Reads.

Have run out of books to read, so decided to reread "Memoirs of a Geisha" by Arthur Golden.

I guess since the movie's coming out soon, it reminded me of it. I hope that Zhang girl would do a decent job of playing the lead. I suppose when you read a book, you've built a certain image of the character in your head. I would've preferred if they'd cast that Japanese model/actress, Kayuki, from "The Last Samurai" instead, but I guess she don't speak no English eh?.
I last read this book in 2001 whilst I was willing the hours away during my haemodialysis at the hospital. It's good read I remember.

Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

According to Arthur Golden's absorbing first novel, the word "geisha" does not mean "prostitute," as Westerners ignorantly assume--it means "artisan" or "artist." To capture the geisha experience in the art of fiction, Golden trained as long and hard as any geisha who must master the arts of music, dance, clever conversation, crafty battle with rival beauties and cunning seduction of wealthy patrons. After earning degrees in Japanese art and history from Harvard and Columbia--and an M.A. in English--he met a man in Tokyo who was the illegitimate offspring of a renowned businessman and a geisha. This meeting inspired Golden to spend 10 years researching every detail of geisha culture, chiefly relying on the geisha Mineko Iwasaki, who spent years charming the very rich and famous.
The result is a novel with the broad social canvas (and love of coincidence) of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen's intense attention to the nuances of erotic maneuvering. Readers experience the entire life of a geisha, from her origins as an orphaned fishing-village girl in 1929 to her triumphant auction of her mizuage (virginity) for a record price as a teenager to her reminiscent old age as the distinguished mistress of the powerful patron of her dreams. We discover that a geisha is more analogous to a Western "trophy wife" than to a prostitute--and, as in Austen, flat-out prostitution and early death is a woman's alternative to the repressive, arcane system of courtship. In simple, elegant prose, Golden puts us right in the tearoom with the geisha; we are there as she gracefully fights for her life in a social situation where careers are made or destroyed by a witticism, a too-revealing (or not revealing enough) glimpse of flesh under the kimono, or a vicious rumour spread by a rival "as cruel as a spider."

Funnily enough I don't own this book, it's my sister's, which is unusual since I'm the confirmed bookworm in this house, but she was always a sucker for the "female hero overcomes adversity" type biography bestsellers.

Another book she got right was "Falling Leaves Return to Their Roots: The True Story of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter" by Adeline Yen Mah. Another great read.

I've Been Shot! Right?

Bummer! I've got my period! Damn! Ok, no more fasting for me then.

I think I've got my period.... I mean, I was in the tub for my shower this morning, I peed and it was all bloody (STOP! Ok... too much detail there!!).

Well, I still haven't anything to eat yet to break my fast. I really should. I hope Raya would fall on Thursday, so I'll have 1 less day fasting to pay back.

There Goes The Weekend......

Oh no... woke up late again. Well, I only managed to sleep like at 7.30am after the 4am dawn meal.

Anyhoo, was feeling a tad guilty for not seeing my mom in law since Monday, so decided to drop by this afternoon after Dzuhur. Went to Supa Save first to get her some oranges, veggie and wheatgrass juice (ewww!) and her favourite Chocolate Bourbon cream biscuits.
Everything is Halloween related on TV today. Star TV has The Simpson's Halloween edition marathon all day today. When is Halloween anyway? 30th or 31st October?

The Fun Rules!

Been trying to work on my C.V.

Really need to get myself a job, not that I'm complaining about my current lifestyle mind you! I mean, I wake up whenever I want, sleep whenever I want, watch TV whenever I want, go out whenever I want, I drive an OK car, no stress, no deadlines and NO MONEY!!! Hehehhe!!

This January I'd have been unemployed for a grand total of 3 years. Before that I'd been working my ass off for about 3½ years. (Only?! I hear you say). So I don't really have that much to impress on my C.V. Thus, I ended up surfing the net, trying to download softwares that converts mp3 files into ringtones. Unfortunately, all the stuff out there costs something, and since I am the proud owner of the world's first invisible credit card, I haven't been successful there either. (Man... hate living off my parents!)

Ok, let's talk about food instead. (Heheh!) Since everyone is breaking their fasts outside today at the new cafe at the Mall Hotel, I rather fancy having some takeaway Japanese. Let's see, what shall I have? California Maki, Saba Shio Yaki, Grilled Unagi on Rice, shall I have noodles too? Yaki Soba perhaps? Oh yesss..... I'll just get somebody to pick it up from Kura Japanese Restaurant since they're at The Mall already anyway.

Ok, was a bit pissed off at nobody in particular, because they came home late from the function and I ended up having my meal much later than I expected! However, the sight of food managed to calm me down, and I managed to snap some shots before I polished the whole thing off.

Ok, so now I'm really stuffed because I have eaten enough for 2 hungry people.

The thing is, my meal could have been quite healthy except for the Yaki Soba (translation - FRIED noodles), which funnily enough is eaten with mayo on the side, and I just had to add extra mayo. Hey! If you're gonna be naughty, might as well go all the way! Haha!

To finish off on a sweet note; sticky dates for dessert. Nice!

Yikes! It's 10pm, STILL feeling peckish can you believe it?!! So I 've sent my hubby over to DQ to get me one of those "for a limited time only" Choco Kit Kat Blizzard Ice Cream thingy I saw advertised in yesterday's paper, whilst I'm here listening to Young Jeezy's "Soul Survivor". Now, where is he.............? He's missing Liverpool on Star Sports. My ice cream better not be mush when he gets here.......

Last Week Of Ramadhan.

Whoah! Been getting up late for the past couple of days, it's shameful, I'm not even gonna say what time! Heheh!! It's like I've got jet lag or something. I'll manage maybe an hours sleep at night, but then I'll wake up for the dawn meal at 4am, and not get to bed again until like 6am. Or even better, the night before I didn't sleep until after the dawn meal. I had to peel my eyes open this morning just to get in the shower before midday.

Been raining the past few days. At this rate, they'll not be able to sight the new moon, so maybe Raya might fall on Friday, instead of Thursday, as I'm hoping.

Raya hamper of goodies typically sent by non-muslim friends/acquaintances to those celebrating Eid.

My hubby decided to break our fast outside last night. Left the house around 6.45pm after Maghrib. We had the Sungkai Buffet at Le Taj. It was yum! Well, everything tastes great after 14½ hours of starvation! I must say I did eat my money's worth though... I'm so proud of me!! I had poppadums, brinjal bhaji, pilau rice, tandoori chicken, tempura prawns, lamb masala, green beans, chicken wings, spring rolls, chicken curry and desert! Heheh!! Oh yeah! Did I mention that I had 2 helpings of everything?! Yep! Definitely ate the $12.80 buffet value. Muahahaha!! (I wanted to take photos of my heaping plate, but was too embarassed!)

Oh yeah. One more thing, Madonna's new single "Hung Up" is too COO-EL!! (Click on the link to listen!)

Easy Day.

Wow... after going to the hospital every morning for the past week, decided to lie in today. Nice! Woke up around 10.30am, switched on the TV, nothing good on so decided on settle on "Out of Africa" on HBO.

Didn't shower until before 12pm! Heheh!!!

Going Home... Yay!

Drove to the hospital myself around 10am. Unfortunately there was a huge jam going to the hospital, but luckily managed to squeeze myself into the fast filling parking spots. My hands were shaking! So not used to driving anymore....

M.i.l's going home, been confirmed by her doctor. After we got her discharge papers, prescription, review date and settled the bill we finally left the hospital around 1pm. I drove m.i.l in the car, cos I didn't want her climbing up on the van.

Went back home for Dzuhur, then asked my mom for a lift to my dentist's appointment at 3pm. I hate going to the dentist, but I want my pearlies to look their best for Hari Raya/Eid. Hehe!! It wasn't so bad today though, it only took about 15 minutes to clean my teeth, and it wasn't as bloody as usual. Eewwww!! Loverly!! Drove around a bit, got some goodies for sungkai/sahur then home at 4pm.

I fell asleep for about an hour, then woke up for Asar. Then when I was in the loo, Bam! I had diarrhoea! Bummer! I hope it's nothing serious. What did I eat yesterday?? I hope it's just hunger and fatigue. Anyway, I was really tired, so I told my hubby that I won't be able to join him and the family for the Sungkai Buffet at The Empire Hotel. Good thing too, cos around 6.30pm I had to go again!

After Maghrib, I took out all my old clothes to give away to those less fortunate. Need some space anyway. Definitely not gonna wear this pile anymore anyway.








Man... stuffed my face with Cakoi again. It's soooo good! "Cakoi" - a Chinese fried pastry sorta snack, I like mine with butter and kaya (sweet filling made from coconut milk, eggs and sugar). Of course, yummy goodies are always FATTENING! Heheh!!

Just Another Sunday....

Sungkai function at home today ("Sungkai" is the meal to break the fast), so I'll just probably help a little around the house. I'll go to the hospital in the evening, since it's my sister in law's 17th birthday today, we'll pass her present tonight. Hope she likes it!











My mom thinks she's still the youthful Superwoman she was 30 years ago, and was lugging around chairs outside in the 33˚C/91˚F midday heat, when she got dizzy and almost passed out. She threw up and had to break her fast. Workaholic lady! Doesn't she remember when she passed out last year and had to be admitted to JPMC!!

Got ready after Asar, then helped out in the kitchen with last minute food assembly. Yum! Everything looks soooo good when you're hungry! Especially the tandoori chicken!!







Went straight to hospital after I had my meal. Time for cake! Everyone's favourite Chocolate Crunch cake from The Empire Hotel.

M.i.l. says she might be discharged tomorrow if everything goes well. I bet she can't wait, I know how she feels. She's already started eating porridge today, and her bowel movements seem to have resumed.

Hope her doctor thinks she's well enough tomorrow.

Busy Weekend.. Sort of....

As usual left for hospital at 11am, but my parents came along for a visit as well. My hubby's started work today, after a long break.

M.i.l. fluid intake has been upped to 60mls hourly, although still on the drip. The nurse says she can start free fluids after 3pm. She's already gotten out of bed to go to the loo, and walking around the room a bit with little assistance. Not sure when she'll be discharged though.

Left with my hubby at 2.30pm. Needed to get ready for a function at my uncle's at 4.45pm. I wonder why I even bother going, when I can't even eat with everybody when they break their fasts. I swear this is the last function I'm going to. Such a drag, but I guess I just don't want to disappoint.

I'm staying in my room tonight.

17th Day of Ramadhan.

Woke up at 10am, my mom dropped me off at the hospital at 11am.

Finished reading Ursula, Under by Ingrid Hill last night, so started a new book; PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern.
















M.i.l. improving day by day. She's started on 30mls of water hourly, although still on the drip. She's passing urine regularly, and it seems as if her bowels are starting to wake up.

Left at 3.15pm.

Had so much to eat for dinner!

Al-Fatihah.

Woke up just before 10am (my hubby calling from the hospital). I switched on the TV to wake myself up with some music, but instead of MTV, there was this announcement that the Malaysian Prime Minister's wife had passed away after a 5 year battle with breast cancer.

My mom dropped me off at the hospital around 11am. M.i.l had already been moved to the first class private room, which was sooo much better than the public wards. She seems to have improved a bit more. They've taken out her drains and catheter, but still on the i.v. drip.

Left for home around 2.30pm. Nice and easy until I overate AGAIN(!) at 7pm. It's my hubby's fault for getting me that yummy "Roti John".

Roti John is made by frying an omelette mixture of eggs, meat (beef or chicken) and sliced onions over a hot pan. While the giant omelette is half-cooked, you lay down several long buns over it so that they'll stick to the cooking egg mixture.

The roti John is finally smothered with chilli sauce, mayonnaise, and shredded cabbage and carrots. (I prefer mine without the chili sauce and veggies, but mayo is a must!!)

Time to wrap the roti John up!

Getting Better....

Left the house for hospital around 11am, with my mom who's taking my sis for her obs & gynae appointment. My hubby had already left around 7.30am if I'm not mistaken. Too sleepy too notice.

M.i.l. seems to be doing better. Her Hb's risen to 9g/dl after yesterday's transfusion. A Vietnamese nurse also gave her a sponge bath so she's feeling much improved.

Left hospital with my hubby around 12.30pm, picked up his niece and took her home, while my hubby caught a few Zzzzzs...

Took her shopping for a teddy bear, a balloon and a pair of sunglasses (since she seems so smitten with my old pair of green Dior shades). She's so cute!













Staying home tonight to watch The Amazing Race: Family Edition. Over ate again!!!

Doing Okay..

Left for hospital at 10am. Not so sleepy today, caught up on some much needed sleep last night.

M.i.l's on an i.v. drip, has a drain coming out of her nose, also on oxygen, a urinary catheter and since her Hb is kinda low at 8g/dl is being transfused. I didn't realise we had the same blood type; A+.

She's still drifting in and out of sleep, although she's alert to her surroundings. We're all just glad she's not in much pain.

Mom picked me up at around 12pm, to go get some stuff at the shops.

Stayed home the rest of the day.

Oh yeah.. Beribi cakoi is damn fine!! Had the munchies at midnight so made myself peanut butter toast. Yum! My diet seems to be going down the drain.. eeekk!!

The Waiting Game

Oh my! How many hours sleep did I get? Last time I looked at the clock it was 12.15am. Woke up again at 3.30am, and didn't get back to sleep until about 5.30am.

I set my alarm for 7.00am, for my 9.00am renal appointment, but decided to sleep for just another 5 minutes, but next thing I knew, my clock showed 7.28am. My husband had already left at 7am for the hospital. Jumped out of bed, took a relatively quick shower (pretty difficult under the circumstances since there didn't seem to be any cold water, only hot scalding water, so I ended up with an elephant's piss of a trickle to shower with!).

My mom picked me up about 8.30am, (there was a jam along Tungku Link), so unfortunately I didn't have time to go up and see my mom in law before she was wheeled into the operating theatre.

Good news on the kidney front anyway, my Haemoglobin is at an all time high of 11.5g/dl, so the doctor was happy. Plus the rest of my blood results were pretty good as well. Although, he advised me to stick to taking my Tacrolimus 1 hour before my meal. Boo hoo!! That's means I shouldn't be taking my meds and having my meal immediately after. Well, after you haven't eaten for 14 hours... the only thing you want to do is stuff your face! Oh well, so today, I had 2 dates to break my fast at 6.06pm, took my Prograf tablets, sembahyang Maghrib and now waiting to have dinner at around 7.00pm. Not as hungry as I thought I'd be (drinking the water helped I guess), whilst everyone is downstairs having fun! Bummer!! Grilled chicken never smelled sooooo good!! I just hope I won't go crazy and overeat. Quite a challenge trying to lose weight during Ramadhan! You'd think fasting would make me drop the kilos easy.. not so... my metabolic rate has always been pretty lame, so with two MAJOR meals I seem to be piling it on instead! Especially those pesky dawn meals! I mean straight to bed after Subuh!

Ok, I'm rambling. Anyway, missed my m.i.l. going into the O.T. at about 9.40am, so it was just waiting with the rest of the family in the freezing cold waitng room. Drove home at about 2.30pm for Zuhur and Asar, (God! When was the last time I'd driven? Aeons ago it seems!), then back to hospital at 4.00pm. M.i.l. still wasn't out yet, although she was already in the recovery room, so my dad in law and my hubby went in to see her.

While we were waiting for her to be brought out, one of the surgical team brought out the excised specimen. Didn't realise there was going to be that much taken out!













They finally wheeled her out at about 4.45pm. Poor thing! She says her back is sore, little wonder after lying on her back for so long. Moved her to the public surgical ward 7, and let her sleep. Left with my mom about 5.30pm, since my hubby doesn't want me to stay in the germ laden atmosphere of the public wards too long. He's still there now, that's a grand total of 12 hours, and barely had anything to eat to break his fast.

Ok, am starving now. Probably go back to hospital after 'Isyak.

Laparoscopic Assisted Colectomy

Pretty much kept my m.i.l. company in hospital today. My hubby and I arrived at 11am, followed up with our booking for an individual room, so m.i.l. can rest properly tonight.

Didn't get to move into the room until after 2pm. Cuold see m.i.l's demeanour change immediately. Those public bays in the ward just ins't conducive to a feeling of well-being. I know she felt much better in a room of her own.

Today, her liquid only diet has been moved up to a CLEAR liquid only diet, ie. plain 'ol boring water. She's also been started on her i.v. drip, but I don't think it helped her hunger.

Left around 3pm for Zuhur & Asar. Then had to accompany my mom to a function at 5pm, came home about 6.45pm for Maghrib and 'Isya. Then left for the hospital again at 8pm and stayed until 11pm.

The Dreaded Cancer

Accompanied my mom-in-law (m.i.l.) to the hospital at 10am.

I already know she had colon cancer after she told us during her Thursday review, that the doctor wanted the "growth" removed immediately before it spreads, but when the surgeon actually, physically showed me the biopsy report and the words "Adenocarcinoma" jumped out at me I can't help but feel the shock. I can only imagine what my mom-in-law felt like, I barely kept my tears in check, I had to walk around the day room before I went back to her.

I had the surgeon explain to us what the operation (colectomy) would entail. http://www.healthsquare.com/mc/fgmc6015.htm Basically it would be a cut either on the side of the abdomen or mid-abdomen. Then the part of the colon with the growth would be removed and the 2 cut ends would be joined together (note to medical professionals: please excuse the blasé explanation of this I'm sure very complicated procedure, but am still in shock).

However, the thing that really got to me was when the surgeon mentioned that there was a risk that if they were not able to join the 2 ends together, my mom-in-law would have to have a colostomy bag! (functions to drain stool (feces) from the colon into the colostomy bag.) Omigawd! I really, really hope not, but he did say that this was unlikely, that he just had to mention the risk.
I've only ever seen one colostomy bag on a patient, and it DOES NOT look like fun! I mean would you want to have poo draining into a bag from a hole in your abdomen into this bag that's attached to you?! I think not.

Fortunately, my m.i.l. did not seem to comprehend this new bit of information, (as she was busy trying to convince the surgeon to let her sleep at home tonight, poor girl - he let her, but warned us to get in early tomorrow at 7am!) which is good in a way, I didn't really want her worrying about it. I might have to advise her tomorrow though, so she won't be surprised if they do decide to put her on one.

She was immediately put on a no solid diet until the operation on Monday (no food whatsoever, just drinks, but no milk). She was also given a rectal suppository to rapidly clear her bowel ( I suddenly remembered going through the same thing the night before my transplant - refer Dec. 7th 2004).

Then followed more blood tests, an echocardiogram, a chest X-ray, a CT scan and a barium enema. After speaking to the anaesthetist, and being given a cathartic liquid (another bowel clearing concoction) we all gladly but tiredly trudged home. It was 3pm. I feel so drained, I don't know if it's because I'm fasting or my feeling sorry and helpless for my mom-in-law. God give us strength.

Reminiscing....

I was just looking through Amazon.com and I came across this;



The Wagamama Cookbook by Hugo Arnold

http://www.amazon.co.uk/
Suddenly brought back all the memories of eating there in their Tottenham Court Road branch in London during my student days in the mid 90's. Those were some yummy noodles. Ne pas oublier quelque chose though, being the skint students that we were, it being a rare treat probably upped the food in the flavour scale eh?! Although, who can argue with 40/50 people deep queues huh?!

Blood Test.

Don't really mind having my blood test today, since I'm still not fasting yet, (maybe tomorrow lah).

Accompanied my mom to check up on our baju Raya, I got thirsty in the car, but didn't want to go down and buy a drink during Ramadan! Heheheh!!

Had dinner with the rest of the family during Sungkai, cos all the yummies are available then. Oooooh.....

1st Day of Ramadhan.

So, everyone's fasting, but I'm having a 3pm lunch with my sis, who won't be fasting all this month anyway, as she's on medication for her pregnancy.

Fasting Starts Tomorrow!

After much thought about adjusting my medication schedule to fit the day's fast, I find that I've got my period at 11pm! Oh well....

I still go down for the dawn meal anyway, just to accompany my husband, and tell my mom that I won't be fasting yet tomorrow.

MOON!

The religious department will be sighting the new moon of Ramadhan this evening.

However, the announcement was that it wasn't sighted, so Ramadhan will fall on Wednesday. Ok.. an extra day of eating out during the day. Hehheh!

My hubby and I have been going out for lunches just to satisfy my cravings. Went to Pizza Hut to have my Italian Pizza, then my hubby took me out yesterday to the new place in Kiulap, "Saffron". We had the mixed grill which was especially for 2 persons anyway, but we ordered a side dish of basmati rice (which my hubby loves). It was real yummy, and we polished the whole thing off, although my hubby left the salad and fish to me, of course! My parents also took me to Takara to satisfy my Japanese craves.. hehehe!