It's been an educational morning.

First, the guy from Jim's Trees came by to quote us on the removal of 10 trees including stump grinding.

Quote: $500. That's $50 less than Metro All Tree Services that we obtained a quote from previously.

Am inclined to go ahead and book in a time slot.

Made an executive decision to cancel the afternoon appointment with Taylors Trees as they only have a 2-4 pm slot for our area, which is a really awkward time (school pickup). The customer service lady wanted to know why we were cancelling. Was intrigued that she didn't try to offer us an alternative time slot but simply accepted my reason and hung up. They probably have more than enough business.

Next came the valuer who's here on behalf of the lender we're seeking to refinance with.

He walked around the outside, took some measurements, went through the backyard (having first endured an over-friendly welcome from Scottie) with a laser to measure lengths and widths, walked through the interior (took off his shoes first - impressed), and finished by asking me about the vintage of the house.

He reckons he'll be done with his report this afternoon and we'll hear from the lender in the next few days.

After the trees are removed it'll be so much easier for the gardener to mow the lawn.

Hubby thinks he might even be able to manage the job himself.

$18.95.

That's what it cost to replace the battery for my beloved old Swatch.

And I used to balk at $15...

Outstanding Leadership

Excerpt from school newsletter this week -

While I am speaking on the car park, I would like to use this opportunity to remind parents that the car park is a very busy place, and you will need to be good examples for your children on what it means to be patient, to be courteous, and how to follow the rules of the car park. If you drive to and from the College you must expect it to take some time. There is no reason for poor behaviour or attitude, and if you can’t handle the fact that it will be busy, you need to find another strategy.

You might consider walking to school, catching a bus, or riding a bike. Maybe you could drop your older children at the Plaza, or the Events Centre, allowing your students to walk the rest of the way. Or you might find a friend to car pool with.

The College already supplies the most car parking facilities for parents in our city, and it is not going to get any better. We are not going to spend hundreds of thousands of your fee dollars on 15 minutes at the beginning and end of the day.

We need also to be very thankful to the Baptist Church that allows us to use their car park at these times. They have every right to close it, so please make sure you show the utmost respect and appreciation for their kindness.

I’m sorry if I sound inflexible or unsympathetic. I do not mean to, and I do understand. But the car park is busy and there is little we can do about it. Staff in this College are here to supervise children. They should not have to supervise adults. So expect it to take a little extra time and use it in a way that your example will teach your children about patience, manners, acting and driving safely and how to show good will to others.

Thank you to the vast majority of those who do display this positive attitude. We all appreciate you very much.

May God Bless You All.

Am taking action at last on some long outstanding jobs around the house.

My friend G is right. Getting a job done by a tradie requires massive amounts of persistence.

It's been one month from the time we contacted Hire A Hubby for a quote and the local franchisee came out to see our house. He had a really good attitude, was very professional and down to earth, and I liked him. But the time he took coming back with his email quote...! He actually said he'd had a week off, hence the delay.

Life must be really good for tradies. By the way, did you know plumbers earn $60/hr? That's more than an IT professional in the civil service makes (going by my hubby's terms of employment).

We're now at the stage of booking in the job. The tradie proposed 7 June to which I said yes and gave him my best times.

This was four days ago. Still waiting for his reply.

Some months back, I got Metro All Tree Services to come out and quote us for the removal of ten trees, including grinding of tree stumps into mulch. They quoted $550. Hubby balked and we KIVed the whole thing.

Today, I emailed Jim's Tree And Stump Removal (part of the Jim's group which also does cleaning, mowing, fencing, pools, dog wash...is there anything they don't do?) and got an instant SMS reply and email automated response to say Mr X is available for the service and would be contacting me within 2 hours.

While at it, I also booked a quote for bin cleaning. (Note to self: make it super easy for your client to order additional products/services!)

One of the useful things I learned from being a civil servant is "get 3 quotes".

So I've emailed Taylors for a quote.

Thank You.

Your enquiry has been received. We will respond shortly.

A rather blah sort of automated response after Jim's. Another note to self: Businesses that bother to invest in the details and aren't satisfied with 'good enough' are guaranteed to stand out and be noticed.

Allergy test results

My GP sent me for an allergy blood test (onsite too, how convenient!) and the results are out.

My levels were within normal range for Dust, Pet Dander, Seafood.

But one reading was unusually high.

Grass!

After all the guesswork and dietary cautions (I avoid seafood, alcohol and have tried - but failed - to go gluten-free and dairy-free), it seems I am allergic to most kinds of grasses.

How odd.

Related this to hubby and he teased, "Oh right. Now you have an excuse not to do gardening."

Strange that they didn't test for dairy though. Must ring up and find out if a separate test is required to rule this out.

Have completed my first fortnight of work and must say it's been empowering.

Lots of learning to do, from simple things like how to print 70 copies of the church newsletter with inserts (and why I only need 35 inserts) and how to use a paper guillotine, to the more complex "how do I devise a filing system that is intuitive, effective and sustainable".

Along the way, there's the self-talk and counterbalancing and the realization that I am responsible for keeping my energy up and making this work for me to the highest good. How I carry myself outwardly is a reflection of how I perceive myself. How I answer the phone, what I say when a colleague or church member asks, "How are you going?" - all these are externalizations of my internal self-image.

"As a man thinketh, so is he."

This is the first step of my journey towards a fulfilling career that involves being of help to my community in practical and spiritual ways, and that uses and builds on the skills, knowledge and talents I have.

For this opportunity and to the people who have made it possible, I am thankful.

Neighbouring Encounters

The doorbell rang a moment ago.

It being evening, my first thought was: oh no, telemarketer.

But the blonde lady at the door said, "I'm from next door. I just wanted to tell you I'm walking over your front garden to get to my house because of the roadworks. I don't want to have to walk into the concrete ditch they've laid and out again, know what I mean? Thought I should let you know."

I said by all means, and not to worry about it.

How considerate.

A week ago, another stranger rang the bell on what was the coldest night of the year so far.

She carried a plate with a tea towel over it, and introduced herself as Sarah, our next door neighbour.

"I haven't baked in a long time...and I thought I'd bake you a cake," she said.

Imagine.

A neighbour I've never met rocks up on my doorstep with a homemade cake. Just because.

How good is that?

Dropped a note in Sarah's mailbox this morning inviting her to tea.

Another interesting twist in the Great Oz Adventure...

Real Estate Investar

Hubby attended Dymphna Boholt's seminar today and came away impressed by her presentation skills.

Says she is better than Michael Yardney and Terry Ryder (whose Hotspotting seminar he just attended last week).

He was particularly approving of her advice on structuring one's portfolio. For eg, if you're setting up a family trust to own property for investment, the trustee should not be you or your spouse but a company, of which you can be director(s). This is for asset protection in case of lawsuits.

He also enlightened me about a software called Real Estate Investar, which draws stats from many sources, analyses them against as many as 70 criteria, helps you make wise investing decisions and tracks your portfolio.

Watch the demo video. You have to supply your contact details first.

It's nice that hubby's more excited about real estate than I am, for once.

Have just signed up for the newsletter so I can download my free Top 100 Cheapest Suburbs Report.

Return to the workforce

5 years and 8 months after my last full-time job, I am back in the workforce.

The job description's somewhat different, and the hours definitely family friendly.

I've no doubt my past experience and skills will be called upon.

But I'm also expecting to have to pick up new skills in interpersonal relations, negotiation, admin/secretarial and tech support.

I had a briefing with my new employer today - my pastor.

Tomorrow I begin my first day as the part-time admin support for our church.

My mission: to make life easier for my pastor, to help church life function smoothly and to contribute to corporate governance and compliance in the organization.

What a nuisance psoriasis is.

This morning, I spent 2 hours waiting to see my GP to get my blood test results from last week and to seek his advice on my escalating psoriasis crisis. The results of the test (regular medical) were, thankfully, normal. I had half expected to be told I'm anemic or have low blood pressure.

Then I had another blood test to see if I have allergies to the usual suspects: grass, dust, seafood. Results will be out by Tue.

It started with random little red dots on my legs after our return from SG.

3 weeks later, I've got scabs, open wounds that ooze...and those dratted little red dots on neck, back, torso, legs, arms. The spots just seem to multiply overnight.

And the ITCH. It can KILL.

It keeps me awake every night. My conscious mind (and my hubby) tells me not to scratch, but how can I not when the spots are SO ITCHY?

I have not had a full night's sleep this week because I wake up itching, so I scratch, which causes scabs to fall off and underlying wounds to ooze (I know it's gross!), which causes pain...

I've tried Egocort, Celestone cream and a healing antiseptic, anti-inflammatory ointment (recommendation of pharmacist) for the affected spots, Zyrtec and Phenergan (recommendation of pharmacist) to knock me out long enough so I get a decent night's sleep.

Nothing works 100%.

The GP was bemused by the number of bandages on my legs. I explained I had to bandage the open wounds or the pus would stain my pants. He made me remove the bandages, and when he saw the state of the wounds, he looked slightly appalled.

Apparently the wounds are infected, and require a dose of antibiotics to clear them up.

He has advised a combination of strategies: Telfast 180 (the strongest, he assures me) for the antihistamine effect; Sorbolene cream to moisturize; Celestone cream for the non-oozing spots; 5 days' worth of antibiotics; and a brown antiseptic liquid (Betamethasone? Benedene?) to clean the infected patches with.

Winter seems to have come early, but leggings and tights are out, as they will put pressure on the open wounds that need non-contact and plenty of fresh air to heal.

So I did the school run today in a woolly long skirt with knee-high boots. No leggings. No tights. It was freezing but at least my skin got the airing it needed.

Every little bit helps.

Favourite GE Quotes

"GDP does not measure the quality of our lives. It does not measure the choices we give our children or the honour we accord our elders. It says nothing of our shared experiences. It does not measure our compassion. It does not speak of our devotion to our country. It measures everything except what lends fullness to our lives."

Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss, candidate for Mountbatten SMC

"We need the people with the heart in the right place to serve you. We need people who dare to challenge the boundaries and not to do more of the same. We need people who see this as a calling, rather than a job..."

Tony Tan, candidate for Jurong GRC

Serena Tan, Diploma Student

Officially started my journey with The Coaching Institute (TCI) today. I have enrolled for the Diploma of Life Coaching. :-)

Very glad that I've taken the step of faith.

I mean, how many years have I spent researching different coaching institutions and comparing programs?

At the same time, am second-guessing self. My gleeful inner critic has also popped up to question the wisdom of my commitment.

Guess that's something I have to deal with constructively.

Or as TCI founder Sharon Pearson would say, embrace it with 100% intensity.

I'm starting a journal to track my progress so I can look back at how far I've come and what has worked for me.

Am listening to Sharon Pearson's Introduction to Cert IV in Life Coaching.

Inspiring.

"The hungrier you are for finding your voice as a coach, the more effortlessly you'll become a Master Coach."

Finally went for my tests today, the ones my GP had referred me for the last time I had a labyrinthitis episode.

It was so quick and painless (ok, just a little prick) and I'll get my results in two days.

What took me so long???

It's a shock to see CST so frail.

Speaking in a slurred manner, his head at an angle and his eyes looking down because of the strokes he has suffered, he nevertheless remains a much-loved politician. I don't think any of the other rallies or candidates garnered as much cheering and shouts of encouragement.

CST says he is leaving Potong Pasir to stand in Bishan-Toa Payoh because he wants democracy for Singapore and more opposition in Parliament.

In my inbox today, I received this article:

Dedicated to Chiam See Tong and all Singaporeans

by Lin Shiyun on Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 4:31am

In this General Election, I may appear to some people as a kind of political whore. My best friend, Zai Kuning, and I were running all over the island to attend the nominations and rallies. We have not stopped thinking about Sing! apore (some of you may dismiss it as "politics") since the nomination d! ay, even in our sleeps, and I know that we are not alone. I have many friends who are doing the same, and those who don't run around like a getai star are always faithfully at the computer feeding us up-to-date information like the statellite (you know who you are :)).

It is as if the elections have consumed our lives, but I would like to see it that we are all woken up, and realised that if we do not actively participate and claim our narratives, there is no doubt that the ruling party will literally consume all of us.

I have been planning to write a piece on the six reasons why I cannot allow PAP to hold absolute power in parliament, but after attending tonight's rally at Potong Pasir, I can't help myself but to write about how Mr. Chiam See Tong have touched and enlightened me.

I attended two rallies prior to this: SDP and WP rally at commonwealth and serangoon respectively. I was very impressed by the "Winning-11" team that the SDP has garnered as each of them respresented to me a distinct and genuine interest in the "software" (to quote Dr.Ang) of the society - teacher, social worker, ex-political detainee, psychiatrist... I am convinced that they will take care of the less priviledged in the society, and they have promised to give half their allowance to the needy in the community if they were to be elected. Over at WP rally, although I was not particularly impressed by what the candidates had said, the number of people who were there to listen was intoxicating and certainly, WP will be a great catalyst for change in the parliament.

However, after two rallies, I felt I had a bit enough of the PAP bashing. The attack of the lack of accountability and problems of PAP is of course, very relevant and necessary (I am still going around with "vote opposition" statements pasted on my back) but personally I think I am clear enough about the atrocities of the ruling party: What PAP propagates is basically a selfish, self-preserving culture. All the bad policies and tactics they have devised is a result of this warped immoral thinking, and definitely, it is poisoning the society inside out. I had enough of it, yes, I am fed up! And so I really wanted to know what are the dreams of the opposition parties. I wanted to know how they think about human life. I wanted to know how they! can lead Singaporeans to feel beautiful again. Is there someone who ca! n wake up the sleeping flowers in our hearts?

I found the answer in Mr. Chiam See Tong today at SPP rally.

Mr.Chiam began his speech w! ith the question of why he decided to leave Potong Pasir and contest in Bishan-Toa Payoh. He answered, "for the promotion of democracy. There can never be democracy if there is no opposition in the parliament." There isn't a fancy slogan like first-world parliament, which at times really makes one wonder what it means. Mr.Chiam's fight is for democracy, and he will never retire with a peaceful mind if he does not see this happening in Singapore. This is the reason why he has to break a GRC, the dirtiest divide-and-rule tactic the ruling party has devised since JBJ won a seat in Anson.

Do I doubt Mr.Chiam's fight? There is ve! ry little room for doubt when you see him in person: frail in physique, strong as steel in the mind, and gentle as a whispering father in his speech. There is almost no room for doubt when you think about how he and Mrs.Chiam have suffered under the government's brutality (he still doesn't have his own office) trying to serve the residents in Potong Pasir the best that they can. And there is absolutely no room for doubt when you continue listening till the end of his speech, because he values every individual as a human being capable of living her or her life to the fullest, and is not just a pawn or a statistics.

I will describe to you my memory of the conclusion of his speech, which took place after quite a long pause. I imagined that his team was worried it would be too tiring for him to continue, but he insisted to carry on.

Like a grandfather telling a story to his grandchildren, Mr.Chiam told us how Lee Kuan Yew first assessed this man called Chiam See Tong. LKY looked at his O level certificate. (laughter from the crowd)

"He counted very carefully. 1. 2. 3...5. Only 5 O levels?" (another round of laughter)

"How many of you have 5 O level?"

My best friend shouted "I don't have any!" as several in the crowd raised their hands.

Mr.Chiam smiled in his heart (I could feel) and replied,

"Then you and I are the same. And I have become a lawyer now."

At this point, the crowd cheered so loudly that a friend who was sleeping on the other side of the estate was woken up by the uproar. After a round of hearty laughter, the crowd fell silent as Mr.Chiam continued speaking (he apologised in the beginning that we have to be very quiet because he ! couldn't speak loudly). He told us that it is o.k if we are not as smart as the others, and it is o.k if we do not seem as successful as the others. Some of us maybe late bloomers, but all of us have the potential to be better people, as long as we stay true to ourselves and keep trying.

"When there is life there is hope, when there is hope, there will be change."

I will always remember how effortlessly he had delivered that line and how many people were moved to tears while listening to him speak. Besides the immediate reference that despite two strokes, Mr.Chiam continue his fight for change in Singapore, I believe that these tears are also the most heartfelt human emotions that can only be brought out by the encouragement of a most loving father.

It! is okay. It is okay.

You have not failed.

I have not failed.

We have not failed.

Just keep trying, my child,

together, let's keep trying.

With each living breath,

We can be better.

We will be better.

Thank you Mr. Chiam See Tong. I was in such a despair after reading and witnessing so much atrocities and brutality that the ruling party and Lee Kuan Yew have done to gentle people like you, Dr. Vincent Cheng, Ms Teo Suh Lung, Dr. Lim Hock Siew and many more people who have been forever silenced in the PAP version of history. I was in such a despair thinking how Singaporeans will disappear with the influx of yet another 1 million foreigners. I was in such a despair thinking how our children will have to grow up in this self-perserving culture that propagates bottomless fear and arrogance thinking about nothing but Money. But tonight, you have shown me, shown all Singaporeans, the light. And I am not angry and upset anymore.

Singaporeans. This election has nothing to do with GRCs. It is time to stop all these ongoing, ! useless debates and arguments that the ruling party wants to confuse you with. It is time to stop all the hype about Tin Pei Ling Vs Nicole Seah, Worker's Party conspiracy, Mas Selamat, upgrading lifts, grow and share etc.

This election is, with no doubt, about the past, the present, and the future of Singapore.

It is about how PAP has completely cr! ippled our rights to claim the power of our narratives as a living comm! unity and worthy individuals. It is about how they do whatever they want without a single question asked or answered. It is about how we, the citizens of Singapore, want the stories of our forefathers and mothers to be remembered and told; It is about how we, the citizens of Singapore, want to write our story from now; It is about how our children, the future citizens of Singapore, can be the writers of their stories without fear.

Ultimately, it is about trying to achieve democracy and equality in Singapore, as long as we have one more living breath.!

Singaporeans.

Singapore is not PAP.

I love Singapore very much, but not the PAP.

Please, please don't let them bully and silent us anymore.

May his spirit of public service live on in all Singaporeans.