Fat Fat passed away too 6 days after Jeet Jeet. His was very sudden. He was climbing everywhere and kept eating and eating the entire day. And he kept climbing up to the 2nd storey and kept looking up at the ceiling, no idea what he was looking at. He seemed totally fine, which caught us off guard when we found him lying on his side (like Jeet Jeet), and his breathing was irregular. Even saying it was very sudden sounds like an understatement. We didn't even have time to rush him to the vet, I don't know how to explain it but just observing Fat Fat's breathing... you just know his time was gonna be up. So, we laid a 'blanket' over his body to keep him warm (the previous experience kinda helped us, we weren't so lost), and stroked his body.
This was the first time I witnessed an animal (any living thing, for that matter) dying, you know the process from dying to dead? It was... I can't even explain how it feels, I guess it made me feel empty. I don't know if empty is the right word for it, but it's the closest. Fat fat was struggling to breathe (we fed him Jeet Jeet's breathing medication hoping to make him feel better, one desperate attempt), it's like you can see his body twitch and his feet were crossed. Pained our hearts to see him that way, and all we could do were to hold back sobs and tell him to let go and be with Jeet Jeet. Seconds later, Fat Fat breathed his last. Unlike Jeet Jeet whose eyes were closed, Fat Fat's eyes were open, carried him and closed his eyes. I don't know if this is to make ourselves feel better, but we want to think that Fat fat was probably looking at Jeet Jeet on his deathbed? Cause' his eyes... his eyes were like smiling?
Carried him into his box. It was pretty ironic cause' there was "I survived the journey" written on the lid of the box. Put in kinderjoy toys, our letters, a cutout of a Liverpool jersey, Torres, a soccer ball, one Tiger Beer logo, a Plasma TV and a game console. On hindsight, we should have looked for a Carlsberg logo instead. So now Jeet Jeet and Fat Fat can play soccer in Yishun Park, drink Tiger, watch Liverpool matches and play video games in Happyland. It was comforting to think that way, it didn't take away the pain but it could at least numb it. We buried Fat Fat next to Jeet Jeet, and Fat Fat's position was just so that they were facing each other. Coincidence? This time, we were better equipped to dig Fat Fat's resting place, we brought along cutlery, we had a hard time digging with the flat thingy that you scoop up Pizzas with. Pizza spade? It really felt good to know they were with each other. :,)
Went to visit them in Yishun Park once in awhile. And yes, we do miss the creaky wheel at odd hours in the morning, their little cute beady eyes peering at us. And Fat Fat for standing and walking on two legs, I think he picked that up by observing us. I miss Jeet Jeet's cheeky and mischievous face, I miss Fat Fat's gong gong and innocent face. I miss the old times when Jeet Jeet would make the crazily cute "jeet" sound (now you know why he's called Jeet Jeet) whenever Fat Fat ventured near him or touched him, and Jeet Jeet would sorta 'slap' Fat Fat away. I miss the life the brought to us and our home. They may be small, but they left a huge impact. Cliche? Probably. But nonetheless, true.
******
I know some of you already know this, Liverpool FC's really coming to Singapore in July! Gonna head down to the Official Liverpool Fanclub here to sign up for membership, only members are eligible for the 'exclusive' tickets, cause' they'll release sales for membersfirst from now till May 19th then the rest will be open for public sales come July. And there's another thing I'm excited about, the fan club's looking for volunteers to help out in the events! OMFG! So, if you're a Liverpool fan and happen to be reading my blog who also happens to be in Singapore, what're you waiting for? Go to liverpoolfanclub.org.sg for more details! Applicants need to write in less than a thousand words and include your particulars.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
, 11:05 PM
It's amazing how the nitty gritty details matter, huh? First it was called Swine Flu, now it has been renamed the Mexican Influenza, or has it? It seems the World Health Organization (WHO) itself has been split into two camps over the naming issue, while this potential pandemic is taking the world by storm (albeit in a negative way), the world is divided over the name of this particular strain of influenza.
Why it should NOT be named Swine Influenza?
1. The Mexican virus does not only comprise the swine influenza strain
"The Mexican virus has genetic material from swine, bird and human influenza strains, according to Vallat of the animal- health group.
Classic swine flu, common in pigs, isn’t considered serious and transmission from pigs to humans is “exceptional"
Bernard Vallat, World Organization of Animal Health (Paris)
2. Human-to-human transmission
“There is no danger from eating pork. All transmissions so far have been human-to-human transmission.”
Gregory Hartl, spokesman of WHO (Geneva)
3. Economic reasons. Pork producers say the “swine flu” tag is hurting their business, citing sharp decrease in sales.
4. Sensitivity pertaining to Muslim countries.
Whatever it is called, we know this could potentially escalate into a worldwide pandemic. Gave me the chills when I read that some strains of the H1N1 are the culprits for the 1918 flu pandemic or more infamously known as the Spanish Flu/Influenza which took 50 million to 100 million lives within a span of a year (1918 - 1919). The WHO has just raised the pandemic alert to the second highest level. This Mexican Influenza really is like a nasty cocktail of bits and pieces of the human, swine and even avian strain. I really hope we nail the source of this particular strain of influenza.
Lots of people are snapping up gloves, sanitizers and surgical grade masks in an attempt to safeguard themselves from the Mexican Flu. We'll be flying over to Perth in the later part of May, so we'll definitely be keeping a close watch on the situation, considering the close vicinity between New Zealand and Australia. In fact, 16 West Australians have been tested for the influenza, of which eight had been cleared, two were thought to have the normal human influenza virus, and another six were awaiting results. One of them was reported to be a contact of a confirmed case from New Zealand. Grrr... gotta pray hard it's an all clear.
Hygiene really is one of the main, if not the most important line of defense we've got. The Singapore Goverment has pledged all its resources and efforts into preventing the onset of the Mexican Influenza for "as long as possible". Underlying meaning: it will reach our sunny shores, it probably is only a matter of time. I was watching news yesterday and Lao Lee was saying something similar and there were these clips of people dressed in scary looking suits and masks, like they were handling some nuclear leak. Pretty unnerving.
Images of the movie I am Legend kept coming into mind. Only this time, zombies won't look like these...
but more like these...
Yep, zombies with the head of a pig, body of a chicken and legs of a human. Move aside, X-men.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
, 5:19 PM
In loving memory, Jeet Jeet. 18th April '09.
This is the story of our brave fighter, Jeet Jeet.
17th April 2009.
Mum woke us up pretty early in the morning yesterday, she told us worriedly that Jeet Jeet "wasn't moving". My mind went blank when she said that, Jeet Jeet was still fine last evening. Bolted out of the room, thankfully he twitched a bit and crawled out of his pot gingerly. That was the moment when we knew something was wrong. His face has swelled double its original size, Mum was saying it probably ruffled his fur in his pot. You can't imagine how much we wanted to believe that, to delude ourselves that everything was okay. It wasn't. We discovered a bulge at his chin area, it grew a little more in the day while waiting to meet up with Nut to get to the vet. It felt like the longest day of my life, to say the least. We kept wailing and talking to Jeet Jeet, kept telling him 'don't go'. Tuned in to Ch 8 cause' they were showing some Cantonese opera and the music kinda helped Jeet Jeet to sleep, he can barely open his eyes and were stumbling around, our hearts died.
Took a bus and walked to the AAVC at Yishun block 716 after a recommendation for a vet. Finally reached the vet, it looked like our the clincs us human beings go to when we fall sick. We had to fill in our particulars, and we had to put in Jeet Jeet's name. The doctor called Jeet Jeet's name when it was his turn, he pronounced 'Jeet Jeet' funny. The vet's name is Dr Kenneth Tong, we really have to thank him and his staff at the AAVC. He didn't just make Jeet Jeet feel better, he made us feel a whole lot better too. Before our visit to the vet, we were crying like there's no tomorrow, we were so relieved when Dr Kenneth told us there's no pain, only discomfort. Jeet Jeet had multiple organ failure in the lungs, kidneys and liver, which resulted in accumulation of excess fluids in his lungs, and that excess fluid collected at his chin area due to gravity as an 'abscess'. It was really cute how Dr Kenneth interacted with Jeet Jeet. When he first opened our bag to carry Jeet Jeet out, he went "Not good, your hamster is not in a good condition", then as if to prove him wrong, you know what Jeet Jeet did? He actually tried to run his wheel in front of Dr Kenneth, he went "Wah you actually try to exercise!". That was when I could not hold it back anymore and cried, that little fella is one helluva fighter for a hamster. He checked Jeet Jeet and told us he's a very old hamster, 2+ years old, in human years, that'd be 100+ years old, and he told Jeet Jeet he's a great-grandfather and even called Jeet Jeet "handsome". He told us we'd done a very good job as owners, having Jeet Jeet live to a ripe, old age. When Dr Kenneth carried Jeet Jeet to the weighing machine, Jeet Jeet tried to stand up. Jeet Jeet has always been a character around the house, very mischievous and cheeky too! he'll climb up and kaypoh at us when we're chatting among ourselves, and when I was magic-cleaning. He's not one who likes or accepts failure, I guess he really is a Singaporean hamster, kiasu. I remembered how we praised Fat Fat for being able to walk on two legs, then Jeet Jeet also followed suit, as if to say "I can do what he can do too". Yes, Jeet Jeet has and always will be a fighter. And then it hit us, Dr Kenneth gave Jeet Jeet days to live, and even that was an optimistic estimate.
The doctor didn't suggest us to put him to sleep as it would be a painful process for aged hamsters, and prescribed 2 medication, one for easier breathing and another to take away the excess fluid, and we brought him back home. Accompanied and talked to him, gave him mashed carrots and water (he had signs of dehydration), fed him medicine. Jeet Jeet had to take a rest every 2 steps he take. Our hearts were dying just seeing Jeet Jeet struggle up his favorite wheel, I'm so used to the sound of that creaky wheel in the morning.
18th April '09.
Mum called us up in the morning yet again, and told us the exact same thing as yesterday, Jeet Jeet "wasn't moving". I was thinking to myself, no way, it's probably another false alarm like yesterday's. I guess deep down I'd prepared for the worst, but just didn't have enough courage to face it. We found Jeet Jeet lying in a foetal position just in front of his wheel, in a peaceful manner. He passed on to the other side in his sleep. Sadness, definitely but there was also relief that he's free from illness. Carried Jeet Jeet into a box and we wrote our letters to him, 2 kinderjoy toys placed beside him, his favorite orange pot, cut-outs of Steven Gerrard, a Liverpool jersey and a Liverpool crest on his blanket. While waiting for the lift, we looked at Jeet Jeet sleeping face for 'one last time'. The soil at the bottom of our flat was just too hard and compacted, and we decided to go to Yishun Park. Lost count of the number of 'one last time's on our way there. We tried looking around for a good place to lay him to rest, and finally decided the spot just below a tree, behind a tool shed. Filled some water in a bottle and started work. Took a final look at Jeet Jeet, whispered goodbye to him, and how much we love him and miss him.
Came back home and it was just weird to say the least, seeing the empty spot where Jeet Jeet's cage used to be. No more creaky wheel in the mornings, no more kay-pohing... Fat Fat was emoing at a corner, the same corner as where he had been in the morning. I guess Fat Fat knows... tried to cheer him up, got him his treats and played with him, he finally got better when we let him play with a gardening glove, Fat Fat likes anything that looks like a hand, he was chasing the glove around. Really hope Fat Fat feels better soon, for us and for Jeet Jeet.
Jeet Jeet wasn't just any pet, he'd battled balding, mites, lizard (that time when we left the cage open), a tumor, and finally passed on at a ripe, old age. Jeet Jeet, zeh zeh wants to tell you how brave you've always been, you're our pride and joy, you've left an indelible mark in our hearts and memories, our hearts will always be with you. You'll never walk alone.
*Update: Mum just won the lottery, she bought Jeet Jeet's number, 18 (18th April) and the year ('09). The other time Jeet Jeet helped Mum with the lottery was when Mum had the silly idea to get Jeet Jeet and Fat Fat to pick lots. I guess Jeet Jeet is watching over us. Jeet if you can hear us, we miss you...
You are my Jeet Jeet, my only Jeet Jeet you make me happy when skies are grey you'll never know dear how much I love you please don't take my Jeet Jeet away
The other night dear as I lay sleeping I dreamed I held you in my arms when I awoke dear I was mistaken and I held my head and cried
You are my Jeet Jeet, my only Jeet Jeet you make me happy when skies are grey you'll never know dear how much I love you please don't take my Jeet Jeet away
You are my Jeet Jeet, my only Jeet Jeet you make me happy when skies are grey you'll never know dear how much I love you
Please don't take my Jeet Jeet away Please don't take my Jeet Jeet away Please don't take my Jeet Jeete away Please don't take my Jeet Jeet away
Saturday, April 04, 2009
, 6:26 PM
Am currently in love with my new blog song. It's taken off the soundtrack of Surf's Up, a "computer-animated mockumentary film". Song title: Into yesterday by Sugar Ray. Perfect for a lazy afternoon/mid-evening. Love laid-back tunes! Ukulele where art thou?
Surf's Up is right up there in my list of favorite animation films. Always get this urge to go surfing after I'm done with the film. Too bad, Singapore only has baby surfs.
I can't wait for May. (A _ A)~
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
, 11:44 PM
I'm now officially lemming for Sony Ericsson's W595 in Lava Black.
Orange and black belong together, they are FOR each other. Orange and black together in one object is absolutely HAWT. I mean just look at it! Okay, well not really it, I mean pictures of it!
I finally did something to get me a step closer to this lil' hottie. M1's offering this lil' baby at SGD$138, now, the catch here is: they're offering this deal as an online exclusive. T_T i.e. it'll be more expensive if I buy it off a real M1 shop. I've been meaning to get a debit card since forever and I finally DID it, printed and mailed. Hope to get me debit card REAL soon so I can go on to get me hands on that lil' baby.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
, 9:33 PM
Have you guys voted for Earth earlier? :D
Feels good knowing we've done something rather than nothing. Now I really hope to carry on with this little step, and bring it into everyday life. Hmm... we've been sleeping with fan on instead of the air-con, gonna keep this up with the exception of unbearably hot nights i.e. July.
Haha we took a picture of our neighborhood during Earth Hour, and the results were quite ehmmm... dismal. :(
BUT! Don't ever let the herd mentality interfere with your decision-making, especially when it's for a good cause. Everything starts with you, you, YOU! *jabs monitor*
I know Earth Hour hasn't turned me into a tree hugger nor an activist, but I know I wanna give it my best shot. Do you?
It's not too late...yet. Start today! Weeee~ Go planet!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
, 12:26 PM
Laughter is the best medicine
For anyone who's in need of some medication. Watch this! C:
ROFLMAOLOL. Gotta love that referee man, he must be a fan of opera or something. Drama Momma~
☆ About～
I don't like wearing socks
I can do a Big Mac upsized
I <3 pasar malam food
I <3 random stuff
I am younger than Dongdong
I <3 Liverpool FC
I get hungry easily
I <3 biking
I <3 drift skating
I <3 things cheap 'n' good, oh yeah
I <3 蕭 敬 騰
I <3 T.I.
I <3 Robert Pattinson aka Edward Cullen
I <3 the Twilight Saga
