Got WOODS'? -- Best Remedy for Murphy's Law

Hey folks. Ever wondered how life can change in a split second. For most, there's probably a few instances where you almost got killed, or almost killed someone, or witnessed alike. I almost blinded my co-workers today.

Yeah worked today on my Sunday shift, thinking that I can leave early to go for sax class. Wishful thinking... but then again what could go wrong? -- Those were my thoughts at 2p.m. today. By 5 p.m. I was once again reminded how fragile situations can get, and things can happen in a split second. Very very fortunately, no one really got injured.

As my fellow engineer and I troubleshooted the problems with our polyimide machine, I was triggered to see my godson Track 36. There was a pump issue. So I decided to N2 purge the pump to rid of bubbles. I had 2 AE's with me at that time. I asked one guy to help me hold the N2 valve open while I opened the valves on the pump. Then a loud explosion took place right behind me. Without looking I already knew what had transpired. It sounded like a really large balloon had popped. I saw splashes around me... at the same time I felt my back wet... I quickly turned back and saw that the plastic bottle that contained the chemical had bursted due to excessive pressure. The two guys had walked away, and I quickly checked on them. To much of my relief, the valve handler was unharmed (to my amazement actually), whereas the other guy, who stood further, had some chemical in his eyes. I asked him to go wash off immediately. Luckily he turned up a few moments later ok.

The whole fab could hear the explosion. But we did not explain in length what had happened. Luckily there was no injury, fab evacuation or damage to the machine. The chemical was aquatar, a water based photochemical, and it could be easily wiped off. It behaves exactly like soap water, much unlike the other viscuous photochemicals that we have. Otherwise the effect could have been much worse.

So here I am now, still pondering how things had gone today. I initated some problems with the polyimide machine also, and that caused us a lot of pain. Basically I was a wreck today. I am still a little shaken and worried that I cannot explain my cover story in tomorrow's meeting. But looking at how things could have gone worse, I guess I am sitting on a pot of gold. And as I do so, I enjoy my true friend indeed --> WOODS' Peppermint. It really calms me down... From now on, this will be my weekday substitute to alcohol. And... my weekend substitute to a prostitute.... Neh... I just had to say that coz it rhymes :) The ...world.... looks.... gee, it looks oval from here man!

Too young to go

Hi. Grandma passed away on the 28 March. When I heard the news, I was only not surprised. Sad, but I never cried coz I was freaking still working on my installation. Since the last time I saw her, I had wanted to go back a few times. But I was advised to conserve my leave till 'it happens'. It did finally happen.

It happened on the day when my month long installation was to come to its end. Earlier that morning, sis called me to go home as soon as I could... grandma did not look so good. Throughout the 2 weeks that she was in hospital, there were ups and downs and so it could well be another false alarm. Somehow from the last time I went back, I knew that could be the last time I saw her....

I went back that evening, sis picked me up. We went to get some things that mum and her missed out earlier... for rituals and funeral clothings bla bla. We went for dinner and sis filled me in on what had happened in the weeks before. Most of what was said was about some inheritance.

I reached home only to greet my dad who instantly fell to tears as he opened the gate for me. All the tentages were already well mounted. At the far end, mum sat at a table with the only two visitors, my third aunt and uncle. Quickly mum stood up and hugged me as she too burst into tears. I turned to the house. I saw the picture of grandma at the centre. The table was set with joss sticks, paper house and the works. But the picture... was one that I have always seen hung in the house - one of grandma when she was much younger... maybe in her 50s.

Behind this picture laid the coffin where grandma rested in peace. I refrained from crying... I kneeled and spoke to grandma for a few moments, and then I went to the back... where grandpa rested. My aunt and uncle from Singapore already got back and another aunt was there too. I went to grandpa and then and as he saw me... he started bursting in tears. I too started my own. I held grandpa's hand tight as we both cried there for a few minutes. I have never been this close to grandpa. Mostly grandma doted on us. Grandpa said "grandma loves him very much" to the rest and "he is very guai"... I have never seen granpa cry.

Most of the nights I stayed up to accompany grandma. Over the next few days, more friends and relatives started visiting. We had Sri Lankan monks chanting the mantra every night and it was very meaningful. Everynight, every other hour.. grandad would walk out of his room to take a look at grandma. He hardly slept those days. He'd lost his only soulmate in this world. Married for almost 60 years, hardly a day went by where they were apart. They did everything together. Very health conscious, successful business people, who led a disciplined lifestyle. The last time I went back, grandad came on the bed where grandma laid and held her hand as if it was their first date. 84 is too young to die for someone who has has better cholesterol control than me, normal heart pressure, non-diabetic. Only thing dissapointing her was she had arthritis on the leg and parkinson's disease, which she controlled diligently by lots of exercise, medication, diet and healthy lifestyle.



This is me staying up during the nights, so that those who knew what to do can work on the funeral and arrangements and guests in the day.

Its a pity to watch her go. She would have lived another 10 15 years easily but fate was not meant to be. Along with other reasons, I came back to Singapore and Malaysia to spend more time with my family, like seeing them more often. Two years back I promised grandma I'd come back and spend CNY with them back in 2004 but I couldn't bcoz I was waiting for my PR. Tho I was late by a year, and I had so much fun living at home celebrating with family after 4 years of not being around for CNY.