Chilling at Home in Summertime

So I have run out of words to describe my current work situation, and the level of stress I am feeling right now.. is unbelievable.  You know it when you can't stop worrying about all the things you need to do, and having someone breathe down your neck.  Constantly.  Everyday.  Sometimes in the middle of the night I would jump up abruptly, brought out of my sleep and with heart pounding, wonder if there was anything I should have done, or someone I need to chase today because I don't want to be questioned about it later by that someone.  I try to be funny and refer her to K as "she who shall not be named" before K breaking out in laughter.  I don't wish to say bad things about who I work with because it is not very nice, but all I can say is that I believe it is THIS stress that made my body break out in rashes last Monday night.  Red spots all over my body and I freaked out because nothing like that has happened to me before.  Oddly I felt fine except for a bad throat and these unexplained red spots which refused to go away.

Finally on Thursday I decided I need to rest at home and get over this stress and red spots.  And it was such a beautiful day... the sun was shining and happened Marce was at home, so we spent the afternoon together, having lunch in our garden which felt like a proper summerhouse during this time.  The sun was beating down (words you seldom use here for the weather), the blue cloudless sky and the occasional wind.  The weather was dry and hot.  Sitting there under the umbrella, if I closed my eyes and breathed in, I almost felt like I was on a summer holiday somewhere in the Italian or French countryside.  More so from the occasional whiffs of Marce's sunblock lotion!

A proper Summer holiday house!

It's funny how we housemates seldom hang out since moving in.  We usually hang out with our own friends and only see one another back at home at night for brief chats and then back to our rooms to go to bed.  But this afternoon we chatted and shared with each other what we are both going through right now.  It's always nice to be able to be able to share and encourage each other at times when we need it. 

I made us a simple salad for lunch

Later on I decided okay it was getting too hot, so I decided to stay indoors and she continued suntanning there just enjoying the sunshine with a big grin on her face.  She couldn't believe I was planning to spend the rest of my day indoors.  I looked back at her and we both smiled.  Because she said obviously coming from Singapore, this sunshine can't make me as excited as someone who is from the UK.  I was happy, yes, but she was over the moon (or the sun for that matter).  Outside we could hear the ice cream van driving around playing the same kiddy tune over and over again, and the sound of kids running out getting their ice lollies.  Our neighbour has even rented this inflatable pool for the kids to play in - this is how into the weather everyone is.

That is the kitchen backdoor leading to the garden

Loving out garden (even tho I don't like gardening!)

I finally saw the doctor on Friday morning and she said it's a case of bacterial infection and prescribed me some antibiotics.  The best statement she said was "you should stay home and rest one more day.." and you know, you have to obey what your doctor says.  Which I did.  So yet another work free day on Friday and I tell you it is doing me so good.  Marce said I was all smiles throughout, a stark contrast to what I was on Wednesday night. 

I need super a lot of strength right now, to tide through to mid June and that would be my light at the end of the tunnel.. meanwhile, more strength to me Lord!!  Nonetheless, am so grateful for these two days of rest - more mental than bodily in my view but no doubt, both are related.


p.s. On the topic of ice cream vans and their tunes.  Gabby told me that back in Ecuador when she was growing up, she would love to pester her mum for an ice cream whenever she hears the tune from the ice cream van round her neighbourhood.  Guess what her mum told her?  "Oh the tune means the ice cream man has run out of ice cream."  Poor Gabby!! lol