Selamat Tahun Baru Hijrah 1427.

Public Holiday Galore... makes no difference to me though... hehehe!

My New Hobby.

No...not photography... picking these flowers from the garden and letting their scent perfume our bedroom. They smell really great. Especially yesterday when I got like 10 blooms at once. Lovely! Don't know what they're called though. I got given the plant by my ex-staff at the hotel where I used to work. It's really growing well now.... hehehe!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

'Tis the year of the dog. Haven't gone out celebrating the Chinese New Year since I was like 12 years old. Aaaahhh... the good old days. These were one of the occasions where us kids could earn a substancial amount in red packets. Heheheh!!

The hubby and I decided to have brunch at Swensen's for lack of anywhere else more interesting to go. The food was... erm.. oh boy... nothing to write home about really. Wonder what possessed me to suggest it. (Note to self - Swensen's only for ice cream cravings!).

After Zuhur, got ready for a function at a relative's to celebrate her first born.

Am watching Oprah's 20th Season premiere on TV. The hubby was asking how much a ticket to her show costs? Google it?

How Tall Are You?

Went looking for trekkie bottoms with the hubby again today. First, Hua Ho Yayasan - nothing I liked. They're all too long! Why don't they have petite sizes?! Macam tah orang Brunei ani tinggi-tinggi sangat! Sheesh!

Then, tried Soon Lee Megamart. Managed to find one Adidas pants that I liked, although it was kinda on the long side. Guess I'm gonna have to do the folding thing again. Urgh!

After, decided to take the baby to the beach to make sand castles. Unfortunately, the tide was pretty high, so after 2 attempts and the waves crashing through our creation, decided to dump it, and muck about at the playground. (Overdid the snacking on the peanuts and the crab crackers!)

The Worst Kind Of Torture!!

Was supposed to go out with the hubby in the morning, but since he was up at 5am and didn’t get back to sleep again until 9am, that plan went down the drain. So, rather than letting my make-up go to waste, accompanied Mom to pick up the nephew from school. Weight training in the afternoon, then TV in the evening.

(Oh! Those chocolates are killing me!! Will give in and have one tomorrow!!!)

….. My Husband Is Back!!

Had a lie in in the morning. We were pretty smashed after unpacking my hubby’s bags and boxes. I miss the floor! There’s so much stuff everywhere.

The hubby was pretty jet lagged. I had to wake him up several times just to get him to eat breakfast. He slept again in the afternoon whilst the 3 of us went to the gym.

After a nice refreshing shower, Asar and Maghrib and dinner, sorted out all the stuff my hubby bought to pack into gift bags for the family and friends. It was especially difficult packing all the chocolates!!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?


Arrrggghhh…. Managed to get all of it sorted by 1am. Phew!

One for the Master, one for the Dame and one for the little boy who lives down the lane..Typical contents; mini prayer mat, his and hers prayer beads, Zam Zam water, dried figs, dates, raisins, dried nuts and of course chocolat….. Now, we just need to send it out to everyone. Well, at least we can get rid of the boxes and his luggage from the room. Ahhhh… much better! Hell-lo carpet!

Chemo Session 6 - Day 2

Was at the Oncology Unit by 9am. M.i.l. was finished after 10am, so Mom picked me up so we can go have our photos taken for Umrah visas. Had to change into darker coloured headscarfs first though, because the photographer says light colours would blend in with the background! Hehehe! So went home, had some breakfast (Mom had picked up some goodies from Le Apple bakery for tonight), changed my top and tudong, then left again, with Dad in tow this time.

Went around to DST Yayasan to pay our phone bills (mine ~ $106), then dropped Dad off at home, picked up me nephew from JIS, had lunch, then weight training at the gym. Managed to corner my personal trainer to measure my body weight and body fat percentage. Lost about another kilo and a half, plus lost just under 3% body fat. Heeeho!!!

Got ready after Maghrib to go to the airport to pick up my hubby. Yay!! I think the lil' bugger was excited as well, cos he didn't sleep at all in the afternoon. Their flight landed around 8.30pm. Fortunately, it was just the haj officers arriving home, so there wasn't the usual crush of humanity waiting for their loved ones arriving back from Haj. Relief!

(The hubby was a but upset cos I didn't drive his car for a whole month, plus we discovered some "growth" thriving in the car!!! Ewwww!!! Heheheh! Sorry love!)

Chemotherapy Session 6 - Day 1

Was supposed to wake up before 7am, but overslept a little, ended up in the shower around 7.40am instead. Oooops! Well, had a little trouble going back to sleep after the hubby called at 2.30am (!) to ask me what size top I wear. He says he found this cute Esprit workout gear. Don't think I got back to sleep until after 4am....Zzzzzz.....

Before going over to m.i.l's chemo, had to go for my blood and urine test with Mom. I hope the results would be ok, my urine sample didn't look too hot though, especially after last night's seafood tom yam steamboat and stingray sambal... slllluuuurrrpppp! Yums! I'm sorry now I didn't take any photos... an excuse for another trip to splurge??

Mom picked me up again around 11.30am after we finished today's session. M.i.l.'s halfway through her chemotherapy, another 6 more sessions to go after this, providing her blood results hold up. My father in law says her hair's beginning to fall out as well.

Had an early lunch today since I hadn't had breakfast yet. Then left to pick up the lil' rascal from school, since his class is having a special "wear your Chinese outfits" day, so I wanted to see him in his white Chinese outfit today. Aaaaahhh... so cute!

Fell asleep while watching Oprah! I was soooo sleepy! Then, got ready for my workout. Did cardio only today.

Oooo-er! My hubby's coming home tomorrow night!! Can't wait. Can't believe I miss his phone ringing all the time with his softball buddies calling, and him going on about pitching and drilling and fielding or whatever!! Heheheh!

Nondescript.

In other words, dull, uninteresting, unremarkable, ordinary, commonplace.... just plain 'ol boring.....

That's been my weekend so far. Did manage to get some new workout tops on Friday and Saturday. Got a couple of men's top in small from Giordano, not that I can't fit into women's wear, just that the women's gear don't cover my extensive bum! Hehehhe!! Everything seems to stop just below the waist, and I'm not gonna subject other people to a view of my generous derriere just yet!

My sis suggested Manggis Mall Hua Ho, where I got a couple of women's tops from Nike and Adidas this time. They're definitely cuter then the men's gear, I must say, but I'm not sure if I'll wear them just yet, maybe a couple of hundred of squats later...... Unfortunately, my hips and thighs still do not conform to normal society's idea of what a woman's dimensions should be, so did not find any new trekkie bottoms to update my look.... and being vertically challenged certainly didn't help matters much in the fitting room! (OMG! People must think I'm a fat dwarf!) Hehehehhe! Interesting...... Well...actually, YES I AM!

There's nondescript for you.

Selamat Bertunang!

Congratulations goes to my cuz on her engagement today!

"Pembuka Mulut" "Cincin Pertunangan"

Looking forward to the main event in March!

This Time Next Week...

Okaaayyy.. what've I been doing? Monday was just typical, home in the morning, cardio work out in the afternoon, nice and easy in the evening.

Up early yesterday, not only because I wanted to go to hospital, but the lil' bugger was screaming his head off, protesting for being woken up early for school! Mom sent me off to RIPAS, had to leave my treatment card at the Renal Unit, cos there weren't any doctors around to write up my prescription, and since clinic starts at 10.30am, I wasn't about to wait an hour to see one. So we went to pick up my 6 months supply of contact lenses (B$115), then off to Yayasan to get me some lens solution, picked up 3 (B$36). Went home and caught a bit of the Golden Globes on TV. Did my strength/weight training in the afternoon.

Then today, up early again, to pick up my prescription, and surprise! surprise! they've run out of stock! Of Tacrolimus! If there was a single med I absolutely cannot miss, it's this! This is what keeps my body from rejecting my kidney!!! Arggghhh!! It's so frustrating. Mom absolutely panicked and started yabbing about going to Singapore and getting my prescription there. Ok, ok... steady on Mom, I do still have a month's supply left, but if there's one thing you learn to do with regards to medical supplies in Brunei, it's to overstock!! Cos you never know when supplies are gonna run out, (and believe me, it happens pretty regularly around here!) Thankfully though, ran into the transplant nurse, so she said she'd give the doctor a ring to see what he can do. So got a call in the afternoon, to say that the Pharmacy managed to scour some from the Outpatient unit(?). What? I thought, some new stock had just arrived, but apparently, some other poor soul is not gonna get any because they had to scrounge it off for RIPAS. Whatever. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

Did some cardio in the afternoon. Man... am sweating like a pig! Hehheh! Met my personal trainer before I left. She says I need to get some new workout gear cos they're getting bigger, or rather I'm getting leaner and meaner! Muahahahahha!! Yippee!!! Ok, ok...no celebrating yet, still got some ways to go, but am getting there.... must be patient and persevere!!! Hmmm...wonder if I can get some cool gear with $40....

Where've I Been?

Well, not my fault entirely.... the internet connection has been acting up lately....ok, so I have been a bit of a lazy sod too.... hahahah! Not that I've been doing much of anything anyway... Friday was pretty boring, just stayed home.

Saturday morning worked out on my own, doing a combination of weights and cardio.. I must've been at the gym for more than an hour. Just about beat the lunchtime rush hour driving back home. Then my sis and bro in law took me out for lunch at Fratini's (Manggis) since there's this 50% discount promotion going on. I had the pasta Ala Norma. Service was a tad slow, so by the time my food arrived at 2pm I was kinda not hungry anymore. Good thing they forgot our pizza order, don't think I could've stuffed another mouthful. Arrived home just before Asar, then left again about 4.45pm to catch "Memoirs of a Geisha" (yippee!!) at The Mall with Mom and Dad. Thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Of course there was some slight difference from the book, but that was to be expected. I just was a bit annoyed with the guy sitting next to me saying, "Ahhh... biru matanya!". It's not blue lah! It's supposed to be grey! Read the bloody book!! Heheheh! Couldn't help being a snob!

Sunday was a bit of a bore again....

Tummy Ache?

Oh my god! Total blank!

Ok.... woke up, breakfast, yada yada yada....

Work out, yay!

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha.

Today's a Public Holiday, although others have celebrated Hari Raya Haji yesterday. So, got ready early for the function at Ong Sum Ping. Apparently it was an open house, no wonder the place wasn't as busy as we expected! Anyways, even though, I just had breakfast, there was this massive buffet spread which I just could not resist.... eeeekkk!!

Arrived home after 11am, watched a little TV, then sis and bro in law decided to go out for lunch, so I tagged along! Shameless! After that heavy double whammy of a breakfast, I still wasn't feeling guilty about eating out! So, we settled on Dim Sum at Dynasty. Oh yeah! Yums!!

Definitely need to work it all off! So left for the gym with Dad at 3.30pm, (Mom joined us about 15 minutes later... orchids.. 'nuff sed!). Did 15 minutes on the runner (95), 30 minutes on the treadmill (240) and 15 minutes rowing (125).

My darling called around 5.30pm. They're still in Mina, leaving for Mekah tomorrow... miss u!

Chemo Session 5 - Day 2

Another early morning to the hospital. Mom sent me off this time around 9am. M.i.l. had already started when I arrived and there was only about 20 minutes left on the infusion. So called Mom to pick me up again.

Since it was only 10am, decided to go to Tutong to send of the material. My hubby called to say that they've been stuck on the bus now for 7 hours trying to get out of Arafah to Mina. Poor dudu! He says he's tired and really needs some sleep. We then dropped by Le Apple to get some goodies. Mom got some egg tarts for the baby, some mini chicken quiche for Dad, and for me, yummy cakoi (it was good!) and a tuna puff bun for breakfast tomorrow.

In the afternoon, we all went to the gym. Did some weights today after 15 minutes on the Natural Runner, and finishing off with 20 minutes on the cycle. The personal trainer also gave Mom and I our own progress cards to track our workouts. Oh.... so that's what some people have been carrying around with them. Unfortunately, my weight and BMI is also on the card, which everyone can see!! Arrrrggghhh!! That should be motivation enough for me to reduce my 59.5kg weight!!! Unfortunately, I don't seems to have any weight reduction this past week or so... well, serves me right for indulging in all the yummies and goodies and treats and cakes and eating out! Muahahahahah!

Chemotherapy Session 5 - Day 1

Woke up @8am to go to hospital. Thankfully m.i.l. was already there when I arrived around 9am, having her catheter inserted. Didn't start infusion until 9.20am though.

Mom picked me up around 11.30am, and we went round to Hokko to get some pants material for Mom and m.i.l. Then stopped by Fleur De Lys to pick up a Mushroom Quiche for Mom, plus a Chicken Waldorf salad and a Tuna Pasta salad for moi. Since it was still early to pick up the lil slugger from school, Mom stopped by the Rimba nursery to get a few flower pots.

Went to gym alone this afternoon, since Dad had a hospital appointment, and Mom was busy preparing for tonight's function. Did 15 minutes on the Natural Runner, 35 minutes on the treadmill, then finished off rowing 2000m. Yeah! Good workout!

After a refreshing shower and Asar prayers, had an early meal at 6pm and finished off the yummies I got this morning. Then got ready for prayers downstairs. Although it was his birthday today, my uncle managed to stop by, but had to leave before Isya' since they're having a big birthday dinner at Spaghettini's. Awww... shucks! I love Spaghettini's! Oh well..... Happy 63rd!

1st Birthday!

Today my sister turns 31. Heheheh! I'm sure she won't appreciate me writing that down, but nobody knows who the hell I'm talking about anyway!!

So, as usual we all went out for our celebratory dinner, although since today was Sunday, decided to do lunch at I-Lotus, as Mom and I have been thinking of having the Nyonya Style Steamed Seabass. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a hooha with the food order, because apparently someone mentioned that the meats at the restaurant weren't halal. (Nobody else at the restaurant seems to be aware of this fact, tons of Malays were enjoying the buffet)? So the sister was in a bit of a huff, because we were limited to butter prawns, the fish, baby kailan with salted fish and asparagus belacan. Oh well, I enjoyed the food, (food has to be really bad nowadays for me not to enjoy a meal!). Hahahahah!

Then, back to the house for cake and pressies!!

Pretty birthday cake, and Lovely rose bouquet from her hubby. Awwww....Bracelet from Mom and Dad (Soo Kee Jewellery, S'pore),My pressie from D&Platinum,

Week 1.

Wow! It's a week into the New Year already....

Managed to drag myself out of bed before 9am, since I want to go to the gym at 10am today.

Arrived at Fitness Zone around 10.30am, and I was the only one there! Started with a 15 minutes warm up on the treadmill, then onto weights. Phew! Followed by 30 minutes of light work on the treadmill. It was almost lunchtime when I left, so the roads were pretty packed.

Pretty drained in the afternoon, almost fell asleep. After Asar got ready for function at the in-laws. My bro in law picked me up around 6pm with the girls. Pretty famished by the time we finished prayers around 8.30pm, so had more than my usual load... heheheh! Left at 9.30am.

Received a call from Japan, from an ex-boarding schoolmate. She was actually looking for my sis, but since she and her hubby are off watching the Peter Pan concert, we spoke a little. Seems she's not doing very well. Poor girl. I can't imagine what kind of life she has there. She says she's depressed, and planning on coming to Brunei sometimes. I hope she can make it. Sounds like she could use a badly needed break. Let's hope she'll feel better after talking to sis.

Looks Like Rain.

Oh my Gawd! Woke up really late this morning! Didn't take my medicine until 11.45am, instead of like 9am! Eeeek!! Shhhhh! Better not do that again!

Talk about skipping breakfast... had lunch with Mom aorund 1pm after she picked up the lil' bugger from school.

Thankfully, there's no gym session today. Definitely need the break.... me muscles are sore! I was planning on doing some stomach crunches in the morning before I showered, but that plan went down the drain... hahahah! Hrrmmm.... wonder if I should do weights tomorrow morning instead of just cardio?

Went out after Asar. Had been planning to go to the in laws the past few days, but have been really lazy. So stopped by Mum's Bakery to get some goodies (Chicken Floss buns, Tuna bun, Sausage bun, Chicken Quiche) for the girls. Boy! Seems like everybody else had the same idea as well, the place was packed! The shelves were almost bare and I could hardly get a decent parking spot! Then made a quick stop at Supa Save for some oranges for m.i.l. plus some of her fave biccies and broad bean snack.

First Day Of School!

Poor baby! Had to wake up early today, cos school starts today for him after the month long break. At least it's only 2 days until the weekend...

Called Mom in law after lunch to check her chemo schedule for next week, since the Hari Raya Aidil Adha public holiday has been changed to Wednesday instead of Tuesday. Apparently the Oncology unit rang her in the morning to reschedule her chemo to Monday and Tuesday, instead of the usual Tuesday/Wednesday stretch.

Did my weights this afternoon. The personal trainer said I should be doing 60 pound weights for my upper body workout. She's kidding right?! So I give it a try...OMIGAWD! Couldn't do it! Well, not for the 2 sets of 20! Had to reduce the weight....heheh!! See what happens when you don't have a trainer breathing down your neck motivating you? You CHEAT! Oh boy! I was shaking by the end of the routine.... I'm gonna be sore tomorrow!

Shopping... Sorta...

Went to the Mall this morning with Mom and the baby to look for a birthday present for the sis. Haven't really decided what to get her. Wishing I was in Singapore.... choice is not something you have here in Brunei.

Got dragged to the CD shop by the lil' rascal before I even had a chance to browse the shops. He picked up this Japanese cartoon dvd which costs $12! So had to steer him to the $3 vcds, then quickly put the dvd back! Heheheh!! He's such a sweetie! Got him 2 vcds for $6. I hope he hasn't got these ones yet. God knows he's got such an extensive collection at 3 years old!!

Anyway, after going through GUESS , and this crystal jewellery shop, finally decided to stop by Diamond and Platinum. Thank goodness I found something nice there. Nothing super, but OK I suppose.... heheheh!! Hope she likes it. Then, stopped by Kura to get some California Maki to take away for dinner tonight. Yums!

Another pit stop at Utama Grand supermarket as well, to get some snackies! Heheh! Been meaning to get those Tako Yaki thingys as well, so got those. (They were alrite, but not getting them anymore).

Did some cardio in the afternoon with Mom and Dad.

So, What's New?

Well, everyone's back at work or school today. And here I am, getting out of bed at 10am. Hehehehhe! I have to get up earlier! Maybe 9am?

Man.... the only thing that gets me out of the house nowadays is my gym routine. Is that bad? Oh boy....

Gotta Start On The Right Foot!

Urggghhh.... woke up feeling really sluggish and bloated. I'm gonna pay for that dinner last night... oh, but it was sooooo good!!! Yum! Yum! Yum!

Everyone was still at the hotel. Couldn't be bothered to go out today either. Maaannn... having a rich and fat laden meal so late in the evening is sooo not good for me! Making me sooo lazy.

Managed to drag myself to the gym. There's gotta be pain for being naughty last night. When I got to Fitness Zone around 3pm, I was the only one there! Oh my god! Are people still in party mode?! I thought the place would be packed by guilt-ridden-over-indulged-during-the-weekend individuals like myself! C'mon people! Ok, I spoke too soon. The place filled up not long after I was sweating it out on the treadmill.

Ahhhh.... feels good!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2006!

It's another year. Wahhhhhh! Amazing! A year ago, we were still in Singapore, recovering from the transplant! Now it's like I've never even heard of the word dialysis. It's mind boggling really, how quickly you adjust to being healthy once again. Alhamdulillah. I'm thankful this year to just keep healthy and happy. Hope you're keeping well there too in Mekkah, dudu!!

Well, didn't plan on doing anything much today. Woke up pretty late. 10am? Only cos the baby was banging on our door, asking why I wasn't staying at the hotel with him. Ahhhhh.... sweet!

Everyone else went to one wedding function or another. Watched "Desperate Housewives" marathon right after lunch. I dozed off a bit, but woke up for Zuhur and Asar. Then more TV. Hahahah! That's the life huh?

Got hungry around 6pm, so decided to just have me a boiled egg and some crispbreads. (Feeling guilty form last night). But just as I was about to fish out me eggy, sis called to say that me uncle has invited us all out for dinner at Li Gong! Oh no! No diet tonight either then huh? Oh well, hey! Free food! Heheheh! And was it ever so yummy! It was about 9pm by the time we ate, so I was really hungry too! Ah! What the heck! Had sweet corn soup with prawns to start, then fried rice with stir fried beef with crispy cakoi bits in it, crispy fried chicken, butter prawns and veggie then finished off with a melon in mango nectar dessert! Heaven!

Plus, who walked into the restaurant as well?! Dayang Nurfaezah and Misha Omar!! (Plus entourage, of course). Heheheh! Fancy them picking the same restaurant to eat in! Unfortunately, none of us had the guts to go up to their table for photo op! Arrrgghh! Wot a waste! Hehehe!