These past few days , in some cosmic-related, twisted ways, I really connect to the elderly in my sweet little town of Volgograd

For example, there's a sweet little shop selling "sloika" (pastry shop, dare I say) with +-60 years old women as the seller, opened right in front of my house.

This network 0f sloika-selling babushka had become a phenomena in our little city. You can find them almost anywhere, at almost every major bus-stop.

This particular shop in front of my shop anyway, had a very particular scene to it...

Isolated from the major city centre, (as I could not afford to live there), the shop seems lonely, and stands out with it bright pink-color agaisnt the background of grim construction behind it.

And inside, the babushka (grandma) selling it, waiting faithfully, with a cup of tea, and some sort of novel in her hand.

I admit, I loved the sloika...and it almost become habitual of me to stop and buy it every time I reached the bus stop on my way home. But undeniably too, a little part of me just want to spend the 5 minutes of pure-business transaction, into something more personal. Yes, to spend some time to her, and let her know, in those lonely small shop, she can get a touch of human too.

It doesnt take long before our polite-form "Zdrastvuite" turn into more informal "Privet!" showing the fondness that grow. But, as commonly as it happened in my life, I dare not to ask her name (will tell u later on)..

Just 2 days ago, realizing how much money did I spend to the overprice pre-prepared pastry, she suggested to me to make my own. With that, she gave me a sample of the pastry dough, and enthusiastically teach me how to make it (though I must admit, i didnt understand half of what she said). But before I leave, she managed to say "vsyo ravno, pridet ko ne" (Eng : dont stop visiting me , even if u know how to make it urself)

Nonetheless, when I went home that evening, me and Yat managed to do our own, Malaysian-esque spicy pastry (apart from the sweet filling Russian very fond of here).

While biting into the pastry, I recall what she said. Little that it hidden the desperateness in her voice, missing human touch. Unlike in our homeland, elderly here tend to live on their own, without son or daughter visiting regularly, once they get married and move out of the house.

Today, I stepped out of the bus and merrily walked towards the shop. Someone else is inside there - yet another babushka...

Reluctantly, I paid for the overpriced pastry just to get an opportunity to ask where the usual woman who sat there. She said "she fell sick". I wonder if anybody even care to visit her at home..

So, today I left with a chocolate pastry in my right hand, and hope that the babushka will return tomorrow...

Else, it will take me another 2 weeks to say "privet" with this new babushka

Because love is what life is...

It was during my latest surgery practical when I witnessed this event.

The grandpa is fully paralyzed...and his loyal wife make every effort to contribute to her beloved husband comforts

The husband, while paralyzed from upper mid-trunk, downwards, could even utter a single comprehensible word (to us, at least). The wife seemingly fully understood what he's trying to say.

Of course, at his age, he wasnt admitted due to the paralysis. That diagnosis was put ages ago. Now, he developed a severe limb ischaemia with gangrenic foot, describing the insufficiency to be at 4th stage...and yes, obviously he'd need surgery..

But the wife wouldnt allow it. Albeit his disease, his wife understood that at his fragile age and health, the chance to survive is severely lowered. Yes, we have the best surgeon here in the city, but no one can guarantee that his husband will come back from the induced coma.

Surgeons are quick to discharge them (i suppose they pretty relieved that the wife would go forward with the surgery, because if she does - and she have every right to do so-it will prove to be a very difficult surgery)

But I can see tears in the wife's eyes. I - a student - could do nothing more than helping up the grandpa to his wheelchair and cart him out of the exam room, while we wait for the ambulance to take  them home.

The wife cried, quietly muttering something incomprehensible...but its no complaints...not a single word of complaint..instead, she tried her best in her own way to keep his husband feel warm in the cold basement we are waiting.

Then, slowly, before the ambulance cart them away, the old man raise his one good-hand, and turning towards me, made a cross in his chest...I couldnt know what he tried to say. But in the end, I guess he just appreciate the time I spent with him, that I treat him as a human being, instead of a sick-old-man.

So, fellow colleagues...lets not rush ourselves to grow up too fast. Cause I swear when we turn to HO or MO, we'll be as cold as most doctors i see here...instead, the luxury of lending sympathy is still ours..at least till now...so, use it wisely.

The above story is not a story of falling...of lives in the dark end of winter turmoil..

instead, its a love story..

where they doesnt live happily ever after...

but they live, with love to each other..

Its uncommon of me to post up something,say,'familial'...i guess the chronic distancing had really took some effect and shape my view and values of families, etc. For the past 5 years, i'd call home at-most once a month. Im x being an ungrateful son :). Quite the contrary, since i've left home as early as 13 yrs old,my parents had already got used to the idea that i simply 'wasnt at home'. So,if i call home more frequent than that,they prone to think something bad is happening. Except today, when i gave 'em a call,n i hear everyone's voices, did i aware, how much i miss 'em ...from left:dad,mom,neera (youngest),waeda...not in pic: my great elder bro

Sha : ..kalo laki cari perempuan lain waktu bini dia mengandung, itu maksudnya dia jahat gile. Sbb pompuan tu paling cantik masa dia mengandung.

And despite of all your attempt to hide it,we know you were born at the same year our country grasped its independence. So yes, mom,its really time for you to have an annual med check up despite the magic 'jeli gamat' u trust all your life :). Oh yes,and another milestone is a reason to celebrate..so despite the health-advice your hopeful-soon-to-be doctors gave you, he do wish you'd enjoy the cake he sent,and those spa treatment that doesnt do justice to how much housework and schoolwork you had done all these years. And,im sorry for the pic. I know u hate to be snapped candidly, but i just cant resist :) ...happy xx-th birthday mom!!

I rarely got more than 1 watch at the same time. My brain is wired to let loose any extra baggage that i have (ie, i tend to lose one of them when I have 2 watches). The only extra luggage it wont shed is the one around my waist. Ok,enough ranting. On my latest window-shopping trip last saturday, while i walk alone around the mall (yes, im that lonely) i stumbled into this gem. Its a GUESS watch that i have longing since i saw it adverts on pamphlet last semester!! Ok.must.not.got.greedy. Im now wearing a fossil watch,a gift from friends for my 21st birthday,n after 4 years,i couldnt part with it. But this,this GUESS watch,albeit pricey, could take my breath away. What do you all think?should i?