De one with Gamble

Risk-taking day

Never knew what it means by "waking up on the wrong side of the bed" until this morning. Yes, bad things happened again. *Lifts both palms up, in a surrender manner*. Not being pessimistic but it's true.

First things first, my aching neck and shoulders resumed its bad condition - Merciless sharp pain. Ouch! No signs of improvement. Seems as though the previous agonies were tolerated for nothing. Which also leads to serious doubts over the medication I'm feeding myself past two days. As much as I feel annoyed with my unfavourable health condition, there's nothing I could do to make life easier.

I couldn't but feel overwhelmed with guilt for not turning up at work during this crucial time when my jobs are due for clients' submission. Called back office, had a chat with my manager and understand that my existing jobs were, to my discontent, showing a fair bit of problems. Most of these post-review points requires couple of amendments. This was disappointing but not the least. The "worst part" was feeling awfully-terrible having learnt that my colleagues in office are slogging to clear my mess. I was disgusted with myself coz I've always strongly believed it's alright to help others but never have others bear the responsibility, on my behalf, over something caused by my fault or folly. You see, self-responsibility means a great deal! Personally!

As much as I wanted to head back to office, there was nothing I could do. Rebec advised me to pray to God. I said my faith wasn't that strong. He wouldn't help me for sure. So.. Jasons decided for me to sleep over it.

Came afternoon, a dispirited self wanted to call off the appointment arranged with Chin Yu a week ago. However conscience caught up with me, cause me to feel kinda bad should I back-paddle now. Thus, decided to clenched my teeth, bear the ache and head to Ion as planned. As much as I needed to get out to have some fresh air, I was kinda worried about two things. Firstly, whether my back condition might be aggravated. Secondly, what if my colleagues spot me outside when I'm supposed to be resting at home. Wuaoo.. I felt so small and strange being at Orchard mrt which obviously transformed so much (mainly because I had been traveling to work cabbing). It took me 3 minutes to figure out the path to Ion entrance and see my good friend (who's here on his 4th trip). Man.. I feel so uninformed and.. small because this new shopping mall is complicated and huge.

Chin Yu wanted to try this chinese restaurant.. but the food wasn't to my liking. So we travel some 200 metres and located this Japanese DIY teppanyaki, SHO-Teppan. The food concept is obvious - hot plate. Something like Pepper lunch, except it's one step before the practice at Pepper lunch where the food was sizzling by the time it was served. At SHO-Teppan, ingredients like the meat, eggs are served raw. You place it on this thermal glass (expensive capital assets) and wait for the cooking to begin (that accounts for the "DIY" print on their promotional menu).

Prices hovers around $9.90 to $14 bucks(?).. meals comes in teppanyaki or soup-based choices..accompanied by a miso soup and salad. Drinks sold separately. Worth the price. But well..it's something that will most likely bored your tastebud if you been there like twice. For someone who loves hot-plate.

Chin Yu introduced the 1-2nd floors are for (price) middle-range products. The top floors are for high-range. It's true. Harry Winston, International Watches moved in. LV, Bally, Prada? well..the standards.

I bought two pairs of Havaianas. Bearly did I know though the brand is common, this store, Havaianas and NUM are in fact competitors. How do I know? We were patronising the loggerhead-store at Heeren and the store assistant asked permission to see what their counterparts are selling. Sigh.

There wasn't much to shop for. Perhaps because we had what we wanted for the day. I remembered walking around with my arm pressing my shoulders to massage in desperate hopes to ease the ache. The important thing I've learnt is.. Chin Yu told me of this book, Millionaire Next Door. For those who didn't know, it's a best-seller some years ago, written by a researcher Thomas J Stanley, on the rules and secrets of the elites or wealthy people in US. I do agree to what Chin Yu briefed about the contents of the book. It made me reconsider about my lifestyle. Not being rich. Just what's going on with my satisfied yet uncontented lifestyle. Hmm.. I do admit it is wrong. He mentioned "frugal" (means "fiscal self-restrain"), caught my attention like a nail in the head. Hmm.. this is an interesting book which I ought to have my hands on.

Finally, apart from my friends, something for me to indulge myself in!

De one with Recent

Pain in the neck

Honestly, I have no idea how one could sprain their necks. Ridiculous as it sounds but it really does happen... on me. My colleagues and friends asked in concerned about the cause. Could barely figure out the reason myself. Had dinner with Max on Monday. Didn't buy anything. Next morning I woke up, showered and my left shoulder-blade felt a sharp pain. Since then, the agony begun and waged on till this very day.

Agony brought drama. As it was too excruciating to move my neck around literally, I had to take medical leave. Got Mama to fetch me to this Chinese physician at Ang Mo Kio Ave 4. There, we learn I had inflammation - the bottom of my neck was red and swollen all the way till my shoulders. Sounds bad. He rubbed some medication before sticking this medicated pad of chinese herbs on my back, scrotch-typed. It's ugly but I couldn't care less.. I'd wear anything just as long as I get healed.

Everybody told me I needed rest. Yes. But the traumatising experience is having to feel the sharp pain everytime I get up. Sigh. I texted Efi saying I feel like ripping my head off my body. Sleeping at night was troublesome too. Every movement concerning the turn of my body, neck, arms, sneezes and yawning would trigger the "sting" on my back. It disturbed my sleep, waking me up 2-3am.

Yesterday night, I figured if I sleep face-down, it helped reduced the impact of the pain. So all I did was to lay face-down before I retard my turn to lie on my back. Just had to do the reverse to get up. Torturous.

Went back to the chinese physician in hopes of getting further treatment. End up in vain. He was right la.. massaging or "tui na" would only worsen the swelling. Hence, left with no choice, we headed back to Western medical aid which was why I found myself waiting in the queue to see my family general physician some 10 minutes later.

She gave me a jab. On my bottom. It's abit embarrassing. What else could be done if the boy wants rapid parting with his sour-ache nightmare?! The painkiller jab didn't take effect until late afternoon. Prior this, I was back at home, like a helpless paralysed "vegetable".. inconvenient at making much movements. The best thing to do was to nap. Like H advised, the best is to take advantage of this time to rest and only by doing so will my health get restored so I could get back to work.

Speaking of work, all my jobs are pressing for my attention. All at its final laps - the review and final clearing of points. Deadlines are tomorrow and hell..there's only so much we or I could do, given my unplanned-for health situation, it appears nothing allows for any damage-control. Nor possible.

I told Clara, this frustrating drama might most likely seeded from bad karma. All my goodest friend promoted was her "brillant" old wives' tale of BBQ-ing my pillows under the scorning sun. Oh boy, her promotion period lasted damn long lor...

Back again on the karma, am i thinking too much? Don't wish to. My neck doesn't permit me anyway.