There's an excellent public transport system here in Singapore. So excellent in fact, that buses, MRT and taxis all work together to make owning a car nearly unnecessary. You see, car ownership here is an expensive affair.

1. You pay an annual road tax for the priviledge of driving on Singapore roads, depending the size of vehicle.

2. But on certain roads that lead to the central business district, there's Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) where drivers pay anywhere from S$0.50 to S$2.00 (depending on time of day, road in use and vehicle you're in) is deducted from a cashcard each time when you drive under an electronic gantry.

3. Next is the price of the car which can run into six figures for a Mercedes Benz, and much more if your tastes run to more exotic brands like Ferrari. An average family sedan is approximately S$80,000.

4. Now to get this car, you have to bid for a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) which fluctuates like the stock market - from S$15,000 to S$30,000 depending on the size of car and number of COEs available for that month. There are also COEs for motorcycles, vans, trucks and buses. The best part? A COE is only good for 10 years, after which most car buyers scrap their cars for newer models. Except for vintage models, you hardly see an old, weather-beaten car on roads here.

5. Wait...it's not over. You can't drive without a license plate number and this costs. Want a lucky number like 8888 or 8808? Well, you have to bid for it and may end up paying thousands of dollars. These are particularly popular with Chinese business men or towkays.

Singapore is a small place and there are only so many roads we can build on this island. If everyone were to own a car, we'd be in a permanent gridlock. I appreciate that and refuse to burden myself with a pile of steel. So I'll continue to rely on public transportation. Taxis especially, which can be a pain in the butt, but that's another post.

To everyone who dropped me words of encouragement here and by email during my bout of chicken pox.

I'm less spotty now that I was 1 week ago. And as promised, the spots are fading. I've got 2 marks however - near my nose and on my forehead - that will scar. Sigh! Well, vain 'ole me will be seeing someone about them later once the redness disappears. It's not plastic surgery and I'm not getting botox. But I will do something to refine my skin - not sure what yet but will keep you posted after my visit to a dermatologist next month.

Well, it happened this past Tuesday night when Mom and I heard strange sounds from the garden. Wondering what on earth Dad was up to, I went to look for him. He was smashing something on the grass and when I looked...Ewww! He was smashing caterpillars!

Dad was totally aggravated that some moths had DARED to lay their eggs on this new tree he had planted some months ago. Baby shoots and young leaves were either all eaten, leaving bare branches or whatever leaves were left, riddled with holes. There was a major caterpillar infestation.

I became his eyes. I spotted them, pointed those fuzzy ickys out to Dad, who grabbed them with some thongs before smooshing them. He warned me against touching them as their fuzz causes a severe itch. I think we got about 80 that night.

Oh...oh...these little buggers are smart: they disappear during the day (tried to spot them the next morning and none anywhere!) only to emerge when it's dark.

The second and third night, Dad had a better idea: he found an old tin can and filled it with a mix of water and bleach. We worked fast and got about 40 the second night and about 10 the third night. Last night when I was out, Dad found another 3. I think they will soon be extinct at my address. LOL!

I've had pizza from Spizza just once before and last night was my second foray there with some friends. And now I can admit that this is truly, hands down, the best wood-fired pizza in Singapore. They are thin crust, crispy and NOT swimming in sauce and cheese.

Mama mia! I can't wait till the next time!

I got a Raspberry Tea Frappe instead.

First day at work went well. It was VERY quiet with nearly half of the staff in a mega client meeting that lasted nearly 5 hours. Ack!

I was briefed on a job, went about calling for several film production houses to attend a creative briefing on Monday, and updating my vendor list while contacting several with details of my current whereabouts. Spent some time getting acquainted with Lotus Notes which I last used about 6 years ago.

Lunch was a quiet affair - I headed to Starbucks as I promised myself and did some window shopping after.

Altogether an uneventful first day.

First impression of the new team? The #1 boss is super approachable; the 2 full-time designers are quiet guys while client servicing seem like a bunch of really nice girls. I know all this is subject to change. For now, I'm satisfied and quite happy.

Day after tomorrow that is. I'll finally be able to communicate face to face with another human besides my parents, after being in a bubble for the past 12 days. And I'm soooo looking forward to it.

I'm looking forward to going to lunch with new colleagues and making new friends, checking out my new office space, sending my first email from work, getting to know new clients and their very specific requirements and most of all, picking up a Hazelnut Latte Grande at the Starbucks just across the road at lunch.

I'll finally be out of the house and to work next Friday. It hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be, staying at home for nearly 9 (soon to be 13) days. Most of the time, medication kept me in bed, asleep.

I feel some semblance of normalcy returning but I still can't (read as, won't) leave the house. If scabby spots were the latest fashion accessory, I'd be on Singapore's Best Dressed list. As it is, I'm applying Vitamin E lotion liberally and scrutinising each and every spot closely. Will they be gone by next Friday? I really hope so. I can't imagine walking into my first day with dark reddish-brown spots on my neck and cheeks - some first impression!

I'm planning a spa day with a girlfriend after I'm better. Facials, manicure and pedicure with a nice lunch or tea thrown in. After 2 weeks house-bound, I think I deserve that, don't you?

I've been stuck indoors for the past week. I've had a rollercoaster fever, body aches and chills. Not to mention these frightful red marks all over my body and ...ugh! face. MSN, the internet and my phone have saved me from going crazy.

I've neglected Murphy. I talk to him but won't touch him, afraid to pass it to him. Can dogs get chicken pox, I wonder?