There has been a lack of updates because nothing was happening in my life other than work. I’ve almost been consumed by it to the point that it has driven me to ill health. It has engulfed me to the point that I’ve seen a new side of myself. A side I’m afraid I cannot recognise.

I’ve been sick for the past two weeks and when I went to the doc early this week, I actually refused a MC. Can you believe it? The doc said that the best medicine for me would be “plenty of rest and sleep” but I told him that I didn’t need the MC cos I still had to go to work and meet deadlines. And wasn’t it only some time ago during student days that I had to crack my head to come up with excuses to extract a MC from a not-so-discerning doctor?

And what about all those times I would painstakingly doll myself up before I left the house? Now I just can’t be bothered with make-up. After all, who cares if I look fugly in this godforsaken part of the country? And I used to like pretty skirts so much. Now I’m content with throwing a collared shirt and boring black pants on. What happened to those times I would wish for cab drivers to just shut up and let me enjoy a quiet long ride? Now I’m actually glad to entertain chatty cab drivers who’ld guess our occupations just because we’re the only losers who, clad in boring black suits, call for cabs from “weird places” at unearthly hours.

What happened to those times I would smuggle junk food into my room cos’ my parents don’t like me to eat junk food and want me to deal with my addiction to coke? Now I spend the days nights wondering when I will actually get to eat my mom’s food for dinner and stop having gross fast food take-aways at the office.

What happened to those times I would look forward to dashing out of the office at 530? Now I actually don’t mind staying late and doing extra work as long as I’m learning something and not doing something mindless and boring like vouching or tracing.

I was glad to finally finish up yesterday and forced to go on MC today cos’ my cough was just getting from bad to worse till it actually hurt. There was a new doctor today - some old hag with a funky coloured hairdo and an eccentric atitude to boot. She gave me a long lecture on “setting priorites right….blah blah blah”. I was taken aback. I mean come on man, just give me the damn medicine and I’ll get on with my life. And the best part was that she actually told me to read some self-help books. What the !@#$#@? All because I had a cough and cold that wouldn’t go away.

But after I went home and did some self-reflection, I realised there was some truth in whatever she said. I’ve resolved to come up with a “me-time” schedule - for me to exercise, pamper myself and rest well. After all, as my dad (the king of proverbs for every occasion) always reiterates, “health is wealth”. The doc’s right - there is no such thing as “no time”. We have to make time for things that are important in life. Anyway, it’s a good excuse for me to finally use all those vouchers for spa packages and mani+pedi packages. Heh. And as my amore package has since gone to waste, I’ve resolved that I should NOT succumb to silly marketing gimmicks such as “lump-sum packages” to force myself to exercise. I will go to the gym/swim/blade/ play tennis regularly from now on.

And tom…for the best exercise, shopping and some much needed retail therapy.