Holiday!

First proper break in 9months.

A good use of my annual leave, me thinks.

And if we're not at each other's necks by Saturday,

I'm sure I'll have a lovely birthday too.

Excited!

So, I'm off to Paris.

And I'll see you all in about a week's time.

xox

Edinburgh Festival

Was back in Edinburgh 3 weeks ago for the first time since early last year (when Cui came to visit and we went around the UK). Strange, considering Edinburgh is only 3 hours away. Such a vibrant city, traditional yet bustling. Filled to the brim with foreigners. And it was worse when I was there this time - because of the annual Edinburgh Festival, which features international acts and attracts people from all over the world.

What a crowd! But we had lovely weather (lucky us, because we'd hardly had a summer all year. All we've had were wind and rain. Rubbish.), free accommodation (Chris' sister lives in Edinburgh) and went to a hilarious stand-up comedy performed by an irish guy. Jason Byrnes was sometimes a little too vulgar and crude for my taste (but the guys loved him of course *rolls eyes*) but overall, he was really funny. That said, the effect was somewhat diminished because (and I honestly think so) he was drunk! He couldn't stand still on stage, constantly fidgeting, and quite a few times, he started a joke... found it extremely funny before he even got to the punchline... started laughing until he was rolling on the floor... and never finished the joke! Genius, eh?

What I really loved about the festival though, was the atmosphere... and look at the photos below! Just setting up on the streets, the Royal Mile were filled with them. Walking along the streets, having such a great choice of street performers to watch... even seeing people promote and advertise their shows in such novel ways were a feast for the eyes.

Promotions/Advertisements

Some kindda theatre production...

No clue what they are promoting...

I'm guessing it's some kind of horror production...

As u can tell, most of the time, I don't know what these

people are promoting. Interesting all the same.

Street Performers

Apparently, this dude spent 10years learning,
practising and perfecting his performance.

No clue once again.

I'm guessing, he's showing off his strong stomach.

I actually know what this is about!
Italian opera...
Lovely girls, lovely costume and wonderful voices...


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On our way home, we passed by this shop that smelled heavenly.. couldn't resist and had to go in. Turned out to be the "Fudge Kitchen" where they handmade fudge - mainly made of sugar and cream (heart attack, diabetes, obesity, tooth decay etc... disaster for the body, heaven for the soul) right in front of you.

Stirring the pot of fudge.

He was loving the attention!

Pouring the fudge onto a large marble table

The marble absorbs the heat to cool the fudge down.

Adding walnuts into the fudge and mixing it all up.

He was doing this for a good 10-15mins, to introduce air into the fudge

(to make it light and smooth)

Good arm muscles, I say.

Obviously, the woman has to wash the big pot.

Typical.

Finally!

Shaping it into a log.

This would make 70 slices of fudge

(each about the size of a swiss roll and would sell for about £3)

Absolutely delicious!

Home Internet!

I'm back online almost 24/7 (almost, because I have work) now since I've got internet at home. What a difference it makes! Living without internet is not impossible. But it's a major hassle. Internet greatly improves quality of life. Catching up with friends and family, information at my fingertips, online shopping, blogging and random surfing!

My internet package allows me "unlimited" usage subject to fairuse policy. In the language here, it means "not really unlimited". I get 3GB. Which EVERYBODY I spoke to before getting the package told me: 3GB is a lot! You probably won't even use it all.

Evidently, they have no idea how I use the internet. One week after I got the package, I'm up to 2GB already! 10days on, I'm at 2.5GB... I am now prepared to get a letter from the company asking me to reduce me usage. Apparently, "unlimited" = 3GB but on reaching the 3GB, they do not terminate my account (now, that would be waaaaay too cruel). Instead, I'd get a letter politely (I think) asking me to reduce my usage. If I still do not comply, then the speed of my internet would be reduced. Which, all is all, is not that bad in the worst case scenario.

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On an entirely different topic... I think the lack of sunshine in this neglected part of the world is getting to me. The past week was terrible -- work stress (major event), relationship stress (minor event, tiny event but at that time, it felt like a major event). And you know that the stress is getting to you when even dreams are stressful!

Last week, I had a mega-horrible nightmare (10/10 perfect score nightmare) which had me waking up at 5:30am, so scared that I unable to go back to bed. Ended up coming online, chatting with my bro and phoned 2 friends (one in Brunei, the other in Singapore) just for reassurance that my dream was not a premonition. Most unbecoming, illogical behaviour for a 23-year-old.

Today, my body's decided to give in to the stress and I ended up in bed in pajamas, sweater and 2 blankets, busy sneezing. Took an anti-histamine and goodness! It was strong! I think it's because I've been off the anti-histamines for a long time that I felt the effect so strongly (when I took them more regularly because of my sinus in Singapore, I was normally only slightly drowsy). Well, today, I was concussed for a good 16 hours - can't complain, body needed the rest, and had the most vivid dreams ever (dreamt that Nescafe developed a new coffee that was cigarette-flavoured. Ewwwww....)

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So that's me, for now. Back online. And hopefully back on track with everything else...

8th of March!

That's the date of my last post! Absolutely neglected. Absolutely disgraceful.

Right. Quick update on major changes:

1) I've been changed from being on a temporary contract to being a permanent member of staff now. Hush hush...nooooo... that doesn't mean I'm NOT coming home. Ahem, it just means I can decide when I'm coming home instead of it being decided by my employer. More power to me.

2) I've started driving lessons! Hoho... had my second lesson today, went onto the main road... Woohooo...exhilarating! But oh... oh.... what stress! Clutch control (yeah, yeah, MANUAL car this time. Major culture shock. Apparently, only disabled people drive automatic cars here. Bummer.)

Anyway, back to where I was... clutch control, check rear mirror, blindspot, indicator, traffic lights, traffic signs, pedestrains, bicycle, buses! Arrrghh... drives me absolutely mad. Too much stimuli. Kindda like putting an epileptic into a room filled with multi-coloured flashing lights. Result? An epileptic fit, obviously.

OR, (wait for this) indicating left but tried to turn the car right!
Instructor: What are you doing? *attempting to steer the car left*
Me: Turning left. *steering the car right*

Alternatively, me turning a corner, letting the clutch go to quickly, hence almost heading into another car.
Instructor: Turn! Turn! You have to turn the wheel. The car won't turn itself.
Me: *slowly turning the wheel* Aye.. we'll be fine.

That said, I'm not a disaster, I hasten to add. I have not stalled the car. I have not run anything over. I have not mounted the curb. I have not stopped inappropriately i.e. at a green light. In other words, there is hope.

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Ah, that's it for now.

Ok.

Maybe just one more.

Inverness

Finally getting down to posting photos of my weekend in Inverness. There's been a huuuuuge delay. My excuse is terrible but I'll say it anyway: I've been busy.

Before the photos though, I have to say I'm so happy these days I'm literally bouncing around. Jude (friend and colleague) has been going around asking people: Why is she so happy? What's she on?

Haha...nothing really. Sunshine I guess. It's crazy. Everybody's left second-guessing the weather. Last year, Aberdeen had a late winter - heavy snowfall in March. This year, we had, like, errm, 2 days of light snow in February. The sun's been glorious the past week. But everybody's still cautious and nobody's saying that winter's over. Yes, I'm absolutely delighted with the sunshine we're getting! That's the reason I'm happy. High. Manic. Delirious. Whatever.

Ok, back to the photos...

The Drive... to Inverness.

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Stopped over at Jenna's house on the way.

She's got a lovely house, by the way.

AND! And it's in the COUNTRY!

Minz & Gaurisha in Jenna's garden

See? Country house - big garden! Excellent!

Minz & George... Awww...

Debated with myself for a long time if I should include this photo.

But yes, here it is.

Me. On the piano. After a whole year and a half.

Of not having a piano to play on.

It's true.

You don't miss it until you lose it.

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Minz, Gaurisha & Jenna
in a book/coffee shop with a real furnace in the middle.

Then some shopping...

Haha.

The first ZARA I see in SCOTLAND!

That happiness is unimaginable.

Incidentally, Jude has something to say about my shopping habits.

She says: You need help, girl.

Gaurisha, Jenna, Jude & Minz

Clarification

I was not talking about marriage in my last post.

Oh no...

No.

The "M" Word

I have a new obsession.

M*******.

8 alphabets.

It's practically ALL I think about.

Spoken to a few people about it, just to get some comments.

Comments

1) Good idea if you're financially stable.

2) Heavy responsibility, large committment, not just signing on the dotted line.

3) Look around before deciding. So many choices!

4) No hurry since you're still young.

5) Good idea especially since you're still young.

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It's doing my head in.

I'm.really.obsessed.about.it.

M*******

=)

Photos See The Light Of Day

Finally uploading selected photos from November & December (yes, I know it's already LAST YEAR). Didn't take a lot of photos in Australia and there's one event in particular that I regret not having a photo of - the 3.5 feet eel-tailed catfish that bit into the hook at the end of the line I was holding onto. It eventually got away because we didn't have a net to scoop it up.

My fish was bigger...

Could have been me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Back home, there weren't many photos either, although it was an insanely wild time packed with activities that were definitely legal (lunch, dinner, family-oriented events) and activities that were possibly illegal - no way else to explain an unpleasant run-in with an "officer of the law" (very unprofessional officer, may I add) who threatened to shoot us. Ok, it's actually much less exciting that it sounds, and nobody had to be admitted to the hospital (or the morgue) with a gunshot wound but still, I will hardly be able to forget that policeman's name. When I'm old, demented and unable to remember my own name, my children's names, my address and date of birth, I'll still be muttering his name under my fiery breath. Oh yes, I will...

So here are a selection of photos of some activities featuring some people (I'm hardly going to display my entire family online, am I? They deserve some privacy. And the weirdos out there don't need to know about them either). Other activities, like dinner at fish&co with the cousins, I have no photos of - because everybody thought everybody else was bringing a camera!

Chris, Minz, Freda, Cui, Sheena & Boon
@ The Balcony

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Minz & Bro @ Crystal Jade Vivocity
(First event of the evening)



And then on to the second meeting

Christmas Gift Exchange @ The Canary, Clarke Quay

Back (L-R): Shu Min, Cui, Jon, Freda
Front (L-R): Minz, Yuhan, Boon, Sheena

And finally, the 3rd part of the evening...

Tau Huay @ Geylang

with Jon & Terence

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Christmas Eve itself was spent at Raffles The Plaza attending Ern & Kris' wedding dinner. Photos were taken by professional photographers but I haven't seen them yet! I've only got photos of the post-dinner clubbing @ New Asia Bar. Terrible music, lots of Caucasian party-bodies, very strange mix of people and - get this - $40 cover charge (it's Christmas Eve after all).

Absolutely insane.

I almost shook my head in disapproval at all the people there.

$40 to get in to mix around with an odd assortment of people.

And listen to rubbish music.

If I had paid, I would have felt terribly cheated.

But because I didn't pay, I left 20mins later

without feeling absolutely stupid.

A fool and his money etc etc...

Jeremy (who flew back from Oz to attend the dinner)
& Jeff, Ern's best man.

Mins, Sey Ing, Danlin & Reo

The ice-man at the door!

Insanity & Beyond...

For my 3-month employment, I'm entitled to have 49.9hours (yes, we are that exact here) of time-off and I think I'm sorely in need of a day off to do nothing but lie in bed from dawn till dusk - not that there is a lot of difference between the two because it's winter and dark almost the whole day. But at least, if I lie in bed, I don't put myself in potentially stressful and/or frustrating situations.

Before this past week, I've never experienced a nosebleed. Oh, but the joys of returning to a country with practically non-existent humidity include TWO nosebleeds (quick first aid quiz: when a person gets a nosebleed, should he/her tilt his/her head forward or backward?). To add to the stress of having a nosebleed, what better time to have it then in front of a patient! But bless the gene that allows me to be "calm" in a situation like that and "control" the nosebleed. "Control" meaning, take repeated deep breaths rapidly through the nose to try to "dry" the bleeding - it worked! (See what I mean when I said "humidity was non-existent". That's how dry the air was.) Thus, I managed to save dripping nasal haemoglobin, platelets and what-nots onto my crisp white uniform (it was Monday, too!) And so, my 84 year old patient and her 78 year old brother never had a clue that I was having a personal crisis while I was saying "Uh-huh", "hmmm" and "yeah" through the whole conversation while they were feeding me lies...

Oh yes... trying to pull the wool over my eyes, taking extreme liberties with the truth (euphemisms are ever less harsh) while I was trying my best to help them:

Me: (deep breath - I was having a nosebleed, remember?) Are the both of you coping at home?
Brother: Yes, no problems.
Me: Is there anything I can help you with? Organise services to lighten your load or provide equipment to make your life easier?
Patient and Brother: Oh no, we're fine.
Me: (looking at Brother) Are you keeping well? Were you recently hospitalised too?
Brother: Oh, no no... I was not.
Me: The nurses said you were recently hospitalised (*mumbles* for an overdose of aspirin in a suicide attempt, no less).
Brother: Hmm...
Me: Were you recently discharged home?
Brother: Y...eah.
Me: So why were you hospitalised?
Brother: For no reason, I was in one day and out the next. Just for one night.
Me: Yes, but why were you admitted into hospital?
Brother: I was feeling tired... I just came into the hospital to rest.
Me: Okayyyyyyyy...

The joys of my job!

And speaking of my job... my job description is changing! It's expanding actually... Literally expanding geographically - to include being posted to a hospital in the countryside for up to 6 months at a time. All new staff that join will have to be able to drive because the hospitals in the community are about 1hour away (by car) from the city area. Strangely though, there's no talk of providing us with cars, nor compensation for travelling time, nor allowances for petrol, insurance or road-tax. Current staff (me included) will have the option of opting into this new scheme. We are, of course, trying to get funding for "job re-training" to equip us with the ability to drive. Cheeky, yes... But no harm asking, yeah? Squeezing blood from stone comes to mind though...

That concludes this installment of insanity and beyond. Future installments are in the works, of course and perhaps I will tell you about an extremely interesting Russian patient I have (once I figure out what he's trying to say).

And finally, if you didn't understand a tenth of what happened above, that's perfectly alright.

I was just rambling...

Ahh... Yes.

So I'm back.

Indeed, my blog's been neglected. For quite a while. Didn't even indicate that I had, in fact, returned from Sydney.

But I have. Returned from Sydney to Singapore (where I had quite a wild 4 weeks). And then returned from Singapore to Aberdeen - with mixed feelings.

Yay-ness

• Checked in 33kg of luggage without being charged (allowance was 23kg)
  
• Sat next to un-annoying people on board the plane, although the situation was a bit uncertain during the first 20mins. Man on left of me couldn't find his passport and wanted to get off the plane to look for it but he couldn't find his boarding pass either and was therefore not allowed to disembark. Man got increasingly agitated and kept mumbling profanities under his breath. Oh well, turned out he's got a doctorate in political science and is a lecturer in a well known English University. One can never tell...


• Accommodation officers remembered to leave my keys at the security desk for me, thereby saving me from freezing out in the streets


• Came back to find my bedsheets have been changed and new towels laid out for me. Room service! =)


• Customs don't work on new year's day? Luggage wasn't screened and inspected. And therefore contraband not confiscated.

Sian-ness

• Boring movies on the plane


• No champagne to celebrate new year on the plane (Pilot: Thank you for choosing to fly with us over the new year. --> Only hint that the people in BA/Qantas are aware that it was the new year. No extra smiles for the special occassion.)


• Plane landed late at Heathrow Terminal 4 @ 0600. Plane to Aberdeen leaving Heathrow Terminal 1 @ 0655. Gate closes at 0635. My first run of the year.


• Leaving Singapore. Leaving friends and family and dog behind.


• Delayed luggage - and then damaged luggage.


• Arriving on New Year's Day - Taxi fare was 1.5 times metered rate.


• Short days. In fact, sun didn't come out today. Walked to work in the dark, walked home in the dark. Beware Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)


• Recieved letter from HM Revenue and Customs informing me of the amount of taxes I have to pay.


• No internet at home


• Dry lips, dry skin, dry hands, cracked feet

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Question of the day (from a colleague):

Why, if you can work in Australia, would you even bother coming back here?

Which made me think: YAH, WHY AH?

But everything has it's time and place. And for now, my place is here.

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I have to breathe and clear my mind.

It's very cluttered.