Wednesday 10 November 2021

Keeping My Blog Alive and Me Sane

Just in case you were wondering where I am, I am still here lah. Where else, right? Just not so active lately due to some personal/office matters.

Anyway, just to keep my blog active, I shall share some stuff with you.


Last Saturday I was at the office and during my lunch break, I went up to The Starling to kepoh2. Ah! The cinema sudah open! MBO is no more and has been bought over by GSC. Thank you GSC!


I recall the many happy times I had at the former MBO theatre and I long to watch movies again. But not so soon though. Showtimes are quite limited anyway at the moment.


Tang Room was doing roaring business and from the looks of it, full house that day. My partner and I vowed never to return after the case of the microscopic chicken. That was 4 years ago and this place is still kicking. I guess there are many people with deeper pockets than us. Hah!


The weekly bazaar is alive once again at the mall.


It is a good sign. I remember how deathly quiet it was when the MCO was implemented for the first time in 2020.


Is that a Christmas tree?


Dear, dear, Christmas is coming soon. I feel like 2021 just flew by. 


Last Sunday I tried to cheer myself up. Right, with food.


It was the K-Fry Ultimate Dosirak which I had some months ago. Still very nice and it was the only meal I had that day.


I am back on the chap fan trail. I am not in the mood to cook. I admit I am somewhat depressed due to my dad's medical condition. 


When your parents grow old and one or both are ill, it is sad. I grew up thinking my parents would stay well and live forever. In my head, they were always strong and they were the people who were in charge. I thought they would stay that way. Forever.


When my dad first got sick, that control shifted somewhat and for the first time in my life, I had to take charge. When my mum asked me for my opinion on something at the hospital, it felt weird because she was always the one who called the shots. That is the turning point when you realize that you have grown up.


I don't know if any of you experienced the same thing or you are fortunate enough to have healthy parents and not go through seeing their decline. 

My mum is still strong and healthy (praise God!) and I am grateful to her for her commitment and dedication in nursing my dad. She is still very much the strong one (stronger that I am), single handedly taking on the role of sole care giver. 

Ok, enough of my story.


I was sitting behind this young man at the chap fan shop when I noticed his tee shirt. I bet he works at the ice cream shop hah..hah...


I bought me a nice ong lai.


To make this nice drink which I meant to blog about but I am not in the right frame of mind to do so.


Belle Belle and I are about to break each other's hearts. We'll see how it goes.

30 comments:

  1. Gosh!!! Praise the Lord, you are STILL here!!!

    I went to the workshop that day and the guy said he was so happy to see me. I asked him why and he said at a time like this, when you do not get to see somebody for a long long time, when you get to see him again, there is every reason to be happy! Makes sense, doesn't it? LOL!!!

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    1. Hope your dad is getting on ok. Your mum must take good care of herself too!

      My mum was bedridden for many many years but her health was not too bad, in and out of the medical centre but that was fine. When my did got sick suddenly, very very sick, that was so difficult to cope. So sad to see him suffering but God was merciful - it was not very long.

      Both of them have passed away for a few years now, may they rest in peace. Thank God they were spared this horrible COVID-19 pandemic! This is a terrible time to be sick!!!

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    2. Yes, I know hah..hah... These days we worry when we don't see or hear from someone, in case God forbid, they got infected *shudders*

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    3. My dad is all right, thank you. Yes, I read about your parents in your blog and it did occur to me how very hard it must have been for you and your family. I dread to think of the inevitable when the time comes for me to say goodbye to my parents. I can only pray to God for strength.

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  2. Chap fan anytime for me. Can take this and that, more varieties.

    Been almost 2 years since we went to cinema.

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    1. I love chap fan and it saves a lot of time tapau-ing rather than cooking.

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  3. Hi PH, cheer up, i can understand why people feel sad seeing their parents growing old and ill, i also once wish they would live forever too, but that is impossible, sometimes we have to learn to let it go. My dad has passed away for many years now and i have learned to acceot the reality. I hope for your dad speedy recovery and your mom staying strong and healthy too. I too was away from my blog for some time due to personal reasons and no mood. Posts will still come in but not so often as it depends whether i have the mojo to blog or whether if i have anything to blog.

    Meanwhile, PH, stay cheerful and positive always. With lots of love from Libby.

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    1. Libby, thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I also appreciate your sharing and it must be hard to lose your dad so early in your life. It is something we all have to face in our lives, facing the pain and sadness of saying goodbye. I shall appreciate the time that I have with my parents.

      I will do my best to stay cheerful and positive!

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  4. I can understand why you feel depressed bcos of your dad's medical condition, you are just being human.

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    1. Thanks, Libby. I find comfort when I pray for him and my mum.

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  5. This post brought tears to my eyes. I have passed this stage not too long ago after losing both parents back to back within 17 months. I remembered those younger years when I asked myself whether they both would ever leave me behind because they were still waltzing 3 times weekly and touring the world like birds. It was during my active years at Hospice later when I saw the reality of deaths when one by one patients under my care passed on. I believe all this experience shaped me well today esp this few weeks.

    Now I am looking forward to go to GSC at Starling Mall for a nice movie after dinner.

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    1. Sorry to bring back sad memories. Yes, true lah when we were young we always think that our parents will be with us for a long, long time and the inevitable seems so far away.

      I love the movies and I look forwards to getting back into my once a week movie time!

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  6. *** Hugs *** This is such a sad post. 😭 😭 😭 I don't know of anyone who has healthy parents who never decline. Even my healthy grandmother who is 105 years old now is declining and they have no choice but to place her in a home so that she gets the 24/7 care that she requires. Truly pray and hope things all of you can cope with the caring required and emotional aspect of being carers. *** Hugs *** again. About Belle Belle, may I be so bold to offer to adopt her? Sorry for jumping the gun since you didn't write any details. We can liaise via WhatsApp if it is ok with you.

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    1. Thank you, Mun. My mum is the carer and because of her, I am spared the responsibility of caring for my dad. I provide whatever support that I can to both of them. I hope that your very long lived grandmother is well cared for at the home.

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  7. I kinda guessed as much (about your dad but not about Belle Belle though) when I didn't see you update your blog (I, myself, haven't blogged for 2 weeks until yesterday). We come...and we go...that's the circle of life, like it or not, we have to accept it. So, don't despair...but stay strong. I wish your dad a full recovery and your mom to stay healthy and positive. Chin up! ;)

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    1. Thank you, Kris for your comforting words and encouragement. My mood has been down and I didn't even check my blog for many days. But I am feeling better and there might be a new post soon :)

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  8. In life, there is a time for everything. I can identify with your feeling. It is sad to see our parents age and their health deteriorate. May your dad recover and be strengthened in health. May your mom continue in good health and strength. May you too be strong and brave in times of struggles. I like all the chap fun dishes you had. Sending hugs to you. What is going to happen to Belle?

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    1. Thank you, Nancy for your kind words. My dad is doing OK and I hope that he stays that way. I do worry about him and my mum and I always pray for their safety and well being.

      Belle was naughty and ran away for a few days. But she is back and I hope she behaves!

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  9. stay strong PH!
    as for Belle, i m not sure what is it about but I hope it is nothing serious.
    The chap fan looks good and hearty....my kind of meal!

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    1. Thank you! Belle ran away but she is back. I hope she doesn't pull a stunt like that again.

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  10. Oh dear, other than some supportive words, I really can't help much to lighten your depression. Anyway, cheer up PH and wishing your dad a speedy recovery. Hugs~~

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    1. Thank you, Choi Yen. I am feeling much better now and I hope to post an update soon.

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  11. May everything goes well with you PH dear!
    Take care.

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    1. Thank you, Puan Hazel. Things are improving.

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  12. Best wishes to you and your family. Hope your dad gets well soon. I worry that I will face your worries too soon to be honest, although right now us siblings are worried about different matters. Right now my own dad seems to still be healthy, but he is just newly retired and all I can say is that I guess he is still trying to transition into a retiree life. Both him and my mom actually. These days he spends more time at home than not, and as a consequence... well, anyway... yeah.

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    1. Thanks for your good wishes. My dad is generally as well as can be and I hope he continues to improve and remain stable. Yeah, keep an eye on your parents. I hope that they continue to stay well and healthy. As long as they stay active they will be all right. Retirement can be quite an adjustment.

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  13. Dear PH. *Hugs to you* I know the feeling, when my mum fell sick, I was so down and couldn't even concentrate at work. Hope things have somewhat settled and here's wishing your Dad a speedy recovery. Take care.

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    1. Thank you for your kind wishes. My dad has recovered though there are some areas of concern. I hope that he continues to improve and regain more strength.

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  14. Hugs PH. I know how you feel too. Its really sad seeing your parents grow old & weak :'(

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