Roast pork hock

Hmm..stuck at discussion part for my dissertation so decided to blog. Grr..mind block lor..praying for inspiration. Was doing it in the morning before I went out and continued after I got back but only did like a small paragraph! Hope it'll be better tmr and the rest of the week!!

So anyway I decided to go to Halesowen partly cos there's a 99p shop there so see if I could get the art pipe cleaners and I wanted to cook roast pork hock! Anyway, today the bus took longer than usual so took like 45min to get there! Should have taken me 32min. Checked out the 99p shop but it didn't have..only had the giant ones to make 4 insects. So then went to check out the butchers..only 1 left..usually there'll be like 4 or 5. But cos I didn't want to carry it around, I decided to go to ASDA first. Saw a peppa pig raincoat but it came with fur lining so not suitable for my niece! The other one is like a windbreaker kind lor. Will still keep a lookout for it. I bought nectarines and garlic from ASDA cos they were on offer. Oh..the peaches I bought from Aldi are soo juicy and sweet!! I'm a big fan of stone fruits so I'm very happy when summer comes..haha! Went back to the butchers to get the pork hock, yes, heng while I was in ASDA, no one bought. I asked if he had another one and I don't know what he said but ans was no. Haha..on my way back dropped in at Tesco to get the mixed nuts and raisins. Strange that the carrots at ASDA and Tesco all don't look that fresh..

Came home and marinated the pork hock. The skin looks a bit different from usual and smelled it..not sure if it's gammon (ie. cured) so didn't add any salt to the marinade.

Oh btw, this morning L told me she had to send C to uni cos he's working there for a week and he was running late. Wonder what he's working as..but L told C that she doesn't even have to send me to Uni. Ya, indeed, that day I was late for the attachment I also didn't want to bother her. Anyway, is cos have the mindset that I've to be independent and don't rely on others too much.

Oh, I also emailed my HR to ask her to help me book air tix back...she replied quite fast surprisingly and said usually we have to do it by ourselves..but she'll get back to me by this week. Hope can la..else I'll have to find an agency to do for me and then maybe sign credit card (cos I checked online..the option I was looking at is £3+k!!! That's the route I came by..)

**Added: and presenting my roast pork hock...roasted it for about 1.5h! It's not gammon, thankfully..but the skin didn't crisp. I knew something is not right when I saw it raw..hah

Other view of it

And this was my dinner for today and tomorrow!

origami fun!

Had a minister whom I haven't met before today in church and I was quite taken aback cos she had a bit pinkish hair and dressed very casually..white casual pants with dark coloured underwear! My goodness..after that I asked M where she was from (cos she had a different accent) and said I was surprised when I saw the way she dressed and look. Then M told me she's from Oldbury (which is Black Country area) and she used to have v pink hair!

I probably didn't mention that I was given a Brain Injury handbook while on attachment at the clinic..and it was just so heavy to bring back and I googled and found an online copy. Anyway it is targetted at caregivers so the content is pretty known to me. So I decided to bring to church and see if Ch or M want to have it. And I passed to Ch and she happily took it. And I made some origami yday and asked Ch if I should make these for the craft fair too. She was so impressed and said I was clever..haha! And discussed about the craft fair with her too.

Clockwise from bottom: Butterfly, fish, lily and crane

Came home and googled for more ideas for origami cos I felt like making some useful kind and sell them. So my "booth" will be selling and teaching. So I tried making these bookmarks with magazine paper...they are more complicated so will be hard to teach on the spot. Besides, I will need to refer to the instructions..so I will likely make these to sell (if I have time before the event). And I will likely go n get some craft papers too if I can find them cheaply.

Anyway this morning I was reading Sunday Times online and the "hot" topic now was abt NLB removing some children's book titles due to inappropriate content like homosexuality and single parent family. The world is indeed changing and people's mindsets are fast becoming too loose. I wonder what happened to our Asian values and beliefs.

Tmr plan to go ASDA (likely the one at Halesowen) or Aldi and maybe another day this week go West Bromwich. I've quite a few things to buy from West Brom! Anyway today's weather was about 17-19°C. It's such a big change from yesterday!

caught travel bug but control first!

Today woke up ard 5+am with the feeling of nose bleed again..had that once in London while on hol with my parents and it was also when I was in bed. Had it twice after that first time too..but it's not the typical nose bleed where blood flows down rapidly..this time I was lazy to go to toilet to blow my nose or clean so I stuck tissue in my nostrils and tried to sleep back.. Didn't sleep well cos scared flow out again..when I finally woke up ard 8.30am, the tissue was v dry..so I'm guessing that the cause of my nose bleeds is cos of the VERY dry air. I've tried putting a tray of water at my bedside since the last time I had it..so apparently it's of not much use. Had read up online on TCM point of view what nose bleed may mean and it's over heaty. So drank liang teh the whole day today. To me nose bleeds are unusual, unlike my bro who had it quite often when he was younger. But not to be too worried cos I seriously think is cos of the dry environment.

Anyway today continued with my "results" part and emailed my sup some questions on how to present some parts of the results. Late afternoon started to work on my "discussion" part. In between that, I was itching to plan my trip after I submit my dissertation and before sup gets back to me...then I thought possibilities could be Belfast (Ireland) for Giant's Causeway (flights about £82-100+ depending on time of flight). Ryanair doesn't fly to Belfast..only to Dublin but should not have a problem getting a coach there. Other possibilities are Cambridge or York or Tewkesbury (part of Costwolds which we missed during the road trip with mum and dad) by train (fares less than £40 return)...then I went to search for day tours from Birmingham and found a coach company that does day excursions! I think they bring people there and back..the first excursion they have is to Blackpool on 30th July and only £10! I emailed them to doublecheck that it's for return trip...in their leaflet it says they provide min 5 hrs at each destination depending on traffic...so likely they just give a dep time and drive back. And what's more, there's a pick up in Harborne and Bearwood, near my place! So I don't have to travel far to be picked up! Sounds good leh! They have other destinations on diff days too. Shared with my clique of classmates too..see if anyone is keen. But the journey to Blackpool will be quite long..prob 3h?? Cos it's even further up northwest than Manchester and Liverpool!! Shall see how things go..hv to control till I more or less finish my dissertation..haha!

Today was very warm..ok..to me..it was 24.3°C at 2pm. Sunny without much wind...and I don't have air con or fan in my room! Was complaining to my relatives in our group chat then they say I chum liao when I go back SG. Haha..indeed! I'll probably hide in air conditioned places! And I think I do my dissertation until blur liao..I checked from photos that my cousin's son was born in 2007 yet I said 8yo..maybe cos I counted the candles on the cake was 8! Thanks to such apps, it's great to be connected despite being overseas..hehe!

Anyway, finally saw L today and asked how she was..seems tt she kept throwing up yday but no diarrhoea..and she suspect she didn't wash her hands after handling the partially uncooked chicken for Poppy. Good that she's better now.

Oh, and I couldn't tahan my bedside table looking dusty so cleaned it and also wiped my toilet floor. I've been holding off cleaning (except vacuuming) cos busy with dissertation lor..haha!

Cooked pan-fried fish with couscous today for dinner. Supposed to keep half the fish for tomorrow (cos kept half portion of the couscous for tomorrow but I was distracted and put all on my dinner plate. Only realised I didn't keep after I finished my dinner. HAHA! Tmr prob cook bratwurst to eat with it. Anyway I used the harissa paste for the fish and it really reminds me of sambal..good alternative for vegetarians..but not spicy enough la..haha..

Pan-fried fish with rose harissa paste with lemon and coriander couscous (this is half portion of the pack) with vege and mushrooms

Lidl and Aldi shopping

Got a call from yi this morning cos she asked if I wanted a blouse..but cos of time zone difference, I was still asleep. So only replied her when I switched on my hp and she said she had already bought it. Haha..thank u!

After deciding for some time where to head to today, I decided to go to Lidl. Lidl is something like Aldi, sell like brands cheaper. Anyway I was tempted to buy the almond croissant but only left 3 and it was only 3 for £1! Moreover all the pastries and breads are exposed except the bigger loaves. I am still quite particular when it comes to exposed food...and especially when I was there about 1+pm, not early in the morning when they just open. Anyway, I bought a bar of whole nut chocolate (thanks to my mum who told me the bar we bought from similar store in Germany is vv good..choc nice and nuts fresh), frozen seasoned pork ribs (as I saw online), muesli (bought since it claimed to be some food winner..haha..and thought I should give other brands a try) and instant mee and couscous. I do miss instant mee lor! Haven't had it since I came!! And then I saw what I had been wanting to buy - olives stuffed with almonds!! I first ate it at Pam's parents' house..and thought it's interesting cos usually the olives are stuffed with cheese or paprika paste. One thing I don't like about today's experience and the past experience at Lidl is the staff are not as friendly as Aldi's (I compare with Aldi cos the set up and concept is v similar).

After that headed to Aldi to buy some fruits. I was supposed to buy grapefruit at Lidl but completely forgot cos I thought I will take it later. They were only 25p each! Anyway, end up only bought peaches on offer cos no more cherries. Bought Bratwurst too.

Today I was out in berms and tshirt again and my goodness, the bus so warm! Today's temp was about 23°C and I'm complaining! Like mum said, it's different kind of heat here as compared to SG.

Oh, L is sick today...heard from C she got food poisoning or stomach flu but he said salmonella. Said something about yday's chicken she prob didn't cook it well. Strange cos I thought C cooked lamb curry ma..how come she cooked her own. But seriously, it's not surprising cos I see the way she handles food and stuff...it's surprising that I didn't get it *touchwood* For one, we use the same chopping board for cooked and raw food..then she can take the spoon out of sink to reuse to stir her coffee..hmm..the thought of it a bit gross la. That day I was shocked when I saw her use the dish cloth to wipe Poppy's mouth after she ate!! My goodness..and some time ago, she ownself tell me she bought a set of cloths just for dishes and we put the dirtier looking one to be used for wiping.

Oh yes, passed by my church today and my advertisement for the craft and wool fair is up! Haha..quite nice looking..hehehe! It's the only notice with pictures!

As for dissertation, I finally finished counting my articles..so I can finish writing up results part tmr, hopefully. Oh, and Sil told me her tentative leave period so I'll probably be able to decide on my dep date (likely early Sept!) and ask if HR able to help me book. I also bought the Summer student travelcard for bus today..ends on 6 Sept. Seems like it'll be just nice if I leave ard that time too..and my rent ends 4 Sept but of course I can extend and pay more accordingly. Shall see how!

Rose Harissa Chicken baked rice

Ate my leftover baguette and honey mustard chicken from yesterday. Made it for lunch yday. And I opened the Cranberry and Orange tea I got from ASDA..I quite like it!

Washed my sheets today and I was "late" to take it out of the laundry machine and they were hung in the garden. I hurriedly took them up to my room instead. I know the sun is good to sun things..but there's no proper clothesline in the garden and they usually put their laundry on the garden chairs and table and fence. I don't like cos the paint on the garden chairs and tables are peeling..and I am afraid I'll forget to keep them too..haha

Anyway continued with my "results" part today. I've kinda finished writing the summary for each article. Not sure if I've to calculate the odds ratio and confidence intervals myself cos I saw one systematic review do that. Hmm..anyway, tmr or Sat can do up the results part and finalise it. If I'm done then shall continue with the discussion part.

Opened the rose harissa paste to try today. When I smelled it, it reminded me of sambal!! I cooked chicken with it and added rice (baked them). Not as nice as I expected though..haha..think it'll go better with fish!! Shall try it the next time!

Mum told me our Tampines MP went to our house yesterday and happen that my bro, sis-in-law and niece were there too...asked them to have Jubilee baby! HAHAH!

My bro sent this article for me to read in whatsapp =0 Tell me to go and search for guys. Hmmm...no time now la!

Thought of going out tomorrow..at first thought West Brom but I don't have anything in particular to buy except fruits and kiv luggage tags but I might need to go there and buy the pipe cleaner next week after discussing with Ch from church how much materials to prepare. I also can teach origami actually..shall ask them what they would like me to "showcase".

Got to know that today was the HMDP award for this year..4 of my colleagues got this year and 2 for masters and 2 for overseas attachments. And boss reminded me via whatsapp that mine from last year is still with her. Hahaa. Last year they held it later and was postponed cos of haze so when they finally held it, I was already overseas. So I guess this year they are smarter to have it earlier! Anyway got to know my boss has high hopes and expectations of me lor! Grrr..stressful..but good la..shows that I'm valued. HA! Then also asked if she wants anything from here and she said a 2015 diary. I also plan to get one myself if they are out by the time I leave! Oh ya, and she told me to let HR know early if I need them to get air tix for me...so I asked Sil if she's confirm coming over then I can decide departure date. But her leave also not approved yet. Probably will ask the period she took leave and perhaps I'll leave after she leaves so I can tie things up. Don't think I can go hol and leave straightaway after the hols cos I will need to do packing. Anyway told Sil that I'll likely have to take Lufthansa and SQ but she might not need to go that route to save $. Shall see how la.

adventurous attachment day!

It was such an adventure this morning!!! I had checked my route and knew I had to change bus at Five Ways and cos I did go to Moseley once for the markets the first month I arrived, I roughly knew where to change bus at (outside Tesco). But alas! I freaked out when I got to the bus stop and double-checked the bus timings and it read 12+ and so on!! Then the live departures also didn't indicate the bus no.(bus 1)! So had to use data to access google maps to find alternative. I know there was another bus number that goes there but didn't check where to take it from cos didn't intend to take it. So anyway the alternative route was to walk 20min to somewhere and get a bus. But I wasn't familiar with the somewhere and didn't want to waste time waiting for maps to load. So I relied on my directional sense to walk to the next parallel road cos I was quite sure that will be Bristol Road (that leads to Selly Oak and my Uni) and I guess there should be more buses to Moseley from there. Then I ended up on Pershore Road and kept walking and checked the buses that go too but it was quite a long road. So took a bus down the straight road. I had been praying and knew I was running late (I reached Five Ways ard 8.30am and walked for about 15-20min before I got on a bus. Then called the clinic to inform the OT that I'll be late and the receptionist was v nice and said the OT is not in yet and I can come when I am able to. Anyway, got on the bus then I saw Aldi and the cricket ground..familiar place cos that was where L brought me before on the first few days tt I arrived. And I remembered bus 1 passed there and I saw one just leave! So got down n got to the bus stop. Lucky me, another bus 1 arrived shortly..got off a bus stop later than planned so walked quite a way to the main entrance of the hospital. The outpatient clinic was nearer the back entrance. Had prayed the whole time and God answered my prayer and I eventually made my way! Had thought of taking a cab but here not like SG, can flag down a cab...probably can do that with black cabs at taxi stands but for private hires, they have to be prebooked and means u have to call then wait for them. Doesn't this make you appreciate SG more?

Great that I managed to reach just 15min late...but waited a while for the other colleagues to orientate me. Seems that the OT had expected me at 9.30am..hmm..thought she said 9am in her email. But anyway the OT whom I have been emailing had to do a worksite visit last min so arranged for her colleagues to be with me first. The clinic's services were great...and the OT I've been liaising with is so passionate about work rehab!! So v nice chatting with her...and the team works so closely and so welcoming to students on attachments (there was a PT and psychologist trainee on attachment too). When I gave the goodies to the OT, she was surprised and said I shouldn't have. But I think it's the least cos they spent time showing me around and telling me about their services etc. Anyway I was also surprised that clients (as what we call them instead of patients) were willing to talk to me too cos after all, I'm asian. Oh...another OT heard I'm from SG and said she had seen an ad for OT in SG too..and I was telling her how long hours we work and how many clients we see and the weather is much more humid and warmer than here..then she said but the air conditioning is sooo good. Hahahaa! Anyway think their working hours is like 9am-4.30pm?! I was off ard 3+pm, close to 4pm but that was cos the team had meeting. Clients generally come in 10am-3.15pm. Quite a nice environment to work in..

The vocational workshop doing woodwork and art

Same workshop but other side of it

Gym for individual sessions and Tai Chi groups

The open area leading to the garden

The garden where clients do gardening

Garden area

Anyway after this visit, got to think about how to improve our work rehab services in my hosp. Somehow I think this setting is similar to our Rehab Centre in AMK...so the OTs there should be trained more in work rehab or I could provide some input to benefit clients transiting back to their worklife after some medical condition. This outpatient clinic specialises mainly in acquired brain injury so means strokes, brain tumours, traumatic brain injury due to RTA or fall from height etc. whereas the clients I see at work rehab clinic can be referred from any discipline! Oh, and this visit made me realise how much I miss chatting with clients and healthcare professionals. Never realise I'll miss that..hahaha! But I do know I miss chatting with clients esp during one period that I had to do more admin and liaison work.

Back to solving the bus mystery..., I took bus 1E which indicated Five Ways to change bus to get home then I understood how I didn't get the right route. The bus sort of U-turned just before Five Ways shopping centre where I had wanted to change the bus and did a loop service. So then came home and rechecked the route and it did say Five Ways but behind the words, was Morrisons, which is the stop outside the supermarket (before the big roundabout) and to catch the bus 1 was Five Ways, whatever road name, which was a stop away from opp Tesco stop. So it meant that the bus 1 doesn't stop at Five Ways Tesco on weekday mornings but start service from the stop after!!! So it was MY mistake for assuming Five Ways was that bus stop outside Tesco. Now I know that there bus stops near there are all named Five Ways followed by exact bus stop. Arghs! Funnily, the bus operates at that bus stop on Sat mornings (which was when I took to go to the farmers' market last time). So learnt my lesson to read bus stop name properly and preferably open map to see!

Anyway on my way back stopped by Waitrose. Had wanted to buy nuts from Tesco cos I thought I would end up there to change bus anyway but cos the bus didn't go there, I didn't bother to specially go there la. Well, the reason I wanted to go to Waitrose was cos LT told me about this sauce tt her husband's pt got for her so wanted to buy and try. First time in Waitrose in Bham..had been to one in London cos SK's nearest supermarket was Waitrose. Took me a while to find it. They didn't have the sauce so bought the paste instead. I also guess that paste will last me longer? And I saw that there was another similar paste too but by Waitrose..but anyhow, bought this to try. Probably will try cooking with it tmr. Seems like can be used as marinade or cooking sauce. There's quite a lot of recipes for use with it. Btw, it's Mediterranean.

Oh, everyone seemed to be talking about the football match last night, including the clients...and LT sent me these

Tmr shall continue with my dissertation. I am aiming to finish my results part by this weekend and then continue my discussion part next week. Hopefully I can combine all the parts together the week after and that will probably be the week to submit my draft dissertation. Might go West Brom on Fri..see how things go. Oh, and I've decided to cook my Singaporean meal for church people on 10th Aug, a day after National day! And I'll be showing slideshow of SG and my life..haha..so those of you reading this, ur faces might appear! I'm quite looking forward to it! Anyway for the meal, the main dish will be chicken rice but I'll have to sort out logistics later with M. I chose chicken rice cos it's easy to cook and quite neutral to the tastebuds. I'll probably have kaya toasts as sides too and maybe peanut cookies. Not sure what dessert to prepare yet or should kaya toast be dessert since it's sweet?! Haha..too bad here no pandan..and if agar agar, I'll hv to go Chinese supermart to buy. Had thought of making brown sugar and coconut milk jelly but using gelatine but think it'll not have the same texture. Do let me know if you've any suggestions for dessert! It's not expected of me but I just thought it'll be nice to do a 3 course meal kind of thing.

dissertation going well so far...

Went to ASDA this morning ard 9+am. It has been some time since I'm out of the house before 12pm except Sundays. I went early cos I didn't want to be caught in the forecasted heavy rain shower in the afternoon! But anyway, as I suspected, the fresh breads were not fully out yet...so didn't have my ciabatta bread! I wanted to ask the bakers but I didn't see any cooling on the racks so maybe they haven't baked that in the mornings. So settled for a granary baguette. Bought mushrooms, broccoli and frozen chicken portions too since forecast is also rain for end of the week..just thought I'll stock up. Went and came back within an hour.

Today didn't get to video call with my niece cos my bro wasn't well, didn't go over to my parents' house. So continued to work on my dissertation. Have started writing summary of results of 3 studies. 7 more to go! I've to be careful of my word limit too. Oh yes, my supervisor actually replied my email this morning!! Most prompt reply so far! Praise the Lord! Cos I expected her to take a few days to reply. So anyway confirmed that I should present my results according to the study design and then discussion part will be according to intervention/outcome. Sounds logical to me now.

In the midst of doing my dissertation, LT and then YQ whatsapped me. So timely...LT had msged me at my midnight with pic of her two kids. Awww..see already really heart melt..so pretty and handsome. Mixed blood really vv good looking! And then later in the afternoon she continued the conversation..and she reminded me that 4 years ago, I was sort of her bridesmaid. Then I realised yes, she had her ROM on 8th July 2010!! Went to see the photos...how fast time flies! She was also telling me about this Rose Harissa sauce/paste that her husband's pt's gave him that she thought was v nice..so after deciphering what brand it was, found it on Sainsbury's website and then Waitrose website. Might buy for her only if I've luggage space..then she told me to try it myself and if really good then consider buying cos she said she might have too high expectations of it now. So might go and buy tomorrow on my way home. Then after tt YQ msged to say she misses me. *shy* It's really v nice to know people think of me..hahah..PF also msg to say her hol is over and she's back in London..haha.

Oh ya, and I called my ah ma too ard 12+pm (7+pm in SG) and my uncle answered the call..chatted with him for a while..then he said ah ma went out..so I called an hour later again and she still wasn't back! And I thought she'll surely be at home on weekday nights! Hahaha..so busy! She must have gone for her temple's "homegroup". Probably try again on Thur.

Early start of the day tmr. I've to leave my house ard 7.50am to get to the hospital by 9am! How I wish I drive la..cos it will only take 20min by car cos can cut across southeastwards from my place but by bus I've to take to city and change. Oh well. Only for one day. I'm quite excited about tomorrow! It'll be my first time in a UK healthcare facility! I was watching a show yesterday and there was something about recruiting European nurses here cos apparently it's hard to find nursing jobs in Europe but UK has a shortage. Not bad..Besides it's not too far from home either.

Oh ya, was calculating my hp credits cos was seeing if I can get data plan just for tmr..it is 20p for the first 20MB and then 20p/MB after that. So went to check what can one do with 20MB and I think if I'm just limiting myself to receiving and sending msgs on chats and only on my way there or during my break times tmr, maybe can consider. Shall see how tomorrow.

Going to heat up my frozen soup for dinner tonight and then prepare my honey-mustard chicken for tmr's sandwich!

*Added: L apologised while preparing their dinner for thawing my pork shoulder chops by mistake. As guessed, she thought it was Poppy's. She thought it was ham. Then I wonder since when she freeze ham..hah..anyway, she offered to buy pork chops to return. Told her it's ok. Well, shall see about that...