2 Days To Go

While I'm looking forward to a new life in Australia, a nagging worry is always present in my mind. I'm the only child. So many will criticise my decision to leave. To "abandon" them. I don't think anyone will ever understand why. Not unless they have to live with them. Afterall, they were, no matter how small the percentage is, part of the reason why my ex left. To be honest, I'm not worried about my parents. I'm only worried about the problems they'll inflict on my relatives. Yes, they're that bad.

We paid a visit to my uncle last night. On Monday, hubs had to leave the house just so he doesn't explode in their faces. After 3 decades with them, I've become so indifferent to their actions & behaviour. But not either of my husbands. So even though I don't feel comfortable coming clean with my uncle & aunt (my dad's younger brother & wife), I agreed to it. They sort of guessed the reason why we requested the meeting. I was horrified to find that my mom borrowed money from my aunt a few days before she borrowed from my uncle during Sunday's dinner.

Welcome to my dysfunctional household. I said household becoz that's what we are. We're not exactly a family. Just a flat housing 2 sets of couples. My aunt said that my ex is normal becoz he left. There's no way anyone can stand to stay with my parents. She knew it was only a matter of time before we left too & we proved her right. I've quarrelled so many times, not just with my ex but also with my current husband over my parents.

It's a long story, but to sum it up, it's all about the money. Or rather, the lack of it. When I was a kid, my dad used to earn 3k a month unloading container shipments. In those days, that's a lot of income when everyone else is earning $400 a month. Then they made a profit of 100k when they sold their flat. If he had not squandered it all, they can really retire comfortably now. It's not just my dad of course. My mom played her part in it.

Anyway, they don't have money at all now, my dad refused to go to work, happy with being a leech. I refused to give them money becoz it just get squandered away. Instead, I pay for all household expenses. They should have more than enough to get by with the monthly CPF payouts. But the moment they have money on hand, they spend it all away.

Maybe it doesn't sound that bad when I put it down this way. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. These are my thoughts as we're down to 2 days before departure. We all leave for different reasons. Many a times, it's a whole multitude of reasons. In the end, we're all in search for the happiness that seems to elude us.

Does It Matter Who Earns More?

We were watching 缺宅男女 when hubs suddenly brought up the issue of him not earning as much. He asked me if I 嫌弃他 as I earn much more than he does & how will I feel if people around me started commenting about how useless my husband is. He asked me why I married him despite knowing that he's poor. We're not rich but we have sufficient. & to me, that's very fortunate of us already.

I'm a modern woman. I don't buy the old thinking that men absolutely should be the main bread winner. So it doesn't bother me at all even if I earn more. I told him, as long as he's not idling away at home, using my hard earned money to 嫖 & 赌, it shouldn't matter who earns more. I'm contented with a simple life. I need not have the best & newest. Most important of all, I feel as a woman, I want to be financially independent. 

Many know of my story with my ex. I depended on my ex to go far in nursing & that was the reason why I gave him the money to do his degree 1st. Look at where that got me. Money gone. Man gone. Nearly lost the flat. The car that I helped paid a sum for, gone. I learnt my lesson & I learnt it well. I'm not saying I don't trust my current husband. But there're many things in life that are beyond our control. It may not be infidelity. It may be an accident, an illness.

Take for an example, an upright fork leaning against another upright fork. They're never going to remain standing. But if you face the forks towards each other & inter cross the prongs, they'll prop each other up. That's how I feel about marriage now. You don't depend on the other person to hold you up. If you instead hold each other up, you'll both stay upright. It's not just about finances of course.

I understand that to men, they feel it's a responsibility to provide for the family. Oops, I guess many women feel that way too. But earning lesser than the wife doesn't mean that they're not providing isn't it? Why does it have to be a business transaction where all accounts must be balanced? Why men must be the 1 to provide more financially? If they can, by all means. But if they can't, why must they be despised?

Exactly 1 More Week To Go

At this time next week, I'll be getting ready to go to the airport. I should finalise my packing soon & save a soft copy of important documents into 1 single thumb drive to bring over. I'm still thinking if I should try my luck with the pet clipper.

Met up with Jon & Sam for the 1st time in 8 months. Finally met Jon's fiancé Arne in person. We spent the day in Sentosa, had Arnold's for dinner at City Square & KTV at Liang Court to end off the night. His home coming timing is real good. Had we missed each other, it will probably be years before we can meet up again. Either with me visiting Oslo or him visiting Perth.

Hubs gave up the idea of USS, citing dwindling funds. But there's 1 agenda that we'll get fulfilled. That's to buy durian for the last time from the uncle who sets up stall at Giant opposite our block. We're such regulars that during off season I'll ask hubs, "Is the uncle back?" & during season the uncle will always ask hubs,"今晚要不要?" Lol. We always buy at night coz he'll give us good discount since he's clearing stock. I'll definitely miss this durian uncle.

I've put on some weight from the month long eating & drinking sessions. No regrets though. I can always work to shed the weight but good times & memories are hard to come by. 

A Post 5 Days Late

Sometime earlier this week, ninja nurse posted a picture of her shawl knitting project. It was as though a lightning bolt hit me. I left a message thanking her for sharing the picture as it reminded me how much I've forgotten to live. Coincidentally, during the WD dialogue meeting on Wednesday, we talked about shoten zenjin which is the buddhist protection in your daily life. A senior in faith was saying it can manifest as an actual person or an event. Though it refers to protection of your life, I somehow felt it clicked into place.

I've always loved handicrafts. Cross stitching, knitting etc. I learnt knitting when Jcube was still known as Jurong Entertainment Centre, when I 1st started working, about 11 years ago. There was a shop to the right corner of the library exit. The staff will teach you how to knit if you buy the stuff from them. I paid $4.50 for the looped knitting needles & 8 black yarns at $14.90 per yarn. I passed by a similar shop in Jurong Point & popped in to have a look. I was appalled that the exact same knitting needles now costs $14.90.

Somehow along the way, I got caught up in the rat race that was not mine to being with & I no longer do any handicrafts. Unpaid overtime, cycling shifts, terrible patient to nurse ratio (17 to 1 on day shifts & 25 to 1 on night shifts), 1 off day a week so you can see why I refused to go back to ward nursing. Seeing ninja nurse's shawl brought to light how I've let life slide. I no longer do the things I enjoy. I felt I've wasted my life away. It is my wish that I'll be able to pick up where I left off 11 years ago & learn some new hobbies with the improved work life balance in Oz.

 This was how far I got 11 years ago. The loop is useful for big projects as the stitches will just fall onto the loops instead of off the needles. If the stitches fall off & you can't salvage it, you'll have to start all over again.

This is something I pestered my mom to teach me when I was in Primary 6. Initially she refused, claiming that it's too hard for a kid. Turned out that I was better at it. This was meant to be a triangular doily. The eye shaped thread holder is the only tool required.

Prohibited & Restricted Items Into Australia

Packing for the move means you need to be aware of the items that are restricted or outright prohibited from bringing into Australia. There's a high chance that your luggage will be opened up for inspection especially if you've indicated that you'll be staying for a period of time. (All friends who went to Australia to study had their luggage inspected.) You may be fined or prosecuted for not declaring or adhering to the limits. On a smaller scale, my friends complained about having difficulty stuffing their belongings back into their luggage after it was ransacked.

I've picked out some of the common items that are applicable to us. According to the list, pet items including my pet clipper, Ton's toys, his leash & harness, wooden items like my wedding albums/frames are not allowed. Oh yeah, you have to wash your shoes if they're not brand new or risk it getting thrown away if they discovered that the sole is soiled.

1. Up to 5 lighters. Permit is required for quantities above 5.

2. Cosmetics containing more than 250 mg per kg of lead except for products used in hair treatment. (This will be difficult. It's not like this information will be indicated on the packaging.)

3. Dog collars that puncture or bruise an animal's skin. (I'm not sure about this. Perhaps spiky collars? Or it could mean prong & choke chain. Neither of which I'll be bringing.)

4. Permit is required for knives. (So I guess I'll just have to buy my kitchen knives when I arrive & hubs has got to leave his swiss army blade behind.)

5. Permit is required for laser pointers with an accessible emission level of greater than 1mW. (Hubs is a laser pointer collector. So his stash will have to be left behind too.)

6. Pencils & paintbrushes containing excess amounts of toxic compounds such as lead, arsenic & barium. (How do we know if they contain all these anyway?)

7. Therapeutic drugs & substances require you to produce a prescription & you're only allowed to bring up to 3 months' supply.

8. The department will not permit the importation of the following items as personal effects:

• fresh fruit and vegetables
• live plants and bulbs
• prohibited and restricted seeds
• unidentified seeds, which can include some foods, including spices
• live animals (including pets) that require an import permit
• biological products including some plant based, herbal medications
• unprocessed goods of plant or animal origin
• soiled items, or items containing organic residues
• items knowingly infested with pests or a disease

9. Click here for some more household items. 

Ain't That Easy

Some of us come to an age where we no longer desire to be politically correct. Or at least some of the times. We were taught to be nice from young. Or at least, some of us. I admire those who are not afraid of shedding the mask. You'll know that they are true. Unlike so many of us, myself included.

For so long, I've faked my way across. I don't like you for the things you do. Yet I rein in my feelings just so not to ruin the cordial relationship, no matter how shallow it is. That is why I'm hypocritical & untrustworthy. Being fake will come back to bite you. Sooner or later, you'll reveal your fox's tail. That is why Eng & Mei Yan appeals to me so much. They're not afraid to let others know how they feel about them, straight in the face. Of course, they received a lot of backlash for their behaviour. How do you balance it? Be true yet diplomatic? How to be nice when the truth is ugly?

Unfortunately, I'm too bothered by what others think or say about me. I'm trying to quit, but it's like asking a chain smoker to quit smoking. It ain't that easy. In the writings of Nichiren Daishonin & Ikeda sensei, they encourage us to work on our inner self (human revolution) & engage in dialogue with others. To achieve world peace, you 1st start with yourself. Then like a candle, you illuminate the darkness around you. Other people, having being inspired by you, light their own candle & so forth it goes.

I've been trying to eliminate the negativity in me for years, squelching not so nice comments in my mind. We've come back in a circle. How to be kind when you see something really wrong? Do you sit on the fence, or do you take a stand? Worse still, how do I know I'm on the right side? A phrase in Dan Brown's Inferno stuck with me: The darkest place in hell is reserved for those who maintain neutrality in times of moral crisis. Do you openly condemn a behaviour or action that is morally wrong or do you choose to keep quiet? What if they insist on wrong doing despite diplomatic dialogues with them?

I wonder what Ikeda sensei will do. I guess he'll ask me to send prayers to them. Lol. I've just answered my own question. Daimoku then, to change myself 1st.

Counting Down: 2 Weeks

2 am last night, I received a message from my pal of 17 years that he's back in SG. He moved to Oslo, Norway last year & this is his 1st visit back. I'm thrilled to have him back, having a chance to meet up with him. He's leaving 1 day after me on 3rd May. A meet up has been arranged for next Wednesday. Coincidently, Sam is having his off day on Wed. With 2 out of the 3 of us ditching, every chance to meet up becomes all the more precious. We know not when we'll have the chance to have all 3 of us gathered together.

Striking off another pre-migration agenda. Called Singtel to terminate my broadband & Mio TV on 28th April so I'll have time to return the TV box. Our mobile numbers will be terminated on 3rd May, when we've landed on Ozzie ground. I have to pay early termination penalty for 2 services though. I'm just retaining my home line for their usage.

Hubby is obsessed with the do-as-much-as-we-can-before-leaving now. He's been pestering me for days to call up Grace Court Vegetarian for their buffet which I finally did today. So yeah, we're going on Monday. In just the span of a few days, I've effectively filled up my weekdays with activities. We've changed Tuesday to movie day since the tickets for GV is cheaper with the Popcorn card on Tues. I have a Soka meeting on Tues evening. Meeting the guys on Wed. So I'm thinking of pushing USS to Thurs. Dolly & Sharon even proposed a meet up on 1st May. 

The next thing I need to do is to close my StandChart account & decide what I want to do with the money. Either transfer to my NAB or POSB account. Let's see how much is left after I've paid for Ton's relocation. I definitely need to finish packing my check in luggage & ensure they do not exceed the weight limit. I've also found a way to solve my problem of bringing all my AUD in cash. I'm gonna head to Singpost & get them to issue me with an international bank draft. This will be done after the 28th so I can complete 3 objectives in 1 shot. I can return my Mio box, close my StandChart account & go to Singpost all at Woodlands Civic Centre. Feelings wise, I still feel the same. Perhaps it'll really sink in & I'll get all emo as the date draws closer.

Choosing Telcos In Perth

Obviously they don't call them telcos coz my search returned companies that sells home phones. At the suggestion of yahoo search engine, I got a hit using the keywords "mobile network operator". I remember how we complained when we received a dramatic reduction from 12 GB to 2 GB of mobile data when we switch from 3G to 4G . Wait till you see the mobile data allowance that comes with the postpaid plan. 1 thing that is different is that you don't have to pay for the phone 1 shot. Instead, the price of the phone is tagged to the chosen plan over a 24 months contract. Which is about right coz for some reasons, phones always start giving problems at the 2 year mark. Of course, you can opt for a mobile plan without the phone or prepaid plan. Also, say goodbye to unlimited broadband data.

I'm currently using over 300 MB of data on my phone. I guess I can try to cut it down by switching to wifi. My broadband plan is on unlimited so I have no way of gauging how much data I use a month since Singtel doesn't keep track. This means I have no way of knowing if 30 GB of broadband data is sufficient for our usage. We'll have to be very vigilant if we don't want to incur additional charges. For mobile plans, Optus will be a safe bet since we've got 200 minutes to work with & unlimited sms.

The plans are many & confusing. So I'm going to compare the cheapest mobile & broadband plan on the various operators. S5 refers to Samsung Galaxy S5 & 5s refers to Apple iphone 5s.

Optus
Price: $35 + $29 (S5) or $30 (5s) per month
Talk Time: 200 mins
SMS/MMS to Australian mobiles: Unlimited
Included data: 200 MB
Broadband: $55 for 30 GB per month, 24 months contract


Vodafone
Price: $30 + $28 (S5) or $31 (5s) per month
Included data: 300 MB
Special: $300 worth of value. Calls at 98c per min with 40c flagfall. SMS at 30c each.
Mobile Broadband: $65 for 12 GB per month, plus pay between $2 - 3 for modem (they don't seem to have normal home broadband)

Telstra
Price: $81 (S5) or $76 (5s) per month
Included data: 500 MB
Special: $550 value for talk time & MMS. Calls at 99c per min with 40c flagfall. MMS at 50c each. Unlimited SMS.
Broadband: $73 for 50 GB per month, 24 months contract

18 Days To Go

I think the reality of the move is starting to sink in for hubs. All of a sudden, he wants to visit USS, Night Safari & even Haw Par Villa. He wants to try dishes that received good reviews at various hawker centres. I'm gonna indulge him for USS since he's never been there before. He's stopping work at the end of the week & has requested to go USS next Tuesday. Then he wants to watch multiple movies before we leave. I think we watched in a month the number of movies we usually watch in a year.

I've been meeting up with some of my closer friends & there'll be a few more to come. We met up with hub's friends for dinner at Pu Tien yesterday, winning 2 mugs from the scratch & win. He wants to bring them to Perth & I agree. It's a nice reminder of the happy times with his friends. My relatives want to meet us for dinner, we'll be heading to my MIL's for dinner coming Saturday, the list goes on.

I'm conflicted in my feelings. A new path is waiting for us, filled with trepidations yet full of hope for the future. But at the same time, I'm filled with sorrow leaving everyone behind. Sure, we'll meet again. Either on our visits back to SG or their vacations in Perth, though the earlier being more probable. It just won't be the same. No matter how much of an introvert I am, when I open up to someone, I take those relationships seriously. I still feel the pinch long after people "drop" me, leaving me to wonder was our friendship merely a farce. I know this is the rite of life, it happens all the time. Acceptance doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt.

I'm mostly packed, though some stuff will have to wait till the last minute, like my laptop. I'm certain of the fact that we're going to utilise the entire 60 kg baggage allowance. At the present moment, we have 4 pieces of luggages & 1 backpack (for laptop & items that I don't feel safe to check in). Check in luggages are already at 42.5 kg, with more items to go. I have a feeling that by the time I'm done, my suitcase will be bursting at the seams.

Post Landing Agenda

This is me consolidating my agenda upon arrival in Australia. It'll be easier to refer to this list than to go through so many emails & websites. Some parts will be relevant for all migrants.

1. Tax File Number (TFN)
Webpage for application: http://www.iar.ato.gov.au/
Note: Must be in Australia to lodge an application.

2. Activate Bank Account (NAB)
Assigned Banker 1: Philip Le, philip.x.le@nab.com.au
Assigned Banker 2: Simon Tan, simon.c.tan@nab.com.au
Address: 129 James Street, Northbridge, Perth, WA 6003
Website for Internet Banking: http://www.nab.com.au/personal
Note: Contact banker at least 2 weeks prior to arrival to arrange for a meeting & activation of account.

3. Medicare & Centrelink
Website: http://www.humanservices.gov.au/
Note: Pick up Medicare application form at 1 of the Centrelink offices. Scroll all the way down on the website, select Find Us under General Information. There're several Centrelink & Medicare offices around Perth. For the application, you'll need a bank account number.

4. Convert To Australian Driving License
Website: http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/transferring-your-overseas-licence.asp
Note: Application form must be submitted in person with current overseas license, proof of identity, proof of WA residential address, document showing your signature & application fee. Photo to be taken at the licensing centre.

My Ton, My Soul Mate

How not to love him when he's got a face like this?

Not unlike many kids, I've always wanted a dog & like many parents, mine were against the idea. They knew gifting a child with a dog means the care will ultimately go to them. (I wish parents these days were as adamant about it as my parents. Pet abandonment is way too high, even among people I know.) But my love for dogs never waned. I felt that I could call the shots at age 23 despite the fact that I was still living with my parents. I had in mind a schnauzer but still, I did my research. I didn't want a dog that's too active (think Jack Russell) coz I was a couch potato. I didn't want a dog who sheds coz I was sure my mom wouldn't appreciate the invasion of fur balls in our home. I'm living in a HDB flat so the breed definitely has to be HDB approved. I concluded that a schnauzer fit my criteria. 

Before I even started hunting, I read up on house breaking, basic commands, basic grooming care, breed characteristics, what health issues the breed is prone to having, how to choose a puppy, etc. I really really did my homework. I knew for certain I wanted a male dog. I just prefer males. I wanted a salt & pepper schnauzer. At that time, I was crazy about Naruto, a Japanese anime. There was a character I liked so much. It was a female pig by the name of Ton Ton which I deduced to mean pork pork. (Tonkatsu anyone?) I already knew I would name my 1st dog Ton Ton. Then, the hunt began.

There's a pet shop at Bukit Panjang Plaza (it's still there) & it was my 1st stop since it's nearest to where I lived. Ton was in 1 of the viewing display, being bullied by his sister. The owner tried to convince me that a white schnauzer is more unique as at that point in time, there weren't many white schnauzers around. I think he just wanted to close the sale as he didn't have any salt & pepper puppies at that time. He brought Ton out & placed him in my arms for me to handle. I flipped him onto his back on my palm to test how dominant he is. That small 1.2 kg bundle of fur clung to me for dear life. Needless to say, I fell in love with him.

Born on 13th January 2006, Ton is very timid by nature. The 1st day he came home with me at 3 months old, he didn't even dare venture outside the boundary of the floor title I set him down on. Becoz he's timid, he's easy to train coz he's fearful of punishments. By the end of the 1st day, he learnt the sit command using solely reward based training. By 2 weeks, he was 90% pee tray reliable. I discipline when required but I am never stingy with my affections. Despite my harsh discipline, he's closest to me, getting all excited & whining away when I get home. My parents who were initially against having a dog was won over by him. They will spoil him, allowing him to get away with mistakes. I disciplined them along with him. For training to be successful, everyone in the household has to sing the same tune. 

He loves kisses but hates it when I lick him on his nose. Like humans, he's ticklish on his hind paw pads, the equivalent of human's soles. He's lazy & many times will choose not to respond when called. A puff into his ears or anus will get his attention. I love to disturb him for no reason just as he loves to plop down in my lap without warning. Words can't describe my love for him. Some days, we would sit in bed & he would stare into my eyes in silent communication. He can't speak but I feel the love he has for me. When I look into his eyes, I know I am the world to him. It is a devotion so strong, I can't help but return it. 

Unlucky With Electrical Appliances

The title says it all. I once bought a juicer which broke down after less than 10 usages. A blender that I was using emitted smoke & sparks. A digital camera gave off a burning smell before it broke down. This time, it was my Andis clipper. 4 months shy of 3 years it broke down on me while I was shaving Ton down in preparation for my absence & quarantine. Gosh... I hope this streak will end when I get to Perth. Can't be making purchases for replacement or sending the items for repair all the time right?

I've been grooming Ton Ton for a while now. Going to a groomer costs $50 per visit. I bought my clipper in 2011 for $268, the cheapest available model. Assuming that Ton needs a shave every 3 months, I would have gotten my clipper's worth in 1.5 years. That's excluding the cab transport fees since I don't have a car. Of course, I'm not very good at schnauzer cut so Ton has been making do with what I can offer. Can't be helped. I gotta do whatever I can to save money. It's even more imperative now coz I'm sure sending Ton to a groomer will cost a bomb.  

Ton will fly to Melbourne on 3rd June. With a 10 day quarantine, he will join us in mid June. That will give us 1.5 months to look for a place to stay & get settled down. With us flying over in less than a month, I still can't imagine what it will be like. Will I be overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness? Will I be in a state of panic, weighed down by fear of the unknown? Or will I be happy, living the life I've envisioned myself in? Ok, missy! *slaps self a couple of times* 1 step at a time. Worrying absolutely doesn't help.

Habit To Bring Over

Hubby's the 1 with the consistency. Ever since we've picked up jogging a few months back, he's been jogging regularly even if it means only once a week. I on the other hand keep getting lazy & go for month long breaks. I've been jogging for the entire week, my last jog before this stint being early March. Somehow I can't seem to make jogging a habit. I'm hoping that I'll continue to jog even when I'm there in Perth.

There's a canal 2 HDB blocks from my flat. That's where we jog these days. The ground is concrete flat, the only elevation & down slope being at 1 end of the canal. It's a popular spot for joggers & dog walkers, the latter being evident by the littering of shit on the pavement. 1 has to literally keep eyes on the ground to avoid 1 of those "huat ah!" moments. This annoy me no end. Why can't they pick up after their dogs? Whenever I walk mine, I'll bring enough newspapers to scoop up 5 defecations. In the rare event that I do run out, I use the leaves scattered all over the place instead. If I can do it, why can't others? Grr...

Anyway, 1 complete round around the canal is 1.3 km. We run 2 & use the 2.4 km timing to gauge our run. My timing for 2.6 km is currently at around 21:30 minutes. I came in at 21:17 minutes for last night's run but I was stopped by a lady asking for directions. I'm being optimistic here but I think I might have shaved 1 minute off my usual timing. It's my dream to be able to attain 15 minutes like I did when I was in Sec 2. Of course, I know that I'm more than twice that age since but it's a nice target to aspire to.

I'm hoping to keep it up & gradually increase the distance. I have to keep reminding myself not to be impatient. Stamina & fitness doesn't come overnight. It takes months & months of training for many others to achieve their goals. I'm guessing once the weight comes off, my body no longer have to carry excess weight, my heart doesn't have to work as hard & my timing will start to improve. So I must must must keep at it. *Remind self to read this post every now & then. 

Summary of the week:
Jogged 1, 3, 4, 6
Averaged 21:30 minutes

Fell Down From The Sky

Hubby's friend who's offering us a room to stay in until we find our own rental place? She has a friend who's leasing out her 4X2 in Ellenbrook for $420 pw as the family is moving to another suburb. She's allowing dogs on her property & not going through agent means we save on the agent fee. I'm tempted as it'll mean solving the housing plus dog problem at 1 go. All that's left will be to find a job.

I've been monitoring the rental prices on Real Estate ever since we got our PR approved. There aren't that many houses that goes below $400 pw, even lesser when I filter it through to allow pets. So naturally you see why I'm excited over this turn of event. Of course, I'll have to put into consideration travelling distance to work. The other option is to work it the other way round, to find a job within reasonable distance from Ellenbrook. It's still too early for hasty decisions. Let's get our asses over there 1st.

Hubby's friend has insisted on picking us up at the airport despite us telling her that we can take a cab in since we'll arrive at 2335 hrs & it'll definitely be after midnight by the time we clear customs. She told us that the agenda is to go car hunting the very next day & encouraged us to sift through Carsales for our desired make, model & price which I've been doing for a while too. :P I've also been keeping tabs on job search websites. Singaporean mentality lah. Super kiasu. I like to do my homework before a move this big you see. Hubby doesn't do any of this research stuff but he's the 1 with the skills. I'm the brain & he's the brawn of our marriage. LOL.

I feel so indebted to the people who have offered us help & advice, namely asingaporeanson, ninja nurse & hubby's friend Jill. I promise you guys help if & when you need it (though nobody reads my blog) & I'll pay it forward by offering my help for others who are looking to migrate over. ;)

It's Written In The Cards

I know some people associate tarot with occult practices. In this modern scientific times, relying on tarot to tell your future seems a foolish thing to do. I've never viewed tarot as a fortune telling tool. Your future is in your hands & with each decision you make, your future changes. I don't know how it works but tarot tells you your life story, bringing to surface what is in your subconscious mind.

I picked up tarot many years back, my interest piqued by the then popular series, Charmed. It was a show about 3 sisters who found out that they are witches, blessed with magical powers. They used their power for good. With everything, your intention determines if something is good or evil. 善恶只在一念之差。

I haven't picked up my deck for a few years now, left forgotten on my shelf. I uncovered it while going through my stuff, packing for the big move. So I did a couple of readings & they were accurate. Till now, I don't know how it is so. This is my latest reading, my question being is everything going to be alright with regards to the move.

1st card tells the past: Ace of Cups. As with all aces, it signifies a new beginning. This card tells me that I have been planning for a new project or job that I feel passionately about & that this new undertaking offers me a chance to actualize a long-held dream. I will have to invest efforts over a long period to fulfill it. Sounds familiar?

2nd card tells the present: Knight of Wands. This is a card of change. It means a job change, relocation or shift in responsibilities is likely. It's time to challenge yourself & take a few risks.

3rd card tells of the future: 4 of Swords. This card represents solitude & contemplation. Draw away from the outside world & tend to your inner world through meditation, rest & spiritual practice.

Dental Issues Best Solved in SG

I met up with my 2 poly friends last week for steamboat & KTV session. 1 of them did her degree in Perth. So I took the chance to ask her if dental treatments are expensive there. She told me, "Fly back if you have to. The air ticket on a budget airline is cheaper than going to a dentist in Perth." Turned out that she had a toothache & was forced to visit a dentist while she was over there. She paid a few hundred dollars for consultation & antibiotics.

In my mind, I went, oh shit! I've got 2 molars that a dentist told me require crowns last December when I went for scaling. I previously extracted a molar that was so badly eroded that my nerves were exposed, causing me excruciating pain. That will require an implant.

I've put it off for a long time as it costs $900 per crown & $4500 for traditional implant. I decided the implant can wait. But the 2 worn out molars has the potential to create problems anytime. A search online told me that getting crowns done in Perth will cost me AUD$1800 per tooth. It was a mad scramble to get dentist's appointment. I was due to fly early May & getting crowns is a 2 step procedure. 1st to file away the tooth with a burr to half its size & a temporary cap is placed on the tooth. About 2 weeks later, you go back for crown fitting once it is ready.

A dental clinic near my place was able to slot me in on the same day I called, which was yesterday. This dentist told me that it would be a waste to file my teeth to fit a crown as my teeth were still relatively healthy except for the worn off top surfaces. She recommended fillings & a night guard to wear at night so I reduce further damage to my teeth from grinding. I agreed. Saved me tons of money espcially this close to the big move.

The implant though will have to wait. Perhaps on 1 of my visits back to SG. I'm exploring mini implants offered by Camden Medical. According to its website, it can be done on the same day. Well, it'll definitely have to wait till I'm bringing in a steady income.

Prolonged "Summer"

It was a furnace outside my air conditioned room, even at 4 am in the morning. I stepped out to use the toilet & I was already starting to sweat as I slipped back into my room. I think it took all of 2 minutes for the return trip. These days I have 2 fans working at full speed for 24 hours a day, alternating them only at night. (Hubby finds the room too stuffy without a fan to circulate the cool air at night.) Even with 2 fans blowing at me, I'm sweating loads by the minute.

How hot can SG get anyway? 36 degrees? So I'm absolutely certain that I'll hate summer in Perth with a vengeance. Worse still with bugs that came along with it. Perhaps it'll reduced me down to a crazed woman running down the street, swatting at the bugs flying around my face. But at the very least, we'll have 3 other seasons that are more comfortable.

"Summer" came early this year in SG, probably due to global warming. I remember it used to get really hot only around June till the monsoon season breaks it up in late November during my childhood. For many years now, the heat started around April. This year, it was mid February, followed by a 6 week dry spell that turned the grass all over SG yellow. Neighbouring Malaysia even had to ration water in the rural areas as their water supply ran dangerously low.

In Dan Brown's Inferno, the antagonist blames over population as the cause. We're depleting the earth's resources faster than they can be replenished. He proposed a reduction of the world's population by more than half & went on to release a virus to render a fifth of the population infertile. There's always a ring of truth in all his novels.

1 thing I do agree on. I think we're already past the tipping point. There's no way to remedy the global warming issue fast enough to make a difference. The ice caps are melting at a unprecedented speed. I kinda feel that earth is doomed. I wonder how long we have.

Regardless, let us all do what we can. Well, on the individual, we really should cut down the usage of plastic bags, switching to reusable or biodegradable bags, avoid buying bottled water, consider switching to energy saving electrical appliances & switching off lights that we don't need. Setting the air conditioner at 25 degrees (You can't go higher than that. Believe me, I've tried. It'll start blowing out heated air at 26 degrees.) & not using the air conditioner for more than 8 hours a day helps. On cooler days, we leave the room door open for circulation & ditch the air conditioning altogether. If everyone makes an effort, maybe we can slow down global warming enough for recovery efforts to work.

The Beginning of Growing Old Together

About 4 years ago, I sprained my back at work carrying a heavy load. I couldn't go into a sitting position when standing & neither could I get up from a sitting position without difficulty. I went to the 跌打师傅 but it still took 2 months to recover. Ever since then, I've got backache every single day, made worse by being on my feet all day at work. The pain goes away with rest but by the 1 hour mark at work, my back would start aching again.

These days, me & hubby will take turns "cracking" each other's spine by exerting pressure on either sides, followed by application of salonpas plasters on the site that hurts the most. It's an uncomfortable ailment but it brings a smile to my face when I think about it. We're sort of growing old together.