Hardship

I sometimes blogged about my childhood as a form of catharsis, and also to note down some minor details in life which I thought are good to remember.

Howoever, a person who had suffered less or no hardship than others does not make him a lesser person. While hardship is sometimes perceived, everyone's life experience is unique and everyone has his own trial and tribulation which others may not had experienced. Some people may not have suffered poverty or broken home, but may have fought battles with diseases and illnesses. Some may have led a relatively peaceful life had taken on challenges by acquiring new knowledge and skills, and yet some are strong advocates against cruelty towards animals.

It is impossible for us to experience everything, but as we interact with one another, we can learn from one another.

20B, Nankin Street

20B, Nankin Street was where I spent some time living with my paternal grandparents. My grand parents and two of my uncles lived in the attic floor (3rd floor) of the shop house. The ground floor was a warehouse for Chinese herbs. The 2nd and 3rd floors were rental rooms.

On the attic floor was devided into 4 small rooms, 2 of which were occupied by other families. My grandma and my uncles occupied the other two. There was an a kitchen and bathroom at the rear of the attic floor. That's were I learned to use karosene and charcoal stove to boil water, cook and make soups.

I haven't been back to Nankin Street since it was revamped. But I'll do so some day.

The pic on the top right shows the crossroad between Nankin Street and China Street. At the background is OCBS building. The ground floor at the corner shop house used to be occupied by fish mongers. I did most of the grocery shopping were done at the back lane of China Street.

I completed the Sundown 10km

Yes, I did it. Not only did I make it to the Sundown starting point, I had also completed the run in better timing than last year.

I had problem getting the shuttle bus service. There wasn't any in sight after 30 mins wait. So I took a cab to the Changi Exhibition Centre (starting point). It cost me another $12.40. I was on time. And just before the flag off, participant's attention were directed to the beautiful sunset. It's so mesmerising. Somehow it reminded me of the yummy salted egg yoke.

The moment the race started, I felt that it was all worth the while. The evening was so serene. I reminded myself not to rush. Any stitches or cramp would spoil the fun. So I focused on enjoying the evening sky with airplanes soaring like birds and the occasional roaring of airplanes from the runway. As darkness engulfed the route, the breeze help cool our tired bodies.

When I reached the finishing point, I was so famished I gobbled up two bananas, almost swallowing the skin as well. Met a colleague who participated in the corporate challenge. After a short chat with her, I took a bus home. I think I had improved on last year's timing.

Pre-run Jitters

About 2 more hours to the 10 km run.

Just reached home from fetching Alyssa, changed into the race T. Don't think I have the time to take dinner. So ate a piece of bread with peanut butter., hydrate myself with a glass of water. Now I'm having pre-race jitters. Not sure whether the shuttle bus service route is correct. Checked website. It says pick-up point is at Pasir Ris Interchange, also available along Dr 1. Is the info reliable? I think I am trying to come up with some excuses. I think I had better start going.

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From these:

To these:


and these:

and these.

87B Duxton Road

87B Duxton Road, that's the place I had lived from the time I was born till I turned 19. My humble (I mean really humble) abode was a tiny rented room on the 3rd storey pre-war shop house. Furnishings consisted of a double bed, a small round dining table, a shelf 1 cupboard and 1 wardrobe and 1 dressing table. A monochrome wedding photo displayed prominently on the wall until one fine day when someone felt it no longer deserve a place in the room. Our room was quite airy, with very large windows on two sides. The six sq ft or so free space available served as our play area as well as a place for us to sleeping.

A small pantry was placed outside the room for crockery and left over food. Kitchen, bathroom and toilet facilities were shared amongst tenants living on the same floor. In the earlier years, the place was well maintained as the tenants were mainly families. In the later years, most families had moved out, and with the influx of M'sia workers, it was more lucrative for the land lady to sub-let the rooms to them. During my first year in varsity, we relocated because of urban renewal.

Sometime last year, I brought my children to check on the place. The shop house where I used to stay is now part of Berjaya Hotel Singapore.

Grandma and her children

My paternal grandma told me alot of her life stories during my stay with her. Though I was very young, some of the them etched deeply in my memory.

Grandma arrived at Singapore in a Junk from Samsui Province, Guangdong, China at the age of 12. Her mother, i.e. my great grandma, had been here working at construction sites. Grandma was matched made and married when she was 19. She had a total of 12 children. The first 10 were boys. Times were bad. Four out of the first five died at infancy, one of them was sent to a church when he was ill. My grandma hoped that he would receive medical attention and be given a fighting chance. "The priest sprinkled some water on him and took him away," she said matter of factly. She never knew what happened to that child. In the interim, my grandpa turned to opium as a form of escape. Life became tougher for the family. The sixth to tenth sons (including my father) survived, and gradually grandpa quit opium. But he could only afford very basic education for them. So all the five boys were street urchins. The last two children were girls. WWII broke out and the girls contracted diseases and died as they couldn't get any medical attention. I often wonder how grandma coped with all these set backs.

Will I Be There?

The Sundown 10 km will be on 29 May 2010 at 7 pm. I've somehow prepared myself for it, but psychologically, I am not so motivated because this time, I'm going alone. If I make it to the starting point alone, that'll be a breakthrough for me.

Life Skills

During my stay with my grandma, she taught me important life skills like grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning and sewing. Cooking a simple meal for 7 to 8 people wasn't a problem for me. Eventually, when my siblings and I were on our own again, I would cook whenever possible. However, I would do a sloppy job for other aspects of housework, especially cleaning and laundry. I am too lazy. Nevertheless, I am very thankful to my grandma for teaching me. Thank you Ah Ma.

I Fell (again!!!)

I had a fall just outside my work place today. It happened as I was too engrossed sending sms to my boss and did not notice the curb. I twisted my right ankle at the curb, lost my balance, and that sent me on all fours. A kind soul asked me whether I was ok. I thanked him and replied that I was alright. No serious damage. Only sustained a bruised knee and a small cut on the right palm. My right thumb is still in pain though. Thank god the ankle was fine after a short rest. I don't believe it! This is the second time I had fallen in this month, it's like an omen. I had better clear my IPPT before I sustain any severe injury.

Event Under Scorching Sun

Spent the afternoon outdoors attending a Well-Being event for staff. The whether was crazy! The scorching sun almost set me ablaze! So I took cover in the shade most of the time and enjoyed watching the happenings from a distance. I'm glad that the event was well organised, everything went on smoothly and the turnout was great. And many thanks for the GOH who graced the event.

Stitches removed

Went to the clinic to have my stitches removed. There after went to the gym. The treadmill were taken up, so I did the stationary bike for about 15 mins and headed home because father was waiting for me. Chatted with him for a while before he went about taking care of Joel. It's a morning well spent before I go back to office in the afternoon.

A friend who is reminiscing Japan

Got some Japanese bean snacks for a friend who is still reminiscing is Japanese vacation in Apr.

Sunday and Monday

Did not get to go for my evening jog as planned. Had to keep Alyssa company. So ended up doing only 30 sit-ups. When I return to office tomorrow, the first task is to complete the briefing slides for Monday and Tuesday. Have to cut down my vacation leave (intended for removal of stitches) on Tuesday to half-day because of the briefing =(

Race Pack Collection

Collected the Sundown 10 km race pack at Raffles City in the late morning and spent a couple of hours there shopping. Ran into boss while browsing at Dorothy Perkins. What a coincidence. Pic on right was taken on the train heading towards Raffles City.

Preparing for Sundown 10km

Managed to drag myself out for a jog at the Aquaria Park. Next week will be the Sundown 10 km run. Can't afford to slacken. Moreover, I've just cleared IPPT medical screening -will be taking IPPT soon.

Retreat

Went for work retreat today. Hope to be able to work out the workplan. I felt that we had not accomplished much. Will have to continue with some discussion to work on some concrete plans to be presented at a later date.

My Hungry Siblings

I mentioned I was sent to my granny's place for sometime. That means I was separated from my other siblings for a period of time. My elder sis had dropped out from school early due to lack of motivation to study. She was in her mid-teens, and did her very best to take care of my other 2 siblings. But she was still a child after all and at times, had slackened in her responsibilities. My father had to work, and would expect her to at least prepare meals for my siblings. It was heart breaking news for me when I heard that one day, Terence and my little sis were left hungry without a single meal for the whole day. Terence and my little sis had to go about locating my elder sis in the neighbourhood, but to no avail. One of my relatives chanced upon them and gave him some money to buy a meal. I was very upset when my relative related the incident to my granny. I wonder how many times this had happened to them.

My Little Sis met with an accident

Very often, my siblings and I were left to fend for ourselves when we were little. Very often, Terence, my elder brother had to take on the responsibility of taking care of my little sister. Wherever my brother went, my little sis tagged along. One evening, when I was in primary 3 (my little sis was 4 yrs my junior), my brother had brought her along for some errand. Unfortunately, she was knocked down by a motorcycle while they attempted to cross the road. She sufferred abrasions and severe burns to her hands and legs and was sent to SGH by ambulance. Though not life threatening, the pain must be excruciating for a little girl. Terence must have been traumatised. During every subsequent return to the hospital to change her dressing (often accompanied by my elder sis), my little sis would be terrified and cried till the entire episode is over. Thank god she recovered fully eventually.

A Child's Swollen Arm

The recent minor surgery reminds me of another similar ailment when I was in primary 1. A tiny growth on one of my arms left unattended grew into a big lumpy mess with puss oozing out. As the pain intensified, my brother (who is 2 yrs older) told me that it would help if I use my body weight to press on the lump while I sleep. I stupidly did as I was told. The same night, the inflamation resulted in a fever, but I slept through the night after taking one tablet for fever. Somehow, the fever went away and the pain on my arm became less intensed the following day. Eventually, the swell disappeared and I was OK.

Farewell Party

Boss and another of my colleague will be assuming new duty posts elsewhere outside the current unit. Feeling kind of sad that boss has to leave. Though I am not comfortable with the fact that she had hidden agenda in every decision she made, she had been most accommodating person I've seen. We will be having a dinner in two days' time. I had gathered past and present colleagues who had worked with her. Hope she'll enjoy the evening. Pic on the right are the presents we've prepared for them.

Minor Surgery

Went to a clinic to remove a growth from my hip. Received a few stitches, and have to return next week to remove the stitches. Did not even know what causes it. sigh. But thank goodness, I had local anesthetic and the procedure wasn't painful (unlike the mammogram!), and I could still move around comfortably thereafter. Since I had the day off, I went to Tampines One to do some shopping and went home to prepare lunch for me kids. Also managed to supervise Alyssa to revise for her science exam tmr. Day well spent.

Alexus' Haircut

Boy sms me one day to tell me that he wanted to bald himself. It turned out that he was caught "spotting long hair" with a few other classmates by his school teacher. They were told to go for a decent haircut or they'll risk getting "zero" for their exam the next day. Though he felt that the teacher was stupid as his hair wasn't long, he complied. So, together with 7 other boys, he went to cut a no. 3 at a nearby baber. Thereafter, they paraded back to school and took a few photos to be posted on Facebook. Boy denied that it was an act of defiance, but he related his story with a sense of pride. I found it rather hilarious.

After Thoughts

Went for mammogram this pm. My first time undergoing the procedure. The results will be sent to me in two to three weeks' time. Can't help thinking "what should I do if I have contracted cancer?" Refuse treatment hoping that I'll survive long enuf to see my children grow up? Should I be glad so long I can prolong my life till my children are old enuf. Even if the result is negative, I may die from other diseases, accident or self-harm. Hope I am ready to let go whatever stage of life I'm at. Ha, if it is self-harm, I should be ready. Hopefully I need not entertain such thoughts till 10 to 15 yrs later unless some events hasten it. For me, the whole idea of when I am ready to die hinges on whether my children have grown up. I believe most mothers think that way.

5 km

Managed to jog abt 5 km just now:)

Mothers' Day

Went on a slow morning jog on mothers' day. Covered approx 3 kms. My darling Alyssa gave me a present and a card. She's always so sweet. I learned that the present was bought using her pocket money. It was an uneventful day as Alyssa had resumed her swimming lesson. While at the swimming pool, spent some time listening to a colleague vent his frustration and disappointment. Had late lunch and returned home.

Alyssa had resumed piano lesson and Catechism

Alyssa attended piano lesson today - her first after her surgery. she's missed the last lesson but I guessed she'll catch up fast. I rushed her off to Catechism class after piano lesson. As we need to walk abt 500 m from Tampines Mall to Church of the Holy Trinity, she felt uncomfortable. Had to slow down and was late for Catechism.

Experimenting with Balloons

With the help of a colleague, I managed to do up a balloon arch for one event at work. The finished product was quite spectacular, and together with the poker-dotted walls (using balloons), the entire event was liven up. It was meant to be an experiment, and initially, I did not had the confidence of making a balloon arch as I thought building the frame using improvised materials would be a major challenge. And I had contemplated doing only straight columns. Fortunately, it was my colleague who stopped my self-sabotaging thoughts and insisted that we should try the arch. And viola, we had a balloon arch.

Labour Day

Spent a few hours with some colleagues helping an elderly HCA home care patient paint his gates. the pl is at circuit rd. HCA coordinator, Josephine and 2 students from SMU and SIM joined us for the task. We started work at about 10 am and completed the painting at about 2 pm. There's some more work to be done, ie. to block the back gate with perpex. My colleagues will return on next Tuesday to get it done. It was this day that I realised that the circle line was operational and I took a ride from Macpherson sttn to Paya Lebar Sttn with a colleague.