Learning to ride a bike again...

Whilst waiting for the post-dive no-fly time to end, had fun doddling around Sanur on a wee scooter. The gallavanting was carried out mostly by a QUALIFIED biker ( attempting to be a videographer here ), but I couldn't resist having a go at the powered wheels, thankfully didn't drop the thing on myself or the poor road, felt like it weighed a ton!

Diving with Mantas!

Was absolutely awestruck by seeing this amazing creature underwater! What a way to celebrate my first dive trip after a year of fighting this polybloodymyofrigginsitis!

Well that IS me, for those of you who were sceptical ( but I know your worry was justified and meant with love ) that I was going to dive. Can't really see my face cos I wasn't about to turn away from looking at that beautiful beast. And the gangsta hood was to harness whatever warmth I could in the freezing Balinese waters!

Happy Halloween!!

Had a fab time dressing up this year! The Devil's fork was a great walking stick!

http://www.radio913.com/hallOfFameGallery/category/C17

Long time no post!

Sorry folks! Been enjoying life a wee bit much recently. And work took over too. Just an update on what's been happening: Went back to Hospital for jungle juice #5 on 7 Sep, but that didn't bring much relief to the silly CK levels. In fact it went up slightly. First time it's done that after IVIG. However, I don't feel any worse. Still dragging at least 2 diving tanks around everyday on my trunk and hips, but I'm able to walk faster without swaying too much. I'm now dependant on one stick only. I can drive like a speed demon if I want to, but reckon it's not worth it, to myself and to others.

Went to visit Redang recently too for Project Aware. Was a bit of a bummer not being able to dive, but kept reminding myself how fortunate I am to even be able to get there!

Bellini Room and the Swing Dancers

Happy Birthday Janice! Had a swinging good time at Bellini Room, motivation to kick the polybloodymyofrigginsitis to oblivion so I can join in the twirling next time!

Spanish Juices worked its magic

Glad to report that the IVIG managed to halt the steady climb of my CK levels and slashed it by nearly half to 878!! So guess the plan to infuse me with the goodies every month might finally bring me into remission, I hope! Next round of the drip will be Sep 7. Wonder what new tricks that would induce.

Pumped full of Spanish Juices and Back to work!

Ok the IVIG wasn't from Australia this time, hence I wasted a night in hospital with the granny circus! 16 bottles of Spaniard plasma had to be infused on the first day, felt trapped to the camping bed, but managed to secure walking releases to the toilet ( refused to go on the comode ) and even had an hour's break to sneak downstairs for a bowl of mee siam. Health personnel make the worst patients I admit. Not to mention that I was working from my hospital bed during the infusion, no thanks to 3.5G I am told. Hope the boss is noticing this, too bad the bonus grades have been decided already. Dreaded the 2nd day of the 16 hr drip, but this time got away with just 10 hrs as the spanish juices were flowing into me at a faster rate. Managed to haggle a twilight discharge. Missed my own bed! The grandpas in my ward were not my type.

Next CK Level measurement ( read: 4D number day ) is Aug 15.

IVIG to the rescue!

CK levels were 1537 today. Take note: those of you in need of some numbers for this weekend's 4D. The doc wanted to admit me today but I wasn't prepared with my own pyjamas ( their yucky green ones really don't suit me ) and toothbrush (occupational hazard!), hence bargained to postponed it till tomorrow. Don't think they had a spare bed in C-amping class anyway, apparently there's a shortage due to the current increase in dengue fever cases. So the Cellcept ( Mycophenolate ) doesn't seem to be helping much after 3 months, the plan now is to nip the polybloodymyofrigginsitis in the bud with monthly IVIG infusions ( the magic gummy beary juice from Australia ) for the next 3 mths and we'll see how that goes! Have to bounce back by November for that holiday to Bali!

Food to Fatten One up!

Had some of this lovely grub tonight with a jolly bunch of people. Was introduced to Cat Mountain King durian! Raised an eyebrow at the name, and personally I have no preference, cos all durian is good to me! But check it out!

http://www.stomp.com.sg/stfoodiesclub/taste/03/index.html

Bye Bye Comode!!

Chucked the ole comode out of my loo tonite! Decided I've had enough of it. Even though it's now more difficult and takes longer to get up from the loo, who said recovery was gonna be easy eh? And if I don't learn to get up from the john like most regular people, those half-squats that I've been doing would go to waste wouldn't it? So farewell dear comode, I've nothing against comodes, I just don't want to need one anymore. The loo is less cluttered and looks more normal now!

Lunch with the-rapists!

These people are the kindest cruel people in the world, and I love them for it. For hours, days and months when I was in rehab, they patiently tortured me for my own good. Am really glad to have had the privilege of their professionalism, expertise and friendship. No amount of KFC could repay the debt I owe them! ( Not everyone from TTSH AMK rehab are here in the pic, but there's just too many people to thank from the bottom of my heart! ) Even though I no longer attend my physiotherapy sessions there, their advice and motivation stays constantly with me! Thanks to you guys and babes!

The Arena

Still recovering from the "hardcore" partying weekend, hence pictures with a few words will suffice for now..

Permanent Deafness and Killer Heels Party

To celebrate my milestone "21st" birthday, the troops are rounding up tonight at The Arena to rock on with John Molina and Krueger. Some say the guy can't sing, some say they are one of the best rock bands here. Who cares? Anyone who can open and close a dive shop in a year and then bugger off to Thailand to set up a satay stall sounds like a character to me. Will attempt to don some killer heels tonite but may not get very far with them!

http://www.johnmolina.com/john-m.html

An impossible amount of THANKS!

Just wanted to say a very HUGE Thank You to everyone who's been constantly showing their concern and asking me how I am, checking in on me, praying for me, LAUGHING at me and with me, bringing food to me, taking me out for food and fun, stealing my food cos I'm eating too slow or not enough, nagging me, cautioning me, poking me, pep-talking me, all the hugs and kisses ( virtual and non-virtual), cards emails and flowers, shoulders to cry on, tissue paper donations, ice-cream pick-me-ups...all the little things that you guys and babes have done to get me through this silly disease so far, you know who you all are!

Malaysian International Dive Expo 2007

Procreation : The Circle of Life
(Hypselodoris Bullocki, Tioman Nov 2006)

Extremely chuffed that one of the photos I submitted was selected as a finalist for the underwater photography competition. So even though they stuck it the wrong way up ( that was my fault for not indicating clearly which way up ), I was mighty pleased to see it up on exhibit. ( Pssst Non-divers, it's two nudibranches or sea-slugs having done the "deed", laying the egg nudibranch )




With what we thought was Siang's 1st prize winning picture, but his Jellyfish in sunburst one won instead. Both were very impressive, well done mate! We couldn't find the winner after the competition as he was swiftly whisked away to claim his many prizes, Canon camera, Canon Selphy printer, wetsuit, trip to Ko Samui etc.


Open your mouth and say " Ahh..." The Dive Nutzi Tshirt model with his finalist picture.


Afterwards, we polished off the yummy grub at Jln Tun HS Lee's porridge corner.

Australia vs Singapore 3-0

One of the highlights of the evening was the match between Singapore and Australia. Of course everyone had their eye out and stuck their necks out for star players Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell.


Harry obliged us with a pic, such a sweetie!

Got an itch?


Kian Yan hard at work trying to capture the moves of the match, and it's her birthday today too! Happy Birthday mate!


The final score

National Stadium Closing Bash

Joined the Singapore Disability Sports Council contingent at this last do for the old dame. Remember the days in school when I ran on the old track for the Annual Schools Athletics Competition, 800m was my forte. And the days when Singapore played the Malaysian League here, I enjoyed cheering and jeering with my dad at the games.

Tonight it was the Singapore veterans and the Malaysian veterans that had one final go at each other on this nostalgic pitch. It was a respectable draw.


The flame burning for one last time tonight...


Jovin the national sailor, Dr William the national marathoner, me and fungus.


Russell, we vote him the volunteer of the year!

The Final Roar?

Not been to the National Stadium in yonks, except for the recent meeting with the officials of the Singapore Disability Sports Council. Last time I was there was probably when I was under 10 yrs old, remember watching a football match with my dad. Anyways, this Saturday, we've been asked to take part in the march-past during the closing ceremony of the national stadium. Should be fun, if not for the fireworks and the party organised by Zouk after...

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/284931/1/.html

Embarking on a new project

Today's the day that I'm gonna take the plunge and enter the world of small business. It's nerve-wrecking, mind-boggling, stress-making, but most of all fun, exciting and challenging!
Watch this space!

Note to Self

Keeping this on my mac until I get in the better habit!

Ventured to Punggol to see Baby Elizabeth!

Was delighted to visit Daphne and Baby Lizzie, who was born on the 4th of June. Congrats to Baldy, the proud father too, she's the splitting image of you! Elizabeth's such a contented little baby... big yawn after a nice lunch!



Abby, the other baby in the house. Could play with this one cos she's not so fragile!

Come visit again prego!

How quickly a week has passed! Vikki and her mom Ruth now officially know more and have seen more of Singapore than I have, despite bringing the British weather with them. We thanked them for contributing to our economy and to my bikini collection. Vikki brought me four pairs from my favourite cheap shop in England, Primark. Can't wait to hit the beach properly with the new bikinis. I'm working towards my celebratory dive trip everyday, now I have 4 pairs of incentives as well.

Sailing Saturday...

Despite a slight glitch in the weather ( I had ordered a sunny day you see ), we still made it for a short sail in the late morning before the rains came.

Marathon Walk to Dinner

Was out for 14 hours today. Spent all day in the office acquiring Dilbert Syndrome, then I carried out what seemed like a marathon trek from Tan Tock Seng Hospital to Novena Square to meet Janice, Vikki and Ruth for dinner. Had to stop a few times along the way to catch my breath. Though I was walking at a snail's pace, the heart was racing like a Formula One engine. Can't believe how such a short distance was such hard work, but I suppose it was a good form of stamina training.

Dinner was at OrganiCafeXperience, the food tasted good behind the facade of healthiness. We were tickled by the menu of drinks: Flat Stomach Tea, Beauty Slimming Tea...No Big Boobs tea though!

The Eltons are here!

Finally, I've been waiting for Vikki and her mom Ruth to make a trip to sunny Singapore from Liverpool, England. Vikki's just finished her specialist orthodontic exams, so she is now officially, Dr Victoria Elton, BChD, MFDS RCS Eng, MOrth RCS Edin, MDentSci, MSc. Congrats Vikki! The 3 years have gone by so quickly!



Think I might have surprised them for not showing up in my wheelchair, but I most defiantly left that at home and plodded along with my granny sticks again. We ventured to Clarke Quay to have dinner and catch up by the river, I can't remember the name of the restaurant but it had loads of yummy fish on the menu!

Big Curly Hair Day

Rolled out of bed today, threw on a T-shirt and shorts and a bit of makeup, and waited for my photoshoot for an article in a women's magazine to raise awareness about autoimmune diseases and disability sports.


Little did I know it was to be the whole shebang, sent by Singapore Press Holdings. Makeup artist Damien Teo arrived with two big bags of makeup and accessories that every girl dreams of having. He seemed disappointed that I had my own makeup on when he arrived. He then proceeded to pile on the eyeshadow, eyeliner, curled my lashes, applied more mascara, blusher, lippie...

Hang on ...this was like 1030 in the morning, and I was looking like I was getting ready to go clubbing! He even took out the flat irons and curled my hair into a twist, to which I did apprehensively protest! But alas...I did not have much of a say in this, so I just played along.

The final photos turned out good, thanks to Calvin Tan, the photographer, though I must say a curly fringe is so not me...takes the edge out of my divenazi reputation! Thanks to Jocelyn Lok for arranging a smooth shoot, and helping to make me feel at ease with the camera.

You'll have to wait for the August issue of Simply Her to see the final pics!

Stamina Training along the riverside

Left the wheelchair at home today and ventured out from 10am to nearly 8pm with my two trusty granny sticks. It was pure stamina training ( read: shoe shopping ), interspersed with a snack or two....and lots of looking for places to sit after challenging escalators in the building.

I swore I wasn't going to make this look like a food blog (like some of the floggers out there who dedicate their blogs entirely to food pictures) but this was one heavenly dessert I could not resist. Especially on a warm balmy afternoon by the river in the new Central mall.



Fried Mars Bar with Ice-cream

A tribute to Porpor

My maternal grandmother passed away on Sat 26 May. She was a spritely lady who lived till a ripe old 82 years. She will be dearly missed by us all, and we are grateful that we were able to be by her side as she took her last breath. On a glorious day yesterday, we bid her farewell till we meet again.


















Porpor and me on my kiddie birthday...