My Chinese New Year

There is nothing sweeter, and funnier, than receiving a personalised gift with your name spelt wrong. I got a calendar in the mail from the guys I sing at weddings for. It arrived in time for Chinese New Year. Every month featured an inspiring quote (probably; I haven't read each one) and a fancy picture with my supposed name. That's on every page. It's all still very sweet and appreciated. But funny. :-)

I just had an interesting experience. I had a little blood on Friday (now it could've been Thursday), and then an ache on Saturday night (I remember it was after filming that scene I was so stressed out about) and then I felt a little feverish and weak on Sunday (I was at the barbeque, after the reunion dinner). Then finally on Monday, I awoke to a high fever and I would shiver, my teeth would chatter and cold air or water would sting my skin. More like pelt it. Or even prick it, like a thousand needles boring their way in, moving up and down at different paces and frequencies.

Naturally, being the passive optimistic I am, I decided to just bear with it as long as I could until I had to go out for visiting, which was when I took a painkiller to alleviate the fever and the ache in my left. I had no appetite but shoved a few pear slices down my unwelcoming throat. My stomach was friendlier to them though I couldn't really see that far down. While watching Catch Me If You Can on TV, I started to break out into uncontrollable perspiration. Damn it. Yuck. Eeeyew. What's wrong with me?

I walked out in the sun and felt fine and the train was cool. When I arrived at my host's beautiful newly renovated home, I was nicely balanced and not feeling ill at all. That night when I was home, my fever began again and I started to shiver. Wrapped up in my newest prettiest top that showed off my shoulders, and a full khaki jacket, I descended to ask for paracetamol through chattering teeth. I drank so much that night. I estimated it to be more than my entire life (which isn't much if you know me at all). I kept waking to unload and refilled each time. I was constantly thirsty and my mouth was perpetually dry and pasty.

I cannot remember a thing about Tuesday. Except that I had the same shivers.

Wednesday saw me calling my mom and asking her about doctors my dad knew. I didn't trust any other doctors after having seen a random one for a bad knee. I had meds at home and simply asked for a letter so I can get my own X-ray. He promptly instructed me to take a bunch of pills, saying an X-ray was unnecessary, and to come back if my knee gave way. How? Hop?

She rang me back soon after with panic in her voice, "A model died recently from a urine infection that went into her bloodstream and killed her."

"Oh dear. Is it that serious?"

"Yes, they cut off her hands and legs and she still died. Cannot play. Cannot wait. Since Friday already. That's too long. You could die!"

So I started to worry and jumped into a cab. Racing home, I didn't speak to the taxi driver, which is unusual for me. Instead I felt like I saw the sunlight for the first time. The trees never looked more light, breezy, friendly, beautiful. We passed a church. I felt a tear. I didn't know why exactly. But I guess I was not ready to die. I was never afraid to die. But it was a little too sudden and I was, am, not prepared. Which is now funny, and extremely unfair, to think. Whoever would be?

I'll continue this another day.

12 days, 12 months.

Someone told me about a old tradition which suggests that for 12 days after christmas you will get ideas and inspirations that relate to the next 12 months. So one day for January, and the next for Feb and so on. But I don't know if it begins on 25th or 26th. I do believe I heard her saying it starts the day after Christmas but I cannot confirm this through any research of my own.

Then I was thinking, maybe it has to do with Christmastide, the Epiphany. Or also known as the 12 days of Christmas. And further research revealed this: http://www.tldm.org/Christmas/12days.htm

But who knows what it really means? Let's just wait and see. :-)

Dream A Little Dream Of Me

I had the strangest dreams again.

The night before I dreamt I was hired to emcee at a party for kids. But as the night went on, the scene turned into a school classroom and I was almost just a drama teacher. There was a teacher who walked in to discipline a student. Hmm, not a party anymore, is it? Perhaps it was a reminder of my upcoming classes. Or maybe it was there to help me realise how similar teaching a drama class and conducting games as an emcee at a children's party can be. Or, how different they really are.

Then last night, I dreamt I was a guy who needed the loo... Why do I always, ok... frequently, have loo dreams?

What's Happening Tomorrow?

So I spent a considerable amount of time trying to find out what Nostradamus said about our current world. A little crazy perhaps and so many people can say he was possessed by demons or that he was going insane.

But what if he is a kind caring sincere seer who just wants to share his gift with the world? The gift of the future, of warnings. From what I gather (I might very well be wrong), he believes he is able to see only because of what God has allowed him to. So I am sure he wouldn't be seeing the unnecessary events.

Like when the ipod would be invented. Or when the movie Titanic would be released. Not that all those aren't news today, but it really doesn't affect humankind (I'd say). Or does it?

Could this be the slowest computer experience?

When I click on a tab, a window, whatever it may be, it doesn't appear until I type all this from the start of this post to.... right here. That's why I am even writing this. Haha. I don't like to use the Lord's name in vain but boy, does this make me want to...

And it's just so painful and frustrating to try and do anything. I can get off the chair and turn on the tap for a glass of water, and maybe even turn the stove on, or even write this blog post. I wouldn't want to type an email online cos that would mean me writing blindly and the words appear only 2 minutes later.

Now: Just tried to change my tab (I only have 3 open in firefox) so am typing. Clicking on anything, even turning the computer on, is simply asking for trouble with a slow CPU. Ok looks like it's up. No it's not registering although the page is visually present. Like how I am when I'm very very very (yes three very's or I'll still be jumping about) sleepy and drunk. Let me try again... Ok.

Ergh. Why do I bother I do seriously wonder. Someday I will get a new computer. Or a laptop. Or something like it. But I don't like my life to be run by, or stored in, a cold skeletal case of a machine.

Happy new year!

I overate tonight. Eck, feeling too full. But it's good to get my appetite back.

So it's already 2009. I have a lot to look forward to and yet not much at the same time. A lot of teaching and a bit of hosting. Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursdays and a few weekends. I also want to go to my archery classes on Sundays. These are sort of set in stone so that takes away any room for change or excitement. But it also gives me a clear idea what free days I have, as wella s some financial security (even if it's only a tiny bit). I'm not complaining or revelling. I just see the good on both sides.

I ended 2008 with a nice countdown party at the British Club, which I almost didn't experience.
- Almost two months ago, I was booked to host (or emcee at) their Verandah's Hats and Caps New Year's Eve Party.
- Then on December 29th, which is 2 days before the party, they cancelled saying they only sold 17 tickets so it didn't warrant a big party as they had planned. They were very kind to offer a 50% cancellation fee.
- Then on Wednesday, December 31st, 2 hours before the party was to begin, they called saying they had now sold 70 tickets and want me back.

Like so many of my jazz performances, I improvised and got my butt out there in 2 hours, ready with 40 games I can play. I had lots of sincere fun and I trust that the kids did too. I do like working with children, and I think it might even be my forte. For now. Who knows what tomorrow brings...

Simplify

Life isn't meant to be so complicated.

Ask a few questions. Get a few answers. Express a little interest. And then... you're misread or obligated in some way.

Why is that so? What happened to understanding and the freedom to be oneself?