1st Year Anniversary
It probably sounds kinda lame that my idea of anniversary at this age is actually about my wheels. But, yes, it's been almost a year since I've adopted Matrix, and this, by far, is probably like my biggest 'purchase' ever. Ok, the overseas degree was parents' scholarship.
The exact date was 2 Feb 08. So if I refer to the lunar year, it's been more than a year because 2 Feb was 4 days before CNY, then. But according to the universal calendar, I'm still 4 days away.
So what's been happening?
Alright since we're on the topic of Matrix... Well, it's been acting up a little with instances of 'fever' over the weekend till day two of CNY. The batt even went flat on the eve, but thanks to my hero brother-in-law, Raymond, who came to help me jump start after his Church Service. Needless to say, I had to take a cab so I could report at 6.30am at Raffles City (Fairmont Hotel). We had a combined service and conducting the Choir with a mix of singers from the different congregation was really fun.
The Lunar New Year has been rather quiet. Even the eve was watered down cos mom was in hospital. She was instructed to stay in for observation. I was a bit disappointed at first, but since it's nothing anyone of us could do, I realised that it's probably just a matter of perception. That kinda made the situation less pitiable.
We had a reunion after all, just without the dinner. All of us went to visit her at her ward. My siblings all went down after dinner at their in-laws. We brought along some home-cooked food so mom could at least get to eat non-hospital dinner for the occasion. So imagine the whole convoy, all 16 of us, were there, occupying the patient's lounge, which was no bigger than an average HDB bedroom. After a while, the children went out to the common waiting area while the adults stayed to chat and...played cards -.-"
Day one of CNY was visiting for the whole day. Mom's usually the one leading the fleet. It felt a bit strange this year without her. From don't know since when, I already felt the lack of New Year spirit for the season. This year's probably the worst. Mom's not around to nag me to clean my room (it's still a messy state now). Nobody's gonna visit anyway... not that it matters. Anyway, I felt that my only purpose on day one was just to drive my brother and family around for the visits. At my age, receiving red packets is no longer a highlight. In fact, it's getting embarrassing. And I've long ceased the tradition (for some it's an excuse) of buying new clothes. I really couldn't be bothered. The only comfort I get, perhaps, is the 2 days of public holidays from work.
So I was quite glad, despite having my room-cleaning plan disrupted, that Kenneth called. We ended up at TM Starbucks. He had a report to finish while I entertained myself, happily watching a movie on his iPhone. It was a relaxing afternoon, just the way I had pictured it before he called.
Was back at work yesterday (day three), visited my aunt who's staying at Simei over lunch. Meeting in the evening and a little grocery-shopping after that. Tried to resume cleaning my room, but...was caught up in an attempt to make bacon-wrapped oyster and enoki mushrooms. Wah...I was quite impressed with myself, I must say. Turned out quite good... and satisfying.
My room-cleaning's not even half complete. But I'm quite contented. I'm going to pace myself so I won't get sick of it, or rather, from it, breathing in all the dust. There's a lot to do when you stay alone. Mom used to come back over the weekend to take care of all these. Now, I have to work and do household chores after work. It's not that I can't do it or I'm not willing, just that I'm not used to it. It's a total lifestyle adjustment. You need to consciously make time for them. With the right mindset, I guess it can be quite therapeutic. Anybody's got reliable contact for part-time cleaner?
The exact date was 2 Feb 08. So if I refer to the lunar year, it's been more than a year because 2 Feb was 4 days before CNY, then. But according to the universal calendar, I'm still 4 days away.
So what's been happening?
Alright since we're on the topic of Matrix... Well, it's been acting up a little with instances of 'fever' over the weekend till day two of CNY. The batt even went flat on the eve, but thanks to my hero brother-in-law, Raymond, who came to help me jump start after his Church Service. Needless to say, I had to take a cab so I could report at 6.30am at Raffles City (Fairmont Hotel). We had a combined service and conducting the Choir with a mix of singers from the different congregation was really fun.
The Lunar New Year has been rather quiet. Even the eve was watered down cos mom was in hospital. She was instructed to stay in for observation. I was a bit disappointed at first, but since it's nothing anyone of us could do, I realised that it's probably just a matter of perception. That kinda made the situation less pitiable.
We had a reunion after all, just without the dinner. All of us went to visit her at her ward. My siblings all went down after dinner at their in-laws. We brought along some home-cooked food so mom could at least get to eat non-hospital dinner for the occasion. So imagine the whole convoy, all 16 of us, were there, occupying the patient's lounge, which was no bigger than an average HDB bedroom. After a while, the children went out to the common waiting area while the adults stayed to chat and...played cards -.-"
Day one of CNY was visiting for the whole day. Mom's usually the one leading the fleet. It felt a bit strange this year without her. From don't know since when, I already felt the lack of New Year spirit for the season. This year's probably the worst. Mom's not around to nag me to clean my room (it's still a messy state now). Nobody's gonna visit anyway... not that it matters. Anyway, I felt that my only purpose on day one was just to drive my brother and family around for the visits. At my age, receiving red packets is no longer a highlight. In fact, it's getting embarrassing. And I've long ceased the tradition (for some it's an excuse) of buying new clothes. I really couldn't be bothered. The only comfort I get, perhaps, is the 2 days of public holidays from work.
So I was quite glad, despite having my room-cleaning plan disrupted, that Kenneth called. We ended up at TM Starbucks. He had a report to finish while I entertained myself, happily watching a movie on his iPhone. It was a relaxing afternoon, just the way I had pictured it before he called.
Was back at work yesterday (day three), visited my aunt who's staying at Simei over lunch. Meeting in the evening and a little grocery-shopping after that. Tried to resume cleaning my room, but...was caught up in an attempt to make bacon-wrapped oyster and enoki mushrooms. Wah...I was quite impressed with myself, I must say. Turned out quite good... and satisfying.
My room-cleaning's not even half complete. But I'm quite contented. I'm going to pace myself so I won't get sick of it, or rather, from it, breathing in all the dust. There's a lot to do when you stay alone. Mom used to come back over the weekend to take care of all these. Now, I have to work and do household chores after work. It's not that I can't do it or I'm not willing, just that I'm not used to it. It's a total lifestyle adjustment. You need to consciously make time for them. With the right mindset, I guess it can be quite therapeutic. Anybody's got reliable contact for part-time cleaner?
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