Sucky being Sicky

Oh my god. What a week this has been.

IK came home on Monday with the worst fever, cough, flu, sore throat. Because my worst nightmare is getting a sore throat in London (horrid past experience when I first arrived here - no GP i.e. free NHS consultation, would prescribe me antibiotics despite having an inflamed throat for > 1 week, then paid private health care at £50 per 15 min consultation and hey presto - a course of antibiotics prescribed immediately wtf), I made sure IK and I slept in separate rooms and not breathe the same air.

Despite taking the necessary precautions, I woke up Wednesday morning with exactly that - a sore throat. After all that clever scheming - if I was in kitchen, he would be in his room, if he was in living room, I’d be confined to my room, vice versa – I still got infected.

I was obviously very hysterical at 6 am that morning when I awoke with the rough feeling in my throat, I immediately called IK on the mobile (we slept in different rooms remember?) and blamed IK for giving this to me. Very cruel of me but this is a fact that whatever virus he contracts from his stupid office-mates, he will ultimately pass it on to me, every single time I kid you not. Hence the abuse he received at six bl**dy a.m.

All I could do was nurse the pain in my throat and the fever with lots of water and occasionally the odd honey and lemon mixture to soothe the soreness - as advised by all the usel*ss free NHS GPs in London. Did I mention how much I hate getting sick here?

We were both bed ridden for two days. I could not eat much, forced myself to swallow two slices of bread with a cheese slice for all three meals. I was so weak I was in bed 24/7. IK was a little better off than me as he had his course of antibiotics, paracetamol and cough drops to mask all his pain.

It was truly the worse feeling ever - being ill, with no medication, no one fit enough to care for you, being quarantined with nobody to talk to; needless to say they were the two longest days of my life.

Today despite not feeling 100%, I had to get back to work. I stress whenever I am away from the office – stress about the deadlines I must meet, agonize about the emails mounting up (2 days away from the office and I had to sieve through 90 odd emails today), fret about the work I have not completed, get anxious speculating the auditors' requests etc. Yes I lose sleep whenever I am away from work. I cannot help it, I am not the most relaxed and easy-going person around.

First half at work was not so good but I felt better after lunch and you know what, we both agreed that being out (no doubt it was the office and not Hyde Park) did do us both some good. Being cooped up at home and confined to the bedroom, for two days, me and four, him, was really depressing and that must have not helped with the recovery process.

Right now I am feel ing a whole lot better. Just in time to welcome the weekend. Can't say the same for IK though, he is still feverish and coughing like a demon.

I Need A New Hobby/A New Life?

Have decided to make an effort with maintaning this blog cause I got slagged off by IK for not updating regularly. Will write very briefly about the last week or two of what little I can remember.

Let us begin with the last weekend. An old schoool friend and coincidently ex colleague had a lunch party at her place in North London. She served delish finger food and impressively whipped up kuih seri muka for dessert. I met some old friends and made new ones there, all very interesting people indeed. All in all it was enjoyable despite my first reaction of trying to find an excuse to get out of attending it in the first place. I know, I am terrible. Blame it on the hormones.

I think Sunday I was pottering around the house feeling depressed the weekend was almost over. You know the usual whining and moaning of 'why does the weekend always fly by swiftly and do I really have to go to work tomorrow' .

Then the week at work went by quickly and was pretty uneventful save for the ongoing ARR review. Oh no, I do remember being hassled by the doofus QA team. God I hate them so.

Ended the week with kebab/chiken tikka/naan for dinner on Friday night and bumped into friendster who had us over for lunch last weekend (mentioned above). Small world. Or perhaps the kebab joint is rather popular amongst malaysians.

Yesterday I had my eyebrow threading and leg wax appointment at noon. We ended up in MH for lunch and overindulged on fried vermicelli, keropok lekor, goreng pisang and some kuih lopez.

I wanted to check the sales at the Gap flagship store and since parking is near impossible around Oxford Street, we left the car near MH and I dragged IK on the Central Line. We braved the manic crowd all the way from Bond Street Station; and whilst I plodded on to Gap, IK made a pitstop at HMV.

The effort made was worthwhile indeed; I got some really good bargains and left the store a very happy bunny with my new khakis, jeans and combat trousers.

Watched some Little Britain before going through pains trying to decide what to have for dinner. We truly are sick of the usual restos we patron and nothing gives us that satisfying feeling anymore. Need some new restos to venture to badly. We ended up at Nandos despite IK's decison on GBK. Hiks.

Today was just another lazy day at home; although I did have the laundry, ironing and some cooking done. So hurrah me.

I almost forgot - today is also that same day that I would get all depressed thinking about miserable Monday morning. Big fat sigh.

***

With the loony cold weather I have not had the opportunity to practice my shutterbug skills. I so miss the EOS and the fun I get out of it. I am in dire need of taking some photographs before I go bonkers.

I am truly bored.

Zzzzzz

Life has been stagnant. Nothing out of the ordinary happening. Nothing to report in this blog.

The usual routine; work, eat, sleep, some weekend R&R. Repeat.

Beijing 2008

Quite an eventful Sunday.

Apart from the snow, I was lucky to witness the Olympic Torch run en route to the Millenium Dome, scheduled to pass by the wharf at 5 p.m.

There were pro-Tibet protestors (shouting 'shame on China') and pro-China supporters around bearing China/Olympics flags, hence the heightened security observed. Apparently there were protestors trying to make a grab at the torch and attempts made at extinguishing the fire! Thankfully nothing unexpected happened on our route.

These photos were taken right outside my office, see if you can soak in the atmosphere.

Snow at the Wharf

Woke up to heavy snowfall this morning. Howsabout that huh, snow in spring? Obviously the phrase - country with four seasons in one day - didn't come about out of nothing.

IK braved the cold and went about the wharf snapping some shots while I made jemput jemput pisang for brekkie in the warmth of our home.

Our little backyard enveloped by fresh clean sheet of snow.

It was about two inch thick.

The Basin behind our house.

The daily route taken to work.

The park behind my office.

The innocent victims of unpredictable weather.

Spring Surprises

Look what I received via the post last week.

What a delightful surprise indeed. Can't thank this ever so talented lovely lady enough for her generosity and thoughtfulness.

Thank you Zaza, this is such a beautiful sunshiny spring-inspired card you've made, I'm so touched.

I can only wish for good things to come your way; sunshine, beautiful blooms, good health and lots of love, joy & laughter with Aidan and Hardy!