Chicken Run

Today Lyn, Hasli and I were enlisted to help cull chickens at Neo Tiew. Over 5,000 healthy chicken were culled all in the name of 'preparedness'. We had to report to Choa Chu Kang MRT by 7 am. Good gosh! 7am?

I fetched Hasli at 6 then raced to fetch Lyn. Lucky guys!! We made it to Choa Chu Kang Just before 7. There was some initial confusion at to the meeting point. Some waited at the bus stop. Others waited at the MRT. We spied a crowd near the HDB blocks and true enough it was the designated meeting point. Hasli had to take his customary toilet breakie so he got separated from me and Lyn.

From CCK we were transported to VPHC at Lim Chu Kang via coach. There we were made to fill in forms...queue...walk to the next point...queue...walk...queue...u know how it goes. Queues show orderliness. Queues indicate purpose. By the end I was all kitted up with boots, socks, aprons and all manner of protective gear. Some where along the way Lyn got sent back home and Hasli got left behind. Lyn had left all her personal effects in the boot of my car so I have no idea how she made it back home. I tried calling her at the office, at home and even her sis but to no avail. I assume all is well with her.

Anyhow we were then transported to the chicken farm. Awaiting us there was a throng of reporters, SCDF, Police and lots of unhappy chickens. I got my picture taken so many times. I even had the priviledge of appearing on the news. From now on call me 'Leon the Butcher of Lim Chu Kang'.

The entire culling exercise was to test methods and methodically test the safety aspects and aspect safely tests respectively. It was hot and tiring work. We had to take compulsory breaks and lunch just so that we could go through the motions of what happens during an actual Avian Influenza outbreak. We readily ate and drank (cos we lost so much bodily fluids) then.

Around about 2.30 we had completed the entire exercise then it was time to get starkers! We were all required to undergo de-contamination procedures before being let off. The SCDF had kindly constructed tent-like structures to serve as the decontamination chambers,changing rooms and bathing areas. Too bad they had divided it into male and female facilities. No payoff this time.

After the necessary, we were then herded onto the bus to CCK MRT.

Me and Hasli then adjourned to Jalan Kayu to 'sample' some of the famous prata there. I ordered 3 kosong prata, 1 ice-cream prata and a milo dinosaur. Hasli being the conservative foodie ordered 1 egg prata, 1 kosong prata and 1 teh halia. *yawn*

After the feast, we drove to Punggol to take a look at the beach or rather lack thereof. They had closed off the jetty at Punggol End for security reasons. So no sea or sand for us loafers.

I then sent Hasli to the Yishun library as he had to return his overdue library book. I returned home to discover to my horror that I had been captured on tv during the culling. Not only that my good pal Yew Kwang was also featured. Bwaahaahaaa!!

I tried calling Maybel out for a movie but she had to work late (again). She suggested Friday but I do not think I will be free as I had already made plans with Joyce that day.

Live, Love, Life

I did have dinner with Maybel at the Prata Shop. Was so very nice of her to offer her company to me on Valentine's Day. Not exactly the most romantic place to be on V-Day but I think in a way it was a lot more sincere and sweet than dining in some swanky restaurant with all the commercial razzmatazz. Just two friends having a good time. That is what is most important.

On Sunday Joyce and I did our Club Rainbow volunteer work. Our duties were mainly just to look after the kids and keep them occupied whilst the parents attended a talk on congenital heart disease. I am glad Joyce came along cos she brought a bit of sunshine to the party. She really has a way with kids that i did not really get to see first hand until now. Due in no small part to her part time tuition job. The kids damaged some of the toys i brought there.Heads and arms came off. One of the ropes even burst. But I kinda expected that to happen and was prepared for the worst but ultimately what was important was that the kids all had a great time. We both even got a gift in appreciation.

After the party Joyce and I went to Rice Table at Cuppage. The food was ok. Thereafter we both went toy shopping in the Orchard area. Joyce was looking for some Power Ranger toys for one of her students. Apparently Joyce has this thing going with her students that she would buy them a 'prize' if they managed to fulfill certain targets. I dun know if that is sound rationale but to promise a kid something like that is detrimental in the long term. The kid will only expect more of the same in future. Anyway Joyce could not find the item(s) she was looking for. We tried Robinson's , Takashimaya and the Toys R Us at Forum but to no avail.

The interesting thing about all of this was that Joyce and I were walking hand in hand all the time whilst shopping. It both felt good yet also a little awkward at the same time. I do not think either of us thought things through and just went with the flow of the occasion. Anyway Orchard was crowded and we did not want to lose one another in the madding crowd. Deep down inside I know we both still long to be together but the reality is that until we deal with our issues and are able to accept wholeheartedly the other person warts and all we will never be able to be together. But let's enjoy the moments together we share.....