WJ

Updates 2

2010-05-31T21:25:00.009+08:00

Over the last few months I...

1) Had a really tough time bringing these little ones out to this world.

2) Laboured (in the labour room on labour day) through 7 EOD calls in Slim River.

In between which I fell asleep while driving. Car got scraped against the NS highway divider.

A week after, I gladly took the intercity train to KL. Which is a lot safer. And economical.

3) Went to Tioman!!!

4) Attended a unique Wesak Day ceremony at a surprisingly huge Tibetan temple en route to Tambun.

5) Just as I thought I was done with the little ones, they came back with a vengeance. This time they are bigger, noisier, and erm...a lot more cumbersome. And now it's all about them.

This friend of ours was 5kgs in his first day of life.

6) Taking every chance to leisure around Ipoh. Been to Kellie's castle. Strolled along the Kinta River bank. Went hunting for good food around town.

The picture at the left bottom corner was taken on one of my better call days just before sunrise.
Ipoh (esp. the hospital compound) looked blithely peaceful.

Updates

2010-03-13T19:16:00.016+08:00

Over the past few months I :

1) Had had a graduation ceremony in KL graced by family and friends =)

Thanks people!

2) Visited the last tin dredge in Malaysia.

RM5 entrance fee. Totally worth it.

3) Went right up to the city of entertainment by car...of an unknown person, in breakneck speed.

Damn I miss the cool air!

4) Performed my first Ray Amputation.

Yes, on this foot.

5) Went to Pavillion twice.

During Christmas.

And during CNY.

6)Conquered Menglembu Hill. Trust me, it's not easy.

Don't usually take close-ups but I was too proud of myself and needed proof that I was actually up there.

Happy

2010-01-10T18:48:00.003+08:00

Are you happy?

Are you happy with the choices you make?

Are you satisfied with your job?

Are you contented with the things you have?

Do you feel blessed to have done the things you've always wanted to do?

Have you been amused by children who speaks of nothing but the purest ideas that come straight out from their mind?

Does the sunrise captivate you anymore? Or do you rather be enthralled by the setting sun?

Do you wake up every morning, thankful to be standing on your legs?

Would you prefer hawker food to lavish cuisines?

When did you start to love the posh and costly, and neglected things that come free?

How come you feel something lacking when you see others having?

What?

What exactly?

What do you want?

A reminiscent drive

2009-11-30T20:37:00.006+08:00

After nearly 2 months of toiling at work, I took a day off today. Dad and mum brought me to Penang to pay respect to my late grandma, whose funeral I was unable to attend a year ago.

There's something about Penang food. The unique flavour brings up a whirl of memories in my mind. It's like we're reminded about past events while listening to songs. When I ate that plate of kuey teow th'ng this morning, it stirred up things that happened two decades ago. When grandpa was still with us. He loved the crowd and noise and food every festive season. His laughter still ringing in my ears.

Back at the house, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Pots of blooming flowers lined the road in front of me. Grandma was checking on the eggs the hens had laid. Uncle Peng was harvesting bamboo shoots for the night's dinner. On rooftop was Uncle Keat, carrying zinc sheets up the roof to repair the awning. Mum and Dad were busy carrying our luggages out of the car.

Then something caught my eye. A grasshopper sprung itself up into the air, then landed on a scrawny strand of grass. Swinging my hand up into the air in an attempt to catch it, I was interrupted by my mum.

"David, wanna go eat some char kuey teow?"

I turned around. Everything looked different. Broken porcelain laid the ground where I stood on. I could only see stumps of the bamboo trees chopped off years ago. The house was locked up and paint was peeling off its walls. What used to be the garage was torn down and served as parking lots for the neighbors, most of whom I don't recognize anymore. Grandpa, grandma and both my uncles have already reunited in their eternal place of rest.

Tailing behind my dad and mum, both with gray hair and walking with a hunch, I shook my head in disbelief thinking of what that could happen in a matter of just a few years.

Life has changed so much. Things that used to be so familiar to me now feels so strange. I meet new people everyday but I don't recognize the people whom I used to know anymore. I've forgotten about things that had happened and the impact it had on me.

I will one day forget someone I met today. Similarly, I might forget the lesson which I've learnt today in the future. And this is what blogging is about to me. To reflect on things and to keep some valuable feelings and poignant occasions for reference in the future.

Dad used to drive hours to get us back to kelantan or penang. Now I'm in control of the steering wheel. It's time I grew up already.

Inspired

2009-08-06T02:44:00.003+08:00

Reader's digest. Grab a copy!

SpongeBob SquarePants. Hillariously funny!

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

2007-09-01T17:54:00.000+08:00

And again I left the country on Merdeka Day.

After 50 years of independence, how much have we grown together as a nation?

As we show the world how big a celebration our 50th Hari Merdeka is, how sure are we that cracks in our display of unity won't surface?

Hari Merdeka, a time to reflect on the past and the future of our people and our nation.

What does Merdeka mean to you?

There will come a day

2007-08-10T01:28:00.000+08:00

Innocence is lost. And hopes are shattered.

My last night in Prague

2007-07-27T09:58:00.000+08:00

We visited almost all of the major attractions but I felt reluctant to leave. Armed with my camera and a tripod, I set off from my hostel at 10 at night.

On my way to the famed Charles bridge, taking snaps of the the thriving nightlife, I kinda enjoyed the feeling of being in the midst of everyone drinking beer and having fun, totally oblivious to their surroundings. Clad in just my worn clothes and slippers, I ventured throughout the city center as though no one could see me.
The sky finally turned dark near midnight.

The picture above shows the night view of Prague castle, one of my attempts to capture Prague's enchanting sights on film.

Click here for more photos of Prague at night!

Reaction!

2007-07-26T03:57:00.001+08:00

These guys for sure raised a few eyebrows walking through the streets of Prague.

Makes me recall the time when the whole bunch of us roamed Ipoh's streets wearing the same few T-shirts.

Gone are the good old days! Ipoh's so boring nowadays.

Magical Prague

2007-07-25T15:36:00.000+08:00

Prague is one of those places that will beguile you the very moment you arrive.

Everything about Prague was aesthetically pleasing. The beautiful architecture, the cheap food and beer, the pleasant weather, the sea of tourists, everything!

We took a couple of sightseeing tours to the outskirts of Prague. Above is the Karlstejn Castle, with its dramatic setting on a rocky outcrop.

The other short trip we took outside of Prague was to Kutna Hora and the Sedlec Ossuary. Kutna Hora has the usual churches and museums. The ossuary, however, is not something we get to see everyday. Heavily decorated with more than 40,000 human skeletons from the Black Plague in the 14th century, the place sent shivers up my spine. But the chandelier truly is an extraordinary work of art, isn't it?

Click here for more photos of me in Prague!!!

Hong Kong 香港

2007-07-03T10:28:00.000+08:00

Me now in HongKong!!!!!

HongKong isn't as fun as expected laaa....Furthermore my trip was punctuated by some minor hitches along the way. But nevertheless it was an enjoyable trip and i met some really nice people.

Updates when I get back to Malaysia!!! Wanna go get some 猪骨粥 (pork bone congee???) and 油炸鬼 ( I totally have no idea how to translate this) for breakfast... laters!

Summer in Moscow

2007-05-30T16:24:00.000+08:00

Summer came very early this year. And most people will swear to you that summer is getting hotter and hotter each year. One evening more than a week ago, we went for a stroll at the park.

The park was already in a buzz of activity as we arrived.

Sunbathing in the park. No, the grandma in a bathing suit was not headed towards me.

People and more people everywhere in crowded Moscow.

Shashlik! A few chunks of grilled pork for a price of 190rub (around RM25).

Having my exams real soon and now busy with my obstetrics posting. Updates only if i manage to squeeze in some time.

Malaysian Students' Annual Dinner (MASSAD) 2007

2007-05-21T01:24:00.000+08:00

It was the craziest day of the year. From choosing the perfect coat to making up and hair styling, all of us were anxious to make the night an unforgettable one. MASSAD, an annual dinner event organized by the 2nd year students, was aimed at bringing all Malaysian students together for a night of food, fun and entertainment.

MASSAD 2007 was held at Sputnik Hotel. A whole lot better than last year's venue. Our only complaint was that our side of the hall had too much sunlight, so much that it blinded us from watching properly what was happening on the stage.

A few photos with those sitting at the same table.

After the VIPs left, the lights were off, music blasted from the speakers and everyone just went wild. There was even a 5 minute eye candy for the guys :) .

It sincerely sucked as the clock struck 12, when all of us had to go back to our hostels, and of course back to our books. Then it hit me real hard on the head that my finals are just 2 weeks away. And I haven't even started revising yet! Wish me luck!

Picnic at the Park

2007-05-15T00:58:00.002+08:00

Thanks to all those who commented on my previous posts. Mother's Day was never a poignant occasion to me till I left home. As a dedication to my own beloved mama and to all wonderful mothers out there, I shall leave my blog the way it is, pink and flowery, for one whole week.:P
On Saturday about a hundred of us went picnicking at a park (organized by the Malaysian Fellowship). There was some serious torrential rain but it didn't dampen our spirits to have a great time. The picnic was a blast, albeit the bad weather.

The price to pay for having fun: Sore throat, runny nose and a terrible headache.

My Mama

2007-05-13T22:39:00.000+08:00

Mama has a scar on her lap. Maybe it was just a birthmark, i thought to myself during my younger days. Little did I know she got scalded by hot water while mixing some formula for me in the car on a bumpy road, when i was just a few months old.

Mama has some extra inches on her waist and hips. Jokingly, I told her that she needed to go on a strict diet. Little did I know that all these years, while the rest of us enjoyed the drumsticks and the meatiest parts of the dishes, she was munching on bones alone in the kitchen.

Mama is a typical auntie who checks newspaper ads for the best deals in town and bargains like there's no tomorrow. Little did I know that of all those things she bought at bargained prices, none were for herself.

Mama doesn't give money to those asking for donations on the streets. I thought i had a better heart and donated. The very next day I read in the papers about the proliferation of charity scams. Little did I know that her bags were full of salvation army flags and old folk's home open day coupons.

'Little did I know' was the excuse I used as a rebellious teenager (seriously deluded by raging hormones), choosing to believe that my judgments were better than mama's. I knew that Mama helped a blind man cross the road everyday before dawn. I even knew that she once bought a bunch of rambuatans which was half-rotten from an old lady because it was raining. Yet i pushed every bit of those to the far-flung realms of my mind.

Recently, mama has been asking me stuffs about computers and the internet. I remembered the times I taught her the basics of using a computer, which were held in a hurried manner and with me being irritated by her questions. Mama never once raised her voice at me. She patiently learnt everything she could to keep in touch with her children living faraway from home.

Mama's e-mail to me yesterday slapped me hard across the face. It suddenly occurred to me that I am becoming the snappish, unthoughtful and ignorant son, making little-did-i-know excuses again. But this time, I'm taking my final steps into adulthood while mama's hair is turning gray.

My Mama, a filial daughter, a beautiful wife, a loving mother, and now a grandmother.

Mama, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very very happy mother's day, to apologize for everything i've done wrong, and to say that I love you lots and lots.

Happy Mama's Day!!!

Parents' Wish

2007-05-11T11:43:00.000+08:00

I was checking my mailbox while having breakfast this morning and realized that mum sent me a link through e-mail.

Now overwhelmed with indescribable feelings thinking of how hard it must be for my parents attending to my octogenarian grandma who is suffering from Alzheimer's. And also how soon my parents, too, will suffer from the throes of aging. I'm devastated. And I feel helpless. Guess being away from home too long has taken a toll on me.

The slideshow made my eyes wet. Did it do the same to yours?

p/s: Just a friendly reminder, it's Mother's Day this Sunday(13/05)!!!
Do call home, or even better, bring yourself home!

I feel pressurized...to write something

2007-05-05T04:12:00.000+08:00

Last week, in chun keat's chatbox, I spotted something...

foo: walau a...sinis pula..not saying which good or not la..as long as updated ok la...not like david..:P

chun keat: ya lor... david also don't update... update a bit ma... hehe...

Admittedly, i've not been doing much writing for the past few months. Laziness got the better of me and i'd rather sleep than type. But today I'm under pressure, because 2 of my best friends said something so unexpected about me...:P...so i shall write a little something...

UK trip...
I totally chose the wrong time to visit my sis in London. Julie was busy finishing up her reports before flying off to celebrate CNY back in Malaysia while Jun Yau was occupied with on-calls. And on the top of that, Jun Yau was relocated to another hospital, which means that they had to move to another place, which means shifting Julie's mountainous piles of clothes, which also means muscle aches and back pain for me after that. But nevertheless, they did try their best to make the trip a fun one for me...Thanks lots for everything!

Foo in Glasgow
Because of me, Ah foo skipped classes, sacrificed valuable pak-toh time with his gf, and suffered one of the most embarrassing experiences in his life - "these are not your cards!"...:D

Conclusion(s):

Ah foo gambles...frequently!
Ah foo ( at that time) has never been to some of the most famous places in Glasgow which are located only within walking distance from his hostel.
Ah foo really obsessed with taking photos loh...We spent like the whole night at River Clyde (the place in the picture), me watching ah foo snapping hundreds of photos of the same backgroud over and over and over and over again...
tasted of one of the yuckiest food ever - Haggis!!!
Ah foo, planner of my itinerary in Glasgow and Edinburgh, made the trip leisurely but fun and eventful. Thanks a lot ah foo!

Sunway City Ipoh
My new house is ready liao... so we can go hang out there if you guys are interested. Ready as in finshed renovating, furniture installed and all, though some final touches has yet to be done.
I'm now officially torn between Ipoh Garden and Tambun . I'll still be staying in Ipoh Garden when i'm back in Ipoh coz everything is so convenient over there....

Aidan's growing fast

Ipoh Mali

2007-04-27T22:56:00.001+08:00

nice...

Petronas CNY commercial

2007-02-16T20:45:00.000+08:00

CUTE CUTE AIDAN!!!

2006-12-26T04:08:00.000+08:00

The baby is my nephew! MY NEPHEW! MY NEPHEW! AIDAN ONG!!!!!!!!!!

...

Classifications and Labels

2006-02-13T05:11:00.000+08:00

Classifying, do they make our lives easier?

Dad, Mum. Man and woman. Boy and girl. Even a 2-year-old classifies.

An old car. A new car. An expensive car. Dad's car. A mercedes. Simple descriptions categorize the simplest of things.

The many departments in supermarkets and hypermarkets make shopping a breeze.

Weather forecasts: sunny, rainy, cloudy in the morning and thunderstorms expected in the evening...

Reading an article on the existence of hermaphrodites, we eventually gather that near to none of our classifications are exclusively distinctive.

What about labelling?

Food labels warn us of the calories contained in a bottle of your favourite drink or a serving of your favourite food.

Labelling a heartbreaker - Jerk. An irritating woman who does all the wrong things - Bitch. They encompass a definition so wide, it will be difficult to replace them with other words.

Christians, catholics, protestants, pentecostals, baptists, evangelists, Jehovah's witnesses..etc. Do we worship the same God?

Government departments in Malaysia, despite their less-than-desired efficiency and attitude, divide their jobs meticulously. To get your matters remedied, you would probably have to run through several departments. That is if you were lucky enough to find the right one. And don't even get me started on the 'race' column that we are always asked to fill in (Oh Malaysia, truly Asia!).

We all tend to classify because it makes things so much easier. Furthermore, we love picking on the differences between things and people. I classify a lot too. But sometimes it gets too much and goes too far.

Racial segregation and discrimination. Outrage among the disadvantaged. All of these, to a certain extent, result from classifying and labelling.

But how on earth can we stop doing something that we've been doing since like, the dawn of mankind? What will happen to a world without classifications and labels? How do we know if it gets far-fetched and implausible?

How is it possible that we can classify the act of classifying?

David and Jerry

2005-06-26T07:48:00.000+08:00

Sorry for my long silence...i was busy. Ok, not THAT busy, but i just didn't have anything to write. Doesn't this quite explains everything already?

Earlier this year, we realised that our flat unit has become rat-infested. Everytime we open our door as we return from class, we'll be greeted by a black something running across the narrow corridor outside our rooms. And at night, Jerry (I'm not whether it was a he or she, let's just call it Jerry) would be happily fumbling in the rubbish bin, presumably rhythmically gyrating his hips to the music blasting nextdoor.

We initially had our share of shrieks and accelerated heart rates whenever Jerry suddenly decides to make himself seen or brush across our feet. But as time passed we grew familiar with Jerry and he became family. We lived happily forever.

Nah, happiness doesn't last forever, you see.

Little did i know that when i came back from classes last Sunday, i saw this on the washing machine...

Jerry inside a jug with a lifeless look in his eyes. The condensed vapour of his last few breaths of air could still be seen.

My heart sank.

A closer look at Jerry. And the bloody murderers put the jug just beside the pots and pans they cook with everyday, how yucky is that?

Though Jerry wasn't one of the cleanest pets around, but we share the same zodiac sign. OK, we don't share it. My zodiac sign is simply the rat. Who cares anyway?

Moody Monodies

2005-02-27T03:44:00.000+08:00

Gathered at the lobby at half past eight only to know badminton was cancelled, without any given explanation. Dragged my sulky face back to my room. Didn't know why such a trivial matter got into me. Feeling the blister growing inside me, I scurried to the 6th floor to cool off. The people there had started their compulsory daily bitching when i arrived. Just a mere 5 minutes after, they started watching The Aviation while I secretly relieved myself from the boredom and went back to my room...

Being alone, oodles of thoughts worm their way into my head, most of which are suicidal. Forced myself to sleep to keep my mind from wandering. Couldn't sleep for a long time.

Wanted to find someone to talk to. Realized that it was too late to call home. Realized that these days I don't really have friends to confide in. Realized that I was my only friend.

Music blasted from my speakers. Voice and laughter nextdoor.

Took my best jacket and put it on. Lashed a muffler around my neck. I needed some fresh air.

Opened the window to feel the numbing wind rush in. Closed my eyes and breathed in hard. Thoughts inundated my mind again, overflowing. Felt something hit my face. It had a cold and wet sensation. Opened my eyes to see white shimmering snowflakes falling down from the darkest sky. Stretched out my hands out to grasp one.

I smiled. And for a very long time, a smile from my heart.

I just had to be alone.

Enchanté

2005-02-14T07:04:00.000+08:00

BONJOUR!!!! I WAS IN PARIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Walked along Champs Elysees till we reached the Arc de Truimph.

Paris's ultramodern skyline at La defense.

DISNEYLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!

Disneyland at night.

Dance performances.

The most expensive meal i had in 3 weeks. And I had french fries in France! Gee, what a novelty.

Eiffel Tower. Rain and hail pelted the entire morning. I didn't apply any gel or hair cream. Rainwater made my hair look flat and greasy.

2nd Week in the UK

2005-02-09T06:01:00.000+08:00

As Julie was going back the next day, loads of work kept her busily occupied. So, I ventured to Winchester on my own, which is commendable as lollygagging David seldom leaves the bed on holidays. Winchester, the ancient capital of England, renders visitors with a taste of its past.

After my sister left for Malaysia, I went to London. Personally, I have an unutterable liking for the parks over there. Above is a photo of Hyde Park.

On my birthday, visited St. James's Park.

I joined a tour group to Bath and Stonehenge. I could only marvel at the beauty of Bath. The tour guide informed us that Bath has already been accredited as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There can be no change in the buldings without permission from the authorities.

Stonehenge.

Wow, Julia Roberts posing behind myself sitting down!!! At Madame Tussauds.

David Beckham didn't seem to mind the other David wrapping his arms around Posh.

Bush and Blair, could only stand aside. David, did all the talking.

UK trip

2005-01-31T00:36:00.000+08:00

Heathrow Bus Station, where I boarded the bus to Southampton. The ride was such a breeze I wasn't aware I went pass Southampton already. When I finally realized "Southampton" missing from all the roadsigns, I found myself in Farehem, where i took another bus back to Southampton. The journey from Heathrow Airport to Southampton, which usually takes just slighty more than an hour, took me three and a half.

I LOVE CHINATOWN !!! The people, the atmosphere, chinese characters everywhere, and THE FOOD!!! THE FOOD!!! That day I ate Roast Duck with rice, which I literally and gladly licked the plate clean.

"WE WILL ROCK YOU" was the musical I watched in awe in the Dominion theatre. The performers were brilliant. It featured music from Queen and Ben Elton.

On the train back to Southampton. Can't believe Julie was still in photo-taking mood while the day trip had already sapped my last reserves.

The very next day i went around Southampton on my own, nothing really interesting but I loved the seaside. Look at the people who drove all the way there, just to hide in their warmly heated cars, feeding seagulls.

I had all the cold and salty air to myself.

Yaya, went to London twice in a week. Call me nuts or whatever.

Leicester Square, one of the busiest areas in London. Throngs of people everywhere. Notice the blotch on my jacket? Courtesy of the kebab i had earlier, from which mayo leaked out and stained my sister's expensive Helly Hansen (now mine:P).

At night, we strolled along the riverside. Behind me was the Big Ben.

MEAT

2005-01-08T00:17:00.000+08:00

Even though kaai voon's room is just a floor below mine, the only means by which we communicate nowadays is thorugh the internet - msn messenger. So, this is vaguely what we chatted about yesterday, during the wee hours:

david : I'm watching At the Dolphin Bay!!! lalala....

kv : The series is obviously about love wan!

david : Aiyah, all series also love this love that wan la!!!

kv : ya meh?

david : If not, about life in russia meh? life in russia = no life, no love,
vegetarian

kv : Where got? Still got pork and chicken la!

david : ...

kv : You wait till the right piece of meat comes along la!

david : But no one wants to sell me meat, how?

kv : You go buy ma, ask the person want to sell or not!

david : I just can't find the suitable meat loaf la. Either too lean or
too fatty. Some also not fresh already.

kv : You haven't tried asking la. Or maybe you'll just have to wait.

david : What about you? Why ur lean piece of rib not yet sold ah?

kv : ......

kv : bloody hell!!!

LOL. I believe most of you know what "meat" means. Well well, I'm very sure that my loaf of meat will never come by. Had been thinking a lot about how my life will end with myself still single and unwanted. And coming to Russia, the Sahara desert of meat and drink, well supplemented the thought of me dying alone. I am young, i'll still be a teenager for another month, AND I WANNA EXPERIENCE ONE OF THE GREATEST PARTs OF LIFE, to experience love!!!

I've always believed and stood firm on the ground that i shouldn't join my peers, who are fools rushing for love, and that love will eventually come to me. I see my friends getting on and off the love seat like it's no one else's business. But why on earth izit so hard for me to find love?

Sigh, those couples who do their lovey-dovey stuffs in front of loveless people like me never seem to understand. I remember the Ipoh City Council once fined those couples canoodling in public. Though many people protested, I never took any of it into thought as i have never had a real relationship, let alone kissing and cuddling outdoors. Maybe the council did it right, at least till i find myself a lover ( pronounced as "LAAVAHH", as in sex and the city when sarah jp dated Alexander Petrovsky). Perhaps that will teach those sexually overactive people to get a room. Sigh, i do not know what I'm talking now, and I am pathetic, i know that!

Maybe the right one will come along someday, perhaps in the near future. Or perhaps it may not happen for years to come.

But hey, u know wat? I think there is a piece of meat buried deep inside my freezer, and I shall eat it tonight! MEAT!!!