It's 4 a.m. and I cannot get back to sleep try as I might since an hour (or two?) ago, after answering nature's call.
I am knackered after a full day of activities yesterday but these eyes just won't shut and the body simply cannot find a comfortable position. Sigh.
Today, I foresee a long day ahead - we are having some guests over for lunch. Hence cooking + preparation from morning, entertaining may drag until the late afternoon and cleaning up after into the late evening/night. O joy.
Let me tell you this, being sleep-deprived is not the most charming of traits I possess.
How now brown cow?
Sunday 27 July 2008
Friday 25 July 2008
12 Hours Later
I did end up hauling my ass to work this morning. I'm good slash square like that.
I think it would be easier had this been KL cause I would have seen my GP and asked him to certify me 'unwell'; he in turn, would administer some vitamins + rest-well advice (bless Dr Chow) and provide a signed copy of a medical cert and I would happily (but sickly of course) be on my way home to rest, as all pregnant women would be allowed to.
But because the policy here is that one is permitted to self certify oneself of being ill, up to a max of five days, it makes me extremely conscious of calling in sick. They trust you to act like an adult and have faith that you really are sick when you say you are. It just seems wrong to abuse the system.
For the records, since being preggers, I have only taken three days off, and that was during trimester one when I was severely sick at the beginning where even chewing my own food was physically not possible due to my energy being zapped trying to prepare womb for bubs. O how I don't miss those days, they belong in a lttle dark corner called 'the past' and that's where they should stay.
So apart from those three sickies, I have been at work religiously despite sometimes wishing I could continue my slumber when my body was feeling so weak and refused to budge. I really should be thankful I was never sick enough to be medically certified unwell, unlike mumsy who was bed-ridden for 7 months apparently.
However, sometimes, I do wish I had that option to tell Dr Chow I'm tired and need a rest so please pretty please can I get an MC, consequently not turn up for work, but not feel an ounce of guilt the next day because the GP was the one who prescribed me the 'recuperating' time I needed. Just sometimes....
Anyways, work wasn't too bad, I survived it didn't I, and the weekend is finally here! Huzzah. Huzzah. Huzzah.
I think it would be easier had this been KL cause I would have seen my GP and asked him to certify me 'unwell'; he in turn, would administer some vitamins + rest-well advice (bless Dr Chow) and provide a signed copy of a medical cert and I would happily (but sickly of course) be on my way home to rest, as all pregnant women would be allowed to.
But because the policy here is that one is permitted to self certify oneself of being ill, up to a max of five days, it makes me extremely conscious of calling in sick. They trust you to act like an adult and have faith that you really are sick when you say you are. It just seems wrong to abuse the system.
For the records, since being preggers, I have only taken three days off, and that was during trimester one when I was severely sick at the beginning where even chewing my own food was physically not possible due to my energy being zapped trying to prepare womb for bubs. O how I don't miss those days, they belong in a lttle dark corner called 'the past' and that's where they should stay.
So apart from those three sickies, I have been at work religiously despite sometimes wishing I could continue my slumber when my body was feeling so weak and refused to budge. I really should be thankful I was never sick enough to be medically certified unwell, unlike mumsy who was bed-ridden for 7 months apparently.
However, sometimes, I do wish I had that option to tell Dr Chow I'm tired and need a rest so please pretty please can I get an MC, consequently not turn up for work, but not feel an ounce of guilt the next day because the GP was the one who prescribed me the 'recuperating' time I needed. Just sometimes....
Anyways, work wasn't too bad, I survived it didn't I, and the weekend is finally here! Huzzah. Huzzah. Huzzah.
Good Tidings
We have much to be thankful for. We are truly blessed. Amen.
But but but can I still skive off work today, really don't feel like going in. Blurgh.
But but but can I still skive off work today, really don't feel like going in. Blurgh.
Tuesday 22 July 2008
Social Distractions
O such bad luck has befallen upon me. I am to do the Q3 rcsa yet again despite taking off for maternity leave soon. What a pain, especially since there is now officially a department responsible for this but are not able to take my Q3 rcsa on board yet - apparently they are seriously under resourced. Wtf. Pardon my french.
Work has not been all that great but I comfort myself that this shall all end fairly soon. To console myself further, I welcome all forms of distractions in my personal life:-
Work has not been all that great but I comfort myself that this shall all end fairly soon. To console myself further, I welcome all forms of distractions in my personal life:-
- This week is busy busy; J is here from HK and will be celebrating her birthday tomorrow at Covent Garden 7.30pm. Need to get her a pressie too, but what?
- Thursday is the appointment with midwife. Finally I will get some bubdates and find out how bubba is progressing.
- Saturday, brunch with Rockchick and her girlfriends. It is daunting to be making new friends at my age, hope it goes well.
- To have IK's boss around for dinner one of these days (soon) because wifey isn't around and he does not cook at all.
- Next week, dinner with A + N, somewhere special, as it will be the last one before A leaves for Singers.
Sunday 20 July 2008
Ingredients for Summer ~ BBQs, Clowns, Ice Cream, Parks
Finally some semblance of summer-time. We were at IK's office summer party slash family day yesterday.
When we left at four, weather was ice-cream-perfect, plenty of sunshine! We adjourned the party in search of Thornton's ice cream before ending the evening at Greenwich Park, feeding the squirrels some nuts.
It was held at Gray's Inn's lovely garden/courtyard. There were lots of bouncing castles for kiddies + games for the adults too so IK was well entertained despite initial plans of leaving after an hour (!). Me, I was just enjoying the food - BBQ chicken, prawns and avocado salad was delish - and the company I was with.
When we left at four, weather was ice-cream-perfect, plenty of sunshine! We adjourned the party in search of Thornton's ice cream before ending the evening at Greenwich Park, feeding the squirrels some nuts. This morning, IK left for the Farnborough Airshow while I am home-bound busy sorting out the laundry. Boo hoo hoo. To be honest, laundry or no laundry, I would have tagged along had there not been any worry of how the thundering jet noise will/may affect bubba.
Alrighty I am off to marinade some chicken for din-din; nasi ayam on the menu tonight. Toodles.
Thursday 17 July 2008
I'm Such A Dumb Dumb
Went into work like the fool that I am and regretted every minute of it.
Should have stayed home *bangs head on wall*
Should have stayed home *bangs head on wall*
Wednesday 16 July 2008
C'est La Vie
I should really be in T2 LHR right now checking in for our Sicilian beach holiday. Instead here I am, still in the comforts of home, typing away on the laptop of my circumstances.
We cancelled our trip last night. All very last-minute.
Despite dying for a beach retreat for the longest time, we gave this a miss mainly due to the two reasons below.
The weather in Sicily is supposed to be 38 degrees, that’s even warmer than what I am used to in Malaysia and I was worried about what I read in the pregnancy lit – swelling of feet/hands/face when too hot and constipation (leading to piles) if dehydrated; the (common?) discomforts that may occur during pregnancy. (Am I being irrational, or too cautious here, by letting pregnancy rule my life/take the fun out of everything – remember We Will Rock You?)
Secondly, IK checked the reviews on the hotel and despite it being rated 4*, all the comments about the hotel were negative, apart from nice Mediterranean Sea views (oooh how lush is that but…). We tried looking for alternatives and perhaps pay a bit more for an upgrade but it appears that all hotels by the beach around the Palermo area had bad reviews, yes even the 5* ones. What is it with Italiano hotels?
At the time of booking this holiday, we took the option to be able to cancel it at a minimal fee. With that, Exp3dia was able to reimburse our hotel cost but we will only receive a credit note for the flight tickets. I very much doubt that we will have the opportunity to claim the credit note because the airlines’ policy for pregnant women to fly is 27 weeks (trimester 3) and that’s 1.5 weeks away for me.
Don’t know if we did the right thing. Am I disappointed? To say no completely would be a lie, so yes I am a little, but surprisingly not as much as I expected to be. But there goes my last holiday for the next erm, 5 years maybe?
I have booked my leave until the 21st, that’s Wed - Monday. Wondering what I am to do with all that time in my hands. Perhaps hit the shops and return all my maternity beachwear?
We cancelled our trip last night. All very last-minute.
Despite dying for a beach retreat for the longest time, we gave this a miss mainly due to the two reasons below.
The weather in Sicily is supposed to be 38 degrees, that’s even warmer than what I am used to in Malaysia and I was worried about what I read in the pregnancy lit – swelling of feet/hands/face when too hot and constipation (leading to piles) if dehydrated; the (common?) discomforts that may occur during pregnancy. (Am I being irrational, or too cautious here, by letting pregnancy rule my life/take the fun out of everything – remember We Will Rock You?)
Secondly, IK checked the reviews on the hotel and despite it being rated 4*, all the comments about the hotel were negative, apart from nice Mediterranean Sea views (oooh how lush is that but…). We tried looking for alternatives and perhaps pay a bit more for an upgrade but it appears that all hotels by the beach around the Palermo area had bad reviews, yes even the 5* ones. What is it with Italiano hotels?
At the time of booking this holiday, we took the option to be able to cancel it at a minimal fee. With that, Exp3dia was able to reimburse our hotel cost but we will only receive a credit note for the flight tickets. I very much doubt that we will have the opportunity to claim the credit note because the airlines’ policy for pregnant women to fly is 27 weeks (trimester 3) and that’s 1.5 weeks away for me.
Don’t know if we did the right thing. Am I disappointed? To say no completely would be a lie, so yes I am a little, but surprisingly not as much as I expected to be. But there goes my last holiday for the next erm, 5 years maybe?
I have booked my leave until the 21st, that’s Wed - Monday. Wondering what I am to do with all that time in my hands. Perhaps hit the shops and return all my maternity beachwear?
Friday 11 July 2008
Friday Statistics
Today Dadster celebrates his 3,640 weeks of exisitence (40 in womb + 3,600 in the world) vs. Bubba who celebrates her 25th week in my womb.
She certainly has a long way to go.
Happy 70th Birthday Pa, wish we were home to celebrate your milestone with you. Hope it was a good one anyways with mumsy + kitties! Lots of love from the wharf.
***
Current bad habits:
She certainly has a long way to go.
Happy 70th Birthday Pa, wish we were home to celebrate your milestone with you. Hope it was a good one anyways with mumsy + kitties! Lots of love from the wharf.
***
Current bad habits:
- Kit Kat
- Aero Mint Bubbles
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Melons, grapes, pineapple cubes, oranges + greek yogurt + muesli + seeds from citicafe
Current complaints:
- Lower backache (due to bump)
- Upper backache (due to bad bad posture)
- Expanding derriere (think J Lo)
- Easy and quick labour
Current iTune on repeat:
- Most of All – Jody Watley
Currently looking forward to:
- Some sun-worshipping activity next week. Finally a proper sand-in-feet, blue skies, crytal clear sea, sun-drenched beach holiday. Yahoo.
Currently counting down to:
- The start of 12 months of maternity leave – 26 working days before I am completely and blissfully work-free. Yahoo. Yahoo. Yahoooooooo.
Sunday 6 July 2008
I Did Not Achieve Much
Was feeling a tad bit adventurous tonight hence the new layout. Not adventurous enough to change the colours and font types though. Gimme a couple more months.
It has been a low key weekend simply because IK is sicky (but not sicky enough to be able to get all boisterous + provide criticisms/commentaries during the bloody 7/8 hours tennis finals hmm) and so our time together is limited. We were supposed to have breakfast with friends and that was cancelled too for fear of contracting the sore throat etc whilst being confined in car. Am trying not to contract the bug from him cause no GP will be able to prescribe me anything in my current condition. But this makes it all boring, after all he is my only accesible-at-all-times friend.
Despite all the idle time over the weekend, Monday has managed to creep up slowly from nowhere and it is back to work in less than 10 hours. I do want to go to work simply because staying at home bores me but I just wish my bosses were not around. Just me myself and I with a croissant or two, left on my own to catch up on my to-do lists. But what are the chances of that happening aye? Zero to none. Well, one can live in hope, can't one?
Been searching online for maternity skirts the whole day to no avail. Sigh. They are all either too short or in white + pastels. I need something in black (to hide my growing derriere) and below the knees (to hide ugly legs).
Highlight of weekend - major major grocery shopping. I have not done one since we got back from Msia and that was a month and half ago.
It is already 11 pm, I better get to bed. Need all the rest I can get to face the start of another week, under wet weather conditions. Nighty night London.
It has been a low key weekend simply because IK is sicky (but not sicky enough to be able to get all boisterous + provide criticisms/commentaries during the bloody 7/8 hours tennis finals hmm) and so our time together is limited. We were supposed to have breakfast with friends and that was cancelled too for fear of contracting the sore throat etc whilst being confined in car. Am trying not to contract the bug from him cause no GP will be able to prescribe me anything in my current condition. But this makes it all boring, after all he is my only accesible-at-all-times friend.
Despite all the idle time over the weekend, Monday has managed to creep up slowly from nowhere and it is back to work in less than 10 hours. I do want to go to work simply because staying at home bores me but I just wish my bosses were not around. Just me myself and I with a croissant or two, left on my own to catch up on my to-do lists. But what are the chances of that happening aye? Zero to none. Well, one can live in hope, can't one?
Been searching online for maternity skirts the whole day to no avail. Sigh. They are all either too short or in white + pastels. I need something in black (to hide my growing derriere) and below the knees (to hide ugly legs).
Highlight of weekend - major major grocery shopping. I have not done one since we got back from Msia and that was a month and half ago.
It is already 11 pm, I better get to bed. Need all the rest I can get to face the start of another week, under wet weather conditions. Nighty night London.
Friday 4 July 2008
(Loud) Music To The Ears
Seeing that my life will change drastically (in a good way no doubt) very soon and time will no longer be on my side, no more idle moments on how to spend my days and nights, I had a host of list of musicals I wanted to see at the West End. Mary Poppins, Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Chicago were tops. I thought I could go see at least one each month this year.
January we were away, end of February - early April I was suffering morning sickness, May we were back in Msia, and at end June we finally booked We Will Rock You. Yay Queen!
All excited we headed to Tottenham Ct Road on Wednesday evening, had dinner at Burger King across the theatre and we were settled in nicely in our seats by 7.15pm.
Then we realised something.
We had the speakers right in front of our faces. Literally. There we were, seated a few rows from the stage on the far left hand corner, with mega huge mean looking noise-generating machine staring back at us. Oh-oh.
When I was un-preggers, I never realised that the music can get a notch too loud in there. 10 minutes into the show I was wondering if bubba was okay to be exposed to such thunderous noise. I mean it was REALLY deafening. I covered bump with handbag (yeah like duh) as my oversimplistic solution and realised I still was not feeling comfortable with situation.
We decided to move to the back of the theatre and I kept my fingers crossed there would be some empty seats for us to switch to.
We managed to secure some seats about 7-8 rows from behind but I still found it way too loud. I was worried I would damage her ear drums, harm the development of her hearing or even scare her. After all, I did read that bubbas can already hear your voice, the surrounding and the rumbling tummy above her. I can't imagine what she must have thought had happened when Radio Ga Ga came on. Por little thing.
Despite being away from the speakers, it did not alleviate my worries over how bubba was reacting to the noise. In the end, my instincts kicked in and we decided to leave halfway through. After all I was not enjoying the musical completely what with the nagging fear I had.
I am abit shattered I did not get to stay till the end, I really wanted to hear my fave - Don't Stop Me Now and the other hits - but I guess tak ada rezeki.
I am also gutted that I won't be seeing another musical for a long long time.
Any mommy or pregnant women out there who has had similar experience on this maybe, since I googled the net and the reviews were mixed. Being risk-averse, I guess my approach was better to be safe than sorry.
January we were away, end of February - early April I was suffering morning sickness, May we were back in Msia, and at end June we finally booked We Will Rock You. Yay Queen!
All excited we headed to Tottenham Ct Road on Wednesday evening, had dinner at Burger King across the theatre and we were settled in nicely in our seats by 7.15pm.
Then we realised something.
We had the speakers right in front of our faces. Literally. There we were, seated a few rows from the stage on the far left hand corner, with mega huge mean looking noise-generating machine staring back at us. Oh-oh.
When I was un-preggers, I never realised that the music can get a notch too loud in there. 10 minutes into the show I was wondering if bubba was okay to be exposed to such thunderous noise. I mean it was REALLY deafening. I covered bump with handbag (yeah like duh) as my oversimplistic solution and realised I still was not feeling comfortable with situation.
We decided to move to the back of the theatre and I kept my fingers crossed there would be some empty seats for us to switch to.
We managed to secure some seats about 7-8 rows from behind but I still found it way too loud. I was worried I would damage her ear drums, harm the development of her hearing or even scare her. After all, I did read that bubbas can already hear your voice, the surrounding and the rumbling tummy above her. I can't imagine what she must have thought had happened when Radio Ga Ga came on. Por little thing.
Despite being away from the speakers, it did not alleviate my worries over how bubba was reacting to the noise. In the end, my instincts kicked in and we decided to leave halfway through. After all I was not enjoying the musical completely what with the nagging fear I had.
I am abit shattered I did not get to stay till the end, I really wanted to hear my fave - Don't Stop Me Now and the other hits - but I guess tak ada rezeki.
I am also gutted that I won't be seeing another musical for a long long time.
Any mommy or pregnant women out there who has had similar experience on this maybe, since I googled the net and the reviews were mixed. Being risk-averse, I guess my approach was better to be safe than sorry.
Tuesday 1 July 2008
Land of Tulips [Minus the Tulips]
We celebrated (well in my books any occasion is a good excuse to celebrate) my 23 weeks' milestone with a trip to the Land of Tulips, Clogs, Cheese and Windmills.
It was a fab trip, I love Amsterdamster.
For its easy access to drugs. For the Red Light District.
Kidding. Kidding.
Top 10 reasons why I love this European city, in no particular order:
- Great restos and eateries abound - authentic yummy Indonesian and Siamese food (I have yet to find anything similar in London)
- Beautiful flowers in abundance - the Dutch seem to be very passionate about their flowers
- Bicycles everywhere! Doggies in baskets, toddlers in seats, men in suits, despite ladies all dressed to the nines, their bicycles were totally unattractive, very generic and berkarat, it was odd (I would insist that my bicycle stand out amongs the crowd and reflect my personality in terms of colour at least)
- Colourful clogs - I wish I could buy many many more to start MY CLOG COLLECTION, they are so cute
- Its beautiful architecture - homes, Rijksmuseum, general buildings
- We found a gem of a shop that sells lovely decorations for the home, if only we had the capacity to buy loads more sigh
- Our hotel, near Leidseplein, was a perfect choice, very very central to everything touristy
- Lovely canals - I'd love to have my birthday party on the boat while cruising the gorgeous canals in the warm summer breeze basking in the evening sun with good food, good company *bliss*
- Great selection of food (I'm Malaysian, nothing else matters)
- Great selection of food
OK. So maybe Top 8, but who's counting eh?
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