Featuring:

It didn't hurt as much as I thought --> my first blood donation

It tasted weird but I swallowed it --> my first bite of fresh durian

He was racing and I was screaming --> my first time galloping on a horse

..........

Life is never dull here for me. The last few months had been packed with action, ups and downs and first time experience. There are some I am not at liberty to share because it involves other people, mostly in a bad way. Fortunately, there are events like the above which I am happy to take a few minutes to share the joy with you my friends.

My first blood donation:

I was on my way to getting lunch one day in August when I saw a sign saying there's a blood drive nearby. It was one of those days when I thought I should reflect my appreciation of whatever kindness life has for me through giving. By the time I made it to the blood drive sign, I had already stopped by a buddhist temple (not by affiliation, it was on the way) and contributed to their donation box. I had even given money to that guy sitting at the temple's front door, who didn't really look like he was in need but more a case of not interested in getting up and doing something about his life. So when I saw the blood drive sign, I thought this would just complete my day. Years ago the only other time I had put together my courage to do this, I was rejected because in Canada you need to weight over 110 pounds to donate. It has been something I had been wishing to try, due to the influence of my husband who has donated countless times. I look up to his generosity in giving, and I am happy I've finally done it. It really didn't hurt much at all there, because in Singapore they would numb your arm first by a small dose of anesthesia injection to the needle site. My arm was sore for a week after that though. It's a very good experience to have.

My first bite of fresh durian:

I have never had such high percentage of colleagues who are Singaporeans in my office, so my experience here had been more international than local, until lately. Luckily my Singaporean colleagues are very open to us who are not, so I have recently had the pleasure of patronizing several food places where I basically never imagined to set foot in. And one day, the local colleagues decided it was time to take us to try durians. I have tried some durian products before, and they didn't taste good - cakes, rolls. The durian pudding at Goodwood Park Hotel had been the most positive experience before this. So on that day, not only had I tried fresh durian for the first time, I even got to try like four different types. The first bite was weird and I did take a deep breathe and had a glass of water ready and everything, but it went better than I thought. Some of them really offered a special after taste and you can smell fragrance while chewing a bite. There are also all these tips on how to get rid of the smell from your hands, etc...I can see why durian eating is a renown food culture here. But I went with a group of experts who really seem to know what they were doing, so I still wouldn't venture out to try this again on my own or with just anyone. Plus I don't think I have acquired a taste in this. But it was a good experience.

My first time galloping on a horse:

I was lucky in having a chance to go to our company's president's club (quota club) this year. Yes we had worked hard to make our numbers, but I am sure there are a lot of hard working people in the world who are just happy if they stop getting a kick in the head. I hope you understand my point. Anyway so when I was in Mexico the company, among other things, sponsored us to take one activity for fun. The choices are ATV rides, spa treatment, jeep ride...and horseback riding on the beach. Due to my prior experience of tagging along my husband to his company's president's club in Hawaii's Big Island, we instantly knew we had to pick horseback riding. Because we did horseback riding there and the beauty of the scenary was unbelievable. It was up on a hill and on the beach would be something neither of us had tried. But when we went the first time in a group, we didn't get to do very special things and we didn't go very fast at all. That was fine for me since I am not very experienced in horseback riding and I was very scared. But on our last day, since our flight wasn't leaving until about 6pm, we thought we'd go for another ride. This time, it was just my husband, the guide and me. Both of them wanted to gallop, and horses being pack animals, they follow the first horse. So next thing I knew, I was on the beach, on this tall strong animal who was just ready to fly off. The guide was concerend about me so he had already took my rein and tied it with his rein. So it might appear that my horse wouldn't just run off from them, from safety. Still, I thought was about to fall off at any time...I screamed and screamed...pleading for my life..."Help! Help!"...and then after the horse settled down a bit I was busy apologizing to the guide. I think he found this rather amusing. Eventually I thought I would take the chance and let the horse gallop a bit on my own. And I didn't fall off!!! I felt proud and happy and excited. Although after that I couldn't walk straight for three days, it was worth it - one entire day of those three I was stuck on planes and airports anyway. I think I am falling in love with horseback riding...

Other than the above, I have recently just made my first trip to Bali and had my first true spa experience with my first mud body wrap there, with also the first experience of controlling myself not to convert the price list into something I can relate to. It was partially aided by the challenge I had in having to divide by 30 or something all the time, but it was also that I was finally able to feel "pampering yourself once in a while can be justified". And this Friday I have also participated in my first Eid celebration, while last weekend I was invited to take part in a surprise party for the first time. Well there are things money can buy, but you can't buy the feeling you get when you try something the first time. Some of these experiences are funded by money, but nothing and no one can make you open up to embrace the feeling. This is what I live for, and I look forward to many more first time experiences (hopefully mostly positive ones) to come.

I wish you were there...