Important advice

I read an interesting article in the newspaper today..

An IT executive had sex with at least six gigolos between 2003 and 2006 to please her married boyfriend who video recorded the sessions and is now threatening her with exposure.

The man brought the gigolos to their apartment and paid them RM100 each after the sessions.

The 32-year-old woman from Ampang did what she did because she was so in love with the man and was willing to do anything for her boyfriend, said MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong at a press conference.

“Three years ago, the man’s wife found out about their relationship and advised her to leave him, but she refused then,” he said.

But the woman’s nightmare began last December when she finally decided to leave the man she had met seven years ago, said Chong to whom the woman turned for help.

“He has threatened to harm her. He also harasses her family, colleagues and new boyfriend,” he said.

Chong added that the woman’s family was unaware of her sex liaisons with gigolos.

He said she refused to lodge a police report although he had advised her to do so.

Chong urged the married man to leave the woman alone and advised women to be cautious about what they were prepared to do for their boyfriends.

Good advice, no?

Something Worth Knowing

A few days ago, Fen Fang came out from her shower shaking her head, complaining that water had entered her ear. After a while, she started jumping and explained that her aunty said that jumping can help remove the water from the ear. She stopped a few seconds later, claiming that the jumping had worked. I was fascinated with this new piece of information.

Now, how often does water enter your ears? Not very often, right? But then, coincidently, it happened to me today. I decided to put the ‘solution’ to the test.

I couldn’t wait to know whether or not it works, so, as soon as I was in my room, I jumped a few times. It worked almost immediately! I couldn’t believe myself. I shook my head a few times, trying to make sure it was really gone, and it was! It’s really amazing!!

I thought this is a tip that should be shared. So, the next time water enters your ears, try jumping, and if it works (and I’m quite sure it will) don’t forget to thank Fen Fang’s Aunt.

Interview Day

My SPA interview was on the 17th of March. It was me along with about 100 other students studying in Moscow, both from MMA and RSMU. A few days before that, the interview was conducted in other universities. Everyone didn't really care to study much for the interview since many other people (seniors) who sat for the interview said it was very easy.

But then, 'reports' started to pour in from other universities.
'A few people failed'
'I've never even heard of that disease before!'

Suddenly, everyone became very interested in studying. Wikipedia became everyone's best friend.

Interview day- everyone tried to be at the Radisson Hotel as early as possible (there were reports of people failing 'cos they were not on time). Everyone was in formal attires. All the boys cut their hair cut short.

My session was in the afternoon. By the time I got there, the morning session interview was almost over. Everyone was discussing what questions they got, what the interviewer was like.

Then Yee Gin said 'the drinks are free'.
I couldn't believe my ears. I asked her again, and she confirmed that I heard correctly. We could order whatever drinks or dessert that is served by the bar, and it's free. Then I look around and see almost everyone with a drink (only non-alcoholic), some with cakes, some with pies.

My interview was over at about 2.45. It wasn’t too bad really, but I wouldn’t say that it was easy. I had to wait until everyone in the afternoon session is done before I get my results. So, like everyone else, I order a drink and I wait. It was delicious! So, I order another drink. And waited.

It was 6pm by the time I got my results (thankfully I passed). I'd already had 3 glasses of drink. One of the embassy staffs comes up to us and says, ‘order whatever you want (by this time, they were serving snacks) before I pay the bill’. Everyone who was there immediately started ordering - prawns, sandwich, burger, potato wedges; that was the choices we had. It wasn't cheap, the portion wasn't big, but hey, it's free. So, we ate to our hearts content, and went home tired (due to unaccustomed intensive studying) but happy.

(I heard that) The bill that day amounted to RM 30 000. I guess that is what you should expect when you say free food to Malaysian students.

Conclusion : Our government is RICH!!

A weekend in Kahovs

What a weekend or holiday is like for many Kahovians.

12pm - a handful of people are awake. They surf the net, watch a movie on the laptop/computer and wish the others would wake up soon.

2pm - almost everyone (in the hostel) is awake. They wonder what to eat for lunch. Almost no one cooks lunch.

3pm - everyone is still complaining of hunger. Raid the fridge, eat leftovers. Hunger temporarily satisfied.

5pm - start thinking about what to eat for dinner.

6pm - start cooking dinner.

7pm - eat dinner

8pm - wonder what to do next

10pm - get together and play computer games/chat/drink/play poker/play mahjong/sing karaoke

2am - some go to bed

5am - almost every is in bed

Crazy!! Why not just sleep early and wake up early? Why not cook lunch? I wish I knew the answers to those questions.

Happy Moments

When I first saw this question, I thought, “hey, that’s easy, lots of things make me happy”. A whole list of things started running through my head- passing exams, going back to Malaysia, spending time with my family, mom’s udang sambal or crab curry, going out for a movie, meeting up with friends, etc. And suddenly, it hit me; these things are just temporary, the novelty wears off after a while. And so, once again, I sat and thought about it. It took me quite a while to realize what really makes me happy.

It dawned to me one day on the way back from class- buying gifts for my brother, that’s what makes me truly happy. How do I know that for sure? Simply because even now, I can’t help but smile when I think about the reaction I’ve gotten from him when I gave him presents.

One such situation was on his 19^th birthday. He has always wanted a Liverpool jersey, and I managed to buy one in a shopping complex here in Russia. Since his birthday is in March, there was no way I could give the jersey to him on the exact date. However, I somehow managed to pass the jersey to a cousin of mine who gave the jersey to him at just before 12am on his birthday. When I called him (at 12am), he was SO excited. I can still hear him excitedly telling me “the moment I saw the Reebok plastic bag, I knew it was from you”.

His 21^st birthday, I passed to him, through a friend, a tie, since he was going to graduate that year. That tie is now kept safely in his cupboard, not in contact with any other clothing items. Even if my mom moves it a little, he has to put it back in its honoured place.

Last year, I managed to go to a sport’s shop when I was in London and I bought as many Liverpool stuff as I could get. And after that, I managed to get a Liverpool jersey with his name printed on the back. My parents said I was too much; ‘spoiling him’ were their words of choice. But the look on his face is all that mattered to me. There was another present though, one my parents didn’t know about. It was a magazine, one that cannot be bought in Malaysia (get what I am talking about?) and when he saw that one, he told me, with a shocked look on his face, “you are too much, you will spoil your brother (me)”. That was so amusing!!

These are some of the most memorable gifts I have presented my brother. You may wonder how giving presents make me happy, but you know what, it is true- it’s nicer to be the one giving than the one receiving.

There have been a few times that I have threatened my brother that I would not buy him anything if he doesn’t do what I tell him to, alas, he knows as well as I do that those are just false threats; he dismisses them without even thinking. Even this sureness of his gives me a good feeling. Weird, huh!

Sometimes, I think feelings are too hard to be written down. The word happy is just a word, but to me, it means much, much more. There are so many things that I can do to make myself happy, but not all of them give me as much satisfaction, as much pleasure as seeing my brother happy.

So, think about it, what makes you happy?

* This is for a happy moment’s contest. Click on the picture below to vote for me!!

Interview!!

It's been really long since I last posted anything. The thing is, I don't have anything to say 'cos the last few days have been interview, interview, interview. Everyone is talking about it, preparing for it, or thinking about it. The interview is on Monday!!

'Study hypertension, it's really important'.
'Oh yes, diabetes is important too.'
'What if they ask about dengue?'
'How bout HFMD? You think they'll ask about this?'
'They asked the students in the other university about appendicitis, thyrotoxicosis....'
And the list goes on and on....

Argh!! Suddenly exams don't seems that hard, at least you know what to study for.

A friend of mine watched a movie a few days back and I saw this statement...
'Thousands of people stop smoking each day by dying'.
Nice one, don't you think?

Till after the interview then!!

I don't break everything

A few days ago, Swee Hung and I were looking a pregnancy chart (see picture) that I got when we attended a conference that my pediatric lecturer made us attend a couple of weeks ago. I don't know what it is called exactly, but basically it shows you when to go for your tests and ultrasounds when you are pregnant. It also shows what the baby looks like when it is in the womb, month by month. It is actually a very common chart in all the hospitals in Malaysia, except, those in Malaysia don't have the fetuses picture.

We were still talking about the chart when Ah Beng entered the room. Naturally, he was curious and wanted to look at it. This is the conversation that took place....

'Ei, what is that? I wanna see'

'No Beng, you will break (spoil) it'

'Nolah, I don't break any- everything la'

'Haha...you wanted to say anything but then you know that is not true right?'

*Beng smiling sheepishly*

'Nah! Be careful, don't spoil it'

A few seconds (notice-seconds) later....'Eh, you gave me a chart that is already spoiled and you told me to not spoil it' (chart in two pieces).



Swee Hung and I stared at him, too shocked for words, for a few moments. Then we laughed at him as he attempted to fix it, and finally gave up, still claiming that it was already spoiled when we gave it to him. Guys...:P

Addicted

It's been some time since I last posted anything in my blog. It's not like I've not had the time or I was too lazy - I was just busy doing something else. And no, it's not studying. I have been busy reading Harry Potter. I wake up in the morning and I read Harry Potter before going for class. I come back from class and while I eat, I read Harry Potter. I surf the net, and while waiting for a page to load, I read Harry Potter. I read Harry Potter until I am sleepy at night. That is how bad the addiction is.

I would blame Von Yen. She passed me all 7 Harry Potter books last week (I think). I've read the first few books before, but then I thought, why not just read everything again? It's not like I have anything else better to do. And from that day onwards I have been stuck with the storybooks.

Actually, it's been really long since I've been so glued to a book like this. When I was younger, I used to avoid buying or borrowing storybooks because I know once I start reading it, I just can't put the book down (amazingly, this doesn't happen if it's a study-related book). When I started University life, I didn't get that many chances to read books, except during the holidays when I go back home, but then the have-to-finish-the-book-as-soon-as-possible feeling didn't seem to affect me anymore. I thought I've been cured of my addiction. Looks like I was wrong.

I am in book 5 now. I know I'm supposed to be studying, to be preparing for my interview (which is on the 17th *help!*), but I just can't stop myself. For those of you who have not read the books, I suggest you read them- it's not a kid's story, am pretty sure everyone will enjoy reading it.

I've thought it over, and I've come up with a plan on how to end my Harry Potter Mania. It is for me to finish reading the books as fast as possible (good plan, no?). After that I'm pretty sure life will get back to normal. And now, I'm going to put my plan into action. :P

Election Fever is Back

It seems like the election fever has affected a few countries, including Malaysia and Russia. I've never been really interested in the elections back home; to me, it doesn't really make a difference who wins and anyway, almost everyone knows that BN is going to win, so why bother? This year however, I got a bit caught up with the excitement. Guessing the election date was a hot topic which lasted quite a few months. And then there was the sudden announcement that the parliament is dissolved. Things became a bit less exciting after that. Politicians giving all sorts of promised which they most probably won't be able to keep; one politician ridiculing another politician and vice versa- such childish behavior! Even reading the newspaper has lost its charm- almost all articles are about politics and politicians. Seems like nothing else matters.

The last time the elections were held (in Moscow), I didn't see any indication that it was going to take place. I thought I missed something. Today is the presidential election day in Russia. This time around, I kept my eyes open so as not to miss anyting. You would expect flags and banner of different colours and party logos everywhere, considering that it is a big thing, electing the president of a country, but what I see is far from it.

Everything is just as it always is. There is almost no indication that there is going to be an election, except for a few billboards which say 'Election Day, March 2nd'. Other than that, I saw 1 or 2 billboards with the face of the person who is standing for election (I'm not even sure how many of them are standing for the elections- 4 I think). The one thing I do know it, almost everyone is sure that Medvedev (whose name means 'bear') would win since Putin is supporting him - I am only aware of this 'cos it was reported in The Star.

I guess the candidates don't find the need to drown a place with flags and posters to make sure the people know they exist. Maybe the newspapers and TV are enough for their campaign (I don't read Russian newspaper or watch Russian TV which would explain my ignorance on the matter). I guess this is just one of the many differences between the Malaysians and Russians.

I don't know when the results of the presidential election will be out, and quite frankly, I don't care because it doesn't matter to me. Am looking forward to the Malaysian election results though, something tells me it'll be more interesting this time around (compared to the last general elections).

A Saturday Down the Drain

I have class tomorrow (Saturday). I don't like having classes on Saturdays. No, let me rephrase that, I HATE having classes on Saturday.

Having to wake up early in the morning when everyone else have just gone to bed or about to go to bed (after playing poker, playing mahjong, playing computer games, watching movies or after a drinking session [did you notice there is no studying involved?]) is really not quiet fair, in my opinion. What's worse, there is a possibility that the class will end in the afternoon, which means that by the time I get back to the hostel it's about 3pm (if I come back straight without having lunch elsewhere). Reach hostel, cook, eat, maybe have an evening nap, and it's already night. That is NOT how a Saturday is supposed to be.

On Saturday, one is supposed to wake up well into the afternoon, cook an elaborate meal, eat (while reading a story book or watching a movie), have a chat with friends, watch a movie while eating junk food, and then sleep. Some opt to do weekly cleaning on Saturdays so that Sundays will be more relaxing. Some choose to bake on Saturdays. Some go shopping. Anything, as long as it doesn't involve studying and classes.

Arguably, whatever one does on a Saturday one can do on a Sunday as well. But it is not the same. Let's be truthful here, nobody enjoys Sundays as much as Saturdays. Sunday nights are always a little bit depressing because everyone starts thinking about the work or class they have the next day. That is why 2-day-weekends are necessary- the 1st day to rejuvenate yourself, and the 2nd to prepare for the week to come.

Well, I guess I have to settle for a short weekend this week (it's not like I've been given a choice). Thankfully, next week we start a new cycle (subject), during which I don't think we'll be having Saturday classes. Currently, I'm just hoping that the class tomorrow will end early, as in before 1pm.


p/s I guess I spoke too soon yesterday. It snowed today, and it snowed all day long. So much for an early spring this year. *sigh*