The mosquito bite remedy

I know, I know, you're thinking -- another post about mosquitoes? -- and yes, I am very outspoken about my dislike towards annoying skeeters but please hear me out. This isn't a hate post or anything about my silly epiphanies. This is a real life story that I want to share. 

Following the universal rule that girls must go to the washroom in pairs, my dear friend Sticky and I embarked on our journey together. We were having washroom chit chat whilst washing our hands and upon seeing the mosquito bites on my arm, she says, oh, did you know that to stop mosquito bites from itching you can put ... 

Saliva on it?! I interrupt and finish her sentence. 

What? Ewww.....no, I was going to say soap. Sticky looks at me with a disdained expression. 

What? Saliva helps. Seriously. Something about the proteins or what not..I scramble for some science to back up my claims. 

We walk out and kept talking, about what exactly, I don't quite remember. I guess we talk a lot about insignificant stuff. 

Anyways, after sitting back down with our other friends, Sticky suddenly says, I read somewhere that urine helps to stop itches. 

What?! Everyone exclaims. Ewwww.... We all chimed in unison. 

Sticky...you think dabbing saliva on a mosquito bite is disgusting..but peeing on yourself is fine?! I say out loud. 

I then had this hypothetical situation of Sticky in my head: Crap! I got bit by a mosquito and it's so itchy...hm...I don't have soap and saliva is too gross. Oh here, lemme pee on my arm....

After vigorously laughing at my friend for about two minutes, I took a deep breath and sighed. Hey Sticky, can I write about you on my blog? I'll give you a pseudonym to protect your identity....please?? I asked my dear/dumb friend with a grin. Hahaha 

Those damned mozzies

Six, seven, eight...on my left arm. One, two, three on my other arm. 

I twist my head and try to look at the back of my leg. Four, five... 

A clump near my ankles. 

Why, and when, did I get so many mosquito bites?! I furiously scratch my left arm, then the back of my thigh, my ankles and then my right arm. Only to feel the insatiable itch on my left arm again. Arrrghhh..

Desperately trying to distract myself, I Google "Why do mosquitoes bite some people more than others?" Yes, I tend to type complete sentences into Google — asking questions as I would a real person. 

According to my research, it seems like a person's blood type, body temperature, amount of carbon dioxide breathed out, and skin makeup all contribute somehow. Interestingly, drinking beer makes you a more delicious meal, too.

Do I have a high body temperature? Did I drink beer? Maybe, I might have drank beer.... When suddenly, a thought flew into my head so abruptly I stopped in my tracks. 

Oh I am having this amazing thought. 

My internal dialogue can be a bit funny in that I almost seem to narrate to myself my own thoughts. 

What if...since my nose is so blocked all the time, I end up breathing through my mouth, which leads to me breathing out more carbon dioxide...which attracts mosquitoes. 

My eyes widened with excitement at my lightbulb moment. Feeling smart and content with my newfound knowledge, I continue walking with a smirk on my face.

Not even a minute later though, that horrendous itch taunted me once again. 

Arrgghh... what good does it do to know?! I need it to stop! Mozzies....stop tormenting me!! 

In an attempt to tear off my arm with my fingernails, I make a mental note to buy some repellent.

As always, prevention is better than cure.

This thing called love

"And what is this thing called love?!" she exclaims, exasperatedly. 

With tears brimming her large eyes, she laughs ironically. "I'm only 17!! I should be out there, partying; having the time of my life! Not here moping and being all pathetic about a guy. A guy who I probably won't remember 10 years down the track. I know all this, I do! But I'm still so sad, and so pathetic and I'm so scared that I'll continue being sad and pathetic for the rest of my life — being hung up over this one guy who shouldn't matter to me at all...." 

"What is this love thing doing to me?" she whispers, with fresh tears streaming down her face. 

Where does the good go? by Tegan and Sara 

Perfectly captures the feeling...

"Where do you go with your broken heart in tow

What do you do with the left over you

And how do you know when to let go

Where does the good go? Where does the good go?

Look me in the eye and tell you don't find me attractive

Look me in the heart and tell me you won't go

Look me in the eye and promise no love is like our love

Look me in the heart and unbreak broken

It won't happen..."

On Suffering, Meaning and Life

On my recent trip to Germany, I had the chance to visit the Dachau concentration camp. It was one of the most intense and unreal experiences I have had - it was eerie, terrifying and definitely thought-provoking. This was especially so at the isolation bunkers. Just walking along the corridors made my heart heavy and I felt frightened to my core. Imagining what the prisoners would have felt was not even possible, and it left me both deeply saddened and in awe. In awe because it amazed me how some prisoners found it in themselves to push on and endure and survive such extreme torture. It reminded me of Viktor Frankl's book that I had to read in existential psychology and his ultimate conclusion that even in the most painful and dehumanising situation, life has potential meaning and thus, even suffering is meaningful. 

-A gas chamber disguised as a shower room in Dachau-

Of course I could not even attempt to understand what those prisoners had to endure, but it did make me ask myself, for what am I complaining about? 

On salvaging relationships

Coming back from an amazing trip to Germany and Austria, I've noticed myself becoming spiteful and miserable to all things HK. There's too many people, the weather is horrible, and just about everything reminds me of everything that is not Europe. Nobody likes being the bitter, scorned bitch, so I've decided to take active steps to salvage my fast deteriorating relationship with Hong Kong. 

So with a hopeful heart and open arms, I went about my daily activities but with a keen eye for all things interesting and appealing. And here's what I've found...

If there's one thing Hong Kong is best for, it's definitely people watching. There are literally all sorts of people from all walks of life here - from the impeccably dressed to the eclectic clad right down to the stereotypical mainland tourist wearing the brightest, shiniest, weirdest trends. 

It's been rainy these past couple of days but the great thing about Hong Kong is that the longest trek without any cover is probably only 30 seconds. Thus, I don't even need to carry an umbrella. It reminded me of the time back in Australia during high school when I was walking home and it suddenly began to hail. I was halfway home and literally had nowhere to hide (I was in the middle of an open football field) and I had to run home screaming in pain as icey golf balls battered me. 

And of course, not to mention the beautiful skyline! And the iconic old style junk.

Until my next trip, I suppose I'll keep trying to remind myself of the positives of Hong Kong! 

Her best journey yet

So, my little cousin recently embarked on her very first journey to the land down under. She applied for a working holiday visa and bought herself a plane ticket. Seeing her off made me think back to my own working holiday a few years back. I told her of my experiences and how I felt it was the best thing I've ever done with my life. Going away someplace new is scary, but it was definitely well worth it. It defined my life and shaped me into a better person; I became more mature, worldly and gained a whole new perspective on life. I told her that this trip will make her care less about branded bags, how good she looked or how much money she earned. She would most likely live a poor life over there but she would definitely be richer in every other aspect of life. Seeing her off made me miss those days. It reminded me of how I've let responsibilities and "life" tie me down. Maybe it's time shake things up again, who knows?