Hong Kong Day 1 and 2

Before we flew, we heard of typhoon in hong kong!
Luckily by the time we fly, 
the typhoon was over...
It is my first trip to hongkong in summer,
i dont know is it just summer
or because of the recent typhoon,
it was super hot and super super humid
that i think it was worse than in Singapore!
I was hoping the rain and typhoon cool the weather, but nope!
Having the little bean in my tummy didnt help,
is like im constantly carrying a personal radiator! 
Pregnancy tiredness and the heat was definitely draining my energy daily...

Day 1: 
Anyway we took the mrt to the airport in the morning,
took the flight at about 11am and finally arrived HK about 3pm+.
By the time we found our hotel (located in Prince Edward) and checked in,
it was already 5pm+ and i was truly starving!
It was partly my fault that i didnt ate at the airport thinking we will arrive hotel soon
and there was a long queue for check in... brrr
or should i blame my need for 2 hours feeding, haha.

Maybe is the flight, jetlag, weather, hunger or just been pregnant
I was not in mood to visit or do anything touristy (include taking photo)
We did managed to walked to mongkok and surpised at how crowded it is on a monday
and in the end finally found a congee place for dinner!
I know the weather is hot but i can never resist congee in hongkong,
it is always sooooo good...
And i lost count the times i wanted to eat congee
but didnt because husband was getting bored of it.

I dont know if  is me or the prices really increased in hk
(even my sister mentioned of the price hike before my trip)
I do felt that things are much more expensive in hk
that we did overspent a little on our budget.
Even eating at cha chan ting felt more expensive as usual.

After the dinner,
we walked around a little and i managed to buy my curry fishballs
which is always bad but i defintely need to buy and eat in hk, haha.
Husband gets to admire the famous colorful signboards
Some usual groceries for the hotel room
and we went back to rest at about 8pm+.
1 of the main point to go back was that i was still having my all day morning sickness
and need to puke after most of the meals.. (that dinner)
Since the next day we are going to the big buddha in lautau island,
husband found out that it was better to buy the cable car tickets online
and spent his time buying the tickets for us for the next day,
while i was eating snacks after puking, haha.
And we rested for the day to gain energy for the crazy next day...

Day 2
I think the common event of everyday is to buy bread
for me to snack during the day, in case i wake up hungry at night and for breakfast.
I must be really helping the bread economy during my stay!
And it helps that i was missing the soft asian bread after 1.5years of the french bread..
I think husband must felt pregnant too,
he was eating everytime when i ate, haha.

So, the day started with breakfast of bread
and we took the mtr to tung chug station.
Thanks to the online tickets, we managed to skip the queue 
and board the cable car shortly.
All day morning sickenss makes me prone to motion sickeness
that i even had cable car sickenss
and didnt really appreciate the view on the way...
We then arrived at ngong ping 360
 and stopped for snacks of soya beancurd and instant noodles.

After a short walk at ngong ping 360,
we finally went to the big buddha!
I think ill be tired to climb the stair when im not pregnant,
and being pregnant makes is 100x harder.
It didnt help with the hot weather that i was constantly findling shade.
And i didnt share husband's excitement and photos taking.

Thereafter, we went to visit the nearby Po Lin Monastery.
It was then, we took another drink break and i decided it was enough for me.
I encouraged husband to take the wisdom path alone
while i will wait for him in ngong ping 360 
(among the air conditioned shops)
and im glad for this plan
as he truly enjoyed the walk
and the rest was good for me.

I think husband was hoping to stay longer in lantau island
but i was so tired and unwell that i suggest to go back to hk.
Which was a good choice because there was no queue for the cable car
and i was starving by the time we arrived at the mtr station.

Since there was a outlet shopping mall,
we went to search for lunch.
We didnt have much choice except for expensive restaurants 
But luckily i spotted that we can buy bentos from supermarket
 and there was a small area to eat!
After our bento lunch, i was given 1 hour to shop
and managed to bought 2 tops to survive for the trip
and we left to return to our hotel area.

I cant remember what we had for dinner,
i think it was  cha chan teng,
a place where i have to use my lousy cantonses.
I dont know why but im always so stress at ordering food in hk
because my cantonese sucks and the waiter/waitress are so fierce
that i warned husband not to have special requests or change his mind while i order, haha.

 we went back to pack our bags to go to macau the next day!
Just to be safe, i even called up the hotel in macau to make sure it was open
after watching news that the macau was much affected by the typhoon than hk
and we didnt really felt hk was affected at all except some fallen trees.
And the hotel told us that everything was functioning as per normal except some hotel attractions
so we were happy to go!

Singapore day 1 and 2

This year we chose to take SQ as it was summer
and the usual cheaper airlines cost about the same.
However, SQ only had a day flight for our arrival
as usual, it is hard to survive a 13 hour day flight
and harder with crying toddlers and babies.
We survived the flight and reached SG  at 0630 in the morning!
Since we are still awake and it was early,
we braved through the MRT to go to sis home.
We finally arrived about 0900 and managed to join them for breakfast.
We then had lunch with Aven and my mum made us dinner.

Since i gained alot of weight before pregnancy
due to the hormones treatments,
it was hard to hide my fats from everyone
So i xan only quicky announce the pregnancy to the family
to avoid being pinpoint as being too fat..haha

The next day,
i cant really rememeber what we did 
but definitely involved roaming endlessly at jurong point
and had an early family steamboat dinner.

Problem was my left foot started to swell in the late afternoon
and my sister suggested that i go to see a GP just in case
and since i was flying to HK the next day.
It may be normal for Singaporeans,
but to me is a big luxury to be about to easily find a gp on sunday night!
However, the gp just take a quick look
and says it looks fine and im fine to fly.
ehm ok.
I guess we shall just monitor in hk!

The start of being a zombie..

Havent had the energy to blog for a long time 
so now im going to repay my blogging debts, 
especially there has been so much happening for the past months!

To continue on the previous blog about starting injections to induce ovulation
it was really mind tormenting each day to inject myself.
although the husband offered to help inject me,
i still trusted myself to do a better job. *oops*
After 5/6 days of injections, we went for an ultrascan
and to our surprise (including the gynae's), there was a potential egg!
Normally it will require like a few cycles or higher dosage,
but any how we have a chance for the month.
It felt a little stupid to be happy to see an egg
when its only means 20% chance to fertilise it.
Well, a chance is a chance!

Around the 10th day of injection, i was to go for a blood test before gynae.
To our surprise, gynae called and cancelled our appointment
as my blood test shown that i was to ovulate on my own.
So she recommend for me to take the ovulation induce injection
and we are to try the next few days.
Life then went on normal for a while...

As the ovulation induce injection can give rise to positive preg test for about 10days,
i tried to use cheap preg tests to test out the fake positive.
At about 7/8 days after injection, the test was negative.
Crazily, day 9 after the injection, i got a super faint positive!
The thing is i am the only one who can see it!
Comes the next few days of continuous testing...
despite the recommendation of using first morning pee,
my results are always lighter in the morning that afternoon.
And considering i got an early positive, 
before missing my period,
i was really worried about chemical pregnancy
which will explain the continuous faint positive.

Finally, we decided to trust the digital test (and darkening tests)
and it was time to call for an appointment with gynae!
Since we will be flying off to Singapore when im about 7.5 weeks
and my gynae is going off to holidays,
the gynae requested for us to come in early at 6wk 2days.
I was worried that it was too early to see anything
since the recommended is always 8 weeks on
and our last pregnancy didnt shown heartbeat at 8 weeks...
Not that we have a choice, so lets wait to see...

Work was still stressful and toxic
but i was constantly reminding myself to keep cool
and count down to my last day.
Few days before my last day,
my boss told me that i wont received my final paycheck on my last day
because the accountant was on holiday
and i can take it when im back from Singapore, wtf
Anyway, i just wanted to leave as soon as possible
that i really dont give a damm about that.
Finally, the last day came, 
it was the quietest farewell in my career history,
because there was no farewell!
Haha, seriously, it was like bye bye and thank you when i left the office
and thats it.
I was so happy to leave 
because the job really trumatised me that i had nightmares about them
for the next few weeks..*phew*

After weeks of what seems endless wait,
start of all-day sickness,
it was time for the appointment...
We were so panicking waiting outside the gynae's room
just hoping that maybe its too early to see
instead of a dead sentence of our long-awaited baby...
We were trying not to be too crazily happy when we saw the small bean
and get to hear the heartbeat!!
We had the go-ahead for the flight to Singapore
and was to follow up with another gynae few weeks later in Singapore.
Gynae prescribed prenatal vitamins, anti-nauseous pills and compression socks for the flight.

Since we will be announcing the pregnancy to my family,
it was fair that we told myt in laws before flying.
But decided to keep the news from friends for now...
So now are all ready to go to Singapore with our little bean!!

I'm living in a 3rd world country..

So after Clomid failed, I’m suppose to try injection from day 3 to 7 and return on day 7 for the scan.
Before my period starts, we went to the pharmacy near home to buy the injections. Is an uncommon medications (an injection pen and the fluid) so we need to order and is to arrive next day. All was fine and we managed to get them next day. It was super expensive at 250€ which I’m glad our insurance covers it fully.

I was to start on Friday and husband is away for friend’s bachelor weekend. After overcoming the stress of self injection, I started to prepare. Then came the shifty realisation that the pharmacy ordered and sold us the wrong medication! Insread of medication for the pen, she gave us medication for the normal syringe, which I definitrly can t do myself!
So day 4 (Saturday) I went to the same pharmacy, another person told me is stupid that they ordered wrong medicine and she will order the correct medicine to me to arrive the afternoon and I can still rush for the schedule. And I returned the wrong medication to her. I was super happy and noticed she only ordered 1 box of medication (not enough for 7days). I went back and said to order another box and she assured me that when the medicine arrive later, we test and order another.

I went back at 1600, another pharmacist gave me my order and is a fucking injection pen! Apparently, the morning lady ordered me another pen injection instead of the medication. I want to cry...the crazy thing is this pharmacist didn’t believe that I have the same empty pen that I had to show her. Then again, she started scolding the morning lady and is really stupid. I just want my fucking medication!!! At this moment, I really hate my bad French, I have 1001 hokkien vulgarities running in my head and all singaporean professional complaints I can’t say in French..

Since we are in France, it will be only be possible to have the medication on Monday, which is day 6 and too far behind schedule. First wrong may be accidental but again?! She then phone the hospital pharmacy to check whether they have the medication. The good news is they do have but I have to travel there to buy it. What???!!! Despite all their mistakes, I have to go all the way to buy the medication? I was expecting that they take a taxi and go buy and return or pay for my taxi but nothing... oh, and guess what, I have to pay for the medication now while they wait for their system to cancel the order and thereafter, I go claim back from the insurance myself. I am speechless.

While I’m thankful that I’m not waiting for us life saving medication, I think the whole medicine industry should know how important ist is for the injections to be on schedule. Well, I’m still on my bus to the other pharmacy and hope is not an empty hope.

Shingles

Ok, I neglected the blog for long enough..
Changing how I write here because blogging from phone... Oh Yes, I was so depressed 1 day that I went buy a new phone and finally got a data plan! And I wondered why I didn't get data plan for last 3 years! I still work in "prison" where i cant use phone at work but "connected" life is great!

Anyway I was so busy at work and drowning in negative energy that I want to do nothing...
I probably should write about our recent trip but the most out of the blue event was I got shingles! Maybe I should say, I have shingles because I'm not fully receovered yet.

So, it started when I felt I had sunburnt on different parts of my left leg. Probably is it didn't look sunburnt. I'm generally in shade or pants that I shouldn't have sunburnt. It was so irritating to walk, sleep, wearing bottoms and while doing nothing. I googled a little but found no right answers. Well, I don't think I'll find good answer when I search like "sunburnt feelings but no sunburn". Somewhere in Google it mentioned shingles but I didn't had spots. I thought maybe the weather ia hot and i got heat rash like i did in singapore last year.

A few days later i came home and complained to husband that i got mosquitoes bites on same leg. On closer observation, he said looks like other kind of insects bites. Thats why i noticed 1 spot had fluid in it like chicken pox! Actually i dont really have memory how chicken pox looks like because when i had it, it was my sister who noticed its chicken pox.
Anyway, we were not very convinced its shingles because i only had a few spots.

The next day doctor confirmed i have shingle and i got antiviral med and cream, which didnt help relieved the symptoms. Maybe the med did help to minimise the number of full blown spots. It felt like someone constantly trying to break my knee and a continuous tattoo session on the spots. As the pain and aching reduced, the itchness starts. Problem is the itchness is the whole leg and not just the spots! I think i managed to burst a few spots accidently. And it didnt help to try to sleep with pain or itchness.

I dont think im fully recovered but its managable now. I guess i just need more sleep to catch up the sleepless nights ...

short trip in barcelona

Since I was away for holiday with in laws
last Oct when sis was in Geneva
we didnt get to meet up.
sis is here in Barcelona for the week
so I got her to extend her trip for extra day
and I went to meet her


on Thursday night after work
I went to the airport for my flight
its been so long that I took a flight alone
that I forgot how boring to take a plane alone
all went quickly since is within europe
and there was no custom check.
while I was nuaing and waiting to board
suddenly the gate changed
and it was a crazy crowd to move to new gate
the boarding was delayed too
we finally took off at 2100
instead of 2045


the last time I came barcelona
was for my prewedding trip with Aven
so I totally forgot how to get to city center
lucky sis hotel provided the clear info
we arrived slight late at 2240
and while I was panicking about long queues at customs
and finding the bus
I got out of the airport within 10mins
again, my peabrain forgot there is no customs
and I was seated in front rows


bus was just outside the terminal
so I got my ticket and off we go for the 30min bus ride
despite map provided by hotel and my own googlenap research,
a 3min walk from bus terminal to hotel
managed to become 20min walk
with my zero map reading skills and no wifi
thankfully Barcelona is a night city
and I had not much fear walking around lost.


after I finally arrived the hotel
so phone was off
so I had to ask the reception to call the room
and we finally met!
it was nearly midnight and we went to a nearby place for taps and sangaria
chatted till 3+ and felt asleep.


the next day was pretty much shopping at zara
shopping at Zara
and shopping at Zara..
there was so many Zara store
that you throw a stone and can hit a Zara store
it was truly a shopping trip!

as usual with my navigation skills
and no wifi
we managed to constant get lost..haha
we had paella for lunch
and did zero sightseeing
I think more than half the time
is me blabbing about my life in france
my poor sis must be full of my negativity..

crazily 2 women can spend a full day shopping
and finally tabo burger king for dinner and rest in the room
it was st patricks day
and the streets were full of excited youngsters
and sis fell asleep at 2200..
and I watched YouTube till 200.
must be old age, no energy go party.

the last day went pretty quick
with breakfast at hotel, check out
and taking the transfer car to airport
which we forgot that we are in different terminals
and need say bye much earlier than excited...

short, tiring but happy trip
can't wait to be back in sg for more time with everyone...

Home improvements 2017

It has been 1.5 years since we shifted
Apart from constantly shifting our current furniture
every few months because im trying to find the 'correct' style for the home
we finally decided it is time
we can buy new furniture...
well i think it was me deciding more than husband..
haha

The first to change was the wardrobe
it started when we went to ikea
to look for new sofas
and noticed how our current wardrobe looks like for hobbits
because its so low (1.8m)
compared to all the proper wardrobes on display (2.0+m)
So we decided a taller wardrobe will increase storage place
and make use of our high celining (3m)
We order something with all the accersories from IKEA
and unexpectedly spenr 12hours (!!!)
dismantling the old wardrobe
and fixing the new one...
I never knew ikea can take so long
or we are just bad?

The mirror cupbord used to be the height of our old wardrobe.
At least now we dont feel like our wardrobe is for hobbits
but feel totally like we are hobbits compared to the new wardrobe.

Back to the original story,

why we went ikea..

Apart from i want eat at ikea and buiy random things

we wanted to check out the sofas.

The problem of our 2 seater sofa was it's too short

well, when we first arrive in this apartment,

we noticed that the living room is not in a regular shape,

so the previous owner managed to put a tiny sofa in a corner

that seems to add more space for the room.

We spent so much time searching for the perfect sofa 

that could fit into that tiny corner 

and we finally did with a 1.50m sofa..

Problem is after a while,

i start to feel the sofa is too short.

Its fine for 2 person seated

but i cant even lie fully solo.

After complaining for 1 year,

i think is time to reshuffle the room 

and get a longer sofa!

Husband hesitated on buying sofa online

since he felt the previous one was exp and uncomfy

and also he is unsure how a bigger sofa will be in ouir living room.

Long story short,

i saw online a longer sofa online

i liked the simple look and 'transformer' style

and persuaded him to buy it 

for him, the sofa is cheaper than our previous,

so it may be more uncomy

and he feels that we dont need the transformer style etcs

well, he is constantly the procastinator....

And guess who is the happy one with the new sofa?

The old sofa has been transfered to the bed room zen corner

and suddenly i feel we are quite ready to invite people to come

or any one from Singapore want to come sleepover???