Monday, March 13, 2006

Unhappy Monday...

B, my fellow colleague, has got a huge problem. He likes using my stuff (without my permission obviously) and not putting it back in its original place. This has been the umpteen times that I gotta place MY instrument (with my name on it) whenever I get to work every Monday morning. As I am working on the weekdays while he works on the weekend, I've placed this 'angry' note in my cupboard where I keep my stuffs. He leaves me no choice but this simply tells me that he has poor manners, he has no basic courtesy of placing the stuff back after used. Who cares if he drive a posh car while having such a rotten attitude. KNN him.

Happy Monday!! My beloved kid from Tanzania wrote me a letter from the help of his Aunt. Each time when I got him some stickers , he would use one on the letter itself. I'm glad we are doing a lot of letter correspondance. I love letters!

Another pleasant surprise came from Elizabeth. Thanks darling for sending a flower postcard and a beaaaautiful bookmark as my b'day gift. I can't say anything more but this space of my blog today is dedicated to you. Thanks for being my friend and I've started using the bookmark ever since I've received it. I love flowers!

Sunday, March 12, 2006

My Saturday adventure

It's the start of weekend and yet I gotta pull my lazy ass out of the bed at 6am for a re-accreditation on CPR course. Si beh sian.
Though the course start at 9am but I had to catch the first bus to the city and I simply refused to pay for any parking or toll fees. Plus I get a chance to snooze on the bus too.hurhur!
I had a day of fun and laughter at the class.Met up with other pods too and I've always enjoy meeting new people anyway. I was sitting beside this Auntie Pod.She can't help but saying at the start of the class to the tutor that "will we get a chance to knock off early?" LOL
Then I realised she is having her own private practice just near where I work too! Heh, she was quite keen to offer some jobs to me. At least I know there is always jobs around which I don't have to move around too much.


Start of the class at 9am.....zzzzzz

The rules have changed recently on CPR. No more compressions on an adult like 15:2 breaths and 5:1 breaths for kids. The new rate for the compressions for adults and younger children (except paediatrics) are 30:2 breaths. By right after 2 minutes cycle of compression, it is preferred to swap with another person who knows CPR so that you will not die from "hypoxia".

Stab/Penetrating wounds. Apparently another Auntie pod just pretended someone stabbed her with a knife on her back. Thank goodness she got a few nice auntie helping her to stabilise her 'wound'. So imaginative right?

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Post B'day entry

Oh, my bro did message me. I shall take the 'scolding' back.
This is what he sent me :" Happy birthday. Find a bf lah!"

Calling himself my bro. D'oh!
I don't find men, men find me.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

I cried for the first time in my life




Thanks to the impromptu fugging blackout. I thought I can't get this blog entry submitted on time.

On the happier note/s, I've received overseas sms from KH (one of my dude pals who always being forced by me to read my blog), JP, my lovely sista rang me, Esther -my long time nursing gf and Kin Weng- also rang me and very very sweet of him to send me a picture of tulips!
I told him that he should remind my future 'Mr Right' that I like tulips very much. hurhur.
Lizzy sent me an E-card and along with D got me a bag as a pressie.

Ultimately, it doesn't seemed to bad on the day but somehow, I feel the sense of emptiness ;(
I would still say this is one of the lousiest day I've ever felt.

My stupid bro didn't even wish me - knn.

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Married life


This picture says it all. Getting married and entering into someone's life may not be a bed of roses. It requires a lot of tender, love, respect, committment,trust, effort to form a healthy relationship between a couple. If either one slacks from one of the elements as mentioned, you could be the lead actor/actress on marriage machine.hurhur!

If I got a hubby, I will definitely shower him with truck loads of luuuurve and spice him up in bed.

Saturday, March 04, 2006

I've got a new friend!

Woohoo. Firstly, she was my blogger mate. Next, she become my new /current/latest friend and also the first guest to my home. So sad right, as you can tell I can count the friends I have here with my ten fingers. Dentist Rach was in town for 2 weeks doing her postgrad course on intravenous sedation. So fun right? I wanna learn to sedate those rich ah peks and run off with their bling bling too ;p
Rach was such a fun loving person and always offered to give me a lift whenever we meet up.
She brought me to this local chinese Singapore resturant on a Thursday night. Finally after so long,I had my first real taste of mee goreng and nasi lemak.

So singkapor............

Then, Rach also had her haircut before returning to the kampong (rural area) this weekend

This dessert place offers a total of 72 different flavours of ice-creams. Special thing about this place is they do have quite a few favours to cater for the diabetics as well.

We also had a sumptous meal at Korean resturant prior proceeding to a dessert place on Friday night. I had a combo dessert set which include a hazelnut slice (which doesn't taste like Hazelnut except for the 2 nuts there), Gelato lemon ice-cream (too citrus) with cream on side.

I had an excellent time to Rach and definitely we look forward to our super makan trip again.
Hor Rachel jie?

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Enjoying the abundance of youth

In 6 days' time, that's gonna be an additional candle plonked onto the cake. The thing is there may not be a cake at all.

No harm putting up a wishlist here. God knows there may be soo many wannabemy sugaruncles fufilling the items one by one ( dreaming uh?)

1) Ipod nano - for a regular jogger like me
2) DKNY tote bag - still hanging onto my cheapo bag; need something that look more sophisticated
3) tulips
4) Shu Umera fake lashes (for my party/last minute date use)
5) Quiksilver wet suit
6) Botox discount voucher - I love to make my lips look fuller and luscious

I realise that using Christian Dior's Poison fragrance will keep me happy and focus throughout my work. I used to think that that's such an old lady's scent. I started using it when I was 15 as dad (being a perfume do do) doesn't know what's nice to get at DFS shop. Anyhow, I've been using it especially whenI know I'll be having a long day at work. In fact, the price of the perfume is quite dear too.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

How would you feel?

If you get this elderly dude who comments that Asians doesn't have good pronouciations everytime when they talk.

If he just kept on asking you questions despite the fact you said you had the mask on/raising your voice/speaking in a loud and clear tone , and yet he still claimed he can't hear anything from you.

If he growls at you saying that you got a sense of arrogant because you told him that you would talk after the treatment and taking off the mask of course.

Fug you old man. Now I am glad to pass him over to my 'beloved' boss for his next visit.

Monday, February 27, 2006

Back from Adelaide -Part 2

The conference had an early kick start at 8am. At the end of the conference, we were given feedback forms. Besides given the opportunity to rate the talks by different guest speakers, I've also indicated that the chairs provided should be at least be more comfortable for our butt especially it's a full 2 day thingy. At the end of the day, my butt ached more than anything. The organiser may consider to bring in those chairs like the ones in Chinese resturant. In addition, I can't believe the biscults were all snapped up within seconds at the tea time. Poor me only managed to grab two. Well, it's better than nothing.

7.55am

I get to tour around wine centre where the conference is held.

Quite interesting set up that you are able to press the button to smell the shiraz, chardonnay, savignon..etc

so many bottles of wine....

Wine tasting tours + bar (i wanted to drink but no one drink with me ;(

Walking out of wine centre

I met up with J - the German babe who is currently touring Australia by herself. We went pub crawling from having Hahn's light beer to Stella Artois to Vodka cruiser. We both love shopping and she even offered to pay for my coffee earlier on coz she felt bad to make me wait for awhile.

I look forward to many travels in Oz this year such as Lord Howe Island, Darwin, Alice Springs.

So many places, so little time.



Saturday, February 25, 2006

Back from Adelaide - Part 1

I've just attended a wonderful diabetic foot conference in Adelaide. Now I feel those 'stuffs' I've learnt from uni gradually 'reflux' back into my brain. heh heh.
The conference was well organized with a variety of guest speakers such as endocrinologists/vascular/orthopaedic surgeons/ radiologist/ staff scientist- who actually provide an excellent insight on hyperbaric (concentrate oxygen) treatment.
See, it's not fun getting diabetes as it is often regarded as a systemic disease. You do not get diabetes from eating too much sugary food. What happens is your pancreas (behind your stomach) is not able to produce enough insulin -which is needed to control your blood sugar level. SO, when the insulin level is reduced, people will get high blood sugar level.
Most of the time, diabetes is associated with lack of sensation (neuropathy) on the sole of feet and thus, leading to unknown cuts/ulcers that result without patients' knowing. Neuropathy doesn't give out any signal and it can happen any time any day. The only way to keep your feet alive is to have good prevent measures (for instance, check your feet 2 times daily so that nothing get caught underneath the feet..etc).
However, patients with painful neuropathy (eg, painful when touched and worst with ulcers) complicates their quality of life. There are many suggestions of why patients do feel a lot pain on their feet (eg, anatomical variations /abnormal nerves dennervations?). This symptom can be controlled using such as anti-depressants, tricyclic drugs that can produce some awful side effects.
Diabetes is often linked with the word 'amputation'. In reality, amputation is the last resort to keeping the patient 'alive' rather than putting up with gangrenous limbs or sepsis.
How much the bone (orthopadic) surgeon would need to chop the foot/leg depending on the blood flow to the lower extremities. That's where the vascular surgeon would come in and assess. And ooo yeah, they are the people who do strip off the veins for varicosities sufferers too.
Diabetes requires multidisciplinary management- drs, diabetic nurse educatiors, dieticians, optometrist, physiotherapist..etc.
If you do have diabetes, make sure you have adequate follow up with your docs, watch what you eat on your diet, exercise, and lastly, maintain a positive outlook of the disease.

* this blog has been written in its simplest form so that non-med readers will have a better understanding of what diabetes is in general. The blogger will not be responsible for any medical advice/notes as stated here.
Bye Adelaide!Had so much fun with the Fringe festival going on at the same time! This is my 2nd visit and I've met quite a nice German girl whom I hang out on my last day there. That will be my part 2 of blog.I took this pic at the Adelaide airport. I wish I will be sitting in that flight instead of Virgin Blue back to Sydney..I miss home lorrr....

Monday, February 20, 2006

Say 'Cheesecake'

I've decided to spend my Sunday making this one and only cheesecake which I would only eat from Trobolone chocolate.
Since I've got no grinder and mixer, I have to breakdown those biscults for crust base -manually -_-.Followed by the 'rubbing in' method using low salt butter, bring the crust to chill 10mins in the freezer. On the other hand, mix well with Philadelphia (less fat ones) cheese , melted trobolone chocolates, sugar and bit of hot water to a creamy texture. Pour the cream to the top of the chilled crust and put it back into the fridge overnight.
*puff*
Just in time for dessert after dinner.

Preparation shot ..heh heh

Getting the crust ready to be chuck into the freezer

Ready to be set overnight


My Aussie gf came over to pick up the cheesecakes which she is gonna share with her hubby. I've invited Dentist Rachel over to my place so that I can let her taste some of my 'FA BU LOUS' sweets. Sorry dar, I'm sure you're able to churn off the calories faster than I expected.Just start taking Magic (dog) for more walkies ;p

Saturday, February 18, 2006

SHE is a beech

She is the mother of two who presented with this massive chronic ingrown nail for several MONTHS. Seen a GP sometime ago and only told to apply some antiseptic cream.For the past few weeks, the problem has worsened with inflammation, swelling, redness, pus bits...heh.
The bottomline is mom is into alternative medicine. She is totally against the use of any medications. So in order to have a nail surgery done, my colleague have suggested to have a pre dose of meds to settle down the inflammation first. Subsequently, a post operative dose for follow up.
Pt even threatened that if after the post op dose of med and yet she has suffered from infection, who will be liable for that.
Gosh, she sounds as if she wants the practitioner to pledge that she will be infection free after operation.
She is truly a freak.
She went on slamming against my colleague that she is abusing the medication (ABs) and went on rattling about her having poor understanding of alternative medicine.
As my mate tried to explain the necessity of the meds, she (patient) rebuke that she felt as though like an idoit listening to her explainations.
Here my dear colleague is trying to provide all necessary information and yet if she is so against it , I wonder why SHE should be in the clinic for a start.
What she expect was to have the surgery done and that's it.
No medications/drugs involved.

Maybe my mate should omit the use of anasthetic and just tear off her toenail.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Exchange program

Got to the hospital early in the morning. Saw an email stuck to the board.
It is a local hospital from UK seeking for 1 or 2 staffs on an exchange program. Woohoo! So I've applied for it. If I'm being selected for it, I'll be off in September for a couple of weeks. Si beh exciting.
That's what I called happily single. Hurhur!
'Enjoy the carefree single lifestyle while it lasts'-quoted by my accountant.

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I've just read one of the news back home stating that SMU (a university in singapore) is increasing the school fees by 15%. And that means, a fee up to SGD$7500 is to be paid per semester.
Scary thought of having a kid/kids in near future. I reckon by the time my kid grows up, I'm not exactly sure will I still be working my a** off in order to pay for his education. And that's really sad because I wanna be a 'tai tai' (professional homemaker) by the age of 50+.
After all, I have slogged a lot throughout my teens , uni days, and now still striving hard to acheive what I can for my career path.

No, I'm not being clucky ;p

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Says who?

My ex-nursing friend, Dan, has sent me a post Xmas gift: It is none other than what I wanted but a clinque blusher in Smoldering Plum colour! I am sooooo touched and happy. And it is the same color which I've been using for the past 10years. Thanks to Dan's recommendation and I simply refused to swap it for another brand.
My boss saw my package and asked out of curiousity where the present is from. I told him it is one of my best guy friends who bought something for me which I've wanted.
Da boss (being a real 'weirdo') claimed that there's no such thing as best male friends. He believed Dan is keen on me.
"Well, it doesn't work that way for me. I do have quite a far number of good good guy friends- in regardless they are married or single or attached, we have no problems catching up or have dinner together," as I commented.

I am a firm believer in platonic relationship. And I'll still insist on keeping in touch with my dudes even though after married. After all, most girls and guys see things in different perspectives. Therefore, it will be good to have a good guy friend around if I ever need to ask for advice coming from a man's perspective.
Sigh* Too bad, Boss seems to prefer to be controlled under the thumb of wifey. Hence sometimes, whenever we are just having a casual chat, I feel that I had to draw not a line but two lines between us. He just appeared to be quite uncomfortable....

Monday, February 13, 2006

Snapper dish!


Haven't had curry food for ages. Instead having a typical curry chicken dish, I've marinated a snapper with soya sauce, ginger mince, salt, pepper, garlic mince, paprika and added some broccoli into it.

As for the sauce, I've got a pinch of flour, salt, pepper,osyter sauce, one teaspoon of premium grade Mandras curry power with water. Add fried onion as garnish to the dish. Viola! The taste comes out really well. I was thinking of saving half of the dish for tomorrow's lunch but it was that good that I've gobbled down the whole pot instead.

Ooooooo, saw that little omelette there. That's my lunch. I'm gonna made ham omelette with chopped lettuce mayo sandwich. Eating out can be expensive in Australia especially for a single person. I am talking like having a decent meal which can cost you an average of AUD$10. So imagine one week, you are able to save $50 bucks. In a month you will able to save $200 bling!heh heh.

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Business at the clinic has been rather slow lately. For the past few weeks, I've been working only half a day everyday but still earning quite ok income. I've checked that today I'm supposed to have my first patient in the morning at 9am. However, the patient's name was removed ??(dunno which date) and it turned out my first client will be at 1.30pm. Bascially I've made a fruitless trip to the clinic for nothing. I was rather pissed as I don't understand why the receptionist can't be 'bothered' to make a call and let me know the changes of appointments. At least I could have slept in till late......

I was rather annoyed as this has been the second time it happened.

Saturday, February 11, 2006

I've brushed him aside

I am supposed to send a message to him yesterday that I am not interested in coming for the dinner today.
I (being a twit?) forgotten to message him after watching the Emmys till late yesterday night.
And today, I'm off for a swim and caught the movie -memoir of Geisha in the later afternoon.

It was only at the dinner's time, I've realised I've yet sending him a SMS.

Sigh* Looks like I am spoiling my own' image' ;p And maybe that's why I haven't being so lucky to celebrate V-day.
And this year, it is no exception.


However, is there anyone keen to send me some tulips ( as i insist!) to my practice on Vday?
That would be a nice consolation.

Friday, February 10, 2006

How to brush (unwanted) boys aside?

Remember the semi-baldie guy I've mentioned earlier on? He rang and invited me for dinner at his place this Saturday. I asked if he will be inviting other people as just in case I can bring some food stuffs over too. He replied that maybe just 2 more peeps but yet to be confirmed.
On my mind I was thinking " eeeks, what if it ended up me and him? At his place? No good!"
Trying to be on my most humble mode, I told him that I'll check out with my gf first as most likely we'll be going out on Saturday night (yes you can sense it why I am saying this).

The feeling I get from him is he wants to be my friend for a different reason.....not based on just friendship. Now you see why I am so hesistant to keep in contact with him.
Just not comfortable.

Thursday, February 09, 2006

(Scones for Devonshire tea)

Jog/Ice-cream

OK, so I went for a jog.Came back home 20minutes later because the files were bugging me like crazy. After cooling down, I had a violet crumble ice-cream which I can't resist it.
Sigh* How can I put back on those calories?? So da KNN! #*%()*$^

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One of my regular patients requested for a home visit.He is terminally ill and his toenails are getting long and thick. I don't usually conduct home visits unless I am super free plus the distance to the house are not far from the clinic. Home visits are generally too time consuming which no doubt the cost per home visit range from 65-85 bucks.
He once told me at the clinic that "dying never occur as a problem to me. If it's time to go, gotta go then."

Certainly he has my admiration on his bravery battling against cancer . Additionally,not everyone can view death as a positive sight.
I've informed his wife that should he needs another home visit, I am quite happy to do so.

Life and death, what do we know?

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Don't Chaaaa

Talking about shake my booty, I can't wait.... I can't wait to go back good ole Singapore!
I've checked the air flight avalibility in late May, all I have to do is to wait for the leave approval! Woohoo! To me, staying in Sydney is pretty much like a nun spending most of her time on a mountainous top chanting sutra.Ouhmmmmmm.....I've told Callie that once I get back to SG, we'll go Zouk Mambo and confirm that we shall have our stands on the platforms.
I would love to sing a long songs by Spagna, Duran Duran, Rick Astley (my favourite all time!),Belinda Carlise.....yes! Callie you hear me, I 'chopped' you liao.
I wanted to do Cheerleading (are you laughing at me?)here to kill my spare times but come to think of it, the chances of meeting new friends are slim. Most likely I would make friends with the kiddos instead.
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Got a patient today with multi-complex problems on her lower limbs.

I'll summarized the case scenerio to avoid long winded details as below:

Visit 1:
History:
22 yo female. Occupation: Teacher

Referred by GP to pod. Complained of right heel pain. Had NSAIDS, physiotherapy but still didn't resolve the heel pain. Took NSAIDS which cut down the pain level for a while only.
Pain increased with weightbearing and prolonged standing/running. Complained on occasional calf muscle stiffness.
Currently wearing Nike trainers.

Examination
Subtalar/midtarsal joints within normal range. Subtalar pronation on weightbearing.
Ankle equinus bilaterally. Pain on medical tubercle of calcaneus.

Diagnosis: Plantar fasiciitis

Tx: Icing, physiotherapy, calf muscle stretching exercises, custom made orthotics

Visit 2

Hx:' Left foot minimal swelling as one of the veins 'burst' recently'. Precribed antibiotics by GP and that settled down the swelling. Felt stiff on her left calf muscle. Nil abnormal findings noted on lower limb. Right heel pain still present.

Examination: Casting for orthotics done. Pulses on doral pedis and posterior tibialis palpable and bounding.

Visit 3

Hx:Wanted see a pod urgently. Swelling of ankle and distal one third of left leg. Left calf muscle very tight. Another pod diagnosed as cellulitis or possible posterior compartmental syndrome. Suggested to GP for venous and arterial doppler study.
Capillary filling time <>
Skin colour intact/nil pallor;
Hair distribution on feet- intact
Nil suggestive findings on venous insufficiency.

Note: I find that it's abit extreme to send patients for such investigations. Since Doppler ultrasound (which was performed earlier on) demonstrated a good vascular flow on both DP and PT with triphasic phase, is it a real necessity then?
Tx: Letter to GP and oral antibiotics if necessary
Visit 4:
Came in to collect orthotics. Left ankle swelling settling down except for stiffness. Walking into the clinic with a limp on left foot. Currently seeing a physiotherapist and it does help a little with calf stiffness
Tx: orthotics issued. Fitted well in shoes. Walked with no limping seen. Kept on complaining stiffness on left calf. *sigh*
Pt said she will limp only without shoes on.
Currently her GP is putting her on Mobic once daily and some blood investigations.
Why does a young lady like her is suffering from such bad calf muscle tightness??
She will be reviewed in 3 weeks' time with blood test results.

Sunday, February 05, 2006

( taken from www.zappo.com)

Who has got a tight arse?

Yeap, that's me. I bought a smiliar tote bag for just $10 bucks and obviously,talking about quality wise, the zipper starts to fail on me after using about less than ten times. Being a al cheapo (with a good reason though) doesn't help much. Spent some time online on this lazing sunday looking for a decent tote bag. *Unfortunately Sydney malls do not have a wide range of DKNY products. What a shame indeed.
I've always wanted something like that (in the pic as shown) and that's definitely gonna be my number one on the shopping list.

Or any sugardaddy likes to sponsor? Hurhur!

Saturday, February 04, 2006

Sms and men

There are a few men whom I just got to know have been trying to sms me (or rather creating a communication route between me and them) recently.
The problem is I am just not interested.
Sometimes I wonder will I end up being in 'lesbianism'.....-_-

Summary of the sms messages:

Mr P - from Italy. About in his mid 30s. Doesn't look like the presentable type. He even messaged me from Italy and ended with 'kisses'. Errrr, so cheesy. I don't mind if it's someone whom I am keen on.Muhahaha.

Mr J- Got to know him from friend's friend. Age 30 and semi blad (maybe like uglybaldie). Works in a local engineering firm. He started messaging me by using the free smspup service. (al cheapo?- not impressed). He also emailed me a few times and asked if I got MSN...can't be bothered to reply. When we went out as a group, he didn't even bother to wait for the late night bus with me as no doubt both of us were walking in the same direction. Yeah there is no obligation but definitely a big minus point on his lack of gentlemanly manner.

Mr M- And again, knew him from a friend's friend. Very poor sense of humour. Not funny. Very slow in understanding my explaination too. Each time when I asked him a question, he will stare at me a few seconds before answering -not properly also. Plus he is into ciggies. Yucks. I can't imagine myself kissing an ashtray.
*ptooi*

I hate Valentine's day.

Thursday, February 02, 2006

That's life

Take a look at the bus stop outside my home. Oz bus stops are seriously crap. No shelters from rain or shine. Just stand near the yellow post or a sign board nailed onto a lamp post, all you have to do is to signal the driver as the bus approaches. If not, I am afraid you have to wait for another 30mins to 1 hour for the next bus to come. See, this is how I've learnt to salute to Singapore's highly efficient transport system. Otherwise, Oz people do Q-up when getting onto the bus. The communters here would often say 'Hi' to bus drivers and get off with a 'thank you' to bus drivers. Actually, if only singaporeans would be a bit more polite, I am sure the
'uncles ' or aunties' (bus drivers) will feel their services are very much appreciated.



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I love to have students in the clinic. That made my work so much easier. All I have to do is to make them work harder of course ;p




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Oh I got a new fringe! Dan said I look like a typical Jap girl. Phil said it looked nice on me. Boss said I looked like a little girl (what the fug??). Receptionist said I looked younger. (that's much better.)

By the way, my bro kept on playing this song by BlackEyed Peas's " Don't phunk with my heart."
This is how my non-speaking English mom trying to imitate this song:" Ma ma ma maha, don't fuck with my haaart?!?"
By the way, she sang this to me while we are shopping in a store where the song was played.

Monday, January 30, 2006

My first lunar new year celebration in Sydney

I love those chinese barbi balls with stuffs (eg, sotong, prawn) in it
Busy street at chinatown
Various chinese deco stalls set up
Game stalls

I bought these taiwanese kueh kueh and egg roll goodies. Damn, I should have buy another 2 boxes. Sure yummy!! Choc with glutinous kueh with thin layer of mashmallow and centralised with green tea kueh. *two thumbs up*

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I wanna kaopeh. I've got a couple weirdo patients coming through today. Wifey claimed that she has infected toenails for a year and suffering from diabetes. Took a glance of her toenails, there wasn't any reddness or signs of pus. I frowned a little (god dammit) and without another second, she claimed that I looked abit' angry'. I replied that if I were to be angry I would have a better reason to do that. Stating of having infected nails for a year, which she has seen a GP previously without any prescription of antibiotics, doesn't sound right. I explained to her that if she uses the word 'infected/infection', she should understand the signs and symptoms of pain, redness, inflammation, pus. Upon more questioning, I realised that she has poor knowledge of footcare in diabetes. After providing general care and patient education, she continued next if I can check if she needs orthotics. That's pretty simple. And then she went on rambling that when she wears the orthotics, 'the back of the heels look uneven' on her walking shoes. Now that can be referred to the heel counter or the heel of the shoe itself. She can't even demonstrate her explaination well on her sandals (which is a new pair that she wears today). I told her to bring in her shoes next time for proper assessment. Gosh, some patients just refused to let you go uh.

Now over to her hubby's story, he was sure a fiery man. Not because of my treatment, because the clinic doesn't have the facilities to process his payment via Amex. Well, our clinic just don't accept Amex or Diners. I almost wanna wrigging his neck because:

1) he's a REAL difficult person. Each time when I tried to talk to him, he would always say 'can you repeat?" He admitted that he's abit deaf on one side and and other problem is my accent that he can't understand.

I've tried to talk to him in the slowest and clearest tone of voice with good eye contact. No patients have yet to complain of my poor command of English and that shouldn't be the case in the first place at all!

Heh, I decided to test him out.

Me:" you need to get a pair of trainers that have replaceable insoles" (note: I've changed the word from removable to replaceable)

Him:" oh you mean removable insoles?"

See, I would say this is probably the first sentence that I don't find myself repeating to him.

*banging my own chest*

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Ozzie day round up!

These are the activities lined up for the public on ozzie day event:

Children's art and craft


Mum's busy buying lolly showbags for the kids.


The pet keeper showing off 'cuddle' the snake -one of the reptiles that can be considered as a pet to keep at home. No smelly poo, low maintainence, just a bit of heat during winter. And of course, lotsa cuddles for the owner too. heh.


Getting Ozzie flag tattoos.


Mr firemen in action- demonstrating the steps on dealing with a bad car accident and rescue work.


Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda!

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Thursday, January 26, 2006

Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie: Oi! Oi! Oi!


Happy Australia Day! Woooo what a feeling of not going to work at the hospital today. Slept till 10yish in the morning and made myself a big breakkie (includes 2 snags -sausages).
Went online to check out the events around the suburb. Packed up a foldable chair and off I went by 4pm.

I took lotsa pics at the Aussie day event but now I am just too tired to upload the pics. Will do so tomorrow then.

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I was utterly piss with this recreational centre. I would say this would be the only place where I can play basketball. Two weeks ago, I rang and spoke to the person in charge called Darren. Now, Darren asked for my email address and agreed to send me more information in regardless that the basketball season has started last week. Checked on my inbox for 2 days and no email from D. Again, I rang up again stating the fact that I have yet to receive any email from him and he promised he would do it at the end of the day. Few days later, still no mail from D.
I rang up the club and someone said D was not in till tomorrow afternoon.

I decided to perserve with my determination on getting to play bball. I managed to speak to D and commented thatI wasn't getting any email when he promised that he would send. Well, he thought he did send it off but reassured that he will send it one more time again. This time, I've repeated my email address twice to him.

What I can say in general on this so called person in charge is:
Very poor communication skill. Definitely lack of organization. Oh I reckon he should be kick off from the recreational club. Maybe I should find out the exact address of the club and fire a complaint letter for getting poor service matter.

**********************************
I went to Mackers to buy McChicken burger. This Xiao mei mei ( probably about 14 years old) collected my money and she took the order of the next person. While I was waiting, I noticed there was a burger next to the cash box. I was thinking "that should be my burger isn't it? Why isn't she handling it to me?"
So I stared at her for awhile and she just pointed to that burger:" that's yours." and thus, expected me to stretch out my arm and grabbed it.

She needs more training under supervision for sure.Beech!

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Today hor......


One old male veteran commented on my pretty skirt at the clinic. WAH, so flattered man. He's already in his 80s and I suppose he still have good eyesight for his age *lol*

Got another 13yo boy came in with ingrown toenail on left big toe. Explained to mom and dad that he needs to have part of his nail removed as it is has penetrated the nail sulcus too deeply which resulted in an infection. Mom's replied:" uh, I think we'll keep it dressed till the next school holiday (April). Then we shall see if he still needs the surgery or not."
I was stunned for a moment. I reinforced the consequences of putting the surgery off (which may lead to chronic infection;it will be too infected for the anasethetic to kick in) and suggested for a prescription of antibiotics, daily Betadine dressing and remake an appointment if any problem presists.
Now I am just keeping my toes crossed so that his toe wouldn't turn gangrene and breaks off like a biscult.
Ya ya, it's gross.

I bought a Supre cobalt blue skirt. Will be nice to wear it to.......I don't where. I don't really get many chances to dress up for occasions in Sydney. I've not even visit any pubs or clubs.Duh.
Anyway, show you my beeeautiful dress:



Also today hor,I sense the urge of going home to celebrate new year!!!!! I don't wanna be stuck in the clinic with da feet!!! Boohoo! I wanna go home eat abalone and steamboat!!!

This is my secondary school friend who sent me this from Singapore:


GONG HEI FATT CHOY EVERYONE!!!!

I sure missing the collection of ang pows....

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Brillant Gershwin!

I could have stayed at home all of Saturday. Sydney symphony orchestra organized a concert The Domain (one of Sydney's botanic gardens in the city).What made me to go to that open air concert was firstly, it was free (hurhur!) and secondly, I am bored. So I thought I may want to move that not-so-big ass out of mine out of the house for awhile.

Really I have no idea what kind of symphony music I was heading for. So met up with P and P's friends and some other friends ' friends. Mainly Asians from Malaysia who are pretty much 'aussiefied' since young.
Ahhhh!The whole concert was about playing the pieces by George Gershwin.
http://www.gershwin.com/

He was also the song writer for S'wonderful which was sang beautifully by Diana Krall as well.

Right now, I am off to go for a pong pong! (shower)

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Contradicting statements

I was sharing this goss with VN earlier on.

*at work place*

Boss's wifey (BW): " I am thinking of asking my parents to migrate over. It's no good to do nothing after they retire you see. Noo goot for the brains leh."

Me: speechless

I was gonna say but in my heart " But you also not working at all leh. I guess your brains would have been rusty by now."

What a crappy conversation.

Just another thought: How many men preferred their wives to stay at home for good?

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Yesterday......

I learnt how to make SUSHI!! So I made some and packed it for lunch for later today.

Here's the outcome:


Arrigaaatoooo!! I made some crabmeat with lettuce sushi and salmon lettuce sushi. Anyone wanna try?

***********************************

Throughout my 3 years of practice, I've noticed lately that I've developed 3 fine/faint lines across the top of my forehead. *panic alarm*

So today I bought my very first anti-aging cream from Loreal to sooth the soon-to-be winkles down. So demoralising ok. Apparently I've used to have a Japanese gf who swears using the Loreal anti-ceasing which contains BOSWELOX. Sigh* not fun getting old which the oldies often say that to me.

On the lighter note, I asked myself how come I develop those lines so quickly. The only thing makes me frown (all the time) is getting vague history taking from patients. Geez, I must tell myself cannot frown too much. Sometimes I can't help it whenever they say thing which doesn't sound 'right' or relevant to their clinical condition.

I must not frown so much!

********************************

On the contrary, I've got a lady patient today who thinks I am too young to be a practitioner.

She said she is old enough to be my mother?? And also added that I am like a schoolgirl???

Wah, but still, i've purchased Loreal for the maintainence of my school girl look then.

I guess I would have made it very well in an old school uniform party.

*Ice ice baby too cold too cold.....all right stop*

Sunday, January 15, 2006

(Christchurch, New Zeland)

Because it's a Sunday

My blog is always so boring, so lack of taste, so lame, so be it.
I like it this way.
Blog is just an avenue where I can jot down the moments (in regardless whether they are important or not) of my daily life. Some people feel blogs should be interesting or challenging enough for others to read. But blogging on the internet is still the safest bet for me preventing from mom/dad finding out some of my rather eventful incidents.hurhur. Morever, my parents are not into internet so that would be a bonous. I don't really care how a blog should be written or how I should write to attract certain number of people to frequent the site.It's pretty much up to the individuals on how they want the blog to appear to be like.They are no stringent rule saying that you can't blog about daily living, close encounters and of course, certain issues such as religion or racial cultural sensitivity would have to be taken into context with careful explainations.
In fact, the less people know about my blog, the better it gets. You never know some of your closest friends who read one of those entries can be up for some bitterness for the things that I say. I do change the plot a little sometimes to avoid such potential drama mamas. Having to experience once before, I do not or try not to get into such commotions in relation to my blog.
Beri mar2 fan2 (troublesome) ya know wot i mean??

**********************************
I've learnt to make sushi for myself today *clap clap* and I did a online education on 'conservative control of hyperpronation.'
Podiatrists are seriously most boring/not so online happening people. Can't even find a single blog written by them.Either that they are not interested or they've got better life than me. Boohoo*

Saturday, January 14, 2006

(*my favourite place)


Sheng3 Qian2 Da4 Xing2 Dong4 ( Seriously Budgeting)

As I've previously mentioned to VN, we are born into a family motto called " you scratch my back and I have to scratch yours back." In simple terms means when our parents helped us to get this far with our careers by paying an enormous amount of university fees, it is our duty to return the 'favour' to the family eventually. It is incredibly hard when we are working for our own individual bosses earning like 40% of the commission in the private clinics.
In other words, no patients, no pay and vice versa.
On top of that, I have to fork out my own continuing education program held in various interstates (*attending seminars can never be cheap here), family committments +++ (eg, mom's share , dad's share, bro's share), flights to and fro home.....etc...endless

Budgeting is a horrible word but if it's worth to reach my objective on my financial plan, then I need to show more discipline in doing it.

My very own formulated budget plan:

1) Lesser shopping. Once in a month or once every two months. Shop only what I need. THINK properly if I DO need it or not. Always ask yourself :" what would happen if I don't get it?"

2) Bring lunch to work. No cheap cafe at my workplace. Can easily pay up to 10bucks for a sandwich meal. No good.

3) Cheaper activities. DO more running/jogging/walking. Swimming pool entrance cost about AUD$4 per entry. If i go swimming twice a week means it's AUD$32 bucks a month which can cover the cost of my mobile bills nicely.

4) Write down what you have spent. You may be shocked to see how long the list could get.

5) Have a piggy bank. Traditional method never dies.

6) Always do your account at the end of the month. Don't leave it till last minute. Plan your taxes and savings properly.


Opps* I am supposed to create a banner for VN and myself which indicate this " looking for all men with bling and seek for geninue love."
See, then no need to budget for life liao...

Friday, January 13, 2006

( 3 sisters, blue mountains, New South Wales, Australia)

Tender loving care-I need

I went back home right after I've finished my last patient at 1230.
Not feeling well and boss asked why I looked grumpy today. I've been feeling nausea and headache ever since I got off bed this morning. How 'happy' I can look anyway.
Supposed to work in 'dodgy' clinic in the afternoon. Apparently the receptionist took a sick leave too and hence, no one can help me to reschedule those appointments. Finally got hold of the boss and of course, she doesn't sound too happy over the phone.

With the cool rainy weather, I slept soundly from 1-6pm.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Maybe I should.......

While eating my favourite choc swiss cake, I am trying to type out a few possible research that I should attempt on if I'm ever interested...

1) Chinese Medicine/Manipulation( Sinseh as known by most chinese) Vs Podiatry treatment
How the chinese physician know if it is a sprain or strain at the ankle joint? Why do the chinese physician is able 'to put the joint/ligament' back on track within a fast and furious click on a sprained ankle? How is this treatment differ from the pod pr physiotherapy?

2) Ingrown toenail surgery

I've came across this dude who had a wedge resection done on his ingrown toenail by his GP. The end result was having a regrowth of super ultra thick ( or 'onychauxic '= uneven thickening) of his nail that he was actually quite upset about it. Not even a simple nail clipper could take the length done. Obviously, the nail root had been traumatised and once that happened, the nail will not grow 'normally' again.
Wheras the podiatrist would usually carry out this procedure called "partial nail avulsion with phenolisation". This means after removing partof the nail, the pod will add on a chemical called Phenol to kill off the nail root and hence stopping part of the nail from growing. Most GPs (as far as i know) will not use any phenol to kill off the nail root. Additionally, patient's nail will be very much back to square one if the nail root has not been killed at all. When that happens, patients tend to curse and swear at Drs at my clinic for doing such lousy work ;p
My question is: Should GPs leave ingrown toenail surgery to the pods ? If the fact is most Drs are not doing a good job, patients will end up paying more money and thus losing quality of life. How many Drs are able to give the best post op advice?
more queries I've got on my mind but now it's best to leave it later.

Good night earthlings!

Sunday, January 08, 2006

What's da smell!?

That's the chao dar (burnt) smell from my pockets. Ever since mom got here, she has done quite a number of mega shopping sprees. Needless to say, I would say 99% of her items are 'complimentary' from me. While waiting for her to select some of the exquisite looking accessories, I decided to try on one of those cheapo big sunnies. So folks, wot dayya think?hurhur.
Oh, there was this lady came up to me at the mall. She asked where I had my hair done. She saidI got very nice looking hair *wahhhhhhhhhhh*-wide grin.


'Ah ah ah ah staying alive staying alive' (Retro shop in Melbourne)
Your grandma's clothes may be lying somewhere around here. hurhur

Saturday, January 07, 2006

(<--- Philip Island, Melbourne, Australia)

All the way - Frank Sinatra


When somebody loves you
It’s no good unless he loves you - all the way
Happy to be near you
When you need someone to cheer you - all the way
Taller than the tallest tree is
That’s how it’s got to feel
Deeper than the deep blue see is
That’s how deep it goes - if it’s real
When somebody needs you
It’s no good unless he needs you - all the way
Through the good or lean years
And for all the in between years - come what may
Who know where the road will lead us
Only a fool would say
But if you’ll let me love you
It’s for sure I’m gonna love you - all the way, all the way

*****
This is one of the greatest lurrrve songs that I ever heard. Quite good for karaoke singing also ;p

Friday, January 06, 2006


Mehhh!

Back to work yesterday at the hospital which was abit exhausted. Not exactly a good idea to come back from Melbourne the day before work commencement. This was how my eyes looked like yesterday while I was trying to cut the toenails or writing patients' notes --> -_0

Day 2 of work got much better....as least my eyes are like this--> o_0

Seriously, I would love to invest a house for myself sooner or later. But judging by my fam as me being a gold mine, I don't think I can save up for a decent amount of deposit anytime soon.*sob* Probably, many many years down the road,I will be looking forward of getting a retirement village instead. At least, the facilities of the village will be taken care of and also who knows, there may be cute hunky gardeners for an old mama like me to candy eye.
I wish the month of June will not come so soon as I 'hate' to think that I have to fork out AUD 5k for bro's school fees. *sob sob* I've planned to work extra saturdays for more bling.
Damn those winkles under my eyes. Think it's about time I swap clinque's product to mature brands like lancome. *sigh* After all, who loves an old hag with full of winkles....

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Welcome 2006


With the weather today soaring up to the maximum of 44 degrees celsius, I don't think my brain is 'cool' enough to blog properly.

Resolutions?
Very simple: Building up more client loads so that I can have extra bling to do more travel. I am saying this is because that's something which I would forward to acheive.

Travel Plan 2006:

January 06- Melbourne with mom. Shopping and pigging. Not forgetting spending quality time with mom of course.

February 06 - Adelaide.Attending the diabetic foot (chao kar) conference

April 06 - Lord Howe Island
( listed as World Heritage site; only 2 hours flight from Sydney; more like a tropical island with the rule that the island itself cannot exceed more 400 people at any time.)

June 06 - Back to good ole Singapore/Malaysia. Woohoo!! Party, eating,MOS, family bonding, kopi sessions, friends , MRT, and not forgetting the fried char kawy teow with lotsa 'HARMs!!' (the red raw soft slippery clam shaped stuffs)

Rest of 2006,- dunno yet ;p Gotta see how it goes after paying my bro's uni fees. Boohoo!

My first thing listed to buy in 2006 is the book called 'At first sight' by Nicholas Sparks.
2nd book that I wanted to get is a travel biography named "Around the world in 80 dates" by Jennifer Cox.

Geez, I'm such a sucker in lomantik book.