Iceland for Sale!

I thought it was meant to be a joke, but apparently not completely. 

Here's a random piece of news from http://chinayouren.com/eng/2008/10/chinese-bid-for-iceland/

The Chinese internet community is enthusiastically building up resources  to buy crisis stricken Iceland at a bargain. The webste Douban has taken seriously the ebay auction for the Island, and offers the first 10,000 chinese to join the investment group privileged access to houses on the seaside and to government positions. As a +, the possibility to run the island as a communist regime.

The auction, which apparently originated in the UK ebay site, has been followed by a few countries in the world, and now China sees its opportunity to invest the excess of foreign currency. Perhaps it is telling of the state of household savings in China that the autor at Douban considers 100,000 yuan to be at the reach of any chinese.

At an estimated 4o Billion euros, the author of the announcement calculates that 1,000,000 users joining the goup should be enough to buy out the country if each of them contributes 100,000 yuan (yes, somehow the calculation has also got some chinese characteristics in it).

In any case, the Icelanders can breathe for the time being. The group has only obtained the support of 4,300 users at the time of writing, and new additions seem to be stagnating these last days.

It is good to see in any case that chinese take this with sense of humour, and one can only hope that the WoAiZhongguo internet community’s response will be as civilized the day someone publishes these kind of jokes about China.

- 

Seriously? I wonder what some of these people are thinking sometimes. I dont know to laugh or cry at their patriotism (?!?).

I doubt it would actually happen, considering there is already a big hoohah when the European countries found out that Iceland is turning to (communist) Russia for help. 

If i had the chance, I really would love to go there some day. Its so gorgeous and apparently one of the safest country around (not sure if so with the current economic turmoil). 

According to a travel site: "If you ever find yourself in a moment of awkward silence just talk about the weather, Icelanders love to talk about the weather (much like the British and Scandinavians). " 

How true, i talk to my coursemates and hallmates about the weather everyday. I never knew so much conversational topics could sprout from it. 

-

Ok back to anat, which Im so sick of. We have literally finished head and neck in 10days. Is that insanity or madness? :x 

SOMEONE SAVE ME PLEASE!

My Harry Potter knowledge is put to shame.

Coolest gang on Earth- The Losers!

By the resident artist. (From the look of it, you prbly would be able to tell who did it since there is only one normal face.) 

Omg, why do i have friends like this -_-" 

Its like more than a year since the whole gang of us have had a full attendance outing. And its probably going to be almost impossible nxt year since yn's going Japan and Prisc is hopefully coming to London. 

-

And randomly, Heroes season III is getting better. Even though the episodes are not very consistently nice. But i like the fact that the old characters are having big roles, cos i really do like those people in season I alot better! 

That aside, I still am dying for anat :x And sometimes I get so annoyed with trying to keep up with reading that I just give up trying. 

Just like how the other day, I just picked up my bag and when down to Oxford Street after posting Ernie's stuff and stumbled upon Sugababes concert outside John Lewis and the pretty xmas lightings along Regent Street! 

PS. Does anyone know of any nicer place than Stonehenge for a day trip? 

My favourite class ever.

Omg, i miss everyone so much!

Liane posted this up just after I complained to Poop and David that Im missing home loads. Now i really cant wait to be back in Singapore for xmas (China to be more precise, since im flying the day after I touch down in Singapore).

And im dying under the workload of trying to finish Head and Neck anat in 2 weeks :x Absolutely disgusting really!

-
David was just telling me about how its cheaper for him to fly SIA back to HK, but it has to stopover in Singapore first. So i was thinking of using that route and now I feel so cheated 'cos it was ridiculously expensive at 730pds.
I searched a couple of airlines and found, to my delight, that Qatar are having tickets for 482quid only! So i might just be back home again for easter! Awesomeness ((:
Seems like my plan to stay in London and travel is coming to naught hehhh.

We all love being Singaporeans.

From the Herald Tribune: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/10/asia/AS-Singapore-Gong-Li.php

SINGAPORE: Chinese actress Gong Li has become a citizen of Singapore, the government-controlled Straits Times reported Monday.

Gong, 43, was sworn in with 149 other new Singapore citizens, holding her fist to her chest as she recited the country's pledge, the newspaper said.

Gong, who starred in 2005's 'Memoirs of a Geisha' and in 'Miami Vice' a year later, had been scheduled to be sworn in as a Singapore citizen in August, but failed to attend the ceremony.

China does not recognize dual nationalities. (So does Singapore mahh.) 

Gong, who was born in China's Liaoning province, married Singapore businessman Ooi Hoe Seong in 1996.

- 

(From Telegraph and China Daily.) 

This has very unfortunately spark off debates: 

"All traitors will be nailed to history's mast of shame. We should resolutely reject any futher contact with such people," on person said in a chat forum on the popular portal Sohu.com.

But i found this quite amusing: 

"Why doesn't anyone ask why people want to emigrate? We see one Chinese person after another take US citizenship," one person said on Sohu. "Why don't we see Americans taking Chinese citizenship?" 

And this makes it very clear why it rocks to be a Singaporean (: 

In August, Gong's close friend and hairstylist David Gan told the Singapore newspaper The Straits Times: "She travels a lot and it's convenient to hold a Singapore passport. A lot of stars like to stay here (Singapore) too. There's no paparazzi. When I walk down Orchard Road with Gong, nobody notices." Singapore citizens enjoy visa-free access to 122 countries and territories.

I love my pretty red passport with esplanade prints <33333 

I miss Tapas!

Photos from DJ's collection are finally up. Decided that i shall post them up before going on to Day 2 of mine. 

What is Sagrada Familia without 流星花园? So thats Sancai and Daomingsi enjoying their honeymoon (: hehee. 

Absolutely breathtaking no? 

In Park Guell. I wish i would be able to walk down these aisles. 

Light's overexposed, but this mini garden was pretty! 

Obligatory touristy shot of Park Guell. 

More of Sagrada Familia. 

(Pardon the messiness of the sequence. I dont quite know how to move my pictures around with blogger.) 

I love turtles! <33 

Within one of the Chapels in Museu d'Història de la Ciutat. Prettiness! 

Outside the museum. Would love to sit here the whole day, read and drink coffee. 

Outside Santa Catarina Market. Love the roofs, if only esplanade was as colourful. 

La Rambla. We were on the shopping street, but didnt buy anything but a Barcelona magnet haha! 

Within Cathedral of Santa Eulalia. One of the most famous in Barcelona. 

Paid 2.50 euros to get up to see the view of Barcelona. It was gorgeous! 

Our dinner on the 1st night we touched down. IT WAS KICKASS YUMMY. 

I miss spanish food now :x 

We cant get anymore touristy than going around in Bus-Turistic, the hop on hop off bus for tourists. It comes complete with audio commentary of the city. 

- 

Anyway, I really am dying in here for this module. I find it insane that they are doing the skull in 1h followed by 2h dissection, same for the eye and now the ear. 

I dont know if its withdrawal symptoms, but i keep feeling sleepy all the time (I fell asleep during embryology and i think i drooled :x Thankfully, there was no one else around cos like 40% ponned it hehehe.) 

Randomly, my coursemate was telling me that her housemate got battered by some street punksters in Stanhope Street, which is only a couple of streets away from my place, cos he claimed he didnt have 20p to spare them. After which, those jokers just left without even getting money from him. Its scary how these things which we read in the papers can actually happen to us :x And this only makes me miss singapore more. 

Randomly 2, I was chatting to May about travelling which got me to go look up the world map to see what other places are there in the world which I would like to visit. And i realised that europe and UK is really not much bigger (or possibly smaller) than Australia. And that Canada is actually bigger than USA? 

And it amazes me how small UK is relative to the world, but how powerful it is, compared to many other coutries. Now, I am impressed. 

But of course, Singapore is still DA BEST (: 

Barcelona II- Park Guell

Park Guell- definitely my favourite place in Barcelona. Im only hoping that I can hold my wedding there. It's so so so gorgeous, i bet its every girl's dream to wed/ hold a bday bash here. 

Like Sagrada Familia, its designed by Gaudi as well. Actually most of the attractions in Barcelona are by him.

The rare few shots with the 3 of us, but(sadly) with a randomer on the 4th step. (No she is not our friend.) 

Hansel and Gretel inspired Gate Houses. Lovely (and yummy)!

My ideal wedding location (: 

A very interesting instrument that sounded abit trance like. He just pats on the bowl and it creates music. Awesomeness, how come we dont see such talented people back in Singapore? 

Even the gift shop for Park Guell was pretty. 

Dj and Me (: 

Most of my pictures for Park Guell is actually in dj's cam 'cos I (sadly) forgot to charge my cam, so these are the few decent ones which i have :( Shall post them up when dj loads them onto facebook. 

- 

Meanwhile, my slacking away for the whole of reading week is starting to take its toll now 'cos Im quite lost for head and neck anat :x 

Help help! 

Barcelona I

And ... I have just returned from one of the best holidays I had in my life (: 

Right after intermodule test (the anat spot which is screwed up), I left for Barcelona with Dj and met Ernie at Stansted. 

After Barcelona, we came back to London, did touristy stuff  and went sightseeing (which i havent done in London since the last ti I came for my med interviews 2 years back). Now, I think im in deep trouble 'cos i havent done any reading for the coming 2 weeks, which I know would be hell considering they are going to finish the entire book of head and neck in 14 days (incl weekends) :x 

Plus, I have a feeling that Miche really wont be too happy if i dont start contributing to dissection soon.

But meanwhile, I shall let pictures do the talking. Disclaimer though, Barcelona is so much more vibrant and beautiful than my camera can capture. Plus most of my pictures are on dj's cam 'cos she was reallyy trigger happy during the trip (: 

Cam- whoring on the airport transfer to stansted. 

My tickets from stansted to barcelona was 13quid for return! 

Buskers along La Rambla. I think they are nicer than those we find in Covent Garden (:

(But less friendly, since afterall most of us cheapos only want to take pictures but dont want to drop coins into their pots.)

Along the streets to finding our Bus- Turistic. A hop-on- hop- off bus which brought us to most of the major sights of the city. 

Yeaps, we were really touristy ;) 

Spanish cured meat sandwich, a snack which everyone has got to try if they are in Spain. 

Im not a fan of meat, but i have to admit it is quite good :) 

On the bus in front of the Sagrada Familia, designed by Antoni Gaudi. 

It is a Catholic church under construction from 1882 and continues till today, and is apparently fully funded privately and by the public. (He refuses to accept governmental funding.) 

Its a really majestic sight (http://www.gaudidesigner.com/data/article/16.jpg) and also the film site of Meteor Garden 2. Its almost surreal to be there. 

The spiral steps within the Cathedral inspired by seashells. Gaudi drew most of his inspirations from the Nature. 

I am ashamed to be her friend. 

A Jesus sculpture done in Cubism form. Not by Gaudi though. But i still love it. 

Barcelona city from one of the little windows. 

The exterior of the cathedral. 

-

Will continue posting up pictures of Park Guell (definitely my favourite place in Barcelona) and the various other sights we had gone to, soon. 

Meanwhile, i have to attempt to get some reading done instead of rubbish like this. 

Hermy celebrates Halloween.

I know people probably have more exciting photos than me. But give me credit for bothering to: 1. go for a party, 

2. Especially so when its about 2days before a test which I was ill- prepared for. 

Plus, my costume cost a grand total of 2quid. So its not bad right ((: 

Crookshanks, Hermione and Harry Potter (check out his top!) 

Dracula Rae, Cat Miche, Any Winehouse, Peish the Witch, Bonnie the Witch-Mask Holder

Bonnie, now half a witch, Rae the Dracula with bimbotic pink heels, Livia the policewoman (she's a waitress at my hall, how cool is it for a staff to join in hall parties!), Peish and Miche the Cat- Leopard 

With Stefan and Ksenja as Jack Sparrow and his gf. (And yes, they are a couple.) 

The group of us who got our costumes together. Check out Yingying's skull stockings (: 

Yeps, and that concluded my halloween, which because of the fact that i have no basis for comparison makes it the best as yet (: If only i didnt have a test to prepare for, maybe I would have been alot more adventurous. 

-

And im off to Barcelona tmr with Ernie and dj ((: 

Pray for me that the weather that would be awesome! I cant believe the holiday is finally here!

October Snow!

The Heavens saw how bored i was, Snow was sent to London! 

It was my first time seeing snow fall down from the skies, and it was gorgeous and totally awesome (even though there was rain too). And i know i sound like a sua ku. 

That's Rae blooming and me withering. Its so cold, Brrrrrr. 

Rae, Me and Bonny, my lovely roommate from HK.

Me, Rae and Miche attempting a jumpshot at the road outside my hall in the snow. 

Snow in our hair. Lovely (: 

Rae bloomed again. I think cos Im around <3333 

Its Halloween this Friday, and Im gonna dress up as a witch for my hall party. Exciting stuff, quite looking forward to it really! 

Alright, its time to hit my books again, I seem to be abit too relaxed and having too much fun considering that my test is next Monday. I'm so distracted help! 

Peish in P1

One of my old classmates posted up this P1 photo on facebook and there was this sudden frenzy of friends adding and reminisence and talks of a possible get together. 

Its so surreal 'cos I have almost forgotten quite some of them and havent seen/ heard from like at least 95% of them. Some of them even got new english names, which obviously didnt ring a bell at all. 

But all in all, i marvel at how facebook has actually brought us all together again. Even if its on a virtual space. 

Spot me ;) 

Best Lecture Ever.

I just had the most awesome lecture in my entire school life and Im trying to jot this down as quickly as possible before i forget it.

Basically, we had a workshop which actually pretty much consisted of 3 lectures back to back by invitational lecturers from various places, and now i really understand why they put Stevenson last even though he was from Imperial (and lecturing to a bunch of rowdy UCL medics) and doing on HRT and Osteoporosis (which we technically have done loads of time, thanks to UCL's spiral learning ideals). This chap was really really hilarious and enagaging and he managed to make why old women need Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) sound fun.

Here goes:
"I dont quite understand why women are so obsessed with all things natural. This is why Body Shop is making millions. Maybe we should have Bodyshop HRT."- On how to solve the problem of convincing old women that HRT is good (most are, according to him, silly and ignorant for thinking it would cause breast cancer.)

"Here are some other alternative therapies for Osteoporosis:
Biphosphonates ... blah blah blah ...
Guiness. Guiness actually contains 65mg/(i dont know what didnt manage to catch it) of Calcium. Hence it is actually beneficial as a preventive for hip fracture. However, it was highlighted to me that it increases the chances of falling down as well. I thought about it, and found a way around it. Maybe we could ask those old ladies to down the Irish herb while lying down."

"The NHS has hence suggested that HRT should be 2nd line prevention for osteoporosis (because of its possible effects on breast cancer). So what are the factors for 1st line prevention? blah blah blah And what are the current therapies we have now? blah blah blah. And guess what, none of them fit the criterias set forth since none of them can either reduce chances of hip injuries or have gone through clinical trials. So, voila, we dont have 1st line prevention, so what do we use?"

He went on (sounding abit like House) to teach us how to get information prior to drug/ therapy replacement for a hypothetical patient who came in asking about osteoporosis.
" .... You also need to find out about her lifestyle to find if there are any predisposing factors. So she said 'I smoke 10 cigarettes a day, and (after conversion) 14units of alcohol per week.' And that means 28 units. (pause) Really believe me, when you go into clinics, you will agree with me that its true. They all lie!"
And doesnt this sound like House? (:

-

Randomly, my hallmates were having a strike against the hall management last night cos they insisted that we sign up for dinner everyday before 3.30pm and come down in the allocated time slot (we can choose between 3 1-hour time slots) by not signing up at all.
And the hall management retaliated by not providing food for all who didnt sign up.
Even though, the mass majority agreed to boycott the new system, some (lame) jokers was humji enough and went to sign it anyway. And the best thing was, there was this siberian girl who was strongly advocating us not to succummb actually signed it, and had the cheek to eat her meal in front of the rest of us ?!?
So basically, we had loads of free flow bread and super salty soup for dinner last night.

And guess what, everyone got humji and signed it for today. (With the hk and korean people starting the whole trend. Trust the asians to be afraid.)
What a strike -_-" Now i understand why Gandhi has a whole garden in Tavistock dedicated to him.

My Latest Crazes (:

My latest craze 1: 

Victoria Sponge Cake 

Deceivingly plain and boring. But when you do sink your teeth into the vanilla cream and strawberry jam, its just orgasmic. (Its even better when you freeze it.) I cant find a better word for it than urrrrrrrhhhhhhh, yes! 

I bought one from M&S the other day for my roomie, and she has rated it the best cake she has tasted in UK. Plus, its only slight more than 2quid for one whole cake!

I might be over-exaggerating it abit in here, but since its my current craze, Im really that nutty over it. In fact, Im finishing 1 every 2 days :x 

My latest craze 2: 

http://housemdvideos.com

Self explanatory (: 

But not going very well for my revision for the test coming up in 2 weeks. 

My latest craze 3: 

This one is literally driving me crazy.

Yes, my finnish and spanish neighbours are driving me mad from all their loud party music NIGHTLY. And coming back from clubbing late and slamming the doors at 3,4am. And not flushing the toilet and choking it with toilet paper. 

Thank goodness, they are in double rooms and thus, dont make much moaning noises. 

Kotex and Lee Joon Ki.

Oh man.
Why did Joonie even agree to being their poster boy?

And Shinhwa's Vol 9 is going for 16 pounds on the cheapest online CD shop i can find.
I guess I shall have to wait to go back home to get it :(

May the week only get better.

I think when you get unlucky, things can get really upsetting :(

I met up with dj and alps over the weekend while they were in town. Although, i wasnt really hanging out much with them 'cos they were into fine dining and clubbing (and I was financially strapped -no i am not giam-). Plus, i was suffering from an intolerable headache/ migraine, which has been going on and off for quite some time. I'm starting to think that panadol isnt that useful anymore :x

I thought i lost my keys on sunday and spent hours searching for it and getting upset ('cos of the fine hehhe) But I finally managed to find my keys, and guess what, trust dj to have them. (Even though i had asked her to check her bag when i was frantically searching for it.) So now, Im just waiting for it to appear in my mail. And ever since that scare, I have been developing this reflex action of feeling my pockets for keys everytime my hands are free.

-

On a lighter note, I'm loving dissection now (: My group rocks my socks off. Except for 1 or 2 twats, Im starting to like everyone in my group. Even the smart alecks are proving to be quite fun people (: Plus the profs loves them, and somehow just navigate themselves to my table and its just so much easier to learn from humans than texts.
And guess what, Im taking advanced dissection for SSC, meaning about 4 dissections a week from now onwards. How (sadistically) exciting (:

-

Heroes rocks! And House is coming out today, I was wondering why last week didnt have any episodes until i realise that they were using that primetime to air some presidential stuff. I rather have House anytime though :P

PS. Anyone knows if there are any postoffices near Euston or TCR?

RON (:

I'm very tempted to get this:
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/3432421/Harry-Potter-Ron-iPod-Video-Protective-Crystal-Case/Product.html#

But i think my mum will strangle me for wasting money like that.

Boobs, read this.

Boobie, the following is meant for you:
1. Shopping alone is fun, I do it alot too. In fact, i find it more enjoyable and efficient.
2. How come you got a DOUBLE- BREASTED? There is a reason why I call you what i call you, you should have gotten a plunge neck! I mean seriously, that was soo unsexy, and wayy too flexible (and hence boring) for all occasions.

Anyway, time seems to pass really quickly 'cos before i know it, another week has passed. PDS on friday just means that the week pretty much ends on thurs, 'cos you really dont need much brains for it. In fact, all i do is sit quietly in a corner and stone my day away. There are always people who are eager to prove that they will make good doctors with good ethics by chatting on and on, and I'm quite happy with letting them have my time.

Dj is coming down to town tmr, and she has plans to meet alps whom I havent met for forever. Cant wait (:

I just came back from Tesco's, and seems like they are discontinuing qte alot of the china milk products as well. But they are still selling those in stock (how unethical is that!). And Haagen Daz tubs are going for 2.50quid, awesome!

Alright, Im going up now to online shop with Rae (:

Medical Bloopers.

Recently, my eyes get very very tired when I wear my contacts. Which doesnt normally happen in the past, I think my eyeballs are going on strike. Maybe I dont rest them enough.

Some bloopers actually written down on charts
(maybe this is true, maybe not... but it sure doesn't stop us from having a good laugh :P)

1. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.
2. On the 2nd day the knee was better and on the 3rd day it disappeared completely.
3. She has had no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was very hot in bed last night.
4. The patient has been depressed ever since she began seeing me in 1993.
5. The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed.
6. Discharge status: Alive but without permission.
7. Healthy appearing decrepit 69 year-old male, mentally alert but forgetful.
8. The patient refused an autopsy.
9. The patient has no past history of suicides.
10. Patient has left his white blood cells at another hospital.
11. Patient's past medical history has been remarkably insignificant with only a 40 pound weight gain in the past three days.
12. Patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.
13. Since she can't get pregnant with her husband, I thought you might like to work her up.
14. She is numb from her toes down.
15. While in the ER, she was examined, X-rated and sent home.
16. The skin was moist and dry.
17. Occasional, constant, infrequent headaches.
18. Patient was alert and unresponsive.
19. Rectal exam revealed a normal size thyroid.
20. She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life, until she got a divorce.
21. I saw your patient today, who is still under our Car for physical therapy.
22. The patient was to have a bowel resection. However, he took a job as a stockbroker instead.
23. Skin: Somewhat pale but present.
24. Patient was seen in consultation by Dr. Blank, who felt we should sit on the abdomen and I agree.
25. Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities.

Some of funny, some are not. But really, i sure hope one of my recordings dont ever get circulated like this. So i better not laugh too hard at other people now.

Geeks are cool.

I have been terribly distracted lately. I dont know why, I do about 15mins of work and I take a 1hr nap. Then another 15mins, and the I surf the web. I need a cure for this. Anyone who has tips for this please tell me!
(Prisc, I didnt do any work after we got off skype. :x)

Anyway, Im starting to like my new dissection group which has loads of know-it-alls and sit-in-the-front-rowers, and now I actually find it fun to read up beforehand so that I actually know what they are talking about. How geeky is that.
But because anat really sucks up your time, Im pretty much lagging behind for everything else :x
Also, for some strange reason, I tear when put my face too close to the cadaver.

Its about 4 wks more to Barcelona, and that also means 4 weeks more to modular tests.
I think im becoming more uptight this year, which scares me. I think its just the year 2 syndrome, 'cos seriously everyone seems to be working a lot harder (and timetable is also alot more packed). Or maybe as Miche said, all those who dont are kicked out already.


Randomly, I have finally managed to solve the Rubik's cube.
I have just confirmed my status as a geek. -_0
And HEROES IS COMING OUT TMR, AND HOUSE THE DAY AFTER <3