Barffie The Whine Connoisseur

Last couple shot.

We had a pair of cars. They were a couple. A 2007 Mitsubitshi Lancer GLX and a 2008 Subaru R1.

Today they were no longer a couple.

As the dealer drove off with the Boy car, I felt my eyes welling up with emotions. I could only imagine how Jeffwee felt at that point. The way he looked as he caught the last sight of his car was… quite upsetting.

So now we are cutting back with our expenses by having only 1 car, and hopefully it’ll translate to better times for us for the next couple of years. Perhaps we’ll be getting a bigger, shared car in time to come (automatic transmission please hurhur), but we’ll see.

After the Circle Line fully opens I’m going to take the train from Buona Vista to work. I hope I won’t start hating my commuting life again.

To the Boy car:
Sorry I was afraid to drive you. You were something I feared. But you were there for my boy every time he battled the traffic to work and back. You have served us well, sent us to plenty of places… and hope your new owner will treasure you like he did.

Beautiful.

Nyanyannyanyanyaaaa

I’ve always loved Mary Janes and chunky heels. None of those stilettos please hurhur.

Anyway I have procured for myself a nice pair from this UK eBay store… and the fast DHL shipping was simply fantastic! Just 3 days for the shoes to arrive!

I couldn’t get this model from the retail stores anymore because it’s an old model and they might not bring in anymore. But it’s a really classic design that I can wear almost everyday

Oh pretty Marlena

I am shamelessly peddling my wants again because it’s my 30th Barfday!!!

The Frivolous
1. Ring Flash (har har har because I may want to dabble in some serious DSLR camwhoring)Fujifilm Instax Mini

2. Hair curler (Yes! This is back on the list!)

3. ASOS shopping voucher? Is there such a thing?

Eh that’s about it.

The Not-So-Frivolous
1. 15 inch Macbook Pro – honestly this is for work. My old one is struggling to keep up with HD editing

2. GNC vouchers for my supplies of supplements woot woot

3. iPhone 5 – when is it coming out???!!

4. My car speakers. Dammit.

Ahh that’s all. Actually most of these I will eventually get them myself… but it’s nice to list stuff out right?

Poked.

My blood type is A+. I have donated blood for 3 times now, and I hope to keep up with the “schedule” of donating once every 3 months. I went to the HSA blood bank by myself the first time. That was in 2007, I believe. The nurses were very surprised that I was there alone for my first donation – supposedly a very scary affair.

But I guess I am less tense if I were by myself. If I had gone with a friend, I would most likely “act up” and end up even more nervous than I would be. Then again, I guess at the very least, I was not afraid of needles poking into my arm, I’m not sure about the super huge needle used for bone marrow donations, and I don’t intend to know them intimately… heh heh.

I believe in the need to donate blood for those who need them. I am somewhat healthy and they do not have enough stockpile for my blood type, so I guess it would come in handy to saving a life. What’s more, I’ve never had any issues after the donation, so I guess it’s alright!

Last Friday, my colleagues and I did an impromptu blood donation at the Toa Payoh Central Community Centre. We were having lunch around the area and there were some folks giving out flyers to promote the donation drive. I decided to go, and thankfully 4 other colleagues were keen to donate as well! 3 of them were first timers but they took it bravely!

I didn’t have an uneventful donation though. My blood flowed a little slower that day, and I supposed it’s because my arm was resting at an odd angle on the makeshift couches, and frankly they were not as comfortable as those at the HSA facility. There was some blockage at the needle, so they had to twist it a little to get the blood flowing again. After it was finally completed, I felt dizzy and really, really cold.

The cold, numbing feeling crept up the back of my neck and very quickly spread to the other parts of my body. They gave me a towel and a warm drink, and then I was rested flat on my back to let the blood flow back to my head. My colleagues and the volunteers there were fussing all over me! I was so embarrassed

In 10 minutes, I was well enough to get up and walk. Thank goodness for warm Milo! Then this happened, the next day.

Bruised!

Yeah… there was a bruise. It’s looking pretty angry but I guess it’s alright lah. Nothing to be alarmed about!

My personal note to those who may want to donate blood in the future:
- The needle is not that huge. I estimate it to be the thickness of a shrimp’s leg. I don’t know how else to describe it.
- Eat something, but not too full, before you head off to the donation place. I ate a little too full and my blood pressure was a little high.
- Take multivitamins or iron supplements for good iron levels. If you go below 12 (unit of measurement unknown) you will not be allowed to donate. You may even be anemic, so it’s probably a good time to get it checked out.
- Stop all your TCM medications at least 3 days before.
- Any other medications – you’ve got to tell the doctor screening your suitability to donate, honestly.
- If you had just recovered from flu and have taken antibiotics and stuff like that, you will need to wait at least 2 weeks or so before donating.
- Wait 12 months after any vaccination before donating. I had an H1N1 jab in 2009 and Cervarix vaccination in 2010, so I guess it’s the right time for me to start donating again.
- Bring your NRIC!

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I hope I can influence more friends to donate blood though. But I understand that there’s a huge psychological barrier to cross =)

FFFFUUUUUUUUUU

I love this emoticon, especially during times of extreme frustration and agony. And now it’s animated! OMG.

Just cleared a stack of work, a brief respite. I am taking the opportunity to breathe a little slower now. And I hope my shoulder would stop hunching up from the mounting pressure.

Love is a losing game…

I loved this song of yours, Amy Winehouse. Rest in peace and may you find true joy away from your troubled life.

My heart goes out to all those who perished or were injured during the Oslo attacks. To the families who had loved ones die from the senseless killings, stay strong and don’t stoop to hate to fight hate.

Also to my friend’s god-brother who passed away this weekend – rest in peace.

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Life is too short. Make the most of what you have before it’s too late.