People fret the homoswivian flu like it is the end of the world. To me, it isn't. It actually represents the beginning of a new world.
In fact, I am looking forward to the next pandemic. I am so looking forward to it I'll lay out the red carpets, throw it a fireworks party and hire some Texas university marching band to give it a grand welcome.
The pandemic is nature's way of selecting the next batch of worthy candidates to carry on the human line. When your gene's time is up, it's time to say goodbye. No need to fret and no need to cry.
When it is not time yet, you will fall ill, then develop resistance and survive the affliction. And then your offspring will have immunity to this new strain of flu. Once these people develop resistance, they will carry the torch for the human species. The last time during the Spanish flu, even though the case-fatality ratio is greater than 2%, the reality is that less than 1% of the population (or about 50 million) died. Incidentally, the Spanish flu was also of the H1N1 sub-type.
Given these trivial numbers, I really wonder what is the big deal about such pandemics.
Let the pandemic do what cancer, heart disease and AIDS failed to do. It is one way of rapidly cleansing the population - au naturel - and it is ethical, scientific and entirely random and objective. You leave or stay depending on your genes suitability to stay on. It is a brutal (f)act but it works.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Still sick
I wonder why getting a flu these days causes me so much grief. It seems like the symptoms are never severe enough to cause excruciating pain or terribly discomfort but instead they are long lasting and debilitating. I lost my voice entirely yesterday. But the throat was not in much pain.
I had a mild throbbing headache yesterday. Uncomfortable, yes; painful, not really. My chest is congested yesterday. Uncomfortable, yes; painful, no. The cough came and still comes periodically. It aggravates the headache, the throat and the chest. But I'm nowhere close to seeking anodynes.
I'm off work today for the second day in a row. I'm still woozy and this morning, I coughed out a green tablet from my throat. It was round, dry, rough and green and I would have called it an instant chlorophyll tablet if I were a plant. But it was phelgm.
Looks like it's some time to recovery and I hope to get well soon. I've got to go to work tomorrow because there is some preparation to be done before the summer term teaching begins in next Tuesday. And the secondary school kiddies need to see their math teacher before they take their papers. How they love and hate me. I think in the end, they'll be simply thankful I'm their math teacher. And that is enough for me. The two groups of math kids are an entire blog in themselves.
I am just going to get some work done from home and watch this flu get better.
I had a mild throbbing headache yesterday. Uncomfortable, yes; painful, not really. My chest is congested yesterday. Uncomfortable, yes; painful, no. The cough came and still comes periodically. It aggravates the headache, the throat and the chest. But I'm nowhere close to seeking anodynes.
I'm off work today for the second day in a row. I'm still woozy and this morning, I coughed out a green tablet from my throat. It was round, dry, rough and green and I would have called it an instant chlorophyll tablet if I were a plant. But it was phelgm.
Looks like it's some time to recovery and I hope to get well soon. I've got to go to work tomorrow because there is some preparation to be done before the summer term teaching begins in next Tuesday. And the secondary school kiddies need to see their math teacher before they take their papers. How they love and hate me. I think in the end, they'll be simply thankful I'm their math teacher. And that is enough for me. The two groups of math kids are an entire blog in themselves.
I am just going to get some work done from home and watch this flu get better.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Homoswivian Flu
The latest swine flu virus originating from Mexico seems to derive its DNA from human, swine and avian flu viruses. I guess a more appropriate name would be the homoswivian flu. I coined this term but I'm not sure if I want to be credited for it.
But I digress.
You know what a little bird from Mexico told me? Yes, you've got it figured out, haven't you? We can rely on little birds to spread the viruses from birds to birds to pigs to humans to humans. This is getting so exciting.
The avian flu thingy has always been a red herring. The real thing is the 3-in-1 triple whammy. I wonder if this is really the ONE, what is the true cost going to be.
But I digress.
You know what a little bird from Mexico told me? Yes, you've got it figured out, haven't you? We can rely on little birds to spread the viruses from birds to birds to pigs to humans to humans. This is getting so exciting.
The avian flu thingy has always been a red herring. The real thing is the 3-in-1 triple whammy. I wonder if this is really the ONE, what is the true cost going to be.
It never rains...
Following my skid and crash on Friday, I had the worst left calf cramp that night. I had my left foot socked up because I haven't compression bandages to keep the ankle from moving too much. That night, I was racked with leg cramps that made me struggle to get those socks on because the socks had constricted the muscle spasms. I was in so much pain that I could absolutely understand how Victor (the ABC-lawyer in the Amazing Race) felt when he had those cramps after he and his sister completed a million failed sychronized diving attempts and then had to swim 400 meters. Man, how could any one be so dumb. Ok, any two. Shouldn't it be, let's say one-two-three and we jump off? They did not coordinate and simply jumped off like Energiser bunnies on steriods. Ok, maybe it's the steriods.
On Sunday, the group of tuition kids were all sick. And guess what? Now I'm so sick too. The flu started yesterday and hit its worst last night. I woke up several times to go to the loo and this morning at 8 am, my left calf cramped up again. This time, it was so bad I had to retract my leg and press it under me because I was both in pain and aching all over. I limp as I move around now.
After the cramp episode, I went to the loo and spat out some phelgm. Yellow and the next spit was sputum covered with blood. It's the flu all right. All viruses cause bleeding of some sort and seeing this makes me happy - once phelgm starts getting expelled, the infection is on its way out. I feel a little better this morning, despite a somewhat less than ideal night's sleep. Still, it sure felt better than the less than 10 winks I had Sunday night, when the flu was at its onset.
On Sunday, the group of tuition kids were all sick. And guess what? Now I'm so sick too. The flu started yesterday and hit its worst last night. I woke up several times to go to the loo and this morning at 8 am, my left calf cramped up again. This time, it was so bad I had to retract my leg and press it under me because I was both in pain and aching all over. I limp as I move around now.
After the cramp episode, I went to the loo and spat out some phelgm. Yellow and the next spit was sputum covered with blood. It's the flu all right. All viruses cause bleeding of some sort and seeing this makes me happy - once phelgm starts getting expelled, the infection is on its way out. I feel a little better this morning, despite a somewhat less than ideal night's sleep. Still, it sure felt better than the less than 10 winks I had Sunday night, when the flu was at its onset.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Scented Hands
I love caressing the herbs in my high rise herb garden of sorts.
I just turned my rosemary pot so that the entire plant gets under the sun at some time. The plant does not get much sun and I do what I can to keep the plant from looking etiolated. And as I turned the pot, I check the shoots and notice that I am getting new branches! New growth. That makes me very happy. And then I notice my hands are scented with the oils left behind by the plant when I spread the branches. So heavenly.
The same happened when I turned my basil pot recently. My hands are scented with sweet basil fragrance. In fact, my pot of mint does the same to my hands when I pick up the stalks that have fallen over when I water the plant. And the curry leaves do the same too!
Little joys from what you grow can raise your spirits and make you happy. Sure, I could get a burner of rosemary essential oil and let the whole house smell like the oven baking a slab of meat seasoned with rosemary salt but it just feels different when it's just over your hands. I think the intimacy of it all makes all the difference.
Small wonder then that my housemate is also trying to green his fingers by caressing the herbs. They've held up well; I guess they'll be fine, as long as he doesn't try to re-pot them. The latest I've learnt is to spend a little more money and get the organic vegetables farm folks to re-pot your herbs before you bring them home. Success and growth guaranteed.
I just turned my rosemary pot so that the entire plant gets under the sun at some time. The plant does not get much sun and I do what I can to keep the plant from looking etiolated. And as I turned the pot, I check the shoots and notice that I am getting new branches! New growth. That makes me very happy. And then I notice my hands are scented with the oils left behind by the plant when I spread the branches. So heavenly.
The same happened when I turned my basil pot recently. My hands are scented with sweet basil fragrance. In fact, my pot of mint does the same to my hands when I pick up the stalks that have fallen over when I water the plant. And the curry leaves do the same too!
Little joys from what you grow can raise your spirits and make you happy. Sure, I could get a burner of rosemary essential oil and let the whole house smell like the oven baking a slab of meat seasoned with rosemary salt but it just feels different when it's just over your hands. I think the intimacy of it all makes all the difference.
Small wonder then that my housemate is also trying to green his fingers by caressing the herbs. They've held up well; I guess they'll be fine, as long as he doesn't try to re-pot them. The latest I've learnt is to spend a little more money and get the organic vegetables farm folks to re-pot your herbs before you bring them home. Success and growth guaranteed.
Friday, April 24, 2009
My view
You know how I see the AWARE Saga?
It's something like "From barebreasted straight back into the Victorian corsets."
What's your view?
And no, I don't think I'm a male chauvinistic pig.
It's something like "From barebreasted straight back into the Victorian corsets."
What's your view?
And no, I don't think I'm a male chauvinistic pig.
Crepes
Swissotel The Stamford's Out of the Pan serves really nice crepes. A close friend and dear mentor and I had our tea there today. We were both very delighted with the food and the discreet service. We had a nice table beside the fountain and had a great time catching up.
New Phone
Just got a Nokia 5800. I think it suits impatient folks like me. It's also light and easy to use.
But there are more features than I need, as usual, and much smarter than I am.
But there are more features than I need, as usual, and much smarter than I am.
And you thought...
Was just thinking that since I've moved to this new place, no one has fallen in the toilet yet.
So, this morning, this Airbus 380 skidded off the runway hitting its right wing, middle right fuselage and the left tail rudder in wet conditions. Man, my right shoulders and hips and my left ankle are hurting... and I've kept the left foot stuffed in a pair of boots today. The swelling and pain was thus manageable. I don't know about tonight.
It was a light tumble but still, the damage is... pretty massive. Good thing no writing off was necessary. :)
So, this morning, this Airbus 380 skidded off the runway hitting its right wing, middle right fuselage and the left tail rudder in wet conditions. Man, my right shoulders and hips and my left ankle are hurting... and I've kept the left foot stuffed in a pair of boots today. The swelling and pain was thus manageable. I don't know about tonight.
It was a light tumble but still, the damage is... pretty massive. Good thing no writing off was necessary. :)
Over!
The GRE is finally over and done with! Now, it's stage 2 of the exams - the silly TOEFL. To think my degree in English counted for nothing. Oh well, hopefully TOEFL is not going to be as tough as the GREs.
Anyway, whoever is thinking of taking the GREs, please note: These papers are ON STERIODS! Trust me, I should know.
Anyway, whoever is thinking of taking the GREs, please note: These papers are ON STERIODS! Trust me, I should know.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Glances
Movies
Just watched Final Destination 1 and 3. Amazing how the same plot can be recycled into movies again and again and again. It wasn't a bad storyline. My only complaint is there isn't enough gore. Too much time was spent on storyline development, which could get draggy, especially when you already know what you are going to get. Go ahead, kill and give me as much gore as possible.
Rewatched The Devil Wears Prada and I knew why I needed to leave my job. I was becoming like Andie. I am just immensely glad I have left my job. The devils I work for don't even wear Prada. Neither do I get branded stuff for attending useless meetings. Heck, I didn't even need to go to Paris. I just had to plan and someone else went. And did I for a single moment feel aggrevied? You have to be joking! I was secretly elated that I didn't have to do it!
Honesty without integrity
It's possible. I experienced it for myself Tuesday last. Trust me. My judgement was never wrong. I stand by my assessment of a person and I stick to it. I'll probably carry that view to my grave, if I had to.
Death by Rojak
It's not my time yet. I was there at the Geylang Market, near the Indian rojak stall. I had my rose syrup with "tadpoles" drink and I was really tempted to do the rojak. But in the end I didn't. Maybe if I lose my baby, I'll have a flatter...
Abhisit and ASEAN + 5 Hullalaboo
One word - Shiok.
S Factor
Oh, this is so bad it's good. Some journalist declared it in the Sunday Times today. I cannot help but concur. It was really so bitchy, slutty, cheapo that it IS good. But today's episode was too sedate for me. I went to take a shower to wash off the grime. Bring back the slut. By the way, if you are watching the show, the contestants are archetypes of the majority of Singaporean women and their narratives are as narrow as their imagined waistline. I cringe as I watch Miss No-brainer try to speak in a complete sentence. So cannot make it lor...
Just watched Final Destination 1 and 3. Amazing how the same plot can be recycled into movies again and again and again. It wasn't a bad storyline. My only complaint is there isn't enough gore. Too much time was spent on storyline development, which could get draggy, especially when you already know what you are going to get. Go ahead, kill and give me as much gore as possible.
Rewatched The Devil Wears Prada and I knew why I needed to leave my job. I was becoming like Andie. I am just immensely glad I have left my job. The devils I work for don't even wear Prada. Neither do I get branded stuff for attending useless meetings. Heck, I didn't even need to go to Paris. I just had to plan and someone else went. And did I for a single moment feel aggrevied? You have to be joking! I was secretly elated that I didn't have to do it!
Honesty without integrity
It's possible. I experienced it for myself Tuesday last. Trust me. My judgement was never wrong. I stand by my assessment of a person and I stick to it. I'll probably carry that view to my grave, if I had to.
Death by Rojak
It's not my time yet. I was there at the Geylang Market, near the Indian rojak stall. I had my rose syrup with "tadpoles" drink and I was really tempted to do the rojak. But in the end I didn't. Maybe if I lose my baby, I'll have a flatter...
Abhisit and ASEAN + 5 Hullalaboo
One word - Shiok.
S Factor
Oh, this is so bad it's good. Some journalist declared it in the Sunday Times today. I cannot help but concur. It was really so bitchy, slutty, cheapo that it IS good. But today's episode was too sedate for me. I went to take a shower to wash off the grime. Bring back the slut. By the way, if you are watching the show, the contestants are archetypes of the majority of Singaporean women and their narratives are as narrow as their imagined waistline. I cringe as I watch Miss No-brainer try to speak in a complete sentence. So cannot make it lor...
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Freshmen Write the Darnest Things (1)
Was grading a paper earlier today. Student was arguing for the importance of randomized controlled trials and the golden standard, the double blinded trials. It would be amazing if anything can be obtained in a double blinded, though the double blind trial is indeed a golden standard.
Oops.
Oops.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Couldn't stay dry
The heat was oppressive despite the huge downpour earlier today that caused flash floods in parts of Singapore.
I just showered and was sitting in front of my computer, the fan panning in the roon. The sweat literally poured out of my pores as though I myself was raining sweat.
Finally, I decided to turn on the air conditioner. With that and the fan on, the damp heat seems to be less draining.
I'm drying up a little and I hope to cool down before I hit the bed. It's going to be a long night.
I just showered and was sitting in front of my computer, the fan panning in the roon. The sweat literally poured out of my pores as though I myself was raining sweat.
Finally, I decided to turn on the air conditioner. With that and the fan on, the damp heat seems to be less draining.
I'm drying up a little and I hope to cool down before I hit the bed. It's going to be a long night.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Through Another's Eyes
A wonder of the internet is probably the fact that you get to see through another's eyes.
Today, I realised I saw for the fourth year running the cherry blossoms in Washington DC.
The flowers are beautiful, like the soul of the person who has unfailingly and unselfishly posted the pictures for all of us to admire.
How wonderful is that!
Today, I realised I saw for the fourth year running the cherry blossoms in Washington DC.
The flowers are beautiful, like the soul of the person who has unfailingly and unselfishly posted the pictures for all of us to admire.
How wonderful is that!
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
How to lose a smelly friend
Equipment
1 MRT Train
Method
1. Walk your friend towards the train.
2. Dilly dally outside the train, then tell your friend that you will be boarding.
3. Make sure that your friend enters the train carriage. Pretend to walk in behind him and stay near the door.
4. As the reminder goes off for door closing, step outside.
Observation
This trick works. The last time someone did it, the train carriage started to reek the minute the doors closed.
1 MRT Train
Method
1. Walk your friend towards the train.
2. Dilly dally outside the train, then tell your friend that you will be boarding.
3. Make sure that your friend enters the train carriage. Pretend to walk in behind him and stay near the door.
4. As the reminder goes off for door closing, step outside.
Observation
This trick works. The last time someone did it, the train carriage started to reek the minute the doors closed.
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