proposal #1

This was so bizarre I'd practically parked it out of my mind until a friendly fb reply reminded me all about it.

I was proposed to by one of my Arab patient's sons on Saturday. It was way too strange. I had a really strange text from him (why my colleague and I gave him our mobile numbers is a story for another day) -- "Dr.Koh its Karim can i c u 4 5mins". Of course I didn't reply, but unfortunately, I had to head to that ward shortly after to settle a patient with biliary colic.

Suffice to say, I was accosted with a "Let's have meal. Sunday. 1 hour". No thank, you. Blahblahblah "I'm looking for wife, yes. I'm single now. You a good girl. Come, have dinner with me. Please. 1hr." No, I have boyfriend. "But Suraya says you don't. Remember?" No, I'm not getting married like Suraya, but I have boyfriend. "But ..." And I'm getting married next year. "Please - please. But we can still have dinner yes?" Can I bring my mother?

And he left me alone after that hahaha. Mum -- you scare big Arab men even without having to see them!

I swear. If I weren't wearing my big-ass Drager N95 mask he would've seen my jaw drop. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry! But I do know this -- NO PATIENT is ever getting my mobile number, even if it means having to go through a circuitous route to get to me to attend to something my boss feels is of utmost importance. NOT EVER.

saturday passive

Saturday calls are, in general, exhausting. It basically means that your entire weekend's burnt. Having said that, perhaps active calls aren't so bad -- because whether you're on active on Monday or Saturday, you're still on call all day. Weekdays and weekend passives on the other hand, are very different. Weekday passive work starts after 5pm, while weekend ones start from 8am.

Having said that, I had a really good passive Saturday call this week. Mostly because it wasn't too busy, and definitely because the "night crew" was awesome. From my MO to the nurses, they were fabulous. Among my favorites :) And I actually got to use my brains a little bit more than I'm used to nowadays, which was somewhat pleasing. AND I didn't get fried by the infamous Mr Pringle despite having to manage a few of his patients. Great stuff.

I spent all of today sleeping till evening, when Mum and I headed to Ion to check things out. I like it very much - it's a whole new mall to say the least. But I have to say, my favorite mall probably remains Paragon. Though to be fair, we parked ourselves at Topshop for the most of the time we were in Ion. Hadn't gone there in at least 6months, but having heard that their current season is among the best they've ever produced, I decided to check things out. Loved it to bits. One very fabulous Lady Gaga-esque black caged poufe top (to be worn with latex leggings). And several lovely dresses that I fully intend to bring with me to Tokyo.

Ah Tokyo - can't wait for August to come. I'll be on leave from 13th - 23rd, which is perfectly in sync with Joy's wedding. Am almost there!

what we worked for

Final posting results are out, and it was with trepidation that I looked... Wasn't sure what I was expecting (obviously not shite postings) but getting everything I wanted and in the exact order I wanted it, too was just ... Awesome.

SGH surgery, SGH Medicine, KKH O&G

Thank you so very, very much :)

when?

Greece, Spain, South Africa, Rome, Tokyo, NYC

"Fuck You" (by Lily Allen)

Picnics, a sterile pond and 50s bathing suit

Spinning!

laugh and play

One thing I took away from the Anne of Green Gables novels was the idea of the "kindred spirit".

A kindred spirit is one that understands without needing to be told, that moves in sync with, and speaks the same language as you. He is not taught the secret means of communication that would so make you laugh, nor is he initiated to the way your mind works, but knows it viscerally, instinctively. He knows just how you’d react to anything, because it’s but an extension of how he would do things too. What kindred spirits do is probably a variation of a theme, a coordinated pattern of logic that would seem insane to non-kindreds.

We get along because we need to, but we like because we do.

And I like you!