The plan

April 3, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

I made a plan. To eat more. To sleep more. To care less. Eat more. I thought that’s what I’ve been doing all these years. Eating more or at least eating enough for my wants/needs. Not according to my husband. He has always maintained I eat too little. And, what I eat does not constitute […]

Making a call

March 27, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

My mum had a scheduled home visit with her palliative doctor on Tuesday. It’s always only Dr Rose. This time there was Dr Carmen, who recently joined Beacon Hospital. And, nurse Ruth. She was present to do my mum’s blood test. A once every three-month arrangement. Dr Rose’s home visit routine starts with questions about […]

No smoking

March 20, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

Big moan. Smoking in eateries. Blatant and more prevalent now. Which made me wonder if the smoking ban has been relaxed or rescinded. I checked. It’s still very much in effect. In fact, Malaysia enforced a no-smoking ruling at all eateries and restaurants nationwide on Jan 1, 2019[1]. Not just eateries. The ban covered/covers a total […]

Storytelling

March 13, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

My mum is a depository of stories. Sometimes a little unclear but mostly interesting. Her stories have given me precious glimpses into the various phases of her life. That said, there is one peculiar but still interesting story about two young girls, who visited her and played hide and seek in her condominium. She saw […]

Navigating life

March 6, 2023.Reading time 8 minutes.

Niece number 3 recommended it. ‘Stutz’ a 2022 documentary directed by Jonah Hill about his therapist, Dr. Phil Stutz. I like Jonah Hill. I’ve watched him in several movies, including ‘Moneyball,’ ‘War Dogs’ and more recently, ‘You People.’ He is a good actor and funny, I think. ‘Stutz’ was enlightening. It had plenty of useful […]

Writing because…

February 27, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

I was in a bit of a quandary most of last week. I didn’t know what to write and post today. A few ideas/topics were jostling for space in my head. Most of them seemed oddly familiar. Very déjà vu’ish. No surprise there. I only write about stuff I think I know, and know I […]

Day trips

February 20, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

My husband and I have become resourceful. We are rediscovering, and finding new places to do day trips. Not too far away, between 2 to 5 hours. In place of nights away at hotels or resorts. Not doable due to my mum’s situation/arrangement. After more than a year, I finally have a caregiver, Kalyani. She […]

Thaipusam

February 13, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

Thaipusam was last Sunday. I got into the mood by playing Thaipusam songs on the eve. Just like Christmas carols for Christmas. I didn’t require prompting. Astro, the satellite-TV broadcaster that my mum subscribes to, promoted its programs and live coverage of the event on its Tamil channels. There were articles in the media on […]

Trying harder to be mindful

February 6, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

It was only last week that I had written about trying to be mindful. Sadly, I failed. I forgot to focus and be in the present. Instead, I got myself into a tizzy. And, mistakenly posted ‘Compos Mentis,’ a draft post that still needed editing. It was a work-in-progress meant for this Monday. Why? A few […]

Trying to be mindful

January 30, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

I stubbed my toes against chairs, beds and doors. Repeatedly. It wasn’t like I didn’t know the furniture was there. I just didn’t have the ability to avoid bumping into them. I also managed to slice the skin off the top of one of my fingers trying to open a can of peaches. Why I […]