Olá Portugal =)

I was meant to travel to Portugal one and a half year ago with my friends but I forgot about a course I signed up for and after paying for the flights and accommodation to Portugal, I had to forgo the trip.
1.5 years later, I finally visited Portugal. I have been traveling around Europe alone when I have the off days in my haphazard work schedule but this time, I found a friend/ junior/ work colleague to travel with.

Having to travel with a companion is very different compared to traveling alone. Besides the constant flow of conversation with another human being, I took more risk and had the courage to do things that I won't allow myself to do if I were alone. A good change I think.

Now, more stories to follow.

Portugal is beautiful but if I were to travel alone, it might be another city to me, but things were more fun with a friend around =P

We went to Lisbon- Sintra- Rabo da Roca- Coimbra- Porto.

Lisbon had a lot of history, culture and pastries. I found the person who colonised Melaka- Alfonso de Albuqueque and the locals were amazed that I knew him. There is a famous Portuguese poet named Pessoa who amazingly created multiple (I think >100) pen names with personalities, background stories and signature for each pen names. How cool is that?
Now, Belem is a part of Lisbon that has beautiful buildings, breathtaking cathedral and of course the one and only Pasteis de Belem- Portuguese tart. Other Portuguese tarts besides the one made in Belem are called pastel de nata. Rumour: there's 3 pastry chef for the Pasteis de Belem and they can't eat, fly or travel together in case all 3 dies at the same time and the secret recipe will be lost forever.
Another interesting part of Lisbon is Alfama, here the architectural is so different as well. Had the chance to listen to their local music- Fado music which is in the UNESCO cultural/ Hermitage list. Interesting city. Oh ya, there's a cherry liqueur called Ginja which is absolutely lovely. It is served in a small edible chocolate cup and on a cold rainy day, this liqueur is really really good.

Sintra was a day trip where we visited the few touristy places- Pena Palace which was like a fairy tale castle as it was so colourful and architecturally interesting; Castle of Moors which was like another castle but at this place, we could see the whole Sintra; National palace of Sintra and Municipal of Sintra. Travesseiro aka pillow is the pastry that needs to be tasted and it reminds me of my home pastry- kaya kok/ puff =P

Next, we went to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost of mainland Portugal and continental Europe. We watched the sunset and caught the last 2nd bus back to Cascais for the train to Lisbon.

For tourist looking for a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra then to Cabo da Roca, you can get the day pass for metro + bus pass for 15 euros. Start travelling from Rossio station in Lisbon to Sintra, take the bus 434 (included in the day pass) around Sintra then bus 403 (included in the day pass) to Cabo da Roca. The last bus from Cabo da Roca if I am not mistaken is 1945 back to Cascais then train (also included in day pass) to Lisbon but the train will stop at Cais do Sodre instead of Rossio. If you have the time, stop by belem (on the way to Cais do Sodre station) and have the Pasteis de Belem =P

Next we went to Coimbra, the city of students because the oldest and largest universities in Portugal are here, The historical universities buildings are classified as World Herritage by UNESCO in 2013 (according to wikipedia). Unfortunately it was a rainy stormy day so most of my time in Coimbra were spent having coffee and cakes in the cafes.

Porto, the city of port wine =)
On arrival to my hostel, I was pleasantly surprised as it was cheap and the room was large spacious and multiple beds to choose to sleep. We ended up rotating on different bed each night. (1 double, 1 couch, 2 single beds) Oh, did I forget to mention that there was a TV with multiple channels showing American series? Perfect activity before bedtime.
Now Porto is beautiful with the Duoro river running through. But this city left a deep impression in me because in this city, I learned to properly let my hair down and went a bit wild. Remember I said when travelling with a companion, there's more courage and risk taking? Yup, that was what happened. Yup, lots of alcohol involved too but nope, I did not get drunk, was sober throughout =P


Traveling around Europe, mingling with locals, I have experienced in almost each travel, a lot of catcalls or being approached by creepy men. Portugal did not miss that opportunity too. Just to name a few that stood out:
Edinburgh- I was carried down Royal Mile in a fireman's carry position by a random stranger
Italy, Belgium, Ireland- was offered drinks and hinted for something else out of it
Paris- was starred at, followed then asked to sit beside him on a bench while he mumbled French
Portugal- walked pass me a few times and each time mumbled some Portuguese while smiling creepily

I have indeed enjoyed this trip and after returning home, I had 5 days rest before getting back to work. How did I spend my last 5 days? Stalking people with the power of Google, Facebook and Linkedin. It's bad, I know, but I have achieved my goals for stalking and will start work in a few hours time so no more stalking for me until the next travel.

Obrigado =P

Surprise...good or bad?

I'm not a big fan of big surprises.

Yes, I do admit I do like it but when my mind is blown, I react the opposite of expected or normal.

So what happened yesterday morning that made me stunned, shocked, angry, annoyed yet at the same time happy, delighted and shy was this.

OMG!!!

After signing for it, I put it down on the doorway and just starred at it for a wee while, maybe longer than a wee while.

Then I transferred it to my room, shut my door, sat on my bed and starred at it for ever more.

Speechless.

As I was in the middle of something before the knock on the door and this unexpected turn of event, I decided since I can't cope with this, I will ignore it and continue with whatever I was doing and my life,

After finishing and getting distracted by the box from the corner of my eyes , I braved myself and opened the box.

OMG for the second time!!!

What the hell!!!!
Disbelief!!!

After calming myself, I searched for a card or a clue from whom is this from but I got a message on my phone instead. A friend from home decided that money can be spared and can we wasted on worthless people like me sent it as a belated birthday gift since I was not at home on my actual birthday.

After much drama, I left house for lunch and to get away from it, to have some fresh air and tea to calm the nerves.

After 5 hours, I went home and had a good chat and catch up session with my uni mate from home who was telling me all the suffering and torture working back at home. Warnings and multiple advises have been issued and I have been verbally banned from going home for work.

Then I did what other normal people will do. I felt happy and appreciated the sincerity of this amazing friendship. Thanks and words of appreciation replaced those harsh stupid, ungrateful emotional words that were shot out earlier without processing thoroughly through the frontal cortex if I have one to begin with.

Anyway, transferred the bouquet into a vase and had a good chat with my housemate who was bothered with his phone (technology *roll eyes*) issues.

I had another amazing 1-week-later-belated-birthday day.

I really felt blessed and gratified for having such amazing great wonderful caring people in my life.

Thank you so very much =)

Amazing birthday celebration

Well if you have been following my blog, you'll kinda get the gist that I am not good in birthdays or celebrations. Ever since I came to UK, my birthday celebration, or no celebration has been something I got used to. To me, if there is just someone that actually remembers it, I will feel so happy. If there is a celebration, it'll be a bonus.

This year, I had a great, amazing, fabulous, mind-blown birthday!!

I met up with my 2 ex-housemates and we went visiting England together and had our (belated) birthday celebrations. It was really nice and I was so elated =)

After exam, went for a 2 days course which was really fun!
Then off to meet up with 1 ex-housemate at Glasgow where I finally had a taste of good Asian cooked curry. Next, we went to Lancaster to meet up with the last ex-housemate.

The 3 of us meeting up was really something I never dreamed of or something that will happen in reality. To be able to be in the same room, breathing the same air, talking, teasing, laughing together and catching up was so surreal. I couldn't believe that it was happening. (cue for tears)

The next morning, we went to Liverpool and oh ya, it was my birthday too. The suite that we stayed in was WOW!! Seriously WOW and luxurious expensive too but it's worth it!! And for the first time after a long time, I got myself something expensive as a present. To be honest, it was something like a memorabilia for this amazing trip. Oh ya, we had tonnes of coffees and cakes too.

Then we went our separate ways. I went to Manchester to catch up with another friend who came all the way from Aussie then I nearly couldn't catch the train went to Chester and met up with the 2 of them again. The thought that 2 of them had some bonding session without me really made me giggle like a silly person =)

Chester is a really nice town and after a night of boring horror movie with ciders, we bid it goodbye to travel to Windemere. Lake district is beautiful and after hours of feeling sick in the tour van, we bid goodbye to each other for real this time. It was sad but all good things must come to an end.

I stayed overnight at Glasgow and we just lazed around watching TV and having our favourite food- Indomie =P

Back to Aberdeen, the house was cold and dark (current housemate was on night shift) and I felt so lonely. It was not a great feeling but it passed very quickly because the house was dir-to-the-ty. Oh gosh!

Anyway, I am thankful, glad and very appreciative to have such amazing ex- housemates who were so patient and so tolerant with me. Being together for 5-6 nights without any tension really showed how comfortable we are with each other after 2 years of staying together. The laughter, the lame jokes, the ninja style selfies, the inside jokes, the trust among us is really something that is so difficult to re-create with anyone else. For the first time, I didn't count or care how many wishes I got this year too!

Thank you for everything, I miss you guys already =/
I wonder if such trip can happen again?

Sad day

Just got news that one of my patient who was transferred from CCU to ward died yesterday. It has been a long battle, RIP

Then I found out the pt who's DNACPR form was signed by me last Sunday before my 4 days off, died the next day. Haven't found out what happened and how he passed on but it's so sad. At least he's not suffering anymore.

2 deaths when I'm not on, I don't know it's a good thing or not. It's either I'm holding on to them for too long, prolonging their suffering or it's just their time to go.

But isn't it kinda coincidental that they both died when I'm not there? Maybe I am thinking too much =/

One of my friend's status on FB today
'When your patient you've worked so hard to keep alive for 2 months tells you he'd rather die, it suddenly puts everything we do into perspective. Health is so little about being alive, but having life. Something we do so poorly sometimes.'

Really reflects today's news =/

RIP

Amazing day =)

Today has been amazing.

Yesterday was crap.

So lets talk about yesterday. I felt crap because I have been working everyday since early August and only had 2 weekends off. Then on the weekend, I have to cover CCU, Cardiology ward, Renal ward and other wards that have cardio or renal patients. Running all around hospital is not fun. Other than that, I helped the junior file and chased all 30 pts notes and bloods. Never swore and grumble that much in my head before.

So today my day started with the notorious consultant being alright with me and he even signed my form that he didn't need to sign (I needed to get my educational sup to sign for me but he is off). Then I had a crash bleep, to run to A+E resus. A guy had cardiac arrest at home and is being flew over by the chopper. As as soon as he arrived, we were all over him, and he was unwell, really unwell. I did a cannula and bloods then ABG on him. In emergency situation, I did not realise that I was bleeding. It was when I saw my glove was stained with blood, inside out that I realise that I scratch myself with the needle and I think, stab myself at my finger prior to the ABG.

I helped the ITU consultant who's also a surgeon prepare arterial line and central line stuff and after the whole ordeal, he approached me and thanked me personally for helping. Wow.

Next, I signed my first ever DNACPR. One of my favourite pt is dying. It pained me to see the family members crying around him and to see him looking off colours =(

Then the nurses also told one of the anaesthetist that although they don't say it, I am very good (*shy*)
It is difficult to please the nurses and reg at the same time but I guess I found the right way.

Officially finish at 5pm but only left at 6pm, typical, nothing new. I have been leaving the hosp at least one hour late. Anyway, left hosp feeling great because the sun was shinning and it was warm. It has been raining and dark when I left hosp for the past few weeks.

Overall, it was a good end to my August day shifts, next, I'm only working 8 nights in Sept. Then back to working almost everyday (again) in Oct.