I was very tired .. my left leg still hurt after 3 games of bowling 2 weeks ago. Yes, I enjoyed the game. I scored 95-125-131 .. not bad, considering I have not been bowling for the past few years. I was quite pleased with my score but regret making the greatest mistake in my life! I forgot to warm up my stiff limbs before the game. The result .. an over-stretched left leg muscle from my thigh to my calf and an injured knee cap leaving me limping for about 1 week. Now, it's much better but still abit sore.
So imagine poor me stepping into the MRT train and so happy to find an empty seat.. alas! my happiness is short-lived. An old lady walked in and stand in front of me. I waited for a while, no one makes a move. I decided to give up my seat to her.
I looked around me at those seating comfortably and wish someone has a heart to give up his seat to the poor lady instead of me .. there's a young man busy sms-ing .. another tired office worker dozing off .. no, more than one .. a couple of young ladies busy talking .. a few reading .. none of these people makes a move. I felt like screaming! I'm tired, you know .. my leg hurts .. hey, you people .. what happen? didn't you see that old lady .. or do you pretend not to see? At times like this, I wish I don't have a consience and seat right thru.
Hanging on to the railing, I diverted my thoughts and think about other thing .. somehow the high cost of transportation irks me.
You know, a new stored-value card here costs $15 .. out of which $5 is to defray the cost for the card and only $3 is refundable, leaving me with only $7 value in the card for travelling. I have to ensure this card stays with me for life by topping-up once the value is low.
The interesting thing about the $3 refundable deposit,is that I might never get it back. The only time I foresee getting back my $3 is when I renounce the use of public transport. *sigh**
I'm a frequent public transport user, that means I need to "donate" (I treat it as a donation, I felt better that way) at least $5 to the transport co. before I can buy a stored value card for travelling around my city. (Strange land i"m living in .. I want convenience and a slight rebate, so I need to pay for a card to travel)
Of cos, I can do away with the $5 + $3 deposit, by paying for every single trip but things are not so simple. If I do that, a single trip will cost more than when I paid by using the stored value card. On top of that, I will lose out on the 25 cents rebate esp when I have to take a train and a bus, everyday before I reach my house. What choice do I have? My transport cost works up to close to $4 a day!
If the transport company don't make enough money and go bust, then it will be worse, I think. I have to buy my own car, if I can afford to, or a bicycle and learn to cycle or walk to my destination. None of these options appeal to me.
So, every day, I prayed hard that they are able to make a decent profit. The moment, the public transport company announces that they are in the red, or don't make enough money, I start to shiver as that means a possible fare hike. But thankfully, they make enough $$$$$ most of the time. I wonder what is public transport??
Still, I'm proud of my country's efficient transport system. Though I felt that they should be more prudent in their spending and do away with unnecessary stuff like a mobile TV. I also pray they are more cost-conscious in their planning.
Aiya! my wandering mind! jay dreaming again!
Monday, April 04, 2005
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Dr visit
The buzzing sound don't seem to go away, so I visited Dr Ong on Thurs and she claimed there was some pus inside my ear and there's nothing she can do except to give me some antibiotics and then pray for the best.
I asked her many questions, one of which is what causes the injury? is there too much wax inside? Her reply is that it is clean, no wax only pus.
"What causes the pus and what should I do to prevent it from happening again? Should I clean it more often?" I asked.
Dr Ong replied, "It's self-cleansing. You don't need to do anything and please don't put anything that is smaller than an elbow inside, which means don't put anything inside .. don't clean it"
Abit irritated by my numerous questions, I think, she said, "You seem to have many myths in your head,"
I laughed, "That's why I need you to dispel them. I'm worry, you know."
"Come back after 5 days" she said, and then changed her mind and said, "no .. no .. after one week, I just remember the anti-biotics is now packed in a box of 14 and you have to take 2 per day" I looked at her .. I'm surprised my next visit to the Dr is dependable on the packaging of the antibiotics she prescribed.
My bill ... $85!! in exchange for 14 antibiotics, 10 Tab Sudafed Tablet to clear my nose and 30 Tab Serrazyme to clear my throat and phlegm (do i hv phlegm?) Of cos, the fee included the 10 mins of her consultation time as well. The time she spend dispelling my myths. Wah! that's rather expensive! I lamented at the high cost of medical bill. I wonder if the day will come when I can afftord to die but cannot afford to pay for my medical bill. **sigh**
By Sat, ie yesterday, the buzzing sound still don't seem to go away. I decided to go for a second opinion and visited my GP, Dr Koh.
I told him straight, "Dr, I need a second opinion" and told him about my 1st visit to Dr Ong and the medication she prescribed.
He listened patiently and then proceeded to examine my ears and said that as far as he can see, there's a minor infection in my right ear. Nothing serious. "Why do I hear the buzzing sound then .. will it go away" I asked. He replied patiently that it will takes sometimes for the antibiotics to work. He assured me that Dr Ong did what she can. That's re-assuring as my confidence in her is abit shaken when she decided my next visit by the number of antibiotics in a box. (14 .. 2 per day, so see me 7 days later.)
"The buzzing sound in the ear" he explained patiently, "could be due to some injury .. did you hurt your ear recently? sudden loud sound or loud music, etc ... most importantly, do you have flu b4 the buzzing sound?"
"No .. no .. no flu .. nothing .. not that I remember .. I don't use MP3 or walkman either .. got mobile but no ear phone piece either" I replied.
"Did someone, like your friend .. playfully hit your ear" he asked lightly.
"No, Dr .. not at my age .. " I laughed. I can't imagine any of my friends being that playful.
Unlike Dr Ong, this Dr Koh asked me more questions than I asked him. Not only that, he patiently explained to me the possible cause for the pus .. could be due to some slight injury .. even persistent coughing can sometimes hurt the eardrum. I liked him. Most doctors seem to be in a hurry to get rid of their patient so they got time to see the next one. More patients mean more money. But not Dr Koh .. he got time for his patient.
He then assured me that my ears are clean, no wax .. and that there is nothing to worry about.
"Does the buzzing sound disturbs you?" he asked. I looked at him and he added, "some people might not be able to sleep because of the sound"
"No, Dr" I replied, "It's abit irritating but I can still bear with it" I thought of telling him that I look forward to drifting to my dreamland every night and most of the time nothing seems to deprive me of that little pleasure. But changed my mind and keep quiet as it does not serve any purpose.
I then decided to ask him something else, "Dr .. I do have some problem recently, for instance, someone can talk to me and I tried my best to listen but nothing go in"
"Oh! that is your mind working .. no one can help you .. you are not interested, hence you switched off"
"Is that normal" I asked. I don't seem to have such problem before.
He smiled, "You got to take up something that is of interest to you"
"Like what?" I asked
"Like learning to cook .. you can train your mind to remember the ingredients you used, the portion, etc .."
I shaked my head, " No .. not cooking .. mahjong?"
"You can play mahjong but that doesn't mean your mind is working .. if your interest is not there .. you don't think" he said wisely. "Try Toast Master" he then suggested.
I smiled at the idea of seeing myself doing the ice-breaker and trying to visualise myself making my maiden speech in a toastmaster club. I'm flattered, Dr.
"Try and remember what you like to do when you are young ("am I that old now?" I wondered) and didn't get to do it .. find out what interest you and do it" my charismatic Dr suggested.
I replied that I shall tried and then I added, "It's difficult to grow old, Dr .. esp when memory lapse occurs and when pain starts to surface .. even my ears start to give me problem"
He laughed. "You are doing Ok .. you are fine" he assured me.
Before I left the room, I said, "You are very assuring, Dr. Thank you. I hope I am!"
He prescribed a small bottle of ear drop and my bill is $25. I happily paid the receptionist and left. Even without the ear drop, I think the price is worth the visit.
That's yesterday .. today, the buzzing sound is still there and I wonder if it will ever go away.
Today, Pope John Paul II passed away, leaving millions to mourn his death. I wonder why he had to suffer so much before he died.
He's a great man after all. A good and compassionate man. One who believe in human rights .. one who lead the Catholic community all over the world. One who touches the heart of millions. Someone mentions over the TV that his mere presence, his aura is so overwhelming, it can makes one cry. A very prominent figure, well known and well liked, globally.
Only a man of his calibre is able to justify the high cost the media have to pay for the best location to film his last journey. I remember hearing over TV recently that TV stations have been paying for that particular hot spot for years .. waiting for the right moment to film his last journey. I believe many TV stations have started compiling his life story or start working on his documentary the moment he is hospitalise.
At last, his suffering had ended and he's moving on to eternal life. I'm touched by his life story. That compassionate image that flashes on my TV set over and over again. May God bless his soul!
I asked her many questions, one of which is what causes the injury? is there too much wax inside? Her reply is that it is clean, no wax only pus.
"What causes the pus and what should I do to prevent it from happening again? Should I clean it more often?" I asked.
Dr Ong replied, "It's self-cleansing. You don't need to do anything and please don't put anything that is smaller than an elbow inside, which means don't put anything inside .. don't clean it"
Abit irritated by my numerous questions, I think, she said, "You seem to have many myths in your head,"
I laughed, "That's why I need you to dispel them. I'm worry, you know."
"Come back after 5 days" she said, and then changed her mind and said, "no .. no .. after one week, I just remember the anti-biotics is now packed in a box of 14 and you have to take 2 per day" I looked at her .. I'm surprised my next visit to the Dr is dependable on the packaging of the antibiotics she prescribed.
My bill ... $85!! in exchange for 14 antibiotics, 10 Tab Sudafed Tablet to clear my nose and 30 Tab Serrazyme to clear my throat and phlegm (do i hv phlegm?) Of cos, the fee included the 10 mins of her consultation time as well. The time she spend dispelling my myths. Wah! that's rather expensive! I lamented at the high cost of medical bill. I wonder if the day will come when I can afftord to die but cannot afford to pay for my medical bill. **sigh**
By Sat, ie yesterday, the buzzing sound still don't seem to go away. I decided to go for a second opinion and visited my GP, Dr Koh.
I told him straight, "Dr, I need a second opinion" and told him about my 1st visit to Dr Ong and the medication she prescribed.
He listened patiently and then proceeded to examine my ears and said that as far as he can see, there's a minor infection in my right ear. Nothing serious. "Why do I hear the buzzing sound then .. will it go away" I asked. He replied patiently that it will takes sometimes for the antibiotics to work. He assured me that Dr Ong did what she can. That's re-assuring as my confidence in her is abit shaken when she decided my next visit by the number of antibiotics in a box. (14 .. 2 per day, so see me 7 days later.)
"The buzzing sound in the ear" he explained patiently, "could be due to some injury .. did you hurt your ear recently? sudden loud sound or loud music, etc ... most importantly, do you have flu b4 the buzzing sound?"
"No .. no .. no flu .. nothing .. not that I remember .. I don't use MP3 or walkman either .. got mobile but no ear phone piece either" I replied.
"Did someone, like your friend .. playfully hit your ear" he asked lightly.
"No, Dr .. not at my age .. " I laughed. I can't imagine any of my friends being that playful.
Unlike Dr Ong, this Dr Koh asked me more questions than I asked him. Not only that, he patiently explained to me the possible cause for the pus .. could be due to some slight injury .. even persistent coughing can sometimes hurt the eardrum. I liked him. Most doctors seem to be in a hurry to get rid of their patient so they got time to see the next one. More patients mean more money. But not Dr Koh .. he got time for his patient.
He then assured me that my ears are clean, no wax .. and that there is nothing to worry about.
"Does the buzzing sound disturbs you?" he asked. I looked at him and he added, "some people might not be able to sleep because of the sound"
"No, Dr" I replied, "It's abit irritating but I can still bear with it" I thought of telling him that I look forward to drifting to my dreamland every night and most of the time nothing seems to deprive me of that little pleasure. But changed my mind and keep quiet as it does not serve any purpose.
I then decided to ask him something else, "Dr .. I do have some problem recently, for instance, someone can talk to me and I tried my best to listen but nothing go in"
"Oh! that is your mind working .. no one can help you .. you are not interested, hence you switched off"
"Is that normal" I asked. I don't seem to have such problem before.
He smiled, "You got to take up something that is of interest to you"
"Like what?" I asked
"Like learning to cook .. you can train your mind to remember the ingredients you used, the portion, etc .."
I shaked my head, " No .. not cooking .. mahjong?"
"You can play mahjong but that doesn't mean your mind is working .. if your interest is not there .. you don't think" he said wisely. "Try Toast Master" he then suggested.
I smiled at the idea of seeing myself doing the ice-breaker and trying to visualise myself making my maiden speech in a toastmaster club. I'm flattered, Dr.
"Try and remember what you like to do when you are young ("am I that old now?" I wondered) and didn't get to do it .. find out what interest you and do it" my charismatic Dr suggested.
I replied that I shall tried and then I added, "It's difficult to grow old, Dr .. esp when memory lapse occurs and when pain starts to surface .. even my ears start to give me problem"
He laughed. "You are doing Ok .. you are fine" he assured me.
Before I left the room, I said, "You are very assuring, Dr. Thank you. I hope I am!"
He prescribed a small bottle of ear drop and my bill is $25. I happily paid the receptionist and left. Even without the ear drop, I think the price is worth the visit.
That's yesterday .. today, the buzzing sound is still there and I wonder if it will ever go away.
Today, Pope John Paul II passed away, leaving millions to mourn his death. I wonder why he had to suffer so much before he died.
He's a great man after all. A good and compassionate man. One who believe in human rights .. one who lead the Catholic community all over the world. One who touches the heart of millions. Someone mentions over the TV that his mere presence, his aura is so overwhelming, it can makes one cry. A very prominent figure, well known and well liked, globally.
Only a man of his calibre is able to justify the high cost the media have to pay for the best location to film his last journey. I remember hearing over TV recently that TV stations have been paying for that particular hot spot for years .. waiting for the right moment to film his last journey. I believe many TV stations have started compiling his life story or start working on his documentary the moment he is hospitalise.
At last, his suffering had ended and he's moving on to eternal life. I'm touched by his life story. That compassionate image that flashes on my TV set over and over again. May God bless his soul!
Friday, April 01, 2005
A Dreamer Is Born
Today a dreamer is born .. Life is like a dream. Sometimes it's hard to figure out what's real and what's not. People are like actors and actressess on stage. I wonder if you agree with me?
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