Truth about Morning Sickness

Don't be fooled by the word 'Morning Sickness'. It ain't just happen in the morning.

In fact, it happens all the time. When you are sleeping, when you are having lunch or dinner, when you are in MRT, when you are on the phone, when you are showering (yes, it happens!), when you are brushing your teeth (that's the worst!), and even during your most important meeting with you VIP client.

So don't ask me why I am still vomit during dinner time, because it is not just 'morning' sickness. It is '24/7' sickness.

Dad-to-be, I know there is nothing you can do about your dear's sickness. But don't just keep playing game while she is trying hard to stop being a merlion. Ok?

Show some support, clean up her mess. She would appreciate it very much, trust me.

I want to be a man in my next life

There is no such thing as gender equality. NEVER I should say. The definition of 'gender' includes many roles that are set by default. For example, woman should give birth (nothing I could do to change this, although I would very much like to); man should be strong and masculine (though many have decided to switch side, let say in Thailand); woman should do housework; man should be the breadwinner...blah blah blah blah...

While everybody claims that the world has changed, or is changing, people would always fall back to the basic definition of gender's roles. I am not saying that this is not good, but I just hate the mindset of 'by default'.

Let me quote you a real life example:

Both Mr.Yap and I have to work, just like you and everyone, from morning to evening (or late evening sometimes). After work, we both get tired and lethargic after a day of meeting-the-deadlines,mind-battling-with-the-boss,bitching-among-the-colleagues and etc.

Mr.Yap, as the name suggested, a 'MAN', upon arriving home, could just switch on his beloved computer game and continue his virtual fantasy of slaying the dragons or killing the enemies. Full Stop.

As for moi, a 'LADY' (no, I don't like the word 'woman'), upon arriving home, I have to quickly make the dinner (that include preparation and cooking) plus do the laundry plus vacum the floor plus iron the clothes plus giving Mr.Yap a good massage for his all day long hardwork plus top up the grocery plus anything at home that needs my attention. No full stop, always a comma.

One good thing, I don't have to do dishwashing because Mr.Yap has generously take over that job. And whenever I tell my friends about this, they would say 'Wah...your husband so nice ar, help you to do housework ar....' yada yada yada.

Hello!!!!! Man just need to take over one tiny 'by default' job from us and they win all the praises. On the other hand, we ladies have to work like a man in the office and continue to work as a woman at home. Do we win any praises? Anyone?

I want to be a man in my next life.

Bye bye my blog...

It has been more than a month that I didn't update my blog. Why?

First, I was busy with traveling and job hunt.

Second, suddenly I was employed and started working since Monday.

Third, since I am already back in Singapore, why should I blog to keep my friends in Singapore updated? Just ring them and meet up will do!
[Note: This blog was setup before I went to US, mainly is to keep my friends in the loop of what's happening to me in US]

Therefore, this blog is dying.... very soon.

Friends, if you want to know what's happening in my life, just facebook me or ring me la! Ha ha....

I will blog once in the blue moon....blue blue moon... zzzzz....

JetStarAsia is hopeless

I had enough of JetStarAsia....I tried to book a one-way ticket for Mr.Yap and I since last month, and I have tolerant enough to try different method to successfully book a ticket.

Walao, I just want the god damn one-way ticket, so difficult meh?

First of all, when I use FireFox, I have no where to click to complete my booking

I happily fill up the details....


To find that there is no 'continue' or 'next' to click

Fine, I use IE instead. Very tolerant bah me as a customer. It come out, WORSE!



And when I called them, the machine just said 'we are not able to answer your call' and end the call. WTF? You are suppose to be 24hours!



Try after try, finally I am connected...with another machine which keep saying 'please visit our website'. F**k you lar..If I can do it at website, why am I calling you now?

Finally when I managed to talk to a human from the hotline, she didn't even bother to explain the errors in internet booking and proceed the booking via phone.

Is that end of the story?

Hell NOT!

I only have TWO passengers, and BOTH of the names are recorded wrongly in the reservation.

What wrong with JetStarAsia? Ready to bankrupt liao is it? Or they only retarted people to work?

Well, I am probably the most retarded people coz I booked their flight. Ha ha. (trying a lame joke)

After all the trouble, only to find out that JetStarAsia is a hopeless lousy airline. This would be my very last time with JetStartAsia. Hopefully so do the same for you.

NO MORE JETSTARASIA!

Call me Master!

Opps, pardon for my M.I.A. (Missing in Action) for the past 3 weeks, was busy with many things...

First of all, I am officially a Master!

On 16 May 2009, I proudly wore my graduation gown and hood, together with the cap and some sai-kong alike and curtain-rope alike honor society banner.


And on the stage, I proudly walk to the dean for a hand shake...


And who knows the photo turn out this way...


Oh my god, my eyes!

Despite of the super hot and dry weather, everybody was overwhelmed by the happy atmosphere.


Only Abu and Han were there, Old Bean was in China, Ping was in Austin, Mr.Yap was in Singapore.

Dear Ms.Da flew all the way from Singapore, across half the globe, and joined my graduation. Even Mr.Yap didn't come. See la, husband la, worse than a friend. Well, I was actually glad that Mr.Yap didn't come, so that I could have the greatest time with my dearest girl pal Da.

The wind was very strong, until my sai-kong accessories were flying all over the place.

Of course, I will surely miss my wonderful friends and classmates...here are just some of them.

The Gang of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society


The International Group in HR class


Leah and Rebeca from Office of International Programs


Ok, not this loud fatty Augustine

Da brought this wonderful graduation gift for me, all the way....from Walgreen close to my house. Ha ha...

I love this dog, perfect representation of moi. Dog with glasses. What a nerdy dog!

Ok, I will no longer M.I.A., because I am an M.B.A. now!

Hurray!

Time to move on, GIVE ME A JOB!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Why Mother's Day has to always be during the busiest final exam period? Why?

Is A(H1N1) a serious threat or not?

Opposite to whatever my friends telling me from Asia, that A(H1N1) is super scary, I seriously don't think the people in my city felt threatened at all.

Well, prbobably not their fault because it is how the media poses the issue on paper, making it looks so.....mild.

See this:
El Paso Times: 2 fine lines about A(H1N1) nia...or worse, they have not even update it from Swine Flu to A(H1N1). FYI, El Paso is the border city at US-Mexico border. On daily basis, there are thousands of people crossing from Mexico and this is all they report??????? Worst thing, I am living in this city now. Wakao~


Wall Street Journal: Have to scroll down a bit before you can see the tiny flu corner


U.S. News: Don't have to scroll down, just make sure your focus is not on the nice pictures.


CNN: Not bad wor...got picture got text...


CNA (Singapore): It is EVERYWHERE, unless you are blind. If not, you surely wouldn't miss it.


There are 226 confirmed cases in US now, compared to, zero in Singapore?

And damn it, I am living at the US-Mexico border. People cross the bridge from Juarez everyday to my school.

Shouldn't I be more kiasi than my friends in Singapore?

But then, no one is wearing mask or so here.

Should I take the courage to be the freak here by wearing mask? Ha ha... you tell me.

Am I heng or what?

Am I heng or what? Twice graduations twice kena virus threat.

Undergrad commencement, kena SARS. Examination hall turn from air-con room into natural-air (fan lar!) room, grand ceremony become small small ceremony, and kena bring themometer everywhere I go. Temperature taking become part of my breakfast. Worse thing, sing karaoke half way have to stop to take temperature, coz kena report when gov calls.

Now, MBA commencement, kena swine flu.

Sigh, what's next?

FAQs on H1N1 (Swine Flu)

Something I got from Ministry of Health, Singapore:

1. What is Swine Flu (Swine Influenza)?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease affecting pigs that is caused by type A influenza virus. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to influenza outbreaks in humans. It causes high levels of illness but low death rates in pigs.

2. Does Swine Flu affect humans?
Swine flu viruses that cause disease in pigs very rarely affect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs but there have also been documented cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu.

3. How does Swine Flu spread to humans?
Swine flu spreads to humans mainly through contact with infected pigs, which shed the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and faeces. Limited human-to-human transmission can also occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people.

4. Can people catch Swine Flu from eating pork?
There is currently no evidence to suggest that swine flu can be transmitted to humans from eating pork or pork products that have been thoroughly cooked.

5. What are the symptoms of Swine Flu in humans?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza. An early symptom is high fever, and this is followed by cough, sore throat, runny nose, and sometimes breathlessness a few days later.

6. How can human infections with swine flu be diagnosed?
To diagnose swine flu, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding the virus). However, some persons, especially children may shed the virus
for 10 days or longer.

7. What medications are available to treat swine flu infection in humans?
There are three different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in Singapore for the treatment of influenza: amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. Another antiviral drug, rimantadine, is also licensed for use in the United States for the treatment of influenza. While most swine flu viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the most recent swine flu viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this time, the US CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine flu viruses.

8. Are there any cases of Swine Flu in Singapore?
To date, there have been no human cases of swine flu detected in Singapore.

9. Is there any cause for alarm in Singapore?
No human swine flu cases have been reported in Singapore. MOH is monitoring the situation closely and will update the public should the situation change.

10. What is MOH doing to ensure that the disease is not transmitted here?
MOH maintains a comprehensive and well established disease surveillance system for the early detection of human cases of novel influenzas such as swine flu. In addition, MOH has sent a medical alert to all medical practitioners and staff in hospitals, national centres, private medical clinics and polyclinics to update them on the outbreak of swine flu in the USA and Mexico and to advise them to be vigilant for any suspect cases. When the situation warrants, MOH will step up public health measures e.g. quarantine of contacts, issue public health advisories, and work with other government agencies to screen visitors at our border checkpoints. Further, MOH has an influenza pandemic preparedness plan in response to a pandemic situation.

11. Is it safe to visit countries with cases of Swine Flu and will I be quarantined when I return? What travel precautions should I take?
There are currently no travel restrictions or quarantine advised by the World Health Organisation for swine flu. If you intend to travel to areas which have cases of swine flu (currently – currently – California, Texas and Kansas in the United States; and Mexico), you should take note of the following measures to minimize your risk of acquiring swine flu:
Avoid contact with persons with symptoms of influenza
Avoid crowded areas and maintain good ventilation.
Observe good personal and environmental hygiene. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water frequently and when they are contaminated by respiratory secretions e.g. after sneezing.
Maintain good body resistance through a balanced diet, regular exercise, having adequate rest, reducing stress and not smoking.

As part of national level measures, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)will be implementing precautionary measures at Singapore Changi Airport in light of the outbreak of swine flu cases in Mexico and the United States.

From 2300 hours 26 April, thermal scanners will be deployed to screen passengers on flights arriving from the US. Screening of all arriving passengers will take place from 0800 hours on 27 April 2009, when thermal scanners will be deployed at the Arrival Halls of Terminals 1, 2 and 3. From Wednesday (29 April 2009), the scanners will also be deployed at the Budget Terminal and Seletar Airport. The scanners will measure the temperature of passengers just before they undergo immigration checks. Passengers with a higher-than-normal temperature will undergo a more thorough medical assessment. These precautionary checks are non-intrusive and have no impact on the time needed by passengers to clear the various airport processes. Flights in and out of Changi Airport are continuing as normal.

In addition, health alert notices containing information about swine flu will be placed at the immigration counters for arriving passengers.

12. What should I do if I suspect I have swine flu after returning to Singapore?
You should consult your doctor as soon as possible and inform your doctor if you have symptoms of swine flu and had recently travelled to areas which have cases of swine flu (currently – California, Texas and Kansas in the United States; and Mexico).

13. What should I do if I fall ill overseas?
You should consult a local doctor as soon as possible and refrain from traveling until you are certified fit by the doctor.

14. Does influenza vaccination help in preventing Swine Flu?
Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine is unlikely to protect against H1N1 swine flu viruses.

15. Is it safe to come into contact with live pigs in nature reserves and the wildlife reserves?
So far, there are no known cases of swine flu in Singapore. However, proper hygiene practices, such as washing of hands after contact with animals including pigs, should be maintained.


And thank you for all my friends out there for your concern. I am doing fine here, despite that I am living at US-Mexico border....

despite that US government is merely doing 'lip service' in combating swine flu....

despite that I have to get more updated news from Asia because the local news is really slow...

I must say, while I always mock Singapore government for being extremely kiasi, under this situation, it is better to be kiasi than dangsi (waiting to die).

Seriously, no border screening, no thermal scanner, no one is wearing mask here....

Am I being overreacting? or thes local are just too lax?

Never cross the water on the road

And never assume the water is safe!