...Foreign Workers are really hardworking...
Was at a prawn fishing site just now relaxing with dearest when this Bangladeshi came chasing after a lady because she left a fishing rod behind. When dearest said, ‘You keep lah...’ he replied, ‘For wad? I have a lot lah!!’ The way the tone leaves me an impression that he’s a smart one. I laughed while telling dearest he’s cute, so we decided to check him out.
After a casual chat, we realized this Bangladeshi works 20hrs a day, 4hrs of sleep. Full time clearing table job 8hrs carried home $1,700. The other 4 hrs at fishing pond fetched $600 and another 4hrs at another stall fetching another $600. He totaled up the earnings close to $4,000 a month!!!! That’s like… more than some Singaporeans!! Gosh… Although I do have doubts over whether he’s overstating…but the more he boast seems to tell me he feels proud about himself. My conclusion is… my dear friends, we need to buck up and stop complaining…!! Hahaha..
...my experience with khoo dental...
Having another 4 days of leave, I intended to pluck my wisdom tooth. I couldn’t weigh the benefits with disadvantage. On one side I want to keep my wisdom tooth since it’s upright and not giving me any pain (yet), the surgery is costly (avgly $400-$600) and requires a some time (5-7days) to recover; On the other hand it did squeeze my front tooth slightly out of position and I worry about the long term effect will cause further misalignment, and it’ll cost much more time and money to realign back the front tooth. It might get ugly!!! For that, I looked into the mirror while shining torch light into my mouth to take a look at my wisdom tooth. I did this action about ten times in the day and before I sleep. Still, I tell myself, ‘Maybe the doctor will advise something else…’, ‘Maybe I’m still able to take care of y wisdom tooth if I brush everyday’ etc…
Frankly speaking, one week ago I actually visited this doctor to consult his opinion. After examining my teeth and doing some x-ray, he was able to highlight all my problems. Instead of answering my queries about my wisdom tooth and prices, he talks about fillings and crowning things etc. Soon I stepped out of his clinic clueless as to whether is it necessary to remove the wisdom tooth a not. So I booked another appointment intending to extract my wisdom tooth once and for all. My impression of him was – a mercenary doctor.
Today I went down again to see the doctor. Was hoping if he can give me the confident to pluck my tooth. The moment I stepped into his operation room, I told him I wasn’t confident enough and I need more advise. So he said, ‘Ok, we’ll go over it again. blah blah blah…’
Everytime I asked about the charges he’ll said
‘Wait…’. And finally when he finish beating about the bush, he said,
‘Your company subsidies… $250/ surgical tooth…’‘Ok… so after that how much do I still need to pay?’
‘Slowly… We’ll come to that later… Are u paying by cash / medisave?’
‘Of course medisave if I can claim.’
‘Ok, then according to medisave… (flipping his memo here and there for 2 minute or so…) ahh… You’re under category 3C, you can claim $1850 for both wisdom tooth.’
‘But I thought of doing one side first…’
He sighed and frowned,
‘then that’s a different category again… in that case you’re under category 2C… can claim $950.’‘So doctor, how much are YOU charging?’ This question came in the 3rd time, as I wonder why he didn’t want to answer me straight to the point.
‘Ok I’ll give you a discount. I’ll give you only 800 for the surgical tooth and 50 for the normal extraction. Since your company subsidies 250 plus medicine 28 etc… You’ll only need to top up with medisave for about 572…’
I gave a thought and said, ‘I think I’m still not ready for the operation’
‘What do you mean? Do you mean you’re afraid of the pain? Or you don’t want to do the operation?’
I finally took the courage to reject him, ‘I don’t want to do the operation’.
‘Then you shouldn’t have occupy my time. You actually book for a surgery slot!! And I actually block the morning.. .. .. .. .’
I was embarrassed for a moment. What was actually running through my mind was, my godsis JL who just did the wisdom tooth surgical extraction one week ago spent only $450 + $120 (day surgery). And even with my company subsidization, I still end up paying same or even more than her?? Doesn’t that sound ridiculous??
But the more I think the more I got angry –
1)
With what he said that I occupied his time. He was the one who did not give me full information required for the operation and expect me to do the operation without knowing the price. In the end I had to book a slot again and revisit him.
2)
For charging according to what he can claim from my medisave. He didn’t had a pricelist and that’s why he couldn’t give me a figure even after probing many times. It’s only after he read his memo to see how much I can claim then he derived with that ridiculous figure!! And even when I asked his assistant about the range, they keep saying that doctor has to see your case first. My suspicion is they didn’t dare to quote any price because there isn’t a standard price list.
3)
Because it’s too late to change a doctor. To book for another appointment with another doctor usually takes days/weeks and I’m left with only 4 days of leave (and I can’t afford MCs).
He’s a cheat! A Dogtor so unprofessional!!! Can I do anything???
Guys... I know you really wan to know this: He's in AMK 316B. BE INFORMED!!
...Suddenly…too free to blog...
Planned 9days of leave this year to spend my birthday. Thought of either to go for a long overseas holiday with dearest / family or if impossible, to pluck my wisdom tooth and spend 5 days recovering.
In the end, Mum wasn’t around for a family trip; Dearest couldn’t take too many leave to go too far either. Dearest and I went 4D3N Redang instead for a dive and some snorkeling.
The five star coach journey was about 9hrs, and another hour of boat ride before we which Laguna Resort. The view was fantastic – beach was crystal clear and there’s this ‘More More Tea Inn’ featured in ‘Summer Holidays /夏日的麼麼茶’. The weather was perfect on the first day so we decide to go for diving in case it rain after. True enough, it rained on the second day, though it didn’t affect much on our snorkeling trip. Glee…
...posting after a year...
Writing this during the stay in Sydney Hilton Hotel.
It's been one year since the last entry. Some updates if anyone's still reading..
Getting tired of flying and starting to enjoy off days very much. But still, have to work for a living. Starting to question the quietness in my life.
During these months,
I finished my Jap Elementary 2 but stop since the other two didn't want to continue.
I stayed in room most of the time overseas running over dvds, watching serial movies and listening to songs.
I hid in my comfort zone.
I took much things in life for granted - esp people around me. I let my frenz org meetings; my love ones to take care of my life, etc.
I need another break through. I need to regain the aspiration and motivation to lead a meaningful life and the first step always seems the hardest...
My greatest worries now...
Mum was sent to Shanghai 6mths for work within short notice. I've visited her once and she slimed down abit, saying that she's stressed about not accomplishing the job and she can't really eat in her own appartment alone. For her age to be traveling overseas alone i some how worried about her safety, health and mental. I worried that she'll be cheated, I worried that she's no one to talk to, I worried that anything happens to her I would not be around. I know she's strong but i'm still worried. She didn't want to go, yet she said quitting her job isn't a solution coz sooner she'll feel empty again. So she decide to go ahead with that project. I felt lucky that i can travel to visit her and this seems to be the only thing i can do for her. Sigh...
Dear was scheduled to go US for training. But before that he has to complete full medical check up. That's when he realised one of the check up was unfavourable and more testings was needed. He's upset and low morale and became quiet. He didn't tell me much about those test yet if i dun asked, he'd feel that i didn't care. I'm worried for him and about the check up medical reports. I'm so used to being taken care of.. and now I don't know what i can do for him. I do have negative thoughts at times and I really really dun wish it to happen. Dear continued smoking and drinking and again there's nothing i can do or say about it. Or perhaps I can....??
The two closest people around me now.. seems so far...
