Lee Wei Ling Wrote on Hardship in Canada

Lee Wei Ling is First Daughter of Singapore. She is the sister of PM Lee Hsien Loong. Wei Ling studied in Raffles Institution and was a long distance runner. She was in Pre-U when I was in Secondary One.

Wei Ling is now a columnist in Sunday Times. She is the director of Institute of Pediatric Neurology(I do not have the exact name). Yesterday, Wei Ling wrote on her life as a student in Hospital for Sick Kids in Toronto. She arrived there in Dec 1992. She live in a room sitter for C$650/month. She joins the YMCA gym club and her meals consist of salmon and chicken legs. She lived very simply for C$1,000/month. It was actually hardship for a Prime Minister's daughter.

The reason I am commenting about her article is because I was living in Toronto at the same time. We went over in Feb 1990. Yes, she was right! Minus 20 degrees celsius is so cold that it burns!! We were living in hardship too. Life in Canada was tough. Actually tough will be an understatement. It was very difficult and the country was in economic recession. Everyone is on minimal expense. Tax is extremely high - income tax of more than 46% deducted at source. GST is 7% and PST 8%. You get to spend 40 cents of every dollar you earn. Cost of cooked food is high. An equivalent of fried kway teow is C$7 or C$8 per plate. Any meal together with a drink will cost C$10. This is cheap subsidised canteen food. Resturant meal will cost a lot more. This mean you have to earn C$20 to eat the $10 meal.

There is hardly any money left to save for rainy days. The social benefits is quite good. Consulting doctors is free but you have to pay for the drugs. Hospital stays are free all the way including all surgeries. If you are out of a job, you get unemployment benefits. When you are 65, you are entitle of old age pension. There are plenty of space and living space. Built-in space in most Canadian homes are quite large. Car prices are extremely low compared to Singapore.

Overall, living in Canada is still hardship compared to living in Singapore.

Blogging On Food

A man was very busy taking photos of his teh tarek in Adams Road Hawker Centre. He is a greying man in late forty or early fifty. His wife was busy eating and his daughter is reading. His daughter looks like she is in JC. The camera was SLR and he changes the lens a couple of times. The camera was stored in a fairly big rectangular sling bag. I wonder if this middle age man is the blogger for Singapore Food on my interesting link on the right of this blog.

Tuition - A Huge Income Opportunity

We have a new tuition teacher. The cost of this tuition is $680/month for 1.5 hours per week. The cost of tuition fees are enormous. No wonder all the school teachers are giving tuition to supplement their incomes. In fact I wonder if the school teachers are not teaching the students properly or withholding pertinent key information so that the tuition industry can thrive and they have plenty of opportunities to earn incomes outside their full time job.

This also means school has become so expensive. I wonder if we should do like the featured story in today's Sunday Times. The parents put their son and daughter out of regular school and home tutored them. Both scored full distinctions for their "O" level at the age of 13 or 14. A couple years ahead of regular students in Singapore. We are paying so much in tuition that I wonder what are the schools doing in terms of educating our future...

Routine

Life is getting to routine. My wrist is recovering. I am doing the usual stuff and drinking in too much caffeine as usual. Tea and coffee are my favorite choice of beverage.

I am itching to do cycling again. So I must buy new helmet and wrist guards. Most important of all, no more mountain cycling tricks.

Today is dominate by tuition and more tuition. So we are ferrying our boys from one location to another. Tuition seems to a way of life in the city. I wonder how kids of the future will be like as adults. Childhood and growing up have change dramatically.

ION Orchard

Yesterday, I was at Ion Orchard for lunch. The price of the food court was ridiculously high. A bowl of fishball noodle at $5. You have to queue and carry the meal yourself and fight for a seat. I could not stomach this. To pay premium resturant price for hawker food is something I am not ready to adjust to yet. So I crossover to Lucky Plaza and have the Famous Nasi Lemak for $3.30.

The underground mall is massive and confusing. There are 4 levels up to B4 and the pedestrian crossing to Wheelock Place is now dismantled. So the traffic flow is much better on the Orchard Road and Paterson Road junction. You have to go underground to cross the road. The signs are fairly good. It is interesting to Ion Orchard extend all the way to Borders in the basement.

The other interesting observation is underground is extremely busy with resturants, food court and fast foods. The retailers are lower price compared to ground and above ground level. So once you come to ground floor the crowd noticely thin. You can feel the exclusivity of the branded retailers. It is cater for the snobbish and spendthrift. Good thing is there are not too many of them.

Home Grown Ti Wang Miao

Our maid is amazing. She grew Taiwanese Ti Wang Miao from the leftover stems and we had time for dinner tonight. It tasted good, very good. Come to think of it, it has been fertilized by my urine. Sound yukky? I learn this from my friends in China. It actually works and best of all, it is free. I am growing organically. Actually, this is a little of a stretch. My maid fertilize with chemical fertilizers I bought in KL.

I am very happy to get home grown vegetables from time to time and it is eco-friendly.

Up at 4am

The lightnings were flashing and thunder followup. I waited for my sons to wake me up to send them to school. After a few minutes still no knock...I decided to wake up and be ready for them instead. Brush my teeth and turn on the computer. Only 4am! I am sleeping lightly. Usually I slept through thunderstorms at night. My surgical wound is improving. It is still painful but did not have the sharp, incisive pain like last night and the night before. I suspect it may be infected as the area is reddish in colour. Antibiotic is working.

The deep abrasion on my forearm is also healing. There will be a scar as the area is quite big and the fatty layer was exposed.

It is raining steadily now. Lightning and thunder have stopped. It is me, the computer, radio(90.5FM) and the steady patters of raindrops.

Good Recovery

I have my first followup with the surgeon who operated on my wrist. It was complicated fracture. My ulnar bone broke into a few pieces. They have to figure out if they how to shift the bones or do some other type of surgery. The reason is I broke my wrist differently. Most people broke their wrists when they break their fall with their palm. Mine was broken when I landed on the back of my hand. It also mean that I had no time to react to break my fall.

The surgeon was happy with my progress. I have 50% bending capacity 9 days after surgery. He feels it is good progress as most according to him will still be in pain and have more restricted movement. When I visited the physiotherapist, she said the same thing. So I am blessed. It may also be my knowledge of surgery. I used to sell orthopedic equipment. So learn the basic of orthopedic surgery and post-surgical care. I have to keep exercising even if it is painful.

The removal of the 3 stitches in the middle of the surgical site was intensely painful. It keep ozooing out plasma and exudates. He says it is the pressure inside. I think it probably infected as he prescribed antibiotics.

Sleeping with Broken Wrist

Last night, I was tired and went to bed early. I was pretty gungho and think that I should not take painkillers as I will be asleep anyway. How wrong was I! Turning on the bed brought excuriating pains. No fun at all. It is terrible. I hope my bones are not shifted while I sleeps.

No rest for the wicked, eh!

Well, morning brought relief. I have to go to hospital tomorrow for followup with my hand surgeon. I hope I will get good news that my distal radius is mending properly.

Brunch at Imperial Treasure in Ngee Ann

We have a family break for brunch in the resturant at fifth level. We had dim sum and Peking Duck. I think the Peking Duck is better in Crystal Jade(level 4). Imperial Treasure's has too little cucumber and too much spring onion stems. Also the sweet sauce does not excite nor titillate. It taste more like salty bean paste. The bbq pork pastry and egg tarts are excellent. So is their mixed braised beef stew.

My appetite is back and I am on my way to my hearty and healthy self again.

Chiro Broke My Rib on the Left

I went to see my chiro yesterday morning. I have sharp pain immediately after my treatment and have trouble coughing after. Last night intense shooting pain when I lie on the bed to sleep. Before chiro treatment, I have only tense muscle on my left but has no problem coughing or applying strength. Now, any exertion of my left arm or any big arm movement can inflict pain that my condition is now weaken.

I regret going to the chiro now.

Red Prius

My new car has arrived. It is a red Prius. This car is rated at 3.9l/100km. It is a fuel miser. Our family carbon footprint will be reduced and we are doing our bit to reduce global warming.

By the way, this is the first time I switch brand of my car. And also the first time I bought a car in Singapore. I always have Volvos for my company car in all the different companies I worked. It is BOC safety culture instilled in me where Volvo is the standard company car. Wish I transfer safety behaviour to riding bikes and roller blades.

I have switch allegiance from Safety to Environment...

Bosses and Colleagues

My bosses and colleagues send their well wishes as well. I am a lucky guy. Many friends at work and colleagues are caring and concerned. This is a major accident and I am very lucky. Lucky to escape serious injuries. The cleaner in my estate, my chiropractor and the nurse in the operation room all told me so. I went to the Kuan Yin temple in Queens Street this morning to offer prayers and my graditude for protecting me from disaster.

Goddess of Mercy, THANK YOU! I am grateful.

Not Forgetting...

Our wonderful help, Felma. She keeps our house spice and span and in good working order. She cooks and wash up after us. She does our laundry and make us look wonderful in our clean, well pressed clothing.

Yes, thank you, Felma!

Recovery and Other Issues Popping Up!

I am on the road to recovery. The swellings in my swollen right forearm is starting to subsides. The 3 stitches on my right chin were removed this morning. The exudate from my surgical scar is reducing and my right hand has more movements and less pain. I took a walk to the site where I fell and notices more blood stains in the twilight but still unable to recall how I fell. Several snippets have popped up in the last few days. I remember the chain came off and I need to fix it back. I also remember looking at the LRT track to give direction. I have a theory of how I flipped over. I also remember hazily waiting for my wife to pick me up.

In short, I am making progress!

This morning I have two sick boys. One very sick B1 having fever and diahorrea and B2 with cough and phlegm. We spent the morning in Mt Alvernia getting them treated. The H1N1 protocol slows everything down. B1 had bacteria infections and B2 is tested negative for Influenza A and Influenza B. Attending doctor suggest admitting B1 as he is dehydrated. He was resting at home and we have to bring him back to the hospital. He decided not to be admitted and seems to have recovered fairly well. B2 is still having productive cough and is much better after his nap.

In the evening, B3 get fever. Mummy is just looking after all the boys all the time. She is so strong and keep going for the family. I really appreciates her dedication and love for our family. My three Bs and I are indeed blessed!

How Did I fall?

I read my entry for last Wednesday where I mentioned I need to learn and practise hopping over steps. I realise how I flipped over on a flat surface. I must have lifted my front wheel at a high speed and landed the front wheel with it brakes on. Only this way, I can somersault over together with the bicycle. And as I somersault, I lost control and fell on my right side, hitting my head giving it a traumatic shock and suffers immediate memory loss.

I will need to wear protective gears i.e. helmet and wristguards. Also I should stop trying to practise mountain biking skills by myself through instruction from book without live coach.

Hospitalised

I was out of action for a week. I flipped on my bike on Saturday evening and landed in Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The scary thing is I do not remember the accident or how I get to the hospital. Everything that happen in the hospital from A&E to Ward 12A is a blank. My wife told me TTSH is very systematic. Even though my right forearm was giving me intense pain and swollen, my incoherent state cause them to put my head injury in top priority. CT scan on my head was done first. A&E treated my head injury first before moving to stitch up a deep gnash on my right chin. This gnash was spurting blood all the time. Then they immoblised my right arm.

So trauma center does has it priority right. I am glad that I was sent to a hospital who has expertise in trauma. There are no specialist on Sunday. So I have my right wrist operated and fixed on Monday afternoon by hand specialist, Teoh Lam Chuan. He fix a T-plate and put in 7 screws on my radial bone. My right forearm is now swollen and tender.

I am glad to be recovering at home.

Mountain Bike

I am practising jumping over obstacles and keep puncturing my front tyre. I need to learn to hop over instead of wacking into the step and then letting the wheel jump up through momentum. I need to learn to lift the bike and put the wheel up and then move the wheel slightly over the step.

So I have a long way to go to learn how to conquer steps.

Shooting Stars - Perseids Meteor Shower

It is in the internet that tonight and tomorrow night will be the best time to see the Perseids Meteor Shower. I tried to look up a couple of time in our night sky and had no joy in seeing any shooting star.

I wish I am in a place where there is very little artificial or electric lights. I remember having dinner in a beach resort in Malaysia and just walking out of the lighted area of the resturant, the stars shine so brightly. Remind me of how small we are.

Economy Improving in Q2

Singapore's economy is better than what analysts expected in Q2. However, the next two quarters are still at risks. This mean Singapore Gahmen is still cautious and want to temper the positive news with caution and manage te citzens expectations. This is the good news.

In reality, the economy slowdown is just flattening and showed growth in Biotech and Semiconductor markets. What does this mean to us?

No job hopping, do not expect too much pay increase and work harder for your boss:))

A Father's Love

I spent the evening spending more than an hour fixing up a 3D puzzle bear for B3. Even with instructions, it was a challenging task. Frankly, I do not enjoy this kind of challenges. My preferred relaxation choices are reading, cycling, swimming and watching TV. Since he is so frustrated and his elder brother refuses to help, my heart soften and promised to help him.

After I managed to finish, the sense of accomplishment was a nice reward. Also feeling how great a dad I am! This is not self praise or being egoist. It is the reflection of what I would do to make my son happy. Getting myself frustrated for more than an hour. I feel great now and I am looking forward for tomorrow morning to get his reactions.

Colourful Birds

It is interesting that we get birds that sings out loud in the mornings up high in the trees in our landscape. I was attracted and tried to see what kind of bird sing so well and so loud. I could not see the singer however, I saw a few brightly coloured birds with long tails flying around. I think they may be parakeets or parrots. We also get woodpecker checking out the tree in front of our house for insects.

It is wonderful to get rare birds living freely and up close.

A Canadian Perspective and Rebuttal

In the Forum, the letters from readers in Straits Times, a Canadian wrote how lucky Singaporean are. They have lift and covered walkways and should appreciate the country. Then a Singaporean wrote in to compare the social benefits for jobless and down and out. He says any Singapore will gladly give up the covered walkways for those benefits.

Today, in the Forum, the Canadian rebutted and says in Toronto there are plenty of homeless and in Singapore there are none. This Canadian lives in Singapore for a few years. He see all the positive side of living in Singapore. All of which is true. What he does not see or know is there is a government agency in Singapore who will pick up homeless or beggars and clear them off the streets. If Toronto does the same thing, I am quite sure it will get ride of the homeless as well. The challenge is in a Canadian society this may not be an acceptable option.

Examinations is a basic requirement Day 1 of formal school for Singaporeans. In Canada, it is a taboo. No one should be tested.

Pre-National Day Fun

The malls are full of students who were on half day. All the students are out in force and in groups to kill time. Both B1 and B2 went out with their friends to watch movie or just exploring places of interest on their own.

It is freedom time from school, ubiquitous homework and study. The only day where they are free from returning home right away. This maybe a uniquely Singapore experience!

Hard Rock Cafe

HRC aka Hard Rock Cafe has 1 for 1 entree for DBS card holder. The set lunch is at $12.50. Set dinner at $19.50. Set menu include a soup or salad for dinner, dessert and tea or coffee. It is great value.

Also there is a 50% discount for those who celebrate their birthdays with Singapore. So I can see HRC is get popular since the value proposition has become competitive. We had dinner there tonight. The fajitas chicken or beef are fabulous. Lots of birthdays celebrations. There were at least 3 rowdy birthday song sung! Come and join in the fun.

All Clear

I have a annual followup check with my Urologist on kidney stones on Monday. I did not write about it until now because Michelle's accident was more important. I had to go for x-ray and then wait for the report and before seeing my Urologist. The x-ray did not reveal any kidney stones. I have a huge gallstone. His advice is not to do anything unless the gallstone gives problem. He says most people die with their gallstones. My wife was in a state of shock. She thought he said most people die due to the gallstones. What he meant was usually gallstones will not give any trouble at all, I explained to her.

It was good to know I am all clear for now.

Risks at Work

Michelle was on her way back from a working trip and had an accident. X-ray from the hospital shows that one of her ribs has a fracture. Such is the risk from work. If she does not need to travel, this accident would not have happened. While this could happen anywhere and any place, it is still due to work that she get into this accident.

I am so sorry for her. I travel a lot and understand the risks are always higher in jobs that require travel. It could happen to anyone. Not too long ago, a female CEO of her own company died when her taxi was hit from behind. It was very sad.

I pray to Angel for the safety of all who travel.

My Colleague was in an Accident!

My colleague, Michelle is a slender, hour shape lady. She was in Bangkok for meeting and on her way back, the taxi she was had an accident and the taxi turn turtle. She suffered bruises and whiplash. She is still in a state of shock as she talk to me even though the accident happened on Saturday.

She is back home in KL now. This is a terrible ordeal. The panel doctor from our company told her since she was discharged by the hospital in Thailand, she need not see them. It is terrible. Our company seems callous and heartless. An employee went to work and was met with an accident and injured. This is how you get treated.

I feel so sorry for her and she is in pain and shock and got told off. This make it seem like the company we work for treat employees as machine to be discard if there is maintenance required even though it is due to earning money for the company.

I hope my colleague heal and recover.

TGIM

Thank God Its Monday! Yes, tomorrow is a regular work day. We work hard today, Sunday to work on allocating our products as we are in short supply. Tomorrow we will need to tackle the rest of the supply issue.

This is a good problem to have - not having enough products. We have this issue since Jun and in July, the stock market rocketed! I am wondering if I can use the state of my business as an indicator of the stock market trend. If it really works, I will be making money. Money makes the world go round...

Lottery

The number 222 did not come up on any of the prizes. However, the first prize has all the digits of my car plate coming up. The number for 1st prize is 2168. Hopefully, my car number will come up when my new Prius arrive. I am not sharing the number yet but it all the digits are in the first prize! I am hopeful....

Lucky number

I woke up at 4am this morning by a dream. It is someone going after my car. I cannot get back to sleep. I also there were two 3-digit numbers. One of the is 222. Maybe it will come out in the 4D. For non-Singaporean reader, 4D is the weekend lottery on Saturday and Sunday. 4D is 4 digits and is the running number for car registration. It is a very popular and a huge revenue generator for the Singapore government.

Since today is Sunday, maybe 0222 or 2220 will pop up in the winning prize.

Stumbling and Falling

As all of you know, I have rollerblade lessons. I practise on my own. Slopes are extremely challenging for me. I lost control and fell. My butts hurts, back sore, elbow tender and wrists in pain.

I will persist until I can master the basics. I will not go for advanced skills but wants to be able to enjoy rollerblading for recreation. The road to enjoying a new hobby and exercise is paved with pain and injuries. Thank God for chiropractor, I am getting regular treatment that help me relieve and recover for all my stumbles and falls.

Freaky Friday on Saturday

Channel 5 movie for tonight is Freaky Friday. The story of mother and daughter having to deal with teenage issues. They go into a Chinatown resturant and a (get this!) Chinese Witch make them exchange their bodies so that they can see through each other eyes. They go through several misadventures and the only way for them to exhange back to their own bodies is have unselfish desire and wish for each other.

All well ends well. It is a nice escape for the weekend. I would recommend this movie if you miss it tonight. It is available on the DVD.