End of 2008

Frosty

Apparently tonight is going to be a nipple wrenching -3˙C. Yes MINUS! I'm not looking forward to exiting the warmth of our flat though. Yesterday we were driving past the airport and i'm guessing since the area was very flat and far from the warmth of the city lights, the cars' temperature dial recorded -4.5˙C! That's the coldest i've seen it and even with the heater cranked up, i was still rather numb.


Anyway, we've spent most of the day resting since last night we were up till the early hours. But later we plan to play with fireworks! It's legal to buy fireworks and crackers here and practically every store sells them. Even the stationery store around the corner cleared their front window to promote sales. How crazy is that!?

And throughout the night we've been hearing random fireworks being set off. I reckon once it inches towards 12, the sky will be lit with random sparks. Well that's what i'm hoping.

We've also decided to not be hermits and will be heading out to a club in the city. It'll be my first time at the club but i have no expectations. As much as i'd love to be tucked in bed right now, i guess it won't hurt to go out and to feel the German New Year spirit up close and personal.

Fingers crossed that the tunes won't suck though.

Our personal stash of sparks & bangs

Ooo a little over 2 hours to go till midnight! Here's wishing all my silent readers, stalkers and mates a very happy & healthy new year. Here's to better things to come... Cheers big ears!

My Day of curls

J didn't manage to capture a before picture but he insisted on documenting the rest of the Temporary Transformation. The last time i got my hair cut was the night of my farewell dinner in KL and that was nearly 13 months ago!

I guess as time fast forwarded i lost track of time.

When i had very short hair, i was very particular which hairdresser to go to. Never quite satisfied and going through a i-need-a-change stage every month meant SNIP, SNIP I WANT IT SHORTER! I moved further away from the super long hair i had for years.

And when i got to this part of the world, it made it even harder to want to get my hair done since trying to explain what one wants when one isn't quite sure can be dangerous especially when there are language barriers.

So J, his little brother and i made our way to one particular hairdresser that J once went to. J translated everything that i wanted and i made sure that he stood beside me in case the woman decided that she'd have a field day with my strands.

I wanted my wispy fringe back and only got a bit taken off the ends. Quite particular about my fringe, i brought an old photo to show her what exactly i meant. But the woman seemed friendly and i understood parts of what she said. In fact i didn't fear her when she busted out the scissors and more hair started to fall down onto the tiles.

Now looking at my body language and facial expression, i don't look like a Happy Camper. I'm not sure what i was thinking, except i wondered what the outcome would be. And when she was done she asked whether i wanted my hair dried flat or with volume.

I chose Volume.

My hair falls straight usually and curls rarely stay in. It can be quite stubborn sometimes. After twisting sections of hair around the brushes i wasn't quite sure what the outcome would be but figured if it looked bad, they could always disappear as soon as it was washed.

Anyway, it turned out better than i expected and i spent the rest of the day with bouncy hair. A nice change from the regular look i had going on and a step forward towards the new year.

But the question still hangs in the air as to what do for New Year's Eve... decisions, decisions.

My lil' Christmas Bling.

4 weeks ago [sitting in the hospital room beside J, sipping Chamomile tea and after a game of Yatzee]:

"So what do you want for Christmas?"
Short and simple, i replied with, "a ring". Not specific as to what kind or from where.

BUT wait!
Before you start thinking, OMG he got her a riiiiing... i'll tell you the story why i chose that present.
...

Rewind about 4 years back [The date is not exact but it wasn't long after my 8 year or so relationship with my ex had finally come to an end]:

I remember i had accompanied my mother shopping one afternoon. We found ourselves in a jewellery store and looking at diamonds. Why? I'm not too sure. I remember i was moping around the store, feeling like shit and hating every lovey-dovey couple in sight. The shop wasn't exactly the perfect place to go to right after a break-up but never mind, that's not the point. I gazed at the little sparkles as they danced under the halogen lights. I felt devastated that my relationship had ended and any slim hope i had for marriage that i cooped up in my head had finally ceased.

Deep inside i thought, ONE DAY maybe, just maybe, HE would be the one to surprise me with a ring. Not one of just costume jewellery but one that would seal our fate.

Obviously that never happened.

So before we left the store my mother says she'll buy me a small ring. And tells me that there is no need for me to wait for a man to buy me a diamond. I finally chose one that i liked and wore it for the next 4 years. I always remembered that day and how much my family was beside me to help me get through it and the following rough chapters after.

1 week ago:
I looked down on my hands and realised my rings are the one thing i always make sure i have on before i exit. Without them i feel somewhat naked. Funny how that's even possible. I gazed at the ring that my mother gave me and the tiny diamonds had lost their sparkle and even the white gold had lost its' sheen. Yes, maybe i just needed to polish it but the memory as to why i got it in the first place remained vivid oddly enough.

And to answer those who were wondering whether the bling is THE ring...

Well sorry to burst your bubble but the answer is, no. It's just a little bling to remind me that J loves me.

But seriously we're trying out the "living together" deal first. And seeing how we work in close quarters is the best test i reckon. And anyway with so many things to take care of in our own lives, i think it's best we take care of them first. Plus i don't think either one of us was prepared for this relationship.

So here we are making it work day by day and i couldn't ask for anything more right now.

'Tis the Season to have the Sniffles

The day before Christmas and i'm sitting before my computer with a 3-in-1 package deal; a nasty cough, stuffed up ears and half a blocked nose. I've decided to self-medicate with the small stash of Green Pills i got from back home. They seem to work wonders especially when one has the flu.

My fever has broken through. I'm not freezing anymore even though i've made sure to keep my layers on. I can stand in one place longer than a few minutes without wanting to fall to the floor but my hearing has gone a bit outta whack.

They say one is only contagious in the first 3 days and that is usually before any signs of sickness appears. Which would mean Thursday or Friday would be when i caught it!

Hang on.

I'm blaming THAT middle-aged man outside Karstadt that sneezed a millisecond before i crossed his path. I tried my best not to breathe in as his snot particles invaded my breathing space. J looked at me strange when i waved my hands in front of my face frantically but it must have been too late because his nasty germs jumped on me like a bitch on heat!

That bastard got me sick.

...

J stayed up late last night playing his game online. The minute he switched on his computer, i knew it, i knew i lost him. There would be no point in trying to get his attention so i crashed on the bed face first.

I had enough of the TV and the sound resembled that of wet nails on a dusty chalkboard. Annoyed that my headache grew into huge ball of pain. Everything seemed to echo around me and so i tried to bury myself under my pillows.

Then our sleep was interrupted by the mail man. I received a DHL express package from a potential freelance job that i'll be undertaking in the new year. Yippee!

A quick nap later, i dragged myself out of bed to do the laundry. Always remembering to hack up my lung into a tissue. I tried not to spread my germs all over the place but it's too late. Then it dawned on me none of our presents were wrapped.

Oh gawd. Out came the sticky tape. Glue. Scissors and uneven cut paper.

We didn't get around to buying a Christmas tree this year. It cost quite a bit and the stand itself is at least 25 Euro and so we opted to Save the Environment. J bought some decorations and decorated our little Palm tree. I quite like it.

Fit for all Seasons.

This will be my first Christmas away from my parents and earlier today it dawned on me that i wouldn't be with my family. And i'll admit it, i am sad. I'm trying not to think about it because it always drives me to tears. But J's little brother is driving down tomorrow night and the place was/is in a huge mess. Trying to tidy up without blacking out is a bit of a challenge but slowly but surely it will be done.

But before i forget, here's wishing all my Silent readers a very Merry Christmas wherever you are. I hope you have a joyous celebration free from virus' and shortened breaths.

7 Hours is all it took.

To do all our Christmas shopping that is. The first 2 hours was done alone, after which i was totally over it. Dehydrated and nowhere near close to completing my list, i stood outside to get a breath of fresh air. The nicotine gave me a head rush and all i wanted to do was sit down.

J had called and said he was meeting me after work. The thought of dragging my feet in and out of department stores was not at all appealing and i could hear the faint cries of my sofa calling me. And like a child i felt the hunger pains calling out my name.

"Water. I. Neeeeed. Waaaater. Other wise i'm going to diiiiiiie!" I moaned.

We popped by DM and took advantage of their free water dispenser. We marched right in and i had no shame in helping myself. I guess that's why it's there, right?

I guess maybe the extra hydration was like a boost to my system because a burst of energy came from somewhere and we didn't return to the car till 4 and 1/2 hours later.

But before that we dropped off the bags to continue our shopping, we dropped by a Jewellery store and guess what!?


J bought me a little bling! [Story behind why i got it can be read here|.

I begged him if i could open it while walking in and out of the stores. Even whilst going up and down the escalators. Swinging the little bag side to side hoping it would hypnotize him in the car. But he insisted i had to wait until the 25th.

"2 minutes. All i want is 2 minutes and then i'll put it right back!" I promised.

I'm not sure what happened but somehow i managed to extend the time and 5 hours later, i'm STILL wearing it. But then he said only if i let him wear his super comfy hoodie that i bought him.

Fair is fair i guess.

AND YES i'm wearing it while i type... ehehe.

Yes we managed to do ALL our shopping and by the end of it we were totally knackered as all hell. All in all i am so happy with the purchases.

*I wonder how long he'll let me keep it on until i have to put it back in the little square box*

But oOooo how it sparkles in the light!

Ice Crystals in a spray can

The view from our living room faces the back and is guarded by trees but when Winter strikes, the trees are naked allowing pedestrians and passing vehicles to peep into our flat on the 3rd floor.

And since the view is quite nice we didn't want to put blinds so we installed these little white curtains on the bottom section. But one particular rod refuses to stick. Even super glue doesn't work. It must be the draft.

Tired of having to keep putting back up the curtains every other hour. I decided to put my SM-RT skills to work.

Then i remembered when J and Little L went to the hairdressers' last week, Little L was impressed by the spray on fake snow on the window. The store owner was so nice and gave us a can of Ice Crystals so we could go do the same to our windows.

I think i sprayed too much but it still created a very nice effect. It looked like some kind of blizzard attacked the lower part of the window.

oOOo

Plus it solves the problem of having prying eyes looking up and we don't have to worry that we have to be fully dressed when walking around. I'm tempted to take down I've taken down the other curtains and have gone all out. Makes me wanna spray that shit everywhere!

Watch 'em grow!

WeeeeeeeEeeee... Ice Crystals-in-a-can look way cooOooler than the fake snow.

Simple, my arse!

I checked out Rossmann [a store that stocks toiletries and various items, much like a Watson's or Guardian but minus the Pharmacy] so i could develop some photos with the instore Foto Service. Gone are the days that i'd bring my rolls of 36 and wait a few hours for the store assistant to get around to printing my dozenth shot of the same thing or camwhore shots of my friends and i.

J said the machine was simple. Don't worry, he said. It's not difficult just follow the instructions.


So i did. I mean i've seen Nanas do it. It can't be so hard. I mean even the woman in the picture seems to understand the concept. Touch and tap away.

There was no instruction manual on the station and i assumed it was like the other machines where one could just SIMPLY touch and print. But noOOoo! Apparently one has to purchase a card that one enters their data and then ONLY then will the machine work before putting your thumb drive.

But this information was NOT there and some woman had left her card in the machine [which i didn't know until later]. I thought the card in the machine was the store's card and then at the end of the day the card is given to the printing shop and the orders go through.

It was an honest mistake.

And so i went ahead and ordered my photos using the card. I stood in front of the machine for a few seconds too long only to realise my photos were NOT coming out of any slot or gap. Yes i felt like an arse. I was definitely having a dumb blond moment [no offense to those who are blond].

Shit. Where are my photos? And why are the receipt numbers the same? I made 2 orders.

I went to the back to look at the rack of photos and noticed that everyone had their own individual number.

Oh fuck.

And like Eureka, it dawned on me what happened. I had printed using some person's card. Damn it! They should clearly write that shit on the machine for first time users!

SO i busted out with my broken elementary German and tried to explain to the store assistant what had happened and that i didn't know i needed a card. And within seconds she was quick to tell me what i did wrong. There's nothing like being told off in a language one doesn't fully understand.

Eyes turned to me and i could feel the temperature rise under my puffy coat.

I apologised and hoped that the owner of the card wouldn't have to pay for my prints. Thank gawd there were no embarressing shots or ones that were for HIS/HER EYES only. The store assistant was quick to call the centre, i'm assuming to tell them that some dumb arse Asian girl had ordered prints on a card that wasn't hers and to cancel them.

How was i supposed to know? Damn this technology. And where was the damn instructions? They should have a warning or at least some kind of sign!

I grabbed one of the price booklets and low and behold on page 11 in 12 point and in an orange box, it states that for those using the Station for the first time, to first ask for assistance from one of the employees and then one can purchase one's personal chip card.

Einfach = Simple, is the chapters' heading.

[Yes, if one knows that one needs their own bloody card to begin with. And if people would not be so forgetful and leave their card in the machine!]

I felt like one of those disobedient children that knocks over the Christmas displays and Security surrounds them like a criminal just to emphasize the seriousness of the incident. The woman made it out as if i had broken the Law. THOU SHALL NOT USE OTHER STRANGERS' PHOTO CARDS TO PRINT WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE.

And because my vocabulary extends only so far, a percentage was only absorbed and the rest was heard by other curious customers. Embarrassed? Slightly.

And then after the whole incident. I don't know what i did but after ordering MY prints on MY card, it froze.

Oh gawd, i broke it!

I was quick to leave the scene. I didn't want to be told off again so i tried to blend into the aisles. Let's just hope my prints come out on Friday. Otherwise i will have to stalk the store and hunt down Frau Araminar.

Nippy but Still Entertained.

I woke up one morning to be greeted by what looked like the insides of a flyby shooting. I thought, "Shit, what is that!?" [No pun intended]. After close inspection, only because sooner or later it had to be removed, it was not what i thought but i was one of many victims of vandalism.

Someone thought it would be FUNNZY to throw eggs at the windows! Our distressed neighbor from the floor below came to our door to inform me that she had counted 23 crushed egg shells and incase i hadn't noticed, eggs were thrown at midnight.


The freezing air made the egg stick almost instantly and i spent the next hour spraying all sorts of cleaning agents just so i could scrape it off.

Gross!

I'm keeping an eye out for any dodgy looking people. I can only assume they're bored teenagers with nothing better to do in 0˙Celcius weather. Maybe Santa forgot to fill their stockings and they're just pissed off.

...


But on another note, my DHL Jumbo Box from back home arrived! A care package of my coats purchased way back in my Melbourne days, some of my clothes, heeled shoes, handbags, various kitchen bits and bobs have traveled across the world to be with me. Thanks mom! It's like going shopping... but not really.

I can't believe it's been already 10 months.

...

Then there was a short visit to the Grafenberger Wild Park. Deers ran freely and visitors could feed the animals.


We brought along macaroni sticks and fed the already overfed wild boars. The best part was there was no Entry fee. The sun was going down relatively fast, so we raced around trying to find the animals but i think most had passed out already. Probably hibernating because the temperature had already dropped down to about 3˙C.

...


10 days left till Christmas and we STILL haven't got our tree up but the Christmas markets are up and running. We brought Little L to the Carousel and watched her go round... and round... and around. Happy and resistant to the effects of dizziness, she kept wanting to keep going round and round... and around.

Even the simplest things in life can be oh so fun.

Stalls littered the area selling various items from puppets, warm wine, beer and trinkets. One booth sold what looked like shades of boobs on a stick and sugar coated nuts; in all shapes and sizes.

Even Cheese. I had to try the melted Cheese on bread. And for a whopping 4 Euro a slice, i had no problem licking the grease off the paper to get my moneys' worth. Bring it on!

But i was freezing my tits off by the end of it all and my fingers were icy cold despite wearing gloves. The air felt like it had hit the minus degrees and my body was starting to become numb.

...

And to add to our list of outings we went to the Aquazoo. Although no where near as cool as Singapore's Sentosa Underwater World. Aquazoo had various aquariums, even monkeys and a walk through mini controlled rain forest with crocodiles sitting below the bridge.


We managed to stretch the afternoon by checking out each animal. We succeeded in entertaining the Little One and hoped that she wouldn't be bored. BUT we were prepared and brought along a bag filled with various snacks, fruit, home-made little sandwiches and water; for all stages of hunger.

...

...

In Your Arms

I had a dream that HE was going out with HER. 2 Pasts getting together and on other sides of the world. Both have never met but SHE gave birth to a little one. Unrealistic i know as one has a family and is married, the other has 2 little bubs of her own and is embarking on a new relationship.

It was a strange sight and i woke up very confused.

Of course i googled the dream and one particular site said, "Did You Smother Your Ex Boyfriend?" And then i went on to reading and it says, "Women are biologically more insecure than men. They are incapable of engaging in more than a few sexual relationships at a time... this insecurity is laid in women's genes, and they always look for the perfect mate who will be capable of not only fathering her own child but also in maintain security in the relationship. Men however, are biologically more capable of having sex with many women at the same time. They have the upper hand, and commitment to a relationship is a big deal for them."

Hmmm. Damn those emotions.

"It is only when you become apprehensive of losing the guy that you start smothering him. It shows not your love, but your insecurity in the relationship, where you persistently ask the same specific questions. You want constant assurance about the future, and you start nagging him..."

I think at one point in most relationships one does that. Hoping that the other will not turn their cheek and say otherwise. They ask the same ole' Do You Still Love Me question.

14+ months into my relationship we still ask the same ole' question.

And for some reason i remembered when my ex went through an eye operation and i remembered how scared i was, not only for him but my very own emotions. It got me so much closer to him, i felt such extreme emotions.

Then it got me thinking about how similar J's situation was 2 weeks ago, when he had to be admitted into hospital. Unprepared for what was to come, i came home and cried uncontrollably. Although we'd see each other during the day, i would wake up several times during the night missing his warmth beside me.

He's been back for 5 days.

But i still wake up in the middle of the night frantically patting the bed in desperate search for him. Scared that he's gone.

I've been busy experimenting and blending fresh vegetables for our soups. Cooking balanced meals with fish and being extra careful to eliminate ingredients that are harmful. I haven't eaten so much fresh vegetables in ages.

Sometimes i catch myself thinking about the new year and i know when it comes around, he will return to the hospital. Part of me doesn't want 2008 to end. And the routine of timed hospital visits will begin yet again. I know i'm not the one being operated but that doesn't mean i can't be scared. The smell of disinfectant still lingers.

...

And this is for those of you who's in Germany and have been watching Popstars.



"Let me sleeeeeeeeeeeep in your aaaaaarms..."

I'll admit it, we're BOTH glued to the TV when it's on every Thursday. "Jill" one of the past candidates was chosen to sing one of Stanfour's song. Truth is, i've never heard of Stanfour before but the song kinda sticks to you.

Damn it. Now it's in my head.

My Bunny is Coming Home...

I'm so happy that J's going to be allowed to come home today! I can't believe the past 11 days have flown by as fast as it has.

But i didn't have time to buy him a card/flowers, so i decided to make use of a trusty ole' pair of scissors and my knowledge of the alphabet to create him a not-so-original sign...

Reuse • Recycle • Regurgitate

Plans for the operation in January [i think] is going to be postponed.

Apparently, he spoke with one of the nurses last night and they were talking about the procedure. She recommends that he NOT do the operation. Soon to be 29 and relatively healthy, the condition could improve. Plus i've read that the condition is common in much older patients, when the organs don't work as well.

So slightly torn between what to do, we're going to do more research.

But like all operations, there's always a chance that something could go wrong... or? It's a decision that will eventually need to be made.

The nurse strongly suggests a second opinion and that if possible, find other Natural methods of improving the condition. It includes drinking about 3 litres of water and increasing ones' fibre intake.

So i asked J to ask the doctor for all the reports and the findings, then he can see his family doctor. Who will hopefully recommend something else instead of being sliced open.

But we'll see what the doc says.

I can't help but worry for him. I mean who wouldn't? Anybody's loved one that ends up sick or suffers will eventually affect those around them. Causing them stress and unnecessary worry. And it's usually when something bad happens or when ones' health is affected, that people in general make lifestyle changes and have a bigger appreciation for Life.

And should J have another infection, that could mean he's back in the hospital. Either way, there needs to be some serious changes to his eating plan and lifestyle. He says, he's quitting smoking [this is already his 3rd week]. He will cut down on his alcohol. Turn to exercise and perhaps cut out red meat. Reduce his stress level and consume more vegetables.

So as soon as he's out, we're heading to the supermarket. It's all about fresh home-made soups, tonnes of blended vegetables and omega-3 packed fish.

That Thing Germans call a "Handy".

Yesterday i was waiting for the tram and this random guy came up to me, i reckon he's in his 50's, and started to talk to me in German. He began by saying that he hasn't seen me before. [I think he must be that tram stop regular and perhaps a little on the crazy side. I don't know.] So then he went on to make small talk and i tried my best to answer him in German.

We understood each other, so that's good.

He continues to stare at me and is curious about where i am from. Then he goes on to ask whereabouts i live. I say nearby and tell him the suburb. Of course NOT revealing the street or location, in case he ends up being some crazy stalker or wants to chop me up into pieces.


Then he passes me this paper with curled corners. Written is his phone number and instructions when he can be reached. He goes by the name of 'Christoph'. I eventually introduce myself and wish harder for my tram to hurry up. Seriously, it was the longest 3 minutes ever!

I'm thinking he lives on his own since the area seems to be highly populated by pensioners and nearby is the Unemployment office. And he goes on to say, that any time i can call him. He seems friendly. But then again, so do rapists and murderers.

He bids me farewell and hops on the tram. Then waves good-bye to me as though we've known each other longer than the 5 minutes. It's only polite to wave back. So i return the gesture.

Thank god i didn't have to take the same line because that would have meant i'd be stuck talking to him. I wasn't in a very buddy-buddy mood.

And i'm sure it's not common practice in Germany or in most countries to be handing out numbers at the tram stop to random Asian girls. But i was courteous and wished him a good day.

...

I told J that story and then he got me all paranoid.

Then he busts out with, "Should you leave and i don't receive a call, what is the latest i should wait before i raise the alarm?" Then it got me thinking. OMG. What if there was an emergency and i was unable to find a pay phone or was in trouble?

It gets dark around 5pm now and the walk back to the flat is very quiet. It runs off the main road and although it's not that far before i get to the front door, it can be quite scary.

I've passed J my handphone to use, since calls from the hospital cost a handful. So the past week i've been calling him the second that i leave and the minute i return.

Believe it or not but J is one of the very few the only person that i know that doesn't own a handphone. For him, the idea of being contacted 24/7 and hounded by calls from work/pesky individuals/strangers are more of a nuisance than a convenience.

...

So after the hospital, i dropped by Saturn [a big electronic store] and checked out how much a cheap pre-paid handphone would cost. And considering J's handphone usage was about 25 Euro every 2 days, i figured there must be some cheaper alternative.

Apparently calls from one Vodafone to another Vodafone as well as to fixed lines costs only 29 cents the first minute and after the 2nd minute it's free!

oOOoo free is good.


So for 30 Euro i get a basic Nokia 2310 which has an inbuilt radio. [One never knows when one gets stranded and needs some tunes to keep company]. Plus it has 5 Euro credit... wooOoohoo *cracks open the party poppers!*

So what, it's not the latest in technology. It's not a touch-screen or have fancy little buttons arranged like a mini keyboard. And so what if the pixel quality is questionable and it can't check my facebook or read my spam email.

It's affordable. It does what it says it does. And it keeps communication channels open.

[That said, i still miss my Sony Ericsson. FYI I will be temporarily using J's SIM card/number until he checks out of hospital.]

J's Corner Store on 4

Shiny!

I've just finished sweeping, disinfecting and mopping the staircase. Every other week we're responsible for cleaning the landing outside our door and the landing below. I think the block is owned by a big corporation so it's up to the residents to keep ones area tidy. Our neighbor that lives across is a rather quiet little man. A polite little sized widow that minds his own business.

I rarely see him. He introduced himself when we first moved in but i've already forgotten his name.

And since J is still in hospital, i'm in charge of making sure the area is in tip top condition. I'm not sure who owns the plants on the landing below but it adds some life to the stair well.

Anyway, J's condition has been improving. Yesterday he was allowed to sip on broth, which looked more like vegetable flavored water. I guess it's better than nothing. They've changed the clear solution in his drip to a milky one. It now looks like he's carrying a coconut milk filled sail.

We've ventured out to the cafeteria. And the past 2 days i've left early to have lunch with him. Well while i have lunch... he just sits there and watches me inhale the food. He just carries his food in liquid form. The food is not bad considering that it's hospital food.


The first day i had some vegetable lasagne with tomato-basil sauce. Interesting but i'm not sure whether i'll have that one again. The cook needs to calm down with the herbs and the dried basil. The second day was fish with dill sauce accompanied with potatos and carrots. Now that was edible and i could definitely go for another helping.

But thought, no. I won't be greedy... some people can't eat and i should be more considerate. And for 4.40 Euro a plate, i could nibble on chips should i be hungry later.


Before one gets to the cafeteria there's this glass cabinet that showcases some of the hospital's old equipment. There's an old fashioned syringe on one of the shelves with a mighty arse big needle! All i could think was thank goodness for technology and high standards of hygiene!

J trying to act like Father Christmas with the deco.

I wonder if J knows those children are not real and it actually looks kind of creepy. "Come heeeeere, little boy... muahahaha."

...

I spend on average 6 hours in the hospital. Somehow the day goes by fast and we manage to find things to do to keep us entertained. Just around the corner from his room is a little pantry.

Reenactment: Time to open Shop!

2008 L'eau de Bubbles

And since J can't venture out too far, we've named that room, J's Corner Store on 4. Unlike those 7-11 convenient stores found in every city, J's Corner Store is exclusive to those on Level 4. It seems to only stock 1 kind of bubbly water, 2-ply toilet paper, adult diapers and... ummm vases.

Available in ALL shapes and sizes. To satisfy everyone's needs.

A very proud J in front of his Corner Store.
Now open for business.

The nurses eventually asked J why we were spending so much time in the pantry laughing with tears in our eyes. They were curious why we were taking photos. So we told them our little story and that kept them amused. Either that or they think we're nuts.

But we think one of the dragon nurses is slowly warming up to us, so that's a good sign. We call her one of the Oompa Loompa nurses. She's not orange. She's just kind of small and has a slight waddle when she walks.