To spit, swallow or chew!

Almost every time I go for my vocal class, I develop a cough, be it a mild or racking cough. A cough for sure it is. Not sure if psychologically, the thought of hitting those ever so high notes have somehow conditioned a fear in my body which manifests itself via coughs.

Then again, my teacher says I have weak lungs, to take less cold drinks, etc. So many dos and don'ts so that he can push me to soar above the harmonies so that the melody rings clear and true way way above all else.

And not only giving advice, he promotes the traditional type of medication. Should take this (insert a chinese sounding herb like name), should take that (insert another chinese sounding herb like name), all for a better health. Well, not that I scoff at traditional Chinese Medication, it is just that I am generally wary of it, especially not knowing the ingredients and how it will affect me internally. But my teacher swears by it, and says he is a living proof of such medication.

My teacher even brought me to see a sensei "down the road", who guaranteed him positive results for his own ailment with almost like a money-back-guarantee promise. Of course, after my teacher who spoke to him in Mandarin about my cough, (me no speakie Mandarin, and he no speakie English) like the traditional kungfu masters, he felt my wrist and listened for the internal drumming of my heartbeat for the hue and cry of my body, wailing non stop of the abuse and torture that I put it through. Even asked me to stick out my tongue for scrutiny.

And what did he say?

Sensei: You must drink less cold water! Your tongue is white! You have indigestion problems, and your throat is usually dry.

Errr.. right! I have already limited my cold drinks intake, but true, just a few minutes ago, I took a sip or two of cold water. And although I don't speak Mandarin much (well, almost never), I do understand bits and pieces, and when I heard about cancer and the sensei said can cure, I thought to myself this is a scam!

Of course, I am no expert, but surely if traditional medicine can cure cancer, it would already have been patented and sold like hotcakes all over the world. Perhaps it is the sensei's marketing technique or ploy, but talk about misrepresentation! When I mentioned it to my teacher later, he sort of hedged, and said the sensei mentioned will help alleviate cancer, but I know what I heard even if my Mandarin is not first rate.

And my medicine? For 9 packets of dodgy looking herbs, nicely wrapped in small rectangular paper, to take whenever my throat does not feel right (and I ribbed my teacher saying that I will take a pack every time before I come to his class), it cost me RM54!!! When I expressed a mild dismay at the cost (RM6 for a small miserable looking pack!) the sensei quickly defended that this is good medicine, and to take only as and when. Shish! Must be me being yellow skinned but speaking in ang moh language, so he took opportunity to slaughter on price! Ciss!

And now? I sit here staring at the medicine. Not sure if I will actually take it or not! But definitely will not let my teacher pressure me into buying such medicine next time. When I mentioned that my body is already full of other prescribed medication, he said I was too westernised and should consider my eastern roots!

And here I thought I am very "Cina" already, somemore must be more "Cina"!!! Aiks!