Shingle Belle

Tis the season to be jolly... and what do i get? 1 week of quarantine at home. Sigh...

My headache started last Friday with a little bit of rash along my hairline. With the busy months i've been having, combined with change of sleep patterns, yadda yadda... i thought it was probably stress-related and didn't bother going to the doctor. Figured with a bit more rest and lots of fluid, i would be ok.

Instead, it got worse. Imagine your car alarm going whacked and sounding at odd intervals. THAT's how it felt!! It was as if my brain short-circuited and there was a blinking signal having a field day travelling up down and about my left side. The rash became redder than Rudolph's nose and started weeping. (No, it was not upset & crying...duh!)

Finally i raised the white flag and went (with much dread) to see the doctor yesterday. She wasn't able to confirm exactly what it was so i was referred to a specialist instead. In less than 2 minutes of seeing me, she told me it was shingles. *groan*

[Note to the imbeciles: 'Shingles' is NOT your status before you are married... and NO, it's NOT the same herpes as that of genital warts or mouth sores. So STOP asking me if it is.]

ANYway....so here i am, stuck at home... taking meds every 4 hours while trying very hard to ignore the itch. The headache is almost gone. Only 'pain' i get is from not being able to go out celebrate and from people who have been teasing me about how i got 'herpes' (yes yes, i know you buggers are only joking and you really care... but DURRR)

So whatever the reason, while this 'Shingle Belle' have her silent night... here's wishing everyone else a very MERRY CHRISTMAS with lots of fun, celebration & people you love.

The REST is up to you

A stranger came up to me at the supermarket today and asked if i knew how to cook. I was a little surprised as i was busy looking at the rows of pre-packed meats and didn't even noticed he was next to me. I supposed he thought my silent conversations with pieces of inanimate bovines was because i didn't know how to cook and not what to cook. :P

He proceeded to tell me he's a chef and gave a few easy suggestions. Either i looked hesitant or tired out because he then told me "It's a nice day... go home... fix yourself a good meal... read a book... don't bother with the going out. My advice is Take care of your stomach and the rest will take care of itself". :D

I thanked him and as he walked away, he said, with a twinkle in his eye, "Men aren't reliable... so take care of yourself". Hahahahahahaha.... I never found out his name nor which restaurant he worked/owned. But that brief encounter certainly made my day.

I took his advice and stayed in. Made myself a good dinner, tidied up my room, watched a bit of TV and just... relaxed. After a challenging week of having to deal with other people's demands, it is a welcome change to have some peace. I declined invites to go out... not because i don't enjoy the company of my friends... what more when we hardly have time to catch up. But for this weekend, i chose to REST...and the best part, i don't feel guilty about my decision. :)

Fairytale Ending

Not too long ago, i went to the bookstore to buy a birthday present for my friend's child. As i browsed through the children's section, in that moment, i felt as if i was transported back to my own childhood, to a different realm - a time where everything seemed possible.

Adventures are just a wishing chair away... lands filled with wonderful things appear on tree tops... and whatever 'trouble' that appears, there is always someone there to save you... be it a fairy godmother, a friendly giant, a charming prince *gulp*.

Fast forward the years and reality bites. Every day is another battle. Villians aren't so easily distinguished from the friendly neighbour. Wishes don't get granted with a swish of a wand or sprinkle of pixie dust. And the chivalry? Think the knight must've gotten lost or his horse died. :P

Perhaps the one comforting thought that remain are the woodland creatures - the most unexpected of beings... be it the squirrel who throws an acorn at your enemy or the strangely dressed one who makes you smile with his/her comments. Granted they may not look like they can play the lead role but without them, where would you be?

So a fairy tale? Maybe not... but a happily ever after (of moments) with the people that fill my life.. you betcha!! ;)

Good company

Goodness.. is it February already? Hard to believe that not too long ago, i was filled with fear and apprehension about moving on to my new job. By end of this week, it'll be TWO months since i started.. and yes, i'm STILL filled with fear and apprehension. :P

Not that i'm working with whip wielding slave drivers, nor asked to clean windows on a skyscraper. Have YOU ever SEEN those guys cleaning the outside of a skyscraper? Now THAT's something i'll never be able to do ... but i digress.

I suppose it's the adjustment to a new place, a new culture... dusting off some long forgotten skills. It's an exciting 'adventure' for me.. being here, given the opportunity to do more things, explore new ideas. A huge part of me feels liberated, yet another part is stuck in the 'old' mindset of remaining where it's 'safe'. There are days when i want to jump higher, run faster and days where i hit mental roadblocks.

Yet through those times, it had never crossed my mind to give up and look somewhere else for familiar ground. :) It has just been "Get through this.. one hurdle at a time". It does help that i have good colleagues. Especially the one i fondly call 'Princess'... (yes yes, you can pay me later for PR value.. hahaha).

Yup... I think i might be able to make it here. It's a good company to begin with... but more, it's my new found friends that make the company better. ;D