Time for my long overdue post of the couple photoshoot taken in Sept 2017.
Before shit came crumbling down in my life.

Some backstory:
My bf's friend approached my bf to ask if we could help him to expand his portfolio for his photo studio.
Sounds like a great idea, so we agreed! Free one what. (Typical Singaporean behaviour)
Met once to suggest the type of photoshoot I want: KDrama, Korean style photoshoot (eg. Goblin, W).
Chose a place with foresty look which I believe will suit the KDrama style, Coney Island hehe.
Downside is that we had to wake up early: 7am at Punggol is no joke.
We also did some coordination of the clothes by sending to the photographers and letting them decide.

What happened:

• Each of us brought 1 luggage so we looked like tourists going to Punggol LOL
• The photographers' gf and wife helped me with my makeup and hair really glad and thankful for the help! Not sure was it because of the theme, but my face came out really white and the makeup was really obvious and thick, probably to look better on the camera
• In total I had only 2 outfit changes, due to time constraints and also don't wanna mess up my hair. They brought the portable changing room which is damn cool!
• We started from Punggol field, then walked to Coney island to take some shots, started at 7am and ended around 1+pm because the sun was really blazing and hot. Ended up with a slight heatstroke by the end x_x, probably did not drink enough water and had a really bad headache.
• A lot of the shots required us to be as natural as possible so we had to like talk among ourselves and they try to capture that natural moments. Totally damn awkward because we didn't know what to say to each other and everytime we made eye contact, I felt like laughing. Ended up discussing about what to eat for lunch later as recommended by the photographer LOL.

• Bring clothes that can be changed easily, clothes that won't mess with your hair when changing.
• Bring a luggage also, so much easier to throw all the stuffs inside also.
• Drink lots and lots and lots of water.
• Bring a spare pair of shoes so that it will be easier for you to move around.

Looks like I have to postpone my post on the couple photoshoot to share something life changing which has happened to me recently.

Early last month, I went to see the doctor because my left hand+wrist was in so much pain. The doctor prescribed some anti-inflammation drug and I become better when I took it.
However, once I finished the medicine the pain came back, and spread to my other hand and even to the other joints of my body.

I was in constant pain during that 1 week after I finished the medicine. Every day, I will discover a new part of my body was in pain and then the next day the pain goes away and another part is in pain.
After 1 week of being in pain, since I had the flu I decided to visit the doctor again and see what is wrong with me. At first, the doctor didn't really want to listen to me talk about my body pain (Sucks when you are in pain and no one wants to listen to you/give a logical explanation on why you were like this). Then after some more probing, she told me to do a blood test. I sought help from TCM immediately after visiting the doctor and the TCM also recommended me to take a blood test to find out the cause of the problem.

I went back to the clinic and took a blood test and 2 days later the clinic called me back. They had to refer me to a specialist as they found infection levels in my blood, they recommended me to go polyclinic and refer to a government hospital, which is cheaper. I visited the polyclinic on Sat, did 1 more blood test and checked my kidney + liver since my feet was swollen and got a referral appointment. Visited NUH (Rheumatology) on Tuesday (Not bad, quite efficient, I was expecting 2-3 weeks wait and thought I would die in pain before that lol).

I am officially diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system – which normally protects its health by attacking foreign substances like bacteria and viruses – mistakenly attacks the joints. This creates inflammation that causes the tissue that lines the inside of joints (the synovium) to thicken, resulting in swelling and pain in and around the joints. 

(via http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/rheumatoid-arthritis/what-is-rheumatoid-arthritis.php)

TL;DR: Immune system is confused and attack itself out of confusion!

The cause of this disease is unknown and there is no cure currently. This gives an answer to the cause of my pains for the past 1 month (I thought I had bone cancer at one point lol). Luckily, I am categorised in the early stage (Less than 3 months since symptoms started). I read that some people took years before they went for a proper diagnosis. The specialist ordered another blood test (3 times in 1 week, achievement unlocked!) to be done for me, to check whether I am suitable to start taking this particular medicine, and immunizations as my immune system will be weaker once I start taking the medicine.

I was given a medicine to control my immune system from being too hyperactive, it's called MTX which is medicine normally prescribed for RA and also given to cancer patients in higher dosage. Other medicines given were: Folic acid to help cope with MTX side effect, anti-inflammatory drug and also another drug to take if I feel pain. Once I was given the pass, I started my weekly dosage of MTX. I was told by the doctor there might be side effects (nausea, diarrhea etc). I will have to keep going back for frequent follow ups + blood tests to see if this treatment is suitable for me, for life. One of the nurses gave me a small talk on what medicines that I will be taking and what side effects may be present, which is very helpful.

My life is going to be changed forever. I am probably going to get chronic pain and will not have a day where I don't feel any pain at all. My dream of having 2 children is definitely affected as I cannot get pregnant while I am taking the medicine and have to switch to another medicine. Not to mention there might be further complications if I get pregnant. As if my heart murmur condition is not being a headache enough, the doctor previously told me they have to re-access my condition if I want to get pregnant as the blood circulation might affect my body.

I might have to even postpone finding a new job since I doubt new employers will be happy if I keep taking leave. But this all depends on how I react to the treatment. Not too sure whether it will affect my future job opportunities or not.

Did lots of reading for the past 2 days and came to find it affects 1% of Singapore population, with the majority being women in 20s to 40s. RA patients have a higher chance develop depression due to the chronic pain/disability etc, sigh. Even saw somewhere that RA patients do not live as long as other normal people. By reading up, it helps to cope and accept what happened.

Some updates and thought of this whole thing:

• RA is NOT an old people's disease, it can happen at any age even in children. I hope to educate people on this, as I myself thought arthritis is an old people's disease.
• Please take care of your body, if you feel something is wrong do not be afraid to visit the doctor. Only you know your own body the best. To be honest, my parents thought I was exaggerating my pain when I went to the doctor for my wrist. So far, they haven't come to terms with this, I feel like they think my condition is not very serious and they cannot comprehend how come someone young like me get such a disease. I really wish I had the answer to this too.
• I have just completed my 2nd dosage of MTX, so far side effects are still manageable but I get really drowsy the morning after taking for the past 2 weeks. Slight nausea today morning but still manageable. Keeping my fingers crossed!
• There are be days when I wake up I will feel ok, and days when I wake up I will feel like dying.
• Joint stiffness in the morning is really painful. Luckily 90% of the pain goes away by lunchtime. Main areas of stiffness are my fingers.
• I am slowly beginning to feel better as the days goes by, hopefully this medicine works for me as I might have to resort to injections if the side effects are getting worse/medicine not working for me T_____T
• Really thankful for the support and concern from the people around me (My sister, BF and friends). At one point I was so touched from one of my friend's concern that I teared up lolol. Thank you for the advises given and helping me to carry my stuffs sometimes.
• I hope a cure can be found soon. I've also joined a study group where they will study on my progress to find out better about RA patients in Singapore.
• Changes to my current diets. I am so much more health conscious and control what I eat

Why me? I've always thought to myself. It has been 2 weeks and I am now slowly coming to terms with this. This journey is definitely not easy but I am ready to start this long battle against this pain in the joints.


Seems like I abandoned this blog again..
I swear it isn't on purpose. Maybe it's because I'm recently back to gaming (cough, old school Maple, cough) so I didn't have time for it.

Anyways!
Took leave last week to visit USS with the bf for the first time for my birthday!
Point form as usual because LAZY.

• Thanks to the guidance from my colleague, started from the Sesame Street side (aka New York) the rides were abit kiddish but still entertaining.
• Went over to the Sci-Fi city, tempted to try Battlestar Galactica (Human one of course but went to some Transformer 3D ride). Quite giddy x_x and screamed quite a bit., closed my eyes at some point because can't take the 3D effects
• Waited for the Transformers Bumblebee appearance due to bf request 😒
• Hopped over to Ancient Egypt and tried Mummy ride, both of us died on the ride. Declared panggang for thrilling rides for the day.
• Ate lunch at Sci-Fi and walked over to The Lost World. Tried the Canopy Flyer and we screamed again when this ride wasn't supposed to be that scary. Ended up getting laughed at by this foreigner couple. Throw face ttm.
• Was informed by my sis that I can get birthday perks! Supposedly express pass and a badge? Went to Guest Services and they didn't say anything about express pass but got some vouchers, the badge and free popcorn, yay!
•  Walked over to Far Far Away, tried Enchanted Airways. Yes we screamed again (I tried by best not too, cause this is really a kiddish ride).
• Visited the last portion which is the Madagascar. Really no suitable rides for adults. Stayed and watched the Madagascar crew dance hahaha.
• More walking and taking pictures with the crew (Cookie Monster, a dinosaur, Minions in Halloween costume) walked back and tried Treasure Hunter since it broke down when we were queuing halfway.
• No time to try all the rides, like the water ride at The Lost World
• Went to the merchandise shop and walked over to second highlight of the day - Hai Di Lao

New epic post coming right up. Warning: Super long post ahead

Just came back from a BKK trip a few days ago. It was a fun trip overall haha.

Day 1: 7/7/17
Already one epic moment in SG airport.
Met around 7am and then checked in. We didn't read the boarding pass properly which said that the gate closes at 7.40am.
Then we went to eat MacBreakfast like a boss. Then realised that we might be late while eating halfway.
Had to abandon my half a piece of hotcakes and green tea (sobs) and ran for our lives.
Thankfully made it in time but it was like we rushed for nothing cause there were still people arriving later than us LOL.
Took a bus to somewhere to board the plane and had to walk the stairs (you know those kind where you see the president walking down from the plane).

Reached BKK and tried to book Grab to our hotel.
Mini confusion with the drivers, think their english not as good.
We wrote and told them we were at departure hall door 8 then he said ok. But in the end he lost and we were also running around trying to spot him lol.
Gave up and cancelled that driver and booked another one lols.

Went to the hotel and put our luggages first.
Then followed the boys to Amari Watergate to tailor formal clothes.
On the way out we were stopped by the staff had to stand at the side as some VIP was arriving.
You know those chaebol dramas where they have the staffs stand at the side to welcome the chairman or whatever.
That happened. Then everyone rose up to pay respects to the VIP that was coming.
Interesting moment hahaha.

Arrived back to the hotel to check in and rest awhile before heading to After You cafe.
Booked Grab there and that's where shit started.
Realised after alighting that my phone was lost. Was 90% sure I dropped it in the car.
Panic mode starts, luckily I bought SIM card so I have a Thailand phone number.
Got Adelyn to call my phone repeatedly and I contacted my sis to let her know.
Still went to eat After You in the end lol. The Shibuya toast really tasted good despite me being all panicky, didn't really have any mood to eat.
So luckily I and my sis have this 'Find Friends' function on my phone, so that I can see (stalk) where she is at times.
She saw that my phone was like 2 km away and then after awhile it went further a bit and stayed there.





After eating we took Tuk Tuk to the police station to make a lost report after asking the Mall staff where the nearest police station was.
To think I didn't visit a police station in SG before, I got to visit it first in another country lol.
Some communication problems, in the end the officer use his phone to call another person who can speak english well (I think she is the tourist police?).
Told her I wanted to make a lost report then he proceeded to write a report for me while we help him with the spelling whenever needed LOL. (He wrote in Thai mainly)
At this point I had no hopes of getting it back. Although I told the officer that I can see where my phone is and asked them whether they can help to get it back but they kind of refused.
So left the police station and guess what, it was raining heavily.

Joke thing is that there is only 1 umbrella to be shared among 4 people. (Mine umbrella)
So BF and me went to the road to get a cab/tuk tuk while they stayed back to try book Grab.
All the tuk tuks rejected us. After very very very long we manage to get a tuk tuk to bring us to Big C shopping. So we hopped on and were in for a ride of our lives.
The rain was so heavy and the water kept splashing in even though we opened my umbrella to cover ourselves (Super unsafe).
Felt as if the umbrella might fly away any moment LOL.

After much difficulty we reached the mall, with our shorts and backs wet LOL.
Decided to have a simple dinner there, buy some food from the hypermart and go back.
While queueing halfway, miracle happened!
The Grab driver called back to Adelyn's phone. As I have set it to lost mode (I love iPhone LOL) and they can see who to contact if they find the phone and can't do anything else to the phone.
He said he is very far away from us and there was traffic jams, at first he seemed quite reluctant to meet us at the mall opppsite Big C (Central World) to pass my phone. But I told him I will give him some transport money to cover his costs and he said ok. But we have to wait awhile and he will call us when he reached
No issues with that.

Actually all the while I have been checking where the phone was (luckily Jerry used iPhone also) and it was really near the outskirts of BKK.
It even crossed the Chao Phraya river (Somewhere I wanted to visit but no time for this trip)
So while having our dinner we thought he reached when he messaged us, some communication issues again. Went out and crossed the bridge with BF (It was still raining) but after some calls it was a false alarm cause my phone is still far away from where we were lols.








Some updates in my life I feel like jotting down.

I will be selecting my BTO unit in July! *throws confetti*

So a summary of what happened:

14th Feb (Remembered the date because Valentine's Day LOL): Sent in application

First week of April: Received the queue number it was way better than expected~ Top 25th percentile of the queue. This means we will quite likely to select the desired site. But still crossing my fingers!

Mid April: Applied for HLE and approved after less than 1 week.

End April: Received appointment date - Early July. Which coincidentally clashes with my BKK trip: Will be flying back on that day and won't be able to make it for the timing. Furthermore, this appointment cannot be rescheduled.
Therefore we had 2 choices: 1) To go down the day after and apply as a latecomer or 2) get someone (my sis and dad) to select the unit for me. In the end, decided to get my sister to select for me instead. Slightly disappointed that am not able to select the units personally but it will be better than jumping to the back of the queue, especially since the queue number is rather a good one.

Yeap! So now just waiting for the first appointment to come by and need to prepare some documents in advance + have a list of units to select before flying off. Can't wait!!

Also looking forward to a short trip in June back to my mum's hometown to attend a relative's wedding. It has been awhile since I went there, maybe 10 years or even more??

Not forgetting BKK trip in July! Wheee~

Last year at this timing I was preparing to go Korea, time flies so fast. And did I tell you I miss Korea?? T__________T

Didn't expect to move on to the next stage of life that fast LOL. Always thought I was gonna die alone in a HDB with 36 cats.




Time to write down my feelings after attending Exo'rdium yesterday~ (Also just finished re-reading my previous concert experience)

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➥ Previous posts ➥ Like the hot air that gets washed away in the summ... ➥ My Journey with Rheumatoid Arthritis ➥ Drinking in the fever of the night ➥ You became a faint light in between the stars ➥ I was a butterfly, attracted to the temptation ➥ 170402 EXO'rDIUM in Singapore ➥ I tell myself, like a fool I can’t swallow the wor... ➥ The faint light was turned off, but my eyes are li... ➥ Even when winter comes, my heart is filled with sc... ➥ A heart full of love can’t be hidden

CREDITS.