Linky Love Tag

Thanks to Rose for tagging me some time ago, now that I am back blogging, its passing tag time!

This is another of those Linky Love game where you only have to tagged 10 person in one post but there is no actual limit (you can tag more if you want!). Once tagged, you have to copy paste the link in this post, and make them grow!


BennyliewRamblingMooMum & Kids In WonderlandJudelittle, Rose, The Singapore Housewife, Do not delete any of the links and be honest to yourself! :p


I would like to pass this tag to:
everyone on "My Interesting Reads..." list.
and would also pass to new blogger friends:
4MalMal
A Moonlight Rendezvous

My Food Safari




Life is Too Short to Drink Bad Wine.

The Asian Parent Honor

Hello all again, been missing quite a while and alot of things are on my mind.
It was time to get started on my "action" rather than procrastinate...

First thing that perk up my day is The Asian Parent.Com. I am so honored to be mentioned in their website. Although I did get a few feedbacks from bloggers who appreciate my blog in the past - I have been idle for long time. It seems now it is a wake up call for me to BACK to BLOG.

I'm sorry if I bore you with this, but its been on my mind and I need to blurt them out here.

Stocks:
I have a list of stocks that I am watching and waiting the right time to collect:
US markets:

- AIG - Last closed price $36.95

Although it was battered down recently by its unfavorable financial data and market conditions, do not put it on death sentence yet. Watch the stock perform. In the mean while, hold your horses and do your homework.

- HPQ - Last closed price $44.96

Hewlett packard is a good long term investment target. Although criterias are revealing a "buy signal" I will watch this stock tonight when it opens at 9.30pm. It is safer to monitor how the stock price moves during opening including the DOW and futures. I am thinking momentum for this, will sell when sell signal is right.

- AMZN - Last closed price $78.35

Don't play a fool with Amazon.com, an ever growing online business that boasts 30.4% for a 5 year growth rate. This March, the company just bought over Audible Inc. (a site where you could download and listen to stories "audiobooks").

- QCOM - Last closed price $47.76

Qualcom produces digital wireless telecommunications products and services based on its code division multiple access (CDMA) technology and other technologies. Its 5-year growth rate is 24.9% (my criteria is >15%).

I have many other stocks on watchlist, like the above they are all revealing a buy IF signal. If HPQ and QCOM looking promising tonight, I may buy moderately.

Disclaimer: This is not a recommendation to buy or sell stocks but my personal opinion of stocks on my watchlist. If you have any queries about trading, on investment, please contact your stock broker/agent for professional advice.

Life is Too Short to Drink Bad Wine.

Hola Hola

Back Home Again
I'm have been home recovering and now feeling slightly better. On the 26th of March, I was admitted again to the hospital. This time it was a 6-day stay. Again antibiotic drips were up, including injections, testing of blood for CRP. You guess it right, the Crp went up and thats why I had to stay in the hospital. By the sixth day, I'm was ok to go home.

Great food Greatly Missed
I think my immune system somehow screw up big time this year. Last year, my bouts of allergies appeared again after it disappeared during my teenage years. How I missed chilli crabs, calamari, satay sauce, chocolate with hazelnuts, walnuts, milo, and more. Prawns/shrimps, tom yam soup, the thai green papaya salad, dim sum, have all been missed greatly.

Eat, Sleep, Stay in Bed
Have been even more depressed during the 2nd hospital stay. It was a setback for me. I had so many things to do, and then was forced to put all my plans on hold. I was going to continue teaching my kids, I was going on another trip, I was going to start trading and working on my ebook biz. And now nothing can be done.

I am ordered to stay in bed. If I ever get a chance to use the computer, it will only be a short while, since I can't sit upright too long.

Sorry
I'm really sorry to all, for not having any interesting updates. I wish I have the mood. But please understand, my spirits are down. Will read your blogs when I am in perfect shape.

Adios Amigo,
Inspiredmumof2

Life is Too Short to Drink Bad Wine.

Down and Out

Warded at the Hospital

I'm back again, this time from the hospital. I was warded for some emergency and was looked after by the nurses and my worried doctor. I was not allowed to walk, to go to the bathroom. The nurses had to sponge me in the morning and I depended on the bed pan to pass urine or motion. The ten day stay included anti-biotic drips, injection, daily blood test, and other doses of oral anti-biotics, and medicines. The stay there was good and bad for me, both emotionally and physically taxing. It was stress for me, for everyday, I have to worry about my "condition" and the blood test report, hoping the CRP will respond to the anti-biotic and go back down. And everyday, the CRP just went up. From a 5+, it doubles almost daily.

Rare Bacteria

I had hopes thinking a three to four day stay will do. However, with the comfort and advice of nurses and doctor, they reassured me that I would not regret the longer stay there. Doc insisted at I have a good rest at the hospital. After a few days of trying the available safe anti-biotics for me, the CRP continues to climb. It seems the bacteria is not responding to the available anti-biotics and it is possibly rare. Two doctors cracked their heads for me, even going through researches and discussion with other doctors. They deduced it is a rare case for me. Just what is type of infection is this? I have fever every day and the nurses of every changing shift never fail to pop by my bed for a temperature check, even in the middle of the night. Although those were low-grade to 38 degree Celsius fever, that was a sign that my body is fighting an infection.

After four days, I began to get more worried. My current condition (for which I was warded for) stabilizes but unless the bacteria is gone, I won't be getting out of this place.

Horrible Hospital Food

I had to say it but the hospital food really sucks. Ordered chicken porridge and it came with big chunks of meats and furthermore overcooked. It was unappetizing. I had first few bites of chicken and then ate the porridge only. As the menu only serve chicken and fish dishes, I had no choice but to choose the chicken. The fishes made me puke. And there was the hainanese chicken rice which made me almost throw up on first sight. The chicken was sliced thickly, the meat look dark, overdone and badly presented. It was dinner time. I had to eat something - forced myself to eat the rice (without the chicken, good gracious), mixed with some dark soya sauce and garlic chili sauce. And I pretty much manage to finish about half the rice and call it dinner. Its a real chore to eat hospital food. Oh, almost everything seems to taste bland. The tomato pasta and cream of chicken soup were the only ones that I enjoyed without much effort. The mee goreng I had for breakfast tasted nothing like those in food centers. Again only a quarter was finished.

I had contemplated to eat takeaway food from outside. But hubby feels it is safer to eat from hospital since he did not want "bad food" from outside to complicate my condition. It was only close to after a week, I had my first fishball beehoon soup. Strangely, I finished half of it only. It was good but I guess its just me.

Dazed Days

The rest of the days were all dazed, heavily sedated after the anti-biotics, and with nausea included, the only time I get up is to eat and watch TV. After meals, I would automatically go into drowsy state (with the meds administrated). If my dinner wasn't finished properly, I would wake up at 3 am to pee or poo. And then asked for some biscuits before drifting to sleep an hour later. Late night hunger pangs.

Rude Visitors, Patient and Family

During my stay, I had chosen to be warded in a 4 bedroom ward. To my dismay, visitors came in without a sense of consideration. Most spoke loudly, like no other patients are there. Some one whole bunch even stayed with the patient for a whole day. Leaving a few to leave after dinner time. And just when I thought I could get some peace, another batch arrive at 9pm?? The couple spoke so loudly, they woke me up from sleep. And left shortly after ten minutes.

Opposite my bed was another vietnamese woman with her much older husband. They were the most annoying persons there. Turning on the TV at high volume like nobody's business and her husband was the worst. I actually was trying to rest, was in a daze and he flipped my curtain to peep at me?? It was atrocious! What in the world does he need to see in my bed??? He did it another time while I was asleep and woke up to find no nurse around. I can't believe it.

After the woman was discharged, another old lady checked in for a surgery. This time the visitors were incessant. From lunch till midnight. Even after nurses advised them to go home, they would chat and hang around by the old lady. Doesn't granny need to rest??

I was so fed up I had to turn off all lights to show its BEDTIME. After hearing me tossing and turn in bed, the seven chatters finally scoot off.

Fine Veins = Pain

From day one, my left hand was inserted with the catheter for the antibiotic fluid to be administered via drips. Unfortunately after three days, the vein hurt so much that it swelled. Fine veins, I was told by the nurses. And I had to endure the agony of looking for another "promising" vein. It wasn't that pleasant. Every few days they had to look for another vein, and this time poke twice in different veins and they did not manage to not get a good one. Then they robe in an A&E doc who swiftly found one and attached the catheter quickly.

Trans Abdominal Procedure

Pardon me, I would not discuss in detail about what emergency that caused me to be warded. By day Wednesday, docs decided that it will be very critical for me in my current condition, not to do something about the blood clot in my tummy. The only way is to get a culture of the blood clot through a needle. And demands some risks as I would not want to reveal. It was a difficult decision for both me and hubby. But I decided to snap out of this dilemma, and go ahead with with procedure. I was sent up through the wheel-chair with a heavy heart, fighting not to cry so that hubby, the nurses and docs will not see me in this state. Its either do it or not. If we don't go for it, there will be no answers, and more questions. And then comes despair and grief. I foresee myself in this circumstances, and hence decided to go ahead to find out what was going on with the blood clot.

Strangely, the moment we stepped out at the lift lobby, the lift just won't stop at our floor. It was a long wait, three lifts that never seem to stop at our floor. Finally after playing around with up/down buttons, it finally arrived. As we went up, and approached the doc's room, another situation occurred. The blood clot had moved. Even if I had emptied my bladder, it moved again. This time the ultrasound showed it moving to somewhere another side unsafe to reach for this procedure. Wasn't it ironical?? Doc told us "its not meant to be to do it today". We were relieved but still worried because if nothing is done, there will be no answers.

The next day, we attempted again, and this time all was smooth sailing. The lift was there quickly, the blood clot in the right position. And both doctors were there. Being used to the drips, daily injections and blood tests, I wasn't that much concern about pain in this procedure. However, when doc did the anesthesia, it hurts. When that was done the thickest needle was inserted into my tummy, to shake up the blood clot and next to draw out the abscess/clots to be sent for testing.

After that, I was sent back to my bed for my late dinner. Needless to say, I didn't eat much. And was again extra sedated due to this "short stint".

Culture Results

The next morning began with Immunocal protein supplement which the kind nurse served as soon as I woke up. As usual, after washing up (brushing teeth and showered), next comes injection, drawing of blood for test. Breakfast was waffle with sausages, yogurt and orange juice. The waffle was cold and taste like there's too much flour. The sausages were still edible, oh goodness. Finished only one and half sausages and had the yogurt and juice.

By afternoon, one of the doctors came to me with good news, it was a very unexpected: that the culture did not contain any bacteria! This alone made made my day and my appetite seems overwhelmed by this piece of much appreciated news. We were expecting some funny bacteria and infection in the clots but nothing was there. They are just blood clots!

But my CRP continues to go up, and doctors are cracking their brains all sorts of fancy anti-biotics. The rare bacteria finally responded to the latest dose of anti-biotic. The CRP came crashing down each and every day, and I was wheeled to docs for a review every lunch time.

Things seems to get better and better, each problem was solved over the ten days. Doc had insisted for me to stay for another five days but I was adamant to go home. Totally sick of hospital food and missing my kids dearly and home sick, doc made me promised that I would stay in bed even at home. Walking is only allowed to the bathroom and sit while showering. The catheter is still attached to my vein and it was to be removed after the last dosage of the anti-biotic is administered. Well, I returned to the hospital for two and half days just for the doses and blood tests. And as soon as I reached home after, it was straight to bed.

By then, my CRP has returned to a new low of 2.6. It was excellent progress, and I gladly thanked the doctors for their hardwork. Now home and recuperating, I could walk a little more but get tired easily and needed to sit at intervals. I was not allowed to sit in upright position to "stress" my tummy, so sitting only for short while. Resting in bed is what I have to do everyday until my next doctors appointment in two weeks time.

Back at Home

Phew, it was really close, but I'm back with a weak physique.
On leaving the hospital, I brought back two bags of medications. I guess I won't be cooking or shopping until two weeks time. Thanks to my exhausted mum for helping with the kids. She really need the rest that she deserved after I get the green light from doctor.

Ah, my kids did missed my bakes and cooks, son asked for sushi, the mini muffins and kiddy meals. And thanks Daphne, I really hope to bake/cook soon :-) That will probably take about two to three weeks...which I hope I will be ready in stronger shape.

PS. When I was home the first week, I actually missed the hospital?! Back home, kids were noisy, etc, and I sweared I hoped to go back to hospital. It was a very tough time for me. As I was totally dependent on the nurses, spoilt with the comfort of the electronic hospital bed that could lift me in comfortable positions. And no one to made you more stressful in hospital than at home. Of course (with the exception of the rude visitors).

I was frustrated and tired. Even now, there are emotional mood swings, and my nausea continues to create havoc. I almost would avoid chinese food in 50% of my diet and prefering indian tandoori, curry, western food, salads, and fruits more. And eewww, no fishes please....

Finally, I can take a break now and complete my seemingly incessant ramblings. This post took me four days to type.

Life is Too Short to Drink Bad Wine.

Its Been A Long Time

Alrighty folks, I guess I have to post something this week. There were updates in my life but its just me being lazy :-P

New School
Remember I had discussed about my son's problem with English and changing of schools sometime back? I finally did it. I had submitted the withdrawal form to the old school a month ago and this week the kids begins their pre-school life at the new school just near to my home.
This school has a size of 10 kids per class and never had any cases of HFMD (which I am very particular). The teachers are not expats but locals, who have extended years of pre-school teaching experience. And the plus point is, the school adopts a system to prepare the preschooler for the primary one foundation, all in line with MOE. The kids were already at level where they are learning to compose sentences, which I am hoping my son will pick up soon.
As I spoke to the english teacher, she is willing to help my boy to reach that level and trying her best for him to be ready for primary one.

Scientific Interest
While waiting for the long last month to be over at the old school, I was actually busy teaching my little boy at home, enriching him with scientific, reading and writing activities.

At home we did science experiments. Base on some craft books, the science projects such as building a volcano did just satisfy his curiosity. With him being inquisitive and more questions raised in our daily conversations, science center trips and diy home projects had actually help alot. Daddy helps him with science and mummy helps him with english/chinese/maths.

100 Words
I had helped him with blending words such as C-at, B-at, S-at, H-at, M-at. All possible letters and word blendings are gone through. And he begins to feel confident once again!
I had also prepared the basic 100 words from Scholastic. He picked up all very soon with repetition, patience and guidance. All these did not stop even we are in Thailand, learning once a day for a short while.

Back home, as he is more comfortable with english, son actually begin another interest of reading newspaper headlines! In the morning, he would roughly tell me whats happening to that article, base on the headline. He is not right all the time, but at least he had been showing interest in reading. Usually, he will be looking out for upcoming movie cartoons, toys on sale or maybe just curious about the ads haha.

Boy, I was so relieved that the new teacher said his english is ok, and that he just needed a little help to get to the current K2 level. Thank goodness, I had brought him back on track from K1.
Even though his teachers are good, I will continue to guide son at home. Of course, my two little ones deserve a little treat - educational pc games, which they are entitled to.

My little girl remains independent and enthusiastic. She is doing well in her ballet foundation class and recently Taekwondo. Both of which she is enjoying. Very versatile girl! She fitted well in her new class very quickly and enjoying school so far. She even clapped and smiled in her sleep (she had been practicing for a school concert tomorrow) haha.

Food and Nutrition for Kids
Besides helping them academically, allergic foods are re-introduced too. He seems to have no problems with eggs recently? Milo is ok, and recently began to love low-fat yoghurt again.
On top of that, I give them scotts cod liver oil for brain (DHA) and gummy bear multivits. You must think I'm kiasu LOL, but its for their health being, and development, really. Strengthen the bones, develop their minds, improve their immunity :-P

Stocks
As for me, I had mentioned in last post that I'll be busy with ebook website. Currently, watching the stock markets closely. Having "hybernate" for a long time since I last traded last year, I intend to pick good and cheap stocks which are undervalued due to the sub-prime crisis. Whether it is safe to collect right now, is still a question or rather "it depends". But I am watching. A confirmed uptrend would mean safe entry, but to spot the right stock at the right time, its homework time. You can scout for break-out signs too. Ah, break-out charts can be identified using charting softwares or based on a combined set of criteria. At this tumultuous time, you must be wondering how can a stock surge when market looks bad. It is possible, depending on economic theory, company value added elements, clear directions, its intrinsic value, being well run by excellent management, including sound financial year reports.

For those who just wanna keep it there for long-term, don't look at the charts too much. Just keep updated with what and how the business (that you are investing on), is doing.

Sorry if I bored you here, its just that I had this plan to gain big bucks in this new year :-D

Thats about all, I gotta go grab a glass of juice and snack ;-)
P.S. - Do enjoy the this favorite piece of mine called "Creep" by Karen Souza. Its just above the pataya slide.

Life is Too Short to Drink Bad Wine.