Train talk

“Let me ask you something, why do people always like to talk on their mobile phones while on the train, its not like it’s an emergency or anything,” says an old lady to the Indian lady sitting next to her on the train when her phone rang for the umpteenth time.

Indian lady: “I’m sorry I offend you. But you won’t know it is an emergency until you pick up the phone. It may be because I’m talking in my own language so it annoys you.”

Old lady: “No no.. I’m a teacher (I have no idea how that is relevant) and it doesn’t bother me that you speak in your own language. I’ve heard people on the phone before talking about how to cook sausages! It’s just ridiculous! It’s just that I’m old, and I’ve been on trains for many years and I used to be able to get on a train and chat with whoever is sitting across me or beside me. Now, all people do is talk on their *beep* mobile phones. I don’t mean to swear or anything but it’s just we’ve lost that connection because of mobile phones.”

Indian lady just nods and tries to ignore her.

Old lady: “I’m not trying to criticise you, I’m just asking a question. I would ask this question to anybody on this train.”

Indian lady, gets up: “This is my stop now. Sorry if I offended you.” – Probably in an insincere manner. Then, when walking pass me, she says “oh god”, softly.

I continued to observe the old lady after the Indian lady has gone off the train. I thought she would have made a scary teacher in her day. The one that everyone was scared of but was brilliant at what she did. But what she said was true.

The first time I took the train here in England, I half-hoped that I would be able to strike a conversation with someone. My thought was that, if you were going to be stuck there for about an hour, what better way to spend it than by chatting with the person next to you, sharing a bit of your life with a stranger.

But no, most people who come up the train, first thing they do, they take their laptops/netbook out of their bags and switch it on. Then proceed to ignore you for the rest of the trip while they work on something. Another common thing you see is, people who come up the train, with earphones already plugged in, and music blasting out, just so others can enjoy the music as well. Or people who think others are interested in what they are saying, talking loudly to the other person on the line.

Yes, the world is getting smaller due to technology and easily we can communicate with people halfway around the world. But what about the people sitting next to you on the train?

As I watched the old lady throughout the journey, I felt that she was a lonely old lady, trying hard to adapt to this modern world of technology, where people don’t chat with each other anymore.

Then she takes out her phone.. and calls someone to tell them that she is nearing her destination.

Our lovely landlord

So, it's not even December yet....and our ever so lovely landlord call us up to tell us he's coming on Sunday to collect the rent. Sunday is only the 30th and they want to collect rent on that day, just because they will be in town on the 30th.

Kept saying that by right we have to pay by the 1st, so we have to pay on the 30th... what kind of logic is this? Don't we at least have the first week of the month to settle the rent?

When we say that we don't have that amount of money now, he says however much we have we just give him.. isn't this daylight robbery?

ARGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Pharmacy pre-registration troubles

During the 3^rd year in pharmacy, we are bombarded with the fact that we need to prepare to apply to various pharmacies at the end of the year for a pre-registration placement. If we have an eye on certain pharmacies, we might have to think about it even earlier as they require you to do a 3^rd year placement in order to qualify for a pre-reg. And if a place couldn't be secured before the start of 4^th year, we would need to worry about it when term starts as well.

I, for one, did not have much trouble with securing a placement, and I am thankful that I did and do not need to go through what my friends are going through. Take a friend of mine for example (let’s call her R), who has gone through a bit of tough times just to get the placement that she is finally happy with.

R did a 3^rd year placement with X pharmacy, which was a pre-requisite for a pre-reg. When she applied for her 3^rd year placement location, she did not realize that the pharmacies in the northern region actually bonded a pre-registration student for 2 years – meaning the pre-reg year plus one year as a qualified pharmacist. If you were going to break that bond, you had to pay a huge sum of money. She had her own reasons for not wanting to be bonded, so started searching for alternate arrangements by asking for advice from the university tutors, who were happy to help her in trying to find a new location.

About a month ago, she had an offer from Z pharmacy, which she had gone for an interview for during the summer (yea, long time ago), and thinking that she could not get a better location with X pharmacy, she verbally accepted the offer, not knowing what will happen next.

R heard back from X pharmacy, offering her a location that she was happy with. Whilst comparing X and Z pharmacy, she found that X was more attractive and rejected Z though email, and thought nothing more about it.

She got a call from Z pharmacy early in the morning, asking her why was she rejecting their offer. Being too honest, she told them that she had another offer from another company, with better conditions than Z. The caller from Z (let’s call her T) then said that they can still negotiate for better conditions, but R stressed that she really was rejecting their offer.

As it is too long to repeat what was being said in their conversation, I’ve decided to extract and edit what R had wrote in her blog (I feel that it’s better than she remain anonymous so excuse me if I do not put her blog address in). Below in blue is what was being discussed and in red is R’s explanation of what really happened. (“She” in the extract is T, and “I” is R)

She said I had been unprofessional because they actually sent me two offer letters since September but I took long time to reply their offer.

This isn't true because Z Pharmacy had only made an offer to me recently. I was on hold since August .

She said there were actually two offer letters but first offer letter was lost on its way. After a second check, she found out the offer was made on 10/10/2008.

T then changed topics and she said since an offer had been made on 10/10/2008, why did I take so long time to reply?

I said I had only received offer letter from them after two weeks, which was on 28/10/2008. I received offer from another company (X) after I had received offer letter from them. I took about two weeks to reply them because I needed time to make my decision. (She later found out that she only had the letter for 8 days.)

SHE SAID TWO WEEKS WAS TOO LONG TO MAKE A DECISION.

I replied her saying that I think I have the right to make decision in two weeks. Even for first round candidates, RPSGB also mentioned that they must given enough time to decide, how come I can't have that TWO WEEKS?

Fact: There wasn’t a reply-by date stated on the offer letter.

She said because of me they had to turn down other candidates.

I explain to her that I was told by her manager that the place I was offered to already have enough students and my offer was by special arrangement. So, I had taken it for granted that no other candidates are waiting for my post.

That phone conversation ruined her whole day. Imagine waking up to a call like that. She was also told that she was being unprofessional and a complaint would be submitted to the university about her. She again went for advice from her tutor and staff in the school and was told that they would support her and that Z pharmacy had no grounds to do anything to her, but to email them regarding what had happen so a response could be given if and when a complaint letter was submitted.

I would not say that my friend was totally blame-free. She was being a tad unprofessional by verbally accepting and then rejecting Z pharmacy but I would say this is due to naivety about how the world is. How can it be that they expect students who are in their last year of pharmacy, to know all about the working environment? This just discourages students when they think about having to work soon.

The caller from Z, was being unprofessional herself when she made groundless accusations. She should’ve gotten all her fact right before accusing someone else of being unprofessional.

I would like to commend the School of Pharmacy for standing by their own students first and in helping R a lot in her decisions.

Several things to take from this situation:

1. Do not give a verbal agreement if you are not sure. Tell them, “Thank you very much for the offer, but I would like several days to consider this offer.” I, for one, was very lucky as my future employer told me to go back and think about it first.
2. Be sure that you are happy with any decision you are going to make.
3. Be sure that you are able to back up your decision with valid reasons and that you can stand firm in your decision even when faced with accusations (especially when those accusations are false). This is something you would have to do when you are working.

I wish everyone the best in their applications for a pre-registration placement and may what I have told you help you in what not to do when applying. It is good to keep options open but do not respond in the affirmative when you are not sure about it.

I know I know.. I haven't been writing much. Too much reading and researching to be done.

I've reverted to my anti-social personality and shunned every dinner invitation that comes my way (well, just the ones where we eat out, I won't ever reject any home-cooked meals). Everyone keeps telling me it's the final year of university and because of that very reason, I should go out more and have fun. But I've already been a stay-at-home person and how would this year being the final year in university change anything?

I just realised I haven't blog about my new house yet. So, a quick rundown on the house and the old Hongkie couple who are our landlords for the year.

The house: Well, the layout is basically the same as the last house I stayed in, with everything flipped 180 degrees as it is now a left corner house (if you get what I mean). It's an older version of the last house as it hasn't been renovated. One thing that is good about this place is that the windows are double-glazed which makes the whole house a lot warmer, and the rent is much cheaper than last year. It was more livable after we cleaned everything.

The landlords: Friendly people when we first met them, but still very calculative and cunning. They keep saying that we complain too much, and that they are only renting us the house - which means that they do not need to supply us everything and that we are lucky the house is even furnished! What kind of people are they? Of course we expect the house to be furnished. I can go on and on about how wrong they are as landlords. When they argue a point, they will go from A to B and back to A and to B again and so on and so forth but will never come to C (the conclusion).

Another thing is, we have explicitly told them to inform us whenever they want to come into the house to do anything. And they said that we are different from other people (read: weird) as we seem to not trust them! Of course I don't trust them - I don't even know them!! But I told them in my very broke Cantonese (which eventually I just gave up and spoke in Mandarin) that we expect them to tell us because if we come back to a house where the things are moved, we would naturally think that we have been burglarised! Stupid people...

Anyway, I do not want to talk to them ever. I will be ever so glad if I do not need to see them anymore and listen to them babble about nothing. It is also hard for me to argue with them as I do not speak fluent Cantonese. That's why I leave the arguing to Puisan who has more patience in arguing talking to them (and also because she is fluent in Cantonese).

I can go on and on about the old couple but I think it's enough for one post.

Well, here's a lesson to all of you out there who are looking to rent a house now or in the future: Never, ever rent a house from Hongkies or Chinese. Rent from a white British who are more reasonable and will not disturb you for the whole tenancy.

Oh ya... the weather these days is beautiful. Not too hot.. not too cold.. Just right. Hope it stays so.

Back to reading about paediatric pharmacy. I keep getting sidetracked by other things...

Busy Weekend..

It has been quite a fun-filled weekend! First, Concert on Thursday Night... which was fun! One thing worth nothing about in the Royal Concert Hall is that most of the patrons had white hair.. The concert was by Halle, and marked their 150th birthday. I'm so in love with Beethoven's Symphony no.7, movement 2 now..

Then it was snowing on Friday! First time I saw snow, but it wasn't heavy enough to make snowman and snowballs. oh ya.. i got my results as well. Wasn't too bad, but could've been better I guess.

Went to Cadbury's Chocolate Factory in Birmingham today. Which was worth it.. we had free chocolate.. but i'm now sick of chocolate.. We had to take a train to Birmingham New Street and from there to Bournville, which is founded by Cadbury's. There were a few hitches at the beginning of the trip but everything was quite ok after that.

The whole gang of us.. 22 in our group.
Chocolate-covered me..

We then went back to Birmingham City Centre for Malaysian Food! Apparently laksa here is quite famous. Puisan had Curry Laksa, Susan had Assam Laksa.. and I had Beef Brisket with Rice..

Anyone know what is Ants on the Tree?Our huge group then broke up into pieces and 4 of us went sight seeing while others decided to be boring and go shopping. We went to see the famous Birmingham Cathedral (aka St Philip Cathedral).
Then we walked around the Bull Ring (which is Birmingham's biggest shopping centre, i think). Borders was huge!
Saw the so-called mentos building.. which is the Selfridges Building.. On the left is the Selfridges building while on the right is St Martin's church (i think). Right in the middle is Puisan..

Puisan forgot her Young Person Railcard and we had a really fun time on the way back.. Adrenaline was pumping through our veins as we cracked our heads to find of ways to avoid being checked on the railcard.. which I guess in the end wasn't really necessary as the conductor didn't really check.

So, now to make myself tidy up my room tomorrow.. Chinese New Year is coming in a few days..

Steamboat and shopping trip

Loading these pictures took me long enough that i lost the interest to blog. haha..

anyway.. had steamboat last night and it was good. Food, friends, and card games!

As there were a lot of leftovers, we decided to play card games. Loser had to eat some food. First we played cheat... then we played 8-people cho dai di.. which was interesting...

Went to Derby today. Didn't take a lot of photos though. The trip took around an hour by bus. Should've taken Red Arrow which goes there in 15 mins for 5 pounds. Thought Rainbow 5 would be cheaper but in the end we had to pay even more for return just because of the stupid system they have which nobody actually understands. Actually wanted to look around Derby town but ended up shopping in Westfield. Maybe next time.

Val's really nice housemates. They just wandered around themselves while Val and I shop around for an amazing 5 hours! I wonder what guys do in a shopping centre for 5 hours.. but they bought more stuff than me and Val combined!

Came home to a lovely dinner of ribeye steak, sweet corn, mashed potatoes and parsnips and some carrots!

Say bye to the old year, hello to the new one!

The year is coming to an end and 2008 is just around the corner. I thought i would do a list of 10 things that i have done. And maybe some new year resolutions!

10 things or more that i have done in 2007 (in no particular order) will add on more when i think of it

1. I turned 21 (duh)
2. I successfully completed 2nd year of pharmacy and entered 3rd year in Nottingham!
3. I travelled for 23 hours from Kuching to Edinburgh ALONE! (well, dhivya did accompany on the last leg of the journey from Heathrow to Edinburgh)
4. Learnt to be fully independent (not very fun)
5. Got my first paying job and my first salary
6. Toured around Scotland and had fun
7. Made new friends (and stopped being too antisocial)
8. Played flute during mass!
9. Saw snow (albeit very sad looking snow, since it was raining heavily and snowing lightly. Only flakes)
10. Improved on my cooking skills (I cooked turkey!)
11. Had fun making gingerbread men with Pui San and Yan Leng
12. Spent my first christmas away from home.. but spent it nicely with friends and also with Uncle Jim and family.

New year resolution

1. Study harder
2. Survive another semester here
3. Apply for hospital placement (sheesh.. i have to do this soon)
4. Find a place to stay in Cornwall
5. Try and bear with some people
6. Try do more exercise
7. Try and make praying a daily event (I always fail this)
8. Explore UK and Europe
9. Be more sociable?
10. Improve more on my culinary skill

Happy New Year all!

Christmas Party away from Home!

I successfully made turkey! ahhaha... following are photos of my christmas party.. thank you all for coming and hope you all had fun! Merry christmas!







I'm glad to be able to share christmas with great friends like you!

Christmas season

As most people would know, this is my first christmas away from my family. I thought that I would have a hard time being away but it's not so bad. It really helps when you have great friends around you, enthusiastic about celebrating christmas for the first time. It helps when we get together to make gingerbread men (even though it too so much energy to mix the dough properly). It helps when we plan a christmas dinner together and all of us come together spreading christmas joy.

Even though it is cold and miserable here, even though i am far away from much loved family, even though I wish to be at home surrounded by family, I'm glad that i'm surrounded by good friends here, relieving some of the loneliness i feel sometimes.

So, thanks Pui San and Yan Leng for the fun time we had making gingerbread men!

It's only a few days more to christmas! Merry Christmas all!

btw.. tomorrow's the shortest day of the year! and also the winter solstice. can't wait to eat glutinous rice balls!

Nottingham and Gingerbread men

Here's a picture of the lake on a foggy day!

Us taking pictures in Nottingham Castle grounds.. there's nothing much there except for the museum. didn't go on the cave tour but will go the next time!

Us having buffet lunch at Flaming Dragon!

Taking pictures with the night view of christmas lights in Nottingham city.

ok.. doing all sorts of famous poses that people usually do... and i feel like an idiot doing this..



Nativity scene! but it's not as good as the one we always have in St Peter's Church.

Faith!! look.. your shop! Y didn't you tell us you have a shop in Nottingham?


Gingerbread man making session! It's all handmade! No machines for us, no sirree... And we mixed the whole dough for over 3 hours!

Cutting out shapes!

Puisan says that that is me... here is where she dares to gimme a straight short hair cut!

Representation of us! From left to right: Me, Yan Leng and Puisan.. haha

Puisan's snow man

More photos! (there's music so if you don't want to listen to it just off it.. just trying to set a christmas mood) hehe..

also photos on facebook here