In Between Worlds

For people who are concerned about my previous posts about health:

The CT scan showed that it was just a fluid-filled cyst and my specialist didn't seem fussed about it, only slated another blood test (she's well-known for it amongst the nurses!) when I see her again in July. The blood test is to evaluate my liver functions. So basically ever since I came back from Perth, Australia, I had been exercising and watching what I eat. Gruelling and sometimes downright miserable-making for me - but it's paying off.

Just as well that my body past 40 seems to be rejecting/hating/disliking things gluten and dairy... which was a doozy for me because I love yoghurt and bread. But it seems that my colon doesn't appreciate a lot of it and even a tiny smidgeon triggers it to grumbling.

But hey, I feel fine at age 42.

So, that's the long and short about my health. Just give me lots of nice salads when you see me next time. :D

This week in drama minggu ini…

Due to a drug allergy to the antibiotics,

I have rashes all over my body, the worst on my back, the most obvious on my upper arms.

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On a happier note, I will be GoH at Swancon 42!

I WILL LIVE.

HEAR ME.

I WILL LIVE.

So, I am at home again. I haven't slept well. I think I am fatigued. But the fridge chose to die and I am up and awake, having to deal with the fridge repairman.

Back to work tomorrow.

I think I have gotten to the stage where I feel posting fiction/poetry acceptances and rejections on FB is just so blase. I mean, why do you want to do that? To keep score? To keep track? To play kindergarten politics? Sure, I would post the occasional “I signed …” stuff, but if your FB is just a series of your acceptances and rejections and whatever - then what’s your purpose of having FB?

People are inherently competitive. They keep saying “no, it’s not a zero-sum game”, because “we are nice people.” But if you are indeed a nice person, why are you causing anxiety to people? Are you fishing for compliments (because gosh darn, you are a good writer!) or validation?

Writers and poets all move at different paces. Do not expect people to be like you or work at your pace or standard. Nor not all people have the privilege of time and space to write that much like you.

We are all different. To expect everyone to move at the same speed is ridiculous.

It’s almost weird to think that school term starts next week (a few more days !) and that it’s the New Year (2016). My working brain is telling me: Classes start next week, students are back, and focus on teaching. The rest of my body is trying to catch up: New Year? When?

To be honest, I am ready for the New Year. Time to slough off old skins, old beliefs, old dreams – and take on new challenges. But for me, the New Year is nothing compared to Chinese New Year. I have two New Years to celebrate.

So, right now, on the eve of New Year’s Eve, when the horizons look closer… let’s take a breather and remember….

… and move on.

I am back from my cruise vacation - which had been fun, bad and good all together.

Let me recover first.

So, I have stomach flu.

But apparently, the word is out.

Stomach flu. Cramps. Nausea. The full works. D:

My doctor has taken me off the treatment/medication - but one of the horrid side-effects is acne. These bloody red swellings are everywhere: my face, my neck (and this time, it itches like hell), my chest.

Been a busy two weeks - basically exam questions, marking test papers and projects. It will be a short week this week, as we celebrate Teachers' Day on Thursday and the holiday starts on Friday.

I guess, I am at the edge of burnout?

Can't wait for Dragon Dancer to be released as well as the Jan Xu books (to be re-released). Also, interesting stuff for Singapore Writers' Festival - stay tuned.

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We just passed the peak/15th day of the Ghost Month/Seventh Month. After this lunar festival will be my favorite: Mid-Autumn Festival. Which reminds me to get mooncakes and lanterns.