Most TV series I watch are generally police procedural. The Mentalist, Graceland, White Collar, Death in Paradise, Miss Fisher Mysteries, Haven, Grimm, and the list goes on. Currently, I am hooked into watching Motive, Other than police procedural, I'm also into legal drama, not heavy one though. Would love to watch Law and Order but I kinda think it's heavy albeit fun to watch. I watched Eli Stone and Drop Dead Diva. I know it sounds cheesy but, Drop Dead Diva is quite accurate when it comes to law. Maybe that stemmed from my love towards watching Legally Blond or maybe I'm just an archetypal Libra.
Back to reality show, I can't help but to watch ANTM. I would love to watch makeover shows but let's face it, it hard to get those shows here, those are not free to air, and not in DVD format (I prefer DVD because I can watch them at my own time). Well, to compensate, there's always This Old House in YouTube.
ANTM for me is just a light reality show compared to the Kardashian whom I wish I could just throw them into the Pacific, maybe I just envied them. I watch ANTM maybe because of my interest in fashion just like watching This Old House because I'm interested in architecture.
Damn I talk a lot. Back to the question why I watch reality TV. Well, it's fun to watch people making stupid things. They are funny. Sometimes, it's full of drama. 2 girls fighting. And what I like most is the chopping board. ........ you're still in the running to become the next top model.
The chopping board, makes me think that live still goes on even after being eliminated. Sometimes, when I'm in deep shit, I'll imagine myself on the chopping board. And most times, I would imagine that my life is just a reality show.
Once, we're posted to a town by the river to complete our Public Health posting. Since it's a 3 months posting accommodation are provided. 11 guys in a house. It's stressful at times to live with 10 other guys in a 4 bedroom house. Whose turn to shower to whose turn to do the cleaning. Watching a lot of ANTM tells me to stay out from any argument, keep your place clean and nobody would alienate you. And I am always the Switzerland among the 10 UN nation. Minding my own business, except, I was elected to lead the group in some aspects. So it's partial Switzerland then. Some would disagree with my decisions, so there was some friction. Again in ANTM, when you're leading, just keep cool, choose wisely and just agree to disagree.
Another thing, expect some backstabbing. So, when I'm leading, I imagine myself as Alexandria Everett in cycle 16. If I'm not, Alexandria in cycle 17. If you follow ANTM, you would notice the difference between Alexandria in the 16th cycle and the all-star cycle. In the 16th cycle, she seems bitchy. Yeah seems, because the others are jealous of her and starts to call her names, yeah that's you Brittani. In the all-star cycle, she's sweeter. Nonetheless, I vouch for Lexi in both cycles.
Sometimes, I can be as cranky as Molly in cycle 16. She minds her own business though and keep to herself most of the time, so less friction although her nickname was Angry Molly. When my colleague alienate me because of my weirdness I would imagine myself as the handsome Chris H (cycle 20) and the one alienate me the most as Marvin, the bigmouth. Yeah, I would prefer to be Chris H as he is always being misunderstood just like me. We talk a lot but we still harbour deep feeling. We just don't show our feeling.
Lately, I watch Genuine Ken on YouTube. Well I like Chris Holscher more than the others. He don't really call the others names and shy. Aren't shy men cute? (And I feel like castrating myself for making this statement). And why I like guys named Chris with surname starts with H? Just a coincidence maybe. or maybe both are my age, so we 80's babies should stick together.
And no, I don't only watch girly reality show, I watch Survivors and Amazing Race too. I would watch if it's on the telly. Or any house makeover.
(p/s Pardon me for the delay on posting my cookie baking experience, I need a second opinion. My chocolate cookie taste okay, but I need my brother's opinion. To me, it's not as chewy as Famous Amos, but still better (or the same) than regular chocolate cookies)
Showing posts with label rant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rant. Show all posts
Tuesday, 25 November 2014
Saturday, 22 November 2014
I object!!!
Well, I normally don't talk much about politics because I think that they are absurd and nonsense. Politicians get richer, lay citizens gets poorer. They can give you 101 ways to fight jam or water shortage without even experience the citizens hardship. Well, Mr. Twain seems to agree with me (or actually I agree with Mr. Twain)
“Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.”
― Mark Twain
Today let's compare our opposition party with opposition party in other parts of the world.
As a Canadiophile, it is always a pleasure to learn about Canada. The fastest way is to study their citizenship guidebook and test yourself with their citizenship test. So I took an online citizenship quiz just to test my knowledge.
One of the question is "What is the role of the Opposition parties". The correct answer is "To oppose or try to improve government proposals". It is in their citizenship guidebook too. It's good to let their future citizens know that, voting for an opposition party is not a bad thing. And leader of the opposition party lives in the official house. Leader of opposition party lives in an official home! So, it's quite right to say, the ruling party and opposition party have the same right in Canada.
Well, over here, opposition party are viewed as bad, or unlawful, or (insert negative verb). National TV is controlled by the governing party, so most political news or advert are quite bias. And some of the civil servants are afraid to vote for the opposition.
Opposition party are supposed to keep the ruling party in check, And to protest any unconstitutional or unjust act done by ruling party. Otherwise, the governing party would turn into a dictatorship or totalitarian.
If this is too hard to understand, just remember yin and yang. You need both for balance.
Nope, I am not saying the ruling party is bad or opposing party is good. Just pointing out that, how different is our (the majority) attitude towards opposition and why we need an opposition party. And how unfair is our political situation.
I just think it's funny, that all. So don't shoot me!
(well, that unethical professor who taught me medical ethics, he always 'brainwash' us to vote for the ruling party... problem with elderly Asians, they think they know too much, and they think the younger generations are stupid... so called eating more salt)
The quiz that I tried
http://citizenshipcounts.ca/quiz
The official residence of Leader of Opposition party
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stornoway_%28residence%29
And on the list of residents, the current and some former Prime Ministers
Worth reading
http://www.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_responsibilities_of_the_Official_Opposition
*eating more salt means had live longer and have more experience. Another way to say, don't argue with me.
And what I write is a mere observation. If the reader thinks that the information above are incorrect, please comment
Friday, 21 November 2014
Parting with them is like parting with invisible best friend...
Shabbat shalom.
It's normal for children to have imaginary friends. And so believe, bogeyman are 'abandoned' imaginary best friend. That's what my cousin Abigail told me. or maybe it's from a Disney movie? Don't Look Under The Bed I think? Or maybe both. How about adult with imaginary friend? That Day-O...
I have 2 imaginary friends. Yes! have as in present tense. And I'm 27. One is Ben and the other Carlos. Actually, my imaginary friends are not as clear as most think or as movie depicts. I can't describe them physically. Although I can't 'see' them, I can feel their presence. They help me with puns which keep me laughing, they played in the car backseat when I'm driving (imagine Alanis' Ironic video clip). They are present only when I am alone. I even have an imaginary pet. Actually, it's my late dog, not exactly my dog, but I fed, bathe and walked the dog. He was a good hiking companion. He's dead but I had good memories together. Denial, maybe but I'm not crazy.
So one day, my mother caught me talking by myself. This freaks her out. I mean, I'm the craziest one and I used to see a psychiatrist (for my PTSD, ok) She really freaked out. Come on... I even talk in my sleep. And I talk every time. I'm just talkative. Because I'm a Libra.
Some said, adult with imaginary friends are creative, some says it's a manifestation of depression. Well, there's a thin line between creativity and craziness. van Gogh, Munch to name a few. We 'so-called crazy' people colour the normal black and white world. Without crazy people, the world is just a mundane place. So be thankful to us.
Don't Look Under The Bed
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Look_Under_the_Bed
Day-O
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day-O_%28film%29
Ironic by Alanis Morissette
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jne9t8sHpUc
Just to back up that we Libra talk too much, or you can ask any Astrologer...
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20131007093809AA6EmqI
It's normal for children to have imaginary friends. And so believe, bogeyman are 'abandoned' imaginary best friend. That's what my cousin Abigail told me. or maybe it's from a Disney movie? Don't Look Under The Bed I think? Or maybe both. How about adult with imaginary friend? That Day-O...
I have 2 imaginary friends. Yes! have as in present tense. And I'm 27. One is Ben and the other Carlos. Actually, my imaginary friends are not as clear as most think or as movie depicts. I can't describe them physically. Although I can't 'see' them, I can feel their presence. They help me with puns which keep me laughing, they played in the car backseat when I'm driving (imagine Alanis' Ironic video clip). They are present only when I am alone. I even have an imaginary pet. Actually, it's my late dog, not exactly my dog, but I fed, bathe and walked the dog. He was a good hiking companion. He's dead but I had good memories together. Denial, maybe but I'm not crazy.
So one day, my mother caught me talking by myself. This freaks her out. I mean, I'm the craziest one and I used to see a psychiatrist (for my PTSD, ok) She really freaked out. Come on... I even talk in my sleep. And I talk every time. I'm just talkative. Because I'm a Libra.
Some said, adult with imaginary friends are creative, some says it's a manifestation of depression. Well, there's a thin line between creativity and craziness. van Gogh, Munch to name a few. We 'so-called crazy' people colour the normal black and white world. Without crazy people, the world is just a mundane place. So be thankful to us.
Don't Look Under The Bed
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Look_Under_the_Bed
Day-O
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day-O_%28film%29
Ironic by Alanis Morissette
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jne9t8sHpUc
Just to back up that we Libra talk too much, or you can ask any Astrologer...
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20131007093809AA6EmqI
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
Tried and tested (tasted?) Greek yoghurt salad dressing
The idea of eating raw egg yolk disgust me. No doubt, homemade mayonnaise are way better than store bought mayonnaise but if I'm the one preparing the mayonnaise, I wouldn't enjoy eating them. Ignorance is bliss. And, raw egg yolk mayonnaise spoil faster.
But, that doesn't mean I lose my battle with store bought mayonnaise. I don't hate store bought mayonnaise, I just don't like the consistency. If I have to use them I would modify them by adding vegetable oil and lemon juice to make them runnier. After all, lemon juice and olive oil are the main ingredients. My late cousin, Estelle mix them with sweetened condensed milk. That's too sweet for me.
To mix oil and water, one needs emulsifier to emulsify them. Emulsification is when oil droplets are suspended in water, or in this case lemon juice. Emulsifiers need to be both hydrophilic and hydrophobic.
I'm not sure whether yoghurts are emulsifier. But they taste and feel similar to mayonnaise. Greek yoghurt are sour and creamy. With that in mind, I mix Greek yoghurt with vegetable oil. As yoghurt are naturally sour, I don't think adding lemon juice is a good idea. So I mixed both ingredients and season with salt and pepper... et voila. A delicious salad dressing.
I've read this recipe many times before but I was skeptical. Even before mixing in oil into the yoghurt, I felt reluctant. It's a leap of faith. Well, considering Greek yoghurt cost 12 buck a tub which is quite expensive.
Now I'm a convert. No more sugar in my salad. Good for low carb diet.
(p/s I'm gonna find our yoghurt maker in the pantry later. Thinking of make my own yoghurt and strain them. Greek yoghurt are actually strained plain yoghurt. Do store bought yoghurt have live active lactobacillus in them? Because I'm thinking of using them as starter)
Guillotine for eyelids,
Ever wonder how to get sexy eyelashes. Do you envy Ashton Kutcher or Elizabeth Taylor's eyelashes. Guy with curly eyelashes are handsome too. I've met this Indian guy with nice curly eyelashes. He is so cute, I mean his eyelashes are. And calling other men cute doesn't make someone gay...
So, the metrosexual in me keeps on urging me to curl my eyelashes, with eyelid guillotine aka eyelash curler. It's not surprising to find concealers, eyeliners eyelash curlers, nail buffers, mascara or bronzer in a metrosexual's vanity bag. We are not drag queen, we just like to look and dress better. Maybe we are a bit insecure but we are bold and brave enough to use girly stuffs.
With eyelash curler that I have for years, (the rubbers are still soft though) I curl my eyelashes. I even search for YouTube video. It's scary. If you're a pro, there's no need to look for YouTube tutorial, but I'm just scared.
1, 2,3.... ouch. Shit! I guillotined my eyelid. Second attempt... same. Eyelash curlers are scary to mere men but not to metrosexual men... as I said, we're braver and bolder.
After umphteen attempt, I finally got the look I like. However, it's not obvious because of my hooded eye. Talking about hooded eye, I have love hate relationship with my hooded eye. Sometimes it's makes me look fierce. But sometimes I'm grateful, because it gives an illusion of me being serious. Men looks better if they seems serious. And Sean O'Pry have hooded eyes too. So does James Franco.
End up not curling my eyelashes unless I put on some falsies. But that's to RuPaul drag queen. Looking good and feeling gorgeous...
(p/s Rusty Joiner have hooded eyes too right?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyG3MP6FebQ
So, the metrosexual in me keeps on urging me to curl my eyelashes, with eyelid guillotine aka eyelash curler. It's not surprising to find concealers, eyeliners eyelash curlers, nail buffers, mascara or bronzer in a metrosexual's vanity bag. We are not drag queen, we just like to look and dress better. Maybe we are a bit insecure but we are bold and brave enough to use girly stuffs.
With eyelash curler that I have for years, (the rubbers are still soft though) I curl my eyelashes. I even search for YouTube video. It's scary. If you're a pro, there's no need to look for YouTube tutorial, but I'm just scared.
1, 2,3.... ouch. Shit! I guillotined my eyelid. Second attempt... same. Eyelash curlers are scary to mere men but not to metrosexual men... as I said, we're braver and bolder.
After umphteen attempt, I finally got the look I like. However, it's not obvious because of my hooded eye. Talking about hooded eye, I have love hate relationship with my hooded eye. Sometimes it's makes me look fierce. But sometimes I'm grateful, because it gives an illusion of me being serious. Men looks better if they seems serious. And Sean O'Pry have hooded eyes too. So does James Franco.
End up not curling my eyelashes unless I put on some falsies. But that's to RuPaul drag queen. Looking good and feeling gorgeous...
(p/s Rusty Joiner have hooded eyes too right?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyG3MP6FebQ
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
Dyslexia and puns
I am dyslexic. I have problem spelling since I was 6. I spelt MILO as OLIM. Maybe partly because I am a left hander, so I am living in my mirror image self. ( not 100% though, because I am not having situs inversus*)
There are strong correlation between dyslexia and left-handers. Something about how our brains are wired. Genetically, lefties are prone to get schizophrenia. Southpaw are also easily scared... that explains my PTSD. Some of our craziness is caused by our parents and teachers. They tried to 'correct' us. Spanking, hitting just because we use our 'dirty' hand to write (learn). So excuse us for our craziness. Stubborn. Poor handwriting, although my Biology teacher praises my handwriting. I write in block letters so it;s legible, this leads to my rivalry with a fellow classmate. It wasn't me who started it. He is just jealous and starts to verbally abuse me by calling me fat and wrote bad poem about me in our yearbook. Asian 'kiasuness'.
Being dyslexic is sometimes an amusement to my friends. I pronounced SCULPTURE as SCLUPTURE one day and a roar of laughter followed. Adequate is pronounced as AQUEDATE. Blame it on my fascination to architecture. I imagine adequate as something with arches and channels water across valleys. I know adequate means enough, sufficient but that's how I see words. Blame it on brain lateralization.
However, dyslexia drives me to improve my language. When in doubt, I'll just look it up in the internet. Forvo... wikipedia... grammatist... It is said that dyslexics can't understand puns. Really? I like puns. It's true initially, it's hard for us to understand. When I was 10, a friend on mine asked? "Why is the graveyard noisy?" "Because of the coffin'". I took it literally that the coffin talks. Over here, caskets are preferable over coffins. And some doesn't even need a coffin for burial. Back then, I took things literally.
The first time I understand puns was when I am 17. I was reading the Oxford Activator dictionary. It's under jokes. The dictionary gave an example of a joke. "When is a door not a door?" When it is ajar". I laughed alone. When my roommate asked me for a joke for him to tell his English class, I gave him this. But he doesn't really thinks it a joke. So it's not necessary for a non-dyslexic to understand puns better than dyslexics.
Again, not everybody in this region understand puns.
*situs inversus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Situs_inversus
There are strong correlation between dyslexia and left-handers. Something about how our brains are wired. Genetically, lefties are prone to get schizophrenia. Southpaw are also easily scared... that explains my PTSD. Some of our craziness is caused by our parents and teachers. They tried to 'correct' us. Spanking, hitting just because we use our 'dirty' hand to write (learn). So excuse us for our craziness. Stubborn. Poor handwriting, although my Biology teacher praises my handwriting. I write in block letters so it;s legible, this leads to my rivalry with a fellow classmate. It wasn't me who started it. He is just jealous and starts to verbally abuse me by calling me fat and wrote bad poem about me in our yearbook. Asian 'kiasuness'.
Being dyslexic is sometimes an amusement to my friends. I pronounced SCULPTURE as SCLUPTURE one day and a roar of laughter followed. Adequate is pronounced as AQUEDATE. Blame it on my fascination to architecture. I imagine adequate as something with arches and channels water across valleys. I know adequate means enough, sufficient but that's how I see words. Blame it on brain lateralization.
However, dyslexia drives me to improve my language. When in doubt, I'll just look it up in the internet. Forvo... wikipedia... grammatist... It is said that dyslexics can't understand puns. Really? I like puns. It's true initially, it's hard for us to understand. When I was 10, a friend on mine asked? "Why is the graveyard noisy?" "Because of the coffin'". I took it literally that the coffin talks. Over here, caskets are preferable over coffins. And some doesn't even need a coffin for burial. Back then, I took things literally.
The first time I understand puns was when I am 17. I was reading the Oxford Activator dictionary. It's under jokes. The dictionary gave an example of a joke. "When is a door not a door?" When it is ajar". I laughed alone. When my roommate asked me for a joke for him to tell his English class, I gave him this. But he doesn't really thinks it a joke. So it's not necessary for a non-dyslexic to understand puns better than dyslexics.
Again, not everybody in this region understand puns.
*situs inversus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Situs_inversus
Friday, 14 November 2014
Catch me if you can
In my life I have accidentally fool a lot of people. I say accidentally as human like to assume and hold to their assumption religiously. Well kinda like the title's namesake, but less malicious.
The first incident I could remember is in college. In college, I took Biology as my core subject. There are also Physics and Accounting. So basically, one can classify a student as biology major or physics major or economy/accounting major. In our second semester, every students are required to do a research for English class. For the research, one have to do/distribute their questionnaire. For the sample, one have to distribute the questionnaire according to the percentage of students. Overall distribution of student is roughly, 40% Biology, 40% Physics and 20% Economics. So our sample should represent these figure. Say if one group is to have 100 samples, 40 questionnaires are to be answered by Biology students, 40 for Physics and 20 questionnaires to Economics student. Finding an Economic respondent is quite hard.
So one fine day, I was sitting in the library to cool myself down. That is the only facilities on the campus with conditioned air. While waiting, I read a book on Marketing. Typical Asian students would not read something outside their scope of study. I can say, I am the unconventional one. The library is also a good place to find respondents. A few minutes after lazing myself in the library, A cute girl asked me. "Excuse me? Can you spare some time to answer our questionnaire?" I agreed. After I completed the questionnaire, I marked 'Biology' in the Major section.
Upon seeing this, the girls thought that I was pulling their leg. "I think you tick the wrong box, I assume you're an accounting student. Never mind, we'll correct it latter". Apparently, they have enough Biology and Physics respondent and need to find about 30 Economics respondent. "No, I am a Biology major. You can look into my student's ID if you are still doubtful? Science students ID starts with 'S' while Accounting starts with an 'A'. "Oh sorry, we thought you are Economics major since you are reading Marketing book." I felt sorry for them too. They have wasted 1 set of questionnaire and their time. They should have asked me earlier.
Second incident is during an Expo. It is an expo to showcase houses. As always, my arsenal when attending an expo is to dress Business casual. One house design attracted me. It's a 2 and 1/2 storey semi detached house model. With wet and dry kitchen, 2 Master bedrooms and 3 bedrooms. All with en suite bathroom. 2 rooms shared a bathroom. It's called a Jack and Jill bathroom. The house also features clerestory windows for natural lighting and ventilation. The clerestory window suits the butterfly roof. After hearing 'butterfly roof', 'clerestory window' and 'Jack and Jill bathroom', the sales rep start to react coldly. Apparently, she thought that I am an Architect, working for another architecture firm and trying to 'steal' their ideas. I wish I am an Architect... too bad I am not. My knowledge is from reading hundreds of Architecture Digest magazine, Australian House and Gardens, Better Homes and Gardens and other architecture magazine.
The third memorable incident happens in a shipyard. It was during our school trip for our Occupational Health class. First, the shipwright asked the whole class what is a shaft. I'm not that good in explaining things so I made a gesture of propellers with my fingers and cover my forearm with another hand. I meant to say, a shaft is the thing to transmit power from engine (my body) to the propeller (my finger). The shipwright misunderstood my gesture, he said "No, that's the propeller". And the he asked what is a dry dock. "It's dry... " I said. The shipwright then asked the whole class "How to keep the dock dry?"... "Cofferdam!!!" was my replied. "But that dry dock has no cofferdam, Instead the ship has to be pulled to a ramp to expose the hull". He's amazed. Then we went into a tugboat. "Ahoy!!! Can we go up the bridge. On the bridge, I pointed "Is that the sonar? Cool. What is that monitor on our starboard? So the pilot sits here, port" and my 101 questions. Then I asked the shipwright, where is the galley (kitchen), the head (toilet) and the crew's berth (bedroom). If you're into microhomes, you should see the tugboat layout. It optimizes the space. Then, the shipwright gave me a personal tour. And asked me, if my family is in shipping business. Oh I wish I am one of the Onassis family. With nice Greek nose, handsome facial features... and money to burn. "No, my family is not that rich...". After the tour, I met with some welders. I cried in exclamation " IS THAT A PLASMA CUTTER? COOL! HOW MUCH IS ONE?" That amuses my colleague and the driver. An one of the driver jokingly told the class "I think we should leave him here... Maybe in his past life, he works in a shipyard"
That is why, I value my general knowledge. You can share them with strangers. It can be used to break ice if you're talking to someone new. And exchanging ideas is fun. It is also a good tool to flirt. Well, that's how Barney Stintson flirts with girls, except his information is fake. Or kinda like Ted Mosby's modus operandi for hooking up with new girl. Except, he is boring. Wait! Am I like Ted Mosby? Nevermind. I am not into the dating pool anyway.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch_Me_If_You_Can
The first incident I could remember is in college. In college, I took Biology as my core subject. There are also Physics and Accounting. So basically, one can classify a student as biology major or physics major or economy/accounting major. In our second semester, every students are required to do a research for English class. For the research, one have to do/distribute their questionnaire. For the sample, one have to distribute the questionnaire according to the percentage of students. Overall distribution of student is roughly, 40% Biology, 40% Physics and 20% Economics. So our sample should represent these figure. Say if one group is to have 100 samples, 40 questionnaires are to be answered by Biology students, 40 for Physics and 20 questionnaires to Economics student. Finding an Economic respondent is quite hard.
So one fine day, I was sitting in the library to cool myself down. That is the only facilities on the campus with conditioned air. While waiting, I read a book on Marketing. Typical Asian students would not read something outside their scope of study. I can say, I am the unconventional one. The library is also a good place to find respondents. A few minutes after lazing myself in the library, A cute girl asked me. "Excuse me? Can you spare some time to answer our questionnaire?" I agreed. After I completed the questionnaire, I marked 'Biology' in the Major section.
Upon seeing this, the girls thought that I was pulling their leg. "I think you tick the wrong box, I assume you're an accounting student. Never mind, we'll correct it latter". Apparently, they have enough Biology and Physics respondent and need to find about 30 Economics respondent. "No, I am a Biology major. You can look into my student's ID if you are still doubtful? Science students ID starts with 'S' while Accounting starts with an 'A'. "Oh sorry, we thought you are Economics major since you are reading Marketing book." I felt sorry for them too. They have wasted 1 set of questionnaire and their time. They should have asked me earlier.
Second incident is during an Expo. It is an expo to showcase houses. As always, my arsenal when attending an expo is to dress Business casual. One house design attracted me. It's a 2 and 1/2 storey semi detached house model. With wet and dry kitchen, 2 Master bedrooms and 3 bedrooms. All with en suite bathroom. 2 rooms shared a bathroom. It's called a Jack and Jill bathroom. The house also features clerestory windows for natural lighting and ventilation. The clerestory window suits the butterfly roof. After hearing 'butterfly roof', 'clerestory window' and 'Jack and Jill bathroom', the sales rep start to react coldly. Apparently, she thought that I am an Architect, working for another architecture firm and trying to 'steal' their ideas. I wish I am an Architect... too bad I am not. My knowledge is from reading hundreds of Architecture Digest magazine, Australian House and Gardens, Better Homes and Gardens and other architecture magazine.
The third memorable incident happens in a shipyard. It was during our school trip for our Occupational Health class. First, the shipwright asked the whole class what is a shaft. I'm not that good in explaining things so I made a gesture of propellers with my fingers and cover my forearm with another hand. I meant to say, a shaft is the thing to transmit power from engine (my body) to the propeller (my finger). The shipwright misunderstood my gesture, he said "No, that's the propeller". And the he asked what is a dry dock. "It's dry... " I said. The shipwright then asked the whole class "How to keep the dock dry?"... "Cofferdam!!!" was my replied. "But that dry dock has no cofferdam, Instead the ship has to be pulled to a ramp to expose the hull". He's amazed. Then we went into a tugboat. "Ahoy!!! Can we go up the bridge. On the bridge, I pointed "Is that the sonar? Cool. What is that monitor on our starboard? So the pilot sits here, port" and my 101 questions. Then I asked the shipwright, where is the galley (kitchen), the head (toilet) and the crew's berth (bedroom). If you're into microhomes, you should see the tugboat layout. It optimizes the space. Then, the shipwright gave me a personal tour. And asked me, if my family is in shipping business. Oh I wish I am one of the Onassis family. With nice Greek nose, handsome facial features... and money to burn. "No, my family is not that rich...". After the tour, I met with some welders. I cried in exclamation " IS THAT A PLASMA CUTTER? COOL! HOW MUCH IS ONE?" That amuses my colleague and the driver. An one of the driver jokingly told the class "I think we should leave him here... Maybe in his past life, he works in a shipyard"
That is why, I value my general knowledge. You can share them with strangers. It can be used to break ice if you're talking to someone new. And exchanging ideas is fun. It is also a good tool to flirt. Well, that's how Barney Stintson flirts with girls, except his information is fake. Or kinda like Ted Mosby's modus operandi for hooking up with new girl. Except, he is boring. Wait! Am I like Ted Mosby? Nevermind. I am not into the dating pool anyway.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch_Me_If_You_Can
Selfie while......... donating blood?
Apparently, you can 'selfie' everywhere... grave yard, in the car while driving, diving, on a long flight, everywhere. You can also do it while you're dressed, in the dressing room or in your birthday suit. The possibilities are endless. Anywhere, wearing anything, all the time, you name it.
So after getting the key to my 'Alfa Romeo', I went to the blood bank in Canada*. While donating blood, my seatmate or cubicle-mate did a selfie. Do you really need to tell the word how you lose 1 pint of blood? Or as an evidence for your leave. (Yup, one can take a half day off after donating blood in this region... not sure about the real Canada though...) Funny thing people do here.
Donating blood is another story. I am naturally talkative. So it's my second nature to chit-chatting with salesperson or a seatmate. I can be a nightmare. It's my way of exchanging ideas. I'm not really an extrovert. So imagine if I were to be a doctor. I'll be the big mouth one. Not sharing gossip, sharing ideas. That is why I always exceed the time limit for viva voce examination.
See, one paragraph just to tell you that I am talkative. Back to the story, the doctor, a pathologist, needs to interview me. I lost my booklet, so it is a routine procedure. Furthermore, I never donated a drop of blood in this Canada. I intercepted, most of her question, and sound to be knowledgeable in the medical field. So she asked me what did I study. I lied. "Business" I replied. "I just read a lot of Wikipedia". Lying on a Friday?
Then come to the procedure, the lab technician also asked the same thing after I told him, "This vein is prominent, but it's darker. You can just blind poke it... no wait, you can blind poke for venepuncture, it's small bore needle. Ok just do your job. How many G is the red hypodermic needle again? I can't remember". I accidentally let the cat out of the bag. And I got the reaction I dread most. I told him, I'm actually in my final year before I got 'kicked out'. "Why?" actually it's "WHY?"... he is friendly though. We share our experiences of studying in the big city. He studied 10 miles away from my former faculty. Then, we talked about Jackie Chan because Jackie Chan movie is playing on the telly.
And yes, I have a new booklet. Yay. Although at first I was nervous, it's a new place and new people, new environment. I got desensitized in just half an hour. Thank you, for making me at ease. And apparently, I am the first donor today in the blood bank. Yay! They thank me for breaking the jinx.
Ok that's for now. Quebec Alfa Romeo is still dirty. Ughhhh.
*Canada is just a nickname. It's somewhere over the................................... arc en ciel, not the real Canada.
p/s my sister called me while I type this post. She asked me which rice to buy... I should open a helpline.
So after getting the key to my 'Alfa Romeo', I went to the blood bank in Canada*. While donating blood, my seatmate or cubicle-mate did a selfie. Do you really need to tell the word how you lose 1 pint of blood? Or as an evidence for your leave. (Yup, one can take a half day off after donating blood in this region... not sure about the real Canada though...) Funny thing people do here.
Donating blood is another story. I am naturally talkative. So it's my second nature to chit-chatting with salesperson or a seatmate. I can be a nightmare. It's my way of exchanging ideas. I'm not really an extrovert. So imagine if I were to be a doctor. I'll be the big mouth one. Not sharing gossip, sharing ideas. That is why I always exceed the time limit for viva voce examination.
See, one paragraph just to tell you that I am talkative. Back to the story, the doctor, a pathologist, needs to interview me. I lost my booklet, so it is a routine procedure. Furthermore, I never donated a drop of blood in this Canada. I intercepted, most of her question, and sound to be knowledgeable in the medical field. So she asked me what did I study. I lied. "Business" I replied. "I just read a lot of Wikipedia". Lying on a Friday?
Then come to the procedure, the lab technician also asked the same thing after I told him, "This vein is prominent, but it's darker. You can just blind poke it... no wait, you can blind poke for venepuncture, it's small bore needle. Ok just do your job. How many G is the red hypodermic needle again? I can't remember". I accidentally let the cat out of the bag. And I got the reaction I dread most. I told him, I'm actually in my final year before I got 'kicked out'. "Why?" actually it's "WHY?"... he is friendly though. We share our experiences of studying in the big city. He studied 10 miles away from my former faculty. Then, we talked about Jackie Chan because Jackie Chan movie is playing on the telly.
And yes, I have a new booklet. Yay. Although at first I was nervous, it's a new place and new people, new environment. I got desensitized in just half an hour. Thank you, for making me at ease. And apparently, I am the first donor today in the blood bank. Yay! They thank me for breaking the jinx.
Ok that's for now. Quebec Alfa Romeo is still dirty. Ughhhh.
*Canada is just a nickname. It's somewhere over the................................... arc en ciel, not the real Canada.
p/s my sister called me while I type this post. She asked me which rice to buy... I should open a helpline.
Thursday, 13 November 2014
Typical Asian Parent
Sounds cliche, right? There's no smoke without fire... unless you're dealing with dry ice.
My dear mother is among millions of Asian parents. This morning, she expressed her worry about my sister's employment status to me, for the second time. For your information, my sister is happily married and unemployed.
My mother is worried about what would my sister's mother in law think. She thinks that my sister should work as she is more qualified than my brother in law. My sister is a degree holder while my brother in law's highest qualification is diploma. To me there's nothing wrong. Maybe my sister just couldn't find a suitable job. My mother thinks her in law is 'the glamourous' type of person and would look down on my sister. I have met with my sister's mother in law more than my mother. She is that "glamour" type, but she's not like what my mother thinks. My sister's mother in law knew that my father and mother are more educated than her (that's what she told my when we were chit chatting the other day). I don't know her though and through, but I know she is exited to have a daughter in law. See how she dressed my sister on the wedding reception. I must admit, my sister dressed too girly unlike the normal her. And I know if shit happens, my sister can defend herself. (finger crossing, touch wood, fortunately the desk is made of wood... knock! knock!)
I could understand my mother's concern. There's likely to be frictions between in-laws. Her mother in-law, my paternal grandma wasn't kind to her despite the fact that, she's my mother's first cousin once removed. (Yup, my father and my mother are second cousins. Both my grandmas are first cousin... typical Asian marriage) There's always dispute between the two families. From how to plant fruit trees to land dispute. And it's us, the children, are the victim of circumstance.
And worrying too much runs in the family. Worry should be our surname. Imagine my initial, A. Worry. Don't laugh. That's a real surname.
Back to the issue. Asian parents worry too much. For how you look, to what you eat. My father, who always seems to be not concern about me, suddenly asked me if my allowance is sufficient just because I lose a lot of weight back in college. (he then, lectured me on not to starve myself just to buy the latest gadget i.e mobile phones). It's clear where did I get my anxiety gene from. They think that they are capable of controlling many things. If there's an Olympic event on 'Super-controlling-parents', my money is on Asian parents to win the gold medal. Even watching 'The World's Strictest Parents' makes me laugh. They are nowhere near to typical Asian parents.
Asians hate to fail. Asian parents would, at all cost not to fail or not to let their children fail. Are Asians that scared of failing? The image of a samurai performing the Seppuku ritual comes to my mind. Westerner's think failure is mother of success... and they would start of with Thomas Edison's hill of failed light-bulbs.
So, Asian parents, stop worry and accept the fact that you can't control everything.
To read more on The World's Strictest Parents, click the link below. Honestly, they are just a kitten compared to our Tiger parents*
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_World's_Strictest_Parents
*To get the idea of how typical Asian parenting is, click the link below
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_Hymn_of_the_Tiger_Mother
My dear mother is among millions of Asian parents. This morning, she expressed her worry about my sister's employment status to me, for the second time. For your information, my sister is happily married and unemployed.
My mother is worried about what would my sister's mother in law think. She thinks that my sister should work as she is more qualified than my brother in law. My sister is a degree holder while my brother in law's highest qualification is diploma. To me there's nothing wrong. Maybe my sister just couldn't find a suitable job. My mother thinks her in law is 'the glamourous' type of person and would look down on my sister. I have met with my sister's mother in law more than my mother. She is that "glamour" type, but she's not like what my mother thinks. My sister's mother in law knew that my father and mother are more educated than her (that's what she told my when we were chit chatting the other day). I don't know her though and through, but I know she is exited to have a daughter in law. See how she dressed my sister on the wedding reception. I must admit, my sister dressed too girly unlike the normal her. And I know if shit happens, my sister can defend herself. (finger crossing, touch wood, fortunately the desk is made of wood... knock! knock!)
I could understand my mother's concern. There's likely to be frictions between in-laws. Her mother in-law, my paternal grandma wasn't kind to her despite the fact that, she's my mother's first cousin once removed. (Yup, my father and my mother are second cousins. Both my grandmas are first cousin... typical Asian marriage) There's always dispute between the two families. From how to plant fruit trees to land dispute. And it's us, the children, are the victim of circumstance.
And worrying too much runs in the family. Worry should be our surname. Imagine my initial, A. Worry. Don't laugh. That's a real surname.
Back to the issue. Asian parents worry too much. For how you look, to what you eat. My father, who always seems to be not concern about me, suddenly asked me if my allowance is sufficient just because I lose a lot of weight back in college. (he then, lectured me on not to starve myself just to buy the latest gadget i.e mobile phones). It's clear where did I get my anxiety gene from. They think that they are capable of controlling many things. If there's an Olympic event on 'Super-controlling-parents', my money is on Asian parents to win the gold medal. Even watching 'The World's Strictest Parents' makes me laugh. They are nowhere near to typical Asian parents.
Asians hate to fail. Asian parents would, at all cost not to fail or not to let their children fail. Are Asians that scared of failing? The image of a samurai performing the Seppuku ritual comes to my mind. Westerner's think failure is mother of success... and they would start of with Thomas Edison's hill of failed light-bulbs.
So, Asian parents, stop worry and accept the fact that you can't control everything.
To read more on The World's Strictest Parents, click the link below. Honestly, they are just a kitten compared to our Tiger parents*
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_World's_Strictest_Parents
*To get the idea of how typical Asian parenting is, click the link below
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_Hymn_of_the_Tiger_Mother
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
Edinburgh rhymes with....
I pronounce Edinburgh as 'Edin-bra'. Yup, my Edinburgh rhymes with bra. However, that's not the case to everyone in this region. For some, Edinburgh rhymes with an iceberg. So 'Edin-berg'.
On day I was asking a colleague of mine, how would they spend their time in the scariest city for their elective posting. I tease them that Edinburgh is notorious for their ghosts and haunted castle. An 'amoi' overheard our conversation and started to yell at me in a high pitched voice. "IT'S EDIN-BERG NOT EDIN-BRA...". I defended myself that that's how it is pronounced. And even asked her to find the correct pronunciation in Forvo if she still insist that her pronunciation is correct. Had she not yelled at me, I would not sound condescending. Typical ah mois and ah liens looking down on shabbily dressed person like me. I may not wear a Rolex or Zegna shirt or whatever brand is the most expensive or classier but at least I'm not a hello kitty fanatic like you. Everything is HELLO KITTY, grow up! (actually I wore my Renoma shirt that day... but the fact that I don't mingle with the upper crust makes her think I'm a simpleton). My colleague then verify and agrees with me.
One time, I pronounced Framingham Score as Framing-um. Like Buckingham or Birmingham, the H is not pronounced. H-dropping. I got the whole class confused. Well, that's my bad. Framingham score is indeed pronounced with a H. It's in Massachusetts, so no H-dropping. I'm not sure about New England pronunciation though. Do New Englander drop their H?
Well, in my defense, my colleague do make me confused too. They pronounced McIsaac score as MOSAIC score.
Scottish names are not pronounced as an English name. Another Scottish/Irish name that most medical student mispronounce is McLeod. Yup, Mac-Lee-Odd. Until a neurologist rectified us on the correct pronunciation. It rhyme with Cloud. So McCloud. Then I realized that's why is the Oz TV series pronounced that way. McLeod's daughters.
If in doubt, ask Forvo
*McLeod is one of the recommended book for physical/clinical examination.
.
On day I was asking a colleague of mine, how would they spend their time in the scariest city for their elective posting. I tease them that Edinburgh is notorious for their ghosts and haunted castle. An 'amoi' overheard our conversation and started to yell at me in a high pitched voice. "IT'S EDIN-BERG NOT EDIN-BRA...". I defended myself that that's how it is pronounced. And even asked her to find the correct pronunciation in Forvo if she still insist that her pronunciation is correct. Had she not yelled at me, I would not sound condescending. Typical ah mois and ah liens looking down on shabbily dressed person like me. I may not wear a Rolex or Zegna shirt or whatever brand is the most expensive or classier but at least I'm not a hello kitty fanatic like you. Everything is HELLO KITTY, grow up! (actually I wore my Renoma shirt that day... but the fact that I don't mingle with the upper crust makes her think I'm a simpleton). My colleague then verify and agrees with me.
One time, I pronounced Framingham Score as Framing-um. Like Buckingham or Birmingham, the H is not pronounced. H-dropping. I got the whole class confused. Well, that's my bad. Framingham score is indeed pronounced with a H. It's in Massachusetts, so no H-dropping. I'm not sure about New England pronunciation though. Do New Englander drop their H?
Well, in my defense, my colleague do make me confused too. They pronounced McIsaac score as MOSAIC score.
Scottish names are not pronounced as an English name. Another Scottish/Irish name that most medical student mispronounce is McLeod. Yup, Mac-Lee-Odd. Until a neurologist rectified us on the correct pronunciation. It rhyme with Cloud. So McCloud. Then I realized that's why is the Oz TV series pronounced that way. McLeod's daughters.
If in doubt, ask Forvo
*McLeod is one of the recommended book for physical/clinical examination.
.
Fitness... the evolution...
Nowadays, one can hardly miss fitness centre or gym in major cities. Even in smaller towns, fitness centres are everywhere. This is contrast with 10 years ago. I've been reading fitness magazine since 2002. Back then. I was just a fat geeky boy. I hope by reading fitness magazine, it would motivate me to a better physique. Imagine those buff beach boys in speedos or board shorts. With washboards abs where one can grate cheese. Pecs nicely form like a slab of steak. Biceps, big enough to carry sexy girls. Yup, back then, one can get orgasm just by looking at the cover of fitness magazine. Models posing, men women alike, they are just sexy. An ugly, out of shape lad can get his eyes turn green from envy. Or lusting to have those hard, ripped body no one can't resist.
So after finishing my O-level (equivalent), my cousin, Abigail and I bought some fitness equipment. The first equipment is 2 pair of dumbbells, 3 kgs and 4 kgs and a Kettler spring rower. We are still learning how to drive so we went to the town by bus. Imagine carrying 14 kgs of dumbbells in a bus during peak hours. I still keep the 4 kgs dumbbells. I gave the 3 kgs to a friend and the spring rower is nowhere to be found although I'll be glad if I know where it is. I miss those things.
Back then gym membership is usually exclusive to bodybuilders or rich gym rats. So with those equipment, we started to exercise. I manage to lose weight but not so much. Metrosexualism is still hot back then.
I like my dumbbells so much, I bring them along to college in 2005. At the college, I was looking for some 'gym buddies' but most of the boys are more into playing sports like football/soccer or well, football. Thanks to all the top football players, everybody has a football fever. Everybody wants to be a Ronaldo or a Beckham or a Totti. However some are into pumping irons. So my dorm is an unofficial gym. At least 5 boys would play with my stuffs. And I accidentally, turn one into a Hulk. Wow! it's unfathomable that me, a fat boy inspire somebody into fitness.
A friend of mine had a unique way to tone her abs. By lying down, and putting dumbbells on her abs. That taking 'pumping iron' too literal. By the way, she is now a seriously into fitness.
Sometimes, dumbbells are not enough. So my friend and I tried improvising a pulley machine. We tired a 15 kgs fire extinguisher with a skipping rope and pass the rope through the transom and pull the rope from the other side. Pretty clever eh?
In the University, I got busier and had no time to exercise. There's a gym next to the faculty, but my friend and I got intimidated by the buff, state bodybuilder. Reflecting back, why are we so afraid of bodybuilders. Maybe if we keep our fear and ego aside, we would be the one representing our state in bodybuilding or at least power lifting.
Looking back, becoming fit nowadays is easier than before with the proliferation of fitness centre, cheaper membership and more potential gym buddy and everybody is doing it.
Now my favourite gym equipment is a Swiss ball, dumbbells and resistance band. But I wish I can buy myself a rowing machine.
So after finishing my O-level (equivalent), my cousin, Abigail and I bought some fitness equipment. The first equipment is 2 pair of dumbbells, 3 kgs and 4 kgs and a Kettler spring rower. We are still learning how to drive so we went to the town by bus. Imagine carrying 14 kgs of dumbbells in a bus during peak hours. I still keep the 4 kgs dumbbells. I gave the 3 kgs to a friend and the spring rower is nowhere to be found although I'll be glad if I know where it is. I miss those things.
Back then gym membership is usually exclusive to bodybuilders or rich gym rats. So with those equipment, we started to exercise. I manage to lose weight but not so much. Metrosexualism is still hot back then.
I like my dumbbells so much, I bring them along to college in 2005. At the college, I was looking for some 'gym buddies' but most of the boys are more into playing sports like football/soccer or well, football. Thanks to all the top football players, everybody has a football fever. Everybody wants to be a Ronaldo or a Beckham or a Totti. However some are into pumping irons. So my dorm is an unofficial gym. At least 5 boys would play with my stuffs. And I accidentally, turn one into a Hulk. Wow! it's unfathomable that me, a fat boy inspire somebody into fitness.
A friend of mine had a unique way to tone her abs. By lying down, and putting dumbbells on her abs. That taking 'pumping iron' too literal. By the way, she is now a seriously into fitness.
Sometimes, dumbbells are not enough. So my friend and I tried improvising a pulley machine. We tired a 15 kgs fire extinguisher with a skipping rope and pass the rope through the transom and pull the rope from the other side. Pretty clever eh?
In the University, I got busier and had no time to exercise. There's a gym next to the faculty, but my friend and I got intimidated by the buff, state bodybuilder. Reflecting back, why are we so afraid of bodybuilders. Maybe if we keep our fear and ego aside, we would be the one representing our state in bodybuilding or at least power lifting.
Looking back, becoming fit nowadays is easier than before with the proliferation of fitness centre, cheaper membership and more potential gym buddy and everybody is doing it.
Now my favourite gym equipment is a Swiss ball, dumbbells and resistance band. But I wish I can buy myself a rowing machine.
Service with a smile...
It's always good to serve and smile. It's a sign of hospitality. It tells that you are happy to serve, you are happy to help. It makes you more approachable by your client. And a smile can be contagious. You'll tend to smile back if somebody smiles at you. It our second nature to smile back if everything is in concordance. To smile back is to reciprocate or to show agreement. A baby would smile back. It's one of the milestone. In paediatrics, that's mean a baby is normal. Babies starts to smile at the age of 6-8 weeks.
But a smile can be creepy. So be careful to whom, where or when you want to smile.
Imagine, a doctor is smiling when you are at the ward. No so creepy eh! How about smiling before doing a procedure such as withdrawing blood? Kinda creepy. He might be a sadist. Or blood crazy. How about a surgeon smiling before an operation? CREEPY. Yes, a doctor can smile but give a sincere smile. Smiling while maintaining eye contact. Or smile coyly, if you're flirting. Well, doctors seldom smile. They are too tired to smile. They are like walking zombies looking for freshly brewed coffee. And by smiling a lot, you'll get bullied. Experienced by yours truly. And an always smiling doctor? One my doubt his credibility or sanity.
But, I still smile. It makes the world happier (at least, just to show the world that you're happy, isn't is kind of showmanship*?) And I got bullied by the nurses. Well, they would bully you but not as harsh as in house doctors. A nurse would bully just to tease you. Their excuse, it's the only time they can bully a medical student. But it would not last long. To survive in a ward one has to build good rapport with the nurses. They would bully you to help them withdraw blood, or measure temperature of measure blood sugar level. But, when exam comes, they would 'leak' some cases to you. They would tell you which patient is our subject for tomorrow's exam. The brief history. One even help me measure the patient's blood pressure during my exam. If they enjoy working with you as a student, they would help you to pass the exam because to them it's better to work with a humble doctor.
Building rapport with nurses is a good thing but some would misinterpret your action. An 'unethical' public health doctor** said I am flirting with the nurses. In his classes, he would give an example of nurses doctor relationship, and would mention my name as if I am a womanizer or 'nursenizer'. But the nurses know that my intention is genuine as I never flirt with any of them. Stupid lecturer, spreading false rumour. Just thinking of him makes me angry. His nepotism, his hypocrisy, his big mouth with no confidentiality. In one word, unethical. There's a story about him and a nurse. He was rejected by a nurse. Sourpuss! Maybe I should tell who he is, maybe not. But not this time.
Back to the main topic. Smiling can make you look good. Just look at Jason Godfrey. He's always smiling in photos. That where bigsmilenoteeth comes from (perhaps). Doesn't he look charming and handsome. To hear me compliment about other men, that means he's super adorable. Yup adorable as I have not a tint of green in my eye; I'm not jealous. Only adorable men makes me look at them twice without feeling jealous. Ok this starts to sound homoerotic. STOP. He's funny too, should read his column. And he's CANADIAN!!! I just wish he's my brother.
So keep on smiling, sincerely
*showmanship = an act during examination. To show the examiner that you know how to perform physical examination even when you're clueless. A doctor or an actor?
Well doctors always claim that they are a part actor, a part judge, a part lawyer, having a graceful hand of the maiden, eye of an eagle, heart of the lion, a detective, a journalist, a clerk, a police, etc. Sounds greedy eh?
**refer to some of my earlier post
and here's my favourite male model, Jason Godfrey.
http://bigsmilenoteeth.tumblr.com/
Can you give me some of your good looks dear Jason. Just kidding.
But a smile can be creepy. So be careful to whom, where or when you want to smile.
Imagine, a doctor is smiling when you are at the ward. No so creepy eh! How about smiling before doing a procedure such as withdrawing blood? Kinda creepy. He might be a sadist. Or blood crazy. How about a surgeon smiling before an operation? CREEPY. Yes, a doctor can smile but give a sincere smile. Smiling while maintaining eye contact. Or smile coyly, if you're flirting. Well, doctors seldom smile. They are too tired to smile. They are like walking zombies looking for freshly brewed coffee. And by smiling a lot, you'll get bullied. Experienced by yours truly. And an always smiling doctor? One my doubt his credibility or sanity.
But, I still smile. It makes the world happier (at least, just to show the world that you're happy, isn't is kind of showmanship*?) And I got bullied by the nurses. Well, they would bully you but not as harsh as in house doctors. A nurse would bully just to tease you. Their excuse, it's the only time they can bully a medical student. But it would not last long. To survive in a ward one has to build good rapport with the nurses. They would bully you to help them withdraw blood, or measure temperature of measure blood sugar level. But, when exam comes, they would 'leak' some cases to you. They would tell you which patient is our subject for tomorrow's exam. The brief history. One even help me measure the patient's blood pressure during my exam. If they enjoy working with you as a student, they would help you to pass the exam because to them it's better to work with a humble doctor.
Building rapport with nurses is a good thing but some would misinterpret your action. An 'unethical' public health doctor** said I am flirting with the nurses. In his classes, he would give an example of nurses doctor relationship, and would mention my name as if I am a womanizer or 'nursenizer'. But the nurses know that my intention is genuine as I never flirt with any of them. Stupid lecturer, spreading false rumour. Just thinking of him makes me angry. His nepotism, his hypocrisy, his big mouth with no confidentiality. In one word, unethical. There's a story about him and a nurse. He was rejected by a nurse. Sourpuss! Maybe I should tell who he is, maybe not. But not this time.
Back to the main topic. Smiling can make you look good. Just look at Jason Godfrey. He's always smiling in photos. That where bigsmilenoteeth comes from (perhaps). Doesn't he look charming and handsome. To hear me compliment about other men, that means he's super adorable. Yup adorable as I have not a tint of green in my eye; I'm not jealous. Only adorable men makes me look at them twice without feeling jealous. Ok this starts to sound homoerotic. STOP. He's funny too, should read his column. And he's CANADIAN!!! I just wish he's my brother.
So keep on smiling, sincerely
*showmanship = an act during examination. To show the examiner that you know how to perform physical examination even when you're clueless. A doctor or an actor?
Well doctors always claim that they are a part actor, a part judge, a part lawyer, having a graceful hand of the maiden, eye of an eagle, heart of the lion, a detective, a journalist, a clerk, a police, etc. Sounds greedy eh?
**refer to some of my earlier post
and here's my favourite male model, Jason Godfrey.
http://bigsmilenoteeth.tumblr.com/
Can you give me some of your good looks dear Jason. Just kidding.
Monday, 10 November 2014
Good Housekeeping
Have you ever been the 'call-centre' of the family? When somebody have doubt, they'll ask you. Well, I am that person.
My sister is one of my regular client. Her questions range from which electric drill to buy, to which anti-fungal cream is better? Almost everything, you name it. Refrigerator, washing machine, clothes, fish, even condom. Yup! asking a virgin which condom to buy. She even asked me which brand to buy; Bosch or Black & Decker to Hitachi or Panasonic.
My brother seldom ask which product is better. He is more concern about service. Which bank is better, which wine shop, which mechanic. Sometimes he would ask, which perfume to buy or vacuum cleaner. Or how to cook something. Knowing him, he'll pay for the groceries and I would prepare the food. He won't cook, it's just a hint that he craves something.
My mother asked more on medication. What is this, what is that, Which cream is better, Which shampoo is better. Or when we go for shopping, she would even ask me which bra is better. Since I always go for bra shopping (not for me of course!), I memorize her size, in cm and cup. She would even ask which pot or pan or wok is better. It seems that I am the only one in the family who can distinguish hard anodized or enamel or ceramic non stick. Or cast iron, or aluminium or stainless steel. Or Le Creuset or Tramontina or Tefal.
Maybe, I should apply for a job with Good Housekeeping magazine or maybe start one if I am rich enough. Imagine trying on roasting pans, or electrical appliances, or new gadgets and give them a review. Roasting pan A - price *, durability ****, ease of use ***. cleaning ****. overall star ***
Roastin pan B.... I think you got what I'm trying to say. If you don't, subscribe to Good Housekeeping.
Or maybe start a column like Ask Heloise?
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/
http://www.heloise.com/
My sister is one of my regular client. Her questions range from which electric drill to buy, to which anti-fungal cream is better? Almost everything, you name it. Refrigerator, washing machine, clothes, fish, even condom. Yup! asking a virgin which condom to buy. She even asked me which brand to buy; Bosch or Black & Decker to Hitachi or Panasonic.
My brother seldom ask which product is better. He is more concern about service. Which bank is better, which wine shop, which mechanic. Sometimes he would ask, which perfume to buy or vacuum cleaner. Or how to cook something. Knowing him, he'll pay for the groceries and I would prepare the food. He won't cook, it's just a hint that he craves something.
My mother asked more on medication. What is this, what is that, Which cream is better, Which shampoo is better. Or when we go for shopping, she would even ask me which bra is better. Since I always go for bra shopping (not for me of course!), I memorize her size, in cm and cup. She would even ask which pot or pan or wok is better. It seems that I am the only one in the family who can distinguish hard anodized or enamel or ceramic non stick. Or cast iron, or aluminium or stainless steel. Or Le Creuset or Tramontina or Tefal.
Maybe, I should apply for a job with Good Housekeeping magazine or maybe start one if I am rich enough. Imagine trying on roasting pans, or electrical appliances, or new gadgets and give them a review. Roasting pan A - price *, durability ****, ease of use ***. cleaning ****. overall star ***
Roastin pan B.... I think you got what I'm trying to say. If you don't, subscribe to Good Housekeeping.
Or maybe start a column like Ask Heloise?
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/
http://www.heloise.com/
-----------------------------------------------------
And a few hour after I post the blog above, my sister called me. She just mention juicer and I intercept by, "You should buy a slow juicer, but it's quite expensive....". She replied "Eh! how do you know that I'm about to ask which Juicer is the best?"
1732 km telepathy. Yup, I mentioned Hurom or Primada, but the principle are still the same. She thinks that they are expensive, and ask on my opinion on regular juicer. Then I told her a manual slow juicer which is cheaper and practical.
Sunday, 9 November 2014
My pop's anger displacement
One of the reason why we had resentment towards our old man is his anger displacement. Whenever he is disappointed at something, we're the scapegoat.
This always happen. Whenever our cousin made a mess, we are to be blamed. And some of our cousins are opportunists too. They knew that my father wouldn't scold them, they would make him angry purposely. Maybe just for fun, I don't know.
One time, my stupid cousin made a mess in his hut. I am busy, so I don't have the time to clean up. (Yup, it's always us cleaning up other people's mess but we are to be blamed.) Assuming that my father knows it's not my mess, I just leave his hut messy and would clean them up when I'm free. Still, I got scolded. And he is also verbally abusive. All those harsh words can't compete with Odin's wrath. It's enough to say it's painful to hear his angry words. All the bitches, stupids and uselesss. He's always not happy at us.
When he is cool enough, he'll admit his mistake but never apologize. And with his poor excuses. He just can't scold other people's children. So, is that a good reason to blame us? To discipline maybe, but it's not right. Our good works are sometimes rewarded by harsh language. No wonder I am a big mess.
One thing I don't like about him is he's is too generous to reward other people but not his children. He would reward somebody even for the smallest act of kindness. And people would not believe me if I say that he is abusive. Verbally abusive. Even my psychiatrist. Everything is my fault they would assume. He is good to others but can't even show love to his own children.
Maybe, subconsciously, I just did what I did just to retaliate. Or am I too idealistic. That what my psychiatrist told me.
Since I carry some of his gene, I begin to doubt myself. Am I a good father material?
This always happen. Whenever our cousin made a mess, we are to be blamed. And some of our cousins are opportunists too. They knew that my father wouldn't scold them, they would make him angry purposely. Maybe just for fun, I don't know.
One time, my stupid cousin made a mess in his hut. I am busy, so I don't have the time to clean up. (Yup, it's always us cleaning up other people's mess but we are to be blamed.) Assuming that my father knows it's not my mess, I just leave his hut messy and would clean them up when I'm free. Still, I got scolded. And he is also verbally abusive. All those harsh words can't compete with Odin's wrath. It's enough to say it's painful to hear his angry words. All the bitches, stupids and uselesss. He's always not happy at us.
When he is cool enough, he'll admit his mistake but never apologize. And with his poor excuses. He just can't scold other people's children. So, is that a good reason to blame us? To discipline maybe, but it's not right. Our good works are sometimes rewarded by harsh language. No wonder I am a big mess.
One thing I don't like about him is he's is too generous to reward other people but not his children. He would reward somebody even for the smallest act of kindness. And people would not believe me if I say that he is abusive. Verbally abusive. Even my psychiatrist. Everything is my fault they would assume. He is good to others but can't even show love to his own children.
Maybe, subconsciously, I just did what I did just to retaliate. Or am I too idealistic. That what my psychiatrist told me.
Since I carry some of his gene, I begin to doubt myself. Am I a good father material?
pretty women walking down the street...
Hiya... let's talk about pretty women.
My whole life, I'm surrounded by beautiful girl. Don't envy me yet. They are either my cousin, my platonic friend or just friend. And most of the time, I made many enemies with testosterone laden teenage boy. I made enemy without saying/doing anything. Because they are just jealous.
My cousin and I studied in the same school. Being cousins and being the new students, we are close to each other. Every recess, we would eat our food together under a romantic pergola. Yup, it's romantic. Imagine a gazebo, pergola with mature bougainvillea vines. It's like a wedding photo set. Except we are not lovey dovey. That's incest! Yuck. I am the nerdy one and she the hot one. We should be in a teen drama like "The hot and the nerd" or like Popular. (I kinda like the idea of becoming nerdy Christopher Gorham just kidding) or maybe our own series "Abe and Abby"
And there's a boy named Eli* who had a crush with my cousin Abigail*. We cousins are crazy bunch of people. We would just hit each other's ass just to say hi. So we always hit each other's asses or I'll just snap her bra strap. So, this shy Eli, asked Abigail out. And asked why she talk to a jerk like me. Abigail just ignore him. However due to his persistence Abigail agreed to be his friend or girlfriend?
Eli happens to be my nemesis cousin. So, one day he started a conversation with "I have cousins here. Would you like to meet them?". My cousin is aware of the feud between Eli cousin's Sherry* and me. So Abigail replied "Yup, I know you cousin. My cousin hates her!". Confused, Eli asked Abigail who's her cousin. Finally, Abigail told Eli that I am actually her cousin, not just a random jerk who simply snaps somebody's bra elastics.
Eventually, Eli started to be kind to me. Yup Eli is actually one of the hottest guy back then. What can you say... skateboarders. (And back then Avril's Sk8er boi is on the top of the list, billboard list I think)
Another incident happen during my college registration. My mother's colleague has a daughter. And she had to come to the college alone. Since we were on the same flight (actually not coincidentally), we decided to register together. She a sweet girl next door. A lot of boys in her former school had crush on her. And those boys were also in the same registration hall with us. A jock, her former schoolmate approached me and asked what is my relationship with her. We had to say that we're cousins or I am going to lose my teeth. There are so many fish in the ocean some said. And eventually, that boy is with another girl. And Jossie and I are friends like always.
Having a beautiful friend can lead to crazy night. My friend Marge* is in town for an interview. So Simone and I acted like her 'groupie'. We escorted her to the interview and at night we had our dinner together. We had our dinner in a music lounge. One of the boy from the band is interested with Marge. So they (the boy and his band) brought us to a club. It's a crazy night. I can say.
It's not always my friend or cousin who gets people attention. I got some too. That was when my buddy Gwen* bring me out to a club. Actually, I'm the designated driver. It's not really my scene but I have to do her some favour because I owed one. Since I'm just the designated driver I just wear utility pants/cargo and t-shirt. As we arrived at the club, all eyes were on me; that's what Gwen told me. I am oblivious to people's stare/flirt. Then we found out it is a gay bar. No, I don't feel hot. But it's nice to be the centre of attraction sometimes.
Having a beautiful platonic friend from the opposite sex has it's pros and cons. But what matter most is your friendship.
* not their real name.
p/s I'm always oblivious. The funniest is with Simone's 'dumbwaiter'
My whole life, I'm surrounded by beautiful girl. Don't envy me yet. They are either my cousin, my platonic friend or just friend. And most of the time, I made many enemies with testosterone laden teenage boy. I made enemy without saying/doing anything. Because they are just jealous.
My cousin and I studied in the same school. Being cousins and being the new students, we are close to each other. Every recess, we would eat our food together under a romantic pergola. Yup, it's romantic. Imagine a gazebo, pergola with mature bougainvillea vines. It's like a wedding photo set. Except we are not lovey dovey. That's incest! Yuck. I am the nerdy one and she the hot one. We should be in a teen drama like "The hot and the nerd" or like Popular. (I kinda like the idea of becoming nerdy Christopher Gorham just kidding) or maybe our own series "Abe and Abby"
And there's a boy named Eli* who had a crush with my cousin Abigail*. We cousins are crazy bunch of people. We would just hit each other's ass just to say hi. So we always hit each other's asses or I'll just snap her bra strap. So, this shy Eli, asked Abigail out. And asked why she talk to a jerk like me. Abigail just ignore him. However due to his persistence Abigail agreed to be his friend or girlfriend?
Eli happens to be my nemesis cousin. So, one day he started a conversation with "I have cousins here. Would you like to meet them?". My cousin is aware of the feud between Eli cousin's Sherry* and me. So Abigail replied "Yup, I know you cousin. My cousin hates her!". Confused, Eli asked Abigail who's her cousin. Finally, Abigail told Eli that I am actually her cousin, not just a random jerk who simply snaps somebody's bra elastics.
Eventually, Eli started to be kind to me. Yup Eli is actually one of the hottest guy back then. What can you say... skateboarders. (And back then Avril's Sk8er boi is on the top of the list, billboard list I think)
Another incident happen during my college registration. My mother's colleague has a daughter. And she had to come to the college alone. Since we were on the same flight (actually not coincidentally), we decided to register together. She a sweet girl next door. A lot of boys in her former school had crush on her. And those boys were also in the same registration hall with us. A jock, her former schoolmate approached me and asked what is my relationship with her. We had to say that we're cousins or I am going to lose my teeth. There are so many fish in the ocean some said. And eventually, that boy is with another girl. And Jossie and I are friends like always.
Having a beautiful friend can lead to crazy night. My friend Marge* is in town for an interview. So Simone and I acted like her 'groupie'. We escorted her to the interview and at night we had our dinner together. We had our dinner in a music lounge. One of the boy from the band is interested with Marge. So they (the boy and his band) brought us to a club. It's a crazy night. I can say.
It's not always my friend or cousin who gets people attention. I got some too. That was when my buddy Gwen* bring me out to a club. Actually, I'm the designated driver. It's not really my scene but I have to do her some favour because I owed one. Since I'm just the designated driver I just wear utility pants/cargo and t-shirt. As we arrived at the club, all eyes were on me; that's what Gwen told me. I am oblivious to people's stare/flirt. Then we found out it is a gay bar. No, I don't feel hot. But it's nice to be the centre of attraction sometimes.
Having a beautiful platonic friend from the opposite sex has it's pros and cons. But what matter most is your friendship.
* not their real name.
p/s I'm always oblivious. The funniest is with Simone's 'dumbwaiter'
Saturday, 8 November 2014
Too much to ask for and i am not the doctor
Yup, that a line from Alanis' song
Now, what if I am a doctor?
Perhaps, I could be an unethical one. Because the irony in my former school. The person who taught us on medical ethics is not that 'ethical'. You can read more in my former post. Lawyer vs Doctor.
Family pressure can lead me to become unethical. Especially my father. He always ask for hypodermic needles. (nope, my father is not an IVDU, he uses them for extracting splinters or puncturing abscess...) He also have the potential to push me to override the medical protocol. Once he asked me to ask a doctor for his prescription. I told him, he had to see one in order to get doctor's prescription. And he still insist me to get one. So, I ignored his phone calls until he sees one.
Another situation where medical ethics are grey are is when one of my family or friend to our family got warded. They would ask me to read the case notes laying on the table. When doctors make round in the ward, the nurses would put patient medical record on the table of respective patient. Once, my father's friend got admitted to the ward. My father asked me to read his friend case notes. Who am I? I am not his attending doctor. I can't breach patient doctor confidentiality. I should ask for the attending doctor's permission if I were to read his case notes. And I am not a consultant. Why would the attending doctor share the patient's report? It took me 10 minutes to argue. And because I am a good son, I did some physical examination just to please my father. (Yup, I am good enough to obey, but he still thinks that I am bad...)
Another incident occurred when my cousin was admitted. The whole family asked me what happened to her? My mother asked me too. I told them ask the attending doctor or my cousin. I can't just read the medical report, case notes and charts. But I did my best to give her the best service.
Some of my colleague know about my situation that time so they asked me how is my cousin. I tell them what I know. And they asked me back "So how, the Liver function test, Full blood count and the MRI?". I explain to them that, I don't read much on the report. And come the big question... "WHY DON'T YOU READ THE REPORT? AREN'T YOU CURIOUS? DON'T YOU CARE ABOUT HER?". Wow! my colleague scolded me for being ethical. I mum my mouth. "I SHE'S MY COUSIN, I WOULD READ THE CASE NOTES". I can't stand the criticism because I think I did the right thing so I bombarded her with my argument "IT'S CALLED MEDICAL ETHICS, I CAN'T SIMPLY READ THE CASE NOTES WITHOUT THE ATTENDING DOCTOR'S PERMISSION OR MY COUSIN'S PERMISSION. DON'T YOU LEARN THAT IN MEDICAL ETHIC CLASS?
It is our doctors are not ethical enough or am I being too idealistic. Even my psychiatrist/psychiatry professor said I am too idealistic...
Now I can simply say, don't ask me, I'm not the attending doctor.
Now, what if I am a doctor?
Perhaps, I could be an unethical one. Because the irony in my former school. The person who taught us on medical ethics is not that 'ethical'. You can read more in my former post. Lawyer vs Doctor.
Family pressure can lead me to become unethical. Especially my father. He always ask for hypodermic needles. (nope, my father is not an IVDU, he uses them for extracting splinters or puncturing abscess...) He also have the potential to push me to override the medical protocol. Once he asked me to ask a doctor for his prescription. I told him, he had to see one in order to get doctor's prescription. And he still insist me to get one. So, I ignored his phone calls until he sees one.
Another situation where medical ethics are grey are is when one of my family or friend to our family got warded. They would ask me to read the case notes laying on the table. When doctors make round in the ward, the nurses would put patient medical record on the table of respective patient. Once, my father's friend got admitted to the ward. My father asked me to read his friend case notes. Who am I? I am not his attending doctor. I can't breach patient doctor confidentiality. I should ask for the attending doctor's permission if I were to read his case notes. And I am not a consultant. Why would the attending doctor share the patient's report? It took me 10 minutes to argue. And because I am a good son, I did some physical examination just to please my father. (Yup, I am good enough to obey, but he still thinks that I am bad...)
Another incident occurred when my cousin was admitted. The whole family asked me what happened to her? My mother asked me too. I told them ask the attending doctor or my cousin. I can't just read the medical report, case notes and charts. But I did my best to give her the best service.
Some of my colleague know about my situation that time so they asked me how is my cousin. I tell them what I know. And they asked me back "So how, the Liver function test, Full blood count and the MRI?". I explain to them that, I don't read much on the report. And come the big question... "WHY DON'T YOU READ THE REPORT? AREN'T YOU CURIOUS? DON'T YOU CARE ABOUT HER?". Wow! my colleague scolded me for being ethical. I mum my mouth. "I SHE'S MY COUSIN, I WOULD READ THE CASE NOTES". I can't stand the criticism because I think I did the right thing so I bombarded her with my argument "IT'S CALLED MEDICAL ETHICS, I CAN'T SIMPLY READ THE CASE NOTES WITHOUT THE ATTENDING DOCTOR'S PERMISSION OR MY COUSIN'S PERMISSION. DON'T YOU LEARN THAT IN MEDICAL ETHIC CLASS?
It is our doctors are not ethical enough or am I being too idealistic. Even my psychiatrist/psychiatry professor said I am too idealistic...
Now I can simply say, don't ask me, I'm not the attending doctor.
My obsession with The Great White North...
I'm a Canadiophile. Well, you must have known from my blog's name.
Somehow, that amuses some of my acquaintances. I often hear "What is it with you and Canada?" or "Canada? Really?"
One of the famous landmark in my hometown is named after Canada. So growing up, Canada seems to be a land beyond the hill. Maybe a land full of magic and surprises.
Canadians are kind and polite too! They'll buy you candy when your mother is in the hair saloon doing her perm.
At least, that is how I think about Canada as a child.
When I was 11, there was a storm in Canada. The storm caused power failure. Some died of hypothermia. Living on the equator, never experienced extreme cold weather, I thought why on Earth would somebody died of coldness? In the sweltering heat, I asked my father, let's go there! My father a no nonsense man replied "Stupid!". Hey, he had been to the Europe. He had been to the UK and the Netherlands. He experienced winter. I've never been out of this island.
I grew up listening to Canadian singers. Alanis Morissette is my favourite. In the past, Canadians are the best musician. Sarah McLachlan, Celine Dion.
I also grow up watching Angela Anaconda and Yvon of Yukon.
Some say Canada has the most concentration of left-handers. And if my birthday falls on Monday, it coincide with Thanksgiving.
That explains why I am a Canadiophile. And visiting Canada is in my bucket list. Maybe, my parallel universe is in Canada. That is why I have a strong affinity to The Great White North.
Hey, it's Saturday. I need to check Matthew Santoro's youtube channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/MatthewSantoro
Somehow, that amuses some of my acquaintances. I often hear "What is it with you and Canada?" or "Canada? Really?"
One of the famous landmark in my hometown is named after Canada. So growing up, Canada seems to be a land beyond the hill. Maybe a land full of magic and surprises.
Canadians are kind and polite too! They'll buy you candy when your mother is in the hair saloon doing her perm.
At least, that is how I think about Canada as a child.
When I was 11, there was a storm in Canada. The storm caused power failure. Some died of hypothermia. Living on the equator, never experienced extreme cold weather, I thought why on Earth would somebody died of coldness? In the sweltering heat, I asked my father, let's go there! My father a no nonsense man replied "Stupid!". Hey, he had been to the Europe. He had been to the UK and the Netherlands. He experienced winter. I've never been out of this island.
I grew up listening to Canadian singers. Alanis Morissette is my favourite. In the past, Canadians are the best musician. Sarah McLachlan, Celine Dion.
I also grow up watching Angela Anaconda and Yvon of Yukon.
Some say Canada has the most concentration of left-handers. And if my birthday falls on Monday, it coincide with Thanksgiving.
That explains why I am a Canadiophile. And visiting Canada is in my bucket list. Maybe, my parallel universe is in Canada. That is why I have a strong affinity to The Great White North.
Hey, it's Saturday. I need to check Matthew Santoro's youtube channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/MatthewSantoro
Thursday, 6 November 2014
Oh my English! (is it considered double standard?)
Now I am at the Ford auto dealer to service my mother's car. It will take approximately 2 hours to service the car. As usual, when dealing with the front desk/sales rep/cashier I initiate the conversation in English. Not that I am a snob, it's my second nature to speak English in an 'air-conditioned establishment' like hotels, supermarkets or offices. I'm conditioned like a Pavlov dog in any air-conditioned building... how is that for today's pun?
Earlier, I test drive the new Ford car, Ford Eco Sport. It's a mini SUV. Officially, that's the first automatic car I drive in here... All this while I drive manual car here and automatic in the capital city. It's like driving a sedan car. Key-less entry, sun-roof. Wow! So I drive to the nearest drive-thru McDonald's as the sales rep accompanying haven had his breakfast. Poor him. I wish my best friend is with me. The last time I really test-drive a car was with my best friend. We drove a BMW. So, no, I am not a test drive virgin.
Upon reaching the sales centre cum service centre/ car dealer. The receptionist needs to verify something with me. As I initiated the conversation in English earlier, she asked me: "Sir, these are the things that we need to change...." We continued our conversation in English until a mechanic entered the reception area. He's the one servicing my mother's car. He wants to confirm what needs to be changed. Speaking in our regional dialect. The receptionist got shocked as I spoke to the mechanic in our regional dialect. She kinda scolded me for not speaking our regional dialect because she struggled earlier. I speak in our regional dialect to most blue collared worker. (It is considered double standard to do such thing?)
Speaking English here can change other people's perception towards you. Some would treat you better i.e. white collared worker. Some would not be pleased, they would think of you as a snob i.e. blue collared worker. My primary reason why I speak English is to improve my English. As you can see, my English is not that perfect. As the adage goes, Practice makes perfect. It's a self improvement act. Not an act to show off superiority (as some might see)
I've been called a banana* in the past. With my Eastern Asian feature i.e. my hooded (slightly slit) eye, and my parentage. An 'auntie' called me banana* for trying hard to speak English, not Mandarin or Hokkien or Hakka... Honestly, despite my parentage, I only know a meager amount of Mandarin. Thanks to a year posting in a town by the river with high Chinese concentration. I only know my Yi kwai, liang kwai, pu yao, mei yo, and pu huis. As basic as that.
In this region, speaking in English is quite bothersome. However, I really admire the receptionist's effort to speak English. Her English is not that bad. She should keep on practicing her English. Kudos! I hope everyone here are comfortable when speaking English and take the opportunity to speak in everyday conversation. And by doing that, we can improve our English command.
p/s
As I said earlier, I don't speak perfect English. I don't speak RP/BBC English. But I tried and tried... and keep an open mind to criticism. Never give up when somebody correct you. Thank them.
English is not my first language. Nobody, even native speaker speaks English right after the come out of their mother's womb.
*banana = Chinese looking person who doesn't speak Chinese, trying hard to speak English. Not just speaking English, trying hard to be English (Ang mo)... Like banana, Yellow outside, white inside.
It's Native American/First Nation equivalent to Apple. Red outside, white inside.
Earlier, I test drive the new Ford car, Ford Eco Sport. It's a mini SUV. Officially, that's the first automatic car I drive in here... All this while I drive manual car here and automatic in the capital city. It's like driving a sedan car. Key-less entry, sun-roof. Wow! So I drive to the nearest drive-thru McDonald's as the sales rep accompanying haven had his breakfast. Poor him. I wish my best friend is with me. The last time I really test-drive a car was with my best friend. We drove a BMW. So, no, I am not a test drive virgin.
Upon reaching the sales centre cum service centre/ car dealer. The receptionist needs to verify something with me. As I initiated the conversation in English earlier, she asked me: "Sir, these are the things that we need to change...." We continued our conversation in English until a mechanic entered the reception area. He's the one servicing my mother's car. He wants to confirm what needs to be changed. Speaking in our regional dialect. The receptionist got shocked as I spoke to the mechanic in our regional dialect. She kinda scolded me for not speaking our regional dialect because she struggled earlier. I speak in our regional dialect to most blue collared worker. (It is considered double standard to do such thing?)
Speaking English here can change other people's perception towards you. Some would treat you better i.e. white collared worker. Some would not be pleased, they would think of you as a snob i.e. blue collared worker. My primary reason why I speak English is to improve my English. As you can see, my English is not that perfect. As the adage goes, Practice makes perfect. It's a self improvement act. Not an act to show off superiority (as some might see)
I've been called a banana* in the past. With my Eastern Asian feature i.e. my hooded (slightly slit) eye, and my parentage. An 'auntie' called me banana* for trying hard to speak English, not Mandarin or Hokkien or Hakka... Honestly, despite my parentage, I only know a meager amount of Mandarin. Thanks to a year posting in a town by the river with high Chinese concentration. I only know my Yi kwai, liang kwai, pu yao, mei yo, and pu huis. As basic as that.
In this region, speaking in English is quite bothersome. However, I really admire the receptionist's effort to speak English. Her English is not that bad. She should keep on practicing her English. Kudos! I hope everyone here are comfortable when speaking English and take the opportunity to speak in everyday conversation. And by doing that, we can improve our English command.
p/s
As I said earlier, I don't speak perfect English. I don't speak RP/BBC English. But I tried and tried... and keep an open mind to criticism. Never give up when somebody correct you. Thank them.
English is not my first language. Nobody, even native speaker speaks English right after the come out of their mother's womb.
*banana = Chinese looking person who doesn't speak Chinese, trying hard to speak English. Not just speaking English, trying hard to be English (Ang mo)... Like banana, Yellow outside, white inside.
It's Native American/First Nation equivalent to Apple. Red outside, white inside.
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
Doctor vs Lawyer
Sound cliche right? There's always doctor vs lawyer jokes. And doctors are always portrayed as angelic and good-mannered and charitable. Lawyers are the devil, cunning, greedy.
But hey, not all doctors are good and not all lawyers are bad. But my family is too blind to see the reality. I had a nephew (actually first cousin once removed). A brilliant one. His family, particularly his aunt (my cousin) coaxed him into becoming a doctor when he grows up. Now you see the pressure endured by most children raised in typical Asian household. He's still 10 years old.
I told him, there are other options. Not only medicine. And one of the option I suggested (it's never too young to suggest in an Asian family) was Law. Just to show that it's not necessary to be a doctor if you're bright. I hope he gets the point.
Upon listening my suggestion, my cousin got shocked with terror. "DO YOU WANT TO GO TO HELL????" she said to my nephew. Question. Do all doctors go to heaven and do all lawyers go to hell? Despite studying medicine for hmmmmmm... let's say a long time, I watched mostly police procedural drama or law drama. Not much on medical drama. Medical drama... just a few including Royal Pains and Hart of Dixie... is Hart of Dixie a medical drama? I'll leave that to your judgement.
The reason why, lawyers are on the verge of falling into hell is because they defend criminals. Hey.... that's not 100% true! Sometimes they are wrongly accused. And chances of defending criminals or bad peoples are 50-50 at most. Some are just disputes where nobody is wrong. They just need to settle some settlement issues. It's the same if a badly injured criminal, say a murderer need urgent medical attention. Doctors can't decline. Hippocrates oath... non maleficence and beneficence. Doctors need to help everyone without prejudice. It's the same situation, but of course doctors get all the praises.
Another reason is doctor can help, say if somebody can't afford the treatment, they can give special price. In law, it's called pro bono work. It's like to counsel for free. Can a doctor give free treatment. Not unless they are pharmaceutical company. Again, nobody heard of any lawyer giving pro-bono services but doctors giving discount rate, everybody knows.
My cousin added... "what if you are really defending a criminal, a brutal one, but because of client confidentiality, you can't disclose anything". I'm no lawyer, but I do thing in doing justice, a lawyer can't withheld any crucial clues to a fair outcome. They can negotiate to get justice done. And regarding confidentiality, doctors do have patients-doctors confidentiality. Say a patient with HIV, can you disclose the fact that he is infected with HIV? If a doctor discloses that fact, the patient would suffer from stigmas and prejudice. I the doctor kept the secret, then, the patients could go and have fun while infecting other. So there, a dilemma. Eventually, the doctor have to tell the patient's relative. Don't ask me. Confidentiality is actually a grey area.
Speaking of confidentiality, I learn about it while watching Legally Blond. Elle Woods kept a secret that could ruin her client's reputation. I don't see doctors keep confidentiality that serious. You'll hear them gossiping in the corridor about their patient. One doctor even blurted out a confidential history in front medical student. And medical students would gossip among each other on the patient. That's not professional, A confidential thing such as breaking bad news (in my case, breaking news about molar pregnancy to a single lady who denied having sex earlier) in front of a medical student. It was years ago. Breaking such shocking new should be done privately to avoid shameful situation. I honestly felt awkward and I wish I could erase that memory.
Another take on confidentiality. I was diagnosed with PTSD. So one fine day, a professor (who ironically teaches medical ethics) asked me in front of my colleague... "So how's your visit with the psychiatrist?" It was awkward. I'm not ashamed but I really felt awkward. I have no intention to hide the fact that I suffered with PTSD, but I would like to tell my colleague myself in my own words. For about a week, I had to explain from A to Z about my PTSD, and to clarify their pities and prejudice (yup... medical professionals still have prejudice toward patients with mental illness...)
That professor despite teaching medical ethics does not walk the talk,.. he blurted something confidential. One unforgivable thing is nepotism. His beloved son, got enrolled into the same medical faculty. Can't you smell something fishy. He is also a former dean. Nepotism or pure coincidence? Only God knows. But one thing for sure, I lose my respect to him.
Lawyers have this thing called Chinese Wall where if a law firm counsel both parties, the lawyers of opposing team would work independently to avoid conflict of interest. Seems like lawyer are serious in avoiding conflict of interest than doctors. A doctor's excuse would be, patient is always first... can't they stop having God Complex.
Doctors think that they are professional, but in handling argument, they are not. In my former faculty, doctors argue on little things in front of the student, like children. They call each other names. Can't they at least sit down and discuss their disputes like adults, PROFESSIONALLY. Or at least agree to disagree. But not by calling names or posting nicknames on FACEBOOK. Seriously, I lose my faith in them. Now, I'm more afraid of doctors than lawyers.
Well, to conclude, doctors are not always good and lawyers are not (always) bad. Lawyers are also good people. If a person is good, he is good no matter what he/she does for a living. My point of view might be biased but this is my personal opinion.In the end, it's up to you readers to decide.
Bye bye...
But hey, not all doctors are good and not all lawyers are bad. But my family is too blind to see the reality. I had a nephew (actually first cousin once removed). A brilliant one. His family, particularly his aunt (my cousin) coaxed him into becoming a doctor when he grows up. Now you see the pressure endured by most children raised in typical Asian household. He's still 10 years old.
I told him, there are other options. Not only medicine. And one of the option I suggested (it's never too young to suggest in an Asian family) was Law. Just to show that it's not necessary to be a doctor if you're bright. I hope he gets the point.
Upon listening my suggestion, my cousin got shocked with terror. "DO YOU WANT TO GO TO HELL????" she said to my nephew. Question. Do all doctors go to heaven and do all lawyers go to hell? Despite studying medicine for hmmmmmm... let's say a long time, I watched mostly police procedural drama or law drama. Not much on medical drama. Medical drama... just a few including Royal Pains and Hart of Dixie... is Hart of Dixie a medical drama? I'll leave that to your judgement.
The reason why, lawyers are on the verge of falling into hell is because they defend criminals. Hey.... that's not 100% true! Sometimes they are wrongly accused. And chances of defending criminals or bad peoples are 50-50 at most. Some are just disputes where nobody is wrong. They just need to settle some settlement issues. It's the same if a badly injured criminal, say a murderer need urgent medical attention. Doctors can't decline. Hippocrates oath... non maleficence and beneficence. Doctors need to help everyone without prejudice. It's the same situation, but of course doctors get all the praises.
Another reason is doctor can help, say if somebody can't afford the treatment, they can give special price. In law, it's called pro bono work. It's like to counsel for free. Can a doctor give free treatment. Not unless they are pharmaceutical company. Again, nobody heard of any lawyer giving pro-bono services but doctors giving discount rate, everybody knows.
My cousin added... "what if you are really defending a criminal, a brutal one, but because of client confidentiality, you can't disclose anything". I'm no lawyer, but I do thing in doing justice, a lawyer can't withheld any crucial clues to a fair outcome. They can negotiate to get justice done. And regarding confidentiality, doctors do have patients-doctors confidentiality. Say a patient with HIV, can you disclose the fact that he is infected with HIV? If a doctor discloses that fact, the patient would suffer from stigmas and prejudice. I the doctor kept the secret, then, the patients could go and have fun while infecting other. So there, a dilemma. Eventually, the doctor have to tell the patient's relative. Don't ask me. Confidentiality is actually a grey area.
Speaking of confidentiality, I learn about it while watching Legally Blond. Elle Woods kept a secret that could ruin her client's reputation. I don't see doctors keep confidentiality that serious. You'll hear them gossiping in the corridor about their patient. One doctor even blurted out a confidential history in front medical student. And medical students would gossip among each other on the patient. That's not professional, A confidential thing such as breaking bad news (in my case, breaking news about molar pregnancy to a single lady who denied having sex earlier) in front of a medical student. It was years ago. Breaking such shocking new should be done privately to avoid shameful situation. I honestly felt awkward and I wish I could erase that memory.
Another take on confidentiality. I was diagnosed with PTSD. So one fine day, a professor (who ironically teaches medical ethics) asked me in front of my colleague... "So how's your visit with the psychiatrist?" It was awkward. I'm not ashamed but I really felt awkward. I have no intention to hide the fact that I suffered with PTSD, but I would like to tell my colleague myself in my own words. For about a week, I had to explain from A to Z about my PTSD, and to clarify their pities and prejudice (yup... medical professionals still have prejudice toward patients with mental illness...)
That professor despite teaching medical ethics does not walk the talk,.. he blurted something confidential. One unforgivable thing is nepotism. His beloved son, got enrolled into the same medical faculty. Can't you smell something fishy. He is also a former dean. Nepotism or pure coincidence? Only God knows. But one thing for sure, I lose my respect to him.
Lawyers have this thing called Chinese Wall where if a law firm counsel both parties, the lawyers of opposing team would work independently to avoid conflict of interest. Seems like lawyer are serious in avoiding conflict of interest than doctors. A doctor's excuse would be, patient is always first... can't they stop having God Complex.
Doctors think that they are professional, but in handling argument, they are not. In my former faculty, doctors argue on little things in front of the student, like children. They call each other names. Can't they at least sit down and discuss their disputes like adults, PROFESSIONALLY. Or at least agree to disagree. But not by calling names or posting nicknames on FACEBOOK. Seriously, I lose my faith in them. Now, I'm more afraid of doctors than lawyers.
Well, to conclude, doctors are not always good and lawyers are not (always) bad. Lawyers are also good people. If a person is good, he is good no matter what he/she does for a living. My point of view might be biased but this is my personal opinion.In the end, it's up to you readers to decide.
Bye bye...
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
house husband and stat at home dad
When I was younger, I thought how easy it is to be a housewife, early morning prepare your family some breakfast, send your children to school, shop for groceries, watch telenovelas while cleaning the house, or other house chores. Fetch your kids, continue watching telenovelas while ironing, Prepare dinner, wait for your husband, sleep and .... I guess you can figure out the last part. Repeat. In Australia, even better. School starts late, ends in the afternoon. So you have more time for yourself such as mani-pedi.
I know I'll get some backlashes mainly from feminist. Hey, I know women are not slaves. It's actually kinda my dream job. Just ask my friend how often I ponder "If I were a girl". But, nope, I have no serious intention to go for gender reassignment. I like to be a man.
Can I be a house husband? Most Asians would not agree. Men are supposed to be the bread winner. Macho men don't do house works. What would your in-laws say?
I beg to differ. If I have a choice, I would rather be a stay at home dad. Not that, I am lazy to work. It's workplace makes me feeling anxious. My Chinese zodiac is Rabbit. And rabbits stay at home, keep their home tidy... home there home here... you can look it up. Yup, that me. One could say I believe too much in horoscope. But somehow, astrologic prediction can be true, or is it just a coincidence?
First, I like to cook. Just ask my friend... oh, you don't know my friends. Yup... cooking, trying new recipes and all that stuff. Just don't ask me to bake cake. My cake would 'collapse'... Imagine a big edible sinkhole, or an abandoned diamond mind in South Africa or Australia or Canada, whichever you prefer. My bestie likes my cooking... and she is not the kind who kiss asses. And her family have a catering business.
I like to clean the house. But not as much as cooking. This is what happen if you watch too much Martha Steward. Back in my university days, I would skip my 10 am class just to watch Martha Steward. Luckily, The show aired only on Wednesday and Thursday. Yup, as long as I have vacuum cleaner with steam cleaner, I okay. Bed making? Easy peasy. I can lift a queen-sized mattress with one hand.
Laundry? Hey, I'll let the washing machine do all the washing. I must admit, I don't like washing clothes. But I'm okay with ironing and folding clothes.
Gardening. Basic gardening skill. Cutting the lawn. Cleaning the pool? That is why men should be a stay at home dad. You don't have to hire the gardener or pool guy.
But the primary reason why I would rather be a stay at home dad is to spend time with my kids. I'm good with kids. Ask my nephews and nieces. Actually, they're my cousins once removed. I am their favourite uncle. I can help them with homework too.
Why fathers should spend more time with their children? Why father should actively participating in raising his children? There are lots of studies on benefit of having father raising his children. One if it is children have better EQ. I could relate to that. See, my father was seldom at home when I grew up. It's his job. I have more than average IQ, but I must admit my EQ is very low. It's hard growing up with absent father figure. Being the first son, I even harder. And one thing that I hate is my father's excuse of not becoming a good father. He said that he is not a good father because his father died when he was young. His excuse is he grew up fatherless... But it is not fair for me and my sibling. We have a father but our father is not a good father. Sorry Pa. That's what I think about you. You should have tried harder to spend more time with us, not just bickering and blaming us for the f***-ups.
So some might ask, how about babies. Can we handle babies. I don't know about other men, but I do know a lot more about babies than average Joes. I studied Paeds and hell yes. I even delived babies. More than 10 babies. It's a requirement to pass our OBS-GYN posting. I don't understand why men are afraid of babies. Only babies are afraid of babies. BABIES!
Other than that, I like about the idea of becoming a SAHD is it is a physical job. You don't just sit in front of the desk all time. It part of your workout. There are even workouts you can do with your children. Ask Andy McDermott, http://www.youtube.com/user/andymcd23 No wonder DILF are like hot buns. They are caring and HOT!
Is this my resume? or my dating profile? Not really. Just my take on Stay at home Dads.
Love and hugs and kisses
Me the HomeHomme* wannabe
*home (English) = a dwelling, a place to live, homme (French) = man. Pronounced as Om, just like the Indonesians
p/s If I were a SAHD, I have more time for blogging... keep reading my blogs ya?
I know I'll get some backlashes mainly from feminist. Hey, I know women are not slaves. It's actually kinda my dream job. Just ask my friend how often I ponder "If I were a girl". But, nope, I have no serious intention to go for gender reassignment. I like to be a man.
Can I be a house husband? Most Asians would not agree. Men are supposed to be the bread winner. Macho men don't do house works. What would your in-laws say?
I beg to differ. If I have a choice, I would rather be a stay at home dad. Not that, I am lazy to work. It's workplace makes me feeling anxious. My Chinese zodiac is Rabbit. And rabbits stay at home, keep their home tidy... home there home here... you can look it up. Yup, that me. One could say I believe too much in horoscope. But somehow, astrologic prediction can be true, or is it just a coincidence?
First, I like to cook. Just ask my friend... oh, you don't know my friends. Yup... cooking, trying new recipes and all that stuff. Just don't ask me to bake cake. My cake would 'collapse'... Imagine a big edible sinkhole, or an abandoned diamond mind in South Africa or Australia or Canada, whichever you prefer. My bestie likes my cooking... and she is not the kind who kiss asses. And her family have a catering business.
I like to clean the house. But not as much as cooking. This is what happen if you watch too much Martha Steward. Back in my university days, I would skip my 10 am class just to watch Martha Steward. Luckily, The show aired only on Wednesday and Thursday. Yup, as long as I have vacuum cleaner with steam cleaner, I okay. Bed making? Easy peasy. I can lift a queen-sized mattress with one hand.
Laundry? Hey, I'll let the washing machine do all the washing. I must admit, I don't like washing clothes. But I'm okay with ironing and folding clothes.
Gardening. Basic gardening skill. Cutting the lawn. Cleaning the pool? That is why men should be a stay at home dad. You don't have to hire the gardener or pool guy.
But the primary reason why I would rather be a stay at home dad is to spend time with my kids. I'm good with kids. Ask my nephews and nieces. Actually, they're my cousins once removed. I am their favourite uncle. I can help them with homework too.
Why fathers should spend more time with their children? Why father should actively participating in raising his children? There are lots of studies on benefit of having father raising his children. One if it is children have better EQ. I could relate to that. See, my father was seldom at home when I grew up. It's his job. I have more than average IQ, but I must admit my EQ is very low. It's hard growing up with absent father figure. Being the first son, I even harder. And one thing that I hate is my father's excuse of not becoming a good father. He said that he is not a good father because his father died when he was young. His excuse is he grew up fatherless... But it is not fair for me and my sibling. We have a father but our father is not a good father. Sorry Pa. That's what I think about you. You should have tried harder to spend more time with us, not just bickering and blaming us for the f***-ups.
So some might ask, how about babies. Can we handle babies. I don't know about other men, but I do know a lot more about babies than average Joes. I studied Paeds and hell yes. I even delived babies. More than 10 babies. It's a requirement to pass our OBS-GYN posting. I don't understand why men are afraid of babies. Only babies are afraid of babies. BABIES!
Other than that, I like about the idea of becoming a SAHD is it is a physical job. You don't just sit in front of the desk all time. It part of your workout. There are even workouts you can do with your children. Ask Andy McDermott, http://www.youtube.com/user/andymcd23 No wonder DILF are like hot buns. They are caring and HOT!
Is this my resume? or my dating profile? Not really. Just my take on Stay at home Dads.
Love and hugs and kisses
Me the HomeHomme* wannabe
*home (English) = a dwelling, a place to live, homme (French) = man. Pronounced as Om, just like the Indonesians
p/s If I were a SAHD, I have more time for blogging... keep reading my blogs ya?
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