I've been on leave, or rather Medical Leave for the past 3 weeks. The cause: CHICKEN POX!! It's really weird that I got it just suddenly, out of the blue. One day I was working at a hotel with my team; the next day, I felt sick and had 2-3 blisters on my neck. A trip to the doctor confirmed my mum's suspicion. Of course...the moment it was confirmed, mum and sis alienated me as they both had yet to contract chicken pox. Only dad was brave enough to come near me. But then, he too was cautious despite already having chicken pox when he was young.
I had to carry down my matress and pillows to sleep in the hall. My clothes were kept isolated from the rest of the laundry; I was confined to my "side of the house". All in all, I was "cordoned" off to one side of the house.
Surprisingly, I did not feel itchy. My body temperature was haywire, I had no appetite (which is sooo not good as I am already thin!!), and all I did for the first week and a half was sleep almost the whole day long!! I only got up to eat (or rather nibble on some food and keep myself hydrated) and have neem soap baths. I also had my body painted with blended neem leaves with a bit of kunyit added into the blend. This practice may sound weird as usually, we just use the neem leaves to rub over ourselves to easy the itch and also sleep on the leaves to help cool our body. But when my brother got chicken pox and according to my aunt, his spots were like 'mutant pox'...she decided to blend the leaves and paint him with it. The result? The blisters dried quickly and there were no scars!! He now has beautiful skin.
Naturally, with me being vain and worried about having scars especially since my face seemed to bear the brunt of the disease, I followed and am still following the neem bath practice. I'm happy to say, the spots on my face dried rather quickly, fell off and now...although I can see faint scars, I'm fairly certain it'll all disappear as besides the neem baths, I'm also applying pure, concentrated vitamin E. As for the spots on the rest of my body, I'm hoping that the combination of neem soap baths and application of Franch Oil will help reduce the marks.
Contracting chicken pox when in adulthood only doubles the symptoms. Meaning, more spots, longer recovery period etc. My spots took about two weeks to appear fully and only in the 3rd week did it start drying and dropping off. I return to work on Monday and after being on leave for so long...I'm kinda dreading it.
But then...once I go back to work, it's only 3 weeks to the last week of December when once again I'll be off as the office is close for Xmas and New Year. So I can't really complain!!
And so...as I move on from my chicken pox experience, I'm looking forward to shopping for Xmas! Yippee!
December 3, 2010
November 13, 2010
Deepavali
One week ago was Deepavali. As usual, on the eve, the entire family (sans a few cousins) gathered at Ceylon Lane (previously it was at Argyll Road) for prayers and dinner. I think we (read: dad, sis and I) were the last to arrive – mum was at the shop – but thankfully, the food that was ordered still hadn’t arrived.
In the meantime, one of the lights in the living room was not working and so some of the men of the house wanted to be macho and tried to fix the light. In the end, there was a new light bulb, the light was not fixed, the starter was broken to pieces and it was concluded that there was something wrong with the “balas” (or something that sounds like that).
The food finally arrived and so the prayers started. As usual, the men went first, women were next, and then the grandchildren last. No argument there. Since the grandkids were the last to perform the prayers, we were also the first to eat!! There was a spread of ghee rice, chicken curry, mutton, dalcha, cabbage, mango chutney and the famous chilli sambal! YUMS!
After tucking in, some relatives left, some watched TV, while some sat outside chatting. One of my aunts bought some fireworks/crackers (though it’s illegal) and some of us cousins had a blast! We ushered in Deepavali a bit earlier this year as we couldn’t wait for midnight to approach. Dad and an uncle lit up two long strands of firecrackers simultaneously and I think I was deaf for awhile afterward.
Once I got over my deafness, sis and I headed to the shop to see mum and give her some food. Midnight struck and as is the norm, fireworks/crackers from all sides of the shop went off! It was fun!
Coz we slept late the night before, we got up late the next day. After praying at home, we headed to granny’s house for brunch. There was hot tosai, home-cooked chicken curry, dalcha etc. In the meantime, lunch was being prepared.
The mandatory photo-taking session was next, so it was all poses, smiles and *cheeses*!! Photos are up on FB.
A small dinner part to be held the next day was cancelled so we had a quiet family dinner at home. The menu: CHINESE food! Lol…I’m sure I don’t have to tell you the reason for the choice of food.
I was on leave for the next two days so it was spent at home and at the shop.
BTW…our washing machine died on us just a few days before Deepavali and that was a bummer. Thankfully it could be repaired! Handwashing one load of clothes was tiring!
In the meantime, one of the lights in the living room was not working and so some of the men of the house wanted to be macho and tried to fix the light. In the end, there was a new light bulb, the light was not fixed, the starter was broken to pieces and it was concluded that there was something wrong with the “balas” (or something that sounds like that).
The food finally arrived and so the prayers started. As usual, the men went first, women were next, and then the grandchildren last. No argument there. Since the grandkids were the last to perform the prayers, we were also the first to eat!! There was a spread of ghee rice, chicken curry, mutton, dalcha, cabbage, mango chutney and the famous chilli sambal! YUMS!
After tucking in, some relatives left, some watched TV, while some sat outside chatting. One of my aunts bought some fireworks/crackers (though it’s illegal) and some of us cousins had a blast! We ushered in Deepavali a bit earlier this year as we couldn’t wait for midnight to approach. Dad and an uncle lit up two long strands of firecrackers simultaneously and I think I was deaf for awhile afterward.
Once I got over my deafness, sis and I headed to the shop to see mum and give her some food. Midnight struck and as is the norm, fireworks/crackers from all sides of the shop went off! It was fun!
Coz we slept late the night before, we got up late the next day. After praying at home, we headed to granny’s house for brunch. There was hot tosai, home-cooked chicken curry, dalcha etc. In the meantime, lunch was being prepared.
The mandatory photo-taking session was next, so it was all poses, smiles and *cheeses*!! Photos are up on FB.
A small dinner part to be held the next day was cancelled so we had a quiet family dinner at home. The menu: CHINESE food! Lol…I’m sure I don’t have to tell you the reason for the choice of food.
I was on leave for the next two days so it was spent at home and at the shop.
BTW…our washing machine died on us just a few days before Deepavali and that was a bummer. Thankfully it could be repaired! Handwashing one load of clothes was tiring!
November 9, 2010
Brief update but not about Deepavali
So I had a nice long weekend last week; time spent with family and friends. But I'll not be writing abt that today as I have something else to complain about.
As I was relishing my last day of leave yday, I got an SMS from a colleague telling me that the PPT team at work will be based at B-suite from Nov 11 to Nov 22, working almost non-stop (read: 12 hours a day),everyday including weekends. We're given this Sunday off (thank God) but have to work on Haji and the weekend that follows.
Why? Because the big bosses are in a rush and they are worried. When we voiced our concerns and requested for help...everyone turned a deaf ear! Now...when the deadline is sooooo near and we're actually late on some things...we are made victims due to their "deafness"!
SIGHS!
As I was relishing my last day of leave yday, I got an SMS from a colleague telling me that the PPT team at work will be based at B-suite from Nov 11 to Nov 22, working almost non-stop (read: 12 hours a day),everyday including weekends. We're given this Sunday off (thank God) but have to work on Haji and the weekend that follows.
Why? Because the big bosses are in a rush and they are worried. When we voiced our concerns and requested for help...everyone turned a deaf ear! Now...when the deadline is sooooo near and we're actually late on some things...we are made victims due to their "deafness"!
SIGHS!
October 24, 2010
Round 3: Success!
Since Round 2 didn't happen last weekend, I was determined that Round 3 be a success. After the disappointment of Round 2, I got sick! As I said in my previous entry, I'd already started to have a scratchy throat and sniffles. Well...all that graduated into a full blown fever and cold attack. I went to work on Monday despite feeling sluggish and by Tuesday, I was bedridden. My head was heavy, my body was hot and my nose was leaking. I was on MC on Tuesday and Wednesday. All I did was stay home, lie in bed, drank lots of water and slept.
I had to drag myself back to work on Thursday as I had some important stuff to finish and send off to the printers. My poor colleague who shares my office room had to deal with my coughing, sneezing and sniffling for two days.
Saturday came fast enough, thanks to my two-day bed rest. As this was the last weekend I had before all my crazy meetings begin, Round 3 HAD to be a success. So the whole of yesterday morning and afternoon was spent in Little India. We managed to find our outfits and also a top for dad (although when he tried it on later, it was a tad too tight!!). We also got all the cookies and other tidbits (read: Indian sweets/candies, black donuts etc).
We also bought muruku flour and the whole of today morning was spent on that. There was a slight problem at the beginning as we couldn't get the right consistency for the dough to be pressed and shaped. It was too dry and it kept breaking. It just wouldn't hold its circular shape. After numerous attempts of salvaging the dough, a quick call to my grand-ma fixed the problem! Oh well...that's where experience comes in.
And so...after about 2.5 hours of kneading, pressing and frying, we managed to make 173 murukus (minus the broken bits and pieces). Not bad!! Right after all the washing up was done, mum, sis and I fell asleep!! Lol!
The house smells of ghee and right now...I'm in no mood to eat the muruku...just yet. A bit jelak for the moment. But I guess as the days pass and Deepavali approaches, I'll find myself reaching into the tin for a muruku or two.
It's back to work and meetings for the next two weeks. THANK GOD the last meeting ends just before Deepavali!
:-)
I had to drag myself back to work on Thursday as I had some important stuff to finish and send off to the printers. My poor colleague who shares my office room had to deal with my coughing, sneezing and sniffling for two days.
Saturday came fast enough, thanks to my two-day bed rest. As this was the last weekend I had before all my crazy meetings begin, Round 3 HAD to be a success. So the whole of yesterday morning and afternoon was spent in Little India. We managed to find our outfits and also a top for dad (although when he tried it on later, it was a tad too tight!!). We also got all the cookies and other tidbits (read: Indian sweets/candies, black donuts etc).
We also bought muruku flour and the whole of today morning was spent on that. There was a slight problem at the beginning as we couldn't get the right consistency for the dough to be pressed and shaped. It was too dry and it kept breaking. It just wouldn't hold its circular shape. After numerous attempts of salvaging the dough, a quick call to my grand-ma fixed the problem! Oh well...that's where experience comes in.
And so...after about 2.5 hours of kneading, pressing and frying, we managed to make 173 murukus (minus the broken bits and pieces). Not bad!! Right after all the washing up was done, mum, sis and I fell asleep!! Lol!
The house smells of ghee and right now...I'm in no mood to eat the muruku...just yet. A bit jelak for the moment. But I guess as the days pass and Deepavali approaches, I'll find myself reaching into the tin for a muruku or two.
It's back to work and meetings for the next two weeks. THANK GOD the last meeting ends just before Deepavali!
:-)
October 18, 2010
Round 2
Round 2 of Deepavali shopping did not happen last weekend. Sis was sick, mum didn't want to go...
So that leaves me with this weekend to shop for our clothes, make muruku (if we are doing it!!) and buy the rest of the give-aways (read: cookies, cake etc). At the rate things are going, I doubt that shopping this weekend will push through.
My sis was/is sick; runny nose, cough and fever. I used to be able to withstand any sickness thanks to my high antibody. However now, I find myself getting sick after one family member gets sick. Could be that we are all under one roof and there's no where else for the germs to attack; could be that I'm getting older and my body's resistance is weakening. Whatever it is, I think I'm about to fall ill.
I've already got the signs: scratchy throat, dry cough, headache. It's just a matter of time, although I'm going to do my very best to avoid getting a full-blown cough and cold. That means, lots of vitamin C and water.
My new, red, L-shaped sofa has arrived by the way!! I'm so happy!! Although my sis and I are trying ur best not to sit on it so much for fear that it'll start to sink or wear out! Haha!
So that leaves me with this weekend to shop for our clothes, make muruku (if we are doing it!!) and buy the rest of the give-aways (read: cookies, cake etc). At the rate things are going, I doubt that shopping this weekend will push through.
My sis was/is sick; runny nose, cough and fever. I used to be able to withstand any sickness thanks to my high antibody. However now, I find myself getting sick after one family member gets sick. Could be that we are all under one roof and there's no where else for the germs to attack; could be that I'm getting older and my body's resistance is weakening. Whatever it is, I think I'm about to fall ill.
I've already got the signs: scratchy throat, dry cough, headache. It's just a matter of time, although I'm going to do my very best to avoid getting a full-blown cough and cold. That means, lots of vitamin C and water.
My new, red, L-shaped sofa has arrived by the way!! I'm so happy!! Although my sis and I are trying ur best not to sit on it so much for fear that it'll start to sink or wear out! Haha!
October 12, 2010
Deepavali shopping: Round 1
So my sis, mum and I went on our 1st round of Deepavali shopping last night and it was such a disappointment. After having our dinner at Ananda Bahwan, we went from shop to shop looking for our (read: my sis and I) Deepavali outfits. Not only were the prices of the outfits outrageous, there were simply none that caught our eye. The trend this year seems to be the crumpled-looking Punjabi suits. There were 2 or 3 that were nice but the price was also “nice”. RM477 was printed on one of the price tags. But don’t worry…everything was on “discount”, 50%, which means the outfit still cost more than RM200 which is more than what I’d set aside for one person!!
After a few disappointing rounds in about 5 shops, mum started to insist that we get “normal” clothes this year instead of traditional clothes. But of course, my sis and I disagreed. After all, this is the one time in the year that we get to buy Punjabi suits. Granted, that besides Deepavali, we only wear Punjabi suits either to temples, during Thaipusam or weddings, but nonetheless, it’s DEEPAVALI!!
I felt so disappointed as I walked back to the car. I had really hoped to spot one outfit that I like and buy it, or at least get excited. Mum said that it’s still early and that as time passes, the better ones will emerge. But I beg to differ. After all, it’s only less than a month to Deepavali….plus…I’ve got only two weeks to get everything ready before I drown in my sea of meetings at the end of the month.
Hmmm………..round 2 should be this Saturday. We’ll probably go to Kamdar in Bukit Jambul. Let’s wait and see…..
After a few disappointing rounds in about 5 shops, mum started to insist that we get “normal” clothes this year instead of traditional clothes. But of course, my sis and I disagreed. After all, this is the one time in the year that we get to buy Punjabi suits. Granted, that besides Deepavali, we only wear Punjabi suits either to temples, during Thaipusam or weddings, but nonetheless, it’s DEEPAVALI!!
I felt so disappointed as I walked back to the car. I had really hoped to spot one outfit that I like and buy it, or at least get excited. Mum said that it’s still early and that as time passes, the better ones will emerge. But I beg to differ. After all, it’s only less than a month to Deepavali….plus…I’ve got only two weeks to get everything ready before I drown in my sea of meetings at the end of the month.
Hmmm………..round 2 should be this Saturday. We’ll probably go to Kamdar in Bukit Jambul. Let’s wait and see…..
October 7, 2010
Less than a month to go
So Deepavali is less than a month away and usually by this time, I’d be all excited. The month before the festival is when all the hype begins. Shopping for new clothes and accessories, making muruku and kulcha, cleaning the house (not that I look forward to it), keeping aside all the 'angpow' packets we get from banks and malls…the list goes on.This year however, I haven’t begun to feel the excitement. I blame this all on work as from Oct 27 to Nov 3, I’ll be stuck in meetings after meetings after meetings. So there goes my yearly grand-daughter duty of helping my grandma make muruku and kulcha. We usually make them about a week before Deepavali; any earlier and there won’t be any left for the day!! I suppose my sister will have to shoulder the responsibility alone this year.
I have about 2 ½ weeks to do all the shopping I want and knowing what a picky person I am….that’s hardly enough time. I bought my Deepavali outfit at the very last minute last year…if I’m not mistaken just a few days before Deepavali!! I vow not to do the same this year. I don’t have the time anyway.
I’m also looking forward to the “party” or gathering that is supposed to happen the day after Deepavali. A friend is “planning” it i.e. talking about it but so far that’s all I’ve heard of it: TALK. I hope it happens. My brother said he’ll try and make it and I’m sure it’ll be a blast!! :-) That’s the first time we’ll all be drinking together. Hehe…
I also have to get my new sofa for the house. We went scouting for one last weekend and I hope to finally book one this weekend. Hmm…let’s see lah…
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