there to try it out. Told her it was way better than Sakae.

My usual Fish Roe.

Sashimi Salad.

Eel with Rice.

Beef with Garlic. Quite nice ... loved the garlic. Ate some of it as I did not really have to worry about garlic breath.

My sis's Softshell Crab Handroll.

Scallops. This was pretty good too but a little small ... there were 6 but we ate 2 b4 I remembered I forgot to take a pic.

I think my mom enjoyed the food but she did complain about the prices ... haha. I paid for dinner using my remaining Sushi Tei vouchers and discount card.

It was then off to more shopping at Forever 21 :) I bought a top for myself and told my sis "No" on a dress that she liked. Didn't like it at all! She was a good girl, she listened to me ... anyway, she just got one that was so much cuter!

We then went grocery shopping as my mom wanted to check out the Giant at Vivo. As we were shopping my mom suddenly said "Let's go for coffee after this."

WOW!

I didn't know that was my mom's intention when she asked earlier on which was better, Starbucks or Coffee Bean? Anyway, we went to Gloria's Coffee (where I had a one-for-one coupon) but not before I warned my mom its still not going to be cheap!

My mom saw this chocolate cake and wanted to try it .... it was $6.50 so I was surprised. It is not typical for my mom to want to spend so much on dessert.

My sis shared this Berry Blend with my mom. It was pretty good, not too sweet like some places.

My latte that I shared a little with my mom, she can't drink too much coffee after 2pm as it keeps her awake. I love coffee art, wish more places would practice it ... it always brings a smile to my face.

My mom offered to pay for the drinks and cake and I of course did not resist as I did pay for dinner :)

It was a long day and I was surprised that my mom did walk a lot without complaining. We did have to slow our pacing somewhat but I did enjoy the day out. Can't remember the last time I went shopping with my mom .....

It's NOT natural!

Shanice, this is for you! :) (btw, all pics were take b4 my accident in case u all are wondering)

Here are the tools needed.

MAC Fluidline - Not sure how much it is as I got it during a warehouse sale.

Color - Graphic Brown. I also have it in black.

Here's what the inside looks like. Its like a paste.

This is for my eyebrows as you will see later I have none ....

We must first start with the correct applicator.

Get the ones that are sponge like with lots of holes.

The beige one is the WRONG one. It just does not want to blend when I used that.

BEFORE - No eye makeup whatsoever.

After drawing my eyebrow .... notice the difference?

Apply a layer on the lid.

Blend in with a clean side of the applicator.

AFTER - Seem bigger? Well, I think so :)

Before doing my hair .... my fringe looks horrible, my hair's wavy and it looks messy.

TADA! Look at my uninjured lips :(

My Trip to the A&E

*Warning* - Somewhat gruesome/bloody pics! -

I started as a regular blood donation. I have been donating blood pretty regularly since I turned 18. I had even continued my donation while in the US, with Liz.

My sis had turned 18 not ago and was able to donate without consent and I was about 2 mths due for a donation. After dropping my mom off at Raffles Place, my sis and I made out way down to Outram where the blood bank was located.

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The sticker that was given to my sis for being a first time blood donor.

Everything went smoothly ... when they took my temperature, she commented that it was slightly higher but when I told her I felt fine, she said it was prob bcos I just walked in from the sun.

My sis was already in the room getting ready for her donation when I arrived but I got done earlier and made my way outside to get my donor card. I have always been a fast bleeder so I did not think it was unusual that I was done first.

My sis got done soon after and she said she need to go to the ladies to wash her jeans.

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My sis's jeans that got a little blood when she accidentally wiped her pricked finger on it.

The next sequence of events are a little muggy ....

Anyway, I went to the ladies with my sis and I could remember was telling my sis that I felt a little dizzy. Next thing I knew, ppl we lifting me up and asking me if I could stand. I remember licking my lip and feeling an awful gash ... that was the last time I licked them.

A doctor/nurse started asking my questions. Think they asked me my name which I could answer but when it came to my age, my mind was a blank. I seriously could not remember my age, I wasn't faking. I remembered thinking and thinking but I just could not come up with an answer ... I wonder if the person thought I was just too shy to reveal it.

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Had an ice pack on my lips, waiting for the ambulance. The Singapore General Hospital was just next door but they still needed an ambulance to drive me to the A&E.

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The cut on my upper lip. I had a bloody nose too and my nostrils were filled with dried blood.

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Inside the ambulance. I did not lay on the stretcher but was seated.

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More shots of the inside.

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Where my sis had to wait for me ....

I was there for the longest time and I started to get a really horrible headache. I had to keep my eyes closed as the lights were driving me nuts!

Finally a Dr. came to ask me questions and I repeated everything my sis had said had happened.They asked if I have had a tetanus shot and I said not ... next thing, I was jabbed on other side of my elbow (what's opposite of elbow?) I had kept my eyes closed so did not know what was going on. She then asked if I could walk and I told her no, as I was feeling dizzy. She then said that she would bring a bedpan to me as she needed a urine sample.

That woke me right up! I did not want to go in a bedpan! I told her that if she would to ask my sis to help me, I could make it to the ladies. She then said that she would get a nurse to help. The short walk to the ladies was slow but I made it there, did my deed and returned to my bed.

It was then time to have my x-rays taken. They wanted to make sure that I did not break any facial bones. Yes, everyone of u are thinking,

"OMG, what about all her earrings and ...."

I told them that I had too many earrings to take out and some of them had to require tools to remove. A male nurse looked and then said, if it just facial, the the earring could stay in.

I breathed a sigh of relief. But I told them I would remove my tongue ring. I had to take 3 x-rays and then was rolled back into the waiting area. Within 10 mins, but AFTER I had painstakingly screwed in my ring back, the nurse came back in and asked if I had moved during the x-ray cos one of them was blur.

GROAN!

I don't recall moving and I would not have done it on purpose! He asked if I would mind taking another x-ray ... do I really have a choice? Went in, took out my ring and kept still ... I made sure I was as still as a log!

It was back to the waiting area. Two nurses came to me and asked if I had my shot ... Yes, I told them. There was a moment of confusion as they had no record of giving me a shot but then I had told them that they did. It was only after a few exchanges that I realized that the first "shot" that was given was actually to draw blood.

Damn, I was really out of it! Anyways, shouldn't they have kept better track of things? Why ask when they know I have not had one? So they finally gave me a tetanus shot, which hurt like hell, on my upper arm and medication for my headache.

Within 5 mins I started to get queasy. I could feel my stomach juices churning and coming up. I set up and tried to get the attention of someone but most just ignored me. Finally a lady nurse saw me and I motioned that I was going to puke. She then leisurely walked to a drawer to get me a barf bag. Luckily I managed to keep it in and puked just as she opened it bag. I think I would have been very embarrassed if I had made a mess.

After another wait, they rolled me into an operating room to get my lip stitched up. It was done by this really young Dr. He could not have been more than 35. He asked me to rinse out my mouth, gave me a anesthetic shot and then proceeded to stitch my lip. I did not feel pain but could feel the sewing. Could not see the Dr. doing it as there was a bright light shining on me which made me close my eyes. I think the light has dual purpose, to light the surgical area and also to keep the patient's eyes close. I think Drs get performance anxiety :)

They then pushed me to the observation area to rest for a little and it was then that my sis could see me.

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My bed number with this really cute coconut tree. I kept wondering what it was as I had also seen it on other ppl's beds. I told my sis it meant that I was not a risk, not impt, that I was here on vacation :) However, I found out later that it was a "Falling Tree" and that I was a "fall precaution"

It was then then I saw the time and it was already 10+pm. I had been in there for more than 5hrs! After the nurse told me I could leave anytime I felt ready, my sis called my mom to come pick us up.

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My busted lip with 6 stitches .... the Dr said my gum was split too but I have not really looked at it. It hurts but I have medication to help but now I can hardly open my mouth. My sis has been cutting my food up into baby pieces and I have been eating very carefully.

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Casualty of War .... my COACH bag :(

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A few more other spots. Managed to get most of it out but thank god its on the side that I carry towards me. And it could have been worse!

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My jeans ... can u imagine that huge patch on my bag?

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All the medication ... cream for my lip, antibiotics, 2 types of aspirin/panadol and another pill for my puking.

Was supposed to go out for lunch with Evon and Shanice on Fri but now I have to cancel. Disappointed but u can't blame me, plus, maybe it good cos it would mean NOT eating! :)

Have to go back on Mon to get my stitches out and then next mth about my blood work. Apparently, my haemoglobin and platelet count is low, but the Dr. did say it could be due to the fact that I just donated blood. Will keep u guys posted ....

I'm feeling a lot better! Thanks for all the concern!

Do I look BIGGER?

My blog, I mean :) I did a few minor changes. At first I was thinking of just finding another template but I just could not find anything that I liked better than my current. Thought of starting from scratch but it just seemed too daunting.

So I tweaked my old one .... it might looked like an easy task but it wasn't! There isn't an "ENLARGE" button to click. I had to change everything one at a time! And the most frustrating part was when I thought everything looked fine but when I opened my blog using Firefox, the mistakes were more obvious.

I finally managed to figure out how to align this block of text u are reading in the center. It was in the center but skewed to the left ...... I won't bore u with details but as u can see, its fixed!

Still not 100% satisfied with it but, sigh, I don't think I'll ever be. There are so many things that bug me ... well, one at a time.

小笼女 and 小笼妹 Return!

It has been awhile since the dynamic duo has gone on our 小笼包 adventures! Well, my sis said she found a new 小笼包 place and wanted to bring me there. Since my mom had a meeting this evening, we decided to head out for dinner and invited my Bro and Ash along.

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This place is located at Hougang Mall, one train stop from my hse. I have not heard of it b4, but I was game for anything after the last fiasco.

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八宝茶 - 8 Treasures Tea! This was pretty expensive at $2.50 a cup and they refilled it with chrysanthemum tea. However, we counted more than 9 "treasures" and when it first arrived, u could taste a little ginseng in it.

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小笼包. These were pretty good compared to the substandard ones I have been eating. For one thing, there was SOUP in the 小笼包! Only one burst while I was lifting it onto my spoon but I managed a quick save :)

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Shrimp Dumplings. These were really yummy and filled with lots of shrimp.

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Chicken with "Cashews" ... well, the menu said cashews but it came with peanuts. It was ok ... love biting into the fried dried chilies but I can only imagine how fattening they are.

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Fried Calamari ... not bad, but very oily!

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Fried Pork Ribs. These were crisp on the outside, nice and juicy on the inside. This was $12 for the whole plate compared to $6.50 for ONE at Crystal Jade ....

The dinner was a treat from my Bro and Ash ... THANKS!

All that food and you would think I would have put on weight ....

HA!

I lost weight! Must be all the tea that I drank. Would definitely return there for more 小笼包.

Anymore recommendations? Anyone?

P.S. My sis already gave me crap about my horrible "shadowed" pics, so if u have anything to say .... ZIP IT!

We Will Rock You!

The day has finally come! It was time to watch the musical We Will Rock You with Huiyi, the only person who answered my plea :) We had bought tics a few mths back and have been patiently waiting for the day to come.

As I was getting ready, the sky started turning dark relatively quickly ... crap ... it was going to rain. I then got a text from Huiyi telling me that it was pouring at Orchard, it was so dark that it seemed like 9pm (it was only 5+pm). Just as I was done getting ready, the skies opened and unleashed the mother of all storms ... haha, so drama :)

I was hoping that my mom would be downstairs so that I could ask her to give me a lift to the MRT. Nope, she was still upstairs. At first I did not want to go upstairs to wake her but then decided ... what the heck .... Unfortunately,when I opened the room door, I was greeted by snores from my parents. I was hit with a dilemma ... to wake or not to wake?

I decided against it as it would mean "owing" my mother even more. My sis offered to be the one to wake my mom up but I said no. It was already bad enough to ask my mom to drive me to the station but to wake her up to do it? Sigh, I really did not want to deal with the aftermath of the decision. I decided that getting wet was the lesser of 2 evils.

So I grabbed an umbrella and braved the rain ....

The umbrella did a great job in keeping my upper half dry, but my lower half was drenched! Thank god I was wearing a black nylon/polyester dress so I knew that it would dry pretty fast. Sure enough, the 15 ride on the train dried my dress till only the hem was damp.

I met Huiyi at City Hall and off we went for dinner b4 the show. We went to The Asian Kitchen at City Link Mall.

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Chinese Salad ... has bean sprouts, seaweed, carrots and tofu. Not bad but I think the one at DTF was better.

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Shrimp Wonton Noodles. Loved the wontons and u can bite into big chunks of shrimp.

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小笼包! Better than Crystal Jade in terms of soup content but then the skin was pretty thick (which was prob why the soup didn't leak out)

It was then off to the theater! We got there pretty early and decided to head in first so that we did not have to fight with crowd later. The show started on the dot and the theater was packed, surprisingly for a Thurs nite. We noticed many Caucasian couples and families, as expected with musicals. I think Singaporeans have not reached that artsy fartsy level.

OMG, the show was GREAT!

I enjoyed it immensely and so did Huyi. I recognized alot of Queen's songs and even Huiyi who don't listen to English music that much recognized most of the songs too. There were many local references and the even made fun of the lead who first appeared in the entertainment scene via a reality show. I won't mention anything specific as I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who might be motivated to go watch. Its a really fun, exciting, concert type, strobe lighting, audience participating show.

You MUST GO!


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It was more than 2 hrs long and when we left, Huiyi wanted to take a pic with the poster and I decided to join in the fun too. I had a great time and I would gladly go again if anyone needs a date ... of course I would only be able to afford the cheapest $40 tic now :)