Happy Birthday Tmr

On the eve of my birthday, and as I was preparing for my first work week of the year, I finally filed my hospital documents away. For the first time, I found courage to stare long and hard at photographs of my wound, taken 3 weeks away. I took stock of my days in the ward, the recovery process at home, and the emotions that accompanied the initial pain and immobility. I’m thankful that the recovery has been smooth and despite my really low pain threshold, I had been able to withstand, adapt to, and control the pain, and feel it slip away with every passing day.

It’s great to be alive and possess a healthy mind and body. Your health is your greatest asset and it should never be compromised for work, money, other people's priorities or any other excuse, because there is no substitute that even comes close.
As I approach my birthday, I promise to love myself more, and surround myself with people who love me back. No more time for negative people or experiences.
Loving life, and living life,

Happy Birthday Janice (tomorrow)!

New Year's Eve Musings

On the last day of 2017, I'd like to thank everyone who's a friend, in whatever special way you have extended your care, concern, love and affection towards me. Thanks to those who came by to visit.
We all tend to define the value of friendship through the amount of laughter and fun we derive from someone's company.
But the past month has taught me to treasure the friends that stood by me through adversity. 因为享乐很容易，但共患难才是真友情!
...

（Of course I'm typing all this in my bed, as I can't move much. But today I can finally lie on my back. So yay!)

我想你了

有時經過您的房間，還是會有股錯覺。彷彿把頭一探，依舊是您的笑臉 ，您不曾離開。

Friendships That Count

My sincerest thanks to the many friends who dropped by the wake this week, and/or passed your contributions to me, directly or indirectly. I'm especially touched by my old school friends and old colleagues, some of whom I've not met in quite a while.
You will meet new people and make new friends all the time. But you must always reserve a spot in your heart for longtime friends. Due to physical distance, or a shift in life's priorities, you may not always meet up often. But in times of crisis, when support is needed the most, these friends will make the time and effort for you, and that is what matters.

Goodbye, Grandma

Nothing prepares you for the loss of a family member. My grandma passed away last night at 9.30pm in the presence of family.
My earliest memory of childhood was jaywalking with her when she went marketing each day. She would hold me in one hand and an umbrella in the other, and her purse held firmly under her armpit. I eventually got my own little umbrella too and it joined us in our daily jaywalking routine.
We spent a lot of time in the kitchen. I remember yakking away in... Teochew to her while sitting on my red potty. In the evenings, she would carry me to look out of the window to see which uncle/aunt would come home first.

Nothing prepares you for the loss of a family member. But our combined love for her will tighten the bonds of this family she leaves behind.
Thanks to all who have been a source of support to our family during this time. If you'd like to attend the wake, pls PM me.