Public transport in KL

There is one thing I really wish to have in Klang Valley is: efficient public transport system like in Paris, Geneva or Lausanne.
If there is metro in KL, I could have stayed near my parents' place in Kepong, and could have gotten to the heart of KL in less than half an hour. Thanks to this, I would have spent less time in traffic jam after doing on-calls, gained more time to read either in the train, reached home earlier to gain more rest, gone more often to another part of KL to meet friends for a drink or meal; I also think I would live longer as I will walk more, inhale less poluted air, have less stress triggered by traffic jam; my pocket will also be fuller as I don't have to pay the car installments, nor the petrol.

If I were to extend this to the society around me, I think the rate of road accidents would have been very much reduced. Comparatively, the accidents happen in metro stations in Paris are far lower in numbers, though there are suiciders who rushed onto the rails from time to time. In addition, the CO2 emission would have been much lower. United Nations data shows Malaysia's carbon emissions in 2006 stood at 187 million tonnes or 7.2 tonnes from each Malaysian. from . According to an equation published in Nature, this amount of carbon resulted in 0.0003°C rise in global temperature by MALAYSIA AND IN ONE YEAR ONLY. If we assume there are around 100 countries in the world emit the same amount of carbon in 2006, they would have there would have been a rise of 0.03°C in 2006 alone! And this assumption is most likely to be too optimistic.

Yea, my fear on the road in KL has never been decreased everytime I go back home. How I wish KL could be a safer, cleaner and faster city in terms of transport!

Greetings: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2010

Merry Christmas to all!

All the best wishes for the New Year 2010!

dream or real?

Kind of a dream, kind of real, kind of expected, kind of unexpected.

It is true that I have not had much opportunity to touch a trophy since I started working in 2002. THe last one I received before this was in 2004, when I took a quiz in Infection Control organised by Hospital Klang, and I won the first prize. Since then, no more opportunity, well, apart from lucky draws few years back during the Chinese New Year celebration in Geneva, I won a nice ancient Chinese style coffret.

Recently my poster won the First Prize of an Innovation contest. When I received the trophy, and was asked to say a few words, this sudden fame had made my mind completely blank for a second. Yes, it is a stress to be the center of attention, with VIPs and cameramen filming. I quickly realized that I must say something while suppressing my anxiety. The moment passed smoothly and I walked down the stage with applause. Phew!! How I wish there was a rehersal!

This is a new start for my research work, a sound recognition from the senior experts. AFter these few days of euphoria, I will be back on the routines and setting up the new project. I truly hope that our hypothesis to be true. That is another dream and another milestone.

Malaysian Banana Loaf

I love banana loaf, and I am quite proud of myself for finding the right recipe for making banana loaf for me, my loved one, and colleagues too!

Ingredients:

3 bananas (mid large, well ripen) 3 eggs (mid large) 220 gm wheat flour 30gm corn flour 180gm sugar 210 ml vegetable oil (or replace with butter) 1/3 teaspoons sodium bicarbonate a bit of salt 1 packet/ teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Steps:

1. Crush the bananas with folk or electric mixer

2. Add eggs with sugar till well mixed

3. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C.

4. Add wheat and corn flour, with baking powder, soda bicarb, oil, vanilla essence, salt to the mixture of steps 1 & 2, mix well till a smooth batter is formed.

5. Optional: add crush walnuts/ chocolat chips to the batter, mix with a folk or teaspoon

6. Butter and sprinkle flour on the cake pan.

7. Pour the batter to the cake pan.

8. Bake the cake for 40-45 minutes at 170-180°C. (allow sufficient space above the cake as the cake might rise rapidly and the surface will be burnt)

9. At the end, insert a knife into the cake, it should come out clean.

10. Rest the cake for 10 minutes before tasting.

Hope you like it too! Happy Baking!

chocolate fondant with raspberries

I have always wanted to make my own cakes, just that I have never found the courage to do so as I am afraid that it might turn out to be inedible.

It doesn't mean that I was afraid to make one. Over the past few months, I have purchased little by little the equipments and ingredients needed for making a "gateau". Well, after searching for some easy and delicious recipies online, I decided to give a try to this famous delicacy: chocolate fondant with raspberries.

Recipe from this site.

I noticed that I didnt have sufficient quantity of butter, but I still continued for my experiment. It took about 15 mins to be cooked to the point that the inner part remained slightly liquid. The temperature was 180°C. And voilà!! A melting in the mounth dessert is done!

Apparently it was better if it was to be served cold, so I put in the fridge right after having a few bites, truly yummy!

Hope you will give it a try too!

Seduced by Marseille

After finishing my work visit to Marseille, I took the opportunity to stroll around this warmer and sunnier city at the south part of France.



"Boats" and "planes" put up by prayers, who prayed to be protected from tragedies or illnesses.



Notre-Dame de la Garde Church.



Breathtaking seaview from the church.

Just fall in love with the South of France.........:)

Religious candles

Candles' light in the religions, seems no border.

In the Catholic church Notre-Dame de Paris, the candles were lighted during a Mass, which is to indicate the solemnity of the occasion. Sometimes, the prayers light candles to pray for something particular.

As for buddhist temple, those candles were lighted during Chinese New Year and perhaps some buddhist festivals too. The idea remains very similar, to pray for good health or wishes.

Those lights, bring religious hearts on the same ground.

White Sausages @Clichy's Taverne, Paris

We were meeting a friend who came back from Ireland for dinner. THis time, for a change, I chose Munich white sausages with cabbage (sauerkraut). A Bavarian colleague had told me, the wrapping skin of these sausages needs to be removed before eating. So the "carcinogenic" part was literally not there when I ate them :)



Look like a chocolate cake, Charlotte choco is much more creamy and fine at the choco part.



This bar has many beers bearing strange names, like the 2 that the boys were drinking: Guillotine 8,5% alcohol (instrument of execution that consists of a weighted blade between two vertical poles; used for beheading people) and Lucifer. I think these beers are too hard for me. My "Newton" beer contains 3.5% alcohol and light green apple taste. Refreshing!

Integration Seminar in France

2 days ago, we went to see a humoristic show in a parisian restaurant, among whom a malaysian friend of mine here was present.

She mentioned that she went to a compulsary seminar named "Integration Seminar" for foreign workers or spouses. It is usually one-day course provided by the Préfecture in order to introduce French culture and civilisation.

As I had done a Master degree in France, I was luckily exempted for this seminar. Nevertheless, I think that it is extremely important for newcomers to get to know the local culture before embarking a new life here.

Disclaimer: THis is only true at the time of me applying the work permit and the author bears no responsibilities should any amendment in French Immigration laws and regulations takes place after that.

Spaghetti Cabonara

As I am a born noodles lover, I would almost always opt for them over the rice.
This festive season we have been eating spaghetti more often than usual. Well, calories are one thing, but it is holiday season!! come on, take a break! Eat what we love!:))

Today I made Cabonara sauce for the Italian noodles. Crème fraiche, lards, mushrooms, onions, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, and Voilà! We both had a huge plate of it and mmmmmm.... so yummie!!

While I will be going to KL soon, I will take only western foods before going back... wonder if I will be missing foods here when I will be home.... :)

Mussels, fries @ Clichy's Tavern, Paris

THis is the first parisian restaurant that my dearie took me to when I arrived in Paris 2 years ago. Since the first time I tried their mussels, don't remember exactly in which sauce I took the first time, I fell in love in this Belgian dish.

We then became the regular customers in this restaurant as they offer a wide variety of foods,: Belgian, German, Italian, French etc....Never get bored with the menu and it is very valuable for the price.



THis time, it was my x-th time going there. Started off with a belgian beer: La Loubécoise, which is a maple sirop brewed beer. Good for my adventurous taste buds. I like its mild taste and a very fragrant smell.


I wanted to order a set a mussels in Roquefort cheese sauce, but as my dearie wanted the same thing, I took the one in curry sauce instead. But not spicy one la!



Of course, it will not be complete without the fries!



The meal was very good and satisfying. As I was a Tiramisu maniac, we went on having a piece of it as we were quite full already.



Clichy's Tavern Brasserie
128 bis Boulevard Clichy, 75018 Paris
Tel: 0142949965

Important papers in France

Today is a day that I spent on 2 important papers.

Early morning, reluctant to wake up at 6.50am, I prepared to go to the Immigration Service for medical visit, a routine to do in order to get my work permit and resident card. It was done by around 10.30am, with the company of the agent who is in-charge of the application process. Honestly, without their help, I would have spent much longer time on this tedious and frustrating process. I am so grateful that my company provided this assistance to a lost foreign worker like me.

Without further delay, I went on to collect my second important paper: my Master degree in Health Physics. I am very delighted that I finally received a Master degree with European recognition, and with a good result, which is like a cherry on the cake. Que je suis contente!

Ca y est. Two extra documents in my files. As I know myself, it is not the end of the end, but the beginning of the next challenge.

What a greedy lass I am!

Seasonal Greetings

Send this eCard !


Wishing all of you a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year 2009!!

speechless moments

Sometimes, I come across some questions from people who do not know Malaysia well, but implied the less developped image of Malaysia.

For example, a guy once asked me, what kind of anaesthetic techniques do the Malaysian doctors use? I said, the same inhalational agents and ventilators. Then he stopped asking. I was thinking, did he expect me to say: we use chloroform and no patients monitoring in an unhygiene condition, like many would think how a developing country should be?

Perhaps people who are sceptical about Malaysian healthcare system, should make a short trip to observe for their own eyes. I have to admit that lots to be improved, but certainly it is more than sufficient to ensure the safety of the patients.

Malaysian restaurant in Vevey, Switzerland

Since today is my dearie's birthday, we decided to go to a Malaysian restaurant in Vevey, a city about 15 mins away from Lausanne.

This resto is opened by Chinese Malaysian from Malacca, not sure how long they have been there but certainly worth a try.

Le Noix de Coco
av. du Gén.-Guisan 50
Vevey
Vaud
Switzerland
Tel: 021 922 70 11

I had a malaisian fried noodles, which taste more like fried mee in chinese shops back home, without the pork fat. Then we had chicken curry, mixed vegetables, wantan soup and rice. Lastly, we shared a fried ice cream and tea infusion.

It was surprisingly crowded in the restaurant, but remains quite cozy. The staffs are extremely friendly and smiling all the time. Guess the business is going well.

Heard that the owner of the resto will eventually sell it off and return to Malaysia. This is what chinese have in their mind: return home with prosperity. If they will live better this way, it is a wise choice.

We are doing well

How is the health care status of Malaysia since 2000 compared to other developing and developed countries?



Source: Unicef

As we can see, the perinatal mortality rate of Malaysia in 2000 is 5 per 1000 live birth, and it's not very different from developed countries, eg France, Germany, USA and Australia (3 to 5 per 1000 live birth). It is an outstanding achievement if we compared this figure with China (21 per 1000 live birth), India (43 per 1000 live birth), and Vietnam (15 per 1000 live birth).

Similarly, the under 1 year-old infant mortality rate of Malaysia in 2006 (10 per 1000 live birth) is far lower compared to China (20 per 1000 live birth), India (57 per 1000 live birth) and Vietnam (15 per 1000 live birth). However, it is slightly higher if compared to developed countries which have a rate of between 4 to 6 per 1000 live birth.

As a health care professional, I certainly agree that there are still a lot of health care aspects in Malaysia need to be improved: lack of sufficient medical staffs and public hospitals; long waiting time; less sophisticated medical technologies (but certainly not less reliable or efficient) etc, but over half a century post colonised era, we are doing absolutely well and should keep it going.

Autumn Dream in Lausanne

Hari Raya ponder

Went to Hari Raya open house today, and something puzzled me: When I saw an ex-Malaysian who is now a famous fashion designer in France, with whom I had taken photo with, denied immediately that he is the celebrity I knew. He answered: You're mistaken.

Perhaps I do not have excellent memory, but this person, has spoken for a long time during the dinner with the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister at Hilton HOtel in Paris last year, and he told a group of us at the end of dinner that he was going to have a fashion show, and we were welcome to help to dress up his models etc.... well, I wasn't interested to do that so I didn't contact him after that.

Moreover, he came with the same wife who was also in our photos taken at the same occasion.

I tried to imagine myself in his place after his deny to his identity: He comes across hundreds of young ladies who are "models wannabe" daily from all over the world, his mail box is always full of pretty posing photos of these ladies and that he is overwhelmed. Or, wherever he goes, girls would come up to him to ask for opportunities to be models, or to get free tickets to his fashion shows etc...

Being famous, sometimes we trade off our honesty and courage to tell others who we really are.

JE T'AIME

Just finished my master viva last monday, and things were going well. I am now officially graduated as a Biomedical Engineer, besides my MD obtained 6 years ago.

Even though I was extremely stressed out to rush the reports and powerpoint, but I had a focus and was at maximum productivity. Now, I give myself some breaks and will reorientate myself for more challenges.

While busy preparing the homeworks, there was something completely slipped out of my (our) minds: first PACS anniversary! Even though I have not heard people celebrating it, but it remains a special occasion to cherish it with my love one. Mimi, JE T'AIME!!

Will plan something to celebrate this meaningful day!

Interlaken, Switzerland 2008

 

Heidi cartoon and Japanese tourists in Switzerland

While we were at the train station Lauterbrunnen, on our way going up to Jungfraujoch, there was a reserved train with about 50 Japanese tourists, and around half of the tourists around us were speaking in Japanese. One of them was lifting up a yellow umbrella all the way from the departure station at Wilderswil to Lauterbrunnen, I supposed he is the tour guide. When our train was moving up, we noticed that the Japanese tourists were all over the mountains! At that point of time, we did not know why Jungfrau is so popular for them.

As we expected, the Jungfraujoch mountain is full of Japanese tourists, and sign boards in Japanese. Then the biggest surprise came along: all of them were eating the same type of instant noodles. I was thinking that it was probbaly the tour guide who brought the cup noodles and arranged with the restaurant at the top of Jungfraujoch to prepare the hot water. The answer is: No. THis restaurant offers cup noodles of hot and spicy flavour at 7 swiss francs (about 5 € or 22 RM)! We also got ourselves a cup noodle each to join the fun and we drew attention from them throughout the meal.

When we reached the village Wilderswil after the day trip to Jungfraujoch, Francois told me that Jungfrau and Interlaken look very similar to the sceneries in a cartoon called "Heidi". We soon looked through the internet to find some video clips about Heidi, and true enough, a flag very similar to the flag of interlaken appeared in the Introduction part of this cartoon.

As Francois said, Heidi was living in her granddad's house in a swiss mountain, with goats, cows and nature around her. Lucky little girl! They have a St Bernard dog named "Joseph"(Japanese version; its name is "Hercule" in the French one) .


You might be surprised, the productor of this cartoon was a Japanese! Even though this cartoon was originated from a novel "Heidi's Years of Wandering and Learning", usually abbreviated "Heidi", written by a swiss author, Johanna Spyri in 1880, the cooperation between the Japanese and German producer had made it a success all over the world. Besides the Japanese, there were quite a number of Middle East tourists as well, and could it be also the popularity of Heidi in Arabic version?

Switzerland is apparently a dream-like destination for the Japanese tourists: Swiss Alps, fresh air, stunning lakes etc..... It has been reported that Heidi has drawn them to Switzerland to see her village called Maienfeld, as well as other destinations with similar sceneries.


I have just watched 2 episodes of Heidi cartoon, it seems to be an extremely "touching" cartoon describing a life of an Orphanline girl in the Alpes. I might get myself the book to discover more about this famous little girl.

Vevey's Charm

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

Happy National Day Switzerland!

Today, 1st August, is the National Day of Switzerland, since I am now in Switzerland, I share their joy to celebrate it together!

How did this event come about? In fact, it was a result of an agreement called "Federal Charter of 1291" signed by 3 patriots from 3 cantons: Uri , Schwytz, Nidwald, in August 1291 in a place called Rütli, situated in Brunnen, and the exact date is not clear. So this year it is the 717th anniversary!

Despite that this date was first celebrated in 1891 in Berne in commemeration with the 600th anniversary, it had not been an official holiday until 1994, following a public vote (In Switzerland, in order to implement a new rule, the swiss people have first to vote directly) on the 26 September 1993.

So what do the swiss do on their National Day? according to some sources on the internet, they will have bonfire, fireworks, lantern cortege etc after the nightfall. For example, here in Lausanne, there will be a official festival at Ouchy, a place near the lake side. We will check it out if it is not raining!

Soon 2 years in Europe!!

I started my European discovery in August 2006, and soon it s gonna be the anniversary.

I want to summarise my 2 years' life here..... but, where to start?

Given up my MD job, came here to start new life. My adjustment has been quite smooth, for this, I have to thank thousand times my other half, and also my buddy who stays here for nearly 20 years. It was their explanations and advices that I got to enter the French world. Nevertheless, I have to admit that I am still far from being integrated. To me, I don't have to live like a French, but I should at least make an effort to really know the French.

Too much to say and it's getting late... I will do my best to continue my stories and updates from time to time.

Bonne nuit!!

1st August 2008:

To live in a foreign country, I find that the hardest is to make friends with the locals.

Sometimes, I try to strike a conversation with people: lining up to pay at the counter is the best occasion. Somehow it never works out well for me, the conversation comes very soon to an end. Perhaps I still do not express myself well enough in French and thus they feel tiring to continue a conversation after a while as I speak slower and probably not clear enough:p C'est loin d'etre gangé (still a long way to go)!

So, I have not made any new French friends here. My french friends remain those I had met in Malaysia, or friends of my boyfriend. I don't know if I should see this as a "failure", but I don't think that friendship should come along after a hard try..... That's not friendship anyway.

So, I make friends with foreigners in France. It works out extremely well! I hang out quite often with friends from Germany, Canada, USA, Malaysia, Vietnam, China etc... From a relational point of view, I am a fairly opened and easy going person, and try to make the person to whom I speak to at ease. Just a little hard to go about with the locals. It's a shame, I admit it. I would really treasure if I could have a couple of good local friends to exchange our viewpoints nad chill out from time to time.. but well, see what luck will bring me then!

What about colleagues? Oh French colleagues will remain "colleagues". A drink after work, well.... not in their tradition.... unless we change the working company. A different culture certainly.

Work wise.

The European work attitudes are generally: stand on your own feet. Whenever a task is being delivered to me, they would expect me to figure it out on my own. They welcome intelligent questions, that's clear. Well, I think that I was not used to search for answers myself as most of the time, those more experienced colleagues in Malaysia would come to my rescue when I get doubts. Here, I see no one to back me up. Moreover, due to my foreign worker status, I have to proof really hard that I am capable to deliver twice the work quality. Such a drastic change put me at times a great deal stress.

I guess I should talk about other experiences in separate posts, eg: travels, foods.....

Till then, happy reading!

What is P.Q in French?

This is awesome! I just got to know about this today!

Someone was talking about PQ today and I didn't know what it meant. Apparently, it stands for toilet paper! So why PQ? It is: papier(P) cul (Q) ==> arse paper in translation. I found this extremely hilarious, just impressed by the French humour :))

Concerts "pas chers" in Paris

YEsterday my colleague invited a few colleagues for a dinner at his place, and followed by a small concert in the area. I didn't expect that the French singer to sing english songs so well, without any accent! from 60's to 90's, she sang around 12 songs in 2 hrs! I enjoyed the concert and as I was sitting next to a lady from New York who moved her body all the time, I just let my hair down and went along with the songs...

Today, I bumped onto another concert by a "freelancer" in front of Sacré Coeur. What made me stayed was again the songs that were too familiar to me, yea, english ones again. This chap truly knows how to entertain his crowd, till that he received cheek kiss, love letter and volunteer singer from the audience! Wow this is just like a real concert, just that we were not obliged to pay. Facing the view of Paris, cool songs and crowds, well, yea, Paris could be so beautiful!

Was I too stressed over my intergration in Paris?

I had a moment of realizing that I found myself again in those songs, which I used to listen to when I was back home, in the car, in my room or in the clubs.

Shouldn't get myself too drown into my hectic life. From time to time, get something to carry myself away, just get carefree a little, no harm done!

I still love Paris!

Dalida-Salma ya Salama (arabic version)

Eternal Star: Dalida

2 weeks ago, my buddy Janice told me that my new studio is near the memorial of a late French singer, Dalida, an Egyptian-born singer of Italian origins who lived most of her life in France, and in fact her former apartment is not far from where I stay now in the 18th urban district, which is just within "climbing distance" to Sacré Coeur, Montmartre.

I just realized that I knew a couple of her songs eg besame mucho, pour te dire je t'aime etc. Out of curiosity, I visited her memorial which is 10 mins walk away, then walk down along rue Caulaincourt to see her tomb at the Montmarte Cemetery, but unfortunately couldn't get access to enter.

Her stories being a mixture Egytian and Italian in France made me extremely interested to know more about her life. Mon minou bought her DVDs for me which included some of her interviews and marvellous video clips. I adore Egyptian and Italian musics and she just gathered all these elements in her! I wished that I had known her much earlier.

Even though her life is pretty tragic, but she really had lived a glittering life, like a meteor across the dark sky. Her songs still nourish many souls around the world. I admire her perseverance and hardwork, which had given her successful career. She once said: Her career is no doubt great, but it might be gone just overnight if she doesn't keep herself up to date. In fact, her songs did evolve over 25 years of her career, that explained how she stayed the music queen for such a long time! Despite a strong Italian accent and character!

She is forever!!

Clip Tokio Hotel- Monsoon

Chinese NY song

boomp3.com

Grateful to have a nice boss

My future boss is a lovely leader. To my surprise, she arranges everything in such a way that I will arrive in a well-equiped work environment: my own office and computer. It's the first time in my life that I will have my own office. I used to envy people who work from their offices and now I will soon have one! How Amazing!

Even at this moment, I start to feel the excitement to go to work already!

My first job in France!

10th January 2008: A new milestone in my life!
Rainy morning, I missed the transit bus from the train station Versailles-Chantiers. I kept my head clear, went back to the train station and took the train to the next station: Le Petit Jouy. Chilling in the rain and didn't know which way to go, I stopped a teenager to ask for direction, he told me: 15 minutes walk from here!
After 25 mins walking, I was still walking.
Handphone rang, from the company; I told the interviewer that I would arrive soon as am not far (still cool even though I was kinda lost). Fortunately a kind man from the townhall lent me a hand and dropped me to the destination in no time!!
My interviewer is a very very elegant respiratory physician. After mutual introduction, she led me to her office and warmly invited me to sit down. She has expressed pretty good remarks on my previous experiences and the interview went really well. 20 mins later, I met the manager of the group, whom I was very impressed of. A foreigner holding a leader post, she must be of extraordinary capability. Likewise, our conversation went smoothly and she proposed to pay the taxi to send me to the train station with the company voucher. I was overwhelmed by the generousity and happily accepted!

Reached home; exhausted.
NO idea if they would take me or not. I am bad at judging interviews owing to previous traumatic experiences.
:)
Around 5.30PM, my phone rang: It was from the company.
"After interviewing all the candidates, we feel that you are the most suitable candidate for our mission. Are you still interested to accept this offer?" The respiratory physician asked me.
"YES YES YES!" I was jumping literally that I got the internship offer!
THere I go, a new journey will begin soon.
All my sacrifices, my partner's undivided support and my family's understanding finally paid off!! My plans go accordingly, despite sweats, tears etc... I have no regret to come here for my new life, pursuing what I dreamed of with perseverance.
Thank you my future company for turning a new page in my life!

Christmas eve dinner

My second xmas in France.
Fortunately I got a French friend who helped me in getting idea of what to make for festive dinner!
I went to a shop called "Picard" and I chose some package which seemed delicious to me. Anne-Charlotte told me that "Magret de canard" would be ideal for 2 persons. So for our Xmas eve dinner, we had the following as menu:

Entrée:
Foie gras with bread.

Main dish:
Duck filet with chestnut and mushroom

Dessert:
Buchette de framboise et de mangue, macarons et la Truffe with caramel.

We had the dinner with orange juice and of course: the Champange!!

Since I was drunk after a glass of champagne, I fell asleep early and I only opened my gift this morning. Mmmmmmmmmuakkkk, thank you so much mon chéri!!

Willy Waller 2006

Tetes à claques

Jeux flash : Chat amoureux

想揍眼科医生一顿

为了换眼镜，不得已去看了在附近的眼科医生。那位秘书小姐竟然告诉我：没有我的预约！真难以置信！还说可能是我搞错了。岂有此理！就因为之前的日期落在我上课的时间内，我还清晰记得我打了通电话给这诊所。竟然他们没有记录下来！

秘书小姐说：我去问医生看看。三分钟后，医生来了。他用手指示我往里边走，然后叫我把东西挪在椅子上。我在想：我又不是哑巴，干吗用手语？

在他的一番指示下，酷刑终于完结了。临走前，我问了一个关於我的视觉问题，岂知他竟然以讽刺的语气说：我弟弟／哥哥是律师，你想入庭告我吗？！气煞！我还理智的说：我只想了解我的眼睛而已！他还得意地调侃一番。

待我的新眼睛得手后，说不定我也真的寄一封投诉信到医生工会，到是看你是否还如此欺人太甚！

Grève Paris

I don't really want to complain. I think nothing is going to change. But I have to throw out my frustration.
Arrived in the class at 9h 10, happily thought I was the earliest one being there. 20 mins later, the prof came, and we were silent for about 10 mins, then our master's "responsable" entered the room and surprisedly said that there was only one student (which is me)! THen two of them started to speak about the difficulties staying in Paris if one is married with kids.
Logically, the couple would need a car if they have kids, Paris included. However, the parking fees in the city center is too high, if one has to pay the rentals or home load installment, tha's like nothing much left behind. And there are worse problem: not enough parking space! You could easily turn around 2 hrs to hunt for one. People rather pay the fine sometimes. THe police are busy handing over the summon. The car owners here are the best I have ever seen this far: the distance between the cars in front and behind one's car could be as small as 5cm!! THis truly impressed me!
Fed up with cars? One can ride a motorbike. THey can turn any direction they want, even riding on the pedestrian path. The Prof this morning said that she once saw a motorcyclist caused an elderly lady to fall on the ground with all her stuffs, including bottles of wines, spreading all over the path, the red liquid quickly stained the path and scaring everyone as nobody could tell if it was blood or wine! Greatest thing is, the culprit just ran away.
Well one can still choose other means of transportation, bicycle for example. Ecologically friendly. During these 2 days of strike, everyone seemed to grab the bikes ASAP. If you are lucky, youll find the last one at the parking. The show doesn't end here. You might be spending half an hour around your destination to find a bike parking. If ur taking the public bike, be prepared to pay more for nothing.
So I opted for the safest mode of transport: Walking. I put on the thickest clothes I have before stepping out of the apartment. And yet, the chill is tearing me apart. Coming from a sunny land, I don't stand the cold as well as others. How far could I possibly walk?
Great life in Paris!! You love me so much by the way you torture me.

My Novatux

HOw is this cartoon whose name is Tux? Hahha.. he is my new toy.
I bought a new computer and I chose this pic as my background.
www.novatux.com to find more details if you like it too!!

Ayer Itam, Penang

Here is an excellent Asam Laksa stall, must try in Penang, opened from 12 noon... very cheap, RM 2.30 per bowl.... 爽！！



THis fried Poh Piah stall is next to the Laksa stall, crispy and served hot!! Lovely !! RM 1.00 per roll only!! The springroll maker was very kind to tell us beware of the hot fresh poh piah before taking it. Good service!

Jeûne genevois “Genevan fast”

Dominique had brought a few plum tarts yesterday when we had lunch together, but I didn't understand the real meaning of this dessert, till I read this from http://www.24heures.ch/pages/home/24_heures/english_corner/news/news_detail/(contenu)/128570

Called the Jeûne genevois (literally, the “Genevan fast”), the statutory holiday has long been associated with the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. This event was marked by the mass killing by Catholics of Calvinist protestants, also known as Huguenots, in Paris and other parts of France in 1572.

But city records show that Genevans began the annual fast earlier, in 1567, in solidarity with protestants in Lyon who were also victims of repression. This day for dieting became an annual affair in 1640 and an official holiday - the first Thursday in September - in 1966. Mysteriously, the holiday has become associated with a delicious dessert known as the tarte aux pruneaux (plum tart).

According to Geneva’s chancellor, Robert Hensler, the canton’s top civil servant, the tart became a culinary tradition to allow women and domestic servants to pray and meditate on the fast day, free of worry from such duties as cooking. The tarts were prepared and baked the day before the Jeûne genevois, Hensler writes in an article that appeared this week in Geneva’s official gazette, the Feuille d’Avis Officielle. Using recently harvested plums, they replaced the regular meal on that special day.

What was once the only nourishment for 24 hours has now become a dessert to top off a festive lunch or dinner. It’s a fact that few residents seem to know, judging from a random survey of residents conducted by the Tribune de Genève. The newspaper interviewed eight people only two of whom drew the connection between the holiday and the protestant cause. None of them knew about the tarte aux pruneaux, including a baker and one woman who was nevertheless proud to say she cooks one from scratch every year.

I am lucky enough to pass a special day in Geneva!

vineyard, Geneva (Collonge)

Have invited Dominique and her friend Danise over for lunch yesterday, then we headed off to Collonge by bus, around 20 mins journey.
Behind a sunflower farm, there is a vineyard which is not too big, but full of grapes hanging from the plants. Looks delicious but visitors are not allowed to enter the plantation. Happy enough to see them at a near distance.

Jardin Botanique, Genève (Botanic Garden)

This is a must see in Geneva, really huge.
Due to the transitional period between autumn and summer, the leaves are full of colours!! A lonely cartoon stature sitting quietly under the trees, is he smiling to his visiters?

Second Malaysian I met in Geneva

So I guess fate does play its role.
There is another Malaysian at the hospital in the same unit.
I met her during the morning round. She told my consultant that she was born in Malaysia. EVeryone looked at me as I am Malaysian too standing next to her.
I then visited her after she was transfered out of ICU. Kindly she invited me to join her for best Indian curry in Geneva! Of course, she will be the chef!

She has a beautiful heart, spending her time caring for handicapped people. Yes, our world needs more kind hearts like hers. And put it into action to benefit the unfortunate group.

Sure I will visit you for the best curry!
Make your recovery a speedy one! We will spend more time knowing each other.

The first Malaysian I met in Geneva- at the hospital

I did not expect this could actually happen, but it did. Surprisingly.
While I was having my lunch as usual in the staffs' tearoom, having a chat with a nurse and we went into the discussion of origins of our countries. She told me that her patient is a Malaysian too. I was surprised. In these few months in Geneva, I have not yet met any Malaysian and the first one I was going to meet happened in the hospital!
After having work at hands done, I accelerated my steps to the last chamber of the unit where the "Malaysian" was admitted to. An asian face caught my attention with his nurse at his side whom I was speaking to during the lunch time. She said that I was at the right place. I flipped through his file to get an idea of what he had before approaching him.
He woke up from his sleep, greeting me in French. I waited awhile and asked him for his origin in English, and he said "Malaysia". I answered: me too! He warmly shaked my hand without realizing I was the doctor in the unit. We chatted for a while. He appeared very tired, but he tried his best to speak to me.
What a surprise that life could bring to us!
I was the first Malaysian he met in Geneva in 2.5 years.
None of us expected it could happen in the hospital, the least-wished place where people meet for the first time.
I wish that he would make speedy recovery, and enjoy what he used to do as a life traveler.
And I think he will.

Gruyère 格呂耶尔

The Gruyère cheese is a very famous cheese in Switzerland and France, however, those cheeses are different in these 2 countries. The Gruyère town in Switzerland is a charming place with its preserved middle aged architectures and breathtaking landscapes, with cows resting on the green grass, ringing the bells on their neck each time they move. Such a dream place! J'adore Gruyère! Magnifique!!

Lausanne 洛桑 - Suisse

Fleur dans l'été

Annecy 安锡

THanks to my colleagues Hélène and Claire-Lise, i visited Annecy for a short afternoon. For this breathtaking view outside the balconi, what more would we ask for? :)))

Geneva 日内瓦 : View from Salève 萨雷布

A sunny afternoon, 30 minutes of bus, 20 minutes of walk while munching sandwich, 3 minutes of cable car, there we are: Salève, a small town at the Swiss France border.

The wide area of grass, mountains at the front of my eyes, as if I had fallen into my old day childhood dreams...

Lake parade- Geneva 07/07/07

A similar event to Gay Pride in Paris last Saturday. Nearly million of Genevois dancing and drinking along the lake Léman.

Cute Latinas, Scottish boy in traditional skirt, colourful costumes... This is a real FESTIVAL in Geneva! With the sunny sky, that's just perfect for a party saturday!
We then had hot dog, saucisse, beer and coke at Jardin Anglais, facing Jet d'eau. A group of people spraying their hair in green, red and white, probably Italians?! The night is young in summer, heading to the late night party would be a flawless plan! But, we chose to go home to rest and have a healthy dinner.
No smoking, liquor for saturday for us. :)

Gay Pride 30 June 2007 - Bastille 巴士底

Cleo Bachelors' Party 2007

Here we are at the Cleo Bachelors' Party 2007! Thanks to Li James who had invited me to join her in this fun party. Good foods, lots of alcohols, bachelors, pretty girls and cool music at Zouk! Oh wow we had actually met some cool people eg DJs and staffs of One-U, really a wonderful gathering.

YAHUUUUUUUUUU!!!! I passed the DALF!!!

WOW I can't believe it myself, I made it through the DALF, the French language test of advanced level for foreigners. Thinking back of it, I had truly worked hard, but I was doing the last minute preparations too. Lucky me, I had made it. My dear one has done the most for me, Superchat: I miao you so much!!!HEHEHE!!! You share the diplome with me :)

Port Grimaud 格理摩港 (South of France)

Super jolie ville, je suis amoureuse d'elle!

Spring is calling!!

Enfin le printemps arrive! Quelle jolie fleur que j'ai vue pour la 1ère fois! Magnifique printemps!

Festival de Chocolat Versoix 2007

Voilà ces animaux sont tous au chocolat! Comment peut-on le resister?? Il parait si délicieux!
Ce qui est bizarre, c'est que la Malaisie comme un pays qui produit le cacao, mais pourquoi le chocolat malaisien n'est pas autant connu?

Carnaval de Genève 2007

Regarde ce monstre! Il a l'air très dégoutant, mais il était l'un des acteurs dans la cortège du Carnaval de Genève et assez attractif, n'est-ce pas?

Genève

陳慶祥 阿牛 MAMAK檔

陳慶祥 阿牛 對面的女孩看過來

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