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 :)

No Water Day

This is a long post. So drink water, prepare your popcorns. Nothing important, nothing special, just something simple. :P

This month I have so many things / topics that are good to blog about, more for my personal memory though, LOL. My birthday celebration---last time in Ukraine, because in the future most probably will be only in Malaysia (unless, of course, if I go traveling, hahaha), my camping experience in Crimea, my last day of class in Simferopol, my city without water...ARGH!!! Yet, time is so little, especially when exams around the corner.

But I must write this blog. Ok, not must but --- I wanted to, of course. It is a no-water-day, Simferopol have no water supply. Precisely, on 12.05.2010, a Wednesday night, I saw this "no water supply from 13/5, 5am to 14/5, 3pm" on the undeniably influential and powerful FaceBook post, by dear DP. DIE!!! When my class ended on 7th May 2010, I am nearly 24-hours in hostel room. No water, is like a living hell, especially the toilet + no bathing !!! *Sob Sob* Luckily, my period is not coming yet *blush*

Then some of us boringly talked about 13/5's dinner, of course, I will be taking the easy way out --- Eat Out!!! Then here is an interesting phone conversation :

Me : So you wanna join me eating out or not?
DP : Huh?! Eat out when there is no water???
Me : Then when? Eat out when there is water supply?
DP : That maybe dirty! They may not even wash the meat and fish.
Me : So you think they'll wash the meat and fish properly when there is water supply???
DP : Hmm, true though.

Ok, ok! I guess I know what you think. They do clean their products when there is water supply??? I don't know. However, I do have confidence in the kitchen staffs' etiquette :P But under these circumstances, I would say that as long as I don't see it, I think it is fine.

And I was told by WeiMin and SyihYing that 1/3 of Simferopol has no water supply because the Lake that supply this region is under cleaning process. WHAT??? Cleaning and you need to cut off our water supply??? Is this logical? Do you suck out every drops of the lake water and store it in a huge gigantic tank and then clean the bottom of the lake??? Does it make any sense? Why are they making our life miserable?

On 9th May, the hostel has no water because the pipe in front of our hostel burst, then now this! Every year (for 6 freaking years) there will be such incidentssss (not once but FREQUENTLY, especially spring/summer when we sweat and stink) ARGH!!! Why can't they just make a good quality pipe??? Can't they see that the cost of using Cheaplak Pipe is higher in the long run??? Somemore, no hot water supply in Summer, more precisely around end May-June. They think their cold water is like Malaysia's. But, hell NO. It's ICE cold water!!! Ah, nevermind, I get used to it (Hmm, have I really???)

But fortunately, the water came at about 6.30am Friday, when I heard the flow of water in the bathroom. What a relief!!! I rushed at the very moment of hearing it, switched off the tap, get back to bed and got up at 7.30am (Just can't wait any longer) to take my refreshing bath...Hmm, so nice!

So now, back to my dinner on Thursday, 13/5 --> I went to "Opex" (English = Nuts, yes that's Russian *wink*) for my dinner with 7 other friends. I have been hearing good comments about it for quite a while. But I think it's a little bit over-rated. The place is actually quite beautiful. Especially the windmill at the entrance is rather captivating. And now that the spring - summer is around the corner, eating open air is just simply sweet. I like the outside decoration of the cafe, especially the ambiance, the drapery curtains, the rattan furniture...

6th Years

Interior

Ying (Top Student) & Min in the windmill

I ordered a Mushroom Cream Soup, Duck with Apple, Boiled Potatoes with Butter and a cup of Chocolate Milkshake, paying a 10%-tax-inclusive uah62.70 (€6.27). Seriously, eating out in Ukraine (if compared to traveling in Europe) is cheap. How can you get less than €10 for a FULL 3-4 course meal with a drink (my friends'), especially for those richer countries using €€€/Pound Sterling? But of course, it's because we are (ok, I am) poor that I have to opt for Ukraine to study. Therefore, eating out constantly is, of course, not a good idea :) Food in Opex I'd give a 70%; but the service is good, I'd put a 85% *Applause*. Just the seats inside the windmill is too too dusty, even to just take a picture :P

When food has not arrived yet

I love this shot! Thank you, SyihYing!

Reading or posing?



Khiu & See Choo

Jackie being "Yeng"

So below will be stretch of picturesssss which I hope will speak for themselves. Prices (if any) are before adding the 10% service tax :D

Creamy Mushroom Soup 14uah

Fish Soup ... " Yxa " 15uah

Shurpa 14uah

Caesar Salad, uah 25

"Okean" Salad, uah28

Mutton, price by weight

Pork Ribs, uah17-18/100g

Pork Roll, by weight

Duck with Apple, uah 25 per plate

Pork, by weight

Fries 6uah

Seafood Rice, 9uah

Dessert --- Ice-Cream uah18

Everyone is busy taking pictures or posing :P

I simply just like this picture, such a coincident to have the same expression on both of them, good shot!


My whole set
A mushroom soup (picture somewhere above) 14uah
Duck with Apple, 25 uah
Boiled potatoes with Butter, 6 uah
Chocolate Milkshake 12 uah

I am that uncivilized, using hands and fingers.

Waiting for the bill :)

Total = uah 591.25

Yan Lee & Izman


Hugging the Top Student

Eat till the night falls

We think he is the owner

New Header

I was looking at some picture for headers of my blog. And I stumble upon this (here)very familiar one and I decided to use it. It's so relevant to my current location --- UKRAINE

See, how beautiful it is! It's totally very typical for the Ukrainians. The sunflower, the blue sky and of course the lady in the traditional Ukrainian costume. Marvelous, isn't it? Ok, anyway I don't care whether you agree or not, because personally I like this header hahaha (But, I don't think you will disagree that it's pretty :P Contradicting myself??? LOL).

So then, I decided this shall be my header till I found another one, or maybe when I leave Ukraine. And, just for the information of anyone who accidentally stumble upon this article, the Ukrainian flag is like --- Well, the blue is of course the sky and the yellow for the sunflower. Trust me, it's significant and very obvious. Look at the bouquet of flower below which the authorities has placed it in the main lecture hall of Bogomolets National Medical University in Kyiv. And then, the next picture is the Health Minister of Ukraine, whom I do not know the name. Next, you can see me attending the International Scientific and Practical Conference, which is specially devoted for the World Health Day 2010, hehe.

08.04.2010

And finally, please don't get me wrong. I still love my country --- Malaysia. *wink*