tissue please

I just ingested a tablet of Loratadine (antihistamine) for my annoying flu. Been almost a week now since I catch a cold. So it means winter is here. This is my annual routine every winter. Cold, flu, runny nose etc.

Fun, right? Because I've demanded so much for the chilled temperature. So face it la.

It's pretty irritating when I feel like sneezing,so my eyes start to water on both sides and my nose feels slightly itchy, but the sneeze won't come out. I. WANT. TO. SNEEZE! Like come on! But it's so funny when you can't stop sneezing, like a contagious one, they keep come out from your nose. What a satisfaction hahaha.

(What kind of girl are you talking so much about sneeze)

I'm afraid you will laugh if you look at me now. I totally look like a woman in a confinement. With long dress (very comfortable and toilet-friendly too hehe), with a cardigan on, with socks on. Anddd now with a small handkerchief to wipe my unstoppable nasal secretion (yucks hahaha).

So my daily routine now include me immersing myself inside a thick blanket, hugging my pillows, watching series of Korean dramas on my laptop. I would place a small coffee table besides me for me to do my homework (or any work). Study desk is now going to be so lonely.

Also my appetite becomes so wild now. I feel like eating so often. I have weird urge to eat now and what's scary is I have specific things I want to eat. This also has something to do with hormone actually.

But now, there's this new batch of mucus coming. Tissue, please?

Hahaha.

Dear Future Me 2

Read Dear Future Me 1 here.

Dear Future Me, 

I know you are afraid to receive this letter. Because by the time you receive this letter you will be 30. Don't bother to slap your face, it's true. You are 30. Hahaha. You're counting your wrinkles, no?

So 2020 has been great so far? Any flying cars over there? It's 2015 now here, you are 25 year old lady. But still pretending to be a teenager, of course because you are surrounded by teenage classmates haha.

Well, I'd like to tell you in case you are already forgot that your 20's is so much fun. You were one happy girl. Your only problem was assignment. But still going to school was something fun you ever did. Going to lecture halls and laughed with friends. You think you were funny enough, so you cracked jokes all the time. Your classmates seemed to find you funny, so they laughed along. It's really fun.

You were their class president, remember?

(You missed your campus life really bad, huh?)

You were one happy-go-lucky girl (I mean, woman). You sang just after you opened your eyes every morning. You enjoyed cooking (sometimes lazy also). You watched numerous series of Korean dramas. I bet you are jealous to reminisce this, no working lady?

And waking up late at whatever time you wanted. Actually, you thought you wanted to change your lifestyle especially your bad sleeping pattern. But that one, even your 25-year-old self would probably gave up already hehehe.

Okay, move to another topic. You work? What do you do for living? Pharmacist? Fun? On call is really fun, no? Lol. I know you are missing to be me, right? Hahaha.

How's family? Has the family expands so much? How's friends? Still keep in touch?

They were your source of happiness back then. Don't ever forget them.

So old lady, how many kids have you own now? 

Oh wait! You're finally married? Alhamdulillah then haha. So your husband is still the same Ameerul that I've dated now? Wow you tough girl - I mean he's the tough one here to stand your banyak songeh attitude  hehehe. So, has he stopped smoking? Vape off already? Hahaha. So probably the headache has finally disappeared, right? Or another headaches come now? 

Well, woman. No matter what are you doing now. What problems are you facing now.

 I believe you know that life isn't going to be easy all the time. But remember this, you are one tough lady. You've suffered from so many challenges before. You weren't able to get to study in local university before. You survived staying in Egypt for years and away from family. 

You see? Allah has his way of showing you his endless blessings. Just be tough, Allah is there.

Okay wrinkled lady, your 25-year-old self is really feel like sleeping now. Because a student like me needs a lot of nap time hahaha. I'll see you 5 years later.

Take care. Be humble. Be cool. But still be awesome (Qistina's second law).

Much love, 

Just younger version of you.

(Nik Qistina, in front of Faculty of Pharmacy Zagazig University, 2015)

week 4 semester 7

Now, it is week 4 already?

It's true I'm looking forward to end this semester. Cause I'm excited for a winter break. Who doesn't love break/holiday?

And one more thing, I find it hard to survive in this hot weather, so I'm waiting for the temperature to chill a little bit. (Autumn doesn't usually comes this slow!)

But week 4 already now? Honestly, I'm afraid.

Because it means that mid term exams are approaching. Then I probably have no more time to be lazying around since I'll be contented by books for practical exams that will follow after that.

And final exams come.

#storyofpharmacystudent
#whatisrest

Sigh.

I'm starting to dislike my clinical year. It's boring. Most of subjects I've learnt aren't really my cup of tea. I'd prefer Pharmacology/Pharmacotheraphy. You know, things that deal with diseases and drugs. (That's why I have this dream to pursue a master degree in Pharmacology. But Pathology is a big no no).

Unlike Pharmaceutical Biotechnology now that teaches you on how to culture microbes. Gene cloning. Chromosome. DNA Recombinant. Vaccine. Or am I judging too soon? Still have lots more chapters to go.

And unlike Pharmaceutical Microbiology. So far, I learn about sterilization. How they want to make everything sterile by using machines. Machines again? Definitely not on my fav list.

But Controlled Drug Delivery System is fun. It's cool!

Well, I'm now rating my own course.

Guys, don't get me wrong. I love what I'm doing now. But of course I can sense all these boringness coming. I'm not complaining here, instead I'm thankful. To get a chance to study the course that I've ever liked.

But yawning every 30 minutes in class is forgivable right? Hahaha. At least I'm trying to stay focus - not playing with my phone! Lol. And sometimes I try to participate by asking few questions. Cause this is knowledge. No matter how boring it is (no offense, Dr Hesham), this is so important in the future.

Sigh.

headache

Technology seriously needs to slow down.

Who invented e-cigarette/vapor by the way?

I mean, thank you dude. You are probably going to get your own Nobel prize among your followers. But you just give me another headache instead.

Whoah, look at me growing up. Hahaha. I've got a headache over a man now (not cool guys, my future daughters can't read this).

Ameerul is a heavy smoker, no secret. His mom knew about this and probably has suffered from numerous episodes of headache. I can feel you. Cause now I think we are sharing the same headaches.

What's so good about smoking? It's not that his mom never tells him to stop. It's not that I never warn him about how dangerous smoking is.

I wanted to make smoking sounded scary for him, I would went like, "You know, almost all the diseases I've ever learnt at school are coming from smoking as co-factor".

He gave me promising responses after that. But that only lasted for few days. And now my tricks are useless.

And sometimes when we were out dating, I said, "Don't talk to me. You smell bad".

Yes, I am mean.

But not working.

I remember I hid his pack of cigarettes inside the flower vase at his house. He was so much restless trying to find that. (The same reaction I give when I find my favourite stores put up sale signs but I don't have much money to shop).

But I watched him in giggles. He's desperately begging me to give him that back. Of course I refused to do so. Then I sat with his mom at the dining table for teas, he watched me from afar, narrowing his eyes, and I could read his mouth said "Siap la you". Hahaha of course I laughed until his mom found this weird. But his mom agreed on not to give this up.

But I felt so irritated cause he's constantly and insanely begging me for that. So I gave up.

But now he moves to vapor. His initial intention is to stop smoking (which I have heard for almost 5 years now) so he gradually tries to do it slowly.

Well, good luck to you.

*I'm sure that Nobel prize inventor laughs at us now.

internship

Things I’d been looking forward last summer break; practical training attachment. Which happened to me at one of governmental hospitals just near to my house (5 mins by car – which explain why I always late cause I loved dragging time. Procrastination hahaha).

Well, only for 2 weeks. Which I think it was just so perfect. Not too long, yet not too short. And apparently, it’s actually just too short to learn new things in a new environment. But still, I’d prefer it that way. 2 weeks was enough. Hahaha.

Not-a-morning-person morning's face.

It was good. I’ve learn new things. I made friends. It’s really good to go back into the pharmacy and did all the pharmacy thingy that I used to do back then during my pharmacy-assistant days. You know, translating prescription (they are now practicing online prescribing which makes things so much easier – no more illegible handwriting. Well, another headache disappears hahaha), filling the meds, and all.

Andddd as I was going there as a pharmacist to be this time, of course there would be lots of new things that I’ve learnt. Drug doses, drug calculations, TPN and CDR stuffs, bedside counseling, bla bla bla.

I was interested. No tense. No pressure. 

Cause I really played an intern here. Means, you can be playful but you need to know when to learn. (Qistina's first law). Being an intern, it's all now depends on you - to learn or to just fulfill the logbook. 

I was being a pure student here. I asked questions if I didn't know. I read numerous drugs leaflets. I practiced on my drug doses calculations. I attended drug-related presentation. I went for bedside counselling at wards. And most of all, I attended almost all Eid open houses at every hospital departments - cause I thought I needed to play a student here (what is a shame? hahaha).

Plus the working environment there was so much fun. They're really a perfect sync team. Friendly. Still keep in touch with them. And they ate a lot - which I found it fun. 

And I realize there are so many things that I need to learn. I need to learn more!

So, Miss Faizah, anything you want from Egypt? *bribe* 

It comes to me that, when I heard people telling me how their studies and actual working life only have a little connection, it means not everything they learn are applicable in the real working life, I was like, “You are lucky! God chooses you!” Hahaha

Because in my field (and some other fields too), there’s 100% connection between things I learn and things I need to do as pharmacist. Theory and practical. In other words, even a word is so much important in my studies. Cause you’re going to practice it in a real life.

I may not remember all the things I’ve learnt. Or you do?

So maybe I need to just get married to books.

Bye.

*Grab dusted lecture notes*

teeth update

My teeth are lucky. They have their own blog update.

I remember I've told you how few brackets had fall off of my teeth. And I went for my first dental appointment after summer break hoping to get my teeth to be fixed as soon as possible.

I was quite nervous to see the dentist, I wonder how would doctor react to my broken braces. While waiting for my turn, I was anxiously went online on Twitter, read some tweets but I couldn't focus. I played games but my mind was already inside in the doctor's room.

My turn arrived. I lied down straightaway on the chair. Doctor asked me how was my holiday while asking me to open my mouth.

Dangg.

"Ooooh my god!" - First words from him.

"Am I that bad?" - my heart uttered some words.

"It couldn't have been so bad right? Of course I'm not his worst patient." - I convinced myself.

Of course. He would probably has met a lot more patients who have worse cases than this. Me? Oh, just few brackets fell off. (and actually the whole wire!)

He probably overreacted a little bit. But trust me, he is actually so cool.

And last week, he put on some more brackets on the lower side of teeth. This one, oh my god, I tell you they hurt me so much. In every way. You eat, you sleep, you talk. U can imagine how hurt it is to bite your own lips together with a metal piece.

"Whyyyyy" "Nooooooo" "Arghhhh" - just normal everyday's sayings now.

Ameerul, on the other hand seems so relax. He's acting cool. Cause he doesn't feel this. His only soothing words for me are, "It's normal. You want to be pretty right?"

Hmm. So motivational. #sarcastic

My next appointment is in 3 weeks time.

We'll see what more could be added to my normal sayings then. Hahaha.

still summer

My only wish is to escape summer here. And I guess it's patiently waiting for me to come back. It's still summer in Egypt. Or late summer to be accurate, we are approaching to fall. Which I can't wait. 

Because apparently it's really hot here - I'm sweating so much. I can feel the sunlight penetrates my head. I couldn't forget how I struggled to get into the public transport just now. I literally scrambled among ocean of people under the very hot sun (and everyone's sweat too!). 

I'm so sorry if this post comes up as a complain but trust me, my only point is to just say that I'm so tired. Summer means extra energy, extra water, extra everything. I will rush to home just to stand still in front of the stand fan. Hahaha.

(But my lecture rooms have aircond, no worries. Rest well, sweat gland.)

But, wait! 

Fyi, there's still ongoing construction on the rooftop of our faculty and I'm always wondering how strong these people are to work so so so hard (despite of any weather) just to get their work done. And to feed their families too, of course.

You I may think it's so stressful to walking in sweat under the hot sun. Compared to these people, my problem is really nothing.

The upside of this construction, I have a new #ootd spot now. You know, sometimes with 'dangerous' theme. Hahaha.

And this! 

Which had been lingering on my mind since I was in Malaysia. I missed Egyptian foods! And this one is an exception! - a must have! Despite of any temperatures! I'd walked 10 minutes for this hahaha.

 There are still a few things on the list. But for now, I don't really feel like going out since it's still hot outside. I'll patiently wait for fall for my next favourite, Nasi Mandy Yamani. 

I wonder if I get pregnant in Malaysia and demanding these Egyptian delicious foods? Any international delivery? *cries*

moving out

There’s always a less fortunate thing that happened just after I started my new semester. Last time if you guys still remember, my wardrobe collapsed leaving my clothes unsheltered. And until now, I’m manually hanging all my clothes on the long stick which I horizontally place it on top of opened windows. It really breaks my heart to see some dust collected on top of them. Like I just washed them!

And now, big thing happens. The house owner asks us move out, simply because the contract is over and he refuses to renew it.

Like really? Can he just wait for another 2 years until we graduate? Just bloody 2 years. He said no. That means we need to find a new house.

Of course he said it in a nice way. He’s nice by heart, I know. Believe it or not, he has offered us the lowest rental fee so far compared to the other house owner. And he gives us as much time as we need to find a new rental house.

But I don’t get it. I can’t take it.

I love my current house so much. Everything about it. Cold. Peaceful. Away from noises. Facilities. This neighborhood. My 5-minute-walking-distance dental clinic. Such friendly and nice house owner – not the one who asks us to out, this one I mean another one. You know, everything I need is here.

And I never have any intention to move out since the first time I got into this house 3 years ago.

Sigh.

Finding a new house may be difficult, but letting this house to go will be more difficult to do for me. Moving on is not my specialty.

And now we have a few houses on the list. The good thing about staying in Zagazig is most of the residences are so near to campus, means no problem regarding transportation. Plus the house owners seem to love Malaysian tenants so much, so less burden there for us.

So okay, we are going to see a new potential rental house after this. I’m gonna get ready.

Ttyl!

 Update: First house - a big no no. I don't like it. *scribble long lines on the first choice* *cries a river*

Hello there

Hello there semester 7 (Year 4). Whoahh seriously year 4 now? Time surely has passed so fast. When was it the first time I stepped on Egypt?

Look at these notes and books I've collected since Year 1, with dust on them, I mean since when did I collect them? Hahaha. Did I really once memorize all the words from them?  Did I really buy that thick Pharmacology book? Euw hahaha!

These clothes. That explains how my wardrobe collapsed. I'm clothes collector, no?

And I wonder how much instant noodles and Nescafe have I consumed so far? You guys have digested well, no dear instant noodles?

I'm thankful after all. I mean, I've come this far with thousand miles away from people in Malaysia. I have survived with bad and good of Egypt and Egyptians (you have no idea how they are, experience yourself). And thank you for the chance of teaching me to be a good cook. I can cook all sort of dishes now - which I knew nothing about before.

Another 2 years to go now. It's 5 years in total. But I'd like to explain that this course is really taking 5 years. Not that I have failed some papers or whatnot. Because people really like to talk about other people okay, so I feel like people are questioning why it takes so long for me to graduate (makciks will compare to their kids' duration of study) hahaha.

So now I hope these coming 2 years would be as fast as before.

I know I'm so gonna miss this. My room, Egypt, lecturers and my me time which I impossibly will get once I graduate.

But chill guys, too early to think. It's only Year 4. Let have some fun time and pretend to still be like a teenager!