Priceless

How down on one's luck can a person get?

Very, very low, apparently. And losing your mobile phone was the nail in the coffin when you didn't have your contacts backed up in Google. Uh... actually having backup doesn't help when you have no money to buy a new phone.

So... in order to make a fortune and get out of his current situation, he decided to make an ultra premium thermoflask priced out of reach of the commoners, partly because his partners and he decided to manufacture it labor-expensive Japan instead of outsourcing to China.

Luckily for him, his half-brother was too hell bent on destroying him and caused too many of his own workers to defect, resulting in his own downfall.

Too unrealistic for my liking.

6/10.

Triple Three @ Mandarin Orchard

A team gathering at somewhere impressive since... 2008?!

We are going to buffet lunch at Triple Three @ Mandarin Orchard! Somewhere on my radar! Yay yay yay!

So nice to see everybody! But why do I have to sit at an unhappening table? These guys are too quiet! And a few faces that I don't know. Not sure which project they belong to :X

The buffet spread is really extensive. I would have enjoyed it more if I had a personal caretaker to help me cut meat, shell prawns, eat happening stuff to inspire me... luckily it's free.

Lots of team lunches going on. I even bumped into a university friend, B. AHHH! LONG TIME NO SEE!

When are we going to THE LINE? :D

Menya Musashi

Outing to Ion Orchard. Sister wanted to try Menya Musashi. I have eaten it before, but I can always try another flavor. The red soup was TOO HOT! No more!

My black soup!

Hmm... the soup is thick yes, but it's also very sticky. But also not the starchy kind of sticky. Can get a bit 腻 due to that.

My siblings ordered white soup. Not sure if they are different though.

The waiter very kindly passed me a bib when he saw me making a makeshift bib out of the serviette.

Ordered gyoza too. Stuffed to the max! Really old liao.

End of Chapter

A the private OT was supposed to be back since 9 Oct, but he never contacted me. I decided to break the silence. He replied that he was about to text me actually, like how people who were supposed to take the initiative do.

He came by this evening. He showed me some exercises that I could do with the therabands and some help. He also set the electrical stimulator and showed me where to stick the electrodes. Ouch ouch so painful! To think I thought I could play Diablo while doing it :( Totally disabled.

I paid W $2850, after deducting $150 rebate from the original sum of $3000.

So this concludes the hospitalization chapter. Wow like 1 year later.

Universal Studios Singapore

Finally got a chance to go! Brother has a pair of adult passes and I think $100 F&B vouchers too? By topping up 3 more tickets, we can have a family outing.

Samsung Galaxy S3

2/10
I have been waiting for this day for the longest time!

Private OT

Some Time In June
Got to do something about the leave-taking.

Long Weekend

Ok, so I brought the HKAFO along with me to my appointment with Dr L. Wore my sports shoes too. He has time to watch me wear and use it meh? So bulky lor.

China Mooncake

Delicious! Very fragrant. So satisfied that we didn't buy any branded mooncakes this year.

Back to Normal Fees

26/7
As informed last month, there was going to be a revised fee schedule for my therapy, which would unfortunately, result in an increase in my fees. Wham!

True Colors

28/6
Got Mr ST to drive me to my hair stylist after therapy. Thanks!

Sneaky Stanchart

7/8/12
Just when I was about to pay my hospital bill, Stanchart disrupted my plan by sending a threat letter dated 4/8/12.

You Are On Your Own... Confirmed

Not very happy to see the CPF logo on the envelope. With a sense of foreboding, I tore it open.

It's Like Kena Fly Plane

Made a date with Z at AMK Hub foodcourt after OT session. I went home for a toilet break first as well as to doll up a little.

I thought I was late, but when I reached, she said she would be late and told me to find a seat first. Thinking that she would be here soon, I told Father to go eat first while I wait myself.

Hi MP

Get off my ass and act NOW!

Carrying out the last resort - appeal through my MP. My parents were convinced it would be in vain. I agree, but it's still worth a try when $40k is at stake.

Birthday CakeS

It's the time of the year for cake sampling. Under my sister's recommendation, I ordered from Flor Patisserie. I opted to get slices of cakes so that I could try more flavors. Ordered enough to make up the cost of a whole cake. I also added a whole chiffon cake so that I could try asking for free candles :X

See You Soon! For Fun

Ortho clinic again today.

He asked about my bills. Pay lor, what to do.

Nothing much for me today, so it's a hi and bye session. Was it because I forgot to bring my new HKAFO? He would see me again soon, in 2 months' time, just to know somebody is taking care of me.

Huh? So actually no need to come back to frequently one? Whatever, I don't mind at all. If not for all these consultations, I will never get a weekday break.

Consultation Services (SC - RV) $85.00
X-ray
 Spine Scolisis -AP & Lateral $110.00

Subsidy -$77.00
Out of pocket $118.00

Birthday Outing

Getting my teeth checked for the first time in 1+yr. Paid my dentist friend, W, a visit at the clinic he works at for polishing for scaling. Was late :X due to dilly dallying on my part and traffic jam on PIE... on a Saturday!

When I reached, W was having lunch at the foodcourt. No wonder he said nevermind.

Finally Walking

Nearly 1 month after receiving my HKAFO, I finally started walking proper. What a workout! Hot! Abrasions on hands and elbows! Shall wear longer sleeves next time. And shirt should be long enough to tuck into pants. And need to tie my pants.

Making Full Use of the MC

Today's a lucky, albeit busy day! I managed to schedule my No Use Hospital rehab clinic, CT scan for ortho clinic and PT all on the same day!

HKAFO's Second Outing + Spending Spree

Yesterday, heeding the vendor's advice, I went shopping for a pair of sports shoes. I bought a pretty pair of Columbia. Cheap with World of Sports membership!

Excuse to shop actually. I need socks too.

HKAFO's First Outing

Today, I brought my HKAFO for PT for the first time. (Sounds like a FML story haha)

You Are On Your Own

4/6
Ok I think CPF is not going to reply me. Knn at least say sorry can't help, you are on your own, instead of just keeping quiet mah!

Bed Bugs!

My thighs have been extremely itchy, with clusters of rashes. Curiously, only the area in direct contact with my chair are affected. Itching is worse in the day. So something is in my chair, but what?

Expensive Shit - Delivered

The orthosis vendor delivered my completed orthosis. Presenting the Hip-knee-ankle-foot-orthosis (HKAFO)...

Hot Gym, Hot Babes

OMG what's with the heat and open windows? Aircon not working at No Use Hospital gym!

Some aircon came back, but it wasn't cold enough. Dying during my exertions!

This is a place that needs to be colder. Only The Hope Killer outpatient gym can beat the heat here.

First Ramen Post-Discharge!

I'm baaack @ Ramen Champion!

One of my goals was to eat ramen outside and here I am! Got to eat very slowly, hence not so satisfying, but MSG always tastes so so so good~

O$P$ - Second Warning

One month on, another outstanding payment notice! Will the next one be red color?

Denial of the Reality

13/5
Time to take the bill out of cold storage. I'm seeing Dr L again next month, but before I storm into the consultation room to scream at him, I emailed CPF to ask if my claim was indeed rejected and why.

15/5
"Congenital anomalies are not covered under Medishield".

<denial>But I wasn't born with the spine problem what.</denial>

Thanks, CPF.

What should I say next?

17/5
I suppose this email thread is inappropriate for an appeal, so I replied asking how to file an appeal.

O$P$ & Mother's Day Celebration

Outstanding payment notice from No Use Hospital!

Play D3 first lah! I'm 1-day late! *Ignores*

Later tonight, was the belated Mother's Day celebration. Actually it's just an excuse to let Mother try the legendary eggless dairy-free cake.

Presenting, the Blue Forest cake from Delcie's.

About $45 I think.

Bad. Very bad. The cake is dry and rough with a strange odor. Cream is just weird without dairy. What's in that cream anyway?

If I had gone vegan voluntarily, it would mean I would have let go of delights contrary to my beliefs as well. I can't see myself embracing a cake-substitute.

Unless it's due to circumstances and that I miss cake so much that I would settle for less.

Sentosa & The Avengers

Landed on Sentosa for the first time in... no idea, definitely more than 5 years. Remember the last time was for the CNY flowers, which was a huge disaster with the heat and crowd.

Lunch was Malaysian Food Street. There was a queue to enter and no wheelchair priority BOO!

The interior and the people sitting near me.

Wanted claypot rice, but the waiting time was too long.


Char kuay teow, $5
Still can find $5 item in Sentosa, not bad. However, the portion is really healthy lifestyle. The prawns are Mother's so-called "玻璃虾", which has been soaked in baking soda for the extra crunch, but leaches the flavor.

Forgot what else we ordered coz no photos haha.

We went around looking for something to do. Came across the The Maritime Experiential Museum. Cheap entrance, hot weather, air-conditioned. We went for it. Not bad for the low entrance fee.

We took the monorail to the Siloso Beach. Got priority boarding yeah! Skip the weekend queue!

Wow when was the last time I have been to the beach? 2000 I think. Seriously. Ever since the sand became a no-go zone. I don't miss it that much when Singapore's waters are so murky and so not nice to look at.

Watched people attempting to surf in an artificial wave enclosure that looked like a bouncy castle. They were falling over most of the time. Good for laughs. Those people were so game.

Time to leave... took the monorail to Vivocity.

Dinner was Brother's favorite restaurant at Vivocity, The King Louis Grill & Bar, probably because they serve draft wheat beer. Father and Sister arrived and we ordered a platter to share.

The staff asked us for our feedback, so Sister told them that they served us food in a chipped plate/bowl. Did they regret asking? XD Service was ok, attitude not bad. Staff often wore a smile.

First movie since discharge is Iron Man 3 The Avengers at Vivocity! Pretty sums up the movie! Just forget the plot holes, don't think so much, sit back and enjoy!

Love the movie!
10/10

My thighs were super itchy the whole day, as they have been the past few days. The only grouse marring an otherwise perfect day.

Reality

The atomic bomb has been dropped.

Cure For the Wrist 2

I'm baccck!

Same long wait. Same treatment. Advised to return for another 2 treatments.

Got medication again. Still have plaster leftover, so no need to get more. $81.50.

I think that will be all for me eh hehe. Not 100% cured, but it's kinda expensive.

The Hope Killer Bill

Received the bill for my stay at The Hope Killer. It's managed to arrive sooner than No Use Hospital!

Therapy Rants

New client sharing transport with me. A lady who looked to be in her 30s with a bad leg. Although the transport plays the English station sometimes, she die die must broadcast her own songs from her phone. Gosh. Really don't get these people.

Cure For the Wrist

5 months on, my left wrist is still hurting. Should get some help already.

I expected Western doctors to just prescribe painkillers, so I decided to try TCM instead.

Expensive Shit

The orthosis vendor guy and a lady assistant came during lunch time to take my measurements. He asked for a pail and started making some kind of plaster to take a mould of my calves and feet.

The thing is going to cost $6k.

$6k.

$6k!!!

I thought $700 for the TLSO was bad, but 一山还有一山高! Dr L really thinks my pocket is a bottomless pit huh! Making me get this without knowing the cost!

I paid a $3k deposit. If only he accepts credit cards. Assuming a transaction charge of 3%, I still have 2% savings even if he passes the cost to me.

This sum could have paid for a holiday, but now I'm not going anywhere.

Sigh.

Morning Disappointing Tidings

Ehh how come he's coming for therapy today? :(

He told the driver it was because he had a medical appointment.

Chey! Still say it's because of the bad service? So it's because you are not free lah? Want to act tough, but actually got some other underlying reason!

Morning Glad Tidings

He really didn't come today! Hope it's permanent! Keep it up!

Transport was on time today. Now I know why it's always late.

And I can go home promptly after the end of my session. YAY!

Offloading the Overpriced Ointment

Good thing I have a PT scheduled so close to the Ortho clinic. Can go back to exchange the ointment. The pharmacist said that they tried calling me. So the missed call was from them.

Got my exchange and refund. All's fine.

The PT saw my new powered wheelchair. She's happy coz it's more convenient for them too now.

More Braces To Come

Follow-up at Ortho clinic today. Since the appointment was after peak hours and I had time on my hands, I decided to try taking MRT there with my powered wheelchair. Went smoothly. I guessed it's better since Father didn't have to transfer me on and off a cab and push me around.

X-ray first as usual. This time, I took the X-ray sitting. So many ways to get the desired X-ray. Is this what diagnostic radiography students spend 3 years learning in school?

After taking the X-ray, I went back to the clinic. Still early today, got to wait. Can't lunch first.

25 Minutes Wasted

The noisy guy is not only noisy in the transport. Today, he even quarreled with the staff. Well, usually he acted chummy with the admin staff, but I guessed he disliked the therapists. No idea what he was so unhappy with, but there were staff crowded around him, listening attentively while he gave them a earful.

Diablo III

Bought the game I have been waiting for!!!

I actually thought I could play it while I was on leave. Sigh.

Unlicensed Driver On The Loose

Rode the powered wheelchair out for the first time. Started with a low speed. This thing 反应迟钝 ley, only starts to move 1 second after pushing the joystick.

And reversing is hard! Reverse and turn corner even harder! Should I turn left or right to order to face right?

No wonder driving lessons are necessary.

Pills @ No Use Hospital

Curiosity drove me to abuse work resources find out what the No Use Hospital has been feeding me besides food and how much they cost. Dates are to the best of my knowledge. Generally, injections are more expensive than their pill version.

The Powered Chair

There's a conspiracy between rehab centres and the mobility equipment industry. I have been asked by my PT, S, again whether I was getting a powered chair. This time, I could give a positive answer, because E the social worker from The Hope Killer, has just contacted me with good news. Remembered that I had applied for fund by HSBC? So HSBC was feeling rich and has kindly decided to sponsor the purchase of a powered chair!

Depressed

How could I not be, when I have to be back at work TOMORROW?

Don't Speak

It's been nearly a month sharing the transport with this noisy guy who yaks non-stop during the journey. All I wished for was peace and quiet so that I could nap. Having to wake up at 7.30am is very taxing you know? *siams the rotten eggs*

Today, my ordeal was extended. For some reason, the driver decided to use Upper Thomson Road, which has a jam every morning. Maybe there's somebody new to pickup?

The noisy guy was not one who keeps quiet. He questioned the driver and found out he decided to travel via Lornie Road due to a traffic jam along CTE.

Ouch. Bad move.

The noisy guy wouldn't take it lying down. He started saying that the driver should have consulted him since he was "very familiar with the roads in this area, having traveled to Bukit Timah area for year". And he went on to describe the route he should have taken.

Father and I could only roll our eyes. I alone have 9 continuous years - try beating me? Yet we have not spoken a word.

By the way, the route he described is NOT the best.

Progress Report

Putting on weight! I'm sporting a double chin before I knew it. There is always too much food. Enough about eating more for healing. How can I consume the same portion as the rest if I don't even walk? Have to cut down already.

My toes nails are terribly soft. I used to have to press the nail clipper with 4 fingers and trim my toes nails after bathing so that they are softer. Now they crack and keep going whenever they a bit long. And the trimming process might crack them too. Argh.

Still having problem with toileting and transfer.

The scars on my face are still obvious. Plus a new pit right in the middle of my forehead, no thanks to that mega pimple. Thankfully, my cheapo beauty regimen has cured most of the other blemishes. Shall start trying the Asiatic Centella ointment of my face too.

PT at No Use Hospital today. Outpatient rehab really does not seem to be part of their focus. At least for the neuro department. There is only 1 PT and 1 TA at any given time. Large gym, but quite under-utilized. Funny that the doctors in the same hospital don't seem to be aware. Everytime ask me why only come once a month.

The canteen at Some People Died is pretty unappetizing. The teh tastes thin although the color looks ok. For cooked food, there's mixed vegetable rice, but the dishes look quite sad. Only half of the display shelf is filled, mostly with deep fried stuff - sausages, hash brown and the likes. Some oily-looking vegetables... and not sure what else, because I have no incentive to stop and find out. Maybe it's because there are so many food choices nearby. Pity the staff if they have to eat in on rainy days.

Seeing Colleagues After a Long Time

If I could go out to meet a friend, there was no reason that I couldn't go out to meet my colleagues... XD More so when the meal was going to be paid for and the place reasonably close.

Meeting a Long-Lost Friend

When I was still in the corner of Singapore, I was pleasantly surprised that Z, a friend from my JC CCA initiated a meetup. She offered to visit after I told her what I was up to, but I was sure nobody would want to go all the way there.

Goal Setting

The ~yawnz~ time of the year! As I was returning to work soon, my boss told me to do it. This time, she's doing it a bit differently. We were to submit a it in Word document for her to review first. Must be because the system was not very user-friendly.

The usual dunno-what-to-write. Still managed to come up with something.

Logged in to my email for the first time to send the document. The system wouldn't allow me to proceed unless I cleared some space first. Damn! Forcing me to read email!

Continuing Rehab

Some People Died never got back to me regarding the rescheduling of my third session. Looks like the twice a week arrangement was here to stay.

I have also changed my Friday afternoon slot in anticipation of my return to work. I figured I will lugi my leave if I were to reach home at 4pm and people started badgering me to work. It has become Thursday mornings at an earthly 10am.

Today was my second round of intensive physiotherapy. My monthly appointment at No Use Hospital.

Forgot to bring my TLSO! They didn't let me walk :((

While waiting for payment, I thought I saw C, my PT from The Hope Killer. Was she here for some conference? Interview? Or already quit liao? Haha!

杨门女将之军令如山

CNY, time for movies!

Star-studded, but so disappointing.

Did they have to dumb down the men in the family to emphasize the women's bravery?

And kept shouting "保护太君" when that was only a sub-mission. Old woman come battlefield for what? Zzz.

The numerous dunno laughing or crying faces of Cecilia Cheung.

I know she was supposed to be happy in one second and crying the next, but it came out weird.

From the movie title, I inferred that there were plans to make this a franchise. Guess it's not gonna happen.

Do not watch... 3/10

Rehab Follow-up

It's Dr E again. Still hasn't gotten her Hollywood fashion tape. Updated her on my rehab plans and lamented about the rehab department was unable to accommodate me. She expressed surprise, but I wondered if doctors are really clueless??

Asked her for some Anarex for my brother. This brought me to the pharmacy, where I noticed that a secondary school friend was listed as on duty. Somebody whom I haven't seen since J1. I don't even remember seeing her in university. I am not the kind to actively seek somebody out. Maybe 15 years ago, but definitely not now. I guess I would say hi, if we happened to see each other. She wasn't at the counters, so low chance. So ended up we didn't get to see each other.

Can't Wake Early No More

Second time waking up at 6am. Think everybody boey tahan already. I decided to request for a later slot, cancelling this session for now.

天与地

The show that got canned by TVB is finally out! So long, that 2 of the leads are no longer with TVB. And it got banned in China halfway, causing me great difficulty in sourcing for it!

Nice show. Different from the usual feuding women plot. Cannibalism, hidden reference to the Tiananmen Incident and the darkness of politics? Wa! Small case for a movie, but uncommon for a HK serial.

8/10

Zookeeper

Zookeeper is supposed to be a comedy, but I didn't find having to seek animal advice to woo a girl funny. It was painful to watch. But I finished it anyway haha.