Yes, I admit. I have a bad habit of admiring and arranging my toiletries. I'm having a long weekend because of the harvest festival here in Sabah, but am using my time doing a little locum for some pocket dough, just in time for my trip to Keningau on Tuesday to attend Christina and Jason's wedding, which can come handy. It's so weird that despite my wardrobe bursting with clothes, I can't find a thing that would be suitable for a garden wedding. Probably because mainly that my clothes were mostly in pitch black and casual. But Chris has assured me that the whole thing would be simple so I need not worry about any dress code. So I may just wear something I wore for my sis' wedding more than a year ago. Will see.

Imagine my delight just now when I spotted my favourite local "Sabah" vegetable outside the nearby sundry shop that I frequent EOD to get my foodstuff. I absolutely have no idea what it's called but it's has a silky, slippery texture that tastes absolutely delicious stirred fried with garlic and ikan bilis. Today work was crazy. I had to scan about 50 pregnant ladies, insert 3 IUCDs, manage a few bleedy miscarriages, and a handful of pregnant ladies with high blood pressure with impending fits. Luckily I brought home the some 300 PAP smear results to review last night or else I wouldn' have time to get to it today. But the great thing about my situation is that everything comes to a hault at 5pm. In spite of the workload, I would't trade it for my former internship days when night or day was immaterial, so were personal hygiene and basic human needs. But I do miss the wards and procedures. Another of my favourite cosmetic product is TheFaceShop lip colour pallette, especially the pink one. Sweet.

I'm obsessed with these at the moment, to the point that I wash my hair eventhough it's not due. It's just so yummy the smell, and my hair gets really soft and shiny after it's blown dry, and the afterwash frizz is surprisingly very minimal. Even my very expensive Loreal shampoo, conditioner, hair mask and leave-on conditioner are no comparison. I'm getting very bored in the outpatient clinics. I feel like my learning process has reached a plateau. Currently I'm manning both the children and antenatal clinics by myself because of the shortage of doctors. I see a lot of patients a day but it's so routine and dull, and I'm left out there to fend for myself. I don't have somebody to supervise me and teach me new stuff. I'm contemplating of applying for a transfer to the hospital. I belive it won't be hard to get a placement because they are also terribly short at the moment. I'll give it more thought after my trip to Keningau next week to attend a dear friend's wedding. Have to fly to KK and make 2-hour road trip and return to Sandakan in 48hours. Couldn't get more days off.

It is a little denerving for me that I have to sign a "fit" form for firearm license for many people working in the estates here because there isn't a guideline from the police as to how an applicant is fit. What is worse is that most of the applicants I see are above 65years! The forms consist of a simple eye test and BP measurement and a section for applicant testimony to no underlying medical illness. My boss added the extra chest X-ray and ECG for applicants above 50years. Otherwise, that's it. Disturbing right? Nothing about whether they are tremulous or psychotic. "Oh no, I thought I was shooting at a moose! I didn't realize it was my son-in-law pretending to be a moose!" Yeah right, a moose in this part of the world?

Sandakan has more potholes than all the potholes in Sabah combine! Let me add that the potholes are unavoidable ones because Sandakan only has one main road to everywhere, since the highway is still under construction. I really pity my poor car. Let me add also that the potholes are super gigantic meteorite-hit holes. And dangdut bands are obscene. Imagine my shock when I attended a Muslim wedding ceremony in a suburban area of Sandakan expecting to find an event steep in culture and tradition, only to be rudely awaken by a loud obnoxious band with 3 slutty singers in cloth-devoid costumes and black fishnet stockings and above-booty minis screaming through the mics and head-banging cum very raunchy tiger show. And the audience consisted of very old guests in songkoks and tudungs in the front row and rowdy adoslescents in the back, whistling and making catcalls. And just next to the chaos was a beautiful classy light pink stage with the most beautiful pink roses, where the couple sat happily, oblivious to the riot just about 10metres away from them. They must be so into each other, yes enough to tie the knot, but enough to not be bothered by the obscenity at their wedding party?

I'm on my 10th day off rice, noodles, pasta and all the "white carbs" and it's not hard at all. I initially thought that being very chinese it would be hard for me to resist my kolo mee and char kway tiaw on top of my passion for pastas. But really I'm enjoying my salads and beans and lean chicken. And though the scales have not budged, I'm feeling lighter and cleaner (inside) every day. Importantly, I believe this would be a sustainable habit or lifestyle, not so much a diet regime. I really want to live a healthier way. My struggle would be exercising regularly. I really love to swim but the chlorin is very unkind to my hair and skin. So am banking on the gym at the moment. Wish me luck.