"What took you so long?"

Nothing works better than a warm cup of coffee to re-energise my fatigued body and tired soul.No textbooks,no one,nothing can prepare me for the life that follows my graduation.As doctors in the government hospitals,we practically have to slog through the days and nights to see to that patients are being taken care off.To hell those policymakers,all talk and no act.They are up there,among the people I hated most,he modern vampires,sucking public funds into their own pockets.I have been hoping for a change in the mindsets of since I was in medical school and now,I am still hoping.... I look at the black fuel that drives my body and soul beyond my limits,swirling slowly and taking up the sweet aroma that rises.How much I long for a leisure sit-and-read at the Coffeebean and Tea Leaf cafe.It has been almost three years since I last been there.Ah....those times.How I miss them.I take a sip from the cup of hot coffee.I don't know how long it will keep me awake enough to tend to the patients.I close my eyes and lean back on the couch.My thoughts wander back to the time I went scuba-diving in my first year at the medical school.The sand,the trees,the winds,the sea,I can almost feel them.Slowly I drifted into sleep.. "Tick tock,Tick tock" I wake up to the sound of the clock right across the staff lounge.I clear my bleary eyes and have a look at the offending clock.It is 3.17 a.m.I have been asleep for almost half an hour.Looks like the effects of coffees are wearing off.I have experienced a lot of first since I chose to study medicine years ago.My first patient,my first setting of drip,my first call,my first surgery and the list goes on.Today,I have experienced another first......my first patient death.It bites my heart more as this is one patient I have a very good rapport with. She is a very determined woman.Her history tells it all.She migrated to the then Malaya with her husband in hope for a good life.She suffered and slogged a lot for the sake of her children.The meals normally consisted of porridge and salted fish.Despite her hardship,she emphasized a lot on education for her children.Then,her labours finally bore fruits.Her children managed to get decent jobs and give her a decent and comfortable life.However,the early years spent slogging to make ends meet had taken a toll on her.She developed athritis,followed by diabetes melitus.Adding to the diabetes melitus,she developed hypertension,which is also partly due to her high salt intake in her early years.Nevertheless,she fought on,stayed away from the food she was deprived of in her early years,exercised regularly and the pain in her aging joints.If it is a battlefield,she would have fought a valiant battle and triumphed over the enemy.Unfortunately,it is a battefield nevertheless,but her enemy is time or rather death.This is one enemy even the strongest will succumb to.Today,she has lost.A patient dying under your watch is bad enough a feeling.To lose a patient and a beloved grandmother in the same night,I personally have no word for it.... I am really tired at times,sometimes,no matter how hard I try,something will never change.Like the girl I used to pursue endlessly,like the efforts I put into study,like the protests against the policymakers,like today.The sobbing of a man resonates throughout the lonely,dark corridor,breaking the silence of the night.This is the sobbing of one man who doesn't make a noise when the doctor is stitching,the sobbing of a man who can pull out the three bee stings on his body,the sobbing of a man who is a hero in my life,the sobbing of my dear father.It is too sudden,death comes with no warning,and leaves without no crying. I close my eyes once again,running through the events that has unfolded over the past hour.Can I have done anything better?Just as my mind about to turn to all the "what if" scenarios,a loud shout by one of the nurse brought me to my feet."DOCTOR!!!DOCTOR!!!WARD 5B!!!"Immediately I run to the specified ward.There is no time for emotion,I am still on duty.The ward seem so far away even though it is just three rooms away. I come to a sudden stop to see a beautiful lady smiling at the baby in her arms.I almost forgot,my beloved wife went into labour 2 hours ago.Cuddled in her arms is a newborn sleeping soundly to the hym by my wife.It is our second kid after three years of marriage.Seeing my presence,she spoke, "What took you so long?" I collapse into her arms and weep.... P.S. It is a fiction

Story of a Kampung Kid

After reading today's TheStar,suddenly I have the urge to write something on this blog for humans tend to forget unless being reminded occasionally.The same thing goes for motivation.I am speaking for normal human being,of course. Today,I guess I will write something on parenting.What exactly is a successful parenting?Sorry,I don't know the answer.I will share after I found out the answer.I was wondering whether my parents have taught me well.Maybe one can point to the fact they have brought their son up to a medical school,and for that they are successful.Actually,I don't really agree with that myself.If things turn out a bit differently,I might be an engineer,accountant,computer technician or even a salesman now.Something inspire me to write a little story here. Story about a kampung kid.He was born and bred in an estate.The leisures he knew back then was firecrackers,crickets,rhinocerous beetle,marbles,top-spinning,self-made kites and occasional the TV game console before the advent of Playstation and affordable computer.Sound very much like a kampung boy.He was entered into a kindergarten in a neighbouring housing estate for 2 years before my primary education. For his primary education,his parents tried hard to get him into a school in the town area,even it means 30 kilometres away from my house.The first time he ever remembered seeing his parents in school on a working day was on the first day of his class.After that,they literally dumped him at the school.The only other time they came to the school was during the "Report Card Day" where parents come to the school to collect their chilren's result and check with the teacher on their academic progress and behaviour.He was,most of the time,left to fend on his own.Imagine a young kid,on a second day into his formal education,asking a grumpy,fierce-looking man at the canteen stall,using the limited Malay vocabulary he had then,"Harga berapa?" pointing at the food he saw that would taste nice.Around him,he could see other children's parents ushering their children and helping them to buy the food they want.Envious.However,God was kind enough to see that this little kid was accompanied by his neighbour and childhood friend.Together,they sat and ate on the long table. Things didn't go as well as he would love it to.He was disciplined by the class teacher,Madam Chong on his third day of school,for not finishing the work she had given.It was his first homework assignment,he didn't understand the language(Bahasa Malaysia) the teacher spoke the previous day as the little kid only understood a bit of Mandarin then.Thus,he got his ears pulled and twisted hard by the teacher primarily due to the fact that he didn't understand the instruction the teacher given the previous day.Ouch!!Worse thing to follow.On only his second week of his formal education,he got called to the displinary teacher to be caned for SWEARING.This little kampung boy didn't know the language he picked up from the seniors was a swear word.Due to his horrid experience with Madam Chong the previous week,he was determined to improve his vocabulary and "luckily" some naughty seniors were on hand to poison his innocent mind.Thus,the swear word.Not a pretty good start to his long journey of education. To be continued....

The Taste of Sorrow

"If sorrow can be drowned by a pint of rum,I need a fleet of ships filled with it" -Xiao- Disclaimer: I don't drink,contrary to what Acid believes

On Stethoscope

Something I came across,

"The stethoscope is going to be a very close friend for a very long time"

On Orthopaedic Surgeons

Heard from a doctor outside OT,

"Orthopaedic surgeons just love screwing..."

Valentine's Day

February 14th.Valentine's day.The day that Cupid will have a real busy time if not headache on who to pair up with who.It is on this day,I believe many couples are made,and many couples are unmade too.I haven't been updating my blog for quite some time.Let's just say I don't share my unhappy thoughts here.Backed by Miss popular's demand,Rakoon,I guess I will write something here. It is on this day that I chose to travel down to Sunway to settle some administration work for my electives.I met WS,a friend of mine from primary school,one of the few friends I still keep in constant contact with despite being not of the same school anymore.He currently studying IT while I am pursuing a medical degree.Well,I have a little bit of knowledge on those computer stuff,slightly better than ignorant I will say.Thus,our conversation shifted from topic to topic,we practically chatted for at least 2 hours on matters pertaining to life,relationship,friendship,study and exchanging knowledge.Okay,he is my sifu in computer-related stuff,especially in html. One of the topic that I found it very interesting is about a subject in IT that's deemed Social Engineering,which means hacking in a language we know.Hacking isn't just about typing stuff,trying an error,working out the possiblities,it involves much more than that,deception is one of the best weapons a hacker can have.Sometimes,even the best hacker needs to gain some insights what he is up against.This insight is gained through a series of Q&As done over time with the intended target person divulging things unconciously and unintentionally.It is not wrong to say this hacker is capable of manipulating human minds and making use of psychology.Questions are carefully worded and chosen and answers are divulged unintentionally.Whoah...talk about a lesson on hacking. Let's say for example,I stress example,in Friendster,occasionally we get a bulletin asking us to put our email addresses there with our names,citing the reason to notify friends whether there are any changes in our correspondence emails.Thus,as friends,we will list our email there,adding to the lengthening list of emails on the bulletin.What a spammer can do is sniff out all the emails and names,and add them to the mailing list or more like a spamming list.Voila,with your full name and your email,chances are high that they will be able to pass through your spam filter.They sell the information to people or spammers who want it and in no time,your mail inbox will be full of "valid emails."The most basic of hacking,making use of the obligation of friends to add to the emails list and we the user,blindly submit our information to them.At the end of day,we might still wonder how the hell those spammers get those details.As I say before,this is an example,this is by no mean as to question the security of Friendster.I don't think those sniffers or anything of its like work in there.If they do work,I believe we can google for our friends in Friendster already.This is just an opinion of a non-professional in IT thus it cannot be taken for words for words. I just remembered the conversation I had with the cabbie on my way to Sunway.He seems to be a Buddhist to me,however,what his religion is,is not the question here.Something he said to me made sense,and I thought of sharing it with the people I know here.I will just rephrase his message with my words, "Good is the person if the good things he/she did other people know, Better is the person who did the same and no other people know, Best is the person if the person who did the same and neither the people nor the doer know." Something to think about here on Valentine's day,especially those single souls out there.*Paging for Rakoon....Paging for Rakoon...* On my way back to my condo,I took the KTM Komuter.It has been a while since I last took the KTM Komuter during college years.Heavy feeling of nostalgia.I chose to stand directly in the middle of the train.I always like to observe(read observe,not ogle...believe me or not)the people in the train.Interesting things happen an occasion or two.This time,as I stood in the middle of the train,on my left was a group of 3 deaf/mute people "talking" with each other,and on my right was a group of 7 Mat Salleh talking loudly in a language that was foreign to my ears.I had a hunch it was Spanish though I was not sure how I got to this hunch.Anyway,as I observed their conversations,I noticed something interesting,the deaf/mute group of people were "conversing" using sign language.Whatever they were conversing must be some real good topic,as I observed their facial expressions changing from nodding in agreement,shaking in disagreement,pulling a long face in disatisfaction,smiling at goodness.They were signing to each other very aggressively and I will say,quite animatedly.I assume it is some debates on current affairs.Silent debate but interesting nevertheless. As for the other group of Mat Salleh,they were having quite a hot conversation too,talking loudly or I will rather say rapping aloud(since I can't really make out what they are saying,something like a rap song)interrupted by occasional shouts of surprise or maybe envy by one of them.They are no less animated than the other group of 3.They seem to pride themselves on the fact that nobody knows what they are talking about.I can sense some air of arrogance there. So,there I was, in between the two conversations,between people of different cultures,between people of different languages,between groups of interesting people nevertheless.I turned my attention to the left and I heard a silent debate.I turned my attention to the right and a loud chatter greeted me.You can imagine it,turn left,silent,turn right,loud chatter.Something like a volume knob on the radio. I guess that's all for now,folks.Hope you enjoy this little crap.

Happy Valentine Day,Girls.....

I hereby wish the female readers Happy Valentine's day.As for the guys,I roughly know where your hard-earned money from blackjacks and ang pow go.Just to even out the things here,it is the thought that counts. "Love is made up of all those little things you do." By the way,Happy Chinese New Year to all and wish all of you a happy and prosperous new year.

A Day's Chronicle

17th January 2005.3rd day after getting my result.I played game till the wee hours of the morning before finally dragging myself out of bed to do my mountain of laundry and proceed to Midvalley to attend to some matters. I was at the Masjid Jamek Putra LRT station when I saw a couple,husband and wife,I suppose,both of them holding the walking sticks for the blind.I was wondering whether to extend my help to them because it came across my mind that the wife might be a vision-able person.However,what made me think otherwise was the fact she was holding a walking stick too.She didn't hold the walking stick out like her husband.For once I thought she should be able to see.Thus,when the train came,I didn't extend my help.To my surprise and most regrettable error of judgement,both of them are blind.A pair of secondary school students helped them in.I was too far away to offer a helping hand already then.Siaw,how stupid can you get?She was holding a walkings stick for the blind for heaven's sake.So much for the empathy I thought I had. What happen next I would not be able to forget easily.The LRT was packed as it was peak hour.Two dishevelled guys with chains and a few piercings to boot,stood and offer the blind couple their seat as soon as they saw them.A few "pretenders"(Okay,I shall not judge people) took their own sweet time to move their arse off their seats.They hadn't even got up when the blinc couple had settled down.Those people are middle-aged and for God's sake,were abled-bodied. The blind couple got off at KL Sentral,which was not my destination.They got off the train,lovingly hand in hand,without any help from those who got off with them.Again,I was quite annoyed with myself for judging people when I didn't even offer to help.As the door closed,I saw the blind couple,still hand in hand,walked straight into a pillar,in between them!They were confused for a moment which way to go,the husband way or the wife way?Just as the train left,I saw the cleaner approached to help them.I felt so hypocritical,I being a medical student in training,show no signs of the empathy expected of me. However,that blind couple,got me thinking,isn't their love greater than all the things in the world?Come on,they couldn't see each other faces every morning they woke up.My heart goes out to them.And yet,they stayed so lovingly together.One of the times my heart really melted then.They were not as blind as I might think.They still can 'see' people who are kind to them.As for those who are blessed with sight,I felt ashamed sometimes even myself overlooked the kindness shown by others.As a famous saying goes,"Kindness is a language that the blind can see,the deaf can hear,and the mute can speak."How true!! Then it got me thinking further,well,with exam over,I became the thinker I once aspired to be.If we are to lose one of our ability:Sight,Hearing,Voice,usage of limbs,which one would I chosen?And which one would you have chosen?Given a choice,I wish not to lose any of that,just like the billions of people I believed would have chosen.Again,something has to give,you see.Thus,I guess most of us lost our humanity.As for me,I seem to be losing it too,whether forced by cynicism or the practicality of the real world.Everyone was taught to be an idealist since young,what to do? After settling all the things I have to do in Midvalley,I finally settled down for a dinner.After finishing my dinner,I went back thinking of the earlier events.Just as I wondering whether I did any wrong then,and justifying my wrongdoing if there is any,a casually dressed man approached me.I was 2 rows inside the restaurant for heaven's sake.There were people seated further out and nearer to him.However,he seemed to have found his "target",walking all the way in and approach me with some merchandise and some papers of certification of charity.It was one of the many "charities" seeking donation by selling merchandise for exorbitant price.As he was enthusiastically explaining his motive and etc,I just smiled at him and listened.I have wanted to say no from the start but he was sort of insistent.After babbling what it is all about,I said no,he smiled and left with a thank you.Money was a bit tight with the recent splurge after exam.Oh mine,what if what he said is true?I would have done lots of harm.Maybe I should just follow one of my friend's advice "I don't know whether they are real or not,if it is real then good,if it is a scam,well I do believe in karma." I chided him for his ignorance just as he chided me for my cynicism.Well,you grow up,you see more things,your perspectives change. Last of the things that remain in my though as I wrote this.At Masjid Jamek station again,I saw the blind guy in wheelchair selling kerepek as usual,shouting to sell his kerepek.And right next to him is a WWF(World Wild Fund) counter manned by two persons asking for donation.If you have money to give to one of them?Which one would you have given to?For the animals or the people.Ahh....what an interesting situation. As for me,I walked past both of them,without giving any donation.RM 10 with no change,I really have to consider.I guessed I have lost my humanity after all. I really opened my eyes to see all the happening around me today.What a day.....

Aftermath...

A good book in hand with a cool CoffeeBean and Tea Leaf Ice-blended mocha to boot,right after exam.....

North of the Border Am I Poor?By Pat Mestern

Got this inspiring story sometimes ago.I have kept in my personal archives since.While reflecting back on 2004,I happened to come across it again and I think it is worth sharing North of the Border Am I Poor? By Pat Mestern A number of people have asked for some words of wisdom about poverty and being "poor". To respond, I visited Marie, who was a close friend of grandmother's. Marie is 103 years old. Although her eyesight is beginning to fail, her mind is tack sharp. In her own words, she raised nine children on little more than spit and polish. Marie was in her favorite place, the solarium of the retirement home sharing a book tape with her 93 year old friend. When asked to give her views about being "poor", she happily did so. Marie, one of ten children herself, raised nine children during the depression on one of the poorest farms in the area. Eight are still living - two doctors, two lawyers, three teachers and an engineer. Marie says, "Consider this your pep talk for the day". "Being poor is the ultimate opportunity handed a person. Being poor is no excuse for being filthy and uneducated. You have access to the same libraries, soap and water and schools that others do. Being poor is no excuse for living in a dirty house and wearing dirty clothes. Being poor is no excuse for living surrounded by clutter and garbage. Being poor means that, if you can't presently afford university/college, you can educate yourself until such times as that goal is within your reach. Being poor means being surrounded by necessities. Being rich means being surrounded by "things". Being rich you can buy perceived happiness. Being poor you make happiness happen. Some are born with a silver spoon in their mouths and some have to go looking for it. They end up better people for chasing after that silver spoon, because they've had to learn valuable lessons along the way. Sometimes they turn that silver spoon into one of solid gold. Being poor means you start at the bottom and work your way up. Being rich means you start at the top and slide your way down. It's harder to work your way up, but the trip is worth the effort. You'll never forget what you learned along the way. You rarely slide your way down again. Being poor means you have to give back to life, you have something to look up to, something to achieve. Being rich means you are always looking down. For some being rich means that rather than earn achievements, you try to buy them. Stop saying I'm poor, poor, poor. Pretty soon you'll begin to believe it. Start saying I am at a temporary financial disadvantage right now. I can do something about it. Stop saying I can't even afford to put food on the table. My family ate potatoes three times a day for more than eight years and look at us today. I'm 103. All my children would still be alive if Charlie hadn't gone skiing at age seventy-four and cracked his skull. Stop saying the government has to do this for me, the government has to do that for me. The government does not have to pull you up by your bootstraps. You are master of your own destiny, digger of your own rut. Destiny can be altered. Ruts are filled all the time. If you lie in yours too long, someone will bury you in it. Self pity is the cruelest form of poverty because it is in your mind. If you don't like the word poor, just substitute that fancy new term "financially challenged". Keeping up with the Jones's is a game you cannot ever win. NEVER spend more than you make. Save a bit from everything you make - one penny today, two tomorrow. Tuck the money away and forget you ever saw it come into the house. My children went to university on money we tucked away, and good hard work on their part to make it happen. They never heard us say "we're poor" - "we can't do it". We said that it might take awhile, but if that is what you truly want, it is achievable".

Merry Christmas Everyone

To all my friends and foes alike(yes,I have foes,I think,I should have due to my offensive mouth)Merry Christmas! I understand those in M2/03 are going to have quite a "memorable" Christmas. All the memorising you need. If I am a Santa, I will wrap an envelope with perforated ends,with an A inside for fellow M2/03ians. Well,I must wrap one for myself too. If not I will really have to be a Santa next coming Christmas. One of my favourite song for Christmas, Dashing through the snow On a one-horse open sleigh, Over the fields we go, Laughing all the way; Bells on bob-tail ring, making spirits bright, What fun it is to ride and sing A sleighing song tonight, O Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way! O what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh (repeat) A day or two ago, I thought I'd take a ride, And soon Miss Fanny BrightWas seated by my side; The horse was lean and lank; Misfortune seemed his lot; He got into a drifted bank, And we, we got upset. OJingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way! o What fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh. (repeat) A day or two ago,the story I must tell I went out on the snow And on my back I fell; A gent was riding by In a one-horse open sleigh, He laughed as thereI sprawling lie, But quickly drove away, OJingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way! o What fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh. (repeat) Now the ground is white Go it while you're young, Take the girls tonight And sing this sleighing song; Just get a bob-tailed bay two-forty as his speed Hitch him to an open sleigh And crack! you'll take the lead, OJingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way! o What fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh.

*DADDY'S TEN RULES OF DATING* [Guys take note.]

Rule One: If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up. Rule Two: You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them. Rule Three: I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist. Rule Four: I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a "Barrier method" of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you. Rule Five: It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is: "early" Rule Six: I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry. Rule Seven: As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process than can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car? Rule Eight: The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to introduce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka -- zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided; movieswhich features chain saws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better. Rule Nine: Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a pot bellied, balding, middle-aged, dimwitted has-been. But on issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless God of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me. Rule Ten: Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a chopper coming in over a rice paddy near Hanoi. When my Agent Orange starts acting up, the voices inmy head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveways you should exit the car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car -- there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine. This is a set of rules provided by my future-in-laws. Just kidding,a joke once in a while to bring laughter to all around.

17 more days

Roughly more than 2 weeks before our finals commence for the M2/03 batch. My preparation is a bit off,as usual,procastinating most of the time. Some of us are switching to fussy mode,some of us wake up looking more like panda than a homo sapien,a few of us maybe dreaming about cabarchol,bethanicol and what's not,some of us are still taking it easy.That explains the colder than normal greetings,drained by the piles of notes and books.This is like a crunch time period,either you make it or you don't.So there you have - pressure.Much as I want to be among the frontrunners in the academics,but still first thing first.A pass is the number one priority. Just minutes ago,Sheena led a group of friends to come to my humble abode to sing Christmas carols. I think my housemates,Mr Bruce is the MAIN pulling factor. Rumours have it that she is president-elect of the BLFC,Bruce Lee's Fan Club.I shall give her a benefit of doubt though.Little did I realise, this is the second time my Christian friends come to do some carolling.So a year has passed,it seems. One year done in my pursuit as a medical professional. Here,I thank all those who have come just now to share with us the festive mood and bringing so much-needed smile and laughter in trying times(That's a bit off,but I love to use hyperbole) besides praying for friends like me.I forgot to take a photo though,never mind,shall get it from Jeremy Joy to the world, We pass finals, With flying colours too, We've given it our best, Alas,we passed the test, Teachers are happy too, We did what we have to, We passed it, We passed and, Proud of it Joy to the world, We pass finals, With flying colours too, We can now go to bed, With sweet dreams in our head, Troubles and worries too, We flush them down the loo, We flush them, We flush them, Down the loo. Seems a bit too early.But inspiration struck at the weirdest time. Update:I realise I got the syllables wrong edi,well gotta refine it next time when I am free.

Medical Breakthrough or.....

I read with great interest this article regarding the "brain". Seems to me,a group of scientist has been able to cultivate a "brain" that is intelligent enough to fly a simlated state-of-the-art jet fighter. Until today,I have always been impressed by the imagination of science-fiction authors such as Brian Herbert, Frank Herbert and Kevin Anderson who wrote the successful Dune series.They have been able to imagine a world ruled by artificial intelligence when a computer that is affordable and compact enough to fit in any household seems like an improbablity during their time.Who knows with this breakthrough, the terms I came across in reading science fictions such as "bio-circuity","neuro-circuitry" and etc. might become a reality?Artificial intelligence will really become artificial intelligence,able to "think" intelligently,not just based on the "if input= A,output =B" basis. A whole new world of possiblities will be opened up. Despite the research on the neurons usage in circuitry still in its infancy stage,a very paranoid side of me has brought me to the possiblity of the situation that can only be imagined by the authors of sci-fi such as Dunes,The Terminator,Matrix where mankind are displaced by thinking machines. With the ability to think and act like man, coupled with the ambition and greed that make a man so notorious for, the world that they imagined is imaginable if not foreseenable. Maybe I am too paranoid here with the Finals coming.Well, it is just a simple research full of potential and difficulties for the patients with neurologic diseases. "The end is spelt when men created machines in likeness of them." This keep ringing in my mind now.Just have to put this down. Now to start the journey to the Finals

Reliving Childhood

How much have changed since I was born.?It seems to be uncountable.I have witnessed many births and deaths.The birth of our Malaysia-made Proton,I was there to witness it.I wonder how many still remember the days when our roads were filled with cars of Mazda,Daihatsu,Honda and etc.I wonder whether the kids nowadays knew that our first national car is Proton Saga,not Iswara,Wira and so on.Much later,then came the Perodua line of national cars. Back in my childhood,we don't have Playstation or Xbox to play with.We had Transformers,Lego and Hot Wheels for the boys and Barbies and "masak-masak" for the girls.There are games that are played by the boys and girls sometimes to pass time such as "Congkak","Batu Seremban","Ceper"(the bottlecaps),"Sepak Yan","Meriam Buluh" and so on.Everything was played with the limbs and some thoughts.All require no battery to play.Just a place and the simple equipment and we will have fun for hours. While I was in primary school,we had no Gameboy Advance or PDA phone.The games I remembered playing used erasers,ice-cream sticks,a pair of running legs and so on.The classic "Police catch thief" I wonder whether it is still being played in the school compound. It is a game of what we normally term catching. Another game that was famous in my school is what we called "Pepsi Cola 1,2,3."I don't know which genius came up with this interesting idea to dirty our white shoes.This game,I couldn't remember how to start it.Anyway the basic of the game is to put your foot (read:White shoes) on top of the foot(read: previously white shoe) of other people.The guys who got his shoes stepped on is considered "killed" and is out of the game.This game is turn-based.Everyone will have his turn.In his turn,he can choose to move one step or kill.When one is being targeted for a kill,he can evade moving only a step but he cannot move before the "killer" or the guy who is having his turn, moves.Thus this is a game that train our eye-leg coordination and leg reflex.Comes in very handy when applied in evading a tackle in football.Of course,while in primary school,everyone was almost of same height and legs of similiar reach making this game that relies heavily on balance and reflex. As we progressed through primary school,we were exposed to newer games,especially the "Sepak Yan" or "Capteh" as we used to call it.This game requires certain investment,thus it is considered one of the more advanced games.It is basically a badminton played with feet.The shuttlecock is replaced by a bunch of (chicken) feathers tied together sitting on top of a heavy circular base usually made by pieces of rubber from the old tyres.I sucks at this game though as my legs aren't as agile as I would like them to.A minority,like me,learned to play chess then.Being the kids we were,I don't remember finishing a game before we ran out of patience and ended the game prematurely.We just couldn't sit down there and think.We would rather sweat it out. Years back then,the Mooncake Festival and Chinese New Year will always have a special place in my memory.During Mooncake Festival,my two brothers and I managed to coax our parents to buy a lots of lantern.Our house compound would be filled with so many lanterns that will put a starry night to shame.My estimate at the peak of our lantern counts,we had around 50 plus lanterns.Hmm....let's not go into the details how I persuade my parents.As most of the lantern we bought were of the paper and candle type,they could be consumed by the very thing to define them-the source of light.Thus,every year during mooncake festivals,there would be a few death of lanterns being burned to ashes,some newly borned or purchased lanterns.We only bought THREE electronic lanterns,one each for my brothers and I but we realised they weren't as fun as the real lantern.I prefered to feel the heat the candle emit,the randomly flickering light provided by the flame ,the risk of burning the lantern while carrying it and running around, and the sadness and pity of witnessing your own lantern's death.Unknowingly this has taught me the cycle of life,there will be deaths and there will be births. Even the lanterns that were hung around the house "died",blown to the ground by the wind and caught fire.Sometimes,whether we intend it or not,deaths happen anyhow.At the last count,I figured we still have around 10 to 20 lanterns left.It had been a while since we replenish our pools of lantern. Chinese New Year is almost as unforgettable.We would have a lot of firecrackers of different sizes and powers.Although firecrackers are illegal now,we still put our customary red firecrackers during Chinese New Year whenever we can get hold of one.Ahh...one of the advantage of living deep inside an estate.Under the watchful eyes of our parents,nothing had gone wrong then.Sometimes,my Dad even joined ,more like, helped me to light the fuse with the glowing incense held by my shivering hand.Together then we would ran away from the firecracker trying to find shelter from the sound that came with it.Ahh.......those days..... Living in an estate also means that I have a few close encounter with the wild animals.There was a few times,these "neighbours" of mine entered my house without knocking.There was a few times Mr. Snake came to my house to "rest." If possible,we would want to part peacefully.However,being not conversant in the language my Granma and my Dad spoke,Mr Snake and his friends had never left my house alive so far.The worst that had happened so far was when I woke up grodgily,to the shoutings of my Granma. What happened was there was a Mr. snake under my bed.My Granma?She was not shouting to warn me,she was scolding me for being so ignorant of the snake's presence.Mr Snake?He came in moving horizontally and went out unmoving vertically.Considering the fact that I have rode my bicycle over a python once and a monitor lizard once unknowingly,these things were quite normal I think.What a childhood......I can be so blur at times. Then, computer came along in my late primary years and things slowly evolve since then.What used to be a pasttime became a past in time.Things have been changing since then.I picked up badminton,swimming,reading and basketball along the way.This is just a glimpse into what a memorable childhood I had......

The Blogger Inside Me

You Are a Snarky Blogger!

You've got a razor sharp wit that bloggers are secretly scared of. And that's why they read your posts as often as they can!

What kind of blogger are you?

Suits me I guess, wait..that's not a compliment for me,isn't it?Got the link from YP

On Debating...

I better blog about this before I forget and go back to my books with anatomy,physiology,pharmacology,microbiology,orgy and etc. I always have a high respect for good speakers who can command the attention of the crowd for hours with no yawning in sight.I have even higher respect for people who can speak publicly,voicing out his/her opinion clearly,responding to questions or rebuttals effectively and sarcastically polite,exuding a confidence that signifies his/her stand on the topic,keeping his/her composure even when all seemed to fall around him/her.Who am I talking about?No one in particular but debaters.They are just human like you and me who read this blog. I for one,can't speak in public,literally meaning I lack the confidence needed to speak in public.To be able to speak in public is the prerequisite to becoming a debater.Thus,I have failed at the first hurdle.However,it doesn't stop me from being amazed by the flair and sarcasm of some debaters,if not all,whom I have watched. Secondly,I don't have a strong stand on most topics.Fluid will be the definition of my stand on a certain topic.Well,I guess I might just mouthed it out accidentally when it is my turn to speak to my debate teamate (if any)"You know what,mate?What they say is really true, you know?I don't think our opinions and points are valid."Hm.....I guessed I have helped the judges to decide the winner of the debate already. Moving on,as one of my friends had related to me the other day,needless to say,I was very impressed with some of the sarcasms and knowledge as well as flair displayed by the debaters in a recent debate.They debated on a topic that's almost alien to them.Read : Turkey.Hahahaha.However,they managed to show and portray a good grasp of the motion,as my friend was saying.Well,don't they make my day?Had a real good laugh at some of the things that happen then.Really can't imagine the look on their face when the motion was announced then. Back to books.........GANBATTE!!!!!

Pondering.....

I was just wondering whether those politicians go online to surf and read news,gossips or even blogs!!!Actually,I was just wondering how efficient our Ministry of Health can be if they keep themselves updated through www.medicine.com.my on current affairs of our public health and the medical personnels' grouses here in Malaysia.Maybe I shouldn't accuse them for not reading.If they do read it,why isn't there any fast action being taken to address the problems highlighted?If they did,again,there is A LOT of rooms for improvement. I was just wondering whether those businessmen go online to surf,read and update themselves.Actually I was just wondering how much their business can flourish if they keep in mind all the customers' grouses that are being voiced out in our ever-growing Internet community.I wondered whether I should be grateful for there are people like Jeff Ooi at www.jeffooi.com who tried to educate the typical Malaysians like me on consumerism.With him around,those businessmen who are monopolising are going to have a hard time coercing the ignorants. I am just wondering whether the many people behind their blogs are really the same person as they sound to be in the blog. On a totally unrelated thought,I wonder why there are so many people going to the media to ask for donation mostly for operations done at private hospitals.It is a known fact that there is a cheaper alternative available at public hospital.It is also a known fact that the waiting time in public hospital is legendarily long.So far,I haven't seen one appealing for money to do an operation at a public hospital though.This is despite the fact that some people just like us,whose blood is as red,can't even afford the RM 1 for the government clinic visits. At first,I thought my family is not that well to do compared to others.This thought occurs to me as my family decided not too long ago that the private specialist fee for my Granma's diabetic illness is too heavy to bear that we have to resort to the treatment and followup at a government hospital.The checkups done at the private specialist have totaled to a few thousands dollar if I am not mistaken.Maybe I am not doing any justice to the government health service by using the phrase "resort to."Anyway,here I want to say kudos and thank you to the medical personnels there for they have taken care of my Granma as well as they could given the much-publicised circumstances.It just took a bit longer and a little more trouble but my Granma was given the attention due her.To those who are appealing for donation through the media,I have nothing against them but I just want to remind you: For each appeal for donation to have an urgent surgery done at the private hospital,there are hundreds more other patients at the government hospital that need more attention than you think they warrant.Come to think of it,how many surgeries at a public hospital can you sponsor with the donation you collected for the treatment at a private hospital?Imagine the number of lives that can be saved?Live within your means,people.Yeah,but if you put me in their shoes,I might be singing the same tune as them.Hypocritical me.... I still remember one of the patient that I came across in the hospital I was attached to, who couldn't even afford the RM 38 for her ward stay.38 bucks.....That's less than what I spent every time I went Midvalley.I was thinking of paying for her but in the end I didn't.Sometimes,I thought to myself,am I lacking the humanity that I hope to see in others?Mirror can only tell me as much as my face,but not my heart.

Insomnia #296

Well.5 a.m. and still not sleeping.Anyway just want to post something I came across while surfing.Interesting find...... 1. Guys don't actually look after good-looking girls.They prefer neat and presentable girls. 2. Guys hate flirts. 3. A guy can like you for a minute, and then forget you afterwards. 4. When a guy says he doesn'tunderstand you, it simply means you're not thinking the way he is. 5. "Are you doing something?" or "Have you eaten already?" are the first usual questions a guy asks on the phone just to get out from stammering. 6. Guys may be flirting around all day but before they go to sleep, they always think about the girl they truly care about. 7. When a guy really likes you, he'll disregard all your bad characteristics. 8. Guys go crazy over a girl's smile. 9. Guys will do anything just to get the girl's attention. 10. Guys HATE IT when you talk about your ex's. 11. When guys want to meet your parents. Let them. 12. Guys want to tell you many things but they can't. And they sure have one habit to gain courage and spirit to tell you many things and it is drinking! 13. Guys cry!!! 14. Don't provoke the guy to heat up. Believe me. He will. 15. Guys can never dream and hope too much. 16. Guys usually try hard to get the girl who has dumped them, and this makes it harder for them to accept their defeat. 17. When you touch a guy's heart, there's no turning back. 18. Giving a guy a hanging message like "You know what?!..uh...never mind!" would make him jump to a conclusion that is far from what you are thinking. 19. Guys go crazy when girls touch their hands. 20. Guys are good flatterers when courting but they usually stammer when they talk to a girl they really like. 21. When a guy makes a prolonged "umm" or makes any excuses when you're asking him to do you a favor, he's actually saying that he doesn't like you and he can't lay down the card for you. 22. When a girl says "no", a guy hears it as "try again tomorrow." 23. You have to tell a guy what you really want before he gets the message clearly. 24. Guys hate gays! 25. Guys love their moms. 26. A guy would sacrifice his money for lunch just to get you a couple of roses. 27. A guy often thinks about the girl who likes him. But this doesn't mean that the guy likes her. 28 You can never understand him unless you listen to him. 29. If a guy tells you he loves you once in a lifetime. He does. 30. Beware. Guys can make gossips scatter through half of the face of the earth faster than girls can. 31. Like Eve, girls are guys' weaknesses. 32. Guys are very open about themselves. 33. It's good to test a guy first before you believe him. But DON'T let him wait that long. 34. No guy is bad when he is courting 35. Guys hate it when their clothes get dirty. Even a small dot. 36. Guys REALLY admire girls that they like even if they're not that much pretty. 37. Your best friend, whom your boyfriend seeks help from about his problems with you may end up being admired by your boyfriend. 38. If a guy tells you about his problems, he just needs someone to listen to him. You don't need to give advice. 39. A usual act that proves that the guy likes you is when he teases you. 40. A guy finds ways to keep you off from linking with someone else. 41. Guys LOVE girls WITH BRAINS more than girls in miniskirts. 42. Guys try to find the stuffed toy a girl wants but would unluckily get the wrong one. 43. Guys virtually brag about anything. 44. Guys cannot keep secrets that girls tell them. 45. Guys think too much. 46. Guys' fantasies are unlimited. 47. Girls' height doesn't really matter to a guy. 48. Guys tend to get serious with their relationship and become too possessive. So watch out girls!! 49. When a girl makes the boy suffer during courtship, it would be hard for him to let go of that girl. 50. GET TO THE POINT, don't beat around the bush... Better get some winks before class start at 8.30 a.m.Cheers:)

Happy Birthday Grace

Happy Birthday Grace!!!!The lady of all trade.Brain,look,athleticism all built into one.Smooth sailing ahead Hmm....almost forgot all about it if I had not read YP's post. And with regards to the poem I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced: but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed - and gazed - but little thought What wealth the snow to me had brought: For oft when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils. -William Wordsworth- Okay I yahoo! for it,but I remember reading this before,I think it is one of the poems in the "Poetry in Motion Part II" in the Star LRT. And for the birthday song......

Random Thoughts

"What's so good in a bye that we say goodbye?"

Coffee Anyone?

A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning. The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee." The husband said, " You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee." Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee." Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me." So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says.......... "HEBREWS" No offense to anyone.On a lighter note,I am looking to some coffee from some of my Christian friends =)

Karangan

"Tiga tahun.Tiga tahun telah menjelang sejak saya meninggalkan halaman kampung saya di Johor Bahru untuk meneruskan pelajaran saya di salah satu bandaraya yang terunggul di muka bumi ini.Inilah bandaraya yang diagung-agungkan kemudahan pengangkutannya,bandaraya yang menjadi kebanggaan rakyat Malaysia sekalian.Kuala Lumpur namanya.Duduknya saya di sini,mengenang kembali masa lampau,masa di bangku sekolah,betapa senang dan bebasnya hidup sebagai pelajar pada masa itu.Memang tidak sama dengan hidup yang sesak dan penuh tekanan yang saya alami sekarang.Tapi,inilah pengorbanan dan cabaran yang harus saya harungi di menara gading." Dalam tiga tahun ini,banyak sudah berubah di muka bumi ini,bukan setakat di bumi Malaysia,malah di bumi negara lain.Peperangan masih berlaku.Pengorbanan nyawa yang tidak berdosa kian hari kian meningkat.Jenayah juga semakin menjadi-jadi.Adakah hari kiamat sudah hampir?Berapa nyawa lagi yang mesti dikorbankan dalam usaha yang sia-sia mengawal aktiviti pengganasan?Berapa lama lagi peperangan akan diteruskan?Tidak habis menyoal tetapi saya masih tercari-cari jawapannya. Kerap saya bertanya,bukankah kita telah belajar daripada kesalahan yand dilakukan moyang kita dalam perang dunia?Bukankah kita telah mencapai kemajuan yang hanya boleh diia-iakan oleh moyang kepada moyang kita?Bukankah kita makhluk yang bertamadun?Namun,kita masih berperang antara satu sama lain,membesar-besarkan masalah kecil malah rela mengkhianati bukan sahaja pendirian,malah kaum kita sendiri untuk kepentingan masing-masing.Peperangan,penjenayahan,keganasan,kematian,bagaikan sungai tidak berhulu,darah mengalir tanpa henti. Sudah sekian lama saya berhenti mengarang dalam Bahasa Melayu.Harap maaf atas kesalahan tatabahasa ataupun tatacara yang telah saya lakukan.Jika saudara/saudari boleh meluangkan sedikit masa untuk membetulkan atau membaiki karangan saya ini,bolehlah saudara/saudari mencatatkan sepatah dua kata di ruangan yang disediakan.Atas usaha saudara/saudari,saya dahulukan ucapan terima kasih. Just an effort to keep my BM proficiency in check:)

Lectures

This evening,during one of the lectures,one of the lecturers, "Everyone is born with an instinct to suck his or her mother's milk......" To which I,blurly and sleepily added quite loudly,to the extent of attracting the attention (and even hostile looks)of the 3 rows of attentive medical students in front of me, "I was right to say that everyone is born a sucker after all" Cheers:)

IMU Cup 2004:Prologue

Here in my uni we just had a little Olympic, Which provide our life with a little more kick, A short break from studying to cure the sick, It is a time where our studies take a back seat. IMU Cup is the official name, Where participants are those who are game, Enough to chase the win and the fame, As well to temporarily forgo kinship all the same. Some triumphed while others fall, Winners soar yet the losers stood proud and tall, Some foes were made,together with friends and pals, Especially when a referee made a bad call, Who decide winner or loser in game of subjectivity, Some even questioned the judges' objectivity, So much furore with all the controversies, Despite we all are part of humanity, Friends were seen crying and even hugging, Tried so hard and yet ended losing, If my words,as to others,are any more consoling, Don't give up,we just have to keep trying. Questions were raised and opinions were voiced, By winners and losers,girls and boys, Sportmanships are questioned as a good decoy, For the cup delivered as a departing foy, Are the competitions,as rumoured,rigged? Has fair play taken a back seat? Somethings is wrong when winners are booed and weep, But everyone is just defending their own keeps. Time flies and comes closing of the Olympics, With the cheerleaders' graceful cheer in their sexy figs, "Yell for the foxes,we can't be beat" "Watch out people,gotta knock you off your feet" Winners were declared and hearts were shattered, Adding more fire to the ongoing chatters, The girls cried and wept in friends' shoulders, Some did it openly while others try to find shelters. Well,the IMU cup has officially ended, Just like a burnt out candle, Out went the fire and the smoke spindles, If losing,we can't,what else can we handle? -Xiao_zhai- No medal for me this year though

IMU Cup Campaign

IMU Cup campaign had ended,at least for me.Today just got knocked out in the pool semi-finals.It was a close match,in my opinion.I was lucky though to scrap a win in a best of 3.That guy beat me in the next two round earning a point for his team. Basketball semifinals against the M2/02 ended with a loss to them,ending our basketball campaign this time round.Hope to do better next time though.We put up a valiant fight, but with 2 of our starters fouled out in the middle of the second half,we couldn't muster any more defiance against them.As someone put to me before last time while I was still green in basketball,"Height is the first talent."It is undisputable that height cannot be trained in contrast to skills.From the sound of it,our team really lacks talent and our opponent,is blessed with them. I guess a short update will do for now.Going back to the books.Haven't touched them since IMU cup started.Till the next update,which will be most probably a long time from now,sayonara.

IMU Cup 2004 Update:Basketball Semi-finals 1

Today,I just watched the team that beat us the other day, the Sem2 playing against the almost-made-it team,the current Sem4.What make this match so exciting?Both of the team are led by players who are in the class of their own.Raymond,one of my OOs during my orientation,leading his team of M1/03 against M2/04 led by Jin,whom I was one of the OOs.Oh mine,did my life just revolve around basketball? Jin,beat us the other day with an outstanding Jordan-like performance of 43 points against us.Thus today's matchup is very interesting.Star player playing against star player.The Sem4 led by Raymond started brightly,before Jin's team fought back to take the lead in the middle of first half.Jin wasn't shooting as well as he did the other day.Raymond?He had his fair share of misses too.The Sem4 seems to be playing the right defensive strategy by playing a 1-2-2 defense keeping the guards of Sem2 at bay.However,the inside players of M1/04 had quite a day collecting points in the absence of Jin's shooting form.That's a downside of the 1-2-2 zone formation. The Sem2?They defended with 2-3zonal defense,the most often used defense in basketball I think,can be compared to the 4-4-2 applied in soccer.Since they are playing with 2 guys out.Raymond at nearing 6 feet and being such a good dribbler had quite a good time collecting points.Towards the end of the first half,the Sem4 rallied to pull clear by six points leading into halftime. Second half started with a 3 points from Jin.After that,both the team fought hard to try to take the lead but the Sem4 inspired by Raymond,didn't let space of even an inch to them.They didn't want to surrender their lead.Going into the middle of the second half,with Jin starting to regain his form,the Sem4 applied the 1-2-2 man-zonal or the known "Box One" in basketball with WJ being assigned the task to keep Jin's fire down,while the other 4 form a box defending the inside zone.Jin had a tough time taking his shot and he didn't make his shot ala Jordan as what he did against us.Jin's contribution became quite limited as the game went on,throwing away possession and leading to a few fast breaks from the Sem4.Raymond was really in inspiring form,cutting through the defense,making the shots and plays.The Sem2s just couldn't keep Raymond under control.There was only 3 minutes left on the clock when the Sem4s held a 12 points lead.Jin tried to rally his team back into contention.On a normal day,he might make it.But Raymond was unforgiving,making steals and another few fast break keeps the game out of reach for the Sem2s.Sem4s?They are in the finals. A few thing I want to say about Raymond and why I want him to win.He is an outstanding basketball player in his batch or probably even the whole university.As most competitions are played between batches,his batch,lacking dedicated basketball players always didn't make it far in the inter-batch basketball competition.I can see his elation when the game ended.He has finally reached the finals after maybe four semesters of trying?His teamates nevertheless did a great job in helping him.He had cramps too many a time in trying to reach the final with his batch.Now he finally he made it.Congrats nevertheless. To Raymond,when I told you "See you in the final," besides me wanting to be in the final,I also want you to be in the final.You kept your words by bringing your team into the final and let's see if I can keep mine in the upcoming semis against the overwhelming favourite,the Giants of M2/02.We will meet next Monday on the court,I hope.They are beaten before and history does repeat....To the Finals....

Before my blood is spilled

Before my blood is spilled,not too long ago, I ran a search on www.yahoo.com on my quotes just to pass time as usual.You know,seeing your site at the top of the search result,makes you feel .....good.Oh mine,had a pleasant surprise when someone actually quoted me in her blog.I know it is only one but that can't stop me from feeling so good.*Getting a boost of confidence of my intelligence before the hematology exam in 12 hours time* "Sometimes,ironically, the saddest moment in life is when there's no one to share your happiest moment of your life." -Xiao- "The ship that can help you traverse the greatest distance, brave the biggest storm,ride the most violent wave and yet you survive,wet but unscathed is not a ship but friendship" -Xiao- Okay.Time to clear a few more notes and retire for the night.Adios from the founder of the newly founded Federal Union Centre of Knowledge of The Underground Bloggers. F.U.C.K.T.U.B Cheers:)

IMU Cup 2004 Update:Basketball

Yesterday,we just concluded our group stage for basketball with a hard-fought 55-34 over the new boys of M2/04.We fought it out on the tar,in the rain,for a win,to qualify for semi-finals.We faced a problem in our starting lineup as one of our starter was absent because he's not feeling well.A slight tweak with the starting line up caused us to lose the cohesiveness that we used to choreograph in the first few opening minutes. The new boys take the lead initially with a 13-7 scoreline.Sensing a mistake in the strategy we employed,our team captain did another tweak with the line-up.The result?we level the score at 15-15 and never look back since,concluding the game with 55-34 scoreline to us. Somewhere along the game, Xiao_zhai : @#$%@* WHERE IS THE DEFENSE?REMEMBER WHAT I SAID? *pulling a fist at my teammates and shouting at the top of my voice. Someone in the crowd: Take it easy on your teammates,Xiao.Did you check out the scoreline? Okay,I didn't.But I think we got quite a comfortable lead then.But the game is never won until the game has been won.Can't let complacency sink in and take the victory away. Another friend even commented "Xiao,you are darn fierce. lar"I looked back at her and smiled,putting my most innocent face,expressing surprise and answering " Really?"Maybe got a bit too emotional during the game. End of day,what I got: 5 missed shots 0 points 2 missed free throws 4 steals Lost my voice Half of hematology notes to go Gotta study for hemato already.Sayonara.

"Holds the Fort,Xiao"

Yesterday the was chess competition for IMU Cup with the international chess and chinese chess being played simultaneously.Thus,though one is good in both events,he or she can't take part in both.I for one,took part in the international chess.I looked at both the international and chinese chess team of my batch.None of them that I don't know.I,for one and most of us,I believe,think that chess is played by those nerdy-looking anti-social katak di bawah tempurung who only come out in the sun just to get the vitamin D metabolism in his or her body going.I was wrong,very darn wrong.We have our batch's footballer,badminton,basketball players,swimmer who can run and jump with athletic agility.Okay,this may not include me. Anyway,back to the chess competition.Maybe I should let everyone know, 3 of the 4 members of our chess(international) team didn't know that the competition was held yesterday,of course before we frantically trying to reach each other to tell each other that the competition was going to be held in one hour time.kJ flew in with his while Ash,Grace and me reached on bare foot. The competition format is what we call round robin.6 teams divided into 2 groups where the top 2 from each group proceed. First Match vs Pharmacy.We went into the battefield with all guns blazing.All four boards won.4-0 to M203.I pawned the first guy kau kau Second Match vs M204.Come up with the junior that was in my orientation group.Tough matchup.Draw 2-2.Our star striker KenJ score one and Ash managed another from the jaw of defeat.I was defeated together with Grace with grace. We qualified for semifinals.An enormous achievement since "I have no professional training or whatsoever".Love this line made famous by Willie or AI.Thought M204 was tough,now we got an ever tougher matchup.Going up against 2 very strong(national?)player.We are a team of 4 so we are almost guaranteed to lose 2 boards.I stress,almost but not sure. 3rd Match vs M104.I was in the first board.Their first board is their strongest player while I am probably the weakest player among the 3 males in our team.kenJ can't beat that guy,kenJ said.So it is up to me to upset the odds.Going for a draw with my opponent will upset the balance considerably,favouring us,of course.This is something I learned in the Sun Tzu's Art of War."Spread your strength evenly.Pit your weakest against their strongest army.You may lose a battle but won the others and thus the war." I was using white.FYI,white starts first in chess and thus has the initiative to attack while black is normally a defensive play.White is not my best choice.My stronger play will be with black.He(my national level opponent?)started with a very unorthodox opening.Something that I have seen before but I couldn't quite recall.Must have been some very powerful opening that people used.I have seen that before.I sweat at the thought of it because I believe that it is one of opening the state level chess players that I have play against during my secondary, have used before against me.I lost then,needless to say.A bad sense of deja vu Anyway,I played defensively making sure not to commit any mistake.Against him,I think one mistake will be the last I make.My strategy is to gain material upperhand,and offering a draw.By midgame,I was still on par with him.Our loss are even- a bishop,a knight and a pawn.I think I have tested his patience with my cautious play.Then it happened.Blitzkrieg.He probed and probed my defense until he found a leak.In order to save my king and my day,I have to sacrifice a knight.With the material upperhand he got on me,and the skills and experience that I don't possess,his army was all over my board in the next few moves.I tried and tried yet his army keep coming.Losses getting heavier on each side though I am still the one with more losses than him.It will not be long before my defense crumble. The wall I put up cracks and falls and his queen wielded,in her delicate fingers, the artistically carved knife against my king's throat.Checkmate.I was the last man standing on that table.For once,I made full use of the time I have. The final score was 2-2 again with our trump cards Ash and kenJ scoring the vital points.Sadly and unfortunately, we lost based on the past points accumulated in the group stage.It is equivalent to Malaysia bowing out to Brazil in soccer through penalty shootout after the full time score levels at 2-2. Why do I feel like I was the victor of the day although I have lost?I guess I have done what I could and take the fight to them.This time,I was the underdog.

Life is a game

Life is a game.Of course a game that you cannot save and try to load later.What's past is past.A shot missed will never go in.A pass missed will never be recovered.A second passed will not return.What set the victors and vanquished apart? We are no professional or even semi-professional yet we train,we sweat,we bleed,we bruise and we grit in pain for all we did,in hope of vanquishing the opponent and leaving the court a victor.Thus,skill and ability-wise,the dividing line is blur.What have they got and we not?It is the heart,the determination to go for every ball as if it is your life depends on it.It is the passion,the love for the game.No,it is not the beautiful game that most people in the world play.It is a theoritically non-contact ball game played in rectangular court with two small hoop on opposite ends as the targets.However,with ten persons moving with speed and superb agility within a confine space,contacts is inevitable.It is the game one call it basketball. Over two halves of twenty minutes each,on a tarred court as the chosen battlefield,two teams, comprising of 5 players and 7 benchers slugging it out to outwit,outrun and outscore each other.The heart is not there,one say.That guy is too good,say another.Nevertheless,we felt threatened for the odd was not against us.When they managed to take the fight to us and fight us tooth for tooth,we feel......defeated.When one is defeated at the heart,that's one real defeat.How many times have I been outscored by the other team and yet not defeated?But this is one real defeat,a loss that is hard to take.Hopefully a loss that will be a lesson for the future. Life is a game with no rules but one rule that rules - never ever give up. I love this game.

"Stressometry"

Done a test at http://www.sanriotown.com/psycho/psycho6/psycho6_us.htm Analysis:

"You are a cheerful person and likely never worry about stress.Even when you encounter any problem,you will not pay attention.Though,it is not the whole truth.Maybe you just simply put stress aside. You might be exposed to stress one day.When that occurs,gardening will be the best way to keep a balance stress level."

What?!!!Gardening??Hmm....speaking of which,the durian seed I threw in my home compound has started to bear fruits this year.The only thing I ever did is throwing the seed after I finish the flesh almost a decade ago.I guess that can be considered gardening.....Hemato,IMU cup,crapping,shitting,eating,sleeping.Darn.....need better time management.

Malaysia In Recent Days

What I do when not studying, Besides some shitting and some crapping, I did try to do some analysing, On Malaysia's recent happenings. Come have a look at some garmen's policy, "All out war against piracy" Yet we still Ah Bengs selling VCD, Now advanced already to DVD. When things go wrong,we form committees, Always say,"We will launch an inquiry" "Need inputs from all parties" That's it,folks,end of one story. Our sports fail to shine,say we need more measure, "We have to promote sports,not just for leisure" Athletes fail,we then say it is good exposure World standard,how can we be sure? Question same is not worrying, "Besides, this is not copying" I thought originality we are lobbying, Maybe one can call it "coincidental printing." Smoking is good,says one MP, "My friend don't smoke and he dies early." "Compared to strolling,smoking is more healthy." Looks like someone doesn't know his health's ABC. "Sorry,docs,we have no money" Yey they still drive their big big Mercedes, "Sorry,that car's not mine,belong to my honey." I sometimes do find them very funny. Graft is bad,we abhor nepotism, Yet those Benzs are driven with such enthusiasm, Can even go overseas to cure rheumatism, But they can't even take a little criticism. First,they say they champion for freedom of press, Yet they now complain about so-called bad press, Saying it causes some people undue stress, Wonder why their words are such a mess? Malaysia has the first world facility, But we run it with third world mentality, Given chance,most of us will sure take a MC, It is a wonder we built that KLCC. This is the Malaysia of today, And the stories for the past few days, A glimpse of the country I stay, We are uniquely Malaysian,I say.

Recharge

Going to go back my hometown in JB for some refreshment and to recharge my mental battery today after today's lecture if I can get the ticket.Life is getting more hectic.It's not that far,yet I don't go back often.Hopefully,if inspiration struck on my way home,then I will post the poem here.That's the time when I got most of my inspiration to write something.Non-medical of course.Might not be blogging for a few days.Living on dialup there. To my self-imposed isolation.Cheers!!!Take care those who are preparing for the IMU Cup.

"Winning isn't everything.IT is the thing"

Okay,that's not what I want to say.Anyway,just enjoy those sweats,pains,cramps,aches and malaise for those preparing for IMU Cup.Will end with one of the quotes I really like

"Though one may conquer a thousand man a thousand times in a battlefield,yet he who conquers himself is the greatest conquerer." -Buddha-

Let us be the greatest conquerers.......

My Secret Identity

Take the quiz: "What is your secret IDENTITY?" Leonardo DaVinchi Such intellegence...You are the kind of person who sees things differently. Completely different perspective of life. This is awesome, the world needs intellecutals like you. You can go far with your thoughts. My secret identity.Oh mine,I didn't know that.Will try out other quiz.

Budget

Just checked the paper today and found out a new Budget has been tabulated by our government.The tax relief for purchase of books will be increased from RM 500 to RM 700. Yeah....I love to buy books.Now there will be less burden on my Ministry of Finance(read my Dad) Medical books are expensive so the relief will,oh well, come as a relief.Been planning to add a few more books to my medical library.Now I can get another 2 or 3 ORIGINAL medical books to add to my medical library here. There is also an increase in sin tax namely alcohol and cigarettes.The increase in cigarettes is good I believe because everyone or almost everyone know that smoking is bad for health.As for the increase in alcohol,I don't know what to say about it.Anything excessive is detrimental and I drink OCCASIONALLY.Thus,it won't has much effect on me.Just in case there are any blur sotongs from medical university,the price increase DOES NOT affect alcohol swabs.I repeat, DOES NOT affect alcohol swabs. Now onto something else:Been wondering how will Acid and Obasan(a type of alkali) go. Just titred Acid with Obasan(Obasan:Oxidised Barium Sulphate ANhydrous;just crapping here) using a spoonful of cake held by burette filled with Obasan's solution.Shall check with a pH paper at regular interval now to see if there is any changes in pH. Here,pH = -logarithm base 10 of (intensity of happiness of Acid) One more thing to add,with the tax increase,there goes my plan to keep a bottle of JD in my room.Who say taxes are not a good deterrent? Enough baba for now.Sayonara

A Bugga's Birthday

Celebrated my dive buddy's birthday.Had lots of fun especially the matchmaking part.*Rumour mill churns churns churns.*He got a brand new very cool-looking LAZYBUM Equipment watch.Some people just knew how crappy I can get.Downed 9 glasses of todi unknowingly.No,frankly,I don't drink.SERIOUS..... Anyway,happy 21st birthday, Bugga.You will soon be de-singlelised,don't worry be happy.

Orientation M2/04:updates

I was one of the few if not only Orientation Officer from my batch.Oh boy.Lessons I learned from the orientation:

1. You should learn from your past experience (orientation)
2. Greetings from your batchmates come in the form of flour, water baloons, paint, water, eggs and God-knows-what-they-can-grasp-in-their-hand.
3. You will get special VIP treatment when your batchmates are the sadisticstation masters.
4. Eggs are good for your hair, "Not oily,not day, I'm balanced" to quote an adverts motto.
5. You time-slip in and out of the future. Your hair will be black in the morning, white(read flour) in the afternoon, yellow(read egg yolks) in the evening and black again before you go to sleep.
6. The orientation T-shirt is able to withstand at least 10 time wash over 3 days.
7. Sleep is secondary.

On a more positive note,I enjoyed the orientation well.Got to know some of the juniors under my charge although I still have a hard time putting names to their face even now.Hmm...I have a confession to make:I still don't know the names of some of the friends I normally talk to even now in university.The respi exam killed my brain cells you see.At first, I was quite paranoid about being an OO.But my group cope well in my absence(There are other OOs as well)Kudos to them for coming up with the cheer and the costumes and the spirits.I really respect them.Why do I become an OO?Hmm.....Helping out is secondary.Primarily is to know some of the leng luisjuniors and help them with their university.Yet,so far nobody had approached me for any help or any kind.Maybe it is just the first day after orientation.(self-consoling)My point here is I had helluva fun during orientation,getting thrown flour,eggs,water baloons and etc.Okay.That don't sound right.Actually I really thank them(my juniors) for putting in their best efforts.Okay,I had cramps on both my legs(I am getting older,you see) during the late part of treasure hunt yet they still went on.Also want to thank them for calling me the best OOs which I don't quite deserve for what I have done for the first 2 days,abandoning them for my books.Respi exam,what to do.

At the end of day,the orientation was fun and a success considering the time and effort everyone put in.

"One should not be judged on how much wealth he give,but how much of his wealth that he had given."-Xiao_zhai-

Thus,A starving man gives more than a billionaire's millions through his gift of crumbs.Judging by this saying,I have to say the those committee members sure have put in a lot of efforts.To coordinate an orientation for 170+ students with your exam practically the next day really need some BIG sacrifice.Some even went to the extent of skipping the all-too-important medical lectures.

Kudos to the Committee of Orientation M2/04 for a job well done.Kudos to Chern Wuay for leading STD so well in the temporary absence of the OOs.

High School

Was doing some housekeeping in my pc and happen to come across this questionaire I got about a year ago.Maybe I should post it up: Your High School : Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar(English College), JB 1. nickname in high school? Siao most of the time, Steroid King, AirBall King, Cramp King 2. best subject? English 5. worst subject? chemistry too much memory work and not much practical then 6. a teacher you owe life lessons to: Pn Chong(Standard 1 class teacher),Mr Lim(primary school),Miss Tan(Primary school),Pn Low(Standard 6 Mathematics)Miss Syamala and practically most of them in schools.They can't beat my DAD though 7. a teacher you wanna kick in the ass? None i can think of 8. Describe sec 1 year: Get to know lotsa new ppl though a few still come from my primary school.Joined Land Scout.It was very fun then. 9. sec 2 year: Picked up basketball.That's where I got most of my nick in sec school.Start to play(and cramp)quite regularly towards the year end.I was nv an athlete.Got selected as Assistant Junior Troop Leader for Land Scout.Learned a whole lots fun and interesting things in scout 10. sec 3 year: PMR year.Getting to have regular ballmates for basketball namely Eric,JS,QM,ZL,Darrell,but never really acquire the technique.I remember more than 15ppl gather for the last ball meet just before PMR.Getting my friends from St. John to practise first aid on cramps on ME!!!Got a good result for PMR.Scout movement starting to wane after the change of leadership.Still present for every meet without fail though.I am a never a fan of the first Saturday off for the government servant if it involves school.Saturday,school was off limit,hindering lots of ECA activities. 11. sec 4 year: Great year.Major exam just over.Tried a few things.Joined Photography Club got a post as club photographer.Interact club was fun too.Best moments- The U-16 basketball open competition(Won 1 lost 1)Major switch to St John from Scout movements.Won the best camp with them.Selected as President for EC basketball club.plan to try out for MABA referee but never materialise. 12. sec 5 year: Study year.Basketball take a back seat though we still play.Not having too many airball in my shooting edi.Quite happy with the improvement.SPM result shocking.... 13. your best friends was? Soon Liang,Soon Liang and Soon Liang 14. your worst friend was? Hmm...none. 15. cafeteria food sucked? Really sucks.Expensive and normally I don't even eat there. 16. most hilarious school rule? Still remember the first time I was disciplined till I got into the black book.Kesalahan:"Bermain bola keranjang pada hari panas" 17. wore uniforms? Yeah.Ties.Every1 wear ties.Diff from the primary school where only prefects got the "privelege" 18. how was the prom? National school no prom 1 la. 19. who was prom king and queen? refer to Question 18 20. any achievements? Learned a lot of things and found to have a deep passion for basketball. 21. were you popular? maybe among my ballmates and St John friends who keep helping me with my constant cramping 22. best song that reminds you of high school? Some thing that goes like "Wo Men Zhe Yi Pan,Ren Zhai Ke Shi,Xin Zhai Lan Qiu Cang,Wo Men Zhe Yi Pan,Che Yuan Tou Kan,Fen Shu Dou Yi Yang..(We in this class,though we sit in the class,our hearts lies with the court,We in this class,during test copy each other,result comes score all the same) 23. unforgettable high school crush? Nope.Basketball was my passion then. 24. most embarrassing moment? 3 airball in the U-16 basketball competition.I took only 3 shots 25. memory you'd like to forget about high skool: NOne 26. best memory? everything..maybe i should mention about the 7.8 meter high flag pole that won us the best camp. 27. any regrets? Not brushing up my written Chinese. 28. would you like your "future child" to attend ur high skool? Nah...too politicised now.To hell with the quota system.Unless this change,dun think I will.Of course,that's so long b4 even having a kid.Can't really say.Nv say nv..

Gracing Grace's Graces

Just added another fellow batchmate who is into blogging now at www.grchew.blogspot.com and YP's bitching Ranting has just moved. Planning to launch my own site soon. Running out of space at geocities. Trying to get a 100 mb webspace and a domain.People keep asking me why my homepage only archive my college life and not my uni life.Hmm...There is not enough space there to update there,people,that's why it has been stagnant.I wonder how many did check out my homepage. Sayonara for now

Orientation M2/04

Junior version: I am little junior,young and naive, Here is my Mummy,There is Daddy, When the seniors coming,hear me shout, Oh my god and, I want out!! Senior Version: You are little junior,in my hand, Holding flour and eggs ,we are friends, When the seniors throwing,hear us shout, Have fun and wet, inside out. Hmmm....a little lame of conversion of the little teapot song. Maybe a black sheep will fare better. Juniors,Juniors, You're in IMU, White flours, and eggs,ten handful, There's one for the OOs,and none for the dean, Nine for the little boys that just came in. I am losing my mind......

27th August 2004

What day is today?Today is the start of the junior orientation and my "re-orientation."Nope.Not going to tell other what we did in the university here for the juniors.Today also means there is 4 more days to the Respiration System Course Assessment.Preparation looks good at 37.984246%.Don't worry too much.Have 3 full days to prepare.The weekend and National day provided there's nothing that divert my attention away during the weekend and some peace and quiet on National Day.Come on.The stadium is within earshot.It can't be that loud as in drowning the songs played by my imported(from hometown) subwoofer.Shall see my woofer or the stadium wins the battle of the sounds.Hmm...concentrating on study with those noise is another matter. Why blog today?Coz today is her birthday.Someone who is so great that she practically touched the whole world.Who is she?Nope, not one of my crushes.It is the late Mother Teresa.Born on 27 August 1910.Just came across one of her quotes which I like it very much,that's why I am blogging here.

Yesterday is gone.Tomorrow has yet to come.We have only today.Let us begin - Mother Teresa(1910-1997)

One more thing.Good luck to all M2/03 for the Summatives.

My new toy

I was telling everyone I am not going to play basketball anymore.Actually I bought that leather ball to decorate my room.Serious!!!!

Resolutions

It's time to sit down and set my priorities straight.Been a while since I want to do this already.Some of the resolutions I just made and hope to keep

1. To not just pass my Semester 3,but to do it with flying colours.
2. To cut down my weight to 70 kg
3. To set up my own domain and website,need money for this though
4. To balance my time better
5. To online less
6. To study more and harder.
7. To put the past back and look to the future
8. To learn not to hope too much

I guess that's all for now.Still thinking what theme to write for the poem competition.Get a theme,everything will be easier.Of course,need inspiration for that too though......

Library

I just finished a page long entry and the stupid computer just erased it.FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNN.Lessons learnt: Don't hold the shift and arrow buttons to highlight the whole text because after it has highlighted the last text. The next "hold shift and arrow button" input to the computer in this stupid library is to erase the whole text you highlighted.I followed the "experts" advice to highlight my texts and copy to a notepad before I submit my entry as BACKUP. Note that I just did that again.ARRGGGHHHH.What BACKUP!!!!

Second year in Medical School

Today,I have finally stepped into the second year in the medical school.It has been a tough one year behind me.I have thought of something when I was on my way back to KL on Sunday,about my previous ambitions last time,about those people you want to be when you grow up in the future.Although being a doctor features prominently in my listed ambitions since I was young and naive then,there are other things that have come into my mind before.

1. Rocket Scientist/Astronaut - I used to have a very strong interest in the field of astronomy.I could list the planets and all the moons then.I have always thought that outer space is a very fascinating part of our life.Where does my inspiration come from?Part of it can be attributed to StarTrek,others include the science fiction I read.I had this wish to invent some spacecraft that can travel hundreds of times faster than current spacecraft.Kids like to dream right?
2. Automotive Engineer - I was instilled this love for car by my Dad who had taught me over the years how to take care of a car well.I was his "co-mechanic."He always did the maintainence work all by himself if it is possible and I would be asked to help him as I am the eldest in my family.He would teach me along the way,why he did this,why he did that,what is this,what is that.I would listen noddingly,sulking most of the time for drawing me away from my sleep/TV/storybooks/games and etc.I love cars with futuristic look and speed.Of course,it would be even better if you can practically make your own dream car.
3. Journalist/Freelance writer/Author - I have a very strong love for writing.I find that I can express my words and thoughts better through words.Not to say I am not a talkative person in real life,it just that,I find it is very fun to convey your message through interesting usage of words.I am always impressed by those writers who can use simple words which embbeded in them a very profound meanings.I think that it is very fun to be able to travel around,freeze a moment in life in your camera, and write what you see,feel or think about it.Of course,there are deadlines,editting,censorship and etc though.
4. Mathematician/Hacker/Cracker - Mathematics was one of my favourite subjects,especially those questions that need you crank your brain to be able to solve it.The elation of finally finding the solution is one of the feelings I savour very much.This type of love for problem solving is useful for cracking code where determination and perseverance also come into play.It is a challenge that you can show that you can outsmart some other people.
5. Web designer/Computer Technician/IT work - Design and creativity are not really my fortes.I think I am good at troubleshooting.You don't need much skill,I think you need a lot of patience,which I gladly say I have.I have strong interest in the working of the computers too.One of these days,I want to take up Flash,although my HTML coding is still below par.
6. Lecturer/Teacher - Teaching in private sectors sure can make a lot of money.I am considering this because ONE friend of mine said that I can teach well,explaining difficult things in simple words.However,I doubt I can do much simplifying medical terminologies and etc to my fellow colleagues.

Hmm....I am currently in medical school.There are a lot of other things that I have consider before yet now I am in the process of becoming a doctor.On a more negative note,failing medical school I guess doesn't mean the end.There is always a possiblity of failing though.As one can say to those who have experienced failures before,"You don't fall from failure,you just don't get up from it."Think over it.I don't know it is making any sense.Can't think of any good quotes at the moment.Maybe these words of wisdom on one of my bookmarks will do

You can't change the direction of the wind,but you can adjust your sails to always reach your destination.

Home Sweet Home

Been back at home since Sunday.Kinda lazy to update as there's only dialup available here.I miss my broadband back in KL though.Been doing nothing much except eating,playing and sleeping.Holiday is the time for R&R,not rest and recuperate though,more like recreation and relief.Study is not easy.Phew~~~Manage to get some creative juice flowing in my idling mental and physical state now though.Something I wrote on the bus Homeward Bound Ah,The Wise heads for home finally, Southward bound,away from KL city, Another six month down the tertiary study, In a field that's revelled by many. The engine grunts,destination nearing, The chair creaks,I am here writing, Distance closes,feet impatiently tapping, The lady in front find me irritating. The view changes beyond the window, From concrete of city to the country's meadow, The sun setting,the sky an orange glow, On the trees and palms cast a longer shadow. Creative juice stops here due to gastric juice flowing - I was too hungry to think Just trapped a rat moments ago in my home here.Hmm....Where can you find all these snakes,crickets,bugs,lizards,rats,squirrels and etc?My home will be a good guess.Back to the rat topic.It is a grey small little cute rat.However,it just have to go.What did we do?We pour boiling water on it till it dies.Sadistic right?I know but that's they way we dispose of the rodents here.The poor rat sure died painfully.I do wish they don't come to my home here though.I can imagine the rat being scalded in its last moment on earth.Poor rat.My heart goes out to it.I understand the feeling of being scalded but you just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.Not to mention the things your late brothers did;chewing away wire causing short circuit,eating the rice sack rendering the whole sack unsafe for consumption and etc.Hmm..I am having compassion for the wrong things.Why I care so much for the rat? I was born in the year of the Rat.

Getting old

When is the time that you know you are really old?I am not that old yet,but I am getting old as seconds pass.More like I have grown a lot rather than getting old.A search on the net can turn up a few classic examples.But I think I will make my own list here.

1. You know that durian trees takes 7 years to bear fruit for those commercial type seeds and 10 years for the durian trees of the unmodified seeds to bear fruits,and all that from experience.
2. The Four Heavenly King Killer that you know is Emil Chau.
3. One of the best games you played for hours is Tetris
4. Handphones are big and bulky for the big and "bulky" executives of company.
5. Some kids/strangers are calling you Uncle instead of Kor Kor.
6. The waiter approaches you instead of your father when it is billing time.
7. You always check the mailbox for the utility/internet/credit card bills.
8. You look around for a phone booth when you want to make a call home.
9. House phone has a limited distance that you can go without bringing the phone down to the floor(corded phones).
10. Internet is not an English word.

Revamp version 1.1

Hmm. I just did some slight changes to my blog templates.Just used up four hours of my life. Oh what the the hell. Changed some of the colours and the sizes of the fonts. Refined the javascript so the menu now will appear just right to the link. Added a new link to another of my batchmate in university. She is another stunner in cheongsam. Check her out her blog out. Going to be sent to some place where Internet is a foreign word,well sort of, this evening. Won't be able to update my blog for quite sometimes. Maybe you all can check out my homepage (the link is on the left) and leave something in the guestbook. Arigato and sayonara.  

A Friday

A Friday has never felt so cold, Not the rain,not the snow,not that I am getting old. Maybe it is because I was told, To the nation of the south she has flown. Yes,it rained the night of yesterday, But it doesn't bring the coldness I felt today, And future days will pass without much gay, Without her smile that bring me much need ray, I can only imagine the nature of her departure, A face of tears,a look of sadness,pondering the future, In the land of the south,in the sea of foreign culture, Seperating us is the sea,the mountain,the power of Mother nature. For once,I asked and No she said, Time is not right for us just yet, Guess that will add on to the two years I waited, A time most people will have seen their adventures ended. She has been hurt truly madly deeply by him, A lucky guy,I'd say, yet broke her heart with a whim, All the while I was beside her,comforting and listening, Sometimes,I think it is my fault that she brokes down crying.  I know I can't,I wont,I'd never take his place in her heart, I am not him,he's not me,and that's what's kept us apart, A naive guy one might say yet,love it is say another, I've given my all in what I believe,thus I shall comment no further, My heart's been broken once too many times by her, Not her punch,not her kick but the "No's" she hurls, If you can show me a rational surd, Then I'll show you a love that never hurts, What's with me and all my poetic streak? My hands listen as my thoughts speak, A guy's love for a girl is for all to take a peek, Happiness in life is what I always seek. I can't pluck the stars nor I can love you till the sea dries, But I guess we can gaze the stars together by the seasides, I can't love you forever with all my heart and my soul, For with every seconds pass,I am getting old. -Xiao_zhai-

Accident

I just got these two photos in my mailbox from my friend yesterday.Luckily or rather miraculously,no one is hurt,I pity the car though.So anyone out there,please don't speed for speed kills.If you want to race,go to the race track.I hope my friend,he learns not to speed next time.One is not always that lucky.Count himself bloody lucky this time round for no one is hurt.       PS. the car number has been blacked out to protect the privacy of the owner involved.

Patch Adam

Patch Adam.Finally got the chance to watch this movie today in the Behavioural Science session with the great psychologist Mr Paul Jambunathan.The message that the movie gives(aside than the love story that accompany it) about and to fellow medical colleagues is really worth my time pondering and blogging at this time. The emphasis on doctor-patients relationship couldn't be any better. All the basic things we learned during our Behavioural Science seem to be making a lot of senses now. It is a very practical subject.  Just digesting the fact and notes will not improve one's competence in term of communication skills,guess one needs to really think about it and practise it. Wonder if I have done that so far. Patch being so casual with the way he carries himself around the wards and hospital really differs from what is seen in a traditional hospital setting. The script is really good especially the few lines that I remember when he is presented to the panel of judges to determine if he is to be graduated or not due to him breaking the norms in medicine practise by "going down to the field" or we Malaysian put it, "turun padang" with the patients and mingle with them. I will be very impressed if that really happens to him and the wisdom that comes along in the real Patch. All of us are doctors,as well as patients. This is very true indeed especially when treatment is defined as methods or ways to improve the health of the patients and health is not merely the absence of disease, but also the general well being from physical,pyschological and social point of view(Wonder if I got that right) For example,when I feel the elation of treating a patient, I am the patient then as well for he/she improves my health as in term of giving me a feeling of satisfaction while I on the other hand, alleviate his/her pain, suffering and more. One will always have an impact on another's life. I can't but to think about this how small things can have a great impact on one's life. I can't seem to recall any particular one at the moment but there are things that really makes me think that the world is not that bad as I thought afterall. I really envy Patch's passion and determination in promoting his way of medicine. From the bits of information I have gathered through the net, he is still working hard to build a hospital that he envisions. Dare to dream,how true it is sometimes. I really admire Patch for his fire is still burning after so many years, ever since it is lit. As Paul said, we don't need to go to that extreme to build a rapport with the patients. A smile works all the time. Thus,a simple gesture is always not that simple. Talking about simple gesture,maybe a little help for his Gesundheit! in term of publicity will help here. For more information on the real Patch Adam, please visit http://www.patchadams.org. He will be glad to get some funding though. Remember it is a silly free hospital,not a free silly hospital. I wonder if anyone can get the joke. Maybe he didn't know that he has revolutionised the way medicine are taught now. I am glad that I have come in contact with patients even in my first year of medical study. Glad to sad there is improvement, and still room for more. The stammer is less and tongue are tied less.   As Paul said,there many Patch Adam around actually,each place has its own Patch Adam. If he can see a couple of us out of nearing 200 students can communicate with patients with the kind of approach he taught,he can consider his job done.   Moving on from Patch, today I got a quote that's worth remembering.   "Even a broken clock is correct at least twice a day" - Unknown- courtesy of Paul Jambunathan   Oh ya,today Paul mentioned about how his name is pronounced by the English. The first thing that came to my mind is Paul Jam-bun-athan. Not making fun of his name, but just seeing things in a lighter way. If I know the Paul whom I think he is,he wouldn't mind.After all,   Laughter is the best medicine.

Blogger's Blog

I have been having blogger's block for sometimes now.Since university life make up most of my current life,thus,it makes sense that's also where I draw most of my inspiration.Currently,we can be said to be having honeymoon or holiday as the schedule is very relaxing now with quite a lot of time on hand.Thus,no university=no inspiration,no inspiration=blogger's block.Hmm...seem to have some shitcraps coming out now.How did I spend my last few days?Living 24 hour a day I guess.I was attached to a private GP in Kl for 2 days.It was interactively fun,if there is such word for it.Can't wait to go to KKB for my rotation judging from the good feedback(note:no plural)I got so far from frienD who haS been posted there last week.Maybe I will come up with some poem this few days,if there's inspiration. Till then,sayonara.I wonder if there's anyone reading this blog,oh darn,I don't blog for the sake of readership,I blog just for the sake of blogging. P.S. This is not my only blog by the way.....