it's been more than 1 month, coming to 2 now, since i last posted in here. and of course, so many things happened in that short period (or long) that i don't find it easy putting them into words. it literally felt like the longest dream ever. i never want to wake up from it. wished i hadn't. wished i could.
oh yes, UK has been the best dream ever to come true for me. never in my wildest of dreams would i think that it would actually materialise. you know when you're a kid, you dream of settling down in some beautiful country, in that small little cottage by the countryside (or if you want a posh apartment in the middle of that buzzing metropolitan city), i mean that was me (i'm a girl afterall, and if you don't already know, girls like fantasizing - in an APPROPRIATE, RIGHTEOUS manner, unlike boys if you get what i mean). and there i was! mum couldn't afford to send me to study abroad, so this was something to make up for that. sorta.
i do have one word to describe edinburgh really. it's brown. haha. it really is! its history dates back to thousands of years, or centuries ago, so you can't obviously be expecting buildings with rainbow colours or skyscrapers. it really is a beautiful, gorgeous place.so ancient, yet so bold and regal. oh, those blooming flowers everywhere! people sunbathing in the sun, sitting out in the parks and gardens, on benches or on those extremely healthy looking green grass, reading a book, playing football, having picnics, cycling, bringing out their dogs for a poop, playing the guitar, singing, and oh those summer romance! :)
the weather in Scotland is obviously a lot colder than in England. but cho kept telling me how hot it is, and so i only brought 1 jacket which was probably only 5mm thick. growls. its cold even in summer, especially when the wind blows. its uber chilly! :( and i look like a stupid eskimo walking around princes street while the girls were all dressed in boots with heels, sleeveless tops, mini skirts and shorts or dresses. how unfashionable can i get. tsk. and then, imagine coming out of the shower, even though it was a hot shower! most of the time i'd be having chills and rigors. i probably look like i'm having a bout of epileptic fits as well. tonic clonic jerk. rolls eyes.
not all food were good. i mean i do like eating burgers and sandwiches and sausages, bacon, etc etc. but FRIESSSSS! GOOD LORD. i'm not surprised at how common cardiovascular diseases are here. and to have to eat them everyday for a month, i think i'd rather turn vegetarian. and oh, the tesco here is a million times better than the ones we have at home. i love my hobnobs! yes yes, the strawberries - so huge and tasty! and those cherries! :) loved the ice cream too. ahh, the thought of it :D
now i know i'm supposed to be on a medical elective. haha. but then again, what's an elective without a bit of traveling and sightseeing? :) our private hospitals are nothing compared to the great royal infirmary of edinburgh. i'm just completely amazed and awed by how the whole NHS system works. makes us feel pretty small really. consultants, interns, nurses and the hospital staff here are all really nice people. they don't snap at you like how ours do if you can't answer a question. back here, you hear things like 'you stupid', 'like that also don't know?' or 'go and study more' kinda thing. and really, i think not only is that very insulting and mean, it only discourages the student more, or at least for me. i'd love to hear more of 'that's not quite it, but you're getting there' or 'that's good!' or 'don't worry, you're doing fine' or 'excellent!!!' and the thing that i really like about the whole place here is how well the doctors treat their patients. good communication skills, no jargons, no snapping at them. i like that. patients here are also very well aware of their disease and condition. i once asked this patient, 'hi mrs. so and so, do you know what medications you're on?' (with absolutely no expectations at all) and she replied 'oh yes! i'm on glibenclamide 500mg bd, aspirin 75mg on, lovastatin 50mg on, vit b complex, metoprolol 100mg bd, folic acid, vit c, calcium tabs....' and the list goes on. and then i just stoned, with my eyes and mouth wide opened. compare THAT to our very own patients. sigh.
i forgot to mention that i've never walked so much in my life! goodness. the longest of time that i've ever walked was for 45 mins. of course the cool air made it all a little more bearable for my poor feet :) no sweat!
we visited other places in scotland as well. dundee, st andrews, aberdeen, stonehaven, inverness, lochness and glasgow :) my favourite would have to be st andrews + stonehaven + lochness. lochness is the most beautiful lake ever. stonehaven has the best cliffs with such picturesque view and st andrews' beach is just breath taking! thank you to all those who hosted us - michelle, ben, mervin, kien wei, teddy bear, kevin, swee leen, teck jian, danis and edwina! those early morning breakfasts, a place to live in and bringing us around within such a short period of time, you guys are amazing!
phew. its been a long one. i'm gonna retire and let my pictures do the talking. well this is only on scotland. check in soon for more :)
don't ask me about the not so happy thing that happened. i've decided that my mind be blocked from it. and if it isn't painful enough for me, stop rubbing it in at my face at every point that i make a small, little, silly mistake. thank you.
Ps: re-edited - special thanks also to ng cho ee, for bringing me, him and mum around. all the times spent being the best tour guide ever, i've never seen any malaysian more well versed in scottish history good lord. told you you're a nerd, didn't i cho? lol. and for finding me izzy's place to stay, introducing me to mussels inn, giving me your whole room to sleep in (haha i'm sorry meryl and i threw you out of your own room), making me the best dinner ever and for just making my time in edinburgh a real blast and for being there whenever i needed you :) you know you love me :) xoxo. haha.
and also to ken and yee wei, for being there. and for chocolate soup! ahh, the thought of it :)
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