Circuit Breaker- Day wat?

Today was supposed to be the end of the Circuit Breaker period. (Circuit Breaker is a partial lockdown). 2 weeks ago, the Prime Minister announced the Circuit Breaker will be extended until 1 June. Essential services will continue to function, but everyone have to telecommute from home.

Things have changed in the recent Covid19 pandemic. Government mandated 5 days medical leave to anyone who has respiratory symptoms.

Yesterday, I went to the GP for flu. The symptoms (running nose, body aches and fatigue) started on 1st May itself. During the clinic session, the doctor said my lungs were clear and he doesn’t think it’s the dreaded Covid19. Even though I’m given 5 days medical leave, there isn’t much difference as I’m working from home.

Work still goes on..

Today, Boss texted me to inform I had to go for Covid19 testing. Apparently, the Infection Control taskforce was worried to know about my symptoms. Knowing my protests would be futile, I complied with the request.

4.20pm- I took a Grab ride to National Centre of Infectious Diseases (NCID). I didn’t want to create fear to my driver, thus I enter the place of destination as the building next to NCID.

4.40pm- After dropping off, I took a 5 min walk to the main entrance of NCID. I was redirected by the staff to go to another part of the building for Covid19 testing.

4.45pm- I reached the designated place for screening. Before I could enter the place, 2 nurses donned in full personal protective equipment (PPE) attended to me. They briefly took my medical history, vitals and temperature (tympanic temperature from both ears). Lastly, I was asked about my exposure to Covid19- my recent travel history and contact history.

I’ve been doing temperature monitoring twice a day for several weeks. It has been normal. However, the stress caused me to have increased body temperature (37.6c) and blood pressure upon checking. :”(

4.50pm- I had to be isolated in a room due to “fever”. While the nurse brought me to my room, I was many classroom desks stationed in the waiting area (1 metre apart). I wondered what they were for..

Then when I reached my room, I saw a desk in the room.

Every desk had a laminated copy of Covid19 related information. It explains why the patient is here for and what’s needed for this visit. Click to enlarge.

Then I realized it would be safer to social distance patients this way, than asking them to sit in alternate rows of chairs.

1 staff came with my ID tag and GPS tracker. As she help me to wear my tag, she joking mentioned, “In case you run away..” We had a good laugh. 😀

My GPS tracker. In case, I decide to run away. Lol.

After this stage, I got really nervous and I didn’t take any more photos. The dreaded procedure was coming.

Shortly after, 2 nurses emerged. They checked my identity and explained the procedure to me. A piece of tissue was placed infront of me.

Then it happened. With a sterile cotton tip, the nurse swabbed my throat first, then my right nostril and lastly the left nostril. The throat didn’t hurt much. But the nostrils were felt horrible AF- it felt as though I had a lump of wasabi was stuck in my nose. After swabbing the first nostril, the stinging pain caused uncontrollable tears. Then I realized the tissue is for my tears- the kind nurse had forseen the shredding of tears. :”(

The doctor came to take my medical history. I was told I had to do a Chest Xray as part of the procedures.

Within mins, I had my X-ray done. I saw something amusing before my X-ray- I had to sign a form stating I’m not pregnant. To minimize contamination, the X-ray guys placed the form in a plastic sleeve. There was jagged hole (in the sleeve) for patients to sign their signatures on the paper. Lol!

Right after X-ray, I was seen by the doctor again. My lungs were clear (thank goodness!) The doctor explained I was low-risk of contacting Covid19, but I had to self isolate until my swab results are out. He suggested if I encounter issues with self isolation, he would admit me into the ward.

The thought of being admitted at this time is scary- I’ve no choice but to make some changes at home. After that, I was discharged with hospitalization leave.

5.25pm- I left and took a cab home.

The entire process took less than an hour. I must say NCID is very organised and efficient in the fight against Covid19. #kudos

The pending results is making me worried- I’ve been checking my results via Health Buddy every hour. Being confined to my room is tough.. and being away from my kid makes it tougher.

Hope there will be good news very soon.. May this madness end.

Stay safe and take care, everyone!

Update: my test results are negative. Yay!

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Porridge for Breakfast

Hello Everyone!

After 2 years, I completed my degree.. and moved to the new place!! *throws confetti*

I realized the last time I blogged was a very long time ago.. like 2 years?! Omg, haha. It’s not easy working full-time and studying part-time.. I thought I could juggle work, studies and blogging, but I was SO wrong. Gawrd, what was I even thinking?

While I wait for graduation (and wonder what I should do next), I thought of blogging/writing. I might do it, but not as frequent as eons ago(since I’ve to work), but it’s nice to do something productive, than staring into blank spaces. 😛

☁☁☁☁☁

This morning I had cravings for century egg porridge (or congee, if you like it). I had this craving for awhile, so before Blueberry could return from his work trip, I went to Tiong Shian Porridge to satisfy my craving.

The stall was located in a coffeeshop in Chinatown. After Blueberry and I moved to our new place, it takes 10-15 mins to Uber here.

I ordered century egg porridge, braised tofu and ice tea. While waiting for my orders, I noticed the crowd was made up of families and groups of friends. It was nice to see families and friends spending time over breakfast.

My food arrived. After some quick photos and an instrastory post, I dived in.

Eating alone among the Sunday crowd.

Century egg porridge, braise tofu and ice tea.

IT WAS SO GOOD. 😀

(Blueberry, when you return from your work trip, lets come back for more!)

I love the food here.. my only complain is the cleanliness of the place. The tables and floors are little grimy. The table surface (in the photo above) had grease marks, which I removed to make it presentable.

Despite the cleanliness of the place, I kept returning for the food. I believe it’s also because Tiong Shian Porridge holds many memories for me.

It started when I was studying in school (Polytechnic). I would go there for late night suppers with my friends. When I started my first job, I worked in a general hospital near this porridge stall. My colleagues and I would have lunch/dinner/supper there. Once a while, during my night shift breaktimes, I would take a taxi to this place to buy food. Just imagine the taxi fare (fare +midnight surcharge+ waiting time) for a bowl of comfort ($4.50). -.-

Blueberry and I came here during our courtship. After we got married, we continued our porridge adventures (sometimes with our family). 🙂

I guess this sums up why it’s my favorite place to go for porridge.

Tiong Shian Porridge

Despite patronizing this place for many years, I’ve not tried everything in the menu. I wonder if I’ll be brave enough to try everything, or would I stick to my familiar favorites?

I guess I’ll only know in time to come. 🙂

That’s all from me.. Have a good weekend, and take care! ❤

 

Tiny Plates

When the recent new project at work started, I struggled with the demands of work and studying. It was very stressful.. After the third day of the project, I was worried and asked myself if I had made the right choice to work and study.

On the Friday evening of the first week, Blueberry and I went to Sanpoutei for drinks. Drinking helps me to unwind, especially after a long week at work. (Unfortunately, it’s not helpful if I need to study afterwards.. :p)

We had appetizers (or small plates) with sake.

Tiny plates of appetizers paired with sake. Clockwise from round plate- Bamboo shoot dressed with spicy miso, aburi chashu salad, moro-miso cucumber

I love the food served here.. the ingredients used are fresh, and the flavours of the dishes compliment each other.. I doubt one can ever go wrong with any combinations/orders. 🙂

.. however, there is only one complain I’ve of this place. I wished the food portion of of the small plates could be bigger?? I’m a fast eater, and it’s painful to force myself to slow down when there are delicious food infront of me.. ah, the agony!

I think tiny plates is a more fitting as a name. Lol. 🙂

Despite these tiny plates, Sanpoutei will still be my favorite place in town. ❤

Back to School..

Few months ago, I decided to do my degree.

It’s a challenge to work full time and study part-time.

Quite often, I find myself asking.. “Where did the time go?”

Sleeping in and watching animae/reality tv are luxuries now.. 🙂

This evening, I’m taking a well deserved break, cos I had an assessment yesterday.

After assessment, Blueberry and I went to Johor Bahru for shopping.

We had korean barbarque to celebrate.

(I knew I passed, but I wasn’t sure if I did well).

Bornga, City Square, JB

While waiting for our dinner… The paper place-mats to frame the utensils, making the setting look neat and tidy. Do you like to read the words on the paper places?

Today, the results of the assessment were released.

I got 78/100! :O

WHAT!?!

It took me awhile to accept the good report. I teared when the reality sank in.

During poly days, skills assessments were my nemesis.. I lost count of the number of times I failed, and had to re-sit for assessments.. In 3 years of school, I only passed 3 assessments.

When I learnt there was a module requiring skill assessments, I felt chills down my spine.. Thankfully, a colleague turned friend also enrolled for the program, and her presence encouraged me to press on.

I’m glad to live to see this day.. It’s encouraging to see something positive replace those bad memories. God is good.

☁☁☁☁☁☁☁☁

Blueberry said I got a B grade.

For lunch, I treated myself to a burger.. cos B is for burger. Hahaha.

After work, I swung by the supermarket and bought a bottle of beer.

.. B is for beer.. and we shall toast to our blessings.

The celebration continues. 🙂

Hello there

Hi there.

I’m still alive..

Haven’t been blogging, cos the past few months were busy.

.. busy working, adjusting and learning. I’ve signed up for part-time studies too.

Work, rest, study, rest… I feel guilty of not spending enough time with my little guy.

 I’ve been wanting to blog, but haven’t found time to do so.

“Tomorrow,” I said.

Before I knew it, 3 months have passed! Yikes!

Aw man. 😦

☁☁☁☁☁☁☁☁

Dear Readers,

I hope you’re doing well.. I miss blogging together with everyone, and hope to join everyone on this journey again.

Sending my love from sunny Singapore.

Xoxoxo

Garlic

A lovely head of garlic..

Love it or hate it, minced garlic is an important ingredient in chinese stirfry.

When I was a kid, my mother would give me the important task of mincing garlic.. It was an easy task, and I enjoyed doing it.. The simple task made feel useful in the kitchen.

While mincing the garlic, I would drift into my daydreams… Thankfully, there were no injuries before dinnertime. 😉

Ps: I don’t like the smell on my hands. If only there is a way to get rid of it.

Homecook dinner..

Shh… I’ve a secret to share.. I got a new job. 🙂

It’s my second week into the job.. and there is so much to learn!

New systems.. new cultures.. new faces..

Pretty overwhelming at first, but it’s starting to get better.

Everyday after work, I would look forward to dinner with the family.

What’s for dinner? Fried Tua Kwa (extra firm bean curd) in bean sauce. Yummy!

Dinnertime is a time where I can relax and spend time with my loved ones..

.. conversations over delicious dishes and rice.

It is simple, yet satisfying.

Beyond the construction barriers..

I started Raspberry Daydreams, because I was exploring Life.. well, to put it plainly- I didn’t know what I want in life.

 I knew a list of things I enjoyed and the things I dislike.. with the information in mind, I made plans for 2015- I  wanted take a break, start a family, travel and explore new cafes with Blueberry.

Then shit happened.

Most of the plans didn’t come to pass.. At the end of 2015, I was shattered and couldn’t help to wonder if sharing(my plans on my blog) jinxed my future. It took sometime, before I could let go of my disappointments (and other emotional baggage) and be at peace.

I know God has plans for me… but from my perspective, my future seems to be under construction- Danger, Keep out! I don’t know what’s beyond these barriers.. guess I’ve to believe they are good plans.

Anyway, back to the story.. It’s been 2 years since I started this blog, and I still don’t know what I want in life.

I thought I knew,  and I made plans.. but they don’t seem work out.. *puzzled*

Maybe all these planning and goal setting isn’t the way to go.. Perhaps, I should stop what I’ve been doing and just go with the flow.. Is that how life should be?

Even though I can’t predict the future, I can’t help thinking how things would turn out to be. 🙂

“When will I have kids? When will I see the cherry blossoms?”

I guess I won’t know the things (beyond the construction barrier) for now.

Empty thoughts…

Empty thoughts on the future…

I used to make plans on my future..

.. but they didn’t get me anywhere.

Frustrated. Confused. Disappointed.

Now, when I think of my future, I’m scared of making plans.

Grow old with you..

I was staying with my parents, when I adopted Kitty.

Back then, the rescuers were trying to get Kitty adopted, and I felt the pressure to give him a home.. I wanted to tell my parents I was bringing him home, but I didn’t.. My parent would violently object, if they knew what was coming.

Once my parents found out my secret, they got mad.. My mother went mental(imagine the Incredible Hulk). There were alot of screaming and tension.. They demanded I return Kitty back to the rescuers, but I insisted on keeping him.

My parents are superstitious, and they believe in some health myths too. Here’s some of the reasons why they are against keeping cats as pets.

1. Cats are dirty, they don’t bathe… I guess it’s true for village cats, but not urban cats.
2. The fur of cats can cause asthma– they believe asthma happens, when the fur is inhaled.
3. It’s a BLACK cat! Black is such an unlucky color!
4. Friday the 13th– my father said when Jesus was crucified, a black cat crossed His path while He was on the way to Calvary.. Hence, it’s cursed to have a black cat cross your path on Friday the 13th. Not sure where my father heard that, I’m quite surprised he actually believe in that story! 😮

One Friday the 13th, my father avoided Kitty. Most of the day, he would stay in his room.. If he needed to go to the kitchen, he would ensure the coast was clear (of Kitty), and make a beeline from the feline.. It was pretty comical to watch. Sorry Pa. 😛

I don’t care what others say, I just want to grow old with you.

Despite what my parents thought, I still love them.. I didn’t want to return Kitty to the rescuer, because I felt a special connection with him. So I quietly endured my parents’ scoldings; hoping and praying someday my parents will accept my cat.

Days turned to weeks… weeks turned to months..

My parents eventually got to know my cat, and they realized the myths aren’t true..(Although my father still get a little nervous on Friday the 13th). My parents love Kitty and they see him as part of the family.

On hindsight, I wouldn’t recommend anyone to do what I’ve done- it was very selfish and inconsiderate.. it was understandable why my parents were upset. Things could have turn out much worse, and I’m glad it didn’t. I’m extremely relieved and thankful for this outcome; all the hardships and heartaches are worth it.

Even though Kitty is just a cat, he is a blessing in my life. Together, I want to fill up the future pages of Life with him.