Yes, we have all seen the video above of Guang Liang's Tong Hua (Fairytale) and have all wept our hearts out when the girl died at the end of the show.
Not to mention this song was Red Box's, in fact any karaoke joint's No. 1 song for ages as EVERYONE would want to sing it (and cry at the same time) despite having to wait about an eternity before the song ACTUALLY starts.
Yesterday was Christmas Eve and being lonely and sad in boring Edinburgh, a few friends got together to karaoke and what other song would we have sung but Tong Hua.
As the beginning, like I said, took forever to start, we medical students started debating about what sickness the girl in the MV had.
Lung cancer.
Bleeding disorder.
Leukemia.
Breast cancer, with spreading to the lungs.
and the list goes on..
There is this part in the MV where X-Rays are shown of the girl's lungs and that sparked off another debate of her illness.
As in seriously. In the end, the song was left forgotten while we took the discussion to a whole new level discussing her possible blood results and her treatment options.
Halfway through the song, we decided that she most probably had leukemia because of her age and that probably led to a bleeding disorder hence her nose bleed but we cannot be 100% sure because we have not managed to take an exact history from her, done a physical exam nor run any initial investigations.
That settled, we picked up from where we were, belting out the last bit of the chorus full of emotion and of course, hugged each other as we cried our eyes out in the end.
Medical Students... seriously....
Greek & Turkish Foodfare
Greek Culinary Delights
1. Greek Salad
A bed of onions, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce drenched with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper with a slab of feta cheese on top. Just like a regular salad but the feta cheese makes all the difference. Tweak the taste to your fancy with the bottles of olive oil and vinegar that accompanies every meal.
2. Greek Yoghurt
A serving of fresh original yoghurt with condiments on the side. Best if taken with pure greek honey and walnuts if available.
Depends where you are, they might have preserved fruits in syrup which also tastes oh-so-heavenly.
3. Stuffed items
Clock wise from top , bread, greek salad, fava beans and stuffed vine leaves.
Stuffed tomatoes
Clockwise from left: Stuffed onions, greek salad, stuffed tomatoes, stuffed mushrooms.4. Seafood
Seafood spaghetti
Ah.... a country by the sea and not have it's seafood? Cardinal sin!!! However, on a personal note, I prefer the chinese way of cooking seafood. Shh. Secret. Don't tell the Greeks.1. Kebab
Aubergine Kebab
Iskendar Kebab2. Pide
Which actually means Turkish Pizza. Gives Pizza Hut a run for its money.3. Mussels stuffed with rice
Sold by the roadside on a barrow by the river, it really is: Mussels and rice, loaded with ground pepper that gives it a smashing spicy taste. 1 lyra for 2, I can literally stand there and eat the same thing the whole day.3. Fish Burger
Baguette slapped on with slices of fresh fish, grilled on the spot. Squirt on some lemon juice and sprinkle a dash of salt - tastes fantabulous!Look out for the rocking boats though, it's amazing how the fish manages to stay on the grill, and the cook manages to stay on the boat.
4. Baklava
OH MY GOODNESS. Ever tasted something SO GOOD that is just indescribable? Welcome to the world of Baklava. Absolutely gorgeous for the sweet tooth and irresistible even to the most hardcore bitter-lover, this baby is a sure one way ticket to Diabetes-Dom.5. Apple Tea
Funny how I was told to sample their to-die-for apple tea, but what the locals really drink is regular tea. A tiny cup like that intensely flavoured (be it apple or regular tea) with 2 blocks of sugar and no milk (NO MILK please, God Forbid), is actually tipping my my preference of the English tea to the Turkish one.And what every young person needs, a good dose of alcohol in the system. Presenting:
Oozo (left), and Raki(right).Sitting at a folding table, by the side of the street of Monastiraki in Greece, not quite unlike Chee Cheong Kai in KL, we sampled what was true Greek alcohol (so said by the barman).
Oozo tasted like Hacks, the old-man sweet you take when you cough, and Raki - supposed to be downed as ice cold shots - like petrol. And then again, which hard liquor doesn't taste like petrol? And Raki is supposed to be wine.
Raki shots.
Oozo 'Hacks' drink.Turkey's an Islamic country, don't ask.
Istanbul
Turkey.
The last leg of our tour.
A fantastic land full of colours, noise, food and mosques.
Mosques. Yup.
The Famous Ayasofya that looks like a mosque on the outside:
and also on the inside:
but when the mask is removed:
That is Jesus, man.
Ayasofya was built originally as a church and somewhere along the lines of war/revolution/reformation/renewal etc. the new Sultan decided to convert it into the mosque by sticking plaster over the tiled pictures of Christianity. Of course, a century later, the now government finds out that HEY! It's a church!! Let's take down part of the plasters to reveal the truth underneath, convert the place into a museum, charge 10 liras(= RM 28) for entry and stick it into all travel guides so that the whole world will come see it!!
Ingenious really.
So here I present you with the famous Ayasofya Mosque (or Church, can't quite make up my mind) and across from it, staring into its face is the great:- Blue Mosque.
the inside looking like:
Gazillions of ropes hanging from the ceilings to support the lights. Destroys the sight. Not understanding why they did that.
The Blue Mosque was built by Sultan Ahmed to rival Ayasofya because human beings can never be satisfied. And its label came from its blue top though really, the rest of the mosques in Turkey (about 1 cm away from each other) - also had blue tops.
3 different mosques from the Blue Mosque and they all look almost alike.
SO Original Right?! I like.
Of course, in every great empire, there is a palace to go to and we definitely did not miss out on the ultimate tourist experience of entering Topkapi Palace.
On entry, we had to pay up front another 10 lira. Miffed with the fact that I had to part with my already dwindling amount of cash, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Palace was HUGE. As in not Forbidden City ENORMOUS but then Big Enough. Separate buildings for the library, the kitchen, the dining hall, etc. They even had gold plated arches that twinkled and shone in the bright sunlight.
Worth the 10 lira la. I think.
But of course, we had to pay another 10 lira to enter the Hamish, which is the bedroom of the Sultans and his wives. We stood about a second outside the counter, read up about it in Lonely Planet, observed the pictures in another guide book (that a friend got for 5 lira from a street peddlar), fidgeted about a little and did the ultimate Malaysian thing - decided not to go in. After all, why pay 10 bucks if we have already seen pictures of it in the book? I know. Kiamsiap right.
Aih. But really, it is just beds and toilets. I think we made the right choice.
The thing I found most unique was the Basilica Cistern.
An underground water system which was eerie, wet, dark and unearthly. 10 lira for entrance.
Damn, the country's an extortionist.
Pillars supporting walkways with fish swimming about in the gloomy waters below it... Perfect scene for a horror movie. I spent my first few minutes here awed with the sight and the next few running through all the movies I have watched thinking why was this never a spot for a Hollywood mega-hit and then finally came upon this signboard that said a James Bond movie was filmed here before. See, I am sure I was built for something bigger than medical school. Just waiting for Hollywood to come talent spot me as their next big director.
Other bits and pieces included walking miles to see this Aqueduct Valens deceivingly described as 'most people who sees it the first time is speechless with its magnificence and beauty'. The wonderfully scripted words made us walk half a day filled with images of 'magnificence' and 'beauty' only to be greeted with
The smiles are forced. I swear.
Cars, busy, dirty, smoky, noisy traffic travelling at 200mph is NOT my idea of magnificent nor beautiful. And this 'breathtaking' Aqueduct Valens is NOT worth the half day hike through Istanbul's dodgey streets where hum sup men leer at you, fruit sellers swing their wares in your face and on top if it all, constantly harbouring the fear of being a snatch theft victim. Not Impressed Whatsoever.
What is Turkey, if you didn't smoke some shisha, enjoy a luxurious Turkish Bath and watch the ever famous Belly Dancing??
Shisha we did:
bathing we did:
albeit in a rather awkward way as we were unsure of how much clothes to take off. Upon entering, we were allowed a 5 mins lie down on the warm marble raised platform in the middle of the hall before being vigorously scrubbed down by the er...I'll call them 'bath maids' that had huge upper halves swinging in plain view the whole time.Nice Experience though. And Men are in a different section alright.
Belly Dancing...
we didn't.
Well the girls didn't.
Instead, the girls got talked into watching this wholesome experience of True turkish culture - oo la la, says the tourism officer.
Hmm, goes the girls, this is exciting, right we shall go for this turkish culture thing that might be different from belly dancing, cos, really, who hasn't seen some belly dancing before?
So 28 lira poorer, we entered into -
Hell.
Oh My Toot.
1 1/2 hours of pure torture.
Why? Because, we spent 45 minutes watching this guy sing:
Another 45 watching this 5 wackos swirl and twirl:
I mean, really. Don't bother watching.
Basically, in a language we did not understand, people twirling in the SAME ARRANGEMENT/DIRECTION/PATTERN and to put icing on the cake, I overheard some ang mor - obviously, say, "That was really amazing! They seemed to be in a trance. Same expressions. WOW."
I mean WOW. COME ON! I know its cultural and stuff, I even respect it fully - but it is not worth 28 bucks to see the same thing OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
Should have just paid the 35 euros to go watch what the guys saw:
Hmm. Nice.
The Secret Life of General Practicioners
1. They Run Overtime
Most of the time. 10 mins slot per patient is not enough. If a patient comes in with a long list of problems, you can't expect GPs to finish addressing all their problems in 10 MINUTES. I have not even begun to talk about the aunties and uncles who come and tell their life story and the many generations they have up, down, left, right and centre.
Of course, GPs sometimes start late themselves, causing their patients to wait over an hour. Which really sucks. And if the Patient comes late, then it's the patients fault but not the GP eventhough they started late. So yeah, the GP always wins.
2. Tea Breaks
ARE PRECIOUS. Their own little escape from the moaning and groaning of patients. GPs spend their limited 30 mins in the tea room bitching about their patients and also of their own children.
3. Patients are smelly
Yes, they are. You know you are. And when I had to take blood from this absolutely stinking patient, I almost puked on myself because when I touched her arm, it was oily AND greasy. I scrapped my skin raw from over washing my hands that morning. So for heavens sake, take a bath or something before you go see your doctor. Stop spreading the germs around already.
4. Honestly, We Can't Be Bothered
with all your sad stories. I mean...... we are. But we are definitely faking it. Life sucks sometimes, I do not deny, but what GPs can do is offer sympathy and be lend listening ear for the time that you are in our consulting room, or maybe prescribe you some anti depressants in hope of lifting your mood. However, your problems are honestly yours to sort out, we do not live your life. World class actors we are - that's the trick of the trade. Be 'That Nice Doctor' and you've got the cat in the bag.
5. Have A Life
Much more so than surgeons/hospital doctors. That is because they do not go on call (well once in a blue moon anyway) and when work finishes at 6pm, it FINISHES. There is no such thing as weekend work either and no chance of a patient dying on you.. they'll be sent to the hospital before they reach that stage. So family and work life is balanced to the T.
Obesity
So this obese patient comes in complaining of knee pain.
The GP attempts to look interested while recoiling from the horrible smell that seeps out from the patients' every pore.
The GP then tries to locate the knee but can just about only make out where the ankles are.
The GP then abandons the knee search.
The GP decides to suggest normal anti inflammatory drugs anyway and patient goes away happy.
The GP then writes in the notes: Knee Pain. But his shadow grows none the less.
Stop growing fat people.
Yesterday, I was...
Kicked out from a bar for being underaged.
In my whole 22 years of living life, no one has EVER so much as thought of me as being UNDERAGE for I am 170 cm tall and honestly always big for whatever age I was as far back as I can remember.
When I was in primary school, I was the tallest girl in class and the teachers will sit me at the back. ALWAYS.
They are lucky I inherited fantastic eyesight from my ancestors (both my parents wear glasses.. so it has to be someone further up the family tree) and with the 10m distance between the blackboard (in my days it was still a blackboard) to where I sat, it is nothing short of a miracle that I managed to maintained my 20/20 vision up til now. If not I would definitely sue.
Big Time.
When I was in secondary school, I was always asked to play Goal Keeper or Shooter just because of my height. I would request for Center but that is reserved for the smaller girls because they are believed to be faster. (FASTER MY ASS. LONGER LEGS FASTER OK!) I think it it just general 'heightism' towards tall people.
And then when I was a mere 10 year old, aeroplanes I sat in would never offer me the sticker books (I LOVED THEM ALRIGHT), toys and Kid Meals that were given to all under 12s. Which made me pretty miserable and my darling mom will then request it from the air stewardess only to get a look of, "Lady, teach your child to grow up already" while she hands the items over in a huff. And after awhile, I just didn't ask for them anymore. I nicked my brother's ones instead.
When I was approaching teenagerhood, I can pretty much go to the adults department to buy clothes. Not to say I had a whole lot of fashion sense (my parents nor older sister didn't do much to help) but while everyone else was stuck with the frills and silk bows, I could fit into that pair of jeans from British India. And that was with everyone looking at me thinking what in the world is this kid doing in an adult store. (Height does not make your face look older, excuse me.)
But of course, all uncles and aunties of that generation will mis guess my age by a factor of 10 and croon over my parents, 'Wah, your daughter very old already ah! When entering college' when I was in fact, what, 13?
Forget about asking for student prices for items. Too much fuss to prove that I am underaged enough.
And fast forward 5 years on, here I am in a angmor country, at the bar buying a cocktail when this B*#&^ pulls the age card on me. So I whip out my student ID and show it to her. Any decent bar staff would by now get me the damned drink.
"Uh, sorry, no age."
Right, fine. So I don't buy lor.
Then this B*#&^ comes to my table and tells me to get the hell out because I do not have proof of age and that I might be underage and hence not allowed to stay on the premises because I am prettier than her.
WTF.
NEVER before was I denied entrance to any clubs here in Edinburgh (they do not even ask for my age la, please.) In Malaysia, eventhough 23 year old's only I ALSO CAN PASS OK. And the legal age in UK is guess what???
18.
Stupid twits.
I am 4 years OVER that age (though I'd very much rather be 2 years under) and I DO NOT LOOK MY AGE.
Life has been very unfair to me.
All I can do is hope that this 'looking young' thing will last til I am 90.
Greek Islands - Santorini, Mykanos & Samos
Well and truly tired of Athens, we took a flight to our next destination - Santorini.
Postcard picture right!We were there for a total of 3 days, and stayed in this hostel called 'Stellio's Place' that cost 10euros per night which is honestly, DIRT cheap. I mean, with en suite toilet, 100m from the beach and a swimming pool that looked like a huge giant jelly good enough to eat out from?
Slurp, yum.
even the boat is dreamy...
Barren, black rock and soil everywhere.
and finally to Ia, a small city north of Santorini that is famous for its sunset.
Before we could get up there though, we had to climb a total of like 200 steps or something which was quickly taken care of with 4 euros and a couple of donkeys.
Remember: A problem is NOT a problem if money can solve it.
Ia is probably the prettiest city I've ever seen.
White washed buildings on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the sea... Churches with their blue domes.. and the way the sun cast its final rays into the sky staining it into a kaleidoscope of colours... everything was magical and spectacular.The only set back was:
Too many couples.Way too many. Here, there, EVERYWHERE. Sigh. Makes me feel so lonely. That is why - go on your honeymoon or at least with your significant other.
We were then shipped back home at about 9pm. The whole day for 20 euros. Mmm...
The next two days saw us going to Fira, which is the capital of Santorini. I have to say Ia was much nicer than Fira although they had almost the same architecture. Fira had great souvenir shopping though! Always good to know for a girl =)
Went to a few museums that was once again Recommended by LonelyPlanet and I have to say, except for the National Archaeological Museum the others were rubbish. I am not a very museumy person and imagine my angst and terrible heart pain when we had to pay an expensive 2 EURO to enter this museum whose name is not even worth recalling. It did not even have TOILETS! How APPALLING!! This was the first time we had to pay an entrance fee since Athens til now and even the huge National Archaeological Museum did not request for payment from us students!! GOT TOOTING RIPPED OFF.
Argh. Whatever la. Once again, (together now..) If money can solve a problem, then it is NOT a problem.
Mykanos, famous for its windmills (that does not move strangely) was the next island up.
We stayed in Argo Hotel which was absolute heaven. Expensive yes, but the rooms were good, the beds fantastically soft and the breakfast - pure orgasm. They even had their resident kittens that belonged to everyone and were absolutely too cute to be true.
Well, since the sun was shining so brightly,
we decided to go for a swim:
only to realise once we were in the water that it was FREEZING cold. The strongest of us only managed to stay in for about 30 minutes before we all came out shivering and chattering.
Beh tahan.Basically, Mykanos is a party island but because it was already October, all the clubs had moved back to Athens. If not, the party apparently goes on til 5 am every day during summer ON THE BEACH itself. A good excuse indeed to come back here again. In the city of winding lanes and small shops tucked away into its many nook and crannies, we were visited by their mascot, Petros while having dessert.
Your friendly and neighbourly pelican who walks into any restaurant on his own accord.There are 3 of them on the island, Petros being the oldest (sorry, can't remember the name of the other 2) and they are not afraid of humans at all. We even saw one waiter seize one of them by the neck and lead him(or her) out of his restaurant while the only thing the poor bird was guilty of was trying to make friends with the customers.
Poor darling.
Well, after our 2 days of living in paradise, we took an overnight ferry to Samos, the most wu liao place in the whole of our trip.
It was just a wu liao stop over for us to take a 1 1/2 hour ferry to Kusadasi(Turkey). Thing is we arrived at a wu liao time of 7 am and the subsequent ferry we had to take was at 4.30 pm.
So we did wu liao things.
We played wu liao games,
made friends with wu liao people
took wu liao photos
whiled away our wu liao time by taking MORE wu liao photos
and finally our wu liao-ness came to an end when we were packed like sardines(or illegal immigrants) into this tiny, rocky speed boat that had me and my friends singing the whole 1 1/2 hours to Kusadasi just to prevent us from getting sea sick. Yup, proven medical treatment: singing prevents sea sickness. The only criteria for it is you Have to sing out of key.Wah, about 9 hours of my perfect, extremely important life that should be spent saving lives given away to wu liao-ness.
How wu-liao
