Monday, February 25th, 2008
Many years ago, we made a donation to an organization (not naming it here, but let’s call it H so we can reference it easier). It was a one-time donation and it was a good decision at the time. It’s still a good decision. However things change and although we might still donate to organization H if money was not an object, but that’s not the case. Our priorities changed, things that speak to our hearts have changed. We now focus our attention, time and money elsewhere that’s closer to our hearts.
Without fail, organization H continues to send us letters asking for donation at least twice a year, most of the time doubling the efforts. They even have our new and updated address! I finally called and asked to be taken off the mailing list, which is something I should have done a long while ago.
The person who took the call was polite and said it would be taken care of. I went one step further to make some suggestions (gasp!). I said it would be good if they could implement a system where it checks against donors who’s been dormant/inactive for a certain period of time, and to cut back on mailings/trees/resources by stop mailing to those individuals. She paused. And then said “Oh OK, thanks.” Her reply sounded very distant and nonchalant - after all, it’s not her trees or her resources or her money that’s being sent into space without an echo - no sireee Bob, she’s just there to do her job and no more. I wish she took me seriously and at least give the suggestion to her supervisor.
I need to take a closer look at all the mailings that we get, and stop the ones that doesn’t even get a first glance before hitting the recycling bins. If you have time, please check yours and see if you can minimize some junk mail as well.
Wednesday, February 20th, 2008
I thought I’d share these nice snippets of pictures with you.
The graphic below is from yesterday. Temperature was updated at 8:00a.m.
The next one is from today. Updated at 2:00p.m. (yes, in the afternoon)
If you live in warmer climates, I’m sure you’re secretly smiling right about now. “Hey,” you say, “at least both days says Sunny!”
I’m so ready to wear sandals and not have crispy frozen hair when I go outside.
Friday, February 15th, 2008
Recently I found out some of the games and tricks our local (monopoly) broadband service provider like to play.
We have the broadband internet, cable television, and phone service package. After the trial period was over, the bill doubled. So I called in to inquire and see if we can adjust the subscriptions.
I waited on the phone for 40+ minutes (at 2 a.m.) Not kidding. Thank goodness for speaker phones. I’ve tried to contact them during human hours before but could never get through. At least I was still up working..
When the elevator music was finally over, this lively person named John came on the phone. I said I want to cut back on some of the services because we aren’t using them anyway, so I’d like to look into what options I have etc. He balked and tried to convince me it is unwise to do so. As he explained it, it would cost us more to take out the phone service (or anything for that matter) than to keep it. Huh?! I was not happy with that because, I don’t want to keep paying for things that we’re only using 2% of the time. He continued to explain…
For the 3 services (and I didn’t realize we were being charged some nonsense wire maintenance fee for the whole time that we’ve lived here!), the total is $89.85 And if we want to cancel the phone service with them, and keep the cable tv and broadband, it would cost $100.90.
It’s the same with the trash service. For a 96-gallon trash can, it’s $13 (I’m pulling the number out of the hat as I don’t have that bill in front of me). For the 32 gallons it’s $12.50. Coincidentally the trash service is also the monopoly in the area.
O_O <— that’s me, wide-eyed and speechless.
Coming back to the broadband service provider here, I’m porting our number somewhere else, and will attempt to slash the other prices into half. If it comes to it, we’ll just junk the TV somewhere and be done with it. After all, we don’t even have time to watch it.
Friday, January 11th, 2008
BoxofBeans is an Asian American currently living in Hong Kong.
She just wrote a post depicting how tactless Asians can be during conversations.
Go over there and read it.
Now, don’t you agree that’s just a bit too much information to share? With a stranger? And a MALE stranger at that…?
Next he’s going to want to diagnose all of BoxofBean’s “issues” when really, he’s just eager to show the world his own problems.
At least the sandwiches and drinks were superb.
Thursday, January 10th, 2008
I eluded once before that we spent our honeymoon in the jungles of the tropics, with his sister and his friend. I promised to talk about that and haven’t fulfilled that promise. Since I’m usually good with keeping promises, here’s the recap of what happened 7+ years ago.
Our wedding took place in Malaysia, where Hubby was born and grew up. As with most destination weddings, not many people showed up (on my side). This was also the first time I meet my in-laws and where parents from both sides met for the first time as well.
Malaysia is right on the equator. In fact, the town that Hubby’s from sits 1 degree from the equator and has a humidity of 95% every single day. It’s ~90F everyday of the year. Did I mention there are LOTS AND LOTS of mosquitoes?! And no screened windows??? Not fun, especially when you’re super allergic to mosquitoes and swell up like a balloon when bitten.
There were exactly 170 people in our wedding, and I could count the number of guests I knew with all the fingers on exactly one hand. I don’t blame my friends; I wouldn’t be traveling 32+ hours by flight for a wedding unless (1) you’re one of my kidneys (2) I could afford to pay the hefty air ticket (3) I want to travel to that part of the world anyways and what would be cooler than to kill two birds with one stone.
The wedding ceremony was at 8 a.m. which meant I had to get up at 5 a.m. to get ready. The makeup lady came to the hotel to do my hair and makeup. I sat half asleep while she poked and prodded my hair and got me dressed. (The church was all booked up and the only time slot available was 8 a.m. 09-09 is a very popular date.)
After the ceremony, we had the Chinese-Malaysian reception with extended family members at his parents’ house. At 7p.m. the real wedding reception started and where I knew basically no one in my own wedding. After the glorious 8-course meal is over and almost everyone leaves, except for one of Hubby’s friend who he hadn’t seen for many years. He came up to our penthouse wedding suite in the hotel and chatted for hours. He finally left after I literally kicked him out. By then I had been up for 20+ hours and you know what I did on my wedding night? I fell on the bed and conked out.
What a great start to a marriage.
After all that wonderfulness, we flew to Mulu for a few days. Without blaming him again and mentioning how unhappy I was with this arrangement again, Hubby’s sister and one of his friends came along with us. Since the friend and his sister aren’t a couple, and sister felt odd sharing a room with a strange man, she stayed in our room. I’m not making this up. This sort of thing simply cannot be made up.
So over the course of the next few days, we did a lot of activities together with them. Together. We hiked trails, we swam in the pool, we had yummy meals, we went to amazing caves, we went kayaking, we watched cultural shows. Together.
It was a really fun place, honestly it was. I mean JUST LOOK AT this cave. Yes that’s a freaking ROAD in the middle there, a ROAD that can accommodate at least 3 people walking side by side. Here’s another shot of the same cave. The cavity of this cave supposedly can hold up to FOUR 747 wingless planes side by side (I think it’s 4). Wow. And this was not the only cave… The place was beyond beautiful. Aside from the breathtaking natural beauty of this place, there were NO MOSQUITOES here because of the bats living in these caves. See bat exodus images here, here, and here. Millions and millions of bats live here.
But I think it would have been way more fun if we didn’t have 2 tag-a-longs.
He’s lucky I didn’t leave, or leave him.
If you feel bad for me, and are inclined to, please email me to find out how to contribute to my Real Honeymoon Fund. Or at least give him a swift whack on the head.
Sunday, December 9th, 2007
Last week I received a set of appointment schedules in the mail. The appointments are for January next year, and the hospital is 3.5 hours away. (I don’t live in the boonies but this is a world renowned clinic and I prefer going there, also, my oncologist is there).
I’m due for my annual checkup, which includes a whole-body CT scan, several gigantic tubes of blood draw to test thyroid levels and whatever other things they’re suppose to check, physical examination by the oncologist. I’ve done this umpteen times so I’m not overly stressed. I just don’t like the required fasting, the barium sulfate crap, and the needles. OMG the needles. Did I tell you about the countless times where more than 2 people have to access my veins, because they can’t find it? Or it rolls? Or it’s been so busted that there aren’t any good ones left? Once both my arm veins were collapsed and I couldn’t bend my arms pain-free for over a week, and I had a 27 lb 1-yr old boy that needed carrying. Needles and I don’t get along very well at all. I digress.
There was a surprise appointment in there. A mammogram! I’m not kidding. I’m very flat. I’m 31. I’m still a long ways from the “required mammogram” age group. I don’t want to get my none-existent boobs squished between cold glass plates. I’m not ready. I’m too young for this. Sigh.
The reason why I need to do the mammogram is because I had Mantle Field radiation after chemotherapy, as an “insurance” thing (it’s very typical protocol). And because of the radiation, there is an increased risk of developing breast cancer. It’s a good thing that they’re keeping an eye on stuff, but yikes, I really don’t want to get squished.
I’m also suppose to see my GI doctor there (which I have to call and add on this request), so I can refill my prescription. This GI problem of mine is very embarrassing and I’m too ashamed to talk about it openly with anyone. It’s a chronic condition, which means there is no cure for it, and I’m required to take daily medication for the rest of my life. Let’s leave it at that okay? (I feel as if I’m 85, having all these medical problems…)
SO. It will be a very fun field trip day for me. I’m not looking really forward to it and I’m slightly anxious; I’m grateful nonetheless. Let’s just hope the weather cooperates and I wouldn’t have to drive in a snowstorm. Several more weeks of blissful ignorance before the onslaught of yucky barium sulfate drinks, iodine injection, and SHARP pointy needles. And squished boobies.
Friday, November 2nd, 2007
While reaching across my desk for something, I accidentally knocked over my completely full cup of water. All over the desk, my misc papers and lotions and phone, and some onto my Mac’s keyboard. %$$^%&*
The computer still seems to be working and all the keys are functional. But now you would know why if I disappear for a while. And also now you know I’m a huge clumsy klutz.
