Doctors in the drama versus real life doctors....?

I was watching a local drama. By local, I mean drama made in this country which I reside in.

Scene 1: The doctor is in a clinic, discussing about hypertension and diabetes to the patients. Then come another patient with asthma... I assume it is asthma because the patient told the doctor that she is having shortness of breath... and because the doctor told the patient that it's asthma... well a real life doctor would inquire about wheezing, duration, intensity and so on... before coming into a diagnosis of asthma. Funny. And the doctor gave the patient prescription for her illness...  so I assume that the doctor is an internist... or anybody specializing with medicine, internal medicine.

Scene 2: The same doctor received a call from his wife. He told her wife that he could not join her for dinner... because he would have to perform a surgery... yes surgery.

It's not a surprise that the laymen sees a doctor as super-human... because of the lies shown by the local drama. An Internist/Surgeon... a rare type of doctor, but not so rare in the telly. Drama doctors are cure-it-all specialist... a branch of medicine which is beyond reality yet very common in local dramas.

Scene 3: The same doctor rushed into a labour room. Apparently, his wife is in labour. He then donned a surgical mask and help the midwives. No cardiotocogram (CTG) machine seen, which is funny since it is a vital apparatus in the labour room... well at least in this region. Even if the baby is crowning, there's no way that the CTG machine would be removed from the suite. And he is not wearing any apron... funny.

If I were the doctor, I would wear an apron first... maybe two layers of apron, after an incident which I have to walk back home in a scrub because my trousers were wet from the gushing amniotic fluid. Surgical mask is not necessary considering that the mother to be is my own wife. So apron first then mask. Mask is important too because we may not know what the patient have; TB, flu etc.

I guess the doctors in the drama are superhuman since they can monitor the fetal heart rate without the CTG machine. Yes, we do use Pinard's stethoscope but to monitor one, you'll have to listen to it for the whole night... or day... and using a Pinard's stethoscope is not easy.

Now the big question, is the doctor an internist or surgeon or OB/GYN specialist?

Hate crime...

Hate crime is wrong at all level.

Example, the hate crime towards the Muslims in the America, could affect the non-Muslim in a Muslim majority country.

Those hate crimes could be an excuse to retaliate back, by committing hate crimes towards the local Christians, because the Western world is often associated with Christianity, however absurd it is like how the Western world would associate Arabs and Islam.

Crowd mentality is hard to curb with social medias nowadays. One silly, absurd post on Facebook or Twitter could provoke anger... which then leads to irrational actions, such as mobs and of course hate crime.

People would be paranoid, felt threatened. The Muslim in the other part of the world would feel threatened by those Islamophobic actions, and if one clown provoke their anger, God knows what would happened.

So, in lieu of the coming Christmas and Prophet's Birthday, let's make the world a peaceful one...

Hi... long time no see...

resuming blogging...
thanks for reading...

My littlest garden...

There's a garden in my heart...

Butterfly pea bud. My first. About 2 months ago, they are just seeds in a pod.

My mother's chrysanthemum. I took care of it. Well, my DIY drip irrigation did most of the job. :P

Blooming, blooming... my blue natural food colouring.

Another one budding. Yay!

Waiting for the chrysanthemum to be fully bloom.

My butterfly pea and (my mother's) chrysanthemum. 

of the haze, the surgical mask and 3M N95 mask...

I used to be a medical student.

So, watching people wearing mask on the telly during the haze makes me laugh.

Not that it's funny, the kind of mask is.

Surgical mask vs 3M mask.

More than a decade ago, we wore N95 mask to school due to the haze. It looks ridiculous but we had fun playing with the mask. Yes, playing.

Fast forward to recent days. Students were wearing surgical masks to school.

To me, it gives a placebo effect. Surgical mask does not help much during hazy days. But I believe it go gives the wearer the sense of protection. So students think that they are protected from the haze but the surgical mask gives little protection to the respiratory system.

N95 in the other hand is a PPE.

Once, I had a flu, but I need to clerk the patients at the ward, orthopaedic ward to be exact. I asked for a mask, and wore it until before Bedside Teaching (BST). That was when the surgeon taking us for BST asked me why do I wear the surgical mask.

"I have a flu, just a precaution as not to spread them to the poor sick patients... (considerate much?)"

And he asked me if I had Occupational Safety Health posting before. And to that, I replied yes.

Then he asked me to revise back on PPEs and remove the surgical mask from my ugly face. (ugly is a humblebrag... JK... refer to previous post)

And he added that, wearing surgical mask do nothing much in containing polluted air from spreading, what more to say protect us. Well, in the case of bird flu, I believe that the infected droplets/aerosols are bigger than smoke particles.

And here's a link to
https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/pressRoom/Current_Issues/2014/haze/faq--use-of-masks-and-availability-of-masks.html

Well, my intention on wearing surgical mask that day is based on logic. I had a flu. So yes, wearing a surgical mask could help. Maybe doctors/surgeons are as knowledgeable as we thought they are...

Ciao.

Humblebrag...

A few years back, one of my neighbour's cousin entered a beauty pageant. Or should I say 'handsome' pageant. Actually, it's a modelling contest.

Well, to be honest, he's quite an eye-candy. Slightly shorter than me. But his personality and confidence is way better than mine.

So, I was tagged in a (Facebook) photo with him in it, saying "Please vote for me. I am the ugliest one at the bottom left corner..."

If you think that you are ugly, why would you join a modelling contest?

So if you are the ugliest, would that mean that those not joining the contest are uglier than him?

Funny.

How people humblebrag, just to show that they are humble, but deep inside, he thinks that he is way better looking than you are.

Hahahahaha... funny!

Introvert yet Extrovert.

I am an introvert. But anybody who knows me would say that I am an extrovert.

Yes, I am talkative. And I can socialize well with strangers.

But, I believe that's because of my thirst for knowledge. I just need to know, and exchanging ideas is one way to satisfy that crave for knowledge. So I am 'extrovert' because I am curious.

I took a Myer Briggs personality test online after watching Buzzfeed.

And my personality is INFJ.

Yes, I am an introvert albeit the extrovert facade. This is common among INFJs.

"They are, in fact, sometimes mistaken for extroverts because they appear so outgoing and are so genuinely interested in people"
second sentence of second paragraph of
http://www.humanmetrics.com/personality/infj.

I love meeting strangers but not going to the club.

INFJ are artistic, idealist and perfectionist. Unique as stated in the result. Less than 1%.

I could not agree more. And the result stated that, INFJs are good at writing.

I wish that's true. I'm not sure how good am I at writing, but I believe that I did well in writing. Not perfect but well.

Yes, I am an introvert. I would not mind becoming a hermit. Well, a hermit living in a very big library... or internet connection.

Don't be sad. God loves you.

Yes, don't be sad because God loves you.

You are still intelligent, it's just that life sometimes sucks.

You are still young although you are in the late 20's

You are still strong, although living with PTSD and anxiety is challenging.

You are still brave because you had survived the worst.

Your friends still like you. Because you are not afraid to be silly.

You are intelligent AND silly. (Oxymoron?)

You are still good looking even though some would say you're not.

You may be overweight now, but you'll be fitter in the future...

Because you had done that... losing 30 kg in a few month.

And God has a special plan for you... even if you're not a doctor.

You should let go the past, but not your root and principles.

You'll be better, stronger and more beautiful

Like a Phoenix

or Garuda.

And one day, after achieving my goals, you'll smile after reading this. Because you've rise from ashes.





*a note to self.

If chickens celebrate Father's Day.

One day, I tried to prank my bestie.

I texted her

"Wanna see my cock?"

And followed by a picture of me and my cock (adult male chicken)

I couldn't imagine if I took a picture of the cock with his chicks. Our hen is laying eggs. I couldn't wait for the chicks to hatch.

Imagine if I said.

"My chicks love my cock...."

A good Father's Day card?

Hot neurologist?

Apparently, in Brazil, there is a hot, hunky neurologist. My friend kinda wish that the doctor is her doctor.

Personally, I think neurologist are jerks. Well, not all, but most neurologist I've met with are. Neurosurgeons are waaaaayyyyyyy cooler. Bedside teaching with neurosurgeons are the most relaxed one.

Yup, there are jillions of hot doctors now.

One big question for them.

"Where were they when I need gym buddies"

Back in med school, none are interested to go to gym. My batch.

Wahahahahaha...

I must admit I have green eyes. LOL.

The racism paradox.

Racism is defined as 'the belief that some races of people are better than others'

So if one call a group of people racist, that's racism.

Calling a race as racist is actually racist. Because you think that you are better (not being a racist). Because you think that your race is better (not racist)

Example: If I call the Jews as racist, that's mean I think that my race is better than the Jews... because we are not as racist as the Jews.

Last Saturday, I came across a comment on Facebook.

"I hope that our [people from a neighbouring state] supporters are not as racist and rude as [people from my state]"

That's racist. That person thinks that her people are more civilized and less racist from us.

A paradox. Calling other race as racist doesn't make one not racist. Calling other race racist makes one racist too.

However, one is not racist if one thinks that his/her own race is racist.

Example, An Arab calling the Arabs racist is not racist. Because he/she is an Arab.

And like it or not, we are all racist. What matters is how racist are you? Less racist? More racist?

Since we are all racist, calling other people racist is akin to the pot calling the kettle black... i.e hypocrite.

But we are just mere mortal. Not a perfect being. So for the time being, let's try to be less racist, and open up our mind.

p/s It's my bestie who makes me ponder about this. Credits to her.

Tampon... (Warning! NSFW)

I am very curious. Most men wouldn't care less about feminine hygiene. But I think men should know at least a tad about feminine hygiene.

Scenario 1: Your girlfriend is menstruating. And she asked you to buy some sanitary pads. What would you do?

Scenario 2: You have a daughter. She panicked because it's bleeding (first time) What would you advise her? (My late cousin thought that she would die when she got her first menses. No, she died of pancreatic cancer, not menstruation...)

Scenario 3: It's your sister's wedding reception. Your peri-menopausal suddenly 'bleed'. She couldn't ask your sister to help her because it's your sister's wedding reception. And she asked you to go to the nearest shop to buy new pants and some sanitary pads. Emergency. (That's a true story. The said person is yours truly...)

So what would you get for them? Luckily, I had my Gynaecology posting during my medical years. So I know what to ask? Spotting? Heavy? Days?

In scenario 3, I bought my mother sanitary pads for heavy flow because it's her first day, which is always heavy. It's funny. My sister was wondering what had happened? She was standing on the dais with my brother in law. Anxious. An emergency, but nothing to be alarm of.

I never seen tampon until matriculation. I was watching 'She's the man'. I've heard of it, but for a man to ask about feminine hygiene is a taboo. I just wonder how would one ram a piece of cotton into that area.

So today, I bought a box of tampon. Just because... Well to satisfy my curiosity.

A box of tampon. Super absorbency. Don't ask me why there's Korean script on the box.

How to wear. Apparently, there's applicator. And the plug itself could expand.

TSS. Blood is the perfect media for normal flora in the vagina. Bacteria produces toxins (I think it's exotoxin... that's why it's could go in the bloodstream... correct me if I'm wrong)

That's visual. Well pictures hold a thousands of words. And nobody is willing to make a show and tell video on applying tampon on YouTube.

There. Cute tampon wrapping. I could just assume that it's a pair of disposable chopsticks or straws from Starbucks. Which reminds me of Max putting tampons in the straw dispenser, which prompts Han to lower the tampon price. To date, I have never heard of vending machine selling sanitary pads or tampons here. I think we should have them. At least our women wouldn't have to carry tampons or sanitary pads in their handbags.

Looks like little sperm. No wonder women in this region are intimidated by tampons. Tampons are not popular here because it is believed to make one lose their virginity. I wouldn't mind if my girlfriend lose their virginity to tampons.

Tampons are small. Maybe Asian men are insecure of their penis sizes. And their thought that tampon could give pleasure to women just like dildo do. My bestie, whom I texted this afternoon told me that she prefer tampons over sanitary pads, because there's no leak and she couldn't feel it in there. The only downside is the price. A tampon (not a box) is more expensive than a can of soda. Might as well put a soda can in there.

Han Lee: that's a cotton mouse. 

Now I get it why Han Lee refers menstruation as when women "chase the cotton mouse"

And I open the flower. This would make a great Christmas tree ornament. No?

Like I said tampons are not popular here. 

Can brainwaves stop? In living human being?

Yesterday, during our English class, we had IELTS reading practice.

Basically, reading section is like comprehension section but harder, and trickier.

One have to read a passage/article/essay thoroughly and think. Personally, I think that the reading section is harder than writing.

Back in school, we are intimidated by writing English essays. English is not our mother's tongue. Comprehension is easier. Actually, too easy. The answer is always the most obvious one. Well, that could explain why we feel inadequate albeit scoring A for our English paper.

Yesterday, we were asked to read a passage on TV addiction.

After we have gone through the passage, we answered the questions given.

Among the questions are filling in the blank.

There's a cartoon, showing a man sitting in front of the telly. The question was "brainwave ........."

So the question required us to think what is the effect of watching TV on brainwave.

The among given answers were, stopped momentarily, reduced or widened. All three sounds possible. But I can use reduced because I have used reduce for other question. So, I am left with 'stopped momentarily'  and 'widened'.

Having some Medical background, I think that it's impossible for human brainwave to stop. Even if it really stop, there are other brainwaves working. Back in psychiatric posting (my favourite), be were thought that human have at least 4 types of brainwaves. Alpha, Beta, Delta and Theta. Those are brainwaves which could be detected by EEG. There are probably more than 4. I'm not sure. I need to ask neurologist to confirm this. (my least favourite medical subject is neurology).

Again, I don't think brainwave could stop. Getting slower, yes.

So I answered widened. If brain activity reduces, the frequency reduced, thus the widened brainwaves. Basic physics.

After we have done with answering, our lecturer gave us the answer.

Yes, according to the answer given by IELTS, our brainwave could stop momentarily.

Mon dieu. So our brainwave flat-lined while watching TV?

Even though TV is also called an idiot box, I never feel more idiot after watching TV. I learn new language from TV, Google up information after watching more TV show. TV makes me wonder more. I learn new vocabulary through watching TV, Sometimes TV show is very stupid that I could criticize the inaccuracy, which makes one to think critically.

Yes, I love watching TV.

And I thought Pluto and Goofy were relatives...

Whenever I watch Mickey Mouse, I found it funny. Not that the characters are funny, their relationship.

Goofy wears clothes but Pluto is naked.

Mickey is shirtless but Donald is 'pantless?'

If Goofy can speak why not Pluto?

And this morning, I was watching Mickey Club House.

There was a scene where Goofy was counting the animals.

"There are 6 rabbits and 1 goat... how many animal were there?"

Instead of 7, I would answer 11!

 6 rabbits plus a goat plus a mouse (Mickey), 2 dogs (Goofy and Pluto) and a duck (Donald).

There, 11 animals.

It's funny when anthropomorphic animal cartoon characters think that they are human, not animals.

Well, humans are animals too... if you study taxonomy. Human is classified under Animalia.

911, collapse and Bin Laden...

Is it coincidence?

I just find it funny. No, not death. The coincidence.

In 2001, 11th September, the WTC collapsed by an act of terrorist, by Osama bin Laden (allegedly?) funded Al Qaeda. And people died.

14 years later, a crane collapsed. The crane belongs to Bin Laden. Innocent people died too.

And they said it's an Act of God, which irk me a bit.

They know that thousands of pilgrims would come, why oh why don't they remove the crane away? Until the end of the pilgrimage?

Or if they can't do that, at least provide safety hats to the pilgrims and post warnings to keep the pilgrims alert of the hazards?

It looks like negligence, not an Act of God. And don't simply blame God on everything.

Hospitality of Gander

It's the time of the year where we remember the 911 incident.

While most media shows the act of terrorist itself, only a few share the story of humanity... in the neighbouring country.

Are Canadians nice and hospitable?

Here are some examples

• Operation Yellow Ribbon and Gander Airport
• 
  
• Agro
• 
  
• Ski coach lending ski pole to Russian skier. 
• 
  
• And sending tons of maple syrup to a Norwegian Ski coach for assisting their skier.
• 
  
• Hosting the Dutch Royal Family during Nazi occupation

and of course

• A Canadian granny who was kind enough to entertain us while our mother was having her hair permed.

Most Canadians are nice people. And it has nothing to do with stereotype.

Why our politics is a joke...

The ruling party has ruled for more than half a decade. Which is funny for a non-single party state. Well, it's a dominant-party system.

So the dominant party and the country is always seen as one entity.

Recently, there has been a big protest against the ruling party and their practices.

An act, which I quote, "unpatriotic"

The protest was against the ruling party not the country. How was it unpatriotic? Very funny, when the ruling party thinks that they are the country not a political party. Anybody against the party is against the nation. The oppositions are unpatriotic scum. The ruling party aka government is always good. Not to forget, the brainwash through television and radio. Any media by the opposing party is a sedition. The ruling party blaming the Christians and Jew for 'breaking-up-the-nation' is not considered seditious. Funny.

A funny idea, but it existed.

The boss is always right. Except, most of us don't trust the boss.

"You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time" Abraham Lincoln...

Double standard leader, double standard citizens

Yes I life in probably the most 'double standard' country. We can't agree with one independence day. We are still debating whether if we are secular of have a state religion. And prices differs with region, which unfortunately, I life in a region where the price are higher. And the government blame it on cabotage.

With this years independence day slogan, double standard should not happen. Unfortunately, it happens. I blame it on the ruling party. They have the tendency to side their (potential) supporters and their kin. If you're not of their race or religion, you can say goodbye to equality.

Truly Asia? Maybe we should change our branding to the land of double standards. The east and west are very different. There are expressways in the west but none in the east, which unfortunately the place I dwell in. After more than half a decade of independence, I would say we are still way behind our western counterpart.

Another double standard would we our mentality?

"First world facilities, third class mentality"

I wouldn't want to comment more.

I thought double standard was not severe in this laid back province. It changed this afternoon.

I was driving to a hill for a hike with Jerry and Josh. On the way to our destination, I went to a filling station. I parked beside a Toyota Camry (and Toyota Camry is considered a luxury car here... where in other parts of the world, Camry are often used as a taxi)

Although it's a self service station, some forecourt workers would assist with the payment near the pump. The forecourt workers (which in the past was referred as pump attendant) assisted the Camry driver with the swiping of loyalty card and punching the numbers on the pump.

Then, I called one of them. There are 3 of them at that time. 2 were gossiping. One was occupied. The gossiping attendants pointed the counter, telling me to pay at the counter. I was driving a local brand car.

How I wish I live in Oregon where self service filling stations are rare if not impossible to see.

Apparently, they thought that their employer employed them to gossip instead of helping the customer. I don't mind going to the counter have they not assisted the Camry driver. That's double standard.

Well, considering that I live near a rich but mismanaged Sultanate, where the rich and snobbish usually come to shop, storekeeper tend to ignore the locals and brown nosing the rich, snobbish foreigners. That's why we kinda hate the B***** for hogging our streets and their we-have-privilege attitude.

Oh my...

Would there be any double standards in Canada? I couldn't comment, but I believe there are, but not as annoying as we have here.

And I wish that that filling station were on fire... Ka-booooom! Just kidding. But it would if I were Carrie.

American or British English?

Last Friday, our English lecturer gave us our assignment that we had done earlier. I got full marks, but there were some remarks on my paper.

First I used the word motion instead of notion. I blame that on me being a dyslexic.

And my suffix -ize, which is commonly used in AmE. Our lecturer, Mdm Q, advises me to stick to one style of writing, preferably BrE.

Yes, we like pommies very much. British English is seen as superior than it's American counterpart. Probably due to it 'originality'? Or maybe the Queen is using it. So someone who speaks the 'BBC English' is seen as having a very good command in English, and have the bragging right. And be a snob...

Growing up, our English teachers would prefer students to use the BrE. Once. my classmate pronounced dance as 'dense' instead of 'done-sss' and she was scolded for trying to be an American.

Personally, I think it shouldn't be an issue. One can choose to speak any type of English as long as it is grammatically correct. How would a non-native speaker judge which English  is superior and which is inferior? Language evolves. BrE may be authentic but AmE would still be better than Singlish, Manglish or Pidgin.

Yes, I spell with a u, for words ending with our. So I spell colour, honour, harbour, favour with a u.

Back to the story, Mdm Q didn't scold me for my choice of spelling style. But our exam would be based on IELTS format, BrE would be a better choice, considering that it's affiliated with BRITISH council. There. I stressed the word British. Naturally, something to do with the British, have to be done in British manner.

Would I change my spelling just to conform with the British spelling? Short answer, if it bothers the reader, yes. Otherwise, no.

No because, I am probably slowly adopting the Canadian English... just kidding.

(p/s I was watching a Canadian documentary on Canadian English, I find it funny, not because of the language, but funny because that's what we've been through... sort of. AmE or BrE?)

Here's the link to the youtube video. Talking Canadian by CBC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIoTpkM5N64

credit to the video's owner. 

Asian Parents

Honour thy father and thy mother...

That's one of the 10 commandments. The hardest one to abide by, I would say.

See, I have a verbally abusive father, which to him is tough love. But again it seems that he loves other people's children more than us. So if I said that he's verbally abusive, nobody would believe me. He's very good with other people, giving them presents (which we hardly ever receive even with our stellar exam results). giving them encouragement to pursue education (but forced me to study something that I am not into... just because I am 'smart'). Giving us hard life, that I have to juggle family obligations while studying and recovering from PTSD. And I am now the black sheep just because I quit medicine.

Deep in his heart, he's blaming me for this 'series of unfortunate events'. Our money face value is dropping, thanks to the mismanagement of wealth, and I am still studying.

They don't care about my dyslexia, my anxiety, my PTSD, my back pain. All that he cares is why am I still studying and not generating money, and wasting his money for sending me to that stupid medical school. (Yes, stupid, I would not recommend one to study in that bigot, double standard medical school, where an unethical man teaches medical ethics...) Again, if he gave me a choice, I would not want to study medicine.

To him, architecture is for arts stream students which I am not. A science stream students should study science. Arts is also inferior to science... said this typical Asian parent.

And instead of sending me to flying school, which is expensive, but again back then, we have enough money, and there's money under my name... something to do with insurance company... education plan if I recall it right. But instead of using that money for education, he listened to his brother and that money was invested with an investing company. And not making profit. Even more loss. Had he used the money to send me to study something that I want or at least to a better medical school, this would not happen.

The reason why I study medicine at that school? It's nearer. And with his 'brilliant' logic, all universities are the same. What counts is the brain. Yeah right... and we never touch a cadaver, which is a shame for a medical students.

Probably the reason why am I bitter most of the time. Maybe PTED is something that I had instead of PTSD.

Reading this, I agree with the writer. Asian parents think that their children are robots, or AI. Must excel in everything. And Asian children are to be blamed if everything goes south. A scapegoat and a black sheep.

I wish I am not Asian or at least have a milder form of Asian parents.

Are Dutch cold?

Jerry's mother worked with a Dutch, Mr. M. She took care of his flowers when he's not around.

He'll be returning to the Netherlands by the end of this month. So Jerry's mother organized a farewell party. Mr. M must be very friendly then because he valued his worker.

Jerry invited me so that there won't be a quite awkward moments. Jerry is always hesitant to speak English, what more to say to a foreigners. So, I'm there to help breaking the ice... sort of.

Well, I like exchanging ideas with people from other parts of the world.

I must admit, the first few minutes was awkwardly silent. I'm looking for any Dutch phrase that I know of. Nil! German? Some. Afrikaans? A bit. But then it's not Dutch. Fortunately, Mr. M is friendly. As we are having the humble party at a barbecue joint, he asked us "So we are having drinks and barbecue?" I replied, "Yes... kinda like our local braai..." Thanks South Africa.

It started with 'Jengkol'

He intended to bring some back to the Netherlands. We don't call the fruit jengkol, but the Indonesians do. Considering Indonesia used to be under Dutch, I'm using that advantage to break the ice.

"Ah yes, Indonesians call it jengkol. My former mother in law is part Indonesian..."

So our conversations include Dutch loanwords in Indonesian... koran, kantor, maskapai, kamar... kraan... (I credited my Indonesian knowledge to Indonesian YouTubers... thanks a lot guys... and Harry Bond J)

And then the geography... how the physical geography differs in the 70's. Isselmeer, Zuilder zee... Land reclamation. Polder...

Jerry asked him where in Netherlands is he from. Mr. M is from the southern part of Netherlands. So I said "That's must be very near to Begium!"

And our conversations continues with...

Flying with KLM Business Class and those little Jenever filled Delft Blue houses.

Schengen and non-Schengen area in Europe... A bit of the Royal Families. He was impressed of my knowledge on their Royal Family. And of course Princess Magriet/Canada relationship. Nazi occupation.

Time zone and Daylight Saving Time was also discussed.

Before parting off, he gave Jerry's mother a box full with foreign coins.

And who said Dutch are cold and calculative/stingy?

p/s Like Stu, Mr. M asked me if I travel a lot, since my general knowledge is quite impressive (not my own words). Nope, never. Never had a passport. I still don't have any passport. And my younger brother had his this morning.

vape nebulizer?

One of my closest friend died of asthmatic attack. A pastor.

I was with my colleagues when Joy showed us her vape.

Which makes me wonder if I replace the 'juice' with salbutamol and normal saline. Could it replace the nebulizing machine?

What if my friend carried a vape with salbutamol the day he died? Could it save him?

Metered dose inhaler could not help much in asthmatic attack.

Can a handy nebulizer be made from a modified vape?

here kitty kitty...

This morning a kitten came to our house. Smelly, and tired looking but cute. He must have been abandoned by it's mother, or neglected. My friend Jerry was looking for a male kitten for more than a month. So I texted him about my finding. 

Why male kitten? Because male kitten "won't reproduce". In proper logic, male cat would not give birth to litters of kittens, which would create havoc. Spaying is not an option. Probably due to their family strong religious belief. 

Neutering is good, but I do think it's unfair for the cats. Do we have the right to decide their fertility? What if one day a doctor accidentally perform bilateral tubal ligation or vasectomy on a person. That person would likely sue the doctor for negligence. Cats can't sue.

However, I wish cats could use condoms, or oral contraception to control their population. 

I never had a pet cat before so I couldn't determine the sex of the kitten. Young kittens have small balls and penis. So I texted Jerry the picture of the cat's genitalia (paedophile cat porn. Still, we can't determine the sex, so I brought the cat to his house.  

The kitten is so friendly. I did wish it's a girl so that I could keep it. But I am not committed to keep a kitten. While waiting for Jerry's reply, I played with the kitten. The kitten was so active, somehow it ended in the chicken coop. The rooster was terrified. So I removed the kitten from the coop.

I put the kitten up on the tree. Intending to let the kitten scratch the tree bark.

Half an hour later Jerry responded to my text. So I brought the cat over to his house. While driving, the cat teased me from the basket. Eventually sitting on my lap. I wish I haven't told Jerry. But again, I'm not ready to keep a cat. Still, I wish it's a girl so that Jerry would refuse it.

Jerry was excited to find out that the kitten is a boy. So he is keeping the kitten.

He's playing with his new master.

This boy could climb. 

Pouncing...

...and prancing.

"Jerry, your feet stinks!"

Pose

p/s a Tom cat and Jerry. Tom and Jerry.

Our education minister is an anti-Christ!

I would say somebody who is against Christian and hates Jews as an anti-Christ. Reason being, the said person is mocking Christ's teaching and hates Jews (Christ = Jew enough said, although one might say the Jews killed Jesus, Jesus is still a Jew)

The minister of education is acting seditious, propagating hatred towards Christians and Jews. I wonder how our younger generation would be. Scary. I could say the anti-Christ is propagating demons at schools.

Really?

No. I'm not as paranoid as the minister and his gangs.

But I would say the politicians (our politicians, some... not in general) are false prophets. Sowing hatred towards Jews and Christians among the (insert the majority race). They claim to uphold the sanctity of (insert any Abrahamic religions beside Judaism and Christianity), but they are not interested in the said religion, just to keep the vote coming.

Why false prophet? They are using religion to get more votes, and the supporters trust them. And then believe their false message. False message like "the Jews and Christians are working hard with the dajjjals to divide the (insert any Abrahamic religions beside Judaism and Christianity)

Yeah like my earlier post, blaming the Jews and Christians is the ruling party's 'sure-win' formula to keep their seat... and other perks associated with their position.

I'm not promoting  (insert any Abrahamic religions beside Judaism and Christianity)-O-phobia, I'm just disturbed with the statement. Please stop demonizing others religion! Sometimes we are the people-of-the-book, other times we are your sworn enemy. (Insert any Abrahamic religions beside Judaism and Christianity) is actually a good religion. I'm blessed to have a best friend teaching me the basics of their teaching. Dispelling the myth. Like most teachings and religions, it promotes goods and morals, and the importance of keeping a good human relationship. However, when 'less-intelligent-being' being starts to use/abuse religion, the outcome is very disturbing. Indeed a false prophet.

The other day while browsing for books at a popular bookstore, I found a 'historical-fiction' on Isabella of Aragon. At the back, basically it's a book promoting hatred towards Christians (especially Catholics). If people were to believe the 'fiction', that's disturbing. What if one day I write a same book but instead of Isabella, I write about Fetih and how he killed the Byzantine Christians? Well I can see the outcome. I would go to jail for acting seditious. People can mock us, but we cannot. Then again Jesus said in Luke 6:29.

(this blog entry is a historic fiction, based on current incidences...)

Majulah Singapura... Majulah Singapura...

The national anthem of Singapore is a familiar melody.

While I can sing it, but not as well as other anthem.

I always forgot my 'berseru' and often switch 'berjaya' with 'Majulah'

I can hum the song, but not sing.


But today I could sing without hesitation. So another anthem in my list. My list of anthems which I could sing well are:

Australia - Advance Australia Fair, just the first verse
New Zealand - both Maori and English version
South Africa - maybe with some mispronunciation.
Canada - English version. French so so. Accent-less French
Israel - Hatikvah
And of course our own anthem...

By singing well, I meant I can sing without minus one and lyrics. I memorized the lyrics very well.

Other anthems which I could sing/hum but not seamlessly.

Philippines - Lupang Hinirang, First second and last stanza. The third stanza is quite fast. Sa dagat at bundok, sa simoy at sa langit mog bughay. I'm not sure about the rest

Indonesia - First stanza and some word from the rest

Singapore - 90% pass.

Brunei - I could recognize the anthem by it's melody, but singing it is quite hard. Some part are too high.

Japan - well, not the national anthem, the royal anthem

And speaking of royal anthem God Save the Queen. Which is the other national anthem of NZ.

USA - I can sing part of it and just hum if I forget the words.

Spain - Viva Espana... Gloria la patria...

Argentina - I would recognize it, watch Rugby. (that explains why I can sing NZ's, ZA's and OZ's)

Tanzania - Since I know Nkosi sikelel iAfrika... I know the tune.



So Singapore, happy 50th birthday!!!

And one of my favourite blog from Singapore is RememberSingapore

http://remembersingapore.org/

Reminisce the past... the blogger did a good job on preserving some of the memories related to the city-state nation.

Funniest comments on YouTube

I was watching this when:

Owl City and Yuna Shine your way...

Then I read the funniest comment, about Christian and Muslim singing together.

From the way they write I can guess their nationality...

Yes, where religion is everything, religion comes first. Like seriously.

Religion is commonly used by politician here. If that fail, just blame everything on Israel. Blaming Israel is the Hail Mary Pass for politicians here.

Almost always religion is used in political manifesto

Politician A: I would do anything to defend our religion, vote for me

Politician B: They (politician A's party) are supporting Israel (indirectly), (while reveling the money trail which indeed leads to Israel.) Vote for us, we will defend the Palestinians. Long live Gaza!

Basically, that's how politician get their vote. It's either defend their right/race or religion and demonize Israel. The Holy Trinity of ( insert the funniest nation here) Politics.

Crusades ended like centuries ago, but some think it's still on going? Well, in this small country, it seems yesterday?

And people question the singers' belief

Finally, somebody who thinks the same... Why suddenly a debate/question on religion when it has nothing to do with religion? They are singing a song about cavemen. Cavemen religion, sounds like an oxymoron here.


Probably why the question surface is from Yuna's hijab. Not everyone is familiar with hijab. Well, everyone have their own right to express themselves as long as it's withing legal boundary. And I respect Yuna for keeping her identity. You go girlllll!

While saying that, I just couldn't understand niqab. Face is not aurat, why cover your face. Facial expression is crucial in communication. I just feel uneasy. Probably because it reminds me of balaclava, which in turn leads me into thinking of burglar. Yes that makes me feels threatened. In this progressive world, I think niqab is a bit obsolete. If niqab inhibit women from having better (job) opportunity, just don't wear it. Women should not be hiding behind those veils. Then again, it's up to that person whether to wear it or not.

Today's rant

Asian parents are good at intimidating/blackmailing

I got good result in Biology, then I excel in my matriculation, then I got offered to an Indian Medical School which was then declined by the sponsors after they got to know how much my father earn... There's more to that, something to do with racism.

Knowing that I have the potential to get into a medical school, my father asked me to apply into one. His condition, apply for the nearest one. The nearest one is a cheapskate but... Asian parents are good at blackmailing.

"It's either medical school or I'll send you to be an apprentice with a 'shady contractor'"

Had he said "It's either medical school or engineering" I would choose engineering. I like physics. But only God know why I got better result in Biology than Physics in my O-level equivalent exam.

Or architecture, or flying school... NO! It's either Med School or building houses! Now I wish I build houses instead...

Looking at it, Asians are good at threatening their subordinates, or minions or whoever below them.

In politics, the same rule apply. "Vote for me or else........."

Asians...

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Honesty is not always the best policy

And I got into a crappy Medical School. During the orientation, a senior asked me  why I want to be a doctor.

My response

"Well, I'm not really interested but my parents would like me to be a doctor. I'll try to like it..." feeling positive that I've been honest.

The senior responded with

"Do you think it's fair for others who wants to be a doctor but couldn't?"

Did he think it's fair for me to be in a medical school just to make my parents happy? I guess his parents are the same. No? Still yellow, still Asian? Why don't you just keep you family's business running instead? Huh?

Fair or not fair, I got a good result. So that hypothetical person that wanted to hard to be a doctor, did he/she get good result? Fair or not fair, I got it because of my hard work, getting good results in my matriculation.

And I think honesty is the best policy. But it turned me into the pariah of the medical school. And I have to be the pariah for 7 years.

Lecturer would ask themselves if it is worth it to teach me medical knowledge if I am not sure about being a doctor. Another Asian mentality. Anybody graduating from medical school must be a doctor, out of law school, be a lawyer, out of Mass Comm school, be a newscaster.

And that's one of the reason the art school denied my application. Science and arts could never be together? Hmmm?

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Why don't we have Lamaze class?

Watching American series, I got to think that Lamaze is good for mothers-to-be, to be prepared for delivery.

Labour room should be a peaceful place, a place where newborn first be at. However, that's not the case here. Nurses and mothers argue at each other. Nurses being quite bossy.

"You should push when it's the right time"

When's the right time then? one might ask. If you're in pain, do you bother to listen? Labour pain is very very painful. So to have an effective communication, a nurse have to be patient, not shouting. In the end, both are frustrated. Nurses because mother seems not to listen to their advice, mothers because they are in pain and shouted at. Bad aura to deliver babies. Probably why newer generations are more delinquent?

Why not learn about delivery before the delivery, when it's less painful, less intense? At least mothers-to-be know when to push... when there's contraction. Not simply push that their sphincter tears apart. Yikes! At least there's clear mind, so more input to the mothers-to-be.

Thought of it a few times before. Like why don't Asian parents care about their babies? Is Lamaze very expensive? How much each sessions cost?

Probably because of our high ego?

"Why should I go to one if my mother could deliver me, and be just fine? I'm not a sissy?"

Well, ladies, it's not about your pain threshold, it's more about your preparedness to deliver a 3 kgs out of your vajayjay...

*I was watching Time Travelling Wife when I ponder on this, this afternoon. BTW, I like the movie. That was my 5th time watching. I have the DVD, but just now it's on the telly

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And I like Milk Soda

I like milk, and I like cream soda.

So mixed both to make milk soda.

It's like ice cream float without the ice cream. It's cold so eating ice cream in this weather would give me brainfreeze...

Yum!!!

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Degreaser, I like!

Not that I like drinking one.

A few days ago, I went to a shop. It's called BYOB. Not selling moonshine though. They are selling detergents and other cleaning liquid. We are running out of handwash, so I bought a bottle. Well, they sell them by weight not volume. And cheaper.

Next to the handwash were a few bottles of degreaser. I never bought one.

Yes, in a typical Asian household, the dishwashing liquid is a do-all kiquid. From washing dishes to washing ovens and countertop and kitchen wall, kitchen sink, cooktop etc... Either that or bleach.

After I found the magic a few drops of degreaser brings, I thought why wouldn't we use them before. Degreaser is my new do-all liquid. Washing pots and pans are way easier with degreaser.

Next try, using degreaser to clean the exhaust fan.

Air filter... and the rude workshop owner.

Our Five Seasons Portable Air Cleaner broke down. And I am looking for people to repair it. It's been with us for 18 years.

I've been looking for repairman or workshop dealing with electrical appliances, since Monday. So, this afternoon I was overjoyed to find one, with the help from some parking coupon officers. Don't get me wrong, I was looking for such services online but it turn futile. The number could not be reached, and there's little option. My brilliant father thought that Yellow Pages are obsolete so he threw them.

Feeling that there's still hope with the air cleaner, I am happy.

But it doesn't last long. The shop is owned by a rude woman.

So it goes like this

"Do you repair air filters? Mine is having some problem"

I didn't bring along the air filter, it's in the car. I was just looking then.

"Air Purifier ka?"

• "No, just a simple air filter, with static filter and fan... apparently the switch is not working, can you fix it?"

"Air Purifier is difficult to repair!"

• "Oh Ok"

"What's the brand and how long have you had it?"

• "It's Five Seasons and we have it for 18 years"

"18 years? And I never heard of that brand, I advise you to just throw it away, anything more than 5 years is hard to fix, no component"

"Just throw it away and get a new one, China brand would not last long, get a new one..."

FIVE SEASONS is a CANADIAN company, MADE IN CANADA! I really want to yell at her but I just kept it to myself.

So any foreign brand is made in China... which is another word for inferior quality. And looking at their website, they still produce the air cleaner, some for KENMORE.

So I asked her if she would repair KENMORE products since the component would likely to be the same.

"KENMORE? What China brand is that?"

Stupid lady. She's of Chinese descendant and looking down at her 'homeland'.

What electrical shop doesn't know KENMORE?

Frustrated, I went to the Landline Telephone Service Provider and get myself a Yellow Pages.

Searching through it and called more companies.

Apparently, nobody is willing to repair an air filter. Now I feel like I am living in a 3rd world country. Well, it is a 3rd world country, disguised as developing nation, showcasing only the developed part of the nation to the world. Yes have tall buildings (used to be the tallest in the world after 911), a national pride, but our highway is mediocre.

Tsk tsk tsk...

Vape vape vape...

Last Tuesday, my brother in law was in town. His first question, Where do folks around here buy Vape?

I'm not sure whether vape is similar to e-cigarette. They look like compact shisha.

I know a place where vape are sold. A place some would call 'Texas' or 'smoke house'

Texas? Maybe because of the barbecue. And I thought Aussies like BBQ more. Let's the Aussies and Texan decide among themselves who like Barbie more.

That place is strategically located. Away from the CBD, near housing estates, where 'off-shoremen' live.

On payday, that place would be very full. The 'off-shoremen' enjoying themselves, akin to sailors entertaining themselves at port of calls. The people from nearby Sultanate also like it there. Low-key, accessible and near.

With that, if I were to sell vapes or contrabands, I would open my business there. Imagine rum drinking pipe smoking sailor.

Returning home, I got headache from the vape.

Then yesterday, my brother asked me the effect of nicotine on brain.

AFAIK, if nicotine refers to just nicotine, and brain as brain itself, I would say the effect would be addiction.

Brain damage? Not that I heard of. Most haemorrhage is due to other components in tobacco.

Nicotine is also good for Parkinson's Diseases. Something that the health department all over the world conceal.

I never knew it, thinking our lecturer was pulling my legs. Well, if the PSA in telly said smoking is bad, we believe the TV more. So I was brainwashed by the TV that nicotine is bad. Until... the fact came out in our MCQ's.

Smoking has protective factors towards Parkinsonism. In other words, the prevalence of a smoker getting Parkinsonism is less than non smokers.

We thought that statement is false. And we are wrong. A majority of us did have the misconception that smoking is always bad. Our lecturer was shocked that we did badly on that question. So he told us to go back and read more. And yes we deserved the scolding.

I am not encouraging people (non-smoker) to smoke e-cigarettes. But I do think it is a better alternative to smokers.

oh that manipulating bitch!!!

I was watching Gone Girl because... let me admit. I like Ben Affleck very much! My man-crush.

I've watched almost all his film since The Town till now... except for Runner Runner... well, he's not the main character in Runner Runner. Prior to that, I've watched Daredevil, Reindeer Game and Surviving Christmas... Armageddon

I just like him so much, I wish he's my elder brother whom I can hang out with (jealous of Casey for having him as a big brother)

While I am a feminist, I also hate manipulating bitch. Well, I hate wicked manipulative person in general, be it women or men. While feminist would hate Hans Christian Andersen or the Grimm Brothers, (for making the main antagonist in fairy tales women... e.g. witch, evil stepmother, evil stepsisters, evil Queen etc...) they seems to have legit reason behind it. Women can be manipulative. Met with some and they made me look evil.

One is a friend's girlfriend, and the other one is a infatuated crazy girl. And they told their friends I'm gay. I am gay towards my friend? Oh no! She just jealous of our friendship. And the other girl, sour grape case. Couldn't hook a guy like me, end up making up stories on why I didn't reciprocate her feelings.

Yes, those manipulating bitch. Had I not met them, I probably would not get PTSD, and there's less thing to think about, leading to me quitting that stupid course at the stupid faculty.


Aaaaaargh! I'm just venting out. YES I HATE MANIPULATING BITCH!

If I could slap Amy, I would for harassing/framing my big brother Ben/Nick.

Yes, it's kinda like Clueless where Alicia Silverstone played a manipulating bitch character.

A reader from Israel? exited!

Reading the Bible, I wish I can travel to Israel. However, being born, and a citizen of one of the most anti-Israel nation, my mother told me to forget it. Another reason why I hope to migrate. I guess you know where. The country I mentioned most in this blog, and in fact it obvious.

Having a Hebrew name, observing the Sabbath, although not always, not eating pork (initially an obligation, but now I developed allergic reaction if I eat any), some of my friend laughed at me when I told them I am a Christian (that was years ago). Well, while our concept of clean and unclean animal is the same, the preparation is not. I do cook meat with milk... so it's not Kosher. Probably due to this, some resorts to vegetarianism.

I wish one day I could travel to Israel, seeing how the Jews observe their Sabbath. Learning their culture and so on. All the information I get about Israel if from Wikipedia and Youtube. In this nation, Jews are depict as monster. Jewish Liverpool player was banned, Jewish orchestra conductor (or is it composer) banned from entering this country. This was made worse by our own version of Papa Doc Duvalier, blaming the Jews on economic recession which happens decades ago. 

Ask anybody about Israel here, all you'll hear is 'lakhnatullah'. Yes, we were taught to be as hostile as possible to the Jews, which is wrong. Is it only here, or everywhere that people hates Jews so much? 

In my opinion, the Jews become what they are (or at least how they are perceived) because of how they are treated. The Ghettoes and Nazi.

Even while watching Merchant of Venice, I do empathize the moneylender, Shylock. They lived in a ghetto, could not own anything, so they could only be dealing with money. They were oppressed. Something that history textbook failed to mention (I mean our school history textbook). 

Yea, I do feel this nation is so f*****ked up, hating Jews like the Jews raped their mother. (just a figure of speech)

BTW, one of the national anthem I knew (I think I can sing fairly well) is Hatikvah. It's one of the six national anthems I can sing well, by well, without looking at the lyrics. 

Yes, I am exited to have Israeli to read my blog. At least they know, not everyone here is anti-Israel. 

Reader from Philippines? Who could he/she be?

First of all Mabuhay.

There are 2 views from the Philippines. Yayyyyyy!

Who could he/she be?

Jason Godfrey, the handsome and funny man with cute smile (bigsmilenoteeth?)

or Gerard Panahon? Sarap! Nice! Delicious!

or Mikey Bustos, the funny singer.

I'm a big fan of these 3 men.

or Diether Ocampo? (while others think Jerico Rosales, or Dingdong Dantes or Piolo are better looking than him, I think Mr. Ocampo is the most handsome...)

Maybe my cousin's cousins.

Or somebody looking for Tubig jokes, or any of my aunt's jokes.

or food posted here (well, I have polvoron from the sari sari shop, and bangus and buko salad and espagetti or saluyot? eh, We have a saluyot plant, but I don't know how to cook them. Is it like pinakbet? with bagoong? I have to ask the pro, my Auntie P)

Whatever their reasons, thank you for reading my blog.

p/s Auntie P is from Pangasinan. She's my aunt not our amah. And she's an excellent cook.

p/s/s I can sing some verses in Lupang Hinirang....

Why block the whistle blower, not punishing the crime/injustice?

There's a big hoo-haa going on. I would not describe further because the chief police might read this blog and put me in lock-up. Yes, our chief police likes twitters and social medias. Attacking bloggers and oppressing freedom of speech.

An independent news was blocked. A whistle blowers to be exact. Which is my favourite.

The site was exposing something (which again, I'm not going to disclose, risky) and the site was blocked for defaming the 'Big Boss'.

Injustice. The Big Boss is not God. Well, if this still happens in the next few decades, North Korea might be milder than us. Any form of speech against the government is 'illegal'. The Big Boss is a demigod. And we are more concern about impressing the other nations with our towers and such, but our people are oppressed.

Anti Israel, with media condemning Israel 24/7 in the national news, saying that they oppressed the Palestinian (While they are robbing us like how they tell everybody how Israel is stealing Palestinian's land) To the extent of worshiping Der Fuhrer.

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A day to celebrate the province's own independence day. Kinda like our own Cinco de Mayo (if we were from the State of Puebla). Except, it was not recognized in the nation. Well, the auspicious date wasn't mentioned in the History Textbook (with the education system politicized, what more could you expect? of course the ruling party would do anything to cover their ass and to brainwash the students that our independence day is in the following month, their independence day)

It's an important day albeit a working day. So true blue (insert the demonym for people from my province) would join the parade or walk as we called them to commemorate our neglected but the real independence day.

But the chief police was not happy. Saying that was against his order.

IT IS A CRIME TO JOIN A WALK TO COMMEMORATE OUR INDEPENDENCE?

The independence day that we've been celebrating all this while is actually another regular day for us. Nothing significant to us.

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At least the whole world know that we are serious in getting what we demand. Autonomy as agreed half a century ago. Fulfilling the agreements.

The Province Big Boss told the media that he understands the sentiment (well, he's our people, of course he understand). Well, I hope the Province's Big Boss would walk the talk into more autonomy and better infrastructure.

Speaking of infrastructure, we have incomplete highway, while in the other part of the country, they are making more. Not enough highways? Oh B**lsh*t! They have limited resources, but their infrastructures are better (but still not enough) While our rich in resources state looks poor, with less than satisfactory infrastructures. Where does the money goes? Of course to the other part of the country. The western part. Sucking our resources from unfair royalties.

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Imagine a modern world French Revolution

The Big Boss(es) are like Marie and Louis. Living an opulent life, while the citizen is in dire.

I can't wait to see Marie and her big hair and Louis executed in public.

Let's bake cakes... gateau...

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p/s this post is either a fiction or real. I don't put any names or exact places, so it could be a place in my imagination or the reality.

p/s/s who eats Jalapeno feel hot (direct translate from a popular adage)

I'm a feminist... don't expect me to be a gentleman...

We were hiking this afternoon. Jerry, his girlfriend Deb, and another 2 more girls... and I.

It's my third time hiking the trail and the first for the others. So I have to slow my pace. Well, I'm not that fast anyway. I usually hike at noon, when nobody is around. It's hot in a hot humid island, so nobody of a sane mind would hike. Heatstroke hazard.

It's different in the late afternoon. There are lot's of fellow hiker hiking the hill.

Jerry's girlfriend was not feeling well. Menstrual pain. Cramp. She has a strong will to finish the track. Very determined. Which is why I respected her. And Jerry is not into PDA. So it's less awkward to hang out with the couple.

She was fine until the end of the trail. Well, like I said very determined. She had menstrual cramps, and headache. Well, imagine an anaemic huffing and puffing up and down the hill. I didn't know that she was not in her best condition until she crouched in pain. Had Jerry told me earlier, I would at least slow down or use the easiest trail. Maybe Deb doesn't think that's a big deal. So she kept mum.

Upon realizing that she is not well, I asked her what's the matter. She had vomitted. And I just sat there staring at the vomitus. The others are looking away. Yes, it's disgusting to see vomitus, but I've seen a lot worse. Scooping poops and examine them under the microscope. Water broke and splashed on my trousers, Bloods everywhere. Yes, I sat there and watch and encouraged her to vomit more.

And of course, taking a deep breath to ease her cramp. Increase oxygen demand, because she's hiking and a bit anaemic, losing blood from menses to add spiciness into this situation. Well, I've always have paracetamol handy.

That's not even the highlight of the story. See, nothing relates to feminism.

A few minutes later, a gentleman told us to call the ambulance. To him, I am not gentleman enough to care about my unwell friend.

I was close to sass him. If I were, this is how I would do it

"Eh uncle, she still can stand it ok. And this is not an emergency to call an ambulance. And the medical assistants in the ER would not entertain us. Ok"

Well, I've been posted to the ER. A granny was sick, just a 'minor' one, but she demands to be seen the first. She was then scolded by the medical assistant for making a scene. I was a student then, so I don't dare to go against the medical assistants. In this region, medical assistants think that they are the doctors, sometimes exceeding the doctor's ego. They don't study medicine like doctor's but they are respected like the doctors by the community. Hence, their ego.

So I sat there, comforting Deb, asking her to take a deep breath to compensate the high oxygen demand and not hesitate to vomit. She did apologized for vomiting in front of me though, but seeing people vomit is less disgusting than watching the local drama. Too cliche, and too cheesy.

Before proceeding with his hiking, the 'gentleman' uncle told us (sarcastically) "She might be fine now, but in the next 4-5 years, it could get worse"

I was close to ask him if he studied medicine before... or is he trying to cast a spell on us. F***k you Uncle McConcern holier-than-thou-wiser-than-thou...

I hate such attitude.

Women are weaker... they said, so gentlemen need to protect them. HELL NO! Women can defend themselves. Only men with bad intention makes them seem weak. So instead of being a gentleman why not make the world a better place for women... instead of protecting them from the wicked world?

So much with their damsel in distress. That's patronizing. Yes, we have a lot of so called gentlemen, but they are pervert too. Like that man who complaints on a certain gymnast's attire. Too revealing, too sexy. Yes, instead of looking there, why not turn your gaze. And those men said that they are there to protect women? You should protect women from yourself, not for yourself. Women would be safer if such men respect women as somebody as capable as men and if such men stop objectifying women.

What, you think women are so frail, so stupid, could not stand pain, that I need to call an ambulance? That's so dramatic, for a menstrual cramp. And you think that's she is the weaker sex, that the cramp is life threatening? I women could not withstand pain, how do you explain your mother giving birth to you? Obviously, he's never been to the labour suite, seeing women in labour pain, but still strong enough to push babies out. Very strong, very determined. That's weak? And that couldn't compare to tattooing pain (yeah, that gentleman have tattoos, not full sleeve, on his arm. Maybe he could not tolerate pain... but showing off the tattoo to impress girls?)

I'm not a woman, but I'm a feminist. If I were a girl, I would wave my hand in front of the man (kinda like the Ghetto gesture... the 'Puta' gesture) and told the man to stop acting gentleman and mind his own business.

Yes, gentleman and bimboes, those are people whom feminist hates. Bimbo for degrading their own sex, acting like they need men's help... everytime.

PTSD turned me into a monster???

Hmmmm... If I were given the chance to turn back time, I would return to my pre-PTSD years. 

Yes, PTSD changed me. But not all are bad.

For instance, having PTSD taught me to empathize. Considerate.

Now, I live in time, not in future. Cherishing life, because life would not always be the same. We get older, matured, and wiser? I hope. 

So monster? Yes, if I am on the road driving alone. I would turn into a monster. Well, just cursing and giving off my middle fingers. Just to that extent. But very frequent. Yes, reckless driving ruined my life. Not, me. The evidence was circumstantial. Just because I exited the junction, I'm wrong, while the other party was hogging the lane. Using children to make me guilty. And I start to have flashback on the incident which put me into this mess. I just wish I had installed videocam as an evidence.  

C'est la vie...

Library... borrowing architecture books.

I was at the library.

I live in a tropical climate and we are too frugal. No AC. So I am looking for ideas to control the climate.

I borrowed Cuban architecture, Singaporean architecture, Living Wall and Roof etc.

The Librarian asked me

"So, you're building a house?"

I replied "More like building castle in the skies." Being sarcastic.

Well, if I live in a perfect world, I would be an architect.

You people are so AC dependent. Yes, we build nice beautiful houses... modern looking or western, without verandah. No verandah, hot house. Hot house = AC.

Vernacular architecture exists to adapt to local climate. So, I like vernacular houses more. Queenslanders are cute. With wrap around verandah. So is Southern Houses, Charleston Houses on stilt with verandah.

Speaking of Cuba, yayyyyyyyyyyy. Cuba is a nice country, rich in culture. It's a good move. And Canadian could not brag about vacationing in Cuba to Americans...

Americans... first legalize same sex marriage, then Cuba... now, who's copying who...

(p/s Obama is a Canadiophile??? yes? no?)

Why playing firecrackers at midnight?

It's funny, considering the facts that in Islam (even in Judaism or Adventism) the day starts as soon as the sun sets.

I was raised as an Adventist, so our Sabbath starts Friday night, so no TV on Friday night. Growing up such way gave me the insight in Islam and Judaism. Our concept of day is similar.

My bestie told me in Islam, dark comes before light(day). Well, in Genesis, there was darkness before God made light. Yes, the idea seems similar.

So practically, Eid starts like 6 hours ago (now it's midnight) Why are we playing fireworks at midnight? IT'S NOT NEW YEAR!!! AND STOP DISTURBING MY SLEEP!!!

Fail!

Well, my bestie's ex colleague was not aware of the facts, even some of my cousins are not aware of it. Her ex-colleague didn't know that the day starts at sunset. He was wondering what is his birthday in Hijri. (Which month which day). So we asked him, when was he born, the exact time, after sunset or before sunset. He got puzzled. After some explanation, then realized that the day in Hijri calendar starts after/during Maghrib.

My cousin got puzzled when I wished her 'Happy Sabbath' on a Friday night.

"Don't we go to church tomorrow? Then tomorrow is Sabbath?" Later did she realized why the strict no TV rule on Friday night.

So, I don't see the need to play firecrackers at midnight. It's not new year (because new year, the Gregorian Calendar starts at midnight...)

Happy Eid, it's a day of forgiveness. So I forgave them for ruining my peaceful night. And instead enjoying the fireworks.

Coconut stealer

Again!

The funny thing was, the duo gave me the excuse that they wanted to ask for permission but nobody is at home. I was at the backyard when I listened to a thud. So I confronted them. So if there's nobody at home, you have the permission to steal? Yes they avoid at all cost not calling their action stealing in this holy month, (okay last month,) Their rationale was, they were asking for permission but nobody is at home. Well, there was no permission. No one was giving them the permission. 

"So, if there's nobody at home, it's right to take without permission?"

They apologized, one of the duo sang a song on forgiving each other... yeah Eid. So I left the scene to get my phone. While I was away, they took the coconuts. Oh, that coconut would be 'haaram' it's stolen goods. So that coconuts are as haaram as porks and alcohol. First attempted stealing, then cheating.

The initial agreement was to not getting the coconut becomes the opposite. They have the audacity to ask for forgiveness and then do the same mistake in less than a minute? 

Yeah in their mind, crooked idea of right, they have the permission. 

Am I stingy? No, they are carrying a sack of coconuts, which I think should be enough. Maybe they took the coconut and then selling them at the bazaar. They get the money, while we who owns the tree gain nothing... losing coconuts in facts. 

Is the Ramadhan Bazaar a good idea? No! Yes it helps the honest men to get more income, but at times, encourage stealing? Which is opposite to the idea of fasting? And it also encourage gluttony. An acquaintance I knew, Mr McClingy, once bought a lot of foods from the bazaar for himself. I asked him why fasting in fasting month when you eat like for 5 person yourself. The idea behind Ramadhan is empathizing the poor. But you eat like a king?

And coconut water sold in the bazaar are tasteless. Know I know some of it is stolen. It's HAARAM!

Well, I wish that the men stealing the coconuts couldn't pass urine for days... and ruptured their bladder. And their penis turns into pussies. Like real pussies. 

Wahahahahahahaaaaaaa... wicked laugh!

Fasting month is almost over, Eid is nearing.

It's a school holiday. Unfortunately, I still have Business Law exam tonight.

This morning, I sent my mother to the airport. It's an airport, so one can expect non-local to be there. Be it Westerners, or 'westerners' or even people from the neighbouring sultanate. They probably start their holiday earlier than us.

I am not feeling well, coughing. And it's hot. So I need to hydrate myself very often.

Then come this westerner (with his cockroach attitude) sneering at me while I was having a sip of water. As if he is telling me to respect the fasting month. A telepathy.

Local are more tolerable. We get along very well regardless of race and religion. There is no restriction for non-fasting individuals to drink or eat in public, unlike the western part of the nation. There, non-fasting individuals (a non-direct way to address certain group of people) are considered as immigrant, and those who fast are the natives. So, the 'natives' would impose rules on other races. And as always quoting their supremacy in this land.

Our local people are very nice. Very tolerable and there's acceptance among each other's culture. When I was 7, I refused to drink in front of a trainee teacher because he is fasting. He encouraged me to drink, and not to feel awkward drinking in front of him. My act of drinking in front of him is actually a blessing. A test, which he gains for not tempted by my action. And it's my right to drink too. Which he thinks that it is not right to deprive others just because they can't drink.

Even so, I still ask my friend before I drink or eat. My friends are okay with it. Bonus blessings... Almost everybody in this state is okay with me drinking in public, and we also don't just drink in front of them, unless necessary.

Sore throat, so I took a sip, very discreet, except that this 'Cockroach' saw me. Did I gulp the whole bottle of mineral water? No, Did I drink it publicly, yes, but discreetly, facing the wall, actually. And I need to drink. So he wants me to drink outside the terminal? Absurd! And he's an adult, matured enough not to be tempted.

Maybe they are privileged in his state where other races kow-tow with them the majority. there's always news where non-fasting students have to take their lunch in less desirable places such as toilet, which they deny calling the toilet a changing room.

Here, students are free to have their lunch in public, and my fasting friends would join, just to accompany us. She's not eating though, she's there as a friend. According to her, her act is to strengthen the bond of friendship among us, (we are from different backgrounds).

Yea, some people think that they are privileged, imposing absurd rules on non-practising individuals, whereas here, we are at liberty to do anything we want. Though we 'live on trees' we still could respect other people. And minor things such as drinking in public during fasting month is not an issue.

Funny, very very funny. Maybe those so-called civilized citizens should learn respect from us 'tree dwelling barbarians'.

Maybe I was wrong for drinking in public, but I have my own reason (unwell) and this is my homeland. And I considered a lot of factors before drinking. Drinking facing an empty blank wall. He's 'kay-poh'ing thinking that he a religious police, policing other people who don't respect the fasting month. God would surely retract you fasting month blessing for being prejudice and judgmental.

Or maybe he is staring at me but other things. But this situation is also a throw back from an incident occurring last year. In a bigger airport. More cockroaches. More leering.

Maybe I am wrong for prejudging this man, he might not meant to stare at me, but such incident occurs.

Well, I am very proud of my fellow comrades (meaning people from my state) for being very understanding all this while. Giving us the liberty to do our things. Not imposing irrelevant rules. Seeing the bright side of other's action. Considerate. Yes we are indeed brothers and sisters, a big family. This whole large state is a one big family.

Wishing my fellow comrades celebrating Eid, a happy festive day, drive safe, and eat moderately.

#I love my state and my fellow 'comrades'. I wish we could co-exist for eternity in harmony. Yay!