Rated R. R=Recommended to all general population who have no life and have nothing else to do but crap and listening to me crapping.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Hokey Per V
Anyone remember the hokey pokey nursery rhymes?
Here's how one version of it goes,fully original,partially legal,and fully not endorsed by any organisation or any known lecturers. Mainly for the purpose of dry humour.Definitely not for kids. COULD be educational.No money back guarantee though.
Hokey Per V(adapted from hokey pokey)
You put your right hand in,
You put your left hand top,
You put two fingers in,
And you touch it all around,
You try to look for masses,
but not when it's her menses,
Say anything that you found.
You put your right hand in,
You put your left hand top,
You put your fingers deep,
And you touch it all around,
You found the frontal fornix,
and you touch it all around,
Back fornix is what you found.
You put your right hand in,
You press your left hand top,
You put your fingers right,
And you try to look around.
You found the right ovary,
and you touch it all around,
That what it's all about.
You put your right hand in,
You press your left hand top,
You put your fingers left,
And you try to look around,
You found the left ovary,
and you touch it all around,
That what it's all about.
You use a right hand hold,
You use a left hand part,
You try to put it in,
And slowly twist around
You slowly push it deeper,
and open it up wider,
That what it's all about,
You use your right hand hold,
You use your left hand screw,
You ask your nurses' help,
To light it all around.
Now you can see the cervix,
and you try to look around,
Explain what you found.
You do a pap smear test,
You put a clean scrape in,
You guide it to the os,
And slowly scrape in round.
You smear it on a glass slide,
To send it to the lab,
That what it's all about.
You use your right hand hold,
You use your left hand screw,
You use your eyes to see,
And try to look around.
You slowly close it to half,
and slowly twist around,
It's time to take it out.
You use your eyes to see,
You ask your nurses' help,
You use your right hand hold,
And slowly take it out.
Careful not to snip things,
Now you close it smaller,
And finally take it out.
-Xiao_zhai-
Monday, April 18, 2005
Hello Picasa!!!
I just got my hand on some new photo editing software. Quite a simple and easy to use tool.Recommend it to all those who need some simple photo editing software.It is very user friendly too.Make the job of resizing photos to manageable size a lot easier.It is called Picasa which can be downloaded at www.picasa.com Most importantly it is free.
Added onto the Picasa is a sharing software call Hello. Download it at www.hello.com It is also free. Haven't run a spyware check on these 2 softwares though.But definitely recommend it to those who are keen to share photos especially the recent ball photos. Anyone who have broadband and want to share photo,I will advise you to download these 2 softwares and message me on MSN.
Monday, April 11, 2005
IMU Ball 2005
Googled around for a latest update on the IMU Ball 2005 "Whispering flame, Unforgettable sentiments" but turned up nothing at this point of time.No one has blogged about it yet or Google is not working. Well,probably some people are still having post-ball party.
First, kudos to the ball committee for coming up with such a good ball.The attendance was very impressive indeed : 518 people turned up. Imagine the amount of efforts put in to organise such a grand event. I always admire good multimedia presentation for I know, from my experience(or probably inexperience),they are very very time-consuming and need a lot of patience. The people who want it done can just say "I want a movie presentation of it by end of this week." And then you will have lotsa late nights, trouble shooting, photoshopping, and etc. to get a decent presentation. Not to mention having to come up with a script and timeline. And in this particular component of the ball, I give them 2 thumbs up. Kudos again.....
I particularly love the last part where it portrayed what our life basically about for most of the time as medical students;cramming for exams,stressing over it,drinking(did I mention before I don't drink?)and etc. For minutes,I stood there admiring and "feeling" it when all around me were busy taking photos. Like it or not, most of us won't be seeing each other for a very long time or hopefully not forever again at this time of the year in 2006. I turned away from the screen and looked at one of my friend. I thought to myself "We might not meet again." I slowly walked toward him with a smile and the dawning of realities that lied ahead.
Whispering flame.Unforgettable sentiments.There were times I wished we were the batch that organised the ball,then the ball will carry more significance for me,something like a graduation prom. I am not quite sure how will it turn out but I think we will do fine with some of the people I personally know. In saying that, I am not saying I wish I had joined the M1/03(not that if I could), for I have no regrets joining the M2/03. Everyone says their batch is the best. Thus I will say here, my batch too. M2/03 rocks!!!!!
I wished I know all of my batchmates at least by name,before I end my Phase One,something I have been trying to accomplish. The other would be that our basketball team be champion for once.
"Passion is not a crime"
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
It's been a long time...
It's been a long time since I last updated this blog,well to my reader(yes it's singular and I read my blog)An Endocrine In Course Assessment was just done last week. Been busy on the basketball lately.Note to Vista residents,if you hear "dup dup dup" something like the sounds of basketball bouncing on a tar road,always think straight,it is the sound of basketball bouncing,not your neighbour in the next room humping.
I have not much to say nor story to tell lately.What else can say here?Currently into the Reproductive system.Something that the lecturer said the other day that makes me wonder on how to really take a sexual history.I can imagine a few scenarios since the lecturer said that people tend to be more shy and discreet in this matter.Come on,if I ask you,how many times you have sex in a year,how many will you think can answer?As for me,*take out my calculator,tap tap tap,*whoah....,anyway that's not my point here.On discreetness:
Case 1
Patient : Doktor,*cough cough*....erm.....batang saya...... ada sikit gatal kat hujung
Doc : (WTH?Batang???Some Malaysian may not know what it is,less to say the meaning implied here) Jadi sudah berapa lama gatal?
Always remember chief complaints must be always listed with the duration
Since men tend to be shy in this matter,probably they will form a support group to see the doctor,just like when in a group of guys,a guy will be more daring to whistle at a passing leng lui.Same theory applies I guess.Which brings me to this scenario:
Case 2
Patient A : Doktor,semalam gua sama 2 heng tai saya ini pergi tu Jln Ayam "makan ayam goreng" Hari ini,*cough cough*...saya rasa batang saya ada sikit gatal....jadi saya tanya hengtai saya,mereka pun bikin sama pasal.
Patient B : (rudely interrupt)Dia punya pasal la,pergi makan ayam,tak bawa duit,jadi panggil satu ayam sahaja.Tengok,balak saya pun ada sama problem...-_-"
Patient C : #@$!%You two only itchy,my little brother swollen leh...
Doctor : -_-""
Case 3
Imagine a doctor that just came back from foreign soils,one who has lost touch with the local culture,working in a hospital
Patient : Doktor, my lan pa darn pain
Doctor : Lumbar pain?So how long has it been?
Case 4
Patient : I notice my plug nowadays very hard to get it working.But then I think my wife's socket is spoilt.Very hard to turn up the heat.
Doctor : Er.....I am a doctor,not an electrician.Get an electirician to fix your heater.
Patien : -_-"
So there a few examples of discreetness in a presenting sexual complaints in a Malaysian society.Just some craps that come to my mind,thus they are all made up from my creatively obscene innovative mind. Till next time,sayonara.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
"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
Sunday, February 20, 2005
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....
Saturday, February 19, 2005
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"
Friday, February 18, 2005
On Orthopaedic Surgeons
Heard from a doctor outside OT,
"Orthopaedic surgeons just love screwing..."
Monday, February 14, 2005
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.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
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.....
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Aftermath...
A good book in hand with a cool CoffeeBean and Tea Leaf Ice-blended mocha to boot,right after exam.....
Sunday, January 02, 2005
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".
Thursday, December 23, 2004
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.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
*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.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
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.
Sunday, November 28, 2004
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
Thursday, November 25, 2004
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......
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
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! |
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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!