Ankle Still Swollen

I thought the ankle is getting better but I guess not. All the relatives descended upon the house last night (Ren Re - 7th Day) as we hosted dinner for both sides (maternal and paternal). It was a noisy, rambunctious and fun affair, with about 60 or more of us. But I guess it is typical that there will be two camps since they rarely see each other. Just an annual thing (outside of the usual weddings/funerals), unless you are closer and so see each other slightly more often.

The younger kids (10 and below) were all playing with each other, chasing one another in, out, up, down and all around the house/compound. Good thing our place is big enough to accommodate that. The older ones (aunts/uncles - 50 and above) chatted quietly among themselves and helped themselves to the wine which made most of them red in the face and more "relaxed" *hehe*. (Surprisingly only that group drank alcohol - I forgot to open my store of hard liqour :p - maybe the younger ones will drink then ) Those from late teens to the 30s/40s were in another group. Those with babies/toddlers were in another corner, and the domestic helpers socialized among themselves too.

So yeah, when my cousins/aunts and nieces/nephews saw me and my ankle, they said it was still swollen and purple. Maybe I was used to seeing the BIG bump and deep purple ankle a couple of days after I twisted it, I thought the swelling has gone down considerably and color has faded. But no, it was still swollen and (light) purple.

I was duly told to rub it with any deep heat or medicated oil which is against what the doc told me. I was also told to ice it and elevate the foot all the time, which I tried to elevate already as much as possible. But icing - I only did it once cos I thought that was enough. Lol, guess I am just not that experienced in treating sprained ankle.

But I noticed there is an ache in the calf, maybe cos I strained the muscles which were trying to compensate for the ankle weight? Who knows?

My niece was really sweet to help massage and rub my ankle and calf, which helped a great deal. Especially the calf. My cousin said the ankle was not as swollen after that but I still couldn't really see. Thanks Charm :)

Went back to work on Friday as the doc only gave 2 days MC, and that was quite torturous. Not the work, of course. But the strain on my leg/ankle and back. Maybe I was so used to being bed-ridden for the last few days that it ached to sit for long hours. I had a stool at work to elevate my leg but it didn't help much.

Really hope it will be much better very soon as it is annoying not being able to walk fast or run or exercise. And I wanna go dancing too!

So far, people have told me it will take from 2 days to a few weeks for the ankle to heal. That it really depends on how much I rest my foot. Plus I certainly do not want to end up with an arthritic foot when I am in my 40s, 50s or 60s.

This is Me!

Found this quiz which I did previously, and I think it reflects me pretty well.

This is Me - take it or leave it!

Your view on yourself:
You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:
You are not looking merely for a girl/boyfriend - you are looking for your life partner. Perhaps you should be more open-minded about who you spend time with. The person you are looking for might hide their charm under their exterior.

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:
You prefer to get to know a person very well before deciding whether you will commit to the relationship.

The seriousness of your love:
You like to flirt and behave seductively. The opposite sex finds this very attractive, and that's why you'll always have admirers hanging off your arms. But how serious are you about choosing someone to be in a relationship with?

Your views on education:
Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.

The right job for you:
You have plenty of dream jobs but have little chance of doing any of them if you don't focus on something in particular. You need to choose something and go for it to be happy and achieve success.

How do you view success:
You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.

What are you most afraid of:
You are afraid of things that you cannot control. Sometimes you show your anger to cover up how you feel.

Who is your true self:
You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.

The Real You
Here is the analysis:

You've got great self-confidence and you're full of charm. Most guys who get to know you will be attracted to you. You are far from sweet and proper; your intriguing personality fascinates them. Most guys find it easy to fall for a girl like you.

You really care about other people's feelings and are quite serious about the issues that affect your life. You are sincere, and your concern for the well-being of others makes many people want to be your friend.

You are a bright, cheerful and bubbly person. You are thoughtful and considerate, and like to have fun. Everybody feels comfortable around you because of your pleasant nature. When you walk into a room, people's eyes are likely to be drawn to you because of your charm.

Guys see you as being a thinker and a careful person. They will be really attracted to this quality in you, but you need to learn to speak your mind, otherwise people will find you too shy and quiet. Learn to relax and lighten up--it's okay to have fun sometimes. When you learn to develop your fun-loving side, guys are going to flock to your side.

Your boyfriend believes that you are a strong and independent person. Your confidence and cheerfulness make you an attractive person to be around, but sometimes you need to pay more attention to what other people, including your boyfriend, are thinking.

http://www.quizbox.com/personality/test82.aspx

What's your personality love style?
Here is the analysis:

You desire a love that will last forever. You are quite serious about finding this type of love, and that's why you think carefully about the men that you meet before deciding whether you could really love them. You don't just develop a crush on someone overnight: you look at a person's personality and other aspects of their life before deciding to form an attachment. If a guy doesn't meet your expectations, you would rather be alone. Your love has to be perfect. Be careful though, you could be missing out on some worthy relationships because your standards are so high.

Make My Day - Sarah Connor

I love this song and sure hope for the day I will get to meet a guy who will do that - make my day :)

Make My Day lyrics

Verse 1
Found a note layin' on the bedroom floor
Read it and felt my emotions start to soar
It said, „Follow all the signs that lead ya down the hall
Be ready for a sweet surprise“
Excitement was risin' up with every stride
Couldn't help smilin', I felt joy inside
You always find a way to take my spirits high
Could not believe my eyes

Cause I saw - you
In the doorway
Breakfast - burnt
What could I say
It was - like
In the Movies

Chorus
Boy
You make my day
(With every little thing you do)
Make my day
(With every loving word from you)
Make my day
(You always seem to find a way)
Make my day
(Every moments like a holiday)
Make my day
(Every time that you walk in the room)
Make my day
(Every night I'm lyin' next to you)
Make my day
(Every morning when you're by my side)
Boy you make my day

Verse 2
One of those days nothing goin' right
Workin' my butt until late at night
Bout to tell my boss he can take a hike
When I got a call from you
Short time later all my work is done
Packed my things up and I was on the run
Straight to you like a shot from a gun
I unlocked the door and

I saw - you
With red roses
Iced Champagne
Candelabras
Bubble Bath
I'm T.K.O.

Boy you make my day

So listen girls
If U got some one who will treat you right
Won't run around all night
You need to hold on tight don't let him go
Better yet girls let him know, he is worth gold
Boys don't come like that on every corner

Chorus

Present from Golden Pig - Sprained Ankle

The Golden Pig has gifted me with a swollen ankle. I spent the 2nd day of the Chinese New Year limping. I have a fear of falling, especially after I fell down half a flight of stairs at home on the 2nd or 3rd day of 2003 (yes, in January on either 2nd or 3rd - I was going for an interview then with Alexandra Hospital - how ironic, and they didn't re-schedule the interview when I called them to say I fell and sprained my ankle).

That was a bad experience. I could not walk at all then. I could barely get up. I called my ex then and he came over from work to look after me. His workplace was near my place. I was fretting over my ankle, if it was broken or just sprained or fractured or what. After a few days of icing the ankle and there was no improvement (I still could not walk or even limp) - I had to be on crutches, I had to look at alternatives.

Ling told me of a Chinese doctor in the East Coast who cured her sprained ankle, so I called him. The receptionist said I had to wait for a week before there was a slot for an appointment. Who could wait that long. Luckily she recommended me to see his disciple, another doctor who practices in Tampines. I got my sister to drive me there. I got there on crutches, and the doc said I didn't sprain my ankle at all. Apparently I landed on my hip when I fell, so it was my hip which was affected. He re-aligned my body, like a chiropractor, and applied some foul smelling paste/medicine on the ankle and told me to keep it on for a couple of days.

The amazing thing was that I could limp out of his room after that. From being on crutches to being able to limp out. That was a miracle, and there after, I called him my miracle doctor.

So yeah, today. Of all things to happen, my ankle had to turn in/out when I was walking along the bridge from Asian Civilisations Museum to the Fullerton Hotel. And I was not even wearing heels at all. I was wearing my birkies. My flat birkies. I did not know how, but somehow I just twisted the ankle.

Lucky I didn't crumple and fall. But the pain was excruciating. I could limp, so I told Chris I was fine, we could still walk to our destination, which was the esplanade. It was not swollen then. But now, after several hours of inactivity, my ankle has swelled and my leg is aching.

I hate the pain. I hope it will go away soon and that Doctor Lee is opened tomorrow, that he didn't go back to China. Else I would have to go to the hospital for an x-ray. My godma told me to get it x-rayed. It could be torn ligaments. Sounds horrible.

Why me? Why now? What a way to start the CNY.

Happy CNY!

Happy Chinese New Year! The "zhen yue" is here, we shall see what happens in the east side of Singapore ;p

Pictures to follow later - lots of dinners scheduled for this year, besides the reunion dinner.

1st day - oldest aunt's son's place
2nd day - possibly at godma's sister's place
3rd day - hosted by 3rd uncle
5th day - lunch by sister's colleague (can't make it)
7th day - dinner at our place
15th day - possibly dinner at cousin's place

A 2-week feasting activity.

1st Birthday Dinner of 2007 - 10 Feb 07

It was Japanese food for the first birthday dinner of the year with Sheryn. I think she is always the one to ask me way in advance what I want. I told her a man. Haha. She has not fulfilled that yet but she got me a purple nightie instead :p

I really had no idea what I wanted to try this year, so based on the few choices she gave me, I selected Sun with Moon Dining at Wheelock Place. Last year, we went to Brazil Churrascaria. The year before, it was at Coffee Club outside California Fitness Orchard. In 2004, it was afternoon tea at Scotts Lounge. We met in 2003.

Anyway, we were famished as I only had brunch of "brek of day" from Coffee Bean that day, and I didn't even finish the entire plate. Only had the toast and some scrambled eggs and sausages.
We ordered lots for the two of us. I didn't take picture of everything as I was tired. Lol. So we started with sushi. We had the rolls - avocado or mango wrapped sushi with some crab meat or tuna inside. Also tried the rice paper rolls of avocado and eel.

There were also the beef wrapped around scallops and mushrooms with asparagus. I like that. The gratin thing of chicken with cheese and curry on a hot pot was a bit too salty, quite disappointed. The softshelled crab was salty too. The rice pot thing of eel is good. Very flavorful rice.

So we had all that between the two of us. Hehe. Good thing the portions came in European style of just a few pieces - not huge quantity.

Dinner at Simply Peranakan

Here is the picture collage of the food we had at Simply Peranakan.

Still waiting for the pictures of the cakes and group pictures.

Meaning of Carolyn

Someone posted this about my name. I like it, so I am re-posting it here. Not sure where it is taken from though.

Meaning of Carolyn

Strong and womanly

Honest, dependable and practical you tend to have a fairly conservative but determined approach to life. Your intelligence and wisdom means that you are sought out for guidance and advice. Gifted in communication you are philosophical and intuitive and are usually a traveller both mentally and physically. People respect you for your patience, discretion and integrity.

It seemed quite true? No? ;p

Thank You

Just want to thank all my friends who sent me birthday greetings throughout the day via smses, msn, phone calls and also via emails :)

I guess in this electronic age, we don't really get cards now. The only cards I got were from my insurance agents. Lol.

Thank you also for the presents. I love them all.

Thank you for remembering *smile*

Happy Valentine's Day and Turning 30

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

I always dread turning 30 when I was in my teens or early 20s. Somehow the big 3-0 seemed so OLD. But now that I have officially joined the 30s club, I find there is no difference at all. Age is really just a number. And with the plastic surgery and botox and fillers widely available, you can still look young when you are in your 40s and 50s. The only difference is probably internal - if your heart is still pumping efficiently, and liver, kidneys working well, plus the lucid mind, of course.

I love my girlfriends! I never thought the girls I met in 2004 from CC will turn out to be very good friends now. They are my pillar of support when I am down in the dumps or when I need help (especially from Regina's School of Charm ;p) or advice or just when I am happy - to share the good news, joy and of course, best bargains - sale sale sale, anyone? Hehe.

Usually on my birthday, I will go to the spa to pamper myself with treatments, and possibly meals with girlfriends or family. Recently, I have taken to celebrating my birthday with my girlfriends - those who are willing to forsake their other halves on vday or at least meet them later for supper or something - an excuse for the singles to still come out and have fun too ;p

So this year, I ran some errands in the morning. Met my cousin for a quick lunch near her work place in Shenton Way (central business district) before going to the spa for a massage and facial. My cousin was just trying to feed me lots, I think she still sees me as a baby, needing to be fed that I won't go hungry. Asking me if I wanted some tapioca kuehs after a filling lunch of beef noodles soup, and if I wanted some fresh fruits and even walking me to the train station! I really felt like a little girl of 7, not 30 at all :p Then again, she looked after me when I was a baby, guess some things just never changed (she is 19 years my senior).

The massage was good as usual at the spa. Lilian was able to work the kinks out of my body. I think I need to have regular massage again. Twice a month. I felt so stiff. I had the Lifespa facial which was more of a facial massage. No extraction as I didn't want that. Somehow I fell asleep somewhere between the facial massage and masking period. Very rare for me to do that. Eva was the therapist for that. Pretty good, she is. I would want to try the eye mask treatment in the future, didn't do that as I thought I would be late meeting Davis. Bare-skinned, my eyes looked horrible - faint dark eye circles. I need to sleep more now. Already DL found a strand of grey hair on Saturday. Sign of ageism.

Was at Paul & Joe counter to do my brows and stock up on my basics stuff. Ruby took some time to touch up my make-up as she wanted to "pretty" me up on my special day. Hehe. In the end, I was at the counter for about 90mins. Then it was on to dinner with the girls.

Davis and I were late as there was a jam in Orchard. Agnes and Livia got there the earliest and waited for us. (Sorry :( ) The rest of the girls were also late due to bad traffic. I decided on Perankan food at the Esplanade as it was near CityLink Mall for Celest to get to her pedi place and I wanted a non-VDAY special menu restaurant.

VDAY is so commercialized in Singapore, with most restaurants trying to cash in on the set menus. I felt those were like being in a cattle drive, no uniqueness at all. I tried it once and never again.

Anyway, dinner was a fun affair. We ordered lots - ayam buah keluak (chicken), babi something (pork), itek something (duck), ladies fingers, kang kong, tofu and ngoh hiang. I realized we are not really veggies people. We finished the meat but there were some leftovers on the vegs. Lol.

The restaurant gave us complimentary fish agar agar - to signify abundance for the year. And the girls got a mini oreo cheesecake with 3 chubbies men candles. Hehe. That was so cute. Agnes got us heart-shaped balloons - she is always so sweet. I still remembered her getting us gerberas when we first met. Celest got us chocolate coated strawberries. Nice! I couldn't find any of the chocolate "kisses" to give to the girls.

And pressies - they got me Anna Sui Secret Wish. Yay! Now one of my birthday wish is fulfilled....wonder if I will get to fulfill the others *wink* I also got candle - gingered currant - smells good. My Tocca candle is almost gone, so that is just in time to replace that :)

I love my girlfriends! Really a pity Tanny and Ashley could not make it. Next time :) But big hugs to Agnes, Davis, Celest, Regina, Livia and Sherie for turning up and making it a fun-filled joyous occasion.

Pictures to follow soon. Ran out of battery while taking pics.

Imperial Herbal Restaurant @ Vivocity

This is a super early Chinese New Year dinner at Imperial Herbal Restaurant in Vivocity. It used to be at the Metropole Hotel but has since moved to Vivo.

Menu of the 9 course dinner

The food was pretty good, not really fantastic. Or at least not really my cup of tea. I didn't take pictures of all the food, but the important ones are there.

The first Yu-Sheng of the year. Fresh vegetables, crunchy. It was fun to watch them toss the veggies and mix the sauces and fish slices. The mixed platter - I have no idea what was the crispy thing but it tasted good. Lol. The spring roll was not the usual turnips, I think they stuffed it with yam or something. The prawn was huge but a bit overcooked.

The fish was a bit tough too. The surprise was the duck. It was crispy and nicely done. I like it, and I am a non-duck lover. The other dessert - Candied Yam/Sweet potatoes - was fun. The pieces were warm and sticky with molasses. So you had to "pluck" the pieces out immediately and dunked them in iced water, else all of them will stick together. See the clear strands of sugar in the picture. That was nice.

Not into the veggie dish and soup noodles. The other stuff were quite ok.

De Toast @ Bugis Junction

I have not been to Bugis Junction in a while, so it was a pleasant surprise to see this mini cafe selling toast with all sorts of topping.

I only wanted to get an iced milk tea, but while waiting, I read the reviews. Easily persuaded by reviews, I decided to try the "must-order" toast.


Thick toast topped with chocolate rice, grated cheese and drizzled with condensed milk.

Strange combination of the savory and the sweet. But surprisingly it works. The warm crispy buttery toast with the chocolate and cheese and milk. the milk was just enough, not very sweet at all.

The rest of the flavors reminded me of "Heads or Tails". The pandan kaya and floss topping.

I like the table - shape of a slice of bread. Cute.

Birthday Wish List - 2007

I think I am a bit late for my wishlist. Going to be 30. So getting more forgetful now :p

Wishlist...
~better health
~interesting job scope
~to be a tai-tai *wink*
~whole day spa treatment (to try the lomi lomi massage)
~Anna Sui Secret Wish fragrance
~Prada Tessuto Gauffre in Orange - large sized
~trip to Maldives (still have not materialize)
~elope to Hawaii (to see the sunrise at Haleakala Crater)
~Marc Jacobs / Guess watch
~a Rat baby (but only if some of the others are fulfilled, lol ;p)

Hmm...I think that is about it. Maybe I should start by trying to bake the cupcakes ala Sherie's first. Lol.

Barbie Loves MAC (Again)

I just saw the entire collection and accessories on MAC website. It is creating temptations all around again.

Barbie Loves MAC (Click to see the pics)

This is horrible. I think I want to the the pink versions of the blush (Don't Be Shy) and beauty powder (Pearl Blossom) and possibly Moth Brown eye shadow and maybe Springtime Skipper.

I am also contemplating the lipstick(Real Doll and Rocking Chick) and lipgloss (Malibu Barbie) though I hardly use lip products. My lips are peeling again.

I am going to be dead broke again come end March. Damn!

Old Songs

Maybe I have been listening to old songs or songs of my time - the 80s and early 90s. Power98 has been playing them now, with an hour of "retro" music at night and then on and off during the morning and day.

Anyhow, some songs started playing in my head. Diana Ross, Bette Midler, Johnny Hates Jazz, etc. OMG! I am old now. Haha. Perfect 10 98.7 is too noisy for me. I specifically requested my colleagues not to play that station as it is too noisy for me to concentrate on work as the radio is next to me :p So now it is on Class 95. Still not my fave station but at least it is tolerable.

A few of my fave "old" songs:
Gift of Love - Bette Midler
When You Tell Me You Love Me - Diana Ross
If We Hold On - Diana Ross
Lost in Your Eyes - Debbie Gibson
Africa - Toto
Kokomo - Beach Boys
Two Steps Behind - Def Leppard
Creep - Radiohead
Straight Up - Paula Abdul
All This Time - Tiffany
Babe - Take That
Shout - Tears for Fears
Total Eclipse of the Heart - Westlife/Bonnie Tyler
Valentine - Martina McBride
Hard to say I am sorry - Chicago
Manic Monday - Bangles
All This Time - Tiffany
Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Fading Like A Flower - Roxette
Fallen - Lauren Woods
Orinoco Flow - Enya
Angelia - Richard Marx
Superwoman - Karyn White
You're The Inspiration - Chicago

There are lots more but I can't recall them now. Of course I love all songs by NKOTB, Tommy Page, Jason Donovan, Kylie Minogue...the teeny boppers time. Ahhhh....memories of real pop music. Diet of UK music, espeically by SAW productions. Lol. Who can forget Big Fun, Sonia, Bros, JD, KM, Rick Astley, etc. The lip synching incident of Milli Vanilli. Vanilla Ice (hey, I actually went to his concert on my own :p), Paul Lekakis (he's so cute!), Kon Kan, Fine Young Cannibals, Madonna, Samantha Fox, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, Belinda Carlisle, Bananarama...

Nostalgia indeed.

Sherie's Cupcakes

I am utterly amazed by the cupcakes made by Sherie. They looked so pretty, with the frosting. The cupcakes were so soft and delectable, the chocolate is absolutely yummilicious! Made of the finest chocolate - varlhona. Sherie doesn't stint on the ingredients and it showed in the end products. Good cooks do not stint on ingredients and would insist on the freshest available.

The buttercream icing was just right, not too sweet or buttery/creamy which usually made me feel very "jelak" after a while. In contrast to some of my girlfriends who adored the frosting and could happily lick all the icing, I much prefer the chocolate cake. I love the texture of the cake and tasting the bittersweetness of the chocolate. I was so enthralled by the cupcakes that I had 3 yesterday!!! Greedy me :p (but I ate one after every hour, I think - not in one sitting ;p)

I am so inspired to try to make cupcakes too. But I think I would be real bad with the piping. It has been so long since I did any piping.

Sherie: Thank you for the wonderful spread of food and gorgeous cupcakes and the company :)

VS - Kisses

I saw this! In pink! So cute - I want. Just so I can keep and admire. Haha. It is a lip blam from Victoria's Secrets. Someone has it and showed me, so I search VS website and found it. Pretty reasonable. US$12, I think. Anyway, it is selling at S$19. Someone bought it in the States and her friend didn't want it and was letting it go.

I think the pink is sweeter than the red. Muack!

Spree, anyone? ;)