Tzu Chi Compound

Here's some photos that we took in Tzu Chi hospital.

Outings

1 week in Hualian, yup, that's how fast time flies. Having spent 1 week in rheumatology, finally it's time for me to enjoy my weekend. Still, here's a little summary of how I spent my nights here.


Here's what I had. Or chien, or oysters fried with flour and eggs. Not really that different from those found in Malaysia, but then my colleagues do claim that they taste better. More tangy and the oyster is a lil' bit fresher? Neh, I'm not really a gastronomist. I just stick anything edible into my mouth, that's all.





This is also something scrumptious. It's seafood broil over plain rice. It's relatively cheap (RM6) if compared to the other dishes, and filling too.








We also tried the local wanton. Erm, nothing special, yet they took pride of it because somehow one ex-president dined at this shop before. Hence, it's now being acknowledged as a local delicacy.







Took this photo while I was strolling in the streets.









Here's some local products. Erm. Not bad. It's called mua-chee, but it's damn expensive!

First week in Tzu Chi Hospital

We caught the first train to Hualian from Taoyuan the following day, after savouring a delightful meal with the Tzu-Chi volunteers. Man, the food they'd prepared for us, albeit vegetarian meal, still are fit for a stately banquet!

The train was packed like a sardine can. Although we bought ourselves sitting tickets, we still had to squeeze and stand amidst the crowd, as anyone can sit on an empty seat unless the owner comes and chase them out from the seats. Mine was occupied by an elderly gentlemen, so I let him rest his gluteus until he arrived at his station before I rest mine on that seat.


The journey took 4 hours and we arrived in Hua-Lian at 11 something, and the whole train by then was saturated by people dressed in Tsu Chi uniforms. Yup, Hua Lian is the nexus for this cult, and it seems that everyone makes at least a pilgrimage trip in their lifetime. We were warmly received by another volunteer and he drove us to the hospital.





Due to the limited accomodation in Tsu Chi hospital, we were given no choice but to rent a room in a nearby hostel. Well, it costs us RM375 but then, there's hot water, internet connection, a refrigerator, a satelite tv, and air condition as well. The best thing is, it's only 10 minutes walk to the hospital! However, the hospital and the hostel itself is not located very near to the city center.





The living expenses in Hualian isn't that cheap as we expected. Everything costs almost twice of what we had in Malaysia. Still, that doesn't deter us from our gastronomical cravings. We managed to borrow some bicycles and have been cycling around to get some food. Well, for instance, I had Milk Tea with Pearls after Beef Soup Noodles. Altogether it costed me RM9!

1st day in Taiwan!

My flight to taipei was lovely. Yet, since this flight was actually a transit flight to LA, hence, the security was extra-stringent; they practically ransacked my hand luggage and me myself.

I was supposed to be served with venison, but because the obsessive Tzu-chi people made an advanced booking with the MAS for vegetarian meals for all of us, thus, we all ended up eating this! It was so-so only. Damn! I can smell the fragrance of my venison... and the duck meat too... sobs. Anyway, the flight itself was pleasant, and I watched "The Holiday" during the 4 hours flight. Laughed and toyed around.






Here's a picture of the evening sky. My flight's at 15.15 hours and we arrived at 19.45 hours.









Here's some of the food they served me.... No venison...






Having arrived in Taoyuan airport, we were welcomed by some Tzu Chi members from Taiwan. Still, they were so much a difference if compared to the Malaysians. Sigh. We were affectionately treated and that night we stayed in the Taoyuan Tsu-Chi Building. The building itself was a grandeur, with exquisite designs and state of the art architecture. Breathstaken, we had a wonderful night staying there, albeit we had to keep our voices low and mind our manners throughout our stay there.







Here's a close up picture I took of the Tsu Chi building. Fantastic, isn't it?

Kay El. Kay El.

I had spent already 48 hours in kay el for this trip, and there's 28 more to go. Anyway, here's the details of this current trip.

Having arrived in Kay El on Saturday noon, I struggled my way to meet up with my old classmate, whom I'll be crashing at her place. She's got a boyfriend, and Man! He's gorgeous. Good for her. Least he's treating her nice, from what I had observed. Haha.

They brought me out for dinner on Saturday night at a small fishing village in Klang, where seafood is one of the main attractions there. It's been a long while since I've been meeting new STRAIGHT people (you people am aware that I'm sorta anti-social, right?) and I'm sort of relieved that I can still talk to people, although not much. The view from the restaurant was fabulous; one can enjoy the dazzling river scenery with the hectic freighters jolting against the river currents, although you still have to put up with the repugnant stench of dead crabs.

Yesterday we went for a picnic at the zoo. The zoo itself was a misery; the animals looked unkempted, and the state of the zoo was a little bit depressing. My last visit to the zoo itself was before I enrolled into UNIMAS, and for goodness sakes, there isn't much change, except that the old orangutan had gone fatter and older, and is put into custody (prolly he's too old to be sociable?). Still, it was the company that I enjoyed, rather than the place of interest; my friends were double-dating, so I felt like I was being bounced from one pair to another during the whole excursion. Haha, it's actually not bad, as they weren't really neglecting me at all!

The past 2 night I also went out drinks with some of the usual people that I've chatted with online. My tailou, like usual, had been yam-charring with me for these 2 nites, together with Miyake on Saturday night, and Mikey on Sunday night. Well, I've known them for quite some time, so I don't really feel awkward meeting up with them for drinks. Nonethelesss, I am still quite hesitant to meet the others since I feel very unnatural in a crowded place. Thank goodness, the others did not show up! Bwahahaha!

I'm not blogging in my cyberbro - Isaac - 's office in KLCC. Damn, he took me for a tour in his workplace, and it looks dazzlign (although it looks more like a bank vault)! Haha, I don't mind working here after I graduate, but then, it's not really my cup of tea, and I'm not qualified for such jobs!

Anyway, still waiting for the rain to stop, or else I'll have to meet TV8 in KLCC. LOL. Anyway, cheers in KL.








 

It hurts so bad...

I feel like a bus-stop, and damn! people has been commenting that I have been good to everybody. Have I?

It's late I know, but I just came to the conclusion that I really am like a bus-stop; guys only approach me when they have nobody else to go to, whether they had been dumped, heartbroken, or sodding lonely. Then, I am again left out when they have found someone new. Neh... I'm used to it, already, I think.

Maybe while I was trying to be fuckin' mean, I ended portraying another paradoxical image of myself -- that I am nice. Yes I am aware that being nice would result in me being taken advantage of, that's why I try to conceal it as much as I can. Could it be that I myself have been leaving trails for them? How ironic. The more I try to hide myself, the more I disclose myself.

My mind keeps on evoking memories. Pathetic memories that I can't wash off my mind. Numerous people had been saying the same thing to me again and again to me, but yet, they never meant what they say. Sometimes I just don't get it. How can they just say it out so easily? How can they just forget it that easily too? Don't these words mean anything to them? Or its just me.

Song of the Day - Little Anthony and the Imperials - It hurts so bad

原来你什么都不要...

给他的一封信:

「又再想起你了。还以为可以把思念给收藏了起来，不再想你，谁知，还是不知不觉地想起你。你还好吧？你也许不会像我这般思念你吧？尽然听了你一次又一次的解释，一遍又一遍的辩白，还是觉得你其实什么都不需要。

其实让我最辛苦的，并不是你我之间的距离，而是你的冰冷。是你性情难以捉摸，还是你真的把自己冷藏？企图将你溶化，但始终无法靠近你，也许你真的根本不在乎。

你总是把距离当成你我不可能会在一起的理由 。有时候，成与否，不在于能还是不能，而是想还是不想。有些事情，不是没有解决方案的，而是不太容易，但往往因为不愿意，结果都变成不可能了。其实也知你根本无意再试，距离也不过是一个让彼此都满意的一个借口，好让双方的心情好过一些。所以也把自己的想法给按柰了，因为也知道你始终不会接纳我的想法。

我觉得你根本不需要我，所以我才想要放弃。完全不被需要这种感觉，真的很不好受，犹如自己一无是处。可能自己也不想要白费力气，发白日梦，癞蛤蟆吃天鹅肉，而成了笑柄。一个人怎么傻，怎么蠢，还是有自己的自尊要维护吧？

我没怪你什么，只是很想你。很傻，我知道，但我就是这么地傻。」

本日主题曲 － 张惠妹 － 原来你什么都不想要

我知道这样不好 也知道你的爱只能那么少

我只有不停的要 要到你想逃

泪湿的枕头晒乾就好 眼泪在你的心里只是无理取闹

以为在你身后 是我一辈子的骄傲

原来你什么都不想要

我不要你的呵护 你的玫瑰

只要你好好久久爱我一遍

就算虚荣也好 贪心也好

哪个男人对爱 不自私 不奢望

我不要你的承诺 不要你的永远

只要你真真切切 爱我一遍

就算虚荣也好 贪心也好

最怕你把沉默 当做对我的回答喔

原来你什么都不想要

想爱...

又回到古晋了， 不知是喜还是悲。在民丹莪度过的六个星期，苦也捱过了，甘也尝尽了，觉得自己也成长了不少。哈哈。

昨天又在网络内碰见了前男友，结果聊着聊着，始终以争吵结束，而我还挡了他的捷迅。他好像都没变，脾气跟以前一般的暴躁。老样子没变，还是看不清自己的短处，并自以为是，有点好难受。可能他说的也对吧，我真的有时候很难捉摸，很难相处。无论如何，把咱们的感情给砸碎的不是我，虽然我不是个百分百的男友，但我也忍受够了，包涵够了。人始终耐性有个限制的!

情已逝，爱已死， 当爱已成往事，谁对谁错也罢.

前一阵子在追求着冒牌张栋梁，结果也给拒绝了。好像在自讨苦吃，毕竟好多人，包括我的大佬，也对我苦谏了不少，但还是硬着头皮试试，结果还不是功亏一篑！虽然也没抱着很大的期望，但也有些悲伤，因为给人拒绝的确很不好受。哈哈。起初也想试探自己耐性到底有没进步，还是跟以前一样很没耐性，反正没有试过追求一个人这么久。哈哈，也有点成就感！

突然觉得部落格很没有意义，写来写去都是些废话。每一次都是脑袋里的想子在澎湃时，手一旦摆在键盘，脑袋又变空了。可能岁月不待人，思想也老化了，所以废话有时要狡尽脑汁才能编写吧？

本日主题曲 - 光良 - 想爱 (想点给他的一首歌)

你那温柔的声音 深深触动了我的心灵

是否仍那么的坚定 不要任何的感情

我反覆问自己 怀疑自己的决定

爱悄悄掠过我的心 让我不经意的牵动了情

终於推翻自己的决定 好想好想占有你

你心里可曾有我的一点一滴

想爱 却怕你受伤害

想为你度身缝裁 却怕你一再更改

想爱 又怕你不想爱

如果思念放未来 爱情的天空仍豁不开

想爱 把天色都想白

谁能告诉我如何去爱

To do or not to do, that is the question.

Did I mention that I've shaved my head bald and had 2 extra piercings in my left ear? Prolly I did, and prolly I didn't. Anyway, who cares?

There are things that I try not to do.

I'm not into things that will risk my life, or rather things that I think my risk my life. Any high risk activities, except promiscuity though, is always a no-no to me. Sigh. The way I drive is still somehow kind of risky, and still I am thankful enough that I am alive. :) Well, besides that, no bungee jumpings, no cliff divings, no roller coasters, and no pot sniffing. Yup you can say my life is a borehole, but then, at least I feel safe.

Not really into things that include an audience. No singing, no dancing, or anything that will have everybody's eyes on me, unless its for academic purposes, such as delivering a presentation. Like they say, my face is kind of thin, and I'm not really in need of such vast attention. Or it could be that I don't like to be embarrassed. Nonetheless, throughout my ardious life in school I have been blackmailed to participate in competitions like singing (group work), story telling (disasterous) and etc., none has ever ended without a catastrophic aftermath. Sigh. Show business isn't my cup of tea.

Finally, I'm not into futility. Things that are a waste of time and energy (so as I think it is), is a taboo for me. Why invest your time and energy and money into things that are futile and fruitless? Probably I'm fed up of having my head banged onto the wall everytime I try to do something futile. Yup, its despicable, but then I was stupid, and now maybe even more stupid-er. Or could it be because of what I am studying. Yup, you don't go on doing something futile when it involves lives. Always stop, look and listen before you proceed, says Rickie's Golden Rule in Medicine. :)

Anyway, my return to Kuching has been stalled by some unforeseen circumstances. Damn, I really hope I could make it tomorrow. But then, 6 hours of taxing drive. Arrrghhhhh...

Leavetakings

Just felt that I need to write something in my blogs today, or it'll remain forgotten amidst the winds of time.

So, what am I up to now, since I'm now in my 6th week here in Bintangor.

My health intervention programme went on smoothly, and we did manage to get the MP for Julau district to attend. Not to mention that he agreed to donate us RM2k for our programme thing, still, the money will be going through lots of hands, and I bet that many a people will start taxing it before the money reaches our hands. Damn... I wonder how much is left then.

Still, everyone was pleased with the health intervention programme; the lecturers were, the YB was, the tuai rumahs were, the villagers were, and most of all, all of us were! Nonetheless, the feud between the 2 long houses had become such that one house even boycotted the intervention because it was held in another house instead of theirs. Sigh, and we're stucked in the middle between them.

I think we are rather accustomed to the ways in the longhouse. Most of us can pick up already simple phrases of Iban and are conversing with the residents in Iban. What is a little bit annoying is that they have begun indulging us with their tuak (rice wine). After they have discovered that most of us (the non-muslims) do/can drink, they have been coercing us to drink at a little too often. Now it's like they make us drink whenever we step foot into the longhouse, and it's damn annoying since I don't like to drink! And they don't take NOs easily.

Anyway, this week will be our final week here and there is a cocktail of feelings. Of course we are happy to leave this god-forsaken place, but then we'll be missing all those wonderful new friends that we have been so close to throughout this while, especially me. This afternoon one of the residents in the longhouse dragged me and started saying I'm his brother (he was obviously very drunk). Yup, it's something disinhibitedly hillarious and was under the influence of alcohol, but then, it shows how friendly they are.

Sigh. Simple people, great culture and fascinating friendliness. Damn, I hate to say this, but I am going to miss you!

(by the way, we're going to a waterfall near the boycotting longhouse this Saturday as an attempt of pacification)