boon's log 3008.03: End of July already?!

Gosh, it's end of July already? It's been a wild July month and I do not mean it in a fun kind of way. Here's a summary of what happened (I'll try to keep it in sequence):

1. Ab caught the HFMD
2. We flew back to OR
3. Ab was down with what supposedly (according to one doctor, Doctor A) a throat infection; while another doctor (Doctor B) diagnosed her with a mild lung infection. Doctor A was a stand-in because Ab's usual pedaetrician was on vacation. He (Doc A) even said that she had an ear infection - but after clearing up some of the ear wax... he undiagnosed that diagnosis... Man, and you would expect the US health care would be more reliable! I'd say it's crap. Anyways, DocB, who diag her with lung infection prescribed her with Amoxicilin - which we were a little hessitant to give it to her because we were not sure whether it was a viral or bacterial infection that she is getting. Anyways, when her fever did not go away after >3-4days, we figured that it's got to be something more than just viral and started her on the anti-biotics. She's been on the recovery path ever since. Well, that lasted for a week - with no day care and the parents had to alternate between work/meetings and taking care of the sick babe.
4. same week Ab caught the "infection" our A80 died. We figured that it's got something to do with the processor - every single picture is either over exposed or under exposed - even in the AUTO mode. Man, it's crappy. So, now we are hunting for a new camera...
5. After Ab recovered, both the Mom and dad's down with coughs and cold. Crikey!
6. And then there's problem at work - well, that's nothing new...

Well, that's how July08's been treating me and the family. And August is lurking just around the corner ready to pounce... Lord, grant me patience and strength...

boon out...

boon's log 2708.07: Back in the Land of the Free

Hi! We're back in the US. Been away for almost a month, back in Malaysia for home-leave plus meetings and work, and also some time to catch up with friends and families. And just about when we were about to fly back to OR, Ab caught the Coxsackie virus which delayed our return date by 5 days. She's recovered fully now and very much back to her cheeky own self.

The trip back this time had a little added bonus to it. CL, flew together with from PG to SG as part of her trip/flight to OZ-land. So we had an added hand to handle Ab partially... ;). It means a lot when you have a 5-hr layover in SG. We had more time to check out T3 - Changi's latest terminal for international flight, also the one that can accomodate the latest A380. I guess it is still relatively new - there is this sense of vacuum / emptiness that makes it seems kinda white-elephant-ish - a lot of space, but not very much used. But perhaps that is the main idea! ;)


A whole lot of unused and uncooled space

So much space that they even have an indoor playground (which Ab cannot keep her hands and feet away from!!!)...


Ab enjoying the Indoor playground at Changi's T3

And I just cannot resist taking the following photo of the colorful Japanese Mochi...


Colorful Mochis at Changi

One other thing that we also notice is that there is insufficient air-conditioning in the airport. I was at the brink of perspiring... especially after having our lunch there. Again, there is a whole lot of space to maintain the cool temp, I guess. But perhaps it's normal to the Singaporeans... maybe it's just me. But hey, it's the International Airport, right? So, shouldn't they cater for tourists? Anyway, I've dropped a note into their e-suggestion box - not sure whether it will be addressed... We'll find out the next time we are back in T3.

Ab was a very good girl through the trip - slept almost 90% of the way and waking up only when we were about to land most of the times.

However, upon arriving, the girl's experiencing jetlag. And the jetlag is affecting both IL and I. Waking up at 3-4 in the morning and not sleeping until like 7AM, keeping the both of us awake.

We also found that 1 or 4 of our check-in luggage was delayed (bummer!) - the one containing MY clothes in it (bummer bummer!). Well, the "good" thing is that it was just delayed, and not missing or shipped to Timbuktu or something like that. UA promised that they will deliver to our apt within the next 24hrs. Well, later I thought it was also a blessing in disguise - I do not have to personally carry the bag up three floors!

And finally for our car, they gave us one of those great gas-guzzlers - Ford Edge. At 18.6mpg, i cannot wait to get it changed! But it's a good vehicle to transport our 3 big bags, 3 carry-on, Car seat, mom, kid and dad...


Gas-guzzler...

Oh! And also, the SUV does not have a lock for the gas-tank access (you know that part of the car where you fill your gas?). I guess it is a continental car design thing - they design with trust (that people will not steal your gas!!!) but at $4.50 per gallon, they'll suck you (or your car) dry. I cannot help but to feel insecure leaving the car in a car park, and come back to an empty tank later on. Yikes!

All in all, it was quite an uneventful trip back here. Cannot imagine 4 weeks just zoomed past just like that. It was just like yesterday when we were busy stressing ourselves packing to go home. Well, back to work tomorrow. Can't wait, but also at the same time dreading it. Till my next entry...

Oh, speaking of a lot of (unused and uncooled) space, check out the SFO (San Francisco International)...


Not enough space...


boon out...