Do one legged ducks swim in circles?

Cindy sends me this as if I don't have enough to think about. Rats, this is going to keep me up all night.

Afternoon out at the Canopy

Of doctors and bedside manners

Do I have to pay hundreds of dollars to get a doctor with good bedside manners, was my question this week. After getting a referral from the neighbourhood polyclinic to check out my plumbing system, I took a trip down to the hospital to see if I could get more answers about my sinus condition. The medical officer saw to me. I went in, sat down. There was no eye contact as she typed the needed information on the computer. Her questions were curt and if you couldn't answer the questions fast enough, she shot back another. I sat by her side, pretty much like a mannequin waiting to be dressed and placed back on the shelf. She did a scope, and not quite knowing what to expect and the discomfort of the numbing solution and the scope running through my nose, tears sprang down my face. She was surprised and then muttered sorry. After which she told me the sort of medication I needed and to come back 6 weeks later for a review. She then ushered me out hastily as you would someone if the building was on fire. I left the office wondering why I was there in the first place.

My second trip for the day was a trip to the dentist. I was there an hour earlier. The dentist saw to me. He sat me down comfortably and asked how he could help me. After a few questions, he nodded his head slowly, took out a model of the teeth and proceeded to explain what was happening with my tooth and my options and costs involved in each option and then what he would recommend. He gave me time to think about how I'd like him to proceed. After doing what he did best, I thanked him and went on my way. As I was about to leave the office, his assistant came rushing out, "Compliments of Dr Chua" and 2 sets of postcards were handed to me. I couldn't help but smile, wondering what my bill was going to be. Later I learned that he was an avid photographer and the picture postcards were taken by him.

The difference between the first medical professional and the second? $250. So it begs the question- Do I REALLY need to pay hundreds of dollars to be treated like a human being? They both knew their area of work. They did what needed to be done. I understand that a doctor have to tend to many many many patients a day but does it really take alot, at the very least, to look at the patient whom they're treating? It's sad when the reasons for wanting to be a doctor becomes lost in the daily grind of work. When I told a friend who is training to be a doctor, she sent me this and asked me to have it on my blog so that it also serves as a reminder for her when she becomes one. So to all you doctor wannabes, do you have

Compassion--a critical part of healing
Advocacy--for your patients and for those without health care
Leadership--in improving health care, at the team, hospital, and policy level
Lifelong learning--there will always be more to know
Interpersonal skills--communication with patients and among providers is key
Negotiation--to work around bureaucratic constraints
Grasp--of a health care system in flux

Only the great ones do.

Blown away

Since this week's bloggy giveaway entry, I have been blown away by the number of people who have dropped by and have been touched and encouraged by their kind comments. If you're one of them, Thank You, it means alot to me. In the meantime, I've been busy picking out my lime green beryls for this design. They hang on 14k golfilled leaf frames. All materials in goldfilled and will go up in etsy soon.

April's giveaway

Bloggy giveaway is now closed. Thank you everyone for dropping by! I've been busy dropping by your blogs and feel privileged to get a glimpse of your life. I am also encouraged by all your kind comments and wish I have more than one to give away! Based on my husband's random pick, #59 Shannon, wins this month's giveaway! Thanks again for dropping by and look out for my next giveaway in the first week of May!

It's time for my monthly giveaway again and this time, I am joining other bloggers in the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival hosted by Melanie!! This carnival gives readers a chance to host their own giveaway and link up with others in one central location. Neat!! My giveaway this month is a bracelet. A friend of mine gave me these ocean blue beads which I thought were perfect for a bracelet. I've dotted it with swarovski pearls in primrose and all components used are non tarnish materials.

All you need to do is to drop a comment on this post and you will automatically be entered in the contest. You don't have to have a blog to enter, but you must have a valid e-mail address so that I can find you if you win. This is open to international participants as well! Once you have commented here, go to Bloggy Giveaways to link to others bloggers who are giving away some great prizes!

On April 26th, I will pick the winner by having my husband randomly choose a number and the number corresponding to the sequence of entry will get this giveaway. Do check back then and check out my future monthly giveaways which are held the first week of every month!

Thanks for dropping by!

Leaf and Pillow

In the mood for some creative work on necklaces and still in love with shades of blue! Leaf is made of textured sterling silver with a freshwater pearl and labradorite. All materials in sterling silver. Chain is about 21 inches with the pendent 2.5 inches.

The focal point of Pillow is both the sterling silver textured cushion-like piece with a drop of faceted chalcedony in light aqua shade of blue.

My hairdresser and I

"A trim?" she asks. "Yes please". She smiles at me. A little tired perhaps. I can tell by the eye bags showing. Even though it was her busiest day, she obliges with just a phone call I made an hour ago. She sits me down comfortably. "I'll be back, just give me a minute." She checks on another customer. I pick a magazine and find out what the working woman is wearing today.

She comes back, looks at my hair and then do what she does best. Snip snip snip. For the next half hour or so, she works quickly and yet carefully, ensuring that every strand has its place. I like the fact that the silence feels so comfortable. Neither of us feel the need to talk. She is like a friend of long ago. She was just a shampoo girl in the 80s when I first met her. The owner saw the potential in her to be a hair stylist and he was right. I was probably her first few customers, and she was uncertain about her own abilities then. Today she cuts with such precision and skill and yet she remains that humble person I first met.

A new management has taken over the salon. Now it's no longer the red and black theme that I've come to love. Now it's white and grey with the latest machines, wash basins and chairs. The staff is young, hip, bubbly and chatty. Oh boy. Maybe I'm just getting older. I take comfort to know that she's still there and I like the fact that we have a history together. Her husband just passed away and she had shared how she was so relieved as the past few months were spent caring for him. She was mentally and physically spent. Today's eyebags were not about that but more about the number of customers she's had since morning.

"Is this ok? I've cut the sides a little shorter but it's still long enough to tuck behind your ears and don't worry, your bangs won't be too short." She knows that I have a fear of looking like our Minister Mentor. No offence, I have the most respect for him but really, I don't want to look like his forehead. "Yes I like it, thank you." She smiles and rushes to tend to another customer.

It's nice to know that somethings don't change. My hairdresser and I.

Sea Foam

This is a simple pair of pastel lime green green chalcedony heart biolettes wrapped in 14k goldfilled wires. Handforge ear hooks also in 14k goldfilled. Just less than 3.5 cm in length and less than 1cm in terms of its width. Delicate and elegant.

For this pair I've teamed these pastel lime green green chalcedony heart biolettes with a cluster of pastel tourmaline rondelles topped with swarovski crystal. All other components in sterling silver. About 3.5 cm from top of wire.

Koko's Smoky

AAA grade gorgeous faceted smoky quartz wrapped in sterling silver with aquamarine and citrine rondelles. All else in sterling silver.

Are you happy?

Singapore's looking for her happiest person here. It is part of an effort of a consulting firm to organise a well-being conference, which will be held in April. There's a list of criteria that would make the winner. Whether it's a silly idea or not, it certainly is a good way to get people thinking of what it means to be happy and perhaps go to the conference (now, that'll make the sponsors happy). I have a shelter over my head, food on the table, people to love and people who love me, do I qualify? But then again I'm always wanting more, so probably not. Maybe that's it. We are happy when all we really want is what we really need. Anyway, if the contest extended to all living things, this little fella would get my vote.

For Real

"Oh look, it's so pretty!"
"It's not real you know."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean look at it, you can't expect these flowers to grow indoors, it's fake."
"No it's not."
"Yes it is."
"No it isn't."
"Wanna bet?"
"No I don't want to bet."
"Why? Coz you know you're going to lose right? Right? Comeon comeon, let's bet let's bet!!"
"NO!"
"Chicken chicken licken chicken!!!"
"You're weird."
".......yeah."

Going on Safari

One of my favourite colour combinations coz it's also the favourite of Mother Earth. Leafy green with earth brown wrapped around lemon nuggets with 14K goldfilled wires. Tourmaline faceted rondelles they are. They are on sale on etsy. From 7 Apr to 13 Apr, I'm offering free local and international shipping for all items, just convo me first if you're interested in any items so I can make the necessary changes. A heartfelt thanks to those who have been such great customers, you know who you are. Thank you, it just makes my day knowing that someone is wearing one of my handmade piece out there!

Butterfly Trails

I have Karin's beads! Woohoo! I have admired her beads since I first got to know of her through two creative souls, Oriental Rose and Belinda Lee. It was only last week that I had managed to get these from her. Mind you, her beads are always in demand and there are requests for her beads more than she can manage. And you can see why. You really don't need a lot of work when you're putting something together as her work will always be centre piece. Aren't they all gorgeous! I've never seen polymer clay so beautifully designed. You can tell that there has been a lot of work done, and with the finishing touches of gleam and gloss, just really all perfect! If you'd like a pair, just email me.


Pinky Swirls with strawberry pink, shades of butterscotch caramel, a tinge of lavender and dusty blue twirls. Pearls in primrose, pinks and lavender with a cream freshwater pearl as dressing. 14k goldfilled wires complete this.

Purple swirls with forest brown and sky blue. Crystal and pearls. This one in sterling silver.

A burst of candy colours watermelon red, fern green, mustard yellow, blueberry lavender makes this good enough to eat! This dressed up with freshwater pearl, chalcedony baby beads and orange crystal. Sterling silver in all.