Bugged

Caught a bug two days ago. Probably it was from the lack of sleep and plying between BP/SIN (and the rest of the world). I came back from BP on Sunday noon and had to fly to Perth that evening. I was terribly sleepy on that flight. 

That evening I could feel an itch in my throat. In Perth I slept from check-in to check-out, waking up every 3 hours to use the toilet because I was downing loads of water.

The flight back to Singapore this morning was torturous. As expected my ear got blocked during descent.

I really hate it that I'm still so susceptible to the common cold despite being so exposed to the common cold and flu bugs. I thought my immune system should be pretty tough through all that exposure but no, every year this time the bug will bring me down unless I get a vaccine in time. 

Since I woke up I've had three meals of porridge. Late lunch (vegetable porridge, courtesy of the bf's mama), dinner (chicken porridge from Five Star) and now supper (takeaway plain porridge also from Five Star). Boyfriend's mama fried a bottle of shallots for me today so I'm using it to add some taste to the plain porridge. 

I wanna get well soon and have more than porridge. I feel nauseous when I smell strong-smelling food like bread (because of the butter) and even egg. Many times today I had to hold my breath as I walked past restaurants in the mall. 

Meanwhile, I've still got half a bowl of porridge to finish. 

Flying

Just arrived in Perth. 

As I sat at my crew seat and scanned the crowd tonight, I can see many Indians, Brits and of course Australians. Indians and Brits who are coming to visit relatives, or Australians (of different origins) coming home after visiting relatives. 

Today also my aunt and cousin flew back to Sydney from Singapore, after quite a long stay in BP. 

From my crew seat I tried to understand what these passengers were thinking. Were they excited to be visiting someone whom they've missed? Were they glad to be coming home after an enjoyable holiday? Did they already miss their friends and relatives from where they had just left? 

While air travel has made the world smaller, it has in many ways enhanced relationships as well as friendships. 

That once a year or once every two years trip has kept family ties strong and friendship dear.

***What happens then when that someone from far away dies?***

That was the big question in my head. 

If there wasn't air travel, then we won't be as close to the relatives and friends from afar, and then when he/she dies, we won't be as upset and harbor the regret of not visiting sooner. 

Such a depressing thought. 

But that's because I'm not in the happiest of mood either. 

I just feel bitter being here sometimes and missing out on all the festivities. 

In my where?

Yesterday I helped a colleague with inflight sales.

He called almost an hour later and asked if I had forgotten to pass him the signed receipt. I had kept it with me because I didn't want to walk some 50+ rows down just to hand him a receipt. I was admittedly very tired and said hastily, "it's in my cockpit (instead of my pocket)." 

When I walked all the way to return the receipt to him, he laughed and said, "Can I see the first officer?" 

Back again

Back in the old house again. Guess I'll still be rolling off the bed a few more times. 

Moving halted. 

For now, it's RIP grandma. She looks very peaceful. She's in that beautiful place that she saw, with flowers where it's cooling and peaceful with people of many colors. That place where she said is very nice to sleep. That place. 

Last time to roll off the bed

I think last night might have been the last that I slept in my current home. The next time I come back to BP, I will probably be sleeping in my new home. 

I'll definitely miss rolling off the current bed (don't worry, I'll just roll off onto Anlynn's bed). 

Our beds will be way too high for that next time, and we will be sleeping in different rooms too. Any attempt to roll off beds in future might result in significant injury. 

I wonder what it'll be like to not be coming back here to sleep. 

Good morning NZ

You're so beautiful this morning!!

That's the view from the other door of my bedroom. Nice to just sit by the lake and do some reading. 

Chinese New Year goodies

I have a record 4 bottles of arrowhead chips right now, all received in a single night. My love for it is so deep that I allow myself to gain a few pounds once a year just to munch on it endlessly. The rest of the year, I merely pine for it. 

Two bottles from mum, two from Markus' mum who made it for the first time after knowing that I love them. 

Earlier this evening, I did some CNY gift-shopping for the first time. The usual suspects - Chinese mushrooms, abalone, peanuts, chocolates - as well as almond cookies. Strangely I saw many brands of almond cookies on sale. There were no hazelnut cookies or walnut cookies. Why only almond? *perplexed* I didn't know it has become associated with Chinese New Year goodies. 

Right next to paying taxes, I rank this kind of shopping as one of the things that makes one feel like an adult. Sigh. 

The counter is done

So much headache. The house is inching closure to completion.