Hello there! OH YES, I know the gap between this and the previous post on my Europe trip is like who-knows-where-the-hell-that-is miles away. BUT. Here I am. Devoting time again to post yet another destination I've (or rather, WE'VE, inclusive of my folks) hit during the fantastica holidays dated 2 months back. That's right! It's already been 2 months now that I realise and not to mention, look where we've landed ourselves at presently, it's gonna be AUGUST for crying out loud and before you know it, 2008 will be creeping in our lives!

So it's the city of Berne that we're talking about now. As you know, Berne is the capital city of Switzerland and in my opinion, a rather quiet town city amongst the others in the Swiss region (Or perhaps that's because it was morning when we dropped by during that time that's why!). Nevertheless, it's a pretty place no one (I think) would resist to live in. Low traffic, the fresh air, the clean streets, the simple life and the gift of nature's beauty... only places like that could proudly exhibit without much exaggeration (which I think they should stop erecting buildings on our tiny island now that it's almost overcrowding and making me claustrophobic). Now, don't you think this thing's here quite cute? It caught my attention when I walked into the souvenir shop. It's chocolate anyway. So here we were at the hill top park called The Garden of Roses in the heart of the city of Berne. It's one the most-ideal parks I've ever seen (not forgetting the Hyde Park in London) but I guess this park appeals to me more that it's on top of a hill and the scenery's just amazing. What's more, there's absolutely no one at the park during that time. Yes, NO ONE. So desperate for hanky panky, here's a great spot (not that you'd like to travel all the way there just for that!). It's a rare chance where you can get to lay yourself on springy grass like those treating that like a carpet. The entire area appeared really clean and you really wouldn't mind even sleeping on it through the night till dawn. Whereas, ask me to lie on a patch somewhere near the ECP I might as well plunge my head into the toilet bowl. Can someone PURLEASE tell me how adorable my parents are? Like, I don't even do the "peace" signs in photographs. I guess its still possible to bring out the kids in them sometimes, just watch out for your folks, they might be sucking their thumbs before you notice. WORLD PEACE Y'ALL! Life's just a game. All you've gotta do is to play it right. Exactly what the HECK I was doing, I'm not to explain. But one thing's for sure... that's quite a lousy imitation of the TAI-CHI practise. Damn right it was! Oh before it slips off my mind, I've yet to mention that in the books of History, Berne is actually known to be the City of Bears. Exactly where the bears came into the picture, don't ask Muah. Perhaps it's just another Sang Nila Utama kinda tale who came about the island discovering a lion thus now the Lion City we're residing in. So I guess same goes for Berne, someone must have had discovered a bear lurking somewhere, somehow. AHH! The Zytglogge tower right in the city centre of Berne. It's a medieval object and has been rooted to its spot for almost 800 years. And it's said that this clock tower aided Albert Einstein in some of his work. Now just look at that! Oh yes it is, it's a garbage truck can you like believe how pretty it is?? I mean look at its exterior and compare that to ours. And not to mention, I was actually quite near the vehicle and I practically smelled nothing, at all. Not a waft of foulness. Unlike those we have over here that you do know its existence even if the truck's at Tampines and you're living in Pasir Ris. A city tram that is. I simply love how things over there are so neat and tidy. So cleansed. So fresh. A Swiss Bank. Don't you just marvel at the product of the Swiss? Or even, the Europeans altogether? To them, a building isn't just a squarish or retangularish object as like those we've right here that's constructed for the sake of shelter but from their point of view, you've gotta give it some taste. A taste of art. And look at the trees planted at the sides, just look at their shapes. Those need to be attended to as well so as to beautify the city for a much more appealing texture. Here's the city centre of Berne. It's something like the Orchard Road of Berne where the big departmental stores, shops and supermarkets are. Don't be suprised, but there's quite alot of shops there despite the fact that the street's quite short. DO YOU SMELL THEM ALREADY?? Strawberries, fresh and AWFULLY RED! I know I've been appearing to be quite GAGA over strawberries that sometimes it kinda gets silly. But well, how can you ever resist tantalising fruits like these?? Now that the strawberries in town aren't that appealing in physique and taste, I'm quite over them for the time being and GRAPES've taken their place. And not just ordinary ones, but only those my Mummy chooses. =) WOOHOO! OH YEAHHH! H&M is just one place to DIE FOR if you're looking for the RIGHT-NOW pieces to don on. Now that Madonna and Kylie are doing H&M, no wonder the store's such a big hit in the US and UK. And what's more, the prices are SHOCKINGLY affordable! H&M's the real deal if so you say! That's one of the city trams that travels just round about the heart of Berne. It's quite cool if you ask me.Now there, do you see it? I was quite surprised myself to find a The Body Shop outlet over at Berne. However, come to think of it, The Body Shop was actually originated from the UK. So after we were done with Berne, it was time for the next destination which was Zermatt (which I will come into details on the next post, whenever that'll be) and en-route, we dropped by a Marche restaurant along the highway and GAWD was the scenery at the outdoors spectacular. Well, if ever there's a chance to go back to that restaurant again, I wouldn't mind just flying back there to savour the food as well as the panoramic surrounds of the area. In addition, the food over at their Marche is totally different from what we have over here. Just look at the scrumptious turkey wing 2 peekures above, that's like the best thing I've ever tasted!

In case you guys are wondering what the HELL that means, I'm actually talking about the stitches on my toes - THEY'RE OFF! I know right? It's like FINALLY OUT OF THE WAY! However, I should say that I won't be revealing them until I'm sure they're qualified for the public's eyes (I still cringe alil at the sight of them, alryte). Initially, I thought I'd yell during the occasion when the nurse attempts to pull those blue strings out, but before I knew it, she was done with one of my toes and had proceeded with the other. Efficient she was. She's not the exception, but I guess it's the service that people should be talking about.

Just now, when I was sipping tea at the hospital's Delifrance, a thought walked into my mind and made me wonder what the life of a doctor's like (whether as complicated as those at Seattle Grace - LOL!). I think doctors are really important people within a country. It's them that we need in times of crisis like an epidemic or war (though unlikely the latter's gonna happen, but some may disagree that that's an incorrect perception). And funny how the higher power from above created us with a body of complexity and how ever did those people from the past came about the idea that certain humans could also take on the role of the "mechanic" for another human's body, just like that of a machine. Sometimes we just can't help but wonder how things like these started. Where and when did these studies originate from. Questions. Intriguing issues they're.

All in all, we should all be very pleased and count ourselves extremely fortunate that we're living in a world, in a country where stuff around us are gradually improving with transcendent advancement. But these aren't enough. We need people, to make the difference.

Be your MAMA's shield

If ever one day, someone were to insult your mother.
Simply tell that person... "YO MOMMA's so ugly that even Ripley can't BELIEVE IT!"

It is, indeed, very sad that the story has reached its final destination. However, the "enchantments" of the magical world that were witnessed has took us far, beyond imagination, and will assuredly be in our minds as we age on. Indisputably, the author had chosen a perfect spot to place the eventual full-stop.

It's been exactly 10 days since my op on my once-swollen-with-pus-and-bleeding-toes and I've been bored silly since the 2nd day but on the other hand, I really don't mind that because it means more time with my folks. =) I should guess that my toes are healing by now but what's bothering me is that I still can't seem to walk FLAT on my two feet (been toddling on my heels all the time!) and still experience sudden sharp twitches from time to time! Not to mention, the rollerchair is still the ultimate device which acts as my mode of mobility. Thanks to that I feel like a fool rolling all around the house to the kitchen, toilet, bedroom, dining table, couch and places which accomodate the entry of that chair.

And so if you wanna know, this is how mummified my both feet looked just after the surgery last week and if you scrutinise, you could actually spot a stain on the right toe-head area which I'm not going into much details about that but I must say much blood was lost during the process.=(

Rather than keeping their noses uncluttered."

If you guys are wondering about my whereabouts, here's what I'm gonna tell you ..."SAVE IT!". Cuz all this while (with the exception of the last 2 weeks), I've been stranded at home. And you don't have to wonder why because I'm going to tell you later. As for now, I bet you would really wish to hear about my 2 weeks experience of Army life.

I will be frank to admit that I've gradually been accustomed to the routine lifestyle of Army. Initially, the regimental lifestyle presented me a tint of cultural shock which made it rather dawdling for me to be able to incorporate and digest everything all at once within this abridged period. I guess everyone would agree with me to the fact that Army is deemed an interminable sort of thing that even when one ultimately shows symptoms of reluctance to it, one does not have the choice as we (hey you fe-Males, what the heck!) are obliged to serve our country in one way or another. But hey, I find it amazing that I was able to accomplish things on time especially waking up at like 5AM everyday, having breakfast at like 5.45AM and stuff like that there. Not to mention, it's true that Army does somehow change you. Both physically and mentally. Apart from that, I count myself lucky to be slotted into a platoon of people with an assortment of interesting personalities. I guess it is the people that matters much and more of what it is, they are the ones who keep you sane from some of the insanity substances. If you ask, the commanders are rather nice with the exception of a couple (who really don't have an issue of being loathed).

On top of all that, you must've been wondering what the heck I'm doing right here when it's a bright weekday.

Alrighty, so here it goes. First, I sprained my right ankle after a 3KM route march (which I'd say wasn't really a march at all because the people at the last few rows were practically running almost entirely, with me being one of them, and my dear ankle already wasn't feeling that good before that.) "Kudos" to that, I'd to fall out (but did that after completing the entire march :)), and I'd to wear sandals, which led to the point where one of my Sgt spotted both my infected big toes (bilateral in-grown toes if you ask) and he reprimanded that I MUST get those checked on top of my injured ankle. So, BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH and BLAH... I ended up having a surgery done just yesterday and now I've both my feet mummified and what's more... I'm awarded with 17 days of MC! WTF!!! You know what, I don't wish to say this, but I REALLY HATE MY LEGS!!!!!! Now that I'm so ready to do my part in the Army, things like that happen. Plus, its something to do with both my feet which absolutely hinders everything I do now. EVERYTHING! Going to the toilet has became such a demanding task. This isn't all. Now that I've been excused for so long, it's deemed that I'm going to be out of course quite soon. Yes. OUT OF COURSE! In other words, REDO BMT! OH WOW.. I'M SO HAPPY...

I'm extremely pissed to be exact. If that's the case, I'm so gonna have to leave my COY, and for the first time, I'm reluctant to. I wanna stay. I wanna do what the others are doing right now in Tekong. At Mohawk. I wanna GO BACK! Oh hell yeah, I'll be heading back when the actual BMT phase kicks off and I'm so going to be out of touch with almost everything that's going on right there right now and when I'm there, I'm so gonna be told something like "thank-you-very-much-you're-out-from-here-bye-bye" and sent back to mainland again till further notice or whatever it may be...

Just so you know, I actually miss Tekong (yes, though it's been just 2 weeks). Sighs.