PCR Rush aka Time-Wasted-More-Than-A-Drunkard-In-Weekend.

So…My stupid University does provide PCR.

BUT

There is no priority given to students.

This is so dumb I swear.

I have wasted half a day in University PCR testing queue waiting for my coupon number to be called out, all because Ramez Mall one has some issues going on.
I really hate PCR, my nose burns and eyes water so much and I feel like I get nose-block after it.

I mean I am being dramatic but yeah it doesn’t feel nice.

I believe today there was a Emirates wide PCR rush because Schools are reopening and there has been rise in cases as well the weekend shifting from Friday-Saturdays to Saturday-Sundays.

The weekend change is a bit upsetting, because Fridays being off was a very unique thing in the entire world and also because it is culturally and religiously significant to Muslims.

Well at least I get to eat Hot Fudge MCD Sundaes on Sundays and cry about Mondays and then probably buy myself a BigMac™ using the MCD app that gives 50% off on Mondays…

Haha…I have to loose weight.

I have my first Professionals Exam tomorrow and I definitely don’t feel very chirpy

Professional Exams…More Covid? Online exams? Free PCR for students?

Things have gone practically wack (I use this word so much I have no idea why).
So…My research is approved, Sessional exams are done have 4 days until professional exams (final final FINAL exam, Oh Lord all mighty above SOS).

Sessionals were…actually no amount of adjectives can describe the sense of utter disgust have for the horrible horrible questions that came for the exams.

Assuming these Professors had a time limit to make questions, since there were at least 2 questions twinning with each other more than bestfriends ever could and 4-6 questions that asked about a topic from south but the answers were on a topic from the north or the Professors ultimately forgot what marvelous information they dumped into our caffeine powered and sleep deprived skulls that are now a throbbing painful mush instead of a brain.

Practical examination were my savior because (thank God) I perform well for OSCE stations and have organized tasks for every station as well as performed them in given time completing the checklist on the examiner’s rubric I suppose, although I do tend to loose approximately 2-3 marks for winding up part mostly because of the time limit and I had no prior knowledge about the winding up part in OSCE. At least now I do have a bit of know-how.

I am not surprised by the sheer stress I am facing especially for the exams. It’s an understatement to say I am overwhelmed. I’m shedding hair more than a Maine Coon cat, my eyebrows are balding and my eyelashes are at the end of their wits too.

Health is wealth they say, but University has taken both health and my wealth which is ironic because I’m in a Medical University.

With New Years approaching, Covid cases are on the rise once again, in UAE, News has released that remote learning is to be implemented for first 2 weeks of January 2022, following with a mandatory PCR negative upon return to on-site schools and Universities.

What particularly itches my sore spot is that Dubai hasn’t made PCR free for students and teachers, like 50 AED is okay price for a Nasal swab but every 14 days getting tested means 100 AED a month goes just for PCR and it isn’t fair for teachers and students who have to undergo the daily attendance of the education facility. It’s just my 2 cents on the matter. Or if there is a free PCR for students and Teachers, please I’d love to know the location.

For Sharjah based students and teachers, there is a free PCR facility open at Ramez Mall and you have to present your Emirates ID and inform that:

A) You are a resident of Sharjah
OR
B) You attend the Educational institute located in Sharjah.

For Ajman, I believe there are many areas available for PCR, though I’m not well informed about where exactly free PCR are available.

It’s important to note that PCR for traveling are still monetized, you can’t get free PCR for traveling. There will be 2 PCR tests when leaving the country and one before departure from the country your travelled to and then 7-10 days quarantine then once again a PCR before returning to work or if you’re a student then yeah for School and Universities you’ll need negative PCR results.

Headaches and Heartaches

I have alot to unload off my mind

The past 2 weeks has been just adjusting to this whole new unpandemic like schedule of my University which has a timetable similar to a Highschool (*groan*).

So my day begins at 7 am where I brush my teeth, do the normal humanly routine, eat food get dressed etc and head off to my lil ‘University’ or as they call themselves “Medicity”.

Arriving fashionably 10 minutes late to class as my beloved and adored car-mate has the tendency to be unfashionably late (I can say lots about this matter, but that’s another bomb I don’t wanna unload, since I do appreciate this girl alot).

Oh and Research is an awful thing to conduct by the way. Especially when your guide is as awful as mine? He is more than often very occupied and very confusing to communicate with. My mom had called him “chauvinistic” on many occasions due to my frequent rants on him and I had trash-talked about him in my sleep, which does say a lot about how much I dislike this Professor?

Let’s just call him Professor/Mr Goat.

So Mr Goat, will delay in meetings with us and then confuse us in our OWN research topic and 180 turn the flaws around on us? Like, respected sir, you are supposed to GUIDE us, not berate us for the love of all mighty in the Seven heavens.

My group wants to do a research on Tele-rehabilitation and OH MY GOD.

First it was a literature review on the preexisting studies of giving PT session via video call or VOIP platforms.

Mr Goat bared his horns and said nope y’all will do on Pulmonary Rehabilitation via online platforms.

Okay as you wish, since you know alot.

Then he flipped the whole format of the proposal.

Our research Professor Rose flipped out on us saying this isn’t the format we’re supposed to use for the research proposal.

Mr Goat and Mrs Rose had a talk.

Mr Goat is like okay stick to the given format AND change the research topic.

!!!!

By then we were prepared and armed for first topic and now we had 24 hours left for completing a whole new proposal for this new title aka COVID TELE-REHABILITATION.

@#£&!?

Me and my group mates were on verge of tears, Mrs Rose wouldn’t extend submission time for us and we were working under pressure.

In the end we finished and submitted late and lost 2 marks for that :)))

NOW THIS SEMESTER.

Change of plans again.

Instead of literature review.

He wants to conduct a survey on the viability of Tele-rehabilitation based on PT students in UAE.

MAJOR changes needs to be done once again.

I’m doomed.

We have like 15 days till presentation.

We spoke to Mrs Rose just incase. She is still stubborn as obleck💕. No extension this time as well, though we know our way around and I pray to God it’s done smoothly.

Now on top of this research fiasco, there are formative assessment twice and week, practical and theoretical.

One month until semester finals.

Two months till final year finals.

Five or six months till Exit Exam for Advanced Clinical Practice.

My head is pounding like how mochi is made, quick search tells me it’s Tension. I really don’t feel like I’m stressing out but my body indicates that I am, infact, very overwhelmed.

Also idk if it’s me or just my stress but I am feeling heartaches seeing people getting married.

I’m not ready tho LoL. Neither is Mr Boobie ready. We both still have alot to do, on top of that we need a money maker to be able to get married so haha…yeah.

Good day

TW: slight mention of drug and abuse.

It was a good day
Lovely fluffy clouds, cool winds and the smell of fresh cut grass made the morning jogs so much better. While the new Gardener was planting rose bushes in the yard that looked as if it was thoroughly ploughed, which made his work easier; Rosalie offered him some tea to which he declined. Bidding him farewell she went about her day experiencing her new normal.

Being an independent adult sure felt nice. Rosalie will never miss her family when there was so much space available for herself here. So much more she can do on her own. This freedom was so much more addicting than that white powder stuff she was forced to inhale every once in a while before. Sometimes she feels the urgent need of that awful stuff but she preferred the state when her head didn’t feel like cotton or when her vision wasn’t so scrambled and fuzzy. She liked having control over herself and remember what happened.

Today the hot water in shower didn’t run out and she didn’t have to wait using the hair dryer. Her dark burgundy hair was so smooth and shiny now, her skin glowing with her happy mood. She didn’t even have to worry about dirty crusty clothes stained with questionable things that were there on her unworn clothes from not being washed; as she has done the laundry one night ago. The house was clean and spotless to perfection, no speck of dust was seen, no more doubtful stains everywhere . She is renovating the house fully, as it should’ve been done long ago. Luckily her new job pays really well.

The coffee never smelled so good like it did today, she was finally able to bake the croissants at home from the recipe blog she had saved and printed out from the library. No one was there to scold her for ‘wasting’ ingredients. No one can tell her about the internet usage. No more restrictions on anything, she was free to make whatever she wanted or do whatever she desired now. From now and always, she won’t have to tolerate all the insults and berating comments of her family. Neither she had to crawl around for leftover scraps of food to sustain herself. That drug infested hellhole has been purged by her, since no one was going to help, she simply helped herself. It was so easy. The neighbors said it was better off this way. Everyone’s life has gotten peaceful now.

All bad memories are gone now;it is all buried in the past.
All buried 6ft underground in her backyard .

It was a good day.

Inactivity

Life is hectic
I have nothing much to explain
Hopefully the things outside get better and I’ll resume to my normal routine ❤️

Momma’s Approval: 100% Needed!

Why do I like getting my mom’s approval so much?

I have no idea why I have this habit, but like my mom has to somewhat like or approve of something I like otherwise I automatically feel that it’s not worthy of my time or desire.

Although there are certain times where I’m like “Fudge it Aqsato, you like it? Just do it. (Like the Nike logo on the shoes Mr Boobie gave)”
So hehe…I did have a little rebel moment(s)….haha.. for example going to Cinema with friends (I don’t like cinema much now it’s toi overpriced for popcorn and large screen and too cold for comfort, netflix all the way babes) or trying something expensive or excusing my way into staying late at night or having coffee with cream and sugar or having 3 junk meals in a day (I’m dieting atm).

So yeah as much as I have a habit to seek mom’s approval, I’ll get my guts together and do something on my own.

Does anyone have this issue like me though? Is it a bad habit?

Achievement Unlocked: Driver’s License

Finally after a year I got the long awaited license.

Boy did I cry and pine for it, walking to biweekly to the driving center and back home, and then booking and all that goodness.
Thank God it’s finally done!!!

I was actually panicking when I arrived for the test because it was FREAKING foggy and I forgot about the low beam lights and my already poor vision (haha glasses girl)

To my luck it cleared up and the BIGGER luck was the 80 km/hr road was empty (I failed there always out of nervousness!)so I easily changed lanes this time and the rest went smooth.

After finishing, the examiner praised me for passing, then told me to practice drive in my area for sometime then test the main road with Dad.

First thing was I texted Mr Boobie, but he was busy in his Uni classes, then I called my mom who shed happy tears (cuz why not it’s a big thing) overhearing my mom, my sisters woke up from their sleep and wondered what happened.
When I came home to get money to issue the license; it dawned upon Sue and Shift that I actually passed and screamed in joy.

It was a good good morning.

We got mini cakes to celebrate and told rest of the family who cheered and congratulated me.

Happy Happy~

Covid Free and Vaccination.

Yesterday I did my PCR test.

Today I got the results!

Safe to say I’ve tested negative now, along with everyone else.
But yeah I still have a bit of smelling issues, like chocolate taste little strange (but you’ll still see me eating those) and food seem to be less salty.

I have Neurology theory exam tomorrow, then the next day I’ll be able to go to Uni and give the practicals.

Mom and Dad have gone and got the first dose of Sino-pharm SARS-Covid 19 vaccine (80% success rate) as Pfizer-BioNtech (around 90% success rate) is running out of stock. We have only these two available here.

Maybe others might care about which vaccine to get but honestly, just get it done because in the end it’s for your safety, especially for residents of UAE where you either get tested every 7 days spending 80-200 AED per test or get that jab twice and not spend a single coin since vaccine is free.

Keep in mind all the Covid vaccines have two doses and please see if you are eligible for the certain brand of vaccine you are opting for.

After getting vaccinated, please continue wearing your surgical or N95 protective masks as well as maintain the social distance protocols and while outside avoid touching the eyes or facial features without sanitizing your hands properly.

Toodles~!

Last Day~

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00055-6

I found an interesting article regarding loss of smell and taste that occurs due to covid, explained nicely. Thought it may elaborate as to why and how it happens.

Also Friday 15th January 2021 marks like last day of my Quarantine!

I smell Ammonia…

Oh haiiii another covid post.

Even though I am taking my situation lightly it’s not as sunshine and rainbows as my attitude.

There are few days left for my Quarantine period, the DHA has been calling us like persistently to gather our details which they can easily access because they are part of the government but eh I dunno.

As for the Anosmia situation me and Sue have it still but everyone else is normal now. I’m just trying to smell everything and anything in hopes my body starts healing the Olfactory nerves. So far I can detect rather faint smells, so yay! Although there is an awful lot of ammonia smell lingerie in my nostrils, no idea if that’s related to healing or not.

Mom and dad actually missed me and my sisters bickering like wild hamsters and they got emotional seeing us sit together and eat the spring rolls mom made since it has been a week since we last ate like that.

My exams are going good? I have no idea honestly. I had a practical today but obviously missed it because I am quarantining (hehe what a word).

I think the Government here of UAE is making the covid vaccine mandatory. My University has made it necessary to get or get tested every week for covid. So everyone is obviously gonna get the least expensive option.

Atleast this will push everyone to ‘get the jab‘.

Toodles~!

Foodie’s Nightmare

I can’t smell or taste at all. This is making me beyond upset.

*cries*

So…Quarantine Again?

I tested positive for covid lol.
(cue Mr boobie sighing at my carelessness as soon as he left)

That too right after my first theory exam, where there was a sudden uproar that there were few Positive cases among us (lol sus)
All this lead to the upcoming exams to be postponed with enough time for us all to check if we have symptoms and get ourselves tested.

I obviously was sandwiched between the ones who obviously were infected during the whole one and half duration of the theory exam and hence became an infected too.

We have been told to quarantine for ten days as per new DHA (Dubai Health Authority) rules
Dad has alot of free time now, feeling listless and absolutely bored, but I am glad he is showing no symptoms at all!

Me and Shifty had to email our respective educational sectors to get the mandatory medical leave.

My university classmates rioted after finding some of us got sick. So to my immense luck I am not missing my theory exams as theory has been shifted online, but I may miss my practicals, although my college Dean did assure me I can take the practical exams later once I am tested negative. I am so lucky~!
My inner nerd is happy to be able to study lol.

As of now it’s day two…err three of quarantine and rest of us are well showing mild symptoms like flu, fever (which comes and goes), headache (very bad ones), body aches (I have probably cried like a baby twice because it got unbearable) and shortness of breath. There is also this constant feeling of wanting to burp out this bubble of air stuck in my throat.

Me and my sisters can semi taste stuff, thankfully nothing too serious.

Me and my sisters have been having mostly liquids because swallowing is a bit weird or like taste of food is bland or we feel nauseous but that’s under control.

I learn that paracetamol really helps in keeping the fever down and then lots of steams to clear the Nasopharyngeal passage and plenty of ventilation is also important for good oxygen supply. Plenty of fluids to wash out the virus.

My Uni friend/car-mate (she tested negative thank God) nearby dropped 3-4 days worth of food at our doorstep knowing that because of Covid lethargy is a critical issue for mild cases. My aunt left us some tonic alkaline water, while the neighbors left us herbal tea and what not. Honestly we all are moved by how much everyone is expressing their concern, praying for our speedy recovery and I felt extremely blessed!

My asthma is luckily not affected much as I can see/hear (monitoring via stethoscope) no massive changes so far although there is occasional jab of pain on the sides of lower lobes of my lungs where I have slight tissue damage. Though there is slight more mucous accumulation which I timely cough out.

We all have been taking this situation quiet sportingly with plenty of laughter and giggles because happiness does wonders to health!

2021 really surprised my family but we did realized how blessed we are and are thankful for everyday spent with each other and how technology is helping us to stay connected.

Stay Safe People, the new strain of covid has higher infectivity and virulence rate. My family is just lucky it hasn’t hit us bad and yes we did take all precautionary measures but got infected because of my University’s carelessness (that’s a long story btw)

I think we’ll probably take our chances on the vaccine after testing negative. Something is better than nothing I suppose.
Though which covid vaccine is safer is rather debatable and most of the rumors about side affects sounds a little silly.

Toodles~! Mask On!

New Years Greetings

Wish you a Blessed 2021, we have entered a new decade of this technology enhanced century.

We the Pandemic still going on, please don’t forget to maintain social distancing and wear your masks as well as remain armed with disinfectants and sanitizers.

As for me my Winter wonderland was stolen because of my beautiful University…haha…

Also please pray for me my University is trying to torture me with exams and unbearable assignments with stupid deadlines.

Toodles~
Aqsato❤️

E15 Growing Affection

Their days pass by idly
Heart growing fonder
They’d meet

Everyday
Anytime
An hour or more
Just to see each other

Only to talk more later online
A never ending bliss,
So surreal
Both of them wanting more of it.

It was a good addiction,
An innocent one

One day while saying their goodbyes
Farris moved forward to give his usual hug,
He promptly placed his hands on both sides of her face-
And leaned forward-!

Jane’s feeble heart was on the verge of having a cardiac arrest
As she felt warmth on her forehead

It was just a kiss on the forehead
But lot more was there in it,

Her heart having that sweet flutters
Her tummy felt funny.

She couldn’t see his face as he turned away immediately

But she knew he was as red
As the color of her dress
And so was she.

Then with a burst of courage she added:

“I love you!”

Ran back inside up to her apartment,
Not caring about Farris’s reaction

Heartbeat on the tip of her fingers,

She slumped down, grinning
Burying her face in her hands
It felt right.
It felt good.
Finally she said it back.