New Endeavours

Have been in very bad shape recently, with being sick, vacation, and the pulling out of my wisdom teeth. My 2 wisdom teeth are like gold teeth. Costs me over US$800 to pull them out. I think when I go back to S’pore, I won’t complain so much about the prices there. Only when I’m here then I appreciate things back home.

Well, on a happy note, I’m going to reveal what my plans are for the next few months, at least till the end of the year. In my previous few post, I said that I have something new coming up and I didn’t reveal what it was because it was not confirmed. Now, everything is confirmed, more or less, so I’m going to blog down and let whoever is reading know what the good news is, although I think by now most of everyone knows about it. I’ve told almost those that need to be told. Anyway, the good news is that I’m going to be living in London, UK! So, from USA, I’m going to move to UK.

My host mum, Anne, was offered and accepted a position with her company’s office in London, so the whole family is going to move over there with her. They want to bring me along to help the girls with the transition while they’re busy with the new home and settling down process. For now, we’re going to move beginning of July, when the school year ends for the girls and for my host dad, who’s an Assistant Principal. Since my contract with the family is ending in September, they would like me to stay with them till then. My plan is that I would like to stay there longer if needed, just to travel around and absorb whatever UK has to offer me, till the end of the year.

I know that by the time I go back to S’pore, I will be almost 28. Only 2 more years to the big three-O. Well, for a girl, it’s really a big step and process. When I look at friends around me, they have either a career or family of both, while I have nothing accomplished in these 3 decades. However, if someone asks me whether I regret choosing this path, I would answer, ‘No’. I feel that I’ve did things that others only dream about. Granted that I do not have monetary nor luxury gains, I did achieve things that I can honestly answer to myself. Those who follow the rat race are those who are afraid of losing out in this society that demands on success. I still don’t know what I’m going to do when I eventually return to S’pore, but even this uncertainty cannot stop me from going back. I know that I WILL go back, just don’t know when.

So far, I’ve been praying for directions and I have to say that I’m guilty of not really following what God tells me to, but rather following what my heart tells me to. But I can feel God always being with me and whatever path I choose, He’s there for me and helping me along the way. I can feel my friends sort of giving up on me and losing their patience in waiting for me to go back. Well, can’t really blame them. When someone is away for so long, you have nothing in common to talk about and for any attempts in conversation to just flow, it’s difficult. I’m sort of in a limbo position. By moving away, I’m not only losing the friends I’m already losing back home in S’pore, I’m also losing the new friends that I’ve made here in USA during the 20 months I’m here. While promises of keeping in touch are always made, the task of actually doing it is something that we do not have control of. I still remember that this happens during the volunteer trip to China. Before we came back, we promise to meet up and keep in touch often no matter how busy we are, but each person has their own path and life to follow and now, I’ve not seen them for a few years. Can’t really blame anyone. This is life. We meet new people and lose old ones, the cycle of life just goes on. No one will stop living just because some others is not there.

Whoever is reading this, treasure whatever you have and please pray for me! I really just want to be happy.


Sylvia
May 8, 2006 at 4:34 pm

dear winnie, I read your blogs occasionally. Granted, the pace of life in Singapore is way way too fast, even I don’t have the time to catch up with much friends either. You’re not alone, yet you’re still one of those whom I treasure dearly and always fondly remembered. I endeavour, however, to start catching up with good ol’ friends and staying in touch with them, even through cyber-life! Will you join me? :)

Last 2 weeks...

Has been a whirlwind of activities. On April 8 & 9, went to Philadelphia for a weekend vacation with Bere and Wendy. It has been fun. Had not been on a real vacation for some time. Real as in staying in hotel, eating outside food, etc. I enjoyed the time spent with Wendy and Bere. Life and work has been quite busy lately, so has not been able to talk and spend much time with friends. Even when I have the time, they may not have the time, so I treasure this time to have their undivided attention and just talk, eat and enjoy.

Cam back late on Sunday night and the next day, Monday, when I woke up, realised that I’m sick. Still have to work, and as the day goes by, got sicker. Had a fever of 101.2 degrees F (~38.3 degrees C). When Dan(my host dad) got home at 6.15pm, I went straight to bed. The next few days were just laying in bed and sleeping or just lying down. Really feel very giddy and tired. Can’t even eat. Whatever I eat, I just threw them up. Even the thought of food turns me off, which shows how sick, I am, being a person who loves food. Anyway, finally feel much better on Thursday when we have to go to Cincinnati, Ohio for Easter. Then, realised that I have a toothache! What a bother! Just when I feel better enough to eat and gain back my strength, I can’t chew cos of the toothache!

I have to endure the toothache pain for the past few days till we come back from Ohio. Although I can go to any dentist, I feel that it’s better to go to one close to home here in Connecticut as it may make the insurance filing easier. Don’t even know if this toothache will be covered under my insurance plan. Here, going to a doctor is soooo expensive. A general outpatient is a minimum 100 dollars plus. Having insurance is very, very important in the USA. That’s why there’s so many over-the-counter medicine available. Unless you’re very, very sick, just buying something from the pharmacy to cure the sickness is the most common form of dealing with a sickness.

I still have to book an appointment for the dentist. Actually the pain is getting better. Thinking of not going at all. But then, if I don’t look after it now, what if it comes back again? Then maybe it will get worse. What to do…I don’t even know which dentist is good around here. One really has to be in good health. It sucks to be sick!

10 things I want in a husband

1) Someone who loves God and puts God above all things. (Can’t go wrong with someone who loves God.)

2) Someone who loves me. (If there’s no love, then what are we talking about??)

3) Someone who loves children and would like to have some of his own. (Everyone knows I love children!)

4) Someone who’s affectionate and is generous with hugs and kisses. (I’m a very touchy feely person)

5) Someone who’s not afraid to use terms of endearment, in private, as well as in public. (It shows how much he loves me, right?)

6) Someone who’s willing to tolerate my quirks and strange habits. (I am a sort of cleanliness freak and can’t even stand myself sometimes but I can’t help it!)

7) Someone who loves to travel for the cultural exchange and learning experiences. (I love to travel and don’t mind if every time I travel backpacking style.)

8) Someone who earns a decent income. (Hey, not being materialistic here, just being practical. I hope to be able to stay home to look after the kids.)

9) Someone who’s not afraid to laugh at himself, at life and the small things in life. (I count my blessings constantly and find myself to be very rich in them!)

10) Someone who’s willing to hold my hands and show me the same kind of affection in private and in public when we’re old, full of wrinkles and grey hair. ( This is just in case I marry an Asian guy. Asians are too conservative and shy. If I marry a Caucasian, they should have no problem with this! Ha!)