Roger, Invigilate and Proctor

My brother's childhood friend is a police officer. Hence, we communicate more by email than by telephone lest we interrupt him in his work. Email will also give him the time to reply at his own pace. I wrote to him to confirm his lunch appointment with my brother and to my surprise and amusement, he replied, "Roger". I grew up hearing this word, "Roger" being uttered by police officers and organisers using walkie talkies, and somehow could guess the meaning of the word. Hence I decided I would look into the Oxford Dictionary to verify the word, "roger". To my surprise, it has two meanings :- 1) in communication by radio, to show a message has been understood; 2) British English slang (of a man) to have sex with somebody. My brother's friend laughed and said he has never known of the second meaning of "roger."!

I wrote to my buddy, Richard Tam, who is now living in the States and asked him if there is an American slang for the word, "Roger". Richard informed me that the only meaning given in the American dictionary is to show that a message has been received and understood. He also has never heard of the British slang for "Roger." I am curious to find out how many of my readers know of the two meanings of the word "Roger". Please let me have your feedback.

Earlier Richard had asked me about the meaning of "invigilate" which I mentioned in my article, "Adventures of a Little Daihatsu Cuore". Since he could not find the word in the American dictionary, he deduced that the word meant "to supervise an examination" and he was correct. I grew up hearing the word "invigilate" that I had never bothered to check the meaning in the dictionary. From Richard, I learnt that the equivalent of invigilate in America would be the word, "Proctor".

The English Language is so rich and beautiful. I have been learning English for the past four decades and am still learning new words and meanings all the time.

So gentlemen, do exercise caution when you say "Roger!" to the ladies!

Gan Chau :-)

Blood Donation Please, Anyone?

One day, my student at River Valley High, Choon Mui, approached me and asked if I could donate blood to her mother who was undergoing surgery. I had never donated blood before, and like a heroine, I trudged to the Blood Bank. Pride before the fall! To my dismay, I found out that my haemoglobin was below the passing mark of 12. The nurse was very encouraging and gave me some packets of iron tablets.

The following month I went back to the Blood Bank and was delighted that this time I could donate some blood. They would take 330 cc of blood, equivalent to a can of coca cola. As my veins are tiny and well protected by layers of unnecessary fat, it is often difficult for the staff to draw my blood. I would particularly look out for a Nurse Lim, who is the most skilful. At first attempt, she would succeed, whereas others might have to try a few times.

Once a young doctor who looked like as if he was going to take the medical world by storm was preparing to take my blood. Seeing that his confidence somewhat smacked of arrogance, I did not want to warn him of my tiny veins. Dr. Wong poked his needle to draw.... no blood! He tried a second time and still there was no blood coming through. A third time.... still the same result and this time, it was apparent he was turning pale in the face! "I think you better come back again the next time!" he said. "No, Doctor Wong, the Blood Bank is quite far away from my home. Am not going to go back until you manage to take the blood. Please try again," I coaxed.
After the 5th attempt, Dr. Wong heaved a sigh as he saw blood going through the tube.

I am sad that after having donated 75 times, now I have to stop donating blood because of high blood pressure. But the Blood Bank is always so generous. The Bank still gives me ten years of free medical treatment at the various Polyclinics! As a blood donor, I am also given priority to see the doctor, without having to queue up.

Once my rough collie, Kambobo, needed blood transfusion very badly because of tick fever. "I'm a blood donor, doctor. Can I donate to my doggy?" The vet smiled and shook her head. "What group is Bobo's blood?" The vet told me that for dogs, there is no grouping. A healthy dog that has been taking heart worm tablets for 6 months could donate to any dog. The vet later decided to allow her own dog which she adopted from the SPCA to donate blood to my pet. How great is the Creator! If dogs had to have different blood groups, my Collie might not have been saved on time.

I can identify with the feelings of those who look at their loved ones lying helplessly on the hospital beds, and crying out for every drop of blood that could be donated to them. My pet dog's great need for blood transfusion has enhanced my realisation of the crucial necessity of having a ready store of blood in the bank so that every precious person in our country can be saved. I cannot serve in the Army or Navy; the least I can do is to donate blood, which I see as a small form of "National Service" to my beloved nation. I appeal to all healthy citizens and residents: "Please give the 'kiss of life' to your fellowmen. You may one day need it too. Blood donation plese, anyone?

Gan Chau :-)

The Day my Fiat Uno Became a Motor Boat

My friend, Judy and I decided to go shopping at Johore Bahru. I decided to drive there. Since I am mechanically sub-normal, I decided to take my Fiat Uno 1000cc for a check up so as to have minimal risk of the car breaking down in my neigbouring country.

Just after shopping at the hyperstore, Giant, we drove back. It started to rain very heavily. Visibility was quite poor, with the rain pelting down. Before I realised it, I had driven into the most heavily flooded area of the city! Other more experienced and alert drivers must have avoided that flooded section, but where angels feared to tread, I had driven right into the waters. Pedestrians and motorists who took shelter in the shops looked at us and some were grinning with amusement. For some strange reason, I was actually quite happy... for it is not everyday you find yourself in such a situation.... my car had become a motor boat!
I thought it was quite fun and Judy and I giggled like flippant schoolgirls!

Judy quickly pulled up her long skirt. "Oh! Oh! The water is coming into the car, Choo", she lamented. The engine had stalled and I was trying to get my mobile phone from my handbag to call for help, when Judy said, "Don't worry, Choo! Let's pray!"

"Rev the engine.... turn on the engine!" I turned on the key but it gave a discouraging cough and suddenly, the car moved slowly but steadily out of the flood. In front of us were two stalled vehicles.... a mini bus and a van!

Judy and I felt jubilant and grateful when we were driving. We knew our prayers had been answered. When we went into the shopping centre to have our tea, we could not contain our joy, and had to share our experiences with the sales personnel.

The following day, I brought my Fiat Uno to the mechanic to clean up. He could not believe his ears when I told him of our little adventure. "Impossible to rev the engine... impossible!", he said. Judy and I knew better. Our faith had been greatly uplifted! To the Creator of this lovely universe, nothing is impossible!

Gan Chau