Life, stripped naked

Rush. Rush. Rush.

No. Sleep.

Now. 0600.

Leave house. 0900.

Catch plane. 1210.

Belgium.

Belgium.

Belgium.

Amsterdam.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam.

Belgium.

Glasgow.

See you in 7 days.

Miss me ok?

WHOA~!!

I was pretty angry last night huh? Yeaa.. That kinda happens on some nights. But I tend to sleep these feelings away. So this morning I was all fine and fiddley-diddley-doO. I had a coupla people ask me what was wrong and it was great knowing that I had people who cared =) Just to make it clear, I really didn’t mean for anyone to die laa okay.. It was a spur of the moment kinda thing….

Yknow I’m sure everyone’s been hurt by some other important person in their lives but that’s no reason to go generalizing that everyone is that way. Because it’s simply not true! There are plentyyyyy of lovely people out there (macam saya)!! So brush those horrible ones aside (maybe laugh at their misfortunes once in awhile) and cherish the ones that are worth your attention.

***

OKAY!! Now lets talk about happy stuff!! Like how I went to Rumours Kopitiam today (for the first freaking time) and had greasy CHAR KOAY TIAO and yummylicious TARO BUBBLE TEA!! Talk about SYIOKKKKK!! Nearly ONE YEAR tak makan already okayy!! So 70 44.0782679 ringgit for Malaysian coffeeshop lunch oso not so sakit laa…. At least it was as good as my usual (SS3 beside Shell petrol station) char kuay tiao man. I’m talking 3 pieces of sotong, 1 giant prawn, loaded with sii ham and generous portions of taugeh and egg.

:: Me and my char kuay tiao. [Background] Amir looking on as Hansel steals his nasi lemak ::

There goes my plan of being healthy for the day.

Su May’s itch of baking had us ravaging through 2/3 of a casserole of hot fudgy goOey chocolate brownies in 15 minutes. That was my dinner. Su May’s gotta stop weihhhh~!! Past 2 days I’ve been having pancakes for dinner!! Everyone becoming damn mou liu man seriously. All doing gila babi mou liu things to avoid work….

I’m in cold sweat, hyperventilating, tachycardic and totally mentally off!!

I knewwwww this was gonna happen to me! Every single time I watch an episode of OTH. I’m left useless after.

Season 4 Episode 12 marks their 100th episode. One hundered freaking hours of watching them live their lives. Going through ups and downs with them… Every wedding, every death, every little turn in their lives.

I’m so damn emo now. And I need to rant. Rant rant rant so that I can hopefully be a little more functional.

Rant #1

I hate youuuu!! I hate you because you made me happy. You don’t have to do a thing and you’d still make me happy because all I have are wonderful thoughts of you. And I hate you because all this is just fooling me into thinking that you’ll always make me feel this way when I know it isn’t true. To say I think of you everyday is an exaggeration. But I can’t deny that you have never left the deepest parts of my thoughts. I’ve been there more than once and I’ve walked out feeling drained. I refuse to allow it to happen again. I simply refuse!

Rant #2

I hate it that you lied to me. You’re such a f*cking liar. I don’t even like you. Why do you still manage to piss me off after all this time?? Because you f*cking wasted my time. I compromised my safety for you and you never treated me the way a lady should be treated. So yeah you were kinda cute when we first met, but I look at you now and you’re just disgustingggggg!

Rant #3

You got me into the deepest darkest hole and you didn’t even help me get out. You pretty much just left me there to diee!! Stupid f*cker. WHY am I still nice to you?! How could you send me messages on Friendster and simply pretend like nothing happened?! Use your little brain and think! Remember what you did and go kill yourself or something…

…

I’m mad and very messed. Where are you when I need you.

Here’s the video that was played after our VERY LAST LECTURE!!! Ohmygosh freaky shite.. I’m so near the end!! It’s been more than great. Damn video made me tear. BEhh~ Eventhough there was no properly visible picture of me (apparently I tak cukup popularlahh..), I was there at every single event!

noooOO~~ My blog stats are plunging to its deathhhhh.. And it’s all YOUR my fault! I have sOOO many things to tell you guys but I feel guilty for every minute I doodle with my blog!! Okay lets make this short and sweet. Lets do this in 10 minutes. 1.. 2.. GO…

This is what we did last night…

Dinner @ Tiger Tiger with the girls. Me had char grilled 8oz sirloin steak. Medium rare. oOOooOhh~~

For the first time I am part of a sisterhood yoO!! Matching loooOve shaped bracelets and all that jazz….

This is what I received in a parcel the other day…

A freakin kewL electric aromatherapy oil burner.. That changes colour!! *gasP* I am LOVING!! And who knew GREEN-freaking-TEA oil could smell so damn nice?!?! Kenny Chan Teik Keen! Thankiuuuuuu!! **HUGzZ** I am so pampered! HOHOHO!!

This is top on the list on what I want to learn when I get back…

So that I can attempt a Cuppacake

I’ve been following Malaysian Dreamgirl

Confession: I’m a wee bit green that they get like 100o ringgit and a year worth of Wella-sponsored hair services.

I don’t know who to support but I know I don’t like Adeline, “No skirt no lifelahhh”. Bimbotic.

I’m not sure about Ringo. Sometimes I think the producers chucked her back in just to create drama.

I honestly believe our dear IMU Pharmacy junior, Jean is one of the more rounded ones.

I don’t like Kenny Sia on the show. Quote “SEX BOMB SEX BOMB SEX BOMB”. Like.. SO not classy Kenny.

 *****

Who am I kidding. That sO didn’t take 10 minutes.

Wow it feels like ages since I wrote a proper, maningful post. Haven’t been updating as regularly as I used to (which apparently was like.. almost every damn day). I wish I could, cause I love my blog! Hahaha! But you bloggers would understand when I say a good meaningful post takes time. Something that I don’t have since I’m rushing to finish my assignments so that I can peacefully go to the land of chocolates and tulips!!

Anyway, here’s an update on what I’ve been up to other than staring into journals day and night…

I have become an eBay addict

I’ve been looking at hundereds of vintage/celtic/pagan/wiccan/egyptian jewellery. The designs are like something I’ve never come across before! So my first time on eBay and I found this pagan moon goddess charm right.. opening bid was 99p + 1 pound for delivery and I was stoked! I was the only bidder for days! So I thought yeay ykno this is mine! How wrong I was… Some tulan called Plum575 outbid be by 20p at the last few seconds (LITERALLY)!!!! Wah shite I’ve been cursing her for days now and I still can’t let it go cause it was so cheap and pretty and special all in one!! BEHH

I’ve been looking and looking for something I really like ever since and I have my eye on a chakra sun sterling silver pendant with 7 different semi-precious stones – amethyst, lolite, peridot, citrine, carnelian, garnet & cubic zirconia. There are 7 chakra’s within the body and it’s represented by different colours. They each mean something.. I don’t know what.. but it intrigues me anyway!

Starting bid: 2.19, postage: 2.50. Okay right?? I’m willing to bid up to say… I dunno.. 5 or 6 pounds? Bid ends in 5 days. Let me know what you think!!

I’ve been keeping an eye on more stuff! WEehee!! Shite this is bad.. bad bad bad.. especially when some of em aren’t cheap… But toO pretty and unique! Me hard to resist!

Wearing the ‘evil eye’ is supposed to ward off bad luck. I think this belief started of in the Middle-East. So my own interpretation is that wearing an evil eye in a heart means keeping away bad love? Wahaha! This is fun…

Aww now isn’t this just soO sweet? 2 lovers entwined together..

I’m a big fan of anything that has a moon in it. Haha.. so this one’s of some naked women dancing around the moon, and in her other hand she’s holding a star!

Ahh another moon! It looks celtic with the intricate knots, but it has a pentacle.. so it kinda looks pagan too.. I dunno.. I like it anyway..

Okay… is my taste freaking you out already? I don’t usually go for these but I can’t help but find it so interesting! Every piece has a story! (Or you could easily make one up)

A quick scream before I re-bury myself in Pharm Care….

I WANT THIS SO BADLY IT’S NOT FUNNY ANYMORE

Behold the beauty and elegance of the Kitchen Aid Artisan stand mixer in empire red! Makes 4 loaves of bread, 9 dozen cookies or 7 pounds of mashed potatoes at a go.

**DROOL**

May the toothfairy put 2000 ringgit under my pillow tonight. Amen.

I stepped back on the scale today.

Not surprised, yet still awefully disappointed.

It’s crazy. I refuse to believe that I’m doing anything wrongly.

***

How many of you can say that you’ve stopped eating white rice and potatoes? How many can say that that they only use extra virgin olive oil in thier cooking (if not boiled, steamed or microwaved)? How many can say that their carbs come from whole wheat pastas, brown rice, multigrain bread, all bran, oats and bananas? How many can say chicken breasts, tuna and cod/haddock are their staple form of meat? ME ME ME ME!!

You people who still can afford to eat your damn char siew pao, lor mai kai and siu mai for breakfast at those little corner coffee shops or ghee-dripping roti bom with teh tarik at your local mamak… count your damn blessings man.

THAT WAS ME. Before Glasgow happened.

The me NOW has stopped buying chocolates, cookies and pastries and most other things made with butter, sugar and white flour (which is practically every sinful piece of yummy shite). I love baking and yet I now only bake carrot and banana cake cause I can use olive oil (half of which I replace with apple sauce which makes it even lower in fat). I’ve replaced mayonnaise completely with ultra low fat greek yoghurt. The only thing that’s keeping me sane is my coffee which still has 3 heaped teaspoons of creamer.

My healthy meals are yummy! They are! It’s been a good challenge cause I now know how to make the best use of herbs and spices to flavour dishes. But chefs are absolutely right when they say ‘fat is flavour’. I’m a normal dudette. I’d be lying through my pants if I said I hate deep fried chicken skin, deep fried wantan, french fries, creamy cheese cakes, chicken liver pate, CHOCOLATES, butter shortbread, chocolate chip cookies, custard filled donuts, all butter croissants, ICE CREAM, triple cheese pizza, sweet sticky cinnamon buns… the list could go on and on. And yet I try my best to resist all of it every single day.

I’m sure you believe that my meals are healthier than the average joe. And I don’t even stuff my face till I have to walk slightly bent over (like I used to). Plus I exercise regularly. So, is there anything that I’m doing wrong?

OK SO I ADMIT. I have a cookie or two when I’m offered. On rare occasions I even join my housemates and neighbours for a sausage supper. IS THAT THE CULPRIT?!?! Are those few cookies a week the reason I’m unable to loose the blubber? If it is, just shoot me.

***

Y’know, there’s actually a reason why I am (or was) the ‘Chronic Eater’. Not only have I resisted eating my fave food, I’m holding back baking and cooking the things I lOve which is equally bad really. I’m trying here, I really am. But what is the point of trying so hard if isn’t not going anywhere?

A person can only take that much disappointment.

My metabolism rate has hit rock bottom. And I’m beginning to accept that once again, I suck.

So what if it’s out of my hands… I suck anyway. BEHHH

***

I hope things will look up in summer. Apparently our seniors had the same problem but they lost loads in summer. So, I am a little hopefull that things will take a turn then.

So be a friend and tell me… should I relax and eat what I want in hopes that the heat of summer will bring my metabolism shooting back up again?

Or should I continue what I’m doing to maintain (who knows, I might even get fatter a notch or two) my current (fat) self?

(Seriously, F those who want me to go to the gym more often. Do I look like I have all the time in the world?) 

[I had this post up for 3 hours and realised that the actual name of the practice came up as the top 10 search results in google. *gasP* That explains the alterations. Owhh mann~ now this post is just weird.]

I went for my GP visit today at Broom**** Practice and what an experience that was!

Meet our doctor ….

[Picture removed (he looks better in person anyway)]

Dr Marshall (ooOhh~ sexY name)
MB ChB 1986; DRCOG; DCH; MRCGP; FPCert (???)
Partner with the practice since 1995.
Interest: Dermatology. 

First thing I noticed immediately upon entering the clinic was how much it didn’t look like a clinic (by the way, they usually call it ‘practice’ or ’surgery’). The floors and walls weren’t white and tiled like those back in Malaysia and it sure didn’t smell of Dettol. Chairs weren’t lined up in a 3 x 5 manner. And nurses don’t yell out your name when it’s your turn, the doctor comes out and invites you in. Talk about R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Remember how doctors scribble your symptoms on a card or a piece of paper? Screw paper. Everything is computerized here. Personal details, medical history, family & social history, allergies, lab results… just a click away.

So basically we sat in on all the doctor’s consultations for the day from 9am to 12pm.

*****

(Beware non-pharmacy/medical students: the next section will probably be a load of chicken shite to you)

Case #1 62 year old female patient came in complaining of cough lasting for a few months. Easy-peasy. Prescribed penicillin. If no improvement, refer to hospital for chest X-ray to rule out pneumonia/TB and possibly spirometry to check for COPD/asthma.

Case #2 Follow up of patient with a skin lesion (which appeared like a red blotch) on her cheek. She had previously been given fusidic acid cream (treatment for staph infections) which reduced the inflammation. Dr Marshall ruled out the possibility of a melanoma and decided that it was just a wart. He whipped out what looked like a mini blow torch and ‘burnt’ off the area (liquid nitrogen treatment).

Case #3 43 year old hypertensive patient complaining of ankle swelling, headaches and generally feeling unwell on certain days (side effect of the antihypertensive Nifedipine that she is on). Tried many other classes of antihypertensives but intolerant. Solution? Tahan the side effects saja lahh since it’s controlling BP… Not many other options anyway.

Case #4 For 2 months, patient experienced periodic discomfort at the stomach and lower abdomen which is relieved by belching and farting. Blood samples were taken to check for H. Pylori and the general stuff (FBC, LFT, etc.). Impression? Irritable bowel syndrome. Prescribed the antispasmodic, Mebeverine to relieve discomfort due to cramps.

Case #5 Female patient coming in with toe nail fungal infection. This was a little cool =P The nail on her little toe was really distorted looking and the colour was off… a slight tinge of green even. Patient was asked to send in a sample of the nail clippings when it grew a little longer to confirm fungal infection before oral antifungals are given. Meantime? Topical antifungal cream prescribed.

Case #6 Depressed female patient came in in the verge of tears and started rambling on what the society has become (because she had recently seen an old lady with dementia wondering the streets). It made her worried about being alone at that age (she was say.. late 40’s?). We then found out that she hadn’t taken her antidepressants in a week cause she’d left them at a friend’s house and didn’t think she’d need to continue them (aahH~ don’t they all). And we’re like… “nooOO you need em alrite..” So she was eventually written a new prescription for Citalopram.

Case #7 Another funny one. Schizophrenic patient came for follow-up. When intro’d to us.. “owwH Pharmacy students. You guys learn about molecules… X + X = XY.” HUH?? In our minds, ‘keep smiling… keep smiling, nod and say yes’ He’s schizophrenic weih.. Chinese TVB shows taught me that they can pull out a knife and go mad on you without warning. Sad though. He had children but said that he hadn’t had contact with any family members, only social workers. =( Poor fella…

Case #8 Female patient came in with really bad rashes – hypersensitivity to Clindamycin (usually prescribed as an alternative for Penicillin-allergic patients) which she was taking for an ear infection (developed due to piercings). Cheeky Dr Marshall got to look down her shirt =P Naww.. I’m just kidding. He was real professional (but he really did get to take a peek at her boobies). She ended up going home with a non-sedating antihistamine and told to stop the antibiotics.

Case #9 Okay this patient is sO adorable. Typical sweet grandma look – white curly hair, big glasses, flowery shirt tucked into a looong skirt which was worn up to her boobs (or were the boobs down at her skirt??) and she spoke like that Tweety bird granny. She’s 86 and previously came in with nausea. Lab tests found that her sodium levels were low. They stopped her bendroflumethiazide - sodium levels went back up and nausea subsided. But is her BP controlled now? Today’s readings: 147/65. Yay!!

Case #10 Oh this one’s interesting too. A little baby, prolly a coupla months old came in for a check-up. She had the bluest, biggest eyes! She was a little noisy today so Dr Marshall suggested for the mum to breast feed her so that she’ll quieten down and he can listen to her heart (heh heh… more tricks up his sleeve to look at boobies huhh?). Her mum didn’t mind that we were there at all! She immediately popped out her (masssssSive) boobies and stuck them into the baby’s mouth. Voila! Silence! Powerful set of boobies those were! After much listening, he heard some soft systolic murmurs. He was pretty sure it was an innocent murmur but he wanted to get it checked by a cardiologist just to be sure.

House call We got to tag along to the house of a patient Mrs W, 89 years old. She has a looooooOng history of medical conditions. 

Troubling her the most right now is post-thrombotic syndrome which is a complication of DVT causing the development of ulcers on both her legs (Okay I’m saying this cause the doctor told us exactly that so… I don’t know why it isn’t in her history though). Her wounds are constantly weeping so its wrapped up real thick. She uses a walking stick but has ALOT of difficulty getting around.

She had a bag attached to her stomach that collects her poop. She hadn’t passed much for a few days now and she was feeling bloated and horrible. She made the doctor pinch her bag of poop and he agreed it was real hard (omg that’s just freaking gross). Simple solution, double her dose of laxatives. Y’know what was even weirder than the green toe? When Dr Marshall  lifted her blouse to check her tummy, it wasn’t a round tummy like the rest of us. It was LUMPY. ??? Odd-nesS. I asked him about it later on and he said something about her having a history of hernia’s. Hrmm~ peculiar….

She’s a real character. A drama queen. She yelps in pain over slight movements so we’d go over to help and sometimes when we touch her, she yelps even more! Okay that kinda scared me… But when Mrs W isn’t looking, Dr Marshall would smile at us and shake his head, giving us that ‘don’t worry, she’s like that’ sorta look.

Back in the car, Dr Marshall told us that she’s like that everytime he visits her. She didn’t have contact with any family members so most likely she just likes the attention of visitors. Which I find absolutely heartbreaking.

*****

Eventhough I was only there for 4 hours, the experience was like none other! If only I could be his shadow for at least a week. It would have been equivalent to at least a month’s worth of classes.