Amanda's surgery tomorrow, 1/3/08

The clinic nurse called me at 11.10am this morning. She said that they had found a donor, and Amanda must go down to the clinic asap to do a blood test.

I was caught by surprise, and at the same time a bit shock at hearing the news. I thought the waiting time for a donor was about a year. So, my immediate response was "oh, this is so sudden. I've to call my husband, and Amanda is in school. I've to find her. I will call you back," I told the nurse.

Alvin was at work in Tuas, while Amanda was at her old school in Toa Payoh visiting her former teachers and school mates. I managed to contact them both and asked them to hurry down to the clinic.

When I spoke to the nurse again, she admitted that everything happened suddenly. She said she has to call the other surgeon to see if he is available, call the anesthesiologist and book the operating theatre and so on. Surgery is scheduled at 7.15am tomorrow morning at Mt Alvernia Hospital.

Alvin called me as I was about to leave the office around lunch time. Amanda had done her blood test, and he will pick me up at the office.

In the car, as we were heading for lunch, I noticed that Amanda was very quiet and appeared to be moody. During lunch, we tried to talk to Amanda to calm her fears and anxiety. Alvin said she was lucky to have a donor cornea so soon. But she wouldn't listen. I think she was probably in shock, feeling confused, afraid and worried all at the same time.

After lunch, we went back to the clinic to collect the documents for the surgery tomorrow. However, the doctor was out so we had to come back again later. So we drove around Orchard Road and stopped at Wheelock's Place. I persuaded Amanda to come with me to have some ice cream. At Big O, she had sandwiches and we shared a sinful mudpie. After a delicious meal, Amanda was back to her normal self.

We drove back to the clinic to collect the documents, and then headed home.

I smsed and called a few people to keep them informed. I told my mum and sisters, close friends, colleagues, Amanda's school teachers and councillor.

Mrs Veeren, Amanda's school councillor came to visit us in the evening. She was very sweet. She gave Amanda a toy dog and chatted with Amanda for quite a long time. She encouraged Amanda to be brave.

The day had passed so quickly. It was only this morning that Amanda collected her exam results, and Alvin went along with her to meet her Form Teacher. Once again, Amanda did very well. She scored A1 for History (96 marks; the highest in the whole Sec 2 standard), Geography and Science, A2 for English and Literature, and B3 for Maths. Her Principal even wrote "Great Effort" onto her report slip.

When Matt came home, he too had good news! He scored 95 marks for Maths! So now dad had to pay Amanda and Matt a bonus.

Emotionally, I felt like I had just taken a roller-coaster ride! I prayed to God for blessings - for the surgeons to do a good job, and for Amanda and myself to be strong. Amen.

Eye talk and Amanda's first Mock Debate

Yesterday, Anne from the "All for Eyes" shop called. She said that there will be talk cum group sharing session for the VH, mainly teens and young adults. She asked if Amanda and I was interested to attend. The talk will be held at the Alexander Hospital from 2pm to 4pm on Sat, 22/3/08.

I called Anne this morning and confirmed our attendance. I am looking forward to it. Hopefully, I can learn some things from the others in the group.

Amanda called me at the office in the late afternoon. She sounded so happy and excited over the phone. She had participated in her first 'mock' debate today, and guess what? She scored the most points or was the best speaker. She was so proud of herself (and me too!). Well, since young Amanda has always been a good talker. So now, her talent has been put to good use!

P.S. Amanda continued to tutor Matthew 3 days in a row, from Sunday to Tuesday. Alvin said if Matt does well in his Maths exam (band 1), he will further reward Amanda.

Tuition for Matthew

Alvin had a brilliant idea. He asked Amanda to tutor her brother in Maths. He will pay her a fee of $5 an hour (cheap labour!). Amanda accepted the job offer and strangely, Matt didn't mind being tutored by his sister.

Amanda helped Matt to revise his Maths and English. Matt's exams will start on Mon, 25/2/08.

This is too good to be true! I am so happy to see them both study alongside each other. I hope this arrangements will continue to work well for both of them.

Ah Ma won 2nd prize 4D today

Yesterday, Ah Ma asked me to buy 4D for her. I queued for half an hour but when I reached the counter, the sale of Sat 4D was closed. I can't even buy Sun 4D or Toto. Wasted my /Amanda's time. Amanda was so grumpy as she had a headache.

I invited Pamela, Mike, Uncle Larry and Bao Li for dinner on Sat night. Luckily, things went well and everyone enjoyed themselves. We had steamboat dinner again (3rd time for us).

This morning I queued again for 4D and Toto at Marsiling market. I managed to buy Ah Ma's 4D numbers. Bought my own 4D and Toto Hongbao draw for Thu. I sold to Ah Kong one packet Toto Hongbao worth $10.

This evening, when we saw the teletext on TV we had a pleasant surprise. Ah Ma had won 2nd prize in the Sun 4D. Ah Ma was very happy as she had won $2,000. She said this was her second win this year! We are also very happy for her.

Outing today

This morning, I brought the kids and Ah Ma to church at Bt Batok. I'm glad we've all made it there. Whenever, I'm in church I feel peacefulness and serenity. As usual, I prayed for God's blessings, in particular, for peace of mind, strength and confidence to deal with difficult tasks at work for the week ahead.

When I asked Amanda if she prayed for me? She said "I prayed that you won't be so stressed with work!" That's my girl!

After church, we went to visit Ah Kong at Marsiling. He seems fine and enjoyed eating the pork floss buns I bought.

Later, we went to Causeway Point Shopping Centre. Amanda and Matt bought stationeries from Popular, and I bought Amanda a school bag as the current one has broken.

Valentine's Day

This year, we didn't plan any Valentine's Day celebrations. Anyway, I wasn't in a mood to celebrate (work stress is driving me crazy!).

It was Matt's brilliant idea. He asked Alvin to order a heart-shaped pizza so that all of us could celebrate at home together. As I was so busy trying to clear my work, I got carried away and left the office quite late. My poor darlings waited for me till 7.50pm so that we all could have dinner together. They were so hungry!

Alvin had to leave for the airport this morning at 5.00pm. This is another company trip to visit their factories in Tokyo, Japan. Alvin will return on Wednesday morning, 20/2/08.

It's Friday and Matt has chinese tuition at 9.00am. As Alvin won't be here for the next few days, I have asked my Mum to come over to help. At least, she will make sure that Matt takes proper lunch before he goes to school.

I'm glad that my Mum came to help. Otherwise, my children will starve to death waiting for me to come home to packet dinner for them!

The Chong family children

As I took this photos of the kids, I realised they have all grown up. Christopher, the oldest of all the cousins is 20 years old. He will be enlisted to the army in March this year. The girls, Jennifer (Christopher's sister) is 16 years old, Amanda and Bao Li will be 14 and 13 years old this July. And Matt will be 10 years old this March.

How time really flies! I've seen the kids growing up before my very eyes. This means the adults (Alvin and I) are also getting older!

Family Reunion Dinner

After we've bought all the food, we learnt that 2nd brother in-law and his wife are not coming to dinner (sister in-law's father passed away recently). Number 7 sister in-law also couldn't come to dinner (grandma passed away). There would be too much food now that the big eaters aren't coming.

Anyway, I was very pleased with myself. I've started preparing for dinner since 9am. I've managed to cook 2 pots of chicken soup, cut and prepared the food and veggie all by myself. Jean came to help me around 3.30pm.


Overall, I think dinner was a success, and I've been a fairly good hostess. The kids enjoyed themselves eating both the steamboat and bbq food.

I was so relieved that it's all over. Next year, it's somebody else turn to be the host for the Reunion dinner.

P.S. Being the hostess was a challenge, you know. After everyone had left, I had to clean, vacuum and mop the house. It was really tiring!!!

We're having steamboat for Reunion Dinner

On Sat, 2/2/08 we bought close to $200 worth of seafood from Rainbow Aquarium. Good thing Alvin saw the advertisement on the newspaper. Rainbow is close to our home, and it's a one stop place to buy frozen seafood. We bought big prawns, fish, scallops, octopus, sotong balls, fish balls, dumplings, etc.

Later that night, Alvin, Matt and I had dinner at the nearby Farmart (Amanda had tuition at SAVH).

I've also bought some artificial flowers and lucky plants to decorate the home. Since we're hosting the Reunion Dinner, I must decorate the home to impress my guests. Ha...ha...ha...

P.S. Besides, flowers and plants are supposed to bring good luck!