Bad Practice

Noticeable Oddities of the Day:

I have a blocked Eustachian tube for months already causing a cracking sound and earache on and off. I’ve tried to relieve the symptoms with steam inhalation which was ok for a while but not very effective. I need it to be clear since I’ll be on a plane to Amsterdam soon and I really don’t want a perforated eardrum again, that would be the third time.

I’ve been trying to make an appointment with any GP of the surgery I’m registered with since my own seems to be retired in the meantime *so I was told* I had to call the snobby receptionist each day to see if there was an available spot. One can only book an appointment a week ahead, which basically means that I won’t be able to see a doctor before I’ll leave.

It’s an annoying system but I guess that’s the price you pay for free health services. I got so fed up with this that I called the hospital yesterday evening and explained the situation to them. The receptionist told me that a doctor would call me back within the hour. An hour and a half later I was on my way home -after I’d seen the doctor at the hospital- with my medication.

It doesn’t make sense to me that a hospital covers for a practice because the practice is so busy that they can’t cope… but I’m not complaining, I praise this hospital for their excellent service given to me in the past and on this particular day: to me it’s the best in London. The doctor even told me I could see him again this Saturday if I had to… Now… isn’t that nice?

© Zesty Gal, Sweets for my Sweet, sugar for my Honey (never had them in this bright Magenta colour…)

Pancakes, Noodle Soup and Bapao

I’m having serious food cravings lately and I think it’s because I’ve lost so much weight over the last two weeks having to deal with a stomach bug and ear infection. Antibiotics didn’t really work and I was told at the hospital that I need to consider more surgery [I’m so looking forward to that!] I’ll have to have a CT scan done before I’ll make a decision. I still have vivid memories of the last time when they removed part of the bone without my consent.

But jeez those cravings… whenever food is mentioned it’s instantly stuck in my head. Yesterday I was reminded of pancakes for the second time, I haven’t had a bacon/apple pancake ever since I left the Lowlands and I went through each kitchen cupboard to look for a bottle of Wester Stroop. I think I’ve chucked it in the bin, I had no bacon either, just apple so instead I melted some extremely macho chocolate which was a gift and so tasty.

Then Ismoyo mentioned ‘Indonesian Bapao’ on her blog and again I had this instant craving for the wonderful flavours and succulence meat of an authentic Bapao. I wish I hadn’t read those two words because it’s now haunting me and so I’ve decided to make them for lunch this week. Actually make a whole batch and put a few in the freezer. I wonder if I should experiment with shrimp and crab meat, not authentic really but my own recipe: could be very nice…

Guess what… I went to Tesco on Saturday and found out that they’ve started to sell Indonesian products: boemboes [Indonesian spice pastes], satay marinade, kroepoek [prawn crackers] etc. etc. all by my favourite ‘Dutch’ brand. I so hope they’ll get the complete assortment! Oh… and it’s about time I have a proper Mie Ayam this week… *hehe*

What is wrong with me? Please don’t mention any more food on your posts… :P

My mini pancakes: finger licking good! My all time favourite Pannekoekenhuis