I was in cath lab today. For those unfamiliar to the term cath lab, that's catheterization suite. This is normally where percutaneous coronary intervention takes place. We are so good these days that PCI is the done thing for the treatment of myocardial infarct. I remember thinking it was a relative novelty when I first started medical school. It has now come leaps and bounds. So much so, it has threaten the cardiothoracic surgeons in the number of patient that cardiac bypass are being performed. It is fantastic though. So much cheaper, a heck lot safer and indeed can safe lives.

I never like the cath lab though. My first few experiences in the cath lab was watching PCI carried out as medical student. We had 2 arrest on the table. Not nice. Then I had to bring my ventilated patient across to cath lab. Also not nice since one of them die on the table and we had to let family in to sit in with a dead family member in a cold horrible room. And today, actually today wasn't as bad. My patient actually was not as bad as my previous experiences. I still hate it though.

I was watching the cardiologist. It's funny. We usually label cardiologist as "Wannabe Surgeons". They can be right arrogant twats but on the other hand I have met equally fantastic individuals. Normally the consultants are nice, the registrars however are a different ballgame. Needless to say I am not going to make a generalised accusation onto cardiologist. One of my closest friend is a cardiologist and he is a complete nutter and a fabulous person. Anyway, I was watching the cardiologist. I must say despite whatever I thought of them, I have a heck of degree respect for them and to what they do. It's pretty amazing. The heart beating, the vessels become unblocked and lo-behold we have flow to the heart.

That also brought to a non-so distant memory too. I owe it to the cardiologists at home. My dad had 3 stents in and thanks to the cardiologist. Of which, I wonder what must has gone through my dad's head when he was lying on that cold table slab with the x-ray machine going buzzing up and down, the warm sensation of dye going through his chest and the weird feeling. My dad did say it was a strange experience. He had great admiration for the cardiologist that performed on him. Apparently they never stop as they go through as much as 40 patients in a day. Hats off. Despite my gruge against cardiologist (for failing to perform urgent echos on my ITU patients) I owe you guys one.

I just feel drained. Starting your day in the cath lab taking over from your colleague from the night shift is never is a great start. Then we had a transfer with similar problem. Then a sick pregnant woman. She is sick though. I hate those damn cheap stethoscope which hangs on the bedside. For the first time, I could actually hear an abnormal breath sound through those damn things.. ego, it must be a bad chest!!! To end it all, the nicest, most non-complaining patient of mine passed away quietly, silently with no fuss at all.

Sometimes, I wonder whether if any of my colleagues feel if everything at work gets to them. At this point, I feel relatively vulnerable. For a while, my barriers as a professional is down. Unashamedly, I cried though I don't know what for.

I feel very human. I am glad though. I am glad to still have that compassion that compel me to do this job.

xx

I love life. Having had pass what seemed like an eternity of life suspending event and hold-ups I am now back on the ground again. The sheer torment and exhaustion and a great burden on my shoulder has been completely lifted. The adrenaline drive that has been the major driving force over the last 12-15 months is gone.I am now feeling rather tired and after the initial euphoria I am now feeling drained albeit jubilant still. I am (despite the enthusiasm expressed in this blog) very grateful and relief. It's strange. I have fantastic colleagues who were with me that didn't get through. I wonder why. We are all as good and as competent. Somehow being judged in front of people for less than 2 hours which is a life line for your career is somewhat unfair. Difficult but unfortunately that's the way things go. Alternatively, I also held the view of what is not meant to be yours will never be, so why worry? My dad told me once, you just never know what is there install for you and some things are just not yours for the taking.

The scary thing is, (and I don't know if anyone else does this) I have now pass that border of attachment. I put all life-holding brain wrecking responsible adult decision on this post. Now I have reached this post,  I got to start living. In term of careers wise, God willing all shouldn't be much problem. My life has been transfixed around this - be it love life, social life. I suppose the other question, or what I suppose I am trying to get it is, where am I going from now? The world is my oyster I suppose but I don't know what sort. I suppose I can let it be but it may get completely wasted away. However, if we are so busy planning every single bit of our lives, you just forget to live. I never thought about it but suddenly I have an inherent fear what lies next for me. The past years flown by. I think I grew up a lot, matured and mellowed although somehow I still can't keep my gob shut :). 

I had the bad news of a family death and bereavement. My father's younger sister has left us. I wondered how my father is feeling. It seemed that she knew she was going to die. In fact, she told those around her that she is going. I suppose you just know. Death is always a way to measure and reflect yourself in current events. Also a point to question where you are going with your life. On the other hand, a colleague is expecting his number 2 anytime soon. I find the cycle of life birth and death is vital in balancing our perspective on living. Maybe that's why I find Children of Men very moving.

I am afraid. Yet I am excited at the same time. I don't know what else life has got install for me. Will I cry? Will I be left broken? Perhaps even more happier? Will I loose all I have now? Alternatively will my life be so completely different that I couldn't even understand why I wrote this garbage? I don't know. Suddenly there's no post to hang on to. Just life. And I have to brace myself and jump into it this time, good and proper and accept everything that will come in the way be it for better or for worse.

Have a good weekend.

xx

In fact most days are very good. Some days are just plain boring. Today I was on long day in ICU. I must admit I like ICU. But perish the thought of working in ICU full time. I was tired. Very tired. But manage to do most jobs before Dr T came on.

Just to recap.. I finally got my exams. Officially now I suppose I can write my name, then my med school degree then my fellowship.. all I need is some minion. Although I am sadden about my colleagues who didn't make it. We all should have. We all deserve to pass. I now deservingly should pass out too...

xx

Yup that's me alright. The books has been laid on the table the last 3 hours.. during which I had spent making 2 cups of coffee, 1 cup of tea, the laundry (cycle x 2), eating lunch (soup courtesy of Albert Heijn) , cleaning the coffee table and everything else.

It's Friday and finally I have come to unwind. It's been such frantic 2-3 weeks that I have yet to have a moment to breathe. Things being persistent and constantly on going that I have lost track whether I am coming or going. Sometimes I wonder whether it's great to be demented - no one can blame you if you forget everything :) In saying that, it's not a blessing to have dementia. I am just glad I am sitting at this dining table (knowing that my battery on this laptop is completely kaput)  and the thought my lovely man is coming home in the next couple of hours.

Yesterday has been one of the mooiest (loveliest) day for a while. We had a lovely evening meal at our favourite restaurant the zakkendrager. We were reminiscing the times we had spent here and sitting at our spot with plenty of happy memories and feeling there. With high spirit (and perhaps besotted and drunkenly in love for which I am glad still exist and strong after nearly 4 years), we left to Tivoli to watch Emiliana Torrini who was absolutely brilliant. What an evening! I cannot ask for anything better. (perhaps the news that I have finally passed my exams may match it)

The last 2 weeks also had made me realise how fantastic life has been to me (and to know that someone is looking out for me). That period alone has reunited me with 2 old school friends, 3 others from my early youth in the UK and at the same time 2 babies arriving well to this world. (Congratulations again!!) Not forgetting the thoughts and contacts from my current circle of friends and colleagues from work. And I suppose the constant ground leveler in my life who is still here for me (albeit a little misunderstanding just before my Irish exams) who had never wavered one single bit. For this moment in time, I feel calm, grateful and thankful. Tired though - half day trips to London, annual appraisal to complete, exams to do, revisions, old friends to catch up with and of course the constant commuting on the M6.

My Eid celebration has been a blast. I wasn't at home. For truly, I am grateful for my old schoolmate who had allowed myself and my lovely man to be part of their celebration. Thank you - as strange and religious it may sound - I really hope and I am sure they will be blessed for their kindness and sincerity. I haven't had this much fun for a long time. That day too was also special as I finally met up with another old friend, of which we had spoken over the telephone the past 3-4 years, having lost touch for several years and finally met up. How wonderful!

This was also my first Eid with my man. It's almost complete now. He has now seen pretty much all sides of me. My life is relatively simple but in reality can be quite complex. I have always been a free spirit. And he the home rooted lad has chosen to go with me for the ride. He has seen me pretty much in all views - coronal, axial, distal, proximal, anterior, posterior, back, front, through and through. Strange, but I now feel very free. Whether he has accepted me well and truly, that I cannot say but certainly I could not feel any objection to me being me. My dear love - thank you.

Now, I suppose I should be opening that book. It's getting on - the day is. It's lovely to have slept in a bit and just pratting about the house. A true luxury these days. I look forward for 6 pm tonight. Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Who is she? Yeah I asked the same thing when I saw she is listed to play on the 24th September in Tivoli, Utrecht. She is half Italian half Icelandic with an Icelandic accent (kinda cute). The best thing is, I am going to see her play live. This is a sample of her work Happiness all round. Yeah or at least after 2.30  pm this Monday. Just in case you think you may have heard her, she played in the Lord of The Rings Two Towers the Gollum Song.

Speaking of which congratulations to AS and G for the birth of their baby boys. What's with all this male population expanding? Another friend, in fact , two are s due a little fella, another one just had a little fella too and 2 are about to due albeit their not sure what sex their baby is. There is a sudden influx of male expansion!! Again happiness all around part 2.

yup 12 more days to celebrate the day my mom gave birth to me. Wonderous for her to have gone through pregnancy and delivery all being well. Cannot believe it is September already. The days of long dark nights are coming ahead.. also halloween, christmas and more exams.. sigh...

I just had my 360 degree assessment from feedback...aww.. am so touched. Never realised how highly people regard me professionally (aherm) and also as a colleague. You don't normally get feedback and this was rather nice. So much so I think my head will burst.

Trip to Birmingham for the exam was a breeze. One down and another to go. I am fed up now so I think I will have a long bath and then off to bed. Tomorrow is a new day.

xx

Apologies apologies.

Some ppl think that my blog is dead. Well kind of.. haha.. haven't update it for donkeys years (ok nearly 10 months). It's end of August and thus the depressing months are looming ahead. Time flies. Too quickly. Still not married, still very broody but fortunately, still in love with the same guy and also in the same career and a little bit better at my job. Oh and still yet to get that damn blasted exams ("£(")*!!!!

What's new? Hm.. am broke just like everybody else. I wish that the government would provide me with some fiscal stimulus. That would be nice. But I suppose I probably end up spending more rubbish but with that financial support I could then reinvest it back in the community and economic growth by buying more general nonsense. Alternatively I could buy a ticket or 2 with the Euro Lotto million. I take my chances for £1.50 per piece.

It's Ramadan. Yes it's all that spiritual cleaning and all. To be honest, Ramadan is just an excuse. Spiritually healing, cleaning, sobering up etc should always and can always be done at any time. Just like those people who always start their new year resolution of  I will lose some weight. No shit sherlock. I think that decision can be made any day. Doesn't have to be the first of  January. Hence I detest it so much when my parents always say every new year to have a new year resolution and keeping at it. What a whole load of bollocks. You want to change, today and now is as any good a time. But anyhow, I like Ramadan. I don't lose that weight but I love all the things that goes with it. I suppose it's actually my memories of Ramadan - with my family. Funny, my last proper Ramadan with my family was 15 years ago. But the strength of it is so strong, it's just as if it's there and the strangest thing is that it's far more stronger than it has been the last couple of years.

I should be doing some reading. I was. But I got distracted (as usual). I noted Jane had put my website out on hers.. (Hallo missy)  and I shall not disappoint her by having a dead blog. Thanks Jane, I actually needed a kick on the backside to restart this thing. I blame it on FB. It's addictive that thing though I am not overtly bad with it.

I am missing Stoke too but NCH has been a lovely and pleasant suprise. I am dreading next 2 weeks when the school term starts. The journey at the moment on the M6 has not been as bad though I have got stuck en-route home which took me an hour and a half. Bloody traffic congestion management thing. Don't you just hate it when you stop/slow down in traffic for no reason whatsoever?Grrr....

Anyway it's Friday today. I wish I had no exams to sit next Tuesday. I would have had a fantastic long bank holiday. Sigh.. On the upside, I am grateful that my gorgeous man had decided to look after me this weekend. I really hope he will get in on time to catch the plane.

Have a good weekend everyone and stay out of trouble. :)

xx

My brain is painful...

ouch

Oh my God.. it's countdown 19 days to my vivas

My humble apologies to the followers of this blog *aherm* the transmission has been extremely bad over the last few months due to the Royal College of Anaesthetist.

xx

Just got back from tahlil and takbir. I am not a great socialiser but I love the festive feeling despite only me conjuring things up as I go along. The rendang is yet to be cooked and so is the nasi impit. But it wll

Another year.. 1429 hijrah

Maaf Zahir dan Batin
Eid Mubarak

xx

I never liked death.

Al-fatihah. And to those who think they may well be facing one soon - chin up. My prayers are with you


xx

Ok projek masak memasak has long gone probably because I have been up to my eyeballs with everything. In fact, last night I went to bed about 12 am ish as was on the phone with my parents. Then the alarm went off about 4ish. I have been suffering from mild dehydration this puasa month which is not common for me since I am a camel (can live without water for long periods - like going to toilet only twice in 60 hours - ask Tom). Anyway , I have been getting up to drink some fluids beforehand. And I had been up since. And went a bit mad really. I have been cleaning the house - hoovering, cleaning, mengelap, laundry etc.

I have also gone mad with food. In fact, the list of food I would like to cook - namely sambal tumis udang, nasi ayam, rendang and looking over the recipe book Masakan Popular Malaysia has been on my agenda the last couple of days. I suppose the urge to be surrounded by familiar smells which reminds me of home is quite high at the moment with Raya looming in a couple of days. Plus I haven't yet done my Ramadan rounds. I have this thing about cooking for other people (not as if my cooking is that fantastic). It is a reminiscent of what I used to remember, as a child, what fasting month is also about. A little bit of giving and a little bit of taking. I used to look forward in the evenings just before we buka puasa. I will have my neighbours knocking on the door handing us a bowl/plate of little something they have cooked for themselves. A little something for us to share and adding to our menu-looking forward to the food after a whole's day of not eating. It's not much really, normally a plate or a small bowl like pengat pisang,  but it was always so special to me. It encompasses a whole insight to my neighbour's life - knowing what they are having, what their cooking is like and certainly feeling very happy that we are not forgotten no matter how small the share of food is. The fact they wanted to give and share something which they perhaps don't have very much and also not worry whether their cooking is ok (as clearly cooking when you tengah puasa is never is a good idea as you can't taste the food) So I decided now that at least once in the month of Ramadan, I will do my own personal Ramadan rounds. So this year, I am making nasi ayam and there are already a few people am distributing it too. And if Ad does singgah my house en-route to Nurrun's today, then they get my pegedil which I went a bit over the top last night :). I don't expect anything back but certainly it makes me feel good and it reminded me of those days when I am so tired and having my mom forced me to go and hand the food to the next door neighbours. :)

This year Raya will be a quiet one for me. I blame it on the Royal College of Anaesthetist. Ok so I got my exams coming up. I would love to go to Nurrun's in Leeds but that will be like a 4 hour round trip. She did say I could study at her house (like lah I nak gi belaja in the midst of the festive season) but I will come up after the 21st October. Anyway Syawal is sebulan so I will still be in time to celebrate Raya. I am not seeing my sister and her family and certainly will miss the kids especially now they begin to converse in Malay! At least I can understand them rather them just understand me!

Anyway, I still need to get some sesame oil. I don't know whether there are some world shortage of sesame oil - went to 2 shops yesterday including Longton Tesco Extra and both shops ran out of them! Have you been to that Tesco recently? I really felt as if everyone is buying food like there's world war tomorrow. It's so bizarre. It does made me feel like the mad stampede rush of Raya buying though. Anyway I am going to get ready to pick up a parcel from the post office, get the sesame oil from the Chinese grocery store near my house and do a spot of baking and finish making my chicken rice. You lot in Malaysia don't know how lucky it is with food.

I just also happen to find this on youtube. I am a bit obssessed with this song at moment but I think this video to it is absolutely brilliant.

 Have a good weekend and to those that are celebrating Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin  otherwise Eid Mubarak.


xx

Not quite what you think.. it's actually the title of a song by Zero 7.

Well my brain is frazzled after all these SAsQ. Ok so I actually am not as bad as I thought. Slowly am overcoming my phobia.. I WILL GET THROUGH THIS

Anyway, my lovely Poes placed on his wish list a Zero 7 CD. I don't know Zero 7 - uneducated me indeed. I got him the CD as a suprise and listened to it when I was over at his. Oh wow.. what a gem. I am truly, absolutely, madly in love with the album - Simple Things. I am not a big chillout album fan - more of a depressive typo with the likes of REM and Aimee Mann (speaking of which I got her concert tickets next month in Sheffield - woohoo!!). My boyfriend prefers haunting music and me more of repetitive definitive type. This is however the only album which we both liked.

Sigh.. I really need to get this album. The only time I get to listen is when I am over in Utecht or on youtube. But for the moment  enjoy. They are ace.

Here goes to another week. I feel no different 2 days before when I was 31 and today 32 and 2 days older.

xx

Actually I probably have turned a year older as I was born at 4pm ish in Malaysia. I am not really having a birthday do but unlike most of my previously birthday, the last few ones were exceptions, I am feeling relatively content (and stressed due the fact exams are looming).

Thank you Poes for the lovely dinner/lunch/movie last weekend .. and also to my new boots (I LOVE THEM).

Thank you also to your family who made it very special the other day. I was totally taken by suprise with the food/presents and all. I am lighting the h-a-p-p-y b-i-r-t-h-d-a-y candles up tomorrow evening.

Thank you also to those that are going to come out (and insist on me going out) tomorrow night in Eccleshall.

And thank you Emms for you card and present too :) and Joy who never forgets my birthday! (btw when were you in Wolverhampton as it got postmarked from there?!)

Thank you for yet another day and another year and for making me feel loved by all these fantastic ppl.

Thank you. Thank you.

(isn't this a great oscar speech)

have a good weekend everyone

PS Happy birthday (belated though) to Dr N C!

You know, checking the computer before going to bed at 0230 is never a good idea especially when you not too sure what you have just clicked on the net browser. I battled getting the blasted spyware out of my computer but I think I just did it. *hoorah!* It took me about 40 minutes and it dug deep in the system but me more cunning enough to catch it out - HAH! However feel a bit stupid as I wanted to go to bed and need to do some work tomorrow but instead I just wasted an hour clearing it up.

I am also fed up wearing my current glasses at moment. I can't see b****er all with it. In fact I wonder how I manage to intubate my patients over the weekend. Yes I was working nights Fri- Mon am.  Actually I could see the vocal cords so it wasn't too bad but I couldn't go far away from my machine as I cannot see the numbers stated on them. I can't remember when my appointment is to pick the glasses up. Ok - so if you didn't know - my lovely gorgeous adorable nephew Adi broke my left glass lens the second day before I left back to the UK from Malaysia end of July. Grrr.. I don't know whether to cry or laugh but certainly it cost me a £100 to get it fix!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyhow, he didn't do it on purpose. Oh well joys of being an aunt huh?

Speaking of kids, congrats to Mo Lee with her little girl (she is gorgeous!) and Zada (bloody hell girl - you popped fairly quickly since I only found out a few weeks back you were pregnant) with her new boy. Also to Gav who's having his second baby (boy). You know, this year alone, so far, I have spent more on baby clothes than mine, that Tesco now gives me "250 points for spending £12 points on children clothing" voucher at the checkout counter. Disaster. And I know pretty much what children clothes there are at Sainsbury's Tu, Tesco Cherokee, Next and M&S. Bloody sad!!! And I don't even have any children! Apart from my beautiful god daughter of course :)

I haven't been on the blog for ages. I suppose I have been very busy. And the only reason why I am writing at moment is I am doing a full computer check to make sure everything is back on track (DIE YOU SPYWARE).

What's new? Obviously if you have facebook you probably pretty much know what I have been up to.

I am actually hibernating at the moment. I am being a good girl. In fact, the last time I saw my boyfriend was on the 6th of August. I can't wait to see the big tall man this weekend with a possibility him owning a beep beep bop bop (a car for those who don't get it). Hoorah! He started work today - in *drums rolling* Anaesthetics/Critical Care! Secretly he wants to be like me. Actually it's not a big secret as that's what he quite like to do if he doesn't get his first option. So hey ho. I wonder what the people he is working are like and whether they are as insane as me. I wonder what we are like too if we worked together. H might end up hating me haha.. and obviously I will boss him about - like I normally do - unless it's Mrs Hall then I get bossed about. (Mrs Hall, I do love you as if it is not for you I would have never learn to love or leave Stoke forever - ok this woman who is a superb workaholic consultant surgeon interviewed me for my house job in UHNS in 2003 which have been my home since apart from the one year stint at Stafford)

I am feeling also a little apprehensive. Firstly I suppose I don't really like hibernating. I managed to bore Matt (the ODA) with my non-stop yakking over the weekend in theatre. The aim to try and not talk so much, often fails! Secondly I hate exams but I just got to do it. The prospect of £690 going down the drain during this economic crunch is not really appealing so I better make a good bash at it. Thirdly I suppose I won't be able to see my man as often till after the exams. Don't like that either. Fourthly, now that he started working, one can't help but feeling worried, perhaps a little scared that things may change. I think they will. I don't know whether it is for good or bad but you never know with  changes. Certainly I am concern how it will affect the dynamics of our relationship. I am being skeptical. But hey if you break up after a 6 and a half year of a relationship, one can't help but being skeptical on  anything and everything! I don't know what to think but I hope I am not going to be forgotten in the shift of the relationship pattern. It's so easy being a medic and get carried away with the whole career thing and forget you do have a live outside work. Well, after being shafted several times (ok and still do now but with more street cred attached to it), I know the last thing I want is my career to rule me. Hence also refer to reason (1) and (2). I hope this rule applies to him too.. perhaps - maybe after he settled down at work, however long that might be. In one way, it's good so that I can concentrate on my exams (yuck). However, on the other hand, I am afraid that I will be the neglected party in the change of his personal position. Am I being paranoid? Yes. Am I being unfair? I think my heart is though my head is sensibly rooted down to give him space. It's very unfair as I have yet to let him be and not even give him the credit he may yet to prove. I think this is what called "self-defence mechanism". I am anticipating to get hurt and getting really wind up about it. HOHO... I am actually battling with my own demons. He hasn't done anything! :) 

*beating self up - ouch*

Who knows? Will watch this space.Oh well Poes, I am happy for you (HONEST!).

Right I still need to face the Bricker book and I will do so tomorrow. I am left with 30 pages of Key Topics in Critical Care and my revision notes from my primary FRCA to deal with. AGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok system Mechanic seems happy. So I am too. I am going to brush teeth go to bed and try get my proper glasses. Have a good week everyone!

xx

PS to those celebrating Ramadan soon - happy Fasting!! Can't believe it has come round so soon

Hoorah hoorah!! I got a publication


albeit 3 years later :)

xx

PS CONGRATULATION POES. Ik hou van jou

Yes guess who am I supporting the Euro 2008? The oranje clan of course!
:)

xx

I really love this song by John Legend. It really soothing and reminds me a lot of my other half (which I am missing very badly at moment). I am feeling calm and serene. Almost at the 7th level of karma into nirvana. I don't know why really. I have been working say 79 hours this week alone nights day all entwined into one. I don't expect any sympathy as it is all my own doing. So many things happen in the last 79 hours. Not in my life but in others indeed. And the more I am into my job, the older I become, the more I really start to think - not in that sort of way. I mean I began to appreciate more of life and what it has to offer. Shame really the last 30 years of my life, it took me (and I think the majority of the general population) to appreciate what we have and what life had to offer. I also began to become more emotional and fascinated in general on the creation of life and how fantastic and wonderful something as mundane as getting better is.

I think I am heading into senile dementia.

Albeit a relatively peaceful one

I don't know what's the whole point of this whole rambling but how I am feeling at the moment is pretty much what I feel like what John Legend is feeling in his music. Ok - maybe not to the extreme as he suggested but I want to be just me without the care of the world :)

Certainly I feel like little Phoebe here.

xx

It took me a while to decide whether to head up to Glasgow or not over the weekend. After going backwards and forwards I eventually decide to drive up to Glasgow on the Friday after work and to be back home by midnight on Saturday. I know Poes was coming over on Friday at 11 nish. He was making his own way to Stoke which I was kind of worried since he had never travel fully on his own from Birmingham to Stoke. Plus he had to find his way round to get to my house.

He did.
Success.

Was very impressed. In fact he even managed to get some stuff from Sainsbury for our little mini road trip.

Why did I want to go to Glasgow?

Firstly I would love to meet up with Aarti (long time friend, mad woman and fellow anaesthetist) Secondly, I think it's high time Poes see where my past life was and where and what had shaped me. I owe a lot to Glasgow in one way or another. A lot of growing up and certainly many fond memories and also sad ones too. Plus Glasgow is fun. And no  I didn't go to the Garage this time round :)

It was lovely to be back. It was fantastic to see Aarti again.  The 4 hours and a half drive up (and down) went fairly swiftly. Poes did do some of the driving which he handled quite well. Teehee.. he did try to open the door thinking the gear stick was there. The views were stunning of course and it rained intermittently till it absolutely poured it when we got into Glasgow. I am impressed that I still can tell my way round.

I took him over to the university the following morning. Me and Aarti find it highly amusing to be tourists. Come to think of it, it's been 5 nearly 6 years now since we were at uni. It was a memory lane trip for me.I pointed out to him - the exams halls, the registry we matriculated annually, the SRC, the library, the blasted hill I had to walk across to get to classes, the Dive (Hive), my little office at the Public Health Dept during my intercalated year, the new medical building which we never got to use, the flat I used to stay where had no door and got broken into!! etc. I also went back to Murano Street and memories of first year medical school all flooding back to me. Boy, I/we had so much fun then. One wonders where the time has gone.

We walked down Woodlands Road and had breakfast at Grassroots passing by the Stand where I first saw Omid Djalili back in 2001. I took Poes down Sauchiehall Street and pointed out the Garage my usual favourite hang out then, before heading to the Buchanan Galleries. It was really strange to be back in a city which I (used to) know so very well.  I also manage to get the watch that I have been looking for at the Arcade. Funny though, the other watch I really liked (and lost) was also purchased here in 2001. We stopped at the Willow Tea Room as I have always wanted to go there. On route home we did some petrol and food shopping at St Rollox Tesco's and headed home.

I love Glasgow. I love Scotland.  I was worried that it maybe painful to recall of my past relationship but strangely enough it didn't. In fact, I laughed thinking what we both did. We were so young then. So full of hope. Naive in one way.  I am glad though I have moved out from the city. It holds a thousand and one memories for me. With Poes now being up there with me, he has encompassed part of it. We will have to go back again and do the full Scottish trip.

Since we did it all in 24 hours, we compensated by sleeping all of today :) It was good to go back. But it's good to be home again.

xx

Congratulations to Marieke and Stefan Kostense!!

Well I was almost right. Missed by 7 hoursish from the 4/4/08 bet. Baby Iskander Kostense is well and so is mummy. Looking forward to meeting up the mini version of Kostense clan.

xx