Bleeding Test & 8 tubes of blood

I had 8 tubes of blood drawn and a Bleeding test done yesterday.
Interestingly, when the blood was drawn from me, it was in an open-concept room.
When I went in for the bleeding test, it was in a VERY secretive room.
For a moment, I felt trapped with this pretty lady sitting in front of me.
Then of all things to tell a patient, she told me "Oh... This is going to be more painful than that." (pointing to my left arm)
YIKES!
I sort of gave out a weak shriek and told her my arm is in her hands... Do what she wants.

Anyway, from my internet research, the method that was executed on me was called The Ivy Method.
She first strapped the blood pressure cuff on my upper arm and added some pressure.
Then she used a "staple" like thingy to cut a slit on the underside of my arm.
The minute she slit me, she clicked the stop watch and she took out a big round filter.
This filter is suppose to draw my blood every 30seconds.
Hum... Internet research says normal clotting time is 5mins.
I think mine took slightly a tiny itsy bitsy weeny bit longer.

Actually, each time I take my jabs, I can't help but think - This is only a small hole. What about that nail that drove through the hands and feet of Jesus.
As I saw the blood flow, I have several thoughts.
1) Quick stop flowing!
2) Wah... my blood so red one ah?
3) This blood is indeed much lesser than if it was pierced with a nail. OuCh!

Well... Results will be out in 3 weeks time!

And till then, I am 8 tubes of blood short, 1 extra hole in my bruised left arm and 1 slit on my right arm.

And OH! Did I mentioned?

I was so afraid that I'll faint that I prepared myself with a packet of Chocolate Milk...! :)

Yum yum!!!!

Slow to Anger and Abounding in love

Sinus infection again today. Nose blocked and ears blocked.
My colleagues and I are all taking turns to be sick.
Last week was both my colleagues. This week is me.

Guess how did I spend my time?
I watched a VCD – Jonah: A Vegetales Movie.

Well, over the past few days, I was feeling rather discouraged but this movie perked me up lots.
One part of the show that encouraged me lots is this part where is says “Compassion is about helping people when they are in need. Mercy is when you give someone a chance even when they didn’t deserve it. Both compassion and mercy comes in hand-in-hand but you can’t have mercy without compassion.”

The story of Jonah is not only about listening to God or about turning back to God or even about the whale but it’s a great story of grace and mercy.
After the show, I questioned myself – How gracious and merciful can I be?
God reminded me not to be self-centered.
There’s always hope.

Again, I pray, dear Lord, may you teach me how to be slow to anger and be abounding in love and compassion.

We plant but God grows

Lately, I have been taught AGAIN that when all things through human fail, God is there.

Sometimes, I question - How can I help? What can I do? What SHOULD I do? What else can be done?
I can get very exasperated and sometimes frustrated and at a loss.
Yet as we plant a seed, we sow, we water but God grows it.
Today through the song "Heart of Worship", I am reminded by what my CL always share with me...
She always say "You know, no matter how much I can tell you guys, only one word from God and your life can be changed."

So, no matter what situation I am in, I want to learn to give thanks and be joyful no matter what.
Learning learning learning.... :)

Long Term

Have I mentioned about my trip to my hairstylist?
I have no idea actually my hairstylist changed my hairstyle.
I just thought “Well… it’s just shorter than most normal gals would don on themselves.”
But many extreme comments were made on my new hairstyle.
Too short they say. *shrug* Don’t really bother me cause I am enjoying the coolness on my head!

My visit to the saloon has been made possible by a mistake that my sister has given me.
I was feeling real hot and the back of my hair was growing to nearly touching my shoulder.
I badly needed a trim yet I thought, might as well let my sister do it since she did such a good job on my two dogs.

Well… You guys would have guess.
It didn’t turn out as well as it should be.
Perhaps, my expectations were too high.
Thus, I gladly bring myself to the saloon giving myself the full excuse of being seated at the salon chair and being served!

I enjoy every trip I make to the salon and I am one person who likes to stick to the same stylist.
Of course, every now and then, I will visit other salons thanks to vouchers, etc.
As I was perched up high, I really enjoyed the head massage that was given to me and I was served with tea and magazines.

I was chatting with my stylist and we both realized that we have known each other for 10 years and I have been there to cut my hair for 10 years!
Then we both realized how we both have aged.
He even mentioned that he close his eyes also know how to cut my hair!
Thinking back, he was the one who first dared me to cut my hair short.
And now, he’s telling me to keep it long.

Anyway, for that 10 years, I got 10% discount!
Haha… that was a joke.
He has been giving me discount since a few years back…

The perks of being a long term customer.

The joy of being pampered

It's rare that I get pampered.
Today, I am very pampered. Heee...

I took a PM off to have my medical appointment at SGH.
Chit Chat with 2 doctors. First the MO then the Consultant.
This all started with me having prolonged bleeding.
Rather, if I have a cut, it takes a long time to clot.

So, the consultant revealed a "truth" in my life!
I am VERY elastic!
He said "Sometimes, all blood test may reveal a positive result meaning you are fine. Then this could mean that maybe your blood doesn't coagulate well. So it's like very elastic."
Next, he took hold of my hand, bring my thumb to my wrist area.
Easy does it man... With no pain.
Then he bend my thumb backwards, stretched me wide from one hand to another hand and measure the distance, split my third and second finger.

Then told me I may be "suffering" from "MILD Marfun disease" (Dunno how to spell).
Some elasticity or something like that.
Suddenly, I feel that "Hey! Perhaps I can change my career to be an acrobat!!"
Well... Honestly, ya... It's something that affect the tissues and heart.
But doc say my heart is good.
Just that I am very "elastic".

Oh ya... Before I forget the title of my blog today.

I am pampered.

My friend who was nearby SGH came to pick me up and fetched me to AMK hospital to visit my another friend.
Then I stayed there for about another 1.5 hrs then came to pick me up for dinner...
Fantastic dinner!!! Char Siew Rice and a BIG bowl of "Salted Veg soup".
Then after dinner fetched me home.
Not forgetting, my presents from him is one big packet of white coffee, 10 Ang Ku Kuehs and 3 packets of chestnuts.

I felt like a princess all of a sudden. Machiam not used to it.
But it feels really good to catch up with him once in a while.
But must say, each time I meet up, he will bug me to get married fast.
He ah... Like grandfather tell stories... But he is far fetched from being my grandpa...
He's only 50+!
Always tell him to save his worries for all of his children!

You know?
Each time I meet up with him, I felt that being friends with my parents is NOT impossible!
=)

Amen = Yes I agree! May it be so!

One thing I have learnt over the past few weeks is to P.U.S.H.
Pray Until Something Happen.

To keep our love for God burning has to be intentional on our side.
We have to keep praying and we have to keep believing.

I have many prayers and one of my prayer is for my relationship with my sister to be closer.
Initially, my prayers were just "half bucket".
Sort of like "Well, God, if you can then improve it, then you do something about it."
Then it turned into "Yes God, I think I can trust that you can work miracles.".
Then I thought I was rebuked by God "Oh you of little faith! What you mean by all your "ifs" and "think"?"

With all that has happened in my life and I see the grace and mercy of God over my life, I can't help but know that God is Lord.

My prayers soon became "Oh God!!! I am sure you can and you will! In your timing God, you will work things out! Amen!"
I learned that we have to seal our prayers in faith.
Amen = Yes I agree! May it be so!
God will definitely deliver our prayers. In His Time!

Lately, I see my relationship with my sister improving tremendously.
Even her smses to me are like that of a friend to a friend.
I truly give thanks for only God can soften hearts.

2 good news today!
A visitor in my CG gave her life to Christ & a P2 boy in HopeKids accepted Christ too!
God is good.

Amen? *smile*

Lots of thoughts and don’t know what to write

What to blog?
This week has been such a mental strain to me.
Driving to and fro Choa Chu Kang and Simei.
From East to NorthWest.

My “por por” (granny) passed away on Tuesday and I had been busy with the wake, etc.
Hmmmm…
Lots of thoughts and don’t know what to write.

But guess what?
A friend of mine popped by my place to say hi today.
And the minute I sat down, my friend’s ears was tortured by me!
I talked and talked and talked AND talked non-stop…
Until when I stop and then I realized that I have talked too much.
I said, “Hmm… Sorry ah!! I seem to talk non-stop!”
His reply was “Ya la! So unusual of you!” and giggled…

There's lots of questions that were generated in my little head over the past few days that I JUST have to ask.
And so... I talked lots. :)

After which, I went to visit my good friend.
I am so sadden to see his state.
He was down with a stroke in his brain and yeah... His left half is sort of immobile.
He was screaming and shouting the first few days but least, today when I see him, he's much more calm.

After I left, he send me a sms "Thanks sis for coming to visit me. Thanks for not giving up on me after so many years."
That brought a tear to me.

Okie dok...
Time to rest.
I'm bushed.......

Been a long time...

Been quite a long time that I have blogged and what have I been doing?
Been doing lots of self reflection and thought, it's time to take a "Blog-break".

Lots have been happening in my life since Paradize Live which was on 2nd Nov.
Cause of the 2 holidays on 1st and 3rd, I managed to spend time at home PLUS managed to spend time with God.
Been such a long time that I had a chit-chat session that after some time, I realised how much I have "ignored" that small voice.

Actually, I wanted to give Paradize Live concert a miss but the good got the better out of it.
And boy... Am I glad to be there! The pastor of that church delivered a powerful testimony.
He shared about his life that was going downwards TILL he start to PRAISE God despite all circumstances.
When he started to praise God, it was when the miracle started!
The miracle didn't start when his life start turning for the better but it started when he started praising God.

And from Yanz blog and my friends who attended the workshop the next day, the pastor shared about how important it is for us to remain positive all the time and always say Yes to God even though you want so much to say No.

Yes... Correct.
What did I learn?
I learn to step out in faith and share about something personal that has been bothering me big time to my dear shepherd.
I confess... It was real scary having to share something personal but then, I have also come to understand that breakthroughs and healing come from the time we decide to say Yes to God and No to ourselves.

And the prayer meet last Friday? It brought me even closer to God...
I believe many will feel the way I feel.
I was especially ministered when there was a blackout.
No one panicked.
Instead, voices were raised and hands were outstretched.
It's amazing, real amazing.
I felt God telling me "San, you are so important to me. I know you individually and I know you. I know your struggle and I know you. And I love you. And you know? I am walking together with you."
That assurance is like "Woah!"

Think more importantly now is to be consistent in my walk with God and always keep His joy in me.

God is good... that's all I can say.

Love

Love is something that many tend to overlook and take for granted. Something that is intangible and it can’t be purchased. Many longed for it but many just don’t know they are longing for it.

In the busy-ness of life, in the many roles that an individual has to play be it a daughter/son, worker, colleague, husband/wife, student, we sometimes neglect things that are closest to us.

Just what is Love?
When you are crying, a gentle tissue is love.
When you are tired, a hug is love.
When you are sad, a listening ear is love.
When you are happy, a smile is love.
Actually, love is hard to fathom.
Small actions can touch our heart. Love or not, depends on our attitude towards how we look at it.

Am I falling in love?
No la...
The above is what my CG Christmas mime will be based on.
Of late, I am very "inspired" by this thing called Love. Also must give thanks to my friend who helped me!
I was stuck... Cause I had this idea about people looking for "Something" and I told my friend... I'm just looking for this "Something".
And he said... "The first thing that came to mind is Love."
I was like "AIYO! Why didn't I think of it!"

This script is still lack of the little details... So will be filling it in with the help of everybody else in my CG.

Looking forward to the first rehearsal this Sat....

So glad for my CG who's SO supportive!
So supportive that I have my main roles allocated!

All righty... It's time to practice guitar.

Nighty nights!

Pitter Patter

Pitter patter pitter patter...
This morning, I had a whiff of the Brisbane air again.
It was a rainy morning and I hear the sun-catcher bell chiming away.
It sounds and smell just like my room in Brisbane.

It was a wonderful morning to wake up to after a nightmare!!
Guess what?
I dreamt that someone come and tell me that I should leave the children's ministry for dunno what reason.
Oh MY goodness... I remember I was so upset in my dream.
I woke up to my alarm clock and quickly thank God that it's just a dream and quickly get dressed for church!

All clean

All cleaned!
So clean that my sister refused to leave my bed.

Hmm... While packing my room, I cleaned up my bags which I found some packets of tissue, some sweets and some coins.
While packing my drawers, I found $16 and lots of Oz coins!! *yippie* That's like sufficient for alot of meals.
At the same time, I found my stationeries which I thought I had lost.
When I was packing my books, I found SO many books which made me want to re-read all my books again.
I didn't realized I've so much accessories! Ranging from belts to earrings to necklaces to brooches. Of course, some are made by myself and couldn't bear to sell.

Little things that made me go "Wow!"
Honestly, I love this holiday.
Little perks to perk myself up!

Oh ya... There's one more area which I have yet packed - My photos.
That's an area which I refuse to pack since 3 years ago.
Well... Let's see when's the next holiday and when will I buy my photo albums.

Jaané...

Perks!

My holiday has been very fulfilling…
Think my parents gained most from it.

I’ve been packing my room since Sunday. Packing is not over yet.
No… Not cause my room is very messy. But because I’m a slow packer. I like to pack my things slowly and steadily.
I enjoy holidays cause it gives me a great opportunity to change a little of my room layout.
Gives me great excitement and joy.
Sometimes, along the way while packing, I will surprise myself with things that I found that I thought I didn’t have.

Thanks to my trip to Ikea last Friday, I got myself a storage box for my CD bags.
Emptied out the current CD box and in place, house all my handicraft stuffs.
Finally I got a “room” for them! Poor them… They have been chucked from one drawer to another. From one empty space to another.
Like what my friend always say, your room is an organized mess! Your handiwork all over the drawers but you still know where they are.

Changed my bedsheets and curtains.
Red curtains and brown sheets and green comforter.
My Hippo and Elmo blended in real well.
But my friend asked “Why you so fast into the Christmas mood liao?”
Hee… I didn’t realized!
But oh man… The bedsheets were SO comfy!!! 220 threadcount DOES has its effects!
I’ve resolute to wait for the next sale to buy another colour.
The red curtains made my room look so “Lomantic” all of a sudden…
But mummy has her own opinion!! “Aiyo! So hot!”



In the midst of these holidays, I also made a few trips to the hospital to visit my granny who fell into the state of unconsciousness.
When I was there and saw her frail body, I was so struck guilty cause I have been a very bad granddaughter.
I didn’t pay much of a visit to them always giving an excuse that I am busy.
When I look at her, I have to keep fighting back my tears cause I don’t wanna my parents to see.
Memories of those younger days came flooding back.
How my granny will fry chicken wings for me and my sister whenever we visit her last time cause she knows it’s our favourite.
She will ALWAYS tease me for looking like a little Indian gal cause I was SO tanned from all the swimming and I will always play around with her.
As I look at her, I see my deep weakness.
Never appreciating what I have till it’s nearly gone or gone.

Lately, also reminded by my shepherd that I am not as “loving” as I used to.
Gets edgy easily lately and temper flaring everywhere too.
Actually… Even before I was reminded by my shepherd, I think God visited me already.
Pr 29:11 strike my heart saying “A fool gives full vent to anger, but a wise man keep himself under control.”
*sigh* Looking at myself, it’s really *tsk tsk tsk*…
I have given in to anger so many times and after flaring, I feel regretful.
No wonder the bible says, those who gives full vent to anger is a fool.
Sometimes, I feel like a fool.

Well… It was a timely reminder indeed and is real glad for shepherds and leaders to keep me in check once in a while.
Of course, initially, when I heard it, I was “angry” BUT giving it much thought, I asked myself – How can I be angry to someone who love me so much to dare to tell me my flaws?
No wonder leaderships are not appointed by man but by God.

I took the holidays while packing my room in quietness to evaluate myself also.
It’s amazing what God can reveal to me.

Camps

Lately, I have been itching greatly for a holiday!
Perhaps it's this adventurous side of me that I really like to go to another country to explore.
If not explore, at least to see see look look.
Gives me a great feeling to step into the airport and board that lovely plane.

Well... I started to reminisce my last holiday as I look through my photos...
Okie.. I didn't reminisce my holiday in Thailand but the one before that...
The church camp.

Remembering the church camp just brings back memories.
I remember how my leader always urge us to go for camps.
Cause it's in camps that we will see each other nearly 24/7 and sleep with each other, eat and study with each other.
Praise and worship together.
Laugh and cry together.

It was an amazing holiday.
Relationships got closer and am already looking forward to next year's!