Friday, December 07, 2007

The X'mas Ball and the Pod Do's.

Started the night at Slug and Lettuce meeting up my Pod group for x'mas dinner and 1st year's initiation. Shahin was at my place so we got ready and walked there together.

On arrival, I just couldn't believe how much attention I got from my group with compliments and all on how I looked different and smashing. Well, I don't wanna brag but it's fact. Hahha. Had tons of photos taken and just enjoyed the night basically.

The 1st year's initiation was good and funny. All the first years were told to remove their shoes and socks whilst they read out the oath. The oath reads as follows:

I (name) swear the allegiance of the foot,
I promise to hold sacred of the corn,
Venerate the Verrucae,
Bow to the bunion,
And pray to the Plantar Fascia.

I will endeavour to uphold the tradition of endemic alcoholism,
even in the face of adversity and clinic.

I will not succumb to Ivanation, and will innoculate myself against all known strains of Birchitus, Bullshitus and Crapetus.

I will not flee from the smell of Piss or Mothballs
And will show great interest in Meteorology and the Great war
I will attempt to understand the works of George Fornby and Vera Lynn
And agree that it isn't like it was in the good old days.

MAY POD HAVE MERCY ON OUR SOLES

ARSEHOLES!

After the oath they had this tradition of drinking game who will last or drink the most. Obviously my group of 2nd year won!!

Then we headed to the Winter Garden's for the Ball.

Music was not as great neither as expected. Didn't spend much time there. So Emily and I decided to make the move quite early just after midnight to the Loft where the rest of my group were still spending the time.

On the way to the loft, as we were walking through the empty and quiet alley of the streets, we bumped into a group of chavs in hoodies. They were in the middle of a junction kicking beer cans amongst themselves. Suddenly Emily was sighing "Oh God... not now...". So we walked passed them and we knew they were following us. So I thought of speeding up a little bit before we shifted ourselves to the better lit area where the restaurants were located. There were all closed and just a few elderly lingering around. These people then said to us "you stay here with us, I know what those guys been up to following you". Called the taxi but the taxi refused to pick us up. Cut story short, we arrived at the Loft safely. That was a scary experience indeed.

Overall, it was great to have spent the time with my pod groups. They're always fun to be with. Nevertheless, it was a good night.

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Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Pharmacology and Burgers?

Well, woke up late today as I had a late night last night. I woke up around 7am yesterday and had a whole day in the hospital doing casting and pathology till 5pm. Had a quick lunch break at Dr Liz's place. She always welcome us to her place for great coffee. Everyone knows me by either weak and milky coffee or milky tea.

I slept at 3.20am yesterday as I was very determined to finish my orthotics prescription form for my portfolio assignment. I'm glad I got it away. What's left is to justify why I laid it out such and contents wise. But I'm quite happy with the results. But not sure if it will get the marks it deserves. I based my work on Langer's orthotics manufacturer and PPS I think. I also showed it to some friends, and they as well commented how good it is.

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Today, I was at the library for 3 hours. On the way I stopped by for 2 shots of Tim Horton's best original glaze donuts!! The weather was horrible. Had to go against the wind and rain. As I was walking, it suddenly reminded me my life in halls last year. How I had to go through all those hard long walking and in terrible weather just to go into town to get bank stuff sorted, or just for a quick pints of milk and all. But now, I am so blessed with the proximity to town.

For 3 hours in library, I was struggling and only managed to answer 5 questions in part 1 of the Inflammation Study paper. All those 5 questions were on Analgesics specifically Paracetamol. I didn't expect it's that much to know about paracetamol and how it acts in the body to stop pain and all. For 3 hours my mouth was singing jargons like Cyclo-Oxygenase (COX - 1, 2), Hydroperoxidases, Hepatocellular, Prostanoids, Prostaglandins, Thromboxane, Prostacycline and the mother of all words today was N-Acetylbenzoquinoneimine!!!!!!!! On top of that, had to memorise all the safe administration dosages.

To some point, I am getting more scared on drug administration and prescription. It's so much different being a nurse where you would only need to know how to calculate it for administration. But now, the accountability and liability is even greater. Finding the right choice of medication for the right patient and right problem is definitely a great challenge. Just for instace, Warfarin will be a NO NO to mix with antibiotics. As a consequence one could just die! What if ignorance was to happen? Nauzubillah!!!!!

Anyways, on my way home, stopped by Sainsbury's thinking what should I cook for dinner. I wanted something fulfilling. So I thought of making burger as I already have minced beef I bought from Taqwa the other day in my freezer. Bought Jumbo wholemeal baps and the rest. Got home, prepared it and voila!!! I loved it to the bits!!!

Jumbo Mambo Wholemeal Burger:

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Ingredients:

  • Minced Beef - washed and drained excess fluids
  • Kikkoman Soya Sauce
  • Salt and pepper
  • Parsley

Method:

  1. Mix all ingredients altogether.
  2. Make into patties and squeeze excess fluids at the same time
  3. Grill in a lightly greased pan on a low heat, and on high heat to brown when it's cooked
  4. Serve with ur favourite baps and other side dishes and sauces.

Saturday, December 01, 2007

ISS Night - Sabor Latino at Flava

My body is aching right now as I type this entry.

Had a wonderful salsa night at Flava. It was the Official Opening for International Students Society with all the new official members. Megan is the Health and Safety officer which resulted me to come, and of course being an international student myself.

Flava is the official UoB international student's bar. So from now on, events related to international students of UoB will be held at Flava, unless where it's inappropriate of course. The theme last night was Sabor Latino, hence all the Spanish songs and Latin kinda music. I like the music for chilling but not to dance to it. Makes my body aches and I couldn't synchronise to it.

Before we left, I invited Ale and Shahin to come over my "cool" place (as commented by Ale) for dinner. I made simple dinner, sweet and sour chicken and stir fried broccoli with carrots and mushrooms. After dinner, we entertained ourselves with the wonders of youtube.com with all those funny pranks and comedies to laugh at!

We arrived at Flava, and lucky enough I brought the leaflet with me. The security was tight and he was fierce. But I got through easily. Shahin and Ale however were stopped for ID check and clearance whatever and they had to fill in a form or sumthing as they were not on the guestlist. Got my International Student card which entitles me to more discounts... yay!! Soon, Megan came down to approach me and she was obviously drunk. Megan is a quiet girl, but you know when she's on the alcs! ahahaha. Met Therese', Phil, Tristan, Sarah, Susan, Rosey, Cat from the course, and others who were my flatmates last year like Spiros, Maria, and some others (Terry, Manas, Oda, Julia, Pashe). Bumped into my current flatmates as well. It was all fun. I had to on and off dance cos I simply couldn't synchronise, I had to wait when it was more upbeat.

I decided to leave just before 1am. Cos I wanted to escape the crowd when the bar closes where one would have to find their coats and everything as if they were in a crazy sale centre. Police were already almost everywhere. Drunk people were starting to get more violent outside the bar. The town suddenly transformed into a zombied town from a nice calm town with old people.

Shahin had to come home with me as he had forgotten his mp3 player in my room. He came round to check. But again, looking at the situation outside, I was like, just stay over my place and leave early next morning. Not unless he had someone to go with or taking the taxi. This town of mine is getting more and more crazy and violent.

Recently, Eastbourne, specifically the streets of my neighbourhood was ranked the most rough town in Sussex with 56 cases of injury-intended crime reported. Oh well, tawakal saja and take precautions.

I leave u with the pictures from last night. I didn't get to snap loads of pictures. But the others might have the rest which I am still waiting.

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