I Know Who You Are

The realm of cyberspace isn't that vast after all.

Ever since I started blogging, I have spotted some bloggers with profiles matching people I know. Being the sleuth wanna-be that I am, I was spot-on each time!

All right, Jimbo sniffed me out first but I still had to figure out who he was - which I did. Small world, eh? It turned out that we work in the same hospital. And so does Two Woods.

Blooddoc was quite easy. A Malaysian hematologist working in Germany? I know one. Pictures of his adorable girl posted in his other blog Travelogue-Southern Germany confirmed his identity. A fine physician/hematologist I had the privilege to work with some years ago.

YYYap of The Tent was obviously the easy one, complete with name and all. We were products of the same medical school.

My latest revelation? Cytusm! Every alphabet of his moniker stands for something; when the realization hit me his name made perfect sense. If I were to follow suit, I'd be called something like cylusm. Doesn't sound very nice. Anyway, it's great to reconnect with another senior from university in the blogsphere.

So if you think I sound like someone you know from school, college or work, please establish connection. I am looking forward to hearing from you!

Toilets That Kill

This is nothing like the high funda toilet that fellow blogger Jimbo raved about in his blog. This is a third-rate, third-world toilet - or what's left of it - in the third-class ward that I work in. The cistern came crashing down one fine day. My patient somehow had the foresight to pull the flush handle only after she had stepped out of the cubicle, hence she escaped what could have turned out to be a horrific freak accident. No where is safe anymore, is there?

A Less-Than-Regal Dinner

I had been invited to attend a dinner cum talk (in conjunction with the recent National Heart Association meeting) on a fine Saturday evening. The speaker was a professor of cardiology from France and the venue was the rather exclusive Carcosa Seri Negara.

I simply couldn't pass up this opportunity.

Me, I like fine things. Carcosa promises just that - grand colonial mansions, lush sweeping lawns, dainty tea cups, gleaming silverware and exquisite china. Not my typical weekend. You could tell I was psyched. (Incidentally E&O Hotel is one of my favourite hotels, Smokehouse in Jalan Mayang KL is my favourite fine restaurant - I love structures with a distinct colonial influence.)

We arrived to find the place in a less than pristine state. Well, maybe the lighting wasn't flattering, but was it not peeling paint here and a water stain on the wall there? I didn't get a chance to explore the place, as we were quickly whisked-off to the function room where the talk promptly began. No matter. I was too embarassed to take out my bulky DSLR camera - stuffed somewhat pathetically in my bag - to begin snapping away anyway. Like, hello! Have never been to Carcosa ah? Actually, no!

Dinner took place in Gulai House, supposedly well-known for its local specialties. I'm no food critic, but after years of eating out I'm inclined to think that I have developed discerning taste receptors. The food, to say the least, was disappointing! After a decent starter of satay skewered in lemongrass stalks and a somewhat salty prawn and spinach soup, things went downhill. Of notable mention were the prawns - they were close to decomposition! My boisterous company made no attempt to disguise their disgust. And again, I was too embarassed to whip out my monster of a camera to take some shots of the so-called food (which would have made good blog material). Like, hello! Have never eaten fancy food ah? Suffice to say, we did not stay back for dessert!

The Gulai House

I admit some of us behaved like ungrateful guests. Well, I appreciate being invited. I most certainly won't come here to dine on my own. At least I can now blog about my Carcosa experience! Then again, surely the food can be better? Especially since it's so pricey!

Top 5 M.C. Movies

5 "comfort" movies for them M.C. days (in no particular order):

Spirited Away
A classic by Hayao Miyazaki. A movie for "10-year-olds and those who used to be 10-year-olds". The kid in me always loves a fairy tale. Perfect distraction from any physical discomfort.


Love Actually
The movie tells us that "love is actually everywhere". Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Kinda like chicken soup, good for a sick soul (and body).


Shrek
Not the greatest fairy tale never told...I'd say one of the greatest EVER told.


Austin Powers 1,2,3
Oh, groovy baby! Cliched as it may sound, laughter is sometimes better than medicine.


LOTR


No reason needed!


I have watched one of these movies everytime I was on MC. Therapeutic value - proven!

*M.C. = medical certificate

Foodis horribilis!

This may be a problem peculiar to my hospital, but I'm inclined to think that most hospitals are afflicted.

The affliction? Bad food. Or in the case of my hospital, bad AND expensive food!

We demand better food. It's a pretty basic human right after all - the right to decent food. Especially if you are paying for it. I am not a picky eater. I'm an omnivore, I don't practise food taboos and I have no reservations paying more for palatable meals. But walk into the establishment thinly disguised as the "hospital cafeteria" and you will empathise with me. I suffer from anorexia of sudden onset everytime I walk into this joint. It's the usual "cafe fare" - measley portions of meat, boiled veggies drained of colour (and whatever vitamins they contain) and overfried fish that cost a fortune. A simple meal consisting of a chicken drumstick and 2 pieces of tofu (and half a portion rice) can set you back something like RM4.58. The odd 58 cents? Government tax. Like I said, I'll willingly pay for real food but this, I'll do so grudgingly.

Of course, there's always the option of eating out. Except when you have rounds that go on till 1 pm and clinics that start at 2pm sharp, eating out remains a luxury. Besides, once you vacate your parking bay at lunch time, do not expect to find an empty slot when you come back that is not at least 3 slopes, 2 blocks and 1 mortuary away from the main building (coming soon in my blog : car park woes in my hospital)!

I remember a time not too long ago in the land of the hornbill far, far away. There was a coffee shop located just outside the hospital that served decent food - red-wine mee sua (rice vermicelli), claypot tom yam noodles, fried noodles in tomato sauce, laksa Sarawak etc. We always looked forward to lunch. Now, lunch feels like a drag. I'm not expecting gourmet lunches, but is it too much to be asking for better food?

I want this for lunch!

You know, I could go on a hunger strike, but the canteen operator will have his tender renewed year in and year out anyway. I think I'll have to start packing lunches to work.

Ridiculous blog title, you say? That's because I'm hungry - I skipped lunch today!