12 September 2024 ~ Random Updates

Apologies for the lack of updates over the past week! As usual, I've been swamped with writing assignments and running errands, and things have been even more hectic since Maria, our part-time helper, is expecting and hasn't been feeling well. She hasn't come in the past week, and with my mother-in-law back from England, there's been a hive of activities in the kitchen again. She loves cooking, which means even more work for me.  She cooks, and I clean up.

Unfortunately, all this extra workload isn’t doing my right hand any favors, as the pain from my Tennis Elbow has gotten worse. I first developed it back in April, after my trip to Bangkok with Alycia. It's been five months now with no sign of improvement. Every movement with my right-hand hurts so much that even lifting a blanket to fold it is a challenge. Getting out of bed is pure torture, and I've had to rely on my stomach muscles just to sit up. My bed for the past five months has been unkempt with an unfolded blanket. Even brushing my teeth a little harder hurts my right hand.

Alycia and Sherilyn, on the other hand, are thoroughly enjoying their semester breaks. Alycia just returned from Taiwan on Tuesday, and in a month, she’ll be off to South Korea with another friend. Sherilyn has been keeping herself busy with dancing and just finished competing in the Get The Beat dance competition yesterday, where she won gold in the Hip Hop category for her age group and Double Platinum in the Contemporary category. This Saturday, she’ll be competing in the Asia Open Dance Championship. She’s a bundle of energy, always on the go and thriving in competitions. I’m amazed by how much joy she finds in staying active and pushing herself.

Sherilyn at the Get The Beat dance competition on 11 Sept 2024. 

As for Cass, her school holidays begin this Saturday, which, to be honest, is a bit of bad news for me. She’s another one who can’t stay at home with nothing to do, so I expect she’ll be spending most of her week-long holiday at the skating rink, which I’m perfectly fine with. At least I’ll get some very, very much-needed peace at home!

Here are some of the pix that Alycia sent to me that she took in Taiwan with her university mates.

Traveling on the train from Taipei to Tainan.

Some of the streets in Taiwan look similar to those in Japan.

In Tainan

Two Heart-Stopping Scares, Courtesy of Haru!

Today, Haru, my mischievous fur baby, gave me not one but two heart-stopping scares! She’s not usually mischievous, but today, she took things to a whole new level. It was like she decided to put my patience and nerves to the ultimate test. Here’s what happened:

The first scare happened in the kitchen when Cass got home from school. We were reheating her lunch, and I had left a glass container with chicken on the counter. Little did I know that Haru was stealthily plotting her next move. As I turned my back to put the food in the microwave, Haru struck. With her ninja-like agility, she jumped up to the counter and snatched a big piece of chicken—bones and all!

Before I could even react, Haru darted under the island table, growling like a feral dog with her prize in her mouth. I panicked. Chicken bones can be dangerous for cats, and I was terrified she might swallow a sharp piece and hurt herself. I shouted at Haru, but she was determined to hold on to her stolen treasure and growled away simultaneously.

Cass wanted to pull Haru out from under the table, but I quickly stopped her. Haru, in her possessive state, might lash out, and the last thing I wanted was for her to bite Cass. While I was desperately trying to coax Haru out, I could hear the ominous sound of crackling bones as she began to chew on the chicken. My heart sank.

Thinking fast, I grabbed some chicken breast (her absolute favorite) and placed it in her bowl, hoping it would lure her out. Thankfully, it worked! Haru came out, and I swiftly took the dangerous chicken away and discarded it. Crisis averted! She eagerly gulped down the chicken breast, completely unaware of the chaos she had just caused. Honestly, Haru is crazy about chicken breasts. I had already given her some earlier, but when it comes to her favorite food, she doesn’t seem to know when to stop.

Later in the day, the second scare happened. I couldn’t find Haru anywhere in the house. Maria, our part-time maid, had stepped out briefly to throw the garbage in the refuse chamber, and I panicked, thinking Haru might have run out. Maria and I searched frantically, calling for her, shaking her can of kibbles, and knocking her bowl, all the usual tricks that would bring Haru running. But this time, there was no response.

For about five minutes, we were searching everywhere, and I was convinced Haru had either escaped or worse. My mind went wild with thoughts—had she climbed into the washing machine without me noticing and I had started the washing machine? Or could she have crawled into the garbage bag in search of chicken and been thrown out by Maria? My imagination was running in overdrive.

Just as I was about to lose hope, Haru finally emerged from her hiding place. Relief washed over me, but I couldn’t help but scold her for giving me such a fright. It’s a wonder how such a small creature can cause so much stress in a single day!

In one day, Haru gave me two massive scares. I truly hope these heart-stopping incidents won’t become a regular occurrence!

Naughty baby. Alycia bought this cat cap for Haru.  Did I tell you that Alycia is one of Haru's favorite humans besides her dad?  From someone terrified of cats and furry animals, Alycia has now overcome her phobia of cats. She loves Haru 💓