Goodbye 2005...

Wow, wow, wow! It's the last day of the year! Pretty exciting! Looking forward to tonight's show at The Empire Theatre.

Managed to drag myself out of bed at 9am to go to the gym with Mom, cos I know there's not gonna be any dieting this weekend! Heheheh!!

Anyhoo, got ready right after Asar, cos Mom called to say parking spaces were pretty tight. (They left earlier to check into the hotel). So, packed my make-up and some personal essentials, plus my outfit for the night, and left with my sis and bro in law around 5ish pm. Yeah! The hotel was packed! There were so many people in the lobby! I think The Empire Hotel is the best place to be tonight!

Plonked ourselves in our parents room, and since I was pretty much starving, ordered room service, (shared yummy beef char keow tiau with sis, which will set you back $23!!) Whilst waiting for the food, took some pics of the view. We were only on the 2nd floor so pretty much close to the ground. Still pretty nice though... Food arrived around 6.15pm, stuffed my face! Whoah! Then around 7.30pm made our way to tonight's show; concert featuring SHIELA MAJID, DAYANG NURFAEZAH & MISHA OMAR!! Wowee! Met a few of my old HR and other hotel staff who who were working that night. It was really good to see all of them.

Concert ended around 11pm. We really enjoyed the show. Much better I think than just sitting down for dinner, or the standing only concert featuring the AF3 stars. I don't know what was going on in the Baze, but I'm thinking this was waaaaay better! (Ok, yes, I so enjoyed myself). Heheheheh!

Went back to our room for our own countdown, plus to get a better view of the fireworks, especially for the baby. He was soooo excited, and hyper and LOUD! Hahahaha! Blagged a ride from my brother. Good thing the roads weren't jammed. I guess everybody else were either staying at the hotel, or still partying! Got home around 1.30am, but still hyper from all the excitement, so didn't get to sleep until 3/4am.

Only thing was really wished you were with me!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR DUDU!!

Thank God It's Friday (?)

Was getting worried when you haven't called or sent a message this morning. Must be really busy huh?

I guess I was bored since I didn't go out at all today! Obviously I didn't get to go to Takara, because Mom was busy as soon as she woke up, trekking the the markets looking for stuff for her orchids! The house is turning into a veritable orchid garden, (well jungle's more like it! She's really gone way overboard with her orchids!!). Then she was off gardening until lunchtime, then she had to rush to a function after.

So decided to prepare some sausage rolls with a couple of pastry sheets I have lying about in the freezer. I managed to make 4 rolls, and popped them in the freezer, ready to be baked when the mood strikes! Then cleaned out the fridge and freezer as well, cos there were some stuff in there that were waaaay past their best before date.

Anyhoo, at least tomorrow will be more interesting, not the least because it's the last day of 2005! Imagine! Then off to see a super concert/performance at The Empire Theatre in the evening.

Yearnings And Cravings...

You rang just as I was checking my phone to see if you'd send any messages whilst I was in the shower. Hehe! Coincidence? Today, you leave Madinah for Makkah. I hope the journey won't be too bad, and the transition of the jemaah goes smoothly. I haven't heard from you since this morning, I guess you must be busy doing your Umrah and must be drained after huh?

Mom and Dad went across the border again to get more flower pots! So I went to the gym on my own again.

Man.... I'm really craving for Japanese food. Actually have been wanting to have Japanese for the past couple of weeks or so, but haven't anyone to go with. I really enjoyed that Salmon Teriyaki set lunch I had at Kura. I wonder if I can get Mom to take me out to Takara tomorrow for lunch, since someone mentioned their Salmon Teriyaki is the best around. Yummmmm..... oh, man..... Hungry!

I hope your stomach is doing better than mine over there dudu! Hehehhe! Take care of yourself... Thinking of you always...

Chemo Session 4 - Day 2

Left the house at 8.15am, so was at the Oncology Dept. before 8.30am. Unfortunately, m.i.l. didn't get there until about an hour later, so got started late. Since the chemo room was already full, she was placed in the procedure room. At least it's away from the crowd. The nurses were busy today, so by the time m.i.l. was set up it was already after 10am. Usually the infusion takes 1 hour on the 2nd day, but one of the nurses increased the infusion rate when we were 15 minutes into the session, so we finished before 11am. Great! Especially since she wasn't feeling very well today, threw up a couple of times just as we were finishing up. Poor thing! She looked miserable, but still managed to wave goodbye as I was leaving...

Mom picked me up with the baby, because he was pining for pizza. Yeah! I was starving, especially since I only had a couple of packs of rice crackers for breakfast. So after picking up some stuff at Supasave, picked up Dad from the tyre place and went to the Mall. I wanted to have the Tuna Delight Italian Crispy pizza, but they were out, so had the Super Supreme Italian Classic pizza instead. I had about 3 slices and some of Dad's calamari. Naughty! Naughty! Heheheh! Didn't really enjoy the pizza though, felt really greasy for me and salty too! I guess my stomach is rejecting the taste of junk food eh? If only my body could reject the calories and fat! Hahah! Now, why can't we pee out calories and fat like we pee out water, huh? Life's just not that easy!

Boo hoo! Today was my last personal training session. Man.... I seriously need more PT sessions. I need the personal trainer, could always count on her to motivate and regulate and vary my workouts. Despite my whining about her "torturing" me, I actually ENJOY my training. Hrrmmm... birthday wishlist??? Hehehehhe!!

Ahhhh... poor thing fell asleep on our bed after watching Justice League on Cartoon Network. He was supposed to go to his uncle's place to show off his plaster cast, but he could barely keep his eyes open. He looks so cute. I asked him if he misses Angah Boy, and he said yes.... ahhhhh.....

just look at him....!













notice how his cast is propping up his arm...

P.S. There was this movie on HBO with a little scene of a softball game, and it reminded me of YOU! Boo hoo hoo....!!

Chemotherapy Session 4 - Day 1

Early start today.... Unfortunately I didn't get to sleep until after 1.30am, because the little minx came into our room after 11pm, saying that he wanted to keep me company because, "Angah Girl nada kawan....". He also kept asking where you were, and if you were coming back (!). Heheheh! So he kept me up too, watching Cheaper By The Dozen on DVD, then insisting on Cartoon Network. We ended up watching Dexter's Lab and Bananas In Pajamas and God knows what else! When he saw me reading, he insisted on bringing in his books as well, and have me read them to him. In the end, had to cajole him back to Mom and Dad's room so I could finally get some shut eye.

So, was at the hospital around 8.30am, but m.i.l. was still waiting to see the doctor, so didn't start chemo until 10pm. I got a ride home around 12.30pm, so had lunch at once. Didn't have breakfast, so was hungry.

Workout at 3.00pm, decided against Body Balance class today. Just to keep Mom company, since Dad won't be going to Fitness Zone all this week. Bad back.

You take care of yourself there now.... Missing u...

5 Hours Behind...

Hi dudu!

Glad to have you call this morning. Smiled as soon as I saw it was an overseas call. Spent the morning with our "immobilised" nephew. He seems alot better now. Poor thing. Fed him Cheese Corntos and Chickadees whilst he was watching cartoons in our room. Heheheh!

Had PT at 3pm. Actually didn't feel like working out today, but as soon as I hit the treadmill, I felt better. Must be the adrenaline or rather the endorphins. Felt extra motivated during the strength/weight training. Finished the session on the ski like Natural Runner thing. It was hard work! I was really sweating it out. I only had to do it for 10 minutes though, (thank god!) just to familiarise myself with the awkward movement. Although the damn screen kept screaming, "Stride Faster"!! Heheheh!!

Tried to send you the MMS, but I guess I can't send it to your Saudi line. I hope you can send me pics though.

Take care dudu! Luv u and missing you loads...

Bye Baby...

Feeling lonely and dejected since you left.

Only been about 5 hours since we said goodbye at the airport. So depressed that I had a whole fried spring onion (my 1st once since god knows how long ago), and 2 blueberry cheesecake tarts when I got home.

When U call using your Saudi line, I'll MMS the photo of his arm in his sling. Poor baby. He was really in pain.











I'm so bored now. I look at the ping pong paddles that you bought, that we never got to play before you left. Making me feel really sad. I just put your towel in the laundry basket and I wanna cry.

Everything on TV is all about Christmas it makes me wanna gag! Thank God Oprah is coming up.

I MISS MY HUSBAND...

Everything Is Christmas...

Managed about an hour's workout at 11.30am with Mom. By the time we got back, we were both starving, so after a quick shower had a big lunch. Kinda feeling sick after... hehehe!!

Played with my niece a little bit, but then her uncle (my brother in law) picked her up with his girlfriend.

Basically just lazed on the bed after my husband left to check in his luggage for the Haj final flight departure tomorrow. He's happy cos his seat's been upgraded to Business class, so at least the 9/10 hours journey to Madinah won't be too stressful.

After dinner, went to my parents in law. So sleepy...

Slug Poison.

Made some spaghetti for breakfast. Kinda weird, but wanted to finish off the tomatoes before they went off.

Accompanied Mom and Dad to a function (Tahlil and Doa Arwah 100 hari) around 4pm. Just another excuse to eat. Hehehe!

Feeling really sluggish and bloated........

Like Clockwork.

Woke up kinda later than usual today, only because couldn't get back to sleep at 4am this morning, the air-conditioning seems to be acting up, so the room felt a bit warm.

Dad couldn't make it for PT this afternoon, so Mom and I left around 3pm and did our own cardio workouts. I did 45 minutes on the treadmill (288 kcals) and rowed for 2000m (my fastest time today, just above 12 minutes).

The hubby's gone to his friend's Nikah ceremony this evening, so after I did a little packing for him, I ended up watching Master and Commander on Star Movies.

What A Month Can Do.

Didn't do much in the morning. Was planning to organise the hubby's packing, but didn't actually get round to doing it. I'll try and do it tonight. He's leaving for Haj in another 4 days. Boo hoo! Gone for 4 weeks....

Mom's accompanying Dad for his hospital appointment at 2pm. Couldn't join them since my PT session is at 4pm. Well, actually they made it back in time, so we all left together.

Another tortuous hour, but it feels good after. Then, measured my body weight and total body fat. Moment of truth, lost about a kilo in weight, although I've gained lean weight (ie. muscle mass) and lost about 3% body fat. So, good progress on the whole. I'm not too bothered right now though. As long as I'm on the right path and not gaining anymore weight, I happy! Am looking forward to the following month....

Healthy Well Balanced Meal.

Here's your helping of protein and carbohydrate. One of my favourite childhood munchies; Chicken Flavoured Snackerooniees! Yum! Back on supermarkets shelves all over Brunei!

Wash it down with that healthy glass of milk. (Soya milk for the lactose intolerant!). Authentic Asian Drink it says. Note the "Less Sugar".... added bonus!

Then finish off with that crucial serving of fruit!
Heheh!! In my dreams!

Where Shall We Eat Today?

Thank God there isn't any wedding to go to today, so the hubby decided to have lunch outside. At first he wanted to go to Swensen's for the lamb chops, but he saw me make a face so settled on Dome instead, about time too... been planning to go since they opened in October. Unfortunately, there wasn't any chops on the menu, the only lamb dish available was the salad. Definitely not for my hubby, so he chose the Mediterranean Chicken instead, at least it came with chips. (Of course, all the veggie and salad will somehow end up on my plate). The chicken was grilled and flavoured with garlic, chili and lemon.I ordered the Lemon Chicken Wrap. It had baby spinach in it with some cheesy sauce, plus a tomato salsa on the side. To drink; a Wild Berry Chiller.
Yums! We both enjoyed what we ordered. Although a couple of people have said the Chicken Pie was disappointing. Kinda sad, since the ones we always have in KL are the best.

Tandoori - The Sequel.

Accompanied Mom and Dad for Dad's endoscopy at 8.30am. The doctor suspected it might be a diverticulum, but he couldn't be sure from the endoscopy, so he wants to do another barium study. Well, at least it wasn't a hepatic lesion as they first suspected from the ultrasound. Made another appointment for next week.

We finished around 10am, so Mom dropped me off at home bacause I wanted to go for my workout. So dad and her went to have something to eat as Dad had been fasting since midnight last night.

Finished my workout just before 12pm, I could smell the tandoori grilling in the oven as soon as I walked into the house. Starving! So took a quick shower and prepared lunch for hubby and me. The tandoori was yummy! (Ok, so hunger makes anything taste good, but the hubby approved, so I'm well chuffed). I even made a garlic yoghurt sauce to go with it, plus a tomato and cucumber salad. Although Mom thought it lacked punch, not spicy enough for her. Oh well, can't make everyone happy.....

At least it looks pretty authentic to me!

Food For Thought...

Decided to try out the Tandoori mix I got from the supermarket. It's a bit naff, I know, but just wanna give it a go. Just blooming making life easier because all I needed to add was a cup of yoghurt and some lemon juice. Since it says it's best to marinate your chicken overnight, prepared it this evening and then just stick it in the oven in time for lunch tomorrow. I hope it tastes nice. Tandoori saga to be continued tomorrow....

Then seeing as I was already mucking about in the kitchen, decided to make some tukka for the hubby and me. For him, made a sausage roll to snack on. Real easy - I just rolled a sausage in one of those packet puff pastry sheets, and baked it in the oven for about 25 minutes. Cheat! Heheh! For yours truly, real quick and easy spaghetti with fresh tomatoes and garlic. Nice!

Now tell me that isn't healthy!

I'm A Loser! (In The Best Possible Way!)

Pretty uneventful day, so did some weight loss research;

"One pound of body weight is equivalent to 3500 calories. So in order to lose one pound of weight, we need to create a calorie-deficit of 3500 calories.

We can do this by increasing our calorie expenditure, by reducing our calorie intake, or (best) by a combination of both.

Example

• Suppose you need 2000 calories a day, in order to maintain your present weight.
• To lose one pound a week, you need to cut your daily calorie intake to 1500 calories.
• Over 7 days, this adds up to 3500 calories.
• The same result can be achieved by increasing your exercise by 200 calories/day, and reducing your calorie-intake by 300 calories/day.
• That said, a combination of calorie-reduction and increased exercise makes weight loss easier to sustain." www.annecollins.com

"If you create a 3500-calorie deficit in a week through diet, exercise or a combination of both, you will lose one pound. The first step is to calculate how many calories you burn in a day; your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE).
A method for calculating TDEE is to determine basal metabolic rate (BMR) using multiple factors, including height, weight, age and sex, then multiply the BMR by an activity factor to determine TDEE.

B.M.R. (Basal Metabolic Rate) based on total body weight;
Women: BMR = 655 + (9.6 X wt in kg) + (1.8 X ht in cm) - (4.7 X age in years)

Example:
You are female
You are 30 yrs old
You are 5' 1 " tall (154.0 cm)
You weigh 132 lbs. (60.0 kilos)
Your BMR = 655 + 576 + 277.2 - 141 = 1367 calories/day

Now that you know your BMR, you can calculate TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) by multiplying your BMR by your activity multiplier from the chart below:

Activity Multiplier
Sedentary = BMR X 1.2 (little or no exercise, desk job)
Lightly active = BMR X 1.375 (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/wk)
Mod. active = BMR X 1.55 (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/wk)
Very active = BMR X 1.725 (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days/wk)
Extr. active = BMR X 1.9 (hard daily exercise/sports & physical job or 2X day training, i.e marathon, contest etc.)

Example:
Your BMR is 1367 calories per day
Your activity level is moderately active (work out 3-4 times per week)
Your activity factor is 1.55
Your TDEE = 1.55 X 1367 = 2119 calories/day

Therefore, my optimal caloric intake for weight loss is 2100 - 500 = 1600 calories/day." www.weightlossforall.com

Getting there.... almost a month since I started all this exercise/diet thing, and I think I've definitely lost 4 pounds, even while eating out on many occasions! I WILL look better on my 30th birthday!!

Chemo Session 3 - Day 2

Arrived at hospital at 8.30am. Unfortunately m.i.l. was late, so I had to sit in the freezing waiting room for about 15 minutes. After we finished, Mom picked me up just after 10am to send me to the bank. Unfortunately, my PIN wasn't ready yet. Ahhhh! Maybe I'll just pick it up whenever. Although I must say, the staff at HSBC were really courteous. I don't know if it's because I'm a PowerVantage customer or what, but they made me a tad uncomfortable. Fancy feeling ill at ease because of well-mannered staff! I guess I'm just used to facing front line staff who are a bit lacking in the good service department.

We all had lunch at the newly opened coffeehouse at the Riqzun Hotel. Everybody else opted for the buffet spread (B$23/person) which looked damn incredible!, but it'll just be a waste of money since I didn't want to eat that much. So I ordered the Maharajah Naan bread from the Tandoori kitchen, which was delish!! Yum! Recommended! It was 2 pieces of naan filled with king prawns, tandoori chicken pieces, salmon and mozzarella cheese.

Please excuse the mess, just about forgot to take a picture before I dived in!
It also came with generous portions of tasty condiments - cucumber and tomato raita, lentil curry, mango chutney plus tomato and onion chutney.
Oh yeah, and it also came with a yummy fruit lassi, (I shouldn't have ordered the Virgin Colada). All of this only costs B$12! Amazing! (The colada costs another $5). So stuffed.

Did my cardio workout at 3pm. Gotta work off all the calories!

Should be having something lighter for dinner, but there were some yummy stuff I just had to have! My fave young pumpkin shoots cooked in coconut milk, chili and salted fish, heheh! Plus the essential stir fried cabbage, and couldn't resist having 3 pieces sweet and sour prawns. Hahahahha! (Note/ The chopsticks are supposed to make me eat slower.... sort of).

Branston Pickles Help!

I have a glut of the stuff. Since I can't very well finish a 310g bottle within the recommended "Use within 6 weeks of opening", on cheese and pickles sandwiches alone, does anyone know of any other yummy ideas to use up them pickles??

Ideas (other people's) I've gotten so far from surfing the net;

• Great with cold meats - I wonder if I can have it with Tandoori Chicken, instead of the usual Mango Chutney
• A sandwich with apples and salad leaves
• With Strawberry topped Cheese Cake or Ice Cream and Jello - Really??!!
• Branston Smooth is perfect with chips or burgers, BBQs or pizza. - Hmmmm... Doable...
• Bread and butter pickles in tuna salad - Would Branston's go with My tuna sandwich??
• Open face melted cheese sandwich with Branston pickle - Ok, just another variation on the cheese and pickles idea, maybe when I have absolutely no veggie left in the fridge?
• It's also good to use as a flavouring in mince. My boyfriend does this amazing combination of branston pickle, curry powder, tomato puree, tomato ketchup, tobasco sauce and some other ingredients (he never lets me see the full concoction!!), he mixes them all up with water into a loose paste and mixes it with the mince and it is goooorgeous!! We have it with either pasta or lovely mash. - Whoah! Too much work for me. Maybe....

Chemotherapy Session 3 - Day 1

Decided to drive myself to hospital this time. Got there around 8.30am, but decided to get my prescription for Diltiazem first, (unfortunately the pharmacy can only issue me with a month's supply instead of the 9 weeks that the doctor wrote). Chemo session started late today, around 9.45am, so when I left about 11.50am, m.i.l. still wasn't finished yet.

Picked up the hubby from his office, and as promised went to have our Japanese lunch at The Mall. I decided to have a Salmon Teriyaki set today, which also came with miso soup, the usual pickles and another teeny weeny helping of some unidentified fish plus 2 slices of watermelon. The whole thing was luverly, as always..... *sigh*

Also decided to try the "Body Balance" class at the gym today at 4.30pm, as a change from my usual cardio workout. There were only 4 of us in this class, heheh! And 3 of us were beginners. What is it? Ok, let's see... here's what it says; "“The World’s Best Mind and Body Class”. A 21st Century blend of Yoga, Tai Chi & Pilates. A Program influenced by the classic principle of Yoga and Tai Chi. It is the world’s first holistic, pre-choreographed mind/body program. It has been designed to attract an entirely new client appeal that transcends the barriers of age, gender, fitness background and physical appearance." How was it? I had fun.... I just realised why I'm not a dancer. I couldn't hold most of the poses and stances for very long. Hehehhe! So unfit! So unbalanced, so not supple!

Ploughman's Cheese Sandwich

As a treat for me achin' muscles, made me my fave. The following pics serves as a testament to my on-going love affair with this most English of British Sandwiches. Courtesy of my 6 years study in jolly 'ol England (plus Scotland), and having lunch on the run!

2 pieces of toasted white bread, smothered with Mayo on one side, and Branston pickles on the other. Then layer with cucumber, tomatoes, onions and lotsa freshly milled black pepper.

Unfortunately, did not have any good mature cheddar cheese available, so had to use feeble single slice cheese! Never mind...
Here's a glorious (blurry) close-up..

Lovely, golden and toasty...
Yum! There's nothing like the first bite.... BLISS!!!

Diet Rules: Don't Go Food Shopping When Hungry!

Didn't have time for breakfast, so just had a large mug of Milo. Went to the bank at 11am to pick up my replacement ATM card, however, the PIN is still not ready, so will have to go back again on Wednesday. Then Mom wanted to go to Tutong, so dropped by Mum's Bakery first to pick up something to eat, since it was already 12pm there wasn't time for lunch.So I ended up eating a sausage roll and a red bean bun, and some of my nephew's sausage pizza. Heheheh!!

Didn't reach home until 2pm, so I had to rush Zuhur, cos I had personal training at 3pm. Oh man.... I'm sore all over. Started with 15 minutes on the cycle at level 4 (I usually do level 2 when I'm alone), then weight/strength training. Omigawd! I didn't realise 3kg x2 dumbbells could be so heavy after only 8 counts! And I had to do 15! Finished off with 2000m on the rowing machine. Pia said I should finish it within 15 minutes, or 18 if I was really tired, but managed it in about 13 minutes. Whoo hoo! It wasn't as bad as I thought, I think I've learned to pace myself. I told Pia I've started to fit back into some of my tops which were a tight fit (read; DID NOT FIT) a couple of months ago. Yay! It's progress. Hopefully after 3 months I'll be able to fit back into my pre-transplant sized clothes. (I really miss wearing jeans!!).

The hubby called round 5pm saying that he wanted to go out and have Japanese, but since I didn't have a decent lunch, I couldn't wait until 7.30pm to eat! I was famished. So promised to go out for lunch tomorrow instead. In the meantime, surfed the net for Japanese menus!! This one for Sakae Sushi is super! Complete with mouth watering photos. Oh yes! Another thing I found, this address for the best kebab in London during my students days: Bosphorus 59 Old Brompton Road, London, England SW7. (I think you get off from the South Kensington tube station). Heheheh! I wonder if I search for food the way pervs search for porn??!! It gives me such pleasure... hahahah!! (Ignore the rantings of the calorie challenged)

Another Kind Of Run.

Woke up at a decent 8.30am, partly due to the fact that mom wants me to go to some wedding thingy, which I couldn't be bothered to. Plus my nephew coming in and announcing loudly that it was already 11am! Wonder who put him up to it... Hhrrrmmm mommy??!!! Hubby had already left for his softball game at some unearthly hour, 7am or something crazy like that.

Switched on RTB to catch the Brunei Marathon 2005 thingy. When they interviewed the Brunei winner, I couldn't understand what he was saying about all the controversy and hot news and getting all emotional stuff. But as the interview went on, he then explained that he was supposed to be on the Brunei team for the SEA Games in the Philippines, but because of some transgression he was supposed to have committed he was taken off the team. Ahhhh... poor guy. I sympathise with him. And yes! He couldn't have run 42km with just 30 minutes training! Anyway, heartiest congratulations to him. To be running against international marathon athletes (of which the first 5 winners were from Kenya!) clearly shows this Brunei guy has some Chutzpah in him. Well sir, at least you'll be laughing all the way to the bank! You make me proud!

Ok.... I'm hungry now... time to make dinner. Hrmmm.... toasted tuna sandwich? Yum... NOT! I still have this craving for Japanese food, so I've been surfing the net for Japanese foodblogs and menus (I guess as a way of curbing my hankering for the yummy stuff) and I found Wagamama's site! Aaaahhh....making me feel all nostalgic. Looking at the menu, I even remember what I used to order; Yasai Yaki Soba with Elderflower juice to drink, and the whole thing would have cost less than ₤8, which is about B$18 then. More expensive now with the current exchange rate. Aaaaahhh... but those were the days.....

Urrrgghh!! The Runs.....

Oh boy! Woke up at 2.30am to rush to the loo. Then again when I woke up at 9.00am. But I will still go to the gym today no matter what. Even if I have to rush to the ladies while I'm on the treadmill!

Mom called to say that she was running late, as she was still at the hospital with dad. After Dad's full physical examination at JPMC last month, they have found a lesion about 4cm under his liver, which needs a CT scan to visualize more clearly. So he's been referred to the specialists at RIPAS. Guess he's a bit worried, but we won't know anything until the scan results come out. Please God, let it be some benign thing.

In the end, Mom and I left for the gym around 11.30am (but not before I had another run to the loo! I'm crazee, I know!). I did 40 minutes on the treadmill, and 15 minutes on the cycle, minus any embarassing rush to the you-know-where! Heheheh!!! Phew! My hubby dropped in whilst I was doing my cool down stretches. I thought I recognised that car.....

After a quick shower, and lunch at 2pm, I was planning to do Zuhur prayers then Asar after, but had to stop after Zuhur cos my tummy was still rioting! I slept for a little bit in the afternoon, I guess I'm more tired than I realised.

Went to the in-laws place in the evening, and ended up watching footie the whole time! Not by choice mind you! I was sadly outnumbered. Liverpool was playing see....

Under The Weather..

Having a little diarrhoea today. Was it something I ate for lunch? Or was it something I ate during dinner last night?? *GASP* Noooo... I absolutely refuse to believe that the Japanese restaurant we went to last night served me me iffy food, cos' I'm definitely going back there, again and again and again! Heheheh! I even got my hubby raving about the food, (he had ebi tempura and chicken katsu).

So, it's easier for me to say that those good for nothing amahs let the flies land where it wasn't supposed to!

Happy Birthday Kidney!!!

Wow! I can't believe it's been a year since my transplant! Last night the hubby and I were reminiscing what we went through the night before the op. Thank God we've made it through in one piece. It's been a hard year for everyone. When I sit down and think about it, it's just way amazing..... No more dialysis, no more hassle, so much time to do whatever and be free basically!

So, to celebrate, we went out for dinner (Japanese, of course). Just the two of us. Real cosy. Then, decided to catch a movie. For lack of anything else to watch, we took in "Narnia". It was alright, like a kiddie's version of "Lord of The Rings". Just happy to be with my honey.

To think we left the house before 8pm and didn't come home until after 12am. I mean, before the transplant, I would've had to sit down for my dialysis around 6.30pm, if we'd wanted to leave that early. Then, another dialysis hassle before going to bed, instead of just washing my face and flopping straight to sleep. Bliss! I just can't explain it.... it sounds so trivial when I write it here, but believe me, the change is HUGE!

I'm just happy. Please God, make my kidney last for many more years to come.........

High!

Had a hospital appointment at 11am with the hubby. Glad to report my blood test results from 2 weeks ago are really good;
Haemoglobin - 12.2g/dl (12-16g/dl), that's the highest it's been this year, pray to God it stays up!
Creatinine - 108μmol/l (45-120μmol/l)
FK - 6.6
Glucose - 4.9mmol/l (3.0 - 7.8mmol/l)
Cholesterol - 2.39mmol/l (<5.5mmol/l)
BP 100/70mmHg.
Weight - 61.8kg (Boo hoo! I will go back down to 55kg. I must!!!)

I'm just worried about the hubby though. His Creatinine is kinda high at 143μmol/l and he has protein in his urine.

A bit late for my personal training at the gym, because mom's cousins/relatives from KL were here, so I had to go on my own. Another punishing hour, Pia upped the treadmill to an incline of 8.0 and speed of 6.0!! I was really sweating alot this session, oh! but it does make you feel good afterwards though. I'm officially a fitness addict! Heheheh!

In the evening, hubby and I caught "Aeon Flux" at The Mall Cineplex. It was OK, at best it was just mindless entertainment for me; the kind of movie where you have to leave your brains at home I say. (Sufficient to say it wasn't my idea). Enuff said!

Family Affair.

Man! Mom woke me up even before I had a chance to take my medication at 8am! That's too bloody early Mom! And on a Sunday! Sacrilege! Well, ok, she had good reason to. Had a wedding invite in Seria to attend. Dad and hubby went to another wedding. We arrived at my cousin's place, whose son and daughter(!) were both getting married, (not to each other, you sickos!), around 11am. It was damn hot too under those canvas tents! Good thing mom called us in to the air-conditioned house.

Before driving back to Bandar, dropped off my sister's mom in law, then stayed there for a bit, so didn't reach home until around 3pm. Just enough time for Zuhur, before Asar at 3.30pm.

Didn't really do much the rest of the day. The heat just totally drained me. So when mom asked me to accompany her to another invite (Yes! Another wedding! Well, since she couldn't attend the morning's invite my dad went to, she wanted to go to the evening's function), I had to respectfully but firmly decline. Too tired mommy!

Decisions, Decisions...

Worked out for about an hour in the morning with mom. Hubby called to say he wants to go out for lunch. Yippee!! Starving! Could eat a horse! Had some grapes first after I'd showered so I don't eat my bag or the car! Hehehe!

Trying to decide where to eat whilst in the car. Hubby said Sanur, I said ok. Then he said, whatabout Dome? I said ok. There was a huge line going in to The Mall, so hubby changed his mind again, decided for Pizza Hut, but already left Gadong area, so settled on Saffron in the end. Anywhere will do!

We ordered the Mixed Grill - Beef, Chicken and Fish with Pita bread and salad with garlic tahini yoghurt sauce. Yum! Ordered a side of basmati rice as well. Made hubby try the fish, and after a hefty prayer(!) he did! Ahhh! Bless him! Said it tasted like chicken! Whatever, he did eat the whole little chunk though, richly slathered with the yoghurt sauce I might add! Heheheh! Oh well... it's a start. Was really stuffed. I ate more than the hubby! I had both the fish grills (minus the one little chunk), 1 of the chicken and 1 of the beef. That means my husband only had what was left, which was 1 each of the chicken and beef. Hehehehe!

Spent the afternoon at the in-laws. Mom in law's doing ok, though only just recovered from some nausea and vomitting. Poor soul. I'm sure it'll get worse for the subsequent treatments, but she's taking it a step at a time. We'll see how it goes.

Money Matters.

Mom accompanied me to the bank at 10am, as I wanted to find out more about the Time Deposit promotion they mailed to me last week. After informing the teller/cashier lady what I was looking for, she directed us to speak to a personal banker. Being such a novice with all this investment hoo ha, I was really pleased that she started off by giving advice on some suitable choices for beginners like myself, and I filled in an investment profiling form, which listed me as a "conservative" investor.

So by the end of the meeting, I'd invested a little chunk of my measly savings into one investment plan of a 3 year period, (since today was the closing date). Mom and I were also interested in a couple of other plans which we took home to look through first, and the banker said she'd call me on Monday to find out which one I'd like to invest in. Hrrrmmm... maybe I'll try the Hong Kong Growth Fund instead of the UK one, since it's for an investment period of 3 years only, as opposed to 5 years for the latter. Don't want my money tied up for too long, since I might need liquid funds in the near future. (Do I sound like a financial whiz??!!). Not! Hehehhe!

Where's Capital FM?

Had a bit of a lie in today, watching tv, since I missed last night's episode of "Come Dine With Me" on Discovery Travel & Living.

Spent the morning creating a playlist to help with my workout sessions as advised by hubby dearest. Will research on more upbeat rhythms tomorrow.

Mom and I went to the gym around 3.15pm. Dad couldn't make his 4pm personal training session as he had a meeting with my uncle.

For once there isn't a function to attend to this evening.