Illness & Quirks of staying together

First time falling ill in Sweden. First time making use of their "social benefit". Well, to really enjoy it I got to be really really sick or get sick very often. The state (people here refers to the government as "the state") impose a limit on how much each person spends on medical treatment each year. In this case, it's 900 SEK. The moment you exceed that, the state will pick up the bill. They didn't want to pay from the first SEK to avoid people abusing the benefit. It cost me 140SEK for my medical treatment this time round. I got to be sick for another 5 more times this year to enjoy the medical benefit. I'm impressed with their patient information system. Back home, I would've to fill up forms if I'm new to this particular clinic or hospital. And if I don't like my doctor and want to go to another clinic, I would've to give my personal particulars again to this new clinic. Over here, I have to make an appointment before I can go see the doctor. I first tried to make an appointment with the clinic nearest to where I stay. The first question they asked me was my social security number. Once I say out my ID, they verify it by asking "Are you XXX XXX XXX?". I said yes. "Is your address XXXXXXXX 999?". They already have my information. Unfortunately that clinic do not have any slots for me that day, I will have to wait till next day. So she recommended another clinic which is slightly further away, but I'll have to call them up and make an appointment with them myself. So I did that, and the operator/nurse again asked for my ID number and they too already have my information. So I went to the clinic and sought treatment without filling up any forms. They just need to make sure I am who I said I am. Not thru DNA testing or blood sample lah. Just bring my ID. Inside the treatment room, I can see the doc already has my "file" on his computer screen. No paper, no pen. As I tell him the kind of suffering I've been enduring, he typed away at his keyboard. After using his stethoscope on me, again he went to this computer. After probing the inside of my mouth, shining lights into my eyes, pressing his fingers onto my eyeballs, more typing follows. After I answer each of his questions, more typing. Every steps of the way, it's type type type. I feel so assured that doctors here don't practice their calligraphy skills on my medical records. I don't know why people here are amused by the word "sick". To them, "sick" is used in the context of "sick in the head". So, I'm not sick. I'm just ill. Being ill and at home, I've had the rare chance of spending some quality time with my wife. She has to keep her distance of course, busy sterilising everything I've touched. So, we're near yet so far. With nothing much to do at home, with a sexy personal nurse at my beck and call, I have time to think about things. First, the bitter thought of having to skip this weekend ski trip that I've been looking forward to for months!!! GGGRRRRRR!!!!!! Then, about wife and me. Wife and I got married in Jan 2007, but we've been dating for a long time before that. I first agreed to be her boyfriend in 1997. Few months after that, she went to the US to further her studies. She begged me to maintain this relationship, so we did. First 2 years of mega long distance relationship; she was in the US while I studied on a hill full of bears in Melaka. Then, a few more years of medium distance relationship; me working in Singapore while she works in KL. Somehow we got used to the routine of meeting only on weekends and public holidays. I took the opportunity to indulge in my passion, got myself a bike and conned her that it's more convenient for me to travel to KL on a bike. She took the opportunity to have an "extra" relationship with another male; her pet dog, Rocco. Now, I no longer ride my bike and she's had to leave her Rocco behind to come to Sweden to be with me. This is the longest period we've been staying together. Ironically, not in Malaysia, but far away here in Sweden. People/experts say honeymoon period is when a couple just started dating each other. The toughest period is when they first got married and starts to live with each other. This is when couples have to adjust to each other's quirks and habits. This is when two people with different backgrounds and different upbringing starts to learn more about each other. Wife and I have reached the stage where we learn and try to accept each other. It has been.....interesting. There've been minor arguments, but nothing that can't be resolved with a gracious giving in (on my part) and few sweet words (ahem). We've heard of a lot of stories and read a lot of expert articles, but nothing is as interesting as when it happens to you. It's really amusing to see some of these things written about, happening to us for real.
1.	One of us like to squeeze out toothpaste from the bottom of the tube. The other likes to squeeze from ....not the bottom.
2.	One of us is very clean and tidy. The other has to plead for some minor untidiness and dirt in order to feel normal. One of us would very much like to wash the other with Dettol and clean-wrap her after he's done.
3.	One of us has the habit of washing bath towel once a week while the other think it's ok to use the same towel for one whole season. Similarly, one of us like to run the washing machine every other day while the other would like the clothes to pile up till you can claim a mountain-climbing record.
4.	One of us likes to wear the same set of clothes when we go out on weekends, and the other is annoyed with that. What's wrong with wearing same set of clothes? That set of clothes are comfortable, keep the wearer warm, and remember Point# 3, washed regularly. Hence, very clean.
5.	One of us farts freely around the house. And the other is very annoyed with that. But I understand, it's difficult not to fart. I mean, it's not natural to suppress something our body wants to expel.
6.	One likes to talk loudly even in dead silence of the night, and the other has to "ssshhhh" her so as not to disturb our landlord and his sleeping family next door. One of us enjoys the silent and peaceful cold night air while the other would like the whole Swedish population to know what she's watching on TV.
7.	One can no longer have extra pieces of potato chips, extra scoop of ice cream, extra teaspoon of condensed milk for his horlicks, extra bowl of rice to go with the nice dish, extra sauces to flood his plate of rice, extra egg for his sandwich, extra packet of maggi mee in the morning before going to work, extra tomato ketchup for his hotdog, extra dressing for his salad, extra meatballs for his pasta, extra maple syrup for his pancakes, extra cheese for his pizza, etc. etc. extra extra extras, because she's always around to 'monitor' things. No more additional layer of peanut butter or fruit jam on my bread. No more french toasts for breakfast, got to have oats instead. Kiwi fruit is too sweet, eat cucumber instead. Grapes are too sweet, eat celery instead. No more secret stash of candies because every crooks and crevices in the house have already been inspected, tagged, documented and sensors installed. Can no longer buy non-fat milk, must buy -99.99% fat milk.
8.	That girl snores while sleeping too. But she will vehemently deny it no matter what. Until audio & video evidences are presented before her. Then she will say she has been very tired. As if I sleep for fun.
At the end of the day, we know we're in this for the long haul. We know there're differences. Instead of looking at it as pure annoyance, we're learning how to adapt and accept each other candidly. Except the part where the washing machine gets too much holiday. Or the part where I'm no longer allowed to finish 1 tonne of potato chips while watching tv. Or the part where I have to substitute my strawberries with bitter gourds. Or the part where I have plain oats instead of pancakes, two(at least) half-boiled eggs, french toasts, all washed down with a cup (or two..or three) of deliciously sweet horlicks for breakfast. Or the part I have to accept that it's okay for her to snore, but I have to accept hell if I do. Or....
Like I said, still learning to adapt and accept. Check back again after 3000 years.
Anyway, cannot adapt also must learn to accept lah. Otherwise, look at what is at stake here.... Bah Kut Teh Poh Li Sang Choi Sliced Fish in ginger and spring onions Beancurd in black bean sauce Just...vege
Deers are wandering near us again...
Dammit, this illness is turning me into <..click here..>