Updates 2

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

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

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

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

Reader's digest. Grab a copy!

SpongeBob SquarePants. Hillariously funny!

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

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

Innocence is lost. And hopes are shattered.

My last night in Prague

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

nice...

Petronas CNY commercial

CUTE CUTE AIDAN!!!

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

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