cybette said:

cybette

taiwan tripku. Just want to be with family. And want everyone to be healthy

10 months, 2 weeks ago.

135 comments so far

  • BigEclipse

    Good things. Enjoy.

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by BigEclipse

  • cybette

    all checked in and through security in a matter of minutes. Yay finnish efficiency

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by cybette

  • sachaqs

    have a nice trip @cybette! take care.

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by sachaqs

  • map

    Have a safe flights and relaxing holiday! And all best for your mum! Hugs!

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by map

  • jsaarikko

    Have a safe trip! All the best for your family. Remember to communicate your feelings...

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by jsaarikko

  • dst

    All the best & take care.

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by dst

  • cybette

    thanks everyone! @jsaarikko i'll try :)

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by cybette

  • cybette

    in a boeing 747. I miss this. See ya'll in 9 hours!

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by cybette

  • lemonad

    Have a nice trip Carol! :)

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by lemonad

  • chibbigirl

    yay. can't wait to hear all the exciting details!! :)

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by chibbigirl

  • alexleonard

    Have a really good trip and enjoy the break!

    Safe flying

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by alexleonard

  • cybette

    that was actually an MD-11. i don't think Finnair even has 747's in its fleet. Damn i'm losing touch with my aircrafts. Well, the next jet i'm hopping on is a 747, so yay!

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by cybette

  • cybette

    it's freaking hot here in bangkok, or maybe it just feels that way coming from -5C. Would like to actually visit thailand sometime instead of just the airport...

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by cybette

  • cybette

    flight to TPE delayed by 10 minutes. Should have grabbed some Thai food in transit...

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by cybette

  • alexleonard

    I'd say you're in for some system shock with that temperature change.

    Man, I need a holiday.

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by alexleonard

  • hannamanna

    Have a good break and enjoy your time with your family! Bring back some hot weather for us :P

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by hannamanna

  • cybette

    finally in taoyuan airport! Now waiting for bus to taipei. 10C here which is much better than 30C in bangkok but still feels hot!

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by cybette

  • cybette

    whoo, both elisa and sonera have hsdpa roaming agreements with taiwan operators (only gprs in bangkok, not even edge)

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by cybette

  • jkniiv

    And you're gonna pay thru the nose for that pleasure, I suspect? I recall you setting up wifi at your parents' last time you visited so I presume that'll ease your pain (or is it Nokia's displeasure, lol).

    10 months, 2 weeks ago by jkniiv

  • cybette

    mom was in icu, now out but will be in hospital for a while more. Thinking of extending my stay here...

    10 months, 1 week ago by cybette

  • hannamanna

    if you can, you should extend your stay and spend time with your mum. take care, hugs!

    10 months, 1 week ago by hannamanna

  • map

    Oh, hugs bunny!

    10 months, 1 week ago by map

  • KevanV

    Have a good time. I hope your mum is better soon :)

    10 months, 1 week ago by KevanV

  • alexleonard

    Wish your mum a speedy recovery from Ireland. Hope you're doing ok as well.

    10 months, 1 week ago by alexleonard

  • BigEclipse

    Here's hoping for all the best for you and yours.

    10 months, 1 week ago by BigEclipse

  • jkniiv

    Dearest friend, I'm pleased to hear that there hav been positiv developments with your mom's health. I sure hope she will improve further. You hav all the right to remain at your mother's side on her hour of weakness even if it means extending your stay. But I sure hope you can also take time off from the hospital and not just worry or I fear your emotional batteries will run dry. Best of luck & hugs.

    10 months, 1 week ago by jkniiv

  • cybette

    no, her condition got worse, not better. She had to go through another operation and that's why she was in the icu. We thought she'd be out of hospital in time for chinese new year but now we'd be camped out at the hospital for the foreseeable future. It also breaks my heart seeing my dad lose so much weight in the last few weeks, taking care of her. I have to be here for my family and be strong; but now it's 3am and i can't sleep and crying my eyes out feeling helpless and weak and just wishing for someone to be here to hold me

    10 months, 1 week ago by cybette

  • CaffeineJunky

    I'm sorry to hear Carol. It is hard to sit and watch something you have no control over. You have my prayers and thoughts.

    10 months, 1 week ago by CaffeineJunky

  • silversurfer

    so sorry

    10 months, 1 week ago by silversurfer

  • BigEclipse

    Big Hugs Sorry to hear.

    10 months, 1 week ago by BigEclipse

  • jpblogger

    Thinking of you!

    10 months, 1 week ago by jpblogger

  • 4getmenot

    so sorry to hear this. Hope things get better.

    10 months, 1 week ago by 4getmenot

  • JebBrilliant

    My heart goes out to you and your family. Wishing your Mom a speedy recovery.

    10 months, 1 week ago by JebBrilliant

  • jlxdgz

    Wish your mother get better soon.

    10 months, 1 week ago by jlxdgz

  • ymb

    hugs and hoping it all gets better soon and extend your stay,

    if work does not understand why, time for a new place (you have given many years of service, time to call in the favour!)

    10 months, 1 week ago by ymb

  • hannamanna

    hugs carol, hope your mum will get better soon. it's hard not to be able to help but the best you can do now is to be there for your mum and dad.

    10 months, 1 week ago by hannamanna

  • angelmartinez

    In very sorry to hear, Carol. My thoughts and prayers are with you and family and hoping your mother makes a speedy recovery. Hugs

    10 months, 1 week ago by angelmartinez

  • map

    You are in my heart and thoughts! Warm greetings from Mika, too.

    10 months, 1 week ago by map

  • Bishop

    Best wishes to your family and you, Carol. Sincere hopes that things make a turn for the better real soon now. I'm glad that you are able to be there with them.

    10 months, 1 week ago by Bishop

  • arjw

    @cybette: I'm just seeing the thread, but will most defiintiely keep your and your family in my prayers.

    10 months, 1 week ago by arjw

  • jkniiv

    Carol, I feel your pain. I don't know what to say other than to hope that the situation won't turn for the worse again. :( You know I lost my mom a few years back to cancer, and my dad's health isn't troubl-free either these days. Yeah, helplessness is what you feel at the bedside of a loved one, and with that helplessness comes anger. It's all natural but oh so taxing.

    10 months, 1 week ago by jkniiv

  • constantine

    note to self: call Carol, thank @ymb for letting me know about this thread.

    10 months, 1 week ago by constantine

  • Kitti

    Caring hugs and lots of warm thoughts coming your way.

    10 months, 1 week ago by Kitti

  • jsaarikko

    Carol...can you feel the stream of positive strength flowing your way right now. I'm sending mine, and your friends around the globe are doing the same, I can feel it.

    Whhhooooosssshh....

    10 months, 1 week ago by jsaarikko

  • virbana

    Many hugs, Carol. Ja lohtua.

    10 months, 1 week ago by virbana

  • whiteg

    @constantine yes, I also plan to do the same thing. maybe it's too late or too early now, in two hours maybe better.

    10 months, 1 week ago by whiteg

  • jkniiv

    @constantine, @whiteg: Me three. Just texted her. Hope I din't wake her up from any slumber she might'v fallen to. :/ But you two nativ speakers call her first. Carol knows I'm not too good with phone calls with my cognitiv defienciency in hearing and all.

    10 months, 1 week ago by jkniiv

  • KevanV

    Oh no, I thought your mum was getting better. Big hugs from me. I hope your mum gets much better soon and your dad remains strong. We'll give you all the spirtual help you need. I just wish we could also physically help you too. Take care and do have some sleep.

    10 months, 1 week ago by KevanV

  • bubu1uk

    @cybette: am so sorry to hear that. hope everything's gonna be fine. i wish i could help somehow. :(

    10 months, 1 week ago by bubu1uk

  • geovoltoss

    carol is you need me you know where to find me

    10 months, 1 week ago by geovoltoss

  • sachaqs

    So sorry Carol. As everyone said, your mother, you and your family have my thoughts. Whishing your mother to get better very soon!

    And I really wish someone could hold you! Feeling pretty much useless here, as we can't ease your sadness.

    10 months, 1 week ago by sachaqs

  • cybette

    thank you ALL for your comments, emails and texts. They do bring me comfort, and i can only hope i bring some comfort to my family by staying (at least on the surface) cheerful and optimistic. Don't worry about calling, i do appreciate the thought, but i think calls are going straight to VM (that was jaakko's experience). Plus i don't want to break down in front of my family. Their needs >>>> mine right now...

    10 months, 1 week ago by cybette

  • geovoltoss

    (((((carol)))))

    10 months, 1 week ago by geovoltoss

  • saurabhtrivedi

    @cybette May God bless your mother with good health, your family with happiness and you with strength and hope to see you through this ordeal.

    10 months, 1 week ago by saurabhtrivedi

  • cybette

    mom's condition is improving slightly, but she still has fever and they haven't found the root cause of that. Thanks for all your wishes, thoughts and prayers

    10 months, 1 week ago by cybette

  • hannamanna

    @cybette that is good news! hope they'll find the root cause for her fever soon and she keeps on getting better. hugs!

    10 months, 1 week ago by hannamanna

  • jkniiv

    That's a relief. Fever itself is a such tricky thing that in the end it might not be indicativ of anything but residual activity on the part of the immune system as it's a function of circulating interleukins (immune system messenger molecules). Hopefully time will tell.

    10 months, 1 week ago by jkniiv

  • bogart

    Good news, hope the trend continues. It's great you can be there for her and your family

    10 months, 1 week ago by bogart

  • Bishop

    Glad to hear there's some progress Carol! Hope things continue in that direction.

    10 months, 1 week ago by Bishop

  • cybette

    first time "online" on this trip, save for a few updates via mobile. mom is doing better, her voice is back for one, issuing commands to my dad like before. but otherwise still very weak and still need to be in hospital for a while more.

    10 months, 1 week ago by cybette

  • jpblogger

    Glad to hear some positive news. Lots pf people sending lots of good vibes your way ...

    10 months, 1 week ago by jpblogger

  • jsaarikko

    "issuing commands" sounds positive. You're a great daughter! Be strong!

    10 months, 1 week ago by jsaarikko

  • hannamanna

    Glad to hear she's doing better. Hope you can still extend your stay and spend more time with your family.

    10 months, 1 week ago by hannamanna

  • cybette

    not going to extend my stay... flight ticket restrictions - no changes allowed. basically i have to buy a new one-way ticket back. if need be i can make another trip in a few weeks or in the following months. and thanks a bunch for all the good vibes sent, they are helping!

    10 months, 1 week ago by cybette

  • Texrat

    You're a great daughter Carol. : )

    10 months, 1 week ago by Texrat

  • BigEclipse

    Hey. Good to hear from you again.

    10 months, 1 week ago by BigEclipse

  • jkniiv

    I'm gonna hav to agree with @texrat on his assessment. :)

    10 months, 1 week ago by jkniiv

  • ymb

    ouch on the tickets, but glad that things are sounding better before you need to leave.

    10 months, 1 week ago by ymb

  • cybette

    i'm not as good a daughter as i'd like to be... Anyway, finally got 'out' for a while yesterday to have lunch with friends. One thing i have enjoyed on this trip - lots of good food! Definitely need to work out when i get back to finland or else you guys might not recognize me :P

    10 months, 1 week ago by cybette

  • map

    Skiing weathers are waiting for you here :-).

    10 months, 1 week ago by map

  • Cityrat59

    I'm happy to hear your mother is better, and i'm sorry to hear about the tickets. Wishing you and your family all the best and you're always on my mind Carol! HUGS!!

    10 months, 1 week ago by Cityrat59

  • hannamanna

    Don't be too hard on yourself. I'm sure your family things that you're a great daughter. Nice to hear you've been able to enjoy some yummy food while out there. Proper winter weather will be greeting you when you get back:)

    10 months, 1 week ago by hannamanna

  • ymb

    @cybette Don't be so hard on yourself, we are never as good as we would like to be. On the upside, it sounds like things are getting better.

    10 months, 1 week ago by ymb

  • TheBlueNile

    I bet that your mother wants you to live your life as you want, regardless of her condition. It seems that you have a close relationship with your family. That is a great gift for all of you.

    10 months, 1 week ago by TheBlueNile

  • cybette

    you guys are too sweet :) i can't believe i'm leaving in less than 2 days... this "vacation" was too short. mom's condition is steadily improving even though she still has to be in hospital for another week (at least). on monday i'll be going from 24C to -9C. My body will be in for a shock...

    10 months, 1 week ago by cybette

  • BigEclipse

    Glad to hear about mom's improvement. You did good. Hopefully you won't be in too much shock upon your return. :-)

    10 months, 1 week ago by BigEclipse

  • geovoltoss

    we are behind you carol

    10 months, 1 week ago by geovoltoss

  • Bishop

    "Steadily improving" is awesome news! Stay warm! :)

    10 months, 1 week ago by Bishop

  • alexleonard

    Here's to continued improvements for your mum. I can only imagine that your visit must have meant a lot to her.

    10 months, 1 week ago by alexleonard

  • hannamanna

    Welcome back! It's -14C in hki this morning...glad to hear your mum's condition is steadily improving.

    10 months, 1 week ago by hannamanna

  • cybette

    hospital food ain't too bad here! Also did some shopping... in the hospital's shopping arcade

    10 months ago by cybette

  • cybette

    haircut for only 8.50€, damn

    10 months ago by cybette

  • Surya

    wow... :(

    10 months ago by Surya

  • bubu1uk

    only? damn that's expensive. i'm a lucky one that does his haircut himself..... for free. :P

    10 months ago by bubu1uk

  • jkniiv

    @bubu1uk: Well services in Finland are not cheap, not enuff cheap imported labor you know. ;) For instance I pay a perfectly reasonabl 12€ for my haircuts. Women pay usually more but authorities are now starting to forbid this type of discrimination.

    10 months ago by jkniiv

  • bubu1uk

    @jkniiv: do you want to "import" me as a cheap labor? :P although. can do only one type of haircut. :P skinhead type... hehe

    10 months ago by bubu1uk

  • TheBlueNile

    @jkniiv: women usually DO a lot more to they hair. Colouring etc. , so the more expensive bill is a result of this and can be justified. I pay 20 for mine (very simple cut) in the Helsinki centre, but I have seen more than 30 euro price lists too..

    10 months ago by TheBlueNile

  • TheBlueNile

    and that 30 euro was for men's haircut..:)

    10 months ago by TheBlueNile

  • Surya

    i get where you are coming from Carol... i started growing my hair after coming to helsinki and hair cut only when i travel outside finland or go home.. sorry to say i dont trust finnish salons. saw some horrible results on my friends' hair / eyebrows.. :)

    10 months ago by Surya

  • Surya

    btw girl, hope your mom is getting better at exponential rate... and is smiling n jokin with you by the time you have to board the airplane..

    10 months ago by Surya

  • cybette

    just bid farewell to my dad and sis and on my way to the airport. Had to say goodbye to my mom (and grandparents and rest of my relatives) last night as i have an early flight. Mom was crying rather than laughing/joking... If she's screaming and ordering people around, that's when she's back to her normal healthy self but she's not quite there yet :P

    10 months ago by cybette

  • cybette

    re: hair - i haven't had my hair done in finland before, maybe i should try it sometime and see what kind of damage i get (to my hair and wallet) :)

    10 months ago by cybette

  • cybette

    at the airport almost 2 hrs before the flight and the check-in line is a mile long. Grrrr

    10 months ago by cybette

  • bubu1uk

    @cybette: no worries. u'll make it. ;)

    10 months ago by bubu1uk

  • cybette

    yeah i made it, took more than half an hour to check in. compared to 5 minutes on average in helsinki airport :P

    10 months ago by cybette

  • angelmartinez

    @cybette have a safe flight flight

    10 months ago by angelmartinez

  • cybette

    thanks, i'd like a safe flight flight ;) now on plane... See ya'll in bangkok!

    10 months ago by cybette

  • silversurfer

    safe flight!

    10 months ago by silversurfer

  • angelmartinez

    LOL just noticed I typed flight twice!

    10 months ago by angelmartinez

  • cybette

    so cool watching jumbo 747 jets taking off. so hot in bangkok airport! I actually miss the cold

    10 months ago by cybette

  • map

    Have a safe trip back, we have some minus degrees for you :-).

    10 months ago by map

  • cybette

    can't wait! I'm perspiring in 30C here. Oooh i hear finnish, missed that too! Now boarding, no upgrade this time...

    10 months ago by cybette

  • hannamanna

    Have a safe journey home!

    10 months ago by hannamanna

  • cybette

    hello finland and cold air! Damn that was a long flight. Can't remember how many naps i took. Hope my luggage made the connection

    10 months ago by cybette

  • Surya

    welcome back! hope you bought some sunshine from back home :)

    10 months ago by Surya

  • map

    Hi, Bunny! Welcome home!

    10 months ago by map

  • alexleonard

    Welcome back Carol :) Hope the cold isn't too much of a shock!

    10 months ago by alexleonard

  • hirvinen

    Welcome back. You just missed a really cold(-18 or so was the record in Hki, I think) weekend.

    10 months ago by hirvinen

  • cybette

    landed, out of plane, onto terminal shuttle, into airport, immigration, luggage, customs, out of the airport and onto bus to tampere in 20 minutes. Hurray finnish efficiency! Haven't even had a chance to feel cold but at least managed to breath in some of that crisp air.

    10 months ago by cybette

  • cybette

    thanks everyone! @surya there wasn't much sun in taipei, it was rather cloudy/foggy/polluted :P @hirvinen i noticed! Been following the weather in finland... Well, this is still a lot colder compared to where i was for the last 10 days!

    10 months ago by cybette

  • TheBlueNile

    Tervetuloa takaisin!

    10 months ago by TheBlueNile

  • cybette

    everytime i go through immigration, i get, without fail, "oh so you work here. Do you speak finnish / puhutko suomea?" and i get to amuse the immigration officer with some of my broken finnish :)

    10 months ago by cybette

  • sachaqs

    Welcome back @cybette! Enjoy the cold! :D

    10 months ago by sachaqs

  • cybette

    merci! I hope the cold can shrink my tummy a little :P

    10 months ago by cybette

  • constantine

    pics of new haircut when you get home!

    10 months ago by constantine

  • hannamanna

    nice to have you back in the country Carol! hope it's not too cold for you:P

    10 months ago by hannamanna

  • ymb

    @cybette well most things shrink when they get colder ::wink, wink, nudge, nudge:: "as the actress said to the bishop" etc

    Apparently cross country skiing burns lots of calories, i just never seem to get far and keep falling over, which considering i am attempting to move along on a level path seems quite an achievement to me. Oh and it is a complete bar-steward to get up on cross country skis, downhill ones are much easier.

    10 months ago by ymb

  • cybette

    i think i'll burn enough calories just from the falling and getting up :P

    10 months ago by cybette

  • hannamanna

    @ymb: try nordic walking if cross country skiing seems too challenging. very efficient and burns lots of calories too as you would be using similar technique to skiing. no need to be afraid of looking silly as you won't be the only one doing it :D

    10 months ago by hannamanna

  • Bishop

    @ymb: Don't bring me into this... :P

    10 months ago by Bishop

  • jkniiv

    @hannamanna: Especially if you're 30+ and female. ;) As I male I wouldn't be caught walking vigorously with poles (and I don't mean the peopl from Eastern Central Europe, altho their catholic practices are quite vigorous in comparison, lol).

    10 months ago by jkniiv

  • hannamanna

    @jkniiv: yeah, that seems to be the attitiude with some - I was one of them too once, but it seems to be pretty popular also among young men, even in their twenties...check with @vesa for example

    10 months ago by hannamanna

  • vesa

    I'm all for nordic walking, definitely a proponent of this fine sport!

    10 months ago by vesa

  • tulensrma

    I think nordic walking, or stick walking as the official finglish name goes, is definitely a good sport and a good way for foreigners to be able to walk around in the wintertime without falling down all the time.

    Those insecure about their masculinity should stick to manly sports like tractor pulling and shot put.

    10 months ago by tulensrma

  • hlehto

    I don't think that Nordic walking is feminine and this is the first time I realized someone thought it was feminine. (I think it is just dorky and elderly and not my cup of tea.)

    10 months ago by hlehto

  • jkniiv

    @hannamanna: Well, not in Hämeenlinna it isn't but that's cos we are slow in Häme.. @tulensrma: Oh I'm as insecure of my gender as a person of my sex can get. :)

    10 months ago by jkniiv

  • arjw

    @cybette: didn't see the message that you were back in Finland, but glad that you are home and resting; hope that its not too cold and that your family was doing better before you left.

    10 months ago by arjw

  • hannamanna

    @jkniiv: maybe you can kick start a new trend in Häme :P

    10 months ago by hannamanna

  • cybette

    speaking of not falling down all the time, i almost slipped and fell a few times yesterday and this morning. definitely need to get used to walking on snow/ice again.

    10 months ago by cybette

  • alexleonard

    Careful now. I wouldn't have thought a week off and you'd lose your snow shoes

    10 months ago by alexleonard

  • myrtti

    @alexleonard: it's dependant on how long the exposure to sun and ice is before the week off. I have 28 years of experience ;-)

    10 months ago by myrtti

  • alexleonard

    :)

    I have so little snow experience. One winter in Toronto back in 2001 and that's it really. Irish winters are weak at best.

    10 months ago by alexleonard

  • myrtti

    s/sun/snow/

    10 months ago by myrtti

  • cybette

    i grew up in singapore! it snows there when hell freezes over!

    10 months ago by cybette

  • jkniiv

    @cybette: There are dissenting views as to the true temperature of hell -- some say it's already "cold as hell" :)

    10 months ago by jkniiv

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