Kindle

My mum was telling me about the Kindle some months ago, I think it was around Christmas. She thought - my guess is that she still thinks - that it was a great thing for me to have.

"Imagine all the space I can save!" she said.

I told her that the Kindle cost about few hundred USD and that is just for the Kindle, without any books. An e-book (or whatever you call it) costs about $10USD. It isn't exactly the cheapest thing in the world. To me, reading isn't just reading. I love books. I love the way they feel, the way they smell and the way they look. Sure, they do take up a lot of shelf space, but I love them. Sometimes, I will be in my study, going through my books and smiling to myself, when I think about the times I read them. I still have some books my mum bought me when I was really young. Looking at those books make me especially happy. I don't just love to read, I love books.

That is why I thought the Kindle isn't really for me. I don't think I will fancy pretend flipping a book on a Kindle. Does a Kindle smell like a book? What if something goes wrong and all my e-books disappear? What if I spill coffee, tea or iced Milo - things that I often have with my reading - on my Kindle? Will it die on me? Plus, I can't pass on the books to a friend or family can I? Books are for sharing! I can't really transfer my books from one book reader to another can I? The computer challenged me may find it a hassle of learning to use the Kindle and downloading books when I can just pop into a bookstore, browse until I siao then just sit back and start flipping and skip all the fiddling! Will I still have all my 500 books with me in the Kindle in 20 years time?

That, and the fact that I hoard books. A Kindle doesn't allow that.

But if one day I decide that I want to be a book slut, it will be perfect for me. Imagine reading a few chapters on this book, gets boring, hop onto another until I am in the mood for something else, hop again. Then I will go back to the first one again. Plus, it is great when travelling! It is a nice good to have if you are rich. Like Oprah. She totally endorses the Kindle. I think the audience who attended that particular show were all given a Kindle. I wish I am on that show!

I will not buy a Kindle for now, with a rather hefty price tag. But the inner gearhead that I never knew existed is thinking about it. It will be great if I receive it as a Christmas present!

Average

Average never seems like a very positive word. Like average grades, average scores, average looks. It sounds so mediocre. Very bleh. Very so-so.

Average is good when it comes to the size of the baby.

Too small a baby may mean that I am not eating well enough. It could just mean that it is just a genetic predisposition. I was not too big a baby although you can't tell from that from my size now. Worst thing is that I may have high blood pressure.

Too big a baby may mean that I have gestational diabetes. It is a lot harder trying to deliver a bigger baby too. Would you rather have a smaller baby passing through the birth canal than a bigger baby?

Average, for once, is a good thing.

Day at the Spa

Happiness is a day spent at Spa Botanica with The Husband.

He knows rather well that I didn't want to spend or splurge that kinda money. I have been having aches here and there for a while now. Some days it can be pretty bad, some days, not too bad. Some nights, it is hard to fall asleep because of the aches. Some nights I get aches because I sleep on my side for too long, with the tummy putting a strain on the lower back.

This is his second time buying me a spa package to surprise me. The first time was just after we moved in and I had aches from moving and cleaning the whole house. He wasn't helping out a lot, so he might have felt some guilt! HAHAHAHAHAHA! No, I think he didn't like to see me in pain. It was just before the wedding too so it was a perfect present.

This time was special, because he went with me. We spent the entire day at the spa, me getting a massage, a pedicure and a facial. He even went for a hydro therapy himself! We swam, he used the gym, we had fun at the free form pool and we had a nice lunch. We topped it off with a dip in the jacuzzi. He had a go in a steam bath while I had my treatments. Time sure passed really fast when you are having a good time. We were there at 11am and left at 530pm! I fell asleep when I had my massage, I even fell asleep when I was getting my toes done. It was really that relaxing. Being so relaxed and calm, it was wonderful to feel The Little One kicked and moved during the treatments. That made the day even more special.

It was a really really good Sunday. I do feel very loved and blissfully contented.

Jabbing Kinda Pains

A few days ago, I have been getting some discomfort from The Little One's kicking. She is kicking so hard, it hurts a little now. The pain is felt on the sides, usually on the right side. I wonder what she is up to? Is she jabbing one of my organs? Or maybe my lower rib.

Earlier this evening, when I took a rest and lied on my bed, she began to move and kick pretty furiously. I think it was one of her most active sessions yet. I could feel her all over the shop! I broke out in laughter, because my tummy was wobbling so much. The Husband came back home and I told him that she is moving pretty much. He took his time and by the time he came, she had stopped all the kicking and moving in her little uterine home.

The Husband really should just hurry up the next time. She always always keep more still when he comes over. I am beginning to think she is doing it on purpose.

Happiness

is nicely pedicured toes.

I am suffering from edema, so please do not take note of my swollen feet.

The Cove

I am still wondering if I should watch The Cove. Will it be too gruesome? The Husband is being pretty paranoid these days, not allowing me to watch anything that is too bloody or violent. Good thing is, I am not a fan of slasher or horror movies.

Just weeks ago, walking from our car back to our flat, a cat fight broke out. (Among cats lah, not women!) I stood there and watched, it got a little aggressive and suddenly The Husband yelled and told me to look away. I wonder why. Does he think that I may be too affected and it may harm The Little One? Being brainless now, it didn't occur to me to ask me then. I will ask him later.

Plum and Apple

I bought it on the evening before my monthly visit to my obstetrician the next afternoon. I was really tempted to open it up on the spot and have it there and then. I held back. I didn't want another sweet drink to ruin my routine urine test result again.

The last time, I had some orange juice before the test and a Coffee Bean ice blend the evening before and I had some sugar in my urine. That is bad when you are having a baby, because the doctor may send you to do a blood glucose test and make you drink something rather nasty. Though the doctor did say only some traces of sugar, it got me a little worried and I tried cutting down the unnecessary sugar in my diet. Preggers can be a little more paranoid. The words gestational diabetes keep popping into my head. So I started cutting down, just a little here and there. If I had ice cream today, no other sweet stuff the next day. No sugar in my milo or coffee or tea. No cakes 2 days in a row, that sort of thing. Nothing too drastic, I still want to have my desserts and desserts keep me happy!

Good thing is, I cleared the urine test! I rewarded myself with this drink from Muji. Apple juice from Aomori and the plum is from Wakayama. Not a big deal, but then I start letting my imagination run wild, and suddenly, it sounds pretty romantic! This is a very nice drink, not too cloyingly sweet, with just the right amount of apple and plum juice. After you are done, you can sink your teeth into the ume. Very YUM indeed! The drink reminds me a little like the umeshu that I love to drink before I was pregnant. A lighter non alcoholic version. Perfect when you have those cravings!