Heart or Brain
Since young, I had always wanted to study medical sciences. Not for the fame or the wealth that it brings, but to gain the ability to save.
When my lopped ear rabbit Dopey was constantly ill, she was brought to the vet frequently and hospitalised several times. When we were informed that there was literally no known cure to alleviate her sickness, and the best solution was to have her operated upon each time the same problem occur, I was heart broken.
After which, I tried searching for various alternative cures. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), osteopathy, naturopathy – you name it, I have tried searching for it (with the exception of Reiki. Reiki back then was uncommon and almost unheard of).
I have finally managed to contact a veterinary clinic that provides TCM for animals, but I was extremely disappointed to be rejected when I told the staff that I wanted to bring a rabbit in for treatment. Apparently, the doctor has never treated on rabbits before, and is not willing to do so.
Due to various reasons, the advancement of veterinary medicine in
I strongly believe that due to this reason, Dopey’s life span was shortened. After 5 to 6 operations and constant jabs of antibiotics and painkillers, Dopey passed away after much pain and sufferings, when she barely reached the age of 4. (Rabbits are expected to live for at least 5 years, and can live as long as 15 years.)
Then, came the day I graduated with a Diploma in Business Studies. I am torn between having to decide either furthering my studies in business, or to do my foundation studies in hope that I may get a place for veterinary medicine.
If I were to do my foundation studies, it will be of a slight disadvantage to me, given the fact that I hardly did any chemistry in the whole of my student life, and that the last time I did mathematics and physics was four years ago. Moreover, entering vet school is almost as difficult to enter medicine (for human). Only the top scorers can gain a space.
Sighs.
Though I have many friends who supported and encouraged me to study veterinary medicine, I still went on to register to study business last week. This was due to much dissuasion from the people around me – they just want me to take the shortest route to complete my studies, and be back in
Some even quoted that doing foundation studies is stupid, given the fact that I have already earned myself a diploma, and that I should not be studying an A level equivalent certificate when anyone with an O level certificate can easily do so. I understand what that means, and I have to once again highlight the fact that I do not like nor enjoy being back at square one once again. I am just a victim of circumstances.
However, I seriously have no idea if I had made the right decision. A part of me hopes that the school of business will accept me, while another part of me hopes that they will reject me. Will I regret my decision to study business, if any of the university accepts me? Will I have the urge to do a second degree in veterinary medicine after I complete my first? If I do so, wouldn’t my opportunity cost be much higher?
Ever since I applied to study business, I have been dreaming of animals. There was a night I dreamt that I was working at the zoo, another night I dreamt that I was diagnosing an animal. This morning, after an animal dream, (I could only vaguely remember that I dreamt of something furry), I woke up in a semi-conscious state to find myself grinding my teeth.
Oh my. I never knew I will feel so stress over such a decision. I know the Chinese saying goes “好马不吃回头草”, loosely translated as a good horse would not return to eat on grass patches that he has already passed by, however my friend once said “好草不怕回头吃”, loosely translated as one should not be afraid to return at eat on grass patches that he has already passed by, so long as the grass is of good quality and worthy to do so.
So am I to follow my heart or my brain?
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Food Galore
Food Cravings
I tend to have very strong food cravings, and they are usually quite random. When I start craving for food, I must eat it. If I don’t, I’ll never stop thinking about it. Even if I were to eat something else, I will start comparing how the inferior the food tasted and start grumbling about how nice it will be if I can eat this and that.
There was a period of time I was so crazy over steamboat, I was eating it every other week. At another point in time, I was craving so much for chilli crab, I ate it almost once a week. When I was working at
My food cravings were such an issue, many wondered how my future husband will survive if I get pregnant one day. Imagine having a wife craving for
Food is listed in alphabetical order.
Note: Food that I can never get sick of is defined as eating them everyday without getting sick of it.
Ever-So-Hungry
When I was a kid, I refused to eat. I have no idea why. No amount of de-worming medicine, lacetin , Chinese herbs or nutritional products would increase my appetite. My mother will nag incessantly for me to eat, and my granny will hold a cane when it was dinner time. I always ate very little, very slowly. Back then, I was tall (for my age), skinny and almost underweight.
Suddenly, One Fine Day when I was in secondary school, my appetite increased Tremendously! Initially, I had thought that my body needed food for my growth, but apparently after some 7 years, this symptom still remains!
My mother calls it “Baby’s Stomach Syndrome”, because every one to three hours, I will be hungry if I do not eat. If I continue to ignore my hungry little tummy, it will start to growl instead of rumble. Usually by this time, my stomach will start to draw the attention of the people around me. If I still choose to ignore my hungry little tummy (which seldom happens), I will have gastric pains which requires medication. Ouch.
So, do not belittle my ever-so-hungry little tummy.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Friends around me are starting to get hitched. Till this day, I have got four friends getting hitched. The fifth and sixth friends are preparing to get engaged some time next year.
While I was preparing to attend my friend’s solemnisation last month, my mum said, with a hint of shock, “What! Your friend is getting married at such a young age!”
“But hey mum”, I thought to myself, “I’m not young! Come August, I will be officially recognised by the
“If you are going to get married in another few years time, how will I be able to get back my investment?” My mum said jokingly. “You would better get a job fast and start paying back.”
I had to admit that upon witnessing the blissful lives my friends are living with their spouses, I would start thinking of when to settle down, and how to go about doing it.
However, as time progresses and my thoughts matured, I realised that reality doesn’t work this way. I can’t possibly just grab anybody, get hitched and have kids just because age is catching up with me. I definitely would not be happy that way. I’m pretty sure about it, especially when I’m the kind of person who will harp on the wrong decisions that I have made.
Neither am I the kind of person who plans for the future based on monetary value. I know that getting married, owning a home (note home and not house) and having kids are the most expensive (in terms of dollars and cents) price tag in life, but I will not plan to get married based on how much savings I have, and how much I can afford.
I understand the chinese saying “贫困夫妻百日哀” (loosely translated as a poor couple suffers a hundred days in agony). However, I can’t possibly just find anyone to get hitched and have kids only when my bank book reflects a grand total savings of *$500,000. Moreover, at the rate I am spending, I will never ever, in the whole of my entire life time, save enough to get married, unless the guy I’m marrying is a super duper ultra loaded guy.
I hate to admit it, but I am the kind of person who often allow my heart to rule over my head, therefore one of the most important factor that I have to consider is the feel.
To me, it’s time to get hitched
· When I feel that the moment is right
· When I feel that my spouse-to-be is someone I can rely and trust for the rest of my life
· When I feel emotionally, mentally and physically ready to settle down
I personally feel that age should not be a factor in deciding whether to get married; no one’s too young (as long as you have passed the legal age to get married) or too old to tie the nuptial knot. As for financial matters, I feel that money should be an influencing factor, but not a decisive factor.
Above all the factors I have mentioned, I guess the decisive factor should be, “Whether I want him to be my last.” If I don’t, then all else that I have mentioned previously will be nulled.
*$500,000 is derived from the following:
3 + 1 HDB with renovations $350,000
Getting engaged and married $100,000
(Inclusive of honeymoon)
Initial investment of having kids $ 50,000
Grand Total Savings of $500,000
Note: Initial investment of having kids includes the cost derived from all the necessary visits with the gynaecologist and running of the endless tests, essential supplements for mother and children, hospitalization bills, babies’ vaccinations and medications, babies’ apparels, milk powder & bottles, diapers and other necessities. Initial investment does not include cost that babies/children will incur after the age of one.
