Silly Handphone

AAAAAAHHHHHHHH ........

Nuts man, not sure what happen to the silly Nokia handphone of mine I took some pictures with it last weekend where they had this cosplay parade at Suntec, lots of people were there dressed up in their favourite Anime and Manga characters. There was this team of what look like 'painters' with their brushes and all and bright orange outfits and the biggest and most stand out costume had to be the Death Note guy, with huge wings, painted face mask and black outfit. I got their pictures and as I was trying to upload them to the PC today (which I have been doing many times before) somehow there was some error connecting and next thing I now all the images I had on my handphone are gone including the one which I use as a wall paper !!! Now have to reset the whole thing again and copy back the pics for my wallpaper.

It's the weekend and the missus seems fine now, 3 days after the surgery, she's quite pleased with it. As for me, for some reason, it's taking a long time for me to heal. Seems to be getting a little better each day but hard to tell currently. Our eyes are still dry at times and the eye drops really help.

It still feels strange walking around without my glasses, in the morning's I still have the tendency to reach for my glasses which are not there on the bedside and sometime during the day I would try to flick up by glasses which are not there !! It's like driving a manual car and all of a suddenly when you switch to a automatic car you still tend to reach for the clutch.

Comparison

What a total difference for me and the missus. Both of us went for Lasik and her reaction was so much better than mine. I'm still seeing things a little unfocus wile she is almost as good as new. Guess the swelling on the first 2 days had some impact on my recovery. Doctor took a look at it again and said all is fine with the healing just likely to be one of those that needs more time to heal.

The missus has finally gotten used to seeing me without glasses. She thinks I look funny without the glasses but the laughter has stop. Of course the first day when I did my surgery and came back with Panda Eyes did not help. She had hardly any side effects and able to read and do normal things almost immediately.

One of the interesting things I have notice is that 1 of the eye-drops was an antibiotic and when you put that in your eye it'll get to you and after a few minutes you get that feeling in your mouth that you actually took the medication. interesting how an eye-drop could affect you.

Another Lasik

It's the missus turn at the Lasik Surgery. I finally got to see what they actually did last week during my surgery. They allowed me to view her procedure this round. There were 4 people in the room plus the Doctor that makes 5. But basically only the doctor and 2 other's were involved in the procedure I think the other 2 were on standby or to act as backup. Pretty fast the whole think went and the missus was out before you know it. I think her eyes took it much better than mine so far she only complaint of dryness. No tearing or pain. She seems to be adapting better.

1 Week Later

So it's been a week now since I went for my Lasik Surgery. The first 2 days was not good, after the surgery my eyes were tearing. The right eye was the one giving me problems. The left eye seems fine. On the second day, I went back for the checkup and well I could actually read some lines from those eye charts but the eye was still healing. Some eye drops were given to reduce the swelling in my right eye.

By the evening of the second day the right eye was not tearing as much. I could go out but the sun still hurt the eyes a bit and had to wear shades. Everything still a little blurry especially near objects. Newsprint I could not read yet. Went back for the 2nd check up 4 days after the surgery and surprisingly I could actually read the last line of those eye charts with my left eye. The right eye was still not quite there yet. After I told the doctor that I remembered I had glass splinters in my right eye before. Old army days accident. That might take the healing process a little longer.

Currently still have difficulty reading small print, but it seems to be getting better a little bit each day. So I can't really read anything. Able to watch a little bit of TV but mainly just listen to the radio and trying to relax the eyes. Hopefully the right side will clear up within the next couple of days as the doctor said in my case it might just take 1 to 2 weeks for the right side to heal up and get back into shape. The left eye is fine by now.

A little souvenir from the Eye Centre where I had my surgery.

Overall, distance objects I can see now. Just near ones or small size prints still need to clear up. With the other previous scars like the exploding coke bottle which put 3 stitches to the jaw and the glass splinters in the eye. Not forgetting the parang hit to the head which added another 5 stitches and a persistent little scar on the ear which was from Chicken Pox. Now with the Lasik surgery in an attempt to get a 'bionic' eye. Starting to feel like the six million dollar man. Well I think it's more like Frankenstein now. Stick a couple of bolts in the throat and I'll look the part :)

Lasik

Today's the big day for my Lasik Surgery on both my eyes. A little excited about it all. My appointment was at 9.30am. I got there at around 9.10am was on eof the early ones. THe doctor came in at around 9.15 am or so. And he was soon working on the first patient. I think I was the 3rd or 4th patient for the day. This will hopefully be the last time I will be wearing spectacles.

Was called at around 10am. Went into the preparation room where teh nurse gave me a gown and cap. One of those that you see patients wear in the movies when they go into surgery. The nurse clean the eyes and put some eye drops to give me a numbness of the eye area. It was the last time that I hope I will be taking off my specs. She then gave me a quick run down of what to expect and I waited about 5 minutes later befor I went into the surgical room.

Was a little nervous abou tit all. Doctor made me lie on the table, did some quick adjustments and he was very good as he talked me though the whole process. They basically tape my eye lashes away, used a clamp to spread the eyes and then the machine basically took over, The procedure was relatively fst only 30 secs. Cut a flap burn close it back. Wash the eye, put a protective contact lens and done for 1 eye. Did the same for the other eye. All in by 10.30 I was out of there.

Doc did a final check after the op. Everything looks ok and I have to say for the first time I could actually see his face without the aid of glasses. While waiting outside I could actually read the headlines of the Straits Times. But everythign was still blurry. SMS could not be read. But can tell shapes. Collected my eye drops. There were 3 of them (a) to be taken every 15 mins for the first hour and there after as and when required. (b) & (c) to be taken at 3 hr intervals and 5 minutes apart.

Took a cab back home to rest everything still blurry but objects can be seen. Hopefully I am not making too many spelling errors as I type this. Have rested for about 6 hrs now. Will go for checkup tomorrow again and see how everything is.

To See or Not to See

How am I feeling now ..... hhhmmmmmmm ...... a little apprehensive, it's less than 12 hours to go before I have my eyes fixed with Lasik Surgery. After almost 30+ years of having to wear spectacles, wonder what it will be like if I can see without them.

Maldives - recap in Pictures

Well finally made it back home, holiday seems so short, anyways was able to upload some pics on Flickr .... finally .... now that I have access :) So here's a holiday recap in Pictures !!

Arrival at Four Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa (Maldives)

The glorious sunset and in the foreground on the picture on the left is the Island Spa Resort more on that later. The right is one of the views of the Lagoon with clear blue seas.

Similar shots of the Water Bungalows, Day and Night. There is a set of about 10 Bungalows (10 left and 10 right) then a small island followed by another 10 or so bungalows. Ours was the 2nd last one on the left which basically means it's the furthest to walk to the main building !!

Me and the Missus "attempting" Yoga. They have Yoga classes in the morning and evenings that you can attend, but we are so tired by then Yoga's the last thing on our minds.

On the Island there are no road markings for the buggy, basically they use coconut trees like the one below to keep left or right when travelling on the island. It's about a 5/10 minute walk if you are at the Water Bungalows or Villas as they call them to the main building and restaurants. So it's always good to call a buggy if you are tired or just plain lazy.

Walking on Water, doesn't this picutre give you the image of walking on water, nice concept of where they place the pool to make it look out to the sea. Pool area is where most people are if you don't want to go to the beach which you can access too as it is rigth beside the pool. This is facing East and this would be where the Tsunami waves came in.

The Black Tip Reef Sharks, you can just about see the black tip on the photo on the right. While on the left look at the 5 of them swim in formation !! is that cool or what, and they turn in formation as well !! If you have dinner at the Italian Restaurant in the evening's they will feed the fishes then and the Sharks would come as well. But they are only Baby size, you can spot eels here as well at low tide.

This was the surprise that awaited us on the 2nd day, while we were out they made up our beds with the Anniversary settings. Pretty romantic stuff and what a nice touch.

On the last day this was the personal Spa Pool that we used on the last day. The spa was on the island and you had to take a Djohni to get there. Very tranquil spa, it's open air facing the sea and when you lie down on the massage table, it's a glass bottom so you are actually looking down into the ocean.

Ah well that just about rounds up the holiday trip to the Maldives. It's our second visit there the first one was 10 years ago. Maybe in another 10 years we'll visit there again.

Maldives - Day 5

It's the final day of our holiday in the Maldives. Had a good nights rest, went for breakfast, did the final swim around and fed the fishes one last time. The baby reef sharks were still around 5 of them and they seem to be following each other, synchronise swimming, all of them in a row and when the leader turns all of them turn at once !! It was amazing to watch them. These 5 seem to know when there is food as well as the nearby Italian Restaurant will feed them at night for the pleasure of the guest.

We got the approval for late checkout which is at 2pm but still there was time to waste till 9.30pm for the airport transfer by motor boat. So we did book a spa treatment to wile away the time. As we were packing our luggage, a big (not huge just a big one) ray swam by the bungalow, and as usual I did not have my camera, when I finally found it the ray was gone, it was the colour of the sand with black spots. That's been the story, always not having a camera when you need one, but it felt like the ray that swam by was saying bye bye as it wave it's fins in the water. We could still see it as it was a big fish and the shadow was very prominent in the water for some distance.

2pm came and we checked out. After that it was checking the internet for a while, take some last minute photos and at 4.30pm went to see the fish feeding before heading off to the spa at 5pm. The spa was held on an island and we had to take a dhoni (some local boat where the driver steers it with his feet) a 1 minute ride to the spa retreat. I had the Sea Escape and the missus took the Royal Lulur. We started with a bath in a heated personal pool and then we went for the massage, I had this oil massage that had mandarin in it, followed by a salt scrub, before they finally put some mud paste which was seaweed based and then I was wrapped up like caterpillar in a cocoon. Man it was hot after a few minutes. The therapist did tell me that the seaweed was to make me sweat. The sweat got into my ears and it felt like one of those war movie torture techniques it was so itchy until I could not stand it that I asked the lady to wipe the water from my ear. After that had a shower but I still smelt of seaweed even after 3 washes. The final application was a lotion rub down and the therapist told me earlier that she notice I had a sunburn, I asked her if my skin was peeling she replied no, just that the body was hot, so she gave me a aloe vera lotion rub down. But I still smell of seaweed the exact same one that you get those seaweed snacks from the stores. I'm never having a wrap EVER AGAIN !! It's not that I don't enjoy it just that it is not for me, having to lie there wrapped up for what seem like eternity is just not me.

After the spa the missus said she had a rash developing (she had a tumeric rub with some yogurt wrap) and was rather upset about it all. The staff was very concern they wanted to even get the doctor. She thinks it's a reaction to some lotion or rub but since all natural products it was not lilely, maybe it was the wrap. Anyways we left for dinner as it was already 7.30pm had a final dinner on the island restaurant had from the ala carte menu. I saw they had Hot and Sour Soup, yep right there in the middle of the Inidan Ocean there is the Szechuan H&S soup. I just had to try it and as it turns out it was very good. Not the best but good enough. Dinner was Huge Giant Prawns and they were huge, soup and a side order of veggies all in with the 2 drinks and coffee was US$100.

I had a surprise when i made final payment at the rception. It seems that the staff at the spa was so concern about the missus that they actually gave my missus a 50% discount as she developed a rash after their treatment. All I can say is Kudos to Four Season Maldives. Excellent !! It sure made my wife's day and to think that she was not actulaly making a fuss about it. They even stop by at the jetty before we left to check on her again.

9.30pm came and we boarded the jet boat to the mainland. Checked in and soon it was off home. End of Holiday. But being back home soon will be able to upload pictures of the trip finally.

Maldives - Day 4

What a surprise the day brought, in the morning we saw an eel swiming in the sea. Later in the day while we were preparing to swim a ray swam pass our water bungalow and as it is I was just preparing to get into the water, rush to get the video cam but seems the humidity was a little heavy and it lock itself as there was 'condensation detected' as the message said. Rush to get the underwater camera as well as the digital camera but by that time the ray had swam pass us already. What a waste.

Anyways, we did a lot of fish feeding today and book a spa as well to wile away the time tomorrow. We got confirmation of our late checkout but still we haed to wait till about 9pm before we got our airport transfer by boat. We were lucky to catch the fish feeding today the greedy little buggers know when it is time for feeding and during the day they will spent their time around the pier but by 4.30pm they woudl congregate at the feeding spot wating for the free meal. I guess fish have brains too :) We did our own fish feeding with bread we got from breakfast. The fish seem really hungry.

Spent the day at the pool and beach today. Fed more fish by hand in the waters around our bungalow. Skin is feeling a little tight, I think a little tan as well. Started to ease up a big on the swiming. We had room service for dinner simple meal this round. Watch movies and chill out today. Holiday ending soon

Maldives - Day 3

Ah no updates yesterday as there was some connectivity problem with the internet over in the Maldives, very slow and gets disconnected along the way.

Anyways we had a surprise on the night of Day 2 in the Maldives, when we got back after dinner, they did up our bed with flowers with a heart shape rendition in a variety of local blooms. They even cut out leaves to spell out the words 'Happy Anniversary'. Totally took us by surprise. It was really nice.

Well Day 3 started out with a couple of special guest visiting our water bungalow, a puffer fish and 2 sting rays, small ones thought not those large types, one was black while the other was white with spots on it. The missus spotted an ocotpus as well. It was an absolutely stunning day today. We went snokelling around our area, then headed to the pool side for some sun tanning while enjoying the warm sea breeze. We tried the beach as well but the current was quite rough. Evening we went down to the sea again when it was low tide. Lots of small fishes around. We got some bread and fed the fishes. The smaller ones are really greedy they would come up and nibble the bread from your hands. The bigger fishes hang at the back and they wait for scapes to float to them. We bought a water proof camera and hopefully the pictures will come out great. Just at the end the little fishes got carried away and when they swarm around me with the bread, one of them got too close and took a nibble at my leg, ha ha felt like a small pinch, but luckily I guess I thick skin, no major injuries.

There was a Management Cocktail reception in the evening, a nice way to get to meet the staff and I think there are more staff on the island than guest. Glorious sunset as well. We found out from Mark a Filipino that the resort was hit by the Boxing Day Tsunami he was there and the water came in over the pool area into the dinning area and was at knee high before it went to chest high in seconds, he said his handphone in his pants pocket got wet he put it up to his shirt pocket and when that got wet he knew it was time to not worry about the phone but grab on to the pillars for dear life. But it ended as fast as it came. In 7 minutes it was over. Boats were sent out to pick up some people swept out to sea, no lost of lives at the resort. Everyone stayed in the staff quarters (which was 2 sotrey's) as all the other buildings were destroyed. Next day everyone was evacuated safely. Took 2 years to rebuilt the resort and it was recently open only in 2006.

We had Italian Dinner later in the evening some pasta and a mix seafood grill set with dessert. Bill again was US$100+. After a day's beach activities we were really tired out and had an early night. Both of us were spotting tan's now. The missus was a little worried her 'snow white' skin is now 'mub brown'. But isn't that the idea of a Beach Holiday ??

Maldives - Day 2

We went for a late breakfast since we arrived in late last night. The morning was beautiful, bright and sunny. Breakfast was great, the buffet spread was quite good considering we are on an island. I had this drangonfruit with orange and lemon mix, there was the standard western breakfast, some Japanese stuff and Chinese as well.

After breakfast we went to do a little exploring the island isn't that big, just a 10 min walk from 1 end to the other. We collected some snorkeling gear from the sea sport centre and headed back to our water bungalow. The island has regular bungalows along the beaches and they also have water bungalows which are rooms built on top of the water where you have your own private balcony down into the sea. Ours was the 2nd last one out and that gave us an excellent view of the open ocean.

However the weather began to turn, seems in the Maldives it turns quite frequently, it rain then stop, rain then stop and that went on till around 3pm. Finally there was a break in the weather and everyone was out either at the poolside or in the ocean. We went in and finally had a view of the little fishes in the ocean. Beautiful stuff. Saw lots of small little colourful fishes, including a couple of "Nemo's" as we called them.

For dinner we called a buggy, you can call one of these to come to fetch you if you don't feel like walking. Dinner at the 4 main restaurants (ya there are 4 restaurant's on this little small island) starts at 7pm which was like 9pm Singapore time. Today we deiced to try the Indian Cuisine since we are in the Maldives. They did a good job to make it a romantic setting for dinner. But I think the lighting was just too dim. There was this Japanese couple who had to peer real close to their food to see what was it. Even I had problems seeing what I was eating. Those people that came late were given tourchlights to aid them in reading the menu.

We had the Fish Cake for starters excellent stuff they actually filled the fish in the skin instead of our regular fish cakes. It was followed by a Lobster Brayini (which cost US$40 + service charge - most expensive Brayini ever !!) which came in a little pot as it was cooked in a claypot and Naan with Maldivian Vegetable Curry. There was tempura vegetable and poppadom as well. Dessert was this chocolate cup with yogurt. Excellent stuff, except that the Veggie curry and was a little salty, actually most food here is salty. Bill for the night --- US$100 !!

Internet connection is not free in the rooms, but there is complimentary useage in the library which is where I am now. So sorry no pics yet to upload as there is always some who wants to use the station as well. Maybe later. So it's almost 9pm here and it's off back to the rooms to watch TV and get a good nights sleep.

Maldives - Day 1

What a hectic few days it was, packing for our trip to the Maldives. Had some work in the office to clear up. Was suppose to take leave on the day of departure but had a meeting to attend in the morning, which dragged on a bit till almost 2pm. Left some final instructions and by 4pm I was off home to change and head out.

Did some final last minute packing as usual, rush rush rush .... called a cab to take us to the airport which cost $25 !! with all the surcharges added. The missus recently came back from a business trip and she got really pissed off with the cabin crew from SIA on their service quality which was really surprising, where she asked for a fruit spritzer but due to turbulence the cabin crew told her to hold. After that passed her request was forgotten and finally when she got the attention of the stewardess was told there was no more apple juice, she kicked up a little fuss and some how the apple juice appeared ! She sent in a complain to SIA and there was an automated reply from them. It's still early just 2/3 days ago, wonder if SIA will reply back on ? Anyways so here we are at the airport checking in and I was telling the missus, hey probably they have your details down and know you as 'complain number 5589' :)

Checking in was smooth, as we already did an internet check-in. Had a bit of dinner before we boarded our flight. There was a delay as some people's luggage had to be taken off due to no-show. But after about 20 mins we were off... woo hoooo .... HOLIDAY !!

We landed at Male International Airport at around slightly before 11pm. There was no linked bridge to the terminal building, we had to climb down and take a bus to the terminal building. Immigration clearance was rather slow, lots of holiday makers around, a fair number of surfers as well with their surf boards. Found the hotel representative and after the 5 families cleared customs, we all boarded a jet board, actually I'm not sure how to call it but it's a boat - 2 levels the top can take about 10 people with the bottom about 20. We were given a refreshing towel to freshen up and a bottle of water which in the Maldives was important we actually brought along 6 1l bottles of water with us in our luggage. The ride was about 30 minutes to get to the resort. A little bit choppy. When we arrived the guest relations knew our names and address us as we got off the boat. Found that rather surprising. We were offered a drink of honey / lemon / ginger, some local drink which the name escapes me. Checked in and we were taken to our water bungalow.

It's almost 1am which is island time at the Four Season's. Now the timing is something you need to get used to. Male time is 3 hrs behind Singapore while Island time is 2 hrs behind. Rather comfusing isn't it. The room was beautiful with the 4 post king size bed, the bath was open air, we went to the balconey to look at the fishes and the first fish to swim by was a baby Shark ! Anyways we settled in as it was like 4am Singapore time before we went to bed.

It's a new morning and just in time to type this in before we go off for breakfast. The missus saw a squid this morning and with the sun up we finally got a view of our surroundings. More on that later as it's now time to have breakfast.

Storm !!

Wow, what a Mother's Day it turn out to be. There was a huge storm last night/early this morning. Woke up the entire estate I suspect with window's flying open, doors banging, curtains and stuff flapping in the wind. Well the aftermath was many trees being blown down or had their branches broken off. The Pool Chairs literally became 'Pool' chairs after they were flung into the pool.

To all mother's out there, hope you enjoyed your special day, but from what I've gathered, most families have already celebrated the occasion earlier. Guess everyone's beating the rush .. :)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Eye Check

Went to have my eye's checked recently at the eye clinic at Mt Alvernia. Me and the missus was still debating if we should go have our eyes corrected with Lasik surgery. Getting old already and my eyes now seem to not be able to focus on near objects. That's one of the reasons why I wanted to see the doctor and asked if there was something wrong with my eye sight. I've had a few friends who have been through the procedure as well. It's like every month someone has gone through it.

The checkup was in the afternoon and it basically took a fair amount of time. First the optician did a check to confirm the power of the spectacles etc. Then we had to wait for the check on the thickness of the cornea where they basically shine a light and puff a jet of air at your eye ball. Had to sit infront of this machine and they had to drape your head with a black cloth. Then there was a consultation with the nurse before she puts some eye drops in your eyes which basically dilated the pupils and after about 15 mins the world was a blur. Distance objects could still be seen but reading was impossible, words was very hard to make out. We had another check witht he optician again to reconfirm and finally the meeting with the doctor.

The doctor did some test answered all our remaining questions and he did say that with the procedure since for me I have never used contact lens, it would really be a world of difference once the specatacles come off. It also seems that the missus has thin cornea so if she wants she has to do a different procedure, a little more expensive where they do not cut open a flap but scape off a layer. Mine was thick enough for the normal Lasik procedure. Well after the consultantion, I made my appointment to have the procedure done in 2 weeks time. The missus will have hers in 3 weeks. We decided can't have 2 bumbling people in the house at the same time.

My pupils are still dilated from the eye drops they gave, it would be almost 4 hrs later before I could read again.

Ghost Finder

It's the weekend, and we went for brunch at Dempsey Hill on Saturday with some friends. We were at Jones the Grocer. Not a bad place, the food's a little expensive but tasted good. We were there early for brunch and the place was already packed. They even had pasta making demonstrations going on. You can get lots of organic stuff there as well. I ended up getting some bread and olive oil.

As you know Dempsey used to be where NS boys would go for enlistment and checkups and what have you for their journey into manhood. (ie the Army) I was one of those recruits a long long long time ago. As fate would have it after the enlistment place was moved, I return to Dempsey and actually worked there for a while (about 2/3 yrs). My old office was at the what is now the Day Spa. Well since we were there we visited the place as well. Nothing fantastic about the spa we had a look around but it was a really hot day and with the amount of glass they had it felt really warm in there. They did a good job to spruce up the place with a pond and a cafe etc.

A friend of ours brought along this 'ghost finder' contraption. Its suppose to find out if a place is 'haunted' or not. Really hilarious little thing. It's about the size of a key chain and what it does is you press a button a couple of lights start flashing, you wait for the lights to settle and depending on the colour, you will be able to tell if the place is haunted or not. Hilarious stuff. Gets all sorts of funny reading when it was pressed around the dempsey area. Well if you believe that contraption works then Dempsey seems to be a haunted place only for some people. Ha Ha ....

Over the weekend the family celebrated an Early Mother's Day. Again we went to the Cathy Restaurant for their Mother's Day set dinner. Excellent dinner, service was good we called up to make reservations and told them that I needed a table for 8 people as well as to give us a table which had a place for a baby's pram. When I arrived they actually setup the table and had a baby's chair ready with plastic bowl and spoon. Wow that was a first ever for a restaurant where they actually prepare the spot for a kid in advance.

The mother's day special bun :)

Overdue

Ah it's been a long time since I updated anything. Finally found some time to update the blog of what's been happening over the last week or so.

My little nephew was baptised recently and I was asked to be his god father. Ha ha wasn't that a joke, probably end up being the most 'bo-chap' god father around. Anyways it was a short ceremony and I almost fell off the flight of stairs when I was asked to light the candle. Yep the clumsy little old me. Looks like it's off to buy the little fella more toys that he can ever play with. Probably that's what I would be good at -- choosing him toys.

The place where I stay recently had it's AGM, what a long drawn out affair that was. I think they spent almost 6 hrs at the meeting. I started left for dinner came back and it was still on going.

May day brought up the office short gathering. Had lunch at my boss's place. Somewhere in the west, had trouble finding the place, since I don't travel to the west often. Not a bad lunch, it was catered with some extras from some of my colleagues like spagetti and ice-cream.

Got a scare recently when I had ulcers in my mouth, rather worried it might be the hand, foot, mouth thingy, went to see a doctor he checked my hands and legs and I passed, just some ulcers that's all probably too heaty or somethig like that.

Will try to have more regular updates on the blog. Will find time to do it.