Just A Simple Update

My Ukrainian Graduation Day was held on the 25th June 2010. The Malaysian one is yet to come - 1st August 2010 in PutraJaya. My sister had "climbed the mountains and dive the sea", just to get a visa to attend my convocation here in Ukraine, Simferopol. Fortunately, everything went well.

So here I am writing this just to inform my few faithful readers that I am on a journey with my sister in Ukraine. We have managed to squeezed in Yalta, Sevastopol and Evpatoria while we were in Crimea. Then we "trained" to Odessa. I am currently in Kiev---the last destination here for my sister this time. She will then fly off to Moscow on the 4th July, whereas I will be continuing my trip to Germany and Netherland.

Things has been interesting. We argued, laughed, experienced some unforgettable moments. And despite my "multiple arrivals" in Kiev, I still managed to get both of us lost today :( Therefore, we are now totally exhausted. Not only due to the walking, but also due to the scorching sun of summer, and the "cramped" journey.

Although many would have thought that Ukraine has nothing much to offer, I wouldn't want to agree with that statement. Many of my friends' parents applied visa to Ukraine. But straight after the convocation, many have left for Euro-trip the next day. I do agree that Europe has a lot to offer for travel. But Ukraine is not a place to offer nothing. I am sad to say that I couldn't manage to fit in the schedule for my sister these few places --- Lviv, Chernivtsi, Sudak, TarKhanKut, Kamyanets-Podilsky, Bakhchisaray etc. I know that many people thinks that a lot of these places may not be as interesting as the Colosseum in Rome, or the Familia Sagrada in Spain, or even the Eiffel Tower in Paris etc, but after going through all the red tapes getting a visa to Ukraine, I don't think leaving without visiting some of the places in Ukraine is worth it. Besides, it has a lot to offer, the beautiful Black Sea, the nature that is unpolluted/destroyed, the culture and people that is different ... ...

How many people have ever really thought of visiting Ukraine when one plans for a trip? How many would have had the opportunity to visit while having someone close (family members/children/friends) being able to be a "tour guide" (though I may be the lousy one hahaha)? How many then would have had a guide who speaks Russian (Russian as broken as mine is also counted hehehe)?

Hmm, too much of emo-ing here. Don't know why this place suddenly seems so beautiful especially when I will be leaving in 19 days :( Guess, human beings only start to appreciate something when time is not much left :) By the way, will update you guys about my trip, not only for my memory, but also for those "lost travellers" who have a hard time finding information about Ukraine, my friends who are interested in reading and also my uni-mates/future CSMU students who will be travelling in Ukraine/Europe. Hope I will be able to write everything down :)

Till the next post, wish me luck :D

D-O-C-T-O-R

Cleared my 1st exam of the two today (01.06.2010). 1st exam consist of Social Medicine, Hygiene and Pediatrics. The next will be on the 16th June 2010 for 3 subjects too, Therapy - O&G - Surgery (Yes, tonight will be a break for me before I have to stuck for the next preparation). And then, I could gladly tour around Crimea, the Black Sea before the graduation ceremony. Hmmm, maybe I should wear long sleeves to prevent myself from tanning too much :P Imagine how those people in bikinis and, perhaps sunbathing naked, would think of me? Morons??? Hehehe

Looking back, it's kinda fast how the time flies by. 6 years, I've been stuck here in Ukraine for 6 darn long years. Yet, my level of Russian is so much to be desired. Hahaha. But seriously, I don't think I am at fault. I am taking an English course, staying in the university's hostel, speaking with mainly my mini-Malaysia community, interacting with my pure-Malaysian group mates... ... What do you expect? At least, I have manage to survive in this Russian-speaking place, traveling around with my broken Russian. And I have to agree, it's much more easier to pick up language when you are young, way way younger :)

I didn't really like Ukraine when I first arrived here 6 years ago. Especially when I first arrived in the Simferopol airport, a very much backward one compared to our sophisticated KLIA. And this was my very first time traveling abroad. I have to admit, I am not those people who are home-sick to the extend of complaining every darn little things. As much I disliked this place, I don't despise it. And in fact, as time went by, I learned to grow and like this place and in fact, I think I fell in love with this place, this field of sunflowers (although I haven't really saw a field of sunflowers :P No doubt, bouquets of them. always) But, of course, I am still looking forward to going back to Malaysia and I can't wait till the day I am flying home :D

Studying abroad, especially in a country where communication is difficult, is never easy. And yes, studying medicine in Ukraine or Russia is not like the other "more-famous" countries, like the USA, UK, Australia etc. The duration itself took 6-years as compared to other places, (even my homeland) which usually takes 5 years (some even is as short as 4.5 years only). The cost for education is no doubt slightly lower as compared to those advance-countries, but it certainly gets higher nowadays. Language barrier is another issue, where you need to pick up the local language to be able to communicate with the locals/patients, even if you're in an English medium stream. It's compulsory!!! And next up is definitely the different culture and society and that you're faraway from home, having to re-adapt to the new environment, especially the weather and climate, food, people, new friends ... ... It's tough, definitely, but I think I have gone through it and am proud to shout out loud "I have made it!!!"

Upon successfully completing my 1 of the 2 exams, I could say that we students here have manage to put on the first stroke of "R" --- l. Yeah, 6 years, each year representing an alphabet --- D-O-C-T-O-R !!! Can't wait for the day to put on the final stroke of the "R", yet on the contrary, still hoping to have more time to prepare for my final exam and, last but not least, I seriously enjoy the time of being a student :)

Some Meaningful Quotes

Read this from FaceBook from a somebody whom I really do not know, and that means strangers (Ain't FB powerful and super no privacy?). Meaningful and simply want to share this. For those who can't read Chinese, there is something called as Google Translator, (hopefully it's correct hahaha). Enjoy!

1.莎士比亚说:
　　　再好的东西，都有失去的一天。
　　　再深的记忆，也有淡忘的一天。
　　　再爱的人，也有远走的一天。
　　　再美的梦，也有苏醒的一天。
　　　该放弃的决不挽留。
　　　该珍惜的决不放手，分手后不可以做朋友，因为彼此伤害 过！
　　　也不可以做敌人，因为彼此深爱过。

2.几米说:
　　　当你喜欢我的时候，我不喜欢你，
　　　当你爱上我的时候，我喜欢上你，
　　　当你离开我的时候，我却爱上你，
　　　是你走得太快，还是我跟不上你的脚步,
　　　我们错过了诺亚方舟，错过了泰坦尼克号，
　　　错过了一切的惊险与不惊险，我们还要继续错过。
　　　我不了解我的寂寞来自何方，但我真的感到寂寞。
　　　你也寂寞，世界上每个人都寂寞，只是大家的寂寞都不同 吧。

3.刘心武说:
　　　不要指望，麻雀会飞得很高。
　　　高处的天空，那是鹰的领地。
　　　麻雀如果摆正了自己的位置，它照样会过得很幸福！

4.亦舒说:
　　　人们日常所犯最大的错误，是对陌生人太客气，而对亲密 的人太苛刻，
　　　把这个坏习惯改过来，天下太平。

5.郭敬明说:
　　　我终于发现自己看人的眼光太过简单，我从来没有去想面 具下面是一张怎样的面容，
　　　我总是直接把面具当做面孔来对待，却忘记了笑脸面具下 往往都是一张流着泪的脸。

6.刘心武说:
　　　对不起是一种真诚，没关系是一种风度。
　　　如果你付出了真诚，却得不到风度，那只能说明对方的无 知与粗俗！

7.韩寒说:
　　　再累再苦就当自己是二百五再难再险就当自己是二皮脸。

8.安妮宝贝说:
　　　当一个女子在看天空的时候，她并不想寻找什么。
　　　她只是寂寞。

9.遇见平凡说:
　　　缘分像一本书。
　　　翻的不经意会错过童话读得太认真又会流干眼泪。

10.张小娴说:
　　　 爱，从来就是一件千回百转的事。
　　　 不曾被离弃，不曾受伤害，怎懂得爱人？

11.亦舒说:
　　　 无论怎么样，一个人借故堕落总是不值得原谅的，越是没有人 爱，越要爱自己。

12.刘心武说:
　　　 与其讨好别人，不如武装自己；
　　　 与其逃避现实，不如笑对人生；
　　　 与其听风听雨，不如昂首出击！

13.张爱玲说:
　　　 娶了红玫瑰，久而久之，红玫瑰就变成了墙上的一抹蚊子血， 白玫瑰还是“床前明月光"；
　　　 娶了白玫瑰，白玫瑰就是衣服上的一粒饭渣子，红的还是心口 上的一颗朱砂痣。

14.三毛说:
　　　 一个朋友很好，两个朋友就多了一点，三个朋友就未免太多了。
　　 　知音，能有一个已经很好了，不必太多，
　　　 如果实在没有，还有自己，好好对待自己，跟自己相处，也是 一个朋友...

15.雪小禅说:
　　 　我以为终有一天，我会彻底将爱情忘记，将你忘记，
　　 　可是，忽然有一天，我听到了一首旧歌，我的眼泪就下来了，
　　 　因为这首歌，我们一起听过。

16.郭敖说:
　　　 我们始终都在练习微笑，终于变成不敢哭的人。
　　
17.三毛说:
　　 　不要害怕拒绝他人，如果自己的理由出于正当。
　　 　当一个人开口提出要求的时候，他的心里根本预备好了两种 答案。
　　 　所以，给他任何一个其中的答案，都是意料中的。

18.梓色心晴说:
　　 　男人哭了，是因为他真的爱了。
　　 　女人哭了，是因为她真得放弃了。

19.玄漪说:
　　　 能够说出的委屈，便不算委屈；
　　　 能够抢走的爱人，便不算爱人。

20.张爱玲说:
　　　 爱情本来并不复杂，来来去去不过三个字，
　　　 不是我爱你、我恨你，
　　　 便是算了吧、你好吗、对不起。
　　
21.马云说:
　　　 晚上想想千条路，早上醒来走原路。

22.饶雪漫说:
　　　 这个世界欺骗了我，我必须给与还击，我不会放掉任何一丁点 儿属于我的幸福，
　　 　哪怕付出的代价是从此坠入地狱，我也在所不惜。

23.郭敖说:
　　　 每个人一生之中心里总会藏着一个人，也许这个人永远都不会 知道，
　　　 尽管如此，这个人始终都无法被谁所替代。
　　　 而那个人就像一个永远无法愈合的伤疤，
　　　 无论在什么时候，只要被提起，或者轻轻的一碰，就会隐隐作 痛。

24.GARVEN说:
　　　 话是人说的，屁也是人放的，说话和放屁一样，都是一口气而 已。

25.三毛说:
　　　 某些人的爱情，只是一种“当时的情绪"。
　　　 如果对方错将这份情绪当做长远的爱情，是本身的幼稚。

26.张小娴说:
　　　 如果没法忘记他，就不要忘记好了。
　　　 真正的忘记，是不需要努力的。

27.人非草木说:
　　 　再丑的人也能结婚，再美的人也会单身！

28.张爱玲说:
　　　 因为爱过，所以慈悲；
　　　 因为懂得，所以宽容。

~ Tiramisu Charlotte Cake Style ~

For Khiu Fu Lung's birthday party, we (group 628) decided to do cuisines of different nationalities. And we drew lots to decide the "chef" behind the cuisines. So this is the list :

Italian/USA/UK --- Mac and Cheese

Brandon/Kok Hon/Sook Sim


Mexican --- Barbecue Stick & Roll (?)
Brandon/Kok Hon/Sook Sim


Georgian --- Salad
Ann Feng


Cuban --- Mojito (Without Alcohol)
Yan Lee


Irish --- Irish Lamb Shank
Izman


Thai --- TomYam Seafood
Oo & Cyok Noy


German --- Pork Knuckles
Wei Min & Syih Ying


Chinese --- Herbal Duck Soup
Justin & See Yee


Italian --- Tiramisu
Jacklyn

As promised in the previous post, here is the better modified version. As the instructions are already written in the previous post, this would only include some additional instructions/details. Texture for this time is much better, I think. As it is not so soft and "watery" as the last one. At least you can see the "fence" still manage to stand "still" :P

Ingredients :
3 egg yolks
3 tablespoons sugar
6 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream

Coffee syrup (refer previous post)

500g Mascarpone Cheese
3 tablespoon coffee (strong and thick is preferable)

500ml Whipping cream

Lady Finger's biscuits
Cocoa Powder

25g Gelatin
50g hot water

Additional Details :
~ Steps are the same as previous.
~ But after you have fold in the Macarpone mixture and the whipping cream, assemble the lady finger's biscuits (without coffee) at the side of your tray.
~ Then take more lady finger's biscuits and dip them into the coffee mixture to make the first layer for the base of Tiramisu.
~ After this, only start to dissolve the gelatin in 50ml of hot water by double-boiling method.
~ Pour the dissolved Gelatin into your tiramisu cream portion by portion. Don't forget to stir/mix them evenly so that you won't get clumps of Gelatin in your cake later.
~ Then pour the mixture on the first base and proceed with the rest of the steps.
~ Chill the tiramisu for at least 4 hours.

Ingredients used

Left : Yolks + Sugar ~ Pale and frothy
Right : Gelatin + 50ml hot water ~ Double boiling method


Left upper corner: Assembling the cake, coffee-dipped biscuit at the base

--- HaPpY BirThDaY, Fu Lung! ---

Rules Of Marriage

I know, I know, I am not qualified and inexperience to even talk about relationship between couples, what more about marriage? However, I have just come across this interesting short piece of blog from Snippets of My Life --- named "Marriage", mainly talking about the "10 Rules of A Happy Marriage". So these are the main points of the article :

1. Never both be angry at the same time.

2. Never yell at each other unless the house is on fire.

3. If one of you has to win an argument, let it be your mate.

4. If you must criticize, do it lovingly.

5. Never bring up mistakes of the past .

6. Neglect the whole world rather than each other.

7. Never go to sleep with an argument unsettled.

8. At least once every day say a kind or complimentary word to your life partner.

9. When you have done something wrong, admit to it and ask for forgiveness.

10. Remember it takes two to make a quarrel.

老人与小孩

I am sorry that this meaningful piece is written in Chinese.

CNY Reunion Dinner 2010

Chinese New Year Eve (除夕夜) is an important day in Chinese culture. It is a day where family membes gather together having dinner, symbolizing the reunion of the family. No matter where you are, what are you doing, every family member will try their very best and rush back home for this meaningful day and for this special Reunion Dinner 团圆饭.

But as time goes by, and migration playing such an important role in our modern days, it is rather difficult for each and everyone of us to be around, sitting together on the round table having a meal together. It is either the son is outstation doing business, or maybe children overseas studying, or perhaps daughter still working in some foreign land. However, on this special day, I believe that all of us will remember ... missing the days we sat together with our family, missing home, missing the taste and smell of our mum's delicious food......

No doubt, I miss home. I miss my parents, my siblings. I know that they are always there for us supporting us, loving us, caring for us still. How I miss the firecrackers, the CNY songs that is sounding in the air, the festive season in my hometown. But still I have my semester to finish, my studies to do. Thus, here I am still, in Ukraine.

Fortunately, here in this strange and foreign ex-Soviet country, we have our "family". Our family that supports each of us through. For 6 years, sweet, sour, bitter, salty, spicy, even umami, we have been through. We have gone through the thicks and thins, weather the hurricane (hmm, which event is hurricane enough??? :P) We endured the thick snow of the winter, admired the beautiful flowers of spring, enjoyed the summer breeze, walked the golden leaves of autumn...Are we not a family?

Each year we have our Reunion Dinner. And so have we this year. Just to share with my fellow readers, these were what we had.

~~~ LAO SHENG 捞生 ~~~
(Brandon Teo)
After sprinkling of the sesame and pouring of the sauce


~~~ROASTED GOOSE 烧鸸 ~~~
(Khiu Fu Lung)
~~~ VIETNAMESE SPRING ROLLS 越南春卷 ~~~
(Justin & SeeYee)

~~~ RIBS 红烧排骨 ~~~
(KokTian & CyokNoy)
~~~ LUO HAN ZHAI 罗汉斋 ~~~
(AnnFeng)

~~~ KOU ROU BAO & MUTTON ~~~
扣肉包 与 洋羊得意KouRou - WeiMin & SyihYing
Bao - Me
Mutton - Izman


~~~ SWEET SOUR FISH 年年有余 ~~~
(Brandon Teo)

~~~ TANG YUAN 汤圆 ~~~

(YanLee)

Hmm, we had double desserts that day. The other one is Tauhu Fa (豆腐花) by Jeffrey but I guess we are just too anxious to eat it, hence we have forgotten to take the picture hehehe. But trust me, his Tauhu Fa taste even better than those we can find in Malaysia. It is so silky smooth, that you will definitely be craving for a second portion.

No matter what dishes we had, it is nothing more important than to know that we have each other. I am sure we all miss our families back home in Malaysia. And I appreciate every friends of mine who are with me, going through the highs & lows of my life. We have shared our happiness and sadness. We quarreled, we fight, we cried and laugh. And these has make up my sweet memories here in Ukraine. May we continue to nurture this invaluable friendship that has been built through the years and may its root grow deeper ... ...

Happy Chinese New Year

&
~ FRIENDSHIP FOREVER ~

* The Lost Treasure *

"The greatest treasures are not gold, nor jewels, nor work of art. They cannot be held in your hands. They are held within your heart. For worldly things will fade away as seasons come and go. But the treasure of true friendship will never lose its glow... ..."

~ Tinker Bell And The Lost Treasure ~

What a meaningful ending! Although this movie is a little bit childish with those fairies, magical dust... Nevertheless, I've enjoyed it a lot. I love those tiny little creatures, those songs that keep the mind young and pure, the beautiful fairies that make your imagination run wild, far and wide...

And most important of all, it reflects ourselves. We are always in denial, refusing to admit that we need help, refusing to acknowledge that we are wrong and in the end we are the ones to make things worse. It is a story for the kids, but in fact, it is a story for young and old, to remind us that we are constantly surrounded by people who love ourselves, who trust us, who see us as who we are. Yet, we often fail to realize this.

Life is a short journey that glows with love and care. Are we not ready to take a step further to appreciate whatever we have in hand and whoever that are around us? Love and appreciate, be brave enough to make amends for any wrongs that we have done, for the opportunity doesn't often come twice, especially for the true friendship, true love and your family :)

~ Unlightable Candle ~

Sharing? What comes into mind with this simple word "sharing"? Do we need to be very rich to be able to share? Do we need to have everything in the world to be able to share? Must sharing be in a form of material? Or simply anything can be shared?

To me, a simple act of kindness is sharing. It need not to be from someone you know well, it is not a lengthy heart-touching speech, it is not about every diamond and gold that you pour on earth. It may be just a simple smile, a hand that helps in time of despair, an ear that listens, a wisdom/knowledge that is shared together...

I have just returned from the trip to Taize Poznan. There was this one night when everyone entering the hall was given a candle. Somehow I missed it. I was "candleless". I was too lazy to go to the entrance to collect my candle. So, I sat down quietly, praying. Not for the candle, of course.

As the prayer ceremony started, people started to light the candle and pass it on. I was sitting there looking at what people were doing. Basically the whole hall of thousands of youths were trying to light their candles. The guy on my left was looking at me candleless and was looking for some people with lit candles to light up his.

And after a minute or two, I noticed that the girl sitting at my right was trying to melt her candle. She was holding her candle horizontally, and her friend beside her held the other lighted-candle trying to burn the first candle. As it melted the first candle into two, the girl lit the first half and passed the short-halved lit candle to me, smiling, "You can have this."

I took the candle, somehow tears filled my eyes. At that specific moment, I was just touched by her little action. I forgot to mentioned that the second halved candle that she has in hand wasn't able to be lighted, maybe because of the wax that melted from the process of halving the candle. Yet she passed me the lighted half, instead of the waxed half. I passed her back the lighted one, which obviously she refused to accept. But still I exchanged with her. But it was time to blow our candles off. It is a memorable halved candle.

A simple act of sharing is not about every money one has, it's not about sharing the whole world that you have. A simple smile, a simple halved candle is a touching sharing story for me. The candle is broken during my journey back. But for me, it is a memorable unlightable candle that reminds me the true meaning of sharing ... ...