Selfishness...Cure??

Is selfishness hereditary, or is it an acquired trait? Do these people ever think about anyone or anything else besides themselves? Does it play a big role in life, and does it determine the outcome of the future?? And another thing; is self-preservation the same as selfishness?? I wonder....

There are two things about the human behaviour that I could never understand: selfishness and kiasu-ness. But then again, understanding the human psyche was never my strong point. Sigh, go figure...

We live in a world where to some, it is permissible, to a certain extent, to step on other people's toes, pushing others aside or even stabbing others from the back to get ahead or to be the best of the best. They justify their actions by saying that it is called 'surviving in life', and if they don't do it they would be left behind because in these hectic times to them there's no longer a 'WE' or 'US', it's all about 'ME, MYSELF & I'..... Gosh, what a lotta BS!!

I understand the need to succeed, and I do understand the desire to be the best, but to trample on others on the way to the top is sooo wrong!! I don't know how they could do it; maybe they are made of sterner stuff, and maybe they have a heart of stone or steel...i don't know. It just baffles me sometimes how they can do what they did or are doing and still have their conscience intact. And it hurts when you realized that the people that you thought would never resort to a selfish state (well, at least with you) would be one selfish a**!! So what's their excuse I wonder? To be better, smarter, popular than you because they felt threatened perhaps?? Oh puh-leaze! They can have ALL the limelight that they want, I just don't f***ing care! I have never meddled in anyone's business, have never tried to be someone that I'm not, and the last thing I wanna be is to be put on a pedestal and being known as miss goody-goody two shoes smarty pants. I've always tried understand others and put myself in their shoes; so that I won't do anything that I know I wouldn't like too. But it is so disheartening when after all that you've done and be, there are still people who are still envious of you even when you've never given them the need to be. What hurts more is that when they are amongst the people that you consider your friends that you thought know you better by now and would never do such a thing. Oh well, I guess one can never totally understand the actions of others no matter how much one thought they did or would like to. Complex beings we are, humans.....

And having said that, is selfishness curable? Is there hope still for those afflicted by it?
If any of you has the cure for this epidemic and contagious disease, please do let me know because I sure could do with some of it pronto...

Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

This video has become the latest dance craze (according to Yahoo, that is).
After watching it I gotta tell you it does make one wanna start shaking her booty, yeah...




It'd really be great if I could be that toned and dancing like that huh, hmmmmmmm.....

The Name Says It All

This is a brief analysis of my name. FYI this is just for fun out of pure boredom, so do forgive me for a little bit of self indulgence...


Name Analysis:

• Your first name has created a practical, responsible, stable nature, and you desire to direct the efforts of others rather than to take order or ask permission.

• You have a determined, self-reliant, capable nature and resent any interference, although in your desire to help you are inclined to become involved in the lives and decisions of other people.

• You like to make your own decisions and to be the master of your domain.

• You feel a limitation in your own expression when it is necessary to reach another through tact and understanding.

• Although this name creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it causes a blunt expression that alienates others.

• This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses through worry, mental tension, and tension or accidents to the head.

• Your middle name has given you sensitivity and appreciation for the finer and deeper things in life.

• You can enjoy reading, study, and contemplation about many different subjects.

• When your interests or curiosity are aroused, you work intensely at new undertakings, but your interests often wane when you encounter drudgery and monotony, with the result that you leave many things unfinished.

• Your name has taken you into many bitter experiences.

• The greatest lack in your life is stability and peace of mind.

• A peaceful and quiet environment, especially out in nature, is one of your greatest desires, but you are constantly taken into chaotic conditions.

• Although this name creates an interest in the deeper aspects of life, we emphasize that it causes a restless intensity that defies relaxation.

• This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the heart, lungs, bronchial area, and solar plexus.

Well well...seems that there are some truths when they say that you are what you are called. So, do be careful in choosing your call name and naming your kids ok.

Wanna try it out? You can try it out and see what your name means here.

I.HATE.DRAMA.QUEENS...

with a passion. Keep 'em away from my life, PLEASE....

Enuff said.

Sweet As Sugar

Had Diabetology exam recently, and what can I say? Diabetology rocks! IMO we should have had this subject when we were starting our clinical cycle. Things would have been clearer and easier for us. Oh well, I guess it's never too late to gain knowledge. Plus it's important for us future docs to know that the previous diabetes mellitus (DM) classification of Type 1 Insulin Dependent DM (IDDM) and Type 2 Non-insulin Dependent DM (NIDDM) is incorrectly used due to the fact that even Type 2 DM patients are prescribed with insulin as their treatment regimens nowadays. Therefore it's just Type 1 DM (insulin deficiency) and Type 2 DM (insulin resistance).

Note to self: DO keep up to date with the latest info on DM for future references. AND limit sugar and/or sugary products intake because prevention is definitely better than cure!

Home Sweet Home

Yup, I'm HOOOOOOOOME!!!!!! Been two weeks now, time flies so fast! Finally after the crazy and hectic exam session I got to spend the holidays sans palpitations and nightmares. So now I am basking under the hot blistering Malaysian sun enjoying authentic Malaysian cuisines alas...

But oh no, it's not all food, sun and play mind you. Am currently doing my summer practicals in a local hospital far far away from home. Temporarily bunking with AA (you know who you are, hehe) till next week. So far so good, and it's really an eye opener and a good experience for me so that one can familiarize with the things and the system here. My only hope is that I can leave a good impression on them on the quality of students from our place. And I also hope that one day I could be as good a doctor as they are... Come on Melle, you can do it!

Oh, and another thing, my new niece and nephew are sooooooo adorable!! Can't believe I've got 5 tiny tots to spoil now in the family, courtesy of my siblings. Go figure though, I'm already booked till October as the babysitter/nanny. Hmmmmmm...wonder if I could ask for a raise for the driver/PA/nanny/babysitter/maid position this time around? Hah, when pigs fly and the cow jumps over the moon....

So since I haven't got the time and the access to come online as frequent as I would like to, most probably I will be in a blogging hiatus for a while. But if there's anything interesting to write about maybe, just maybe, I'll make a special appearance once in while...

"SELAMAT DATANG KE MALAYSIA, DAN KEPADA WARGANEGARA MALAYSIA, SELAMAT PULANG KE TANAHAIR..."

I just love it when I hear this announcement on board the MAS flights, sigh...

My Fav Outfit

This is so cool! Found this website recently and currently addicted to it. Finally something else to do besides shopping, hehehe...


And below is what I love to wear for a day out. So comfy and simple. I like!

Kung Fu Panda

If any of you hadn't had the chance to watch this movie, my advice is: Go watch it pronto!! Recently managed to squeeze in some entertainment time from study break, and so opted for this much talked about movie for the much needed stress relief and see what's all the hype about it. And let me tell you, I was practically in stitches throughout the whole thing. Good comic relief indeed...

I won't do a review of the movie here as you can browse the web for a more comprehensive review and I also don't want to give out too many spoilers for those who haven't watch the movie yet, but I just want to share about the things that made me go "Awwwwww.........." while I was watching it.

One: It features animals, talking animals mind you, and Po is oh-so-darn-cute and cuddly! I can imagine if I were to have a man like that there's nothing more that I would love to do than use his love-handles as my pillow, heheh. There's more of him to love, you know... ^_^

Two: The storyline of how an underdog and a normal individual would at the end of the day be someone and accomplish something that no one would have ever thought he would ever succeed in doing it just warms the heart. It shows that through sheer will and perseverance, and also through the trust and compassion from the others around you, nothing is impossible and unaccomplishable. You are what you want to be, trust in yourself and that's the best gift of all...

Three: The witty dialogue and repartee, and the individual quirks of each character in this movie, especially the laid-back and eager Po, his stern-yet-quirky Sifu, and the very wise but very-vague-talking-in-riddles Master makes it an enjoyable watch. The fact that the Sifu actually uses Po's weakness for food against him to train Po was ingenious! And you know what, I actually was craving some kaya/red bean/curry chicken pau while watching them in training! Hahaha...

Four: Check out the original voices for the characters. Great casts and they did a swell job.

So, those are the things that I love about Kung Fu Panda. Do you share my opinion, or do you think it's highly overrated and is just watchable? Oh well, too each his own I guess. One can't force one's opinion onto another, but do watch it if you're seeking for a light-weight comic relief. Highly recommended, though I won't guarantee that you won't be craving for a pau or a bowl of slurpy noodles once you're done watching...

Po: Sifu, sifu, don't die!

Sifu: Stop it! I'm not dead you idiot.....errrrr Dragon Warrior!

hehehehehe...

To Pee or Not To Pee...

Case 1:
Male 38 years old, with chronic unilateral lumbar pain.
Lab investigations and urinalysis are within normal limits and ultrasound scan (USS) reveals significant abnormalities. A kidney-ureteric-bladder (KUB) X-ray and an intravenous urogram (IVU) investigation was carried out. An additional investigation, a retrograde pyelogram (RPG) was also done for confirmation of diagnosis. --- (KUB X-ray, IVU and RPG films were shown for us to figure out the diagnosis and treatment.)

Diagnosis:
Stenosis of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) with congenital hydronephrosis of the left kidney with secondary multi-caliceal stones in the left kidney, and a caliceal stone in the right kidney.

Treatment:
- Ureteropyeloplasty / Endopyelotomy to relieve the UPJ obstruction.
- ESWL (exracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) to remove the stones.

----------

Case 2:
Female 60 years old, admitted in emergency due to excruciating renal colic pain. Patient was given medications for the renal colic and the pain subsided. USS reveals significant unilateral abnormalities. A KUB X-ray and IVU was carried out for further confirmation of diagnosis. --- (KUB X-ray and IVU films were shown to us for diagnosis and treatment)

Diagnosis:
Ureterohydronephrosis on the right side with stenosis of the right ureter due to a ureteric stone in the pelvic ureter.

Treatment:
- Retrograde ureteroscopy (method of choice) / ESWL - to remove the ureteric stone
- Ureterolithotomy (if other procedures are unsuccessful)


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Well, there you go. That was the clinical cases for our group. Quite confusing especially when the stenosis and stones could be over-looked if one wasn't looking for it properly. I guess my decision to focus more on the urinary tract calculi chapter really did paid off. But it was kind of unexpected because whilst other 2 groups had 2 very different cases (renal tumor, horse-shoe kidney, bilateral hydronephrosis, Staghorn stone) ours we had both hydronephrosis and stones. So therein lies the confusion and misdiagnosis for some of my colleagues. Can't blame them though, it was just luck that made me see those tiny little opaque stones on the films and figured out what they were. Alhamdulillah, I am as ever thankful for the grace of Allah and humbled by His love and generosity...

And that marks the end for urology chapter. One thing for sure, I don't think I'm cut out to be a urologist. And if there's one thing that I would eternally remember from all this, it would be.... Priapism!! ^_^


Next up: Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care.


Two more exams and then we're done! Yippeeeee!!!

The Bone Specialist

We thought, that he was a bear of a man.
We thought, that he was mean and sarcastic.
We thought, that there was no way he's gonna let us go easy in the exam.
And so we thought, we were gonna be majorly screwed.....

Hah, but how wrong we were.
He wasn't mean, just a man of few words.
He wasn't sarcastic, but (rightfully) strict.
And he was fair and just and totally not who we thought he was....

Lesson learned: Never make quick judgements. People might just surprise you.

Well, if he was who we thought he was, many of us would not have made it.
And the thing is, for him, I guess it's enough if you know what you have studied, and most importantly, studied about what was important and the things that he had mentioned in class (provided that one attended his classes, of course).
And it does help to have a good attendance in classes.

So maybe, this time I did it right.
Because I did really really well.

Shocked?
Hell yeah I was.
Thought that my eyes were playing tricks on me when I saw the results.
But I guess I did it right, at least for now.


Next up: Urology.


I'm freaking out! HELP!!!


Mak, I need a break! Huwaaaaaaaa.......

What a Wonderful Day...

Yes, what a day indeed. Why?

Because I passed General Surgery with flying colours! YAY!! Alhamdulillah....

I guess this time luck was on my side. And plus all those sleepless nights really did pay off.

Started the day with pre-exam jitters with tachycardia and hyperventilation, as usual. If the exam would be anything like last year's (we had the same prof for general surgery then too), then I really should prepare myself for thorough Q&A session during viva oral, and that explains why I had a mild panic attack prior to it. Haih...

First phase: Practical with the patients. Each of us were given a patient and we were asked to interview and examine the patient carefully and thoroughly. My patient, a sweet 80 year-old lady, came in with only a complaint of irregular bowel movements and stool composition, and after a full check-up she was diagnosed with cancer of the right colon (ascending colon) and scheduled for surgery the next day. So when the examiner came to me, I was asked about the patient, her diagnosis, the investigations (blood tests for liver, kidneys, glucose, CBC; barium enema; colonoscopy and biopsy to check for malignancy of the tumor) and surgical treatment suitable for my patient (right hemicolectomy with ileocolic anastomosis, or, if the tumor is unresectable an ileo-transversostomy or bypass should be performed). Phew! Lucky thing I managed to do some last minute revision early that morning about colorectal cancers, else I might just go duh there...

Second phase: Written exam. Quite a tough one actually. 10 questions in all and none too apparent too. Had to do some major brain-digging to vomit out the correct info. It was a miracle I didn't have hematemesis at the time. Urghhhhh...

Third phase: Viva oral. Prof was in quite a good mood today eventhough there were more students today than yesterday (a couple of students that were supposed to go yesterday actually bailed and ended up joining us today, sabar je lah). As my answers were satisfactory (albeit a few mistakes that I made due to confusion, which thank God I had managed to figure it out during the viva and told her before she started to question me about it), she didn't grill me like I would have thought she would. And seeing that my marks for Thoracic Surgery and Cardiac Surgery was good (un-sangkarable betul lah!!) she added everything up and gave me an A!!

Melle got an A for surgery!!! Melle so happy and relieved... ^_^

Alhamdulillah, one down and four more to go. Got time will update.

Next up: Orthopedics.


n.b. Again I was lucky, to get such a nice and cooperative patient. At first she was a bit standoff-ish (which I suspect is due to the fact that I'm a foreigner trying to put my hands on her, hmmm....) but at the end of my practical phase she was talking away non-stop and as I was leaving she had even hugged me and kissed my cheeks, wished me good luck and all the best for my exams, and also reminded me to be a good and worthy doctor. Almost had a break down then and there, luckily managed to run out of the room before the tears spilled onto my cheeks. Sigh.... Tetiba rindu kat tokne lah! Waaaaaa...

My Mosaic, My Life

1. My first name
2. My favorite food
3. My high school
4. My favorite color
5. My celebrity crush
6. My favorite drink
7. My dream vacation
8. My favorite dessert
9. What I want to be when I grow up
10. What I love most in life
11. One word to describe me
12. My flickr name


Interesting huh? You can make one for yourself too. Just follow the instructions here.


n.b. Who would've guessed I'd have problems deciding things that I like? Fickle me, I know... *grins evilly*

Purpose Driven Marriage

She has it all planned...

THE 84 YEAR-OLD BRIDE

The local news station was interviewing an 84 year-old lady because she had just gotten married -- for the fourth time.

The interviewer asked her questions about her life, about what it felt like to be married again at 84, and then about her new husband's occupation.

"He's a funeral director," she answered.

"Interesting," the newsman thought.

He then asked her if she wouldn't mind telling him a little about her first three husbands and what they did for a living.
She paused for a few moments, needing time to reflect on all those years.

After a short time, a smile came to her face and she answered proudly, explaining that she first married a banker when she was in her early 20's, then a circus ringmaster when in her 40's, later on a preacher when in her 60's, and now, in her 80's, a funeral director.

The interviewer looked at her, quite astonished, and asked why she had married four men with such diverse careers.

"Easy son," she smiled.

"I married one for the money...two for the show...three to get ready...and four to go!"



If only it's as simple as that, heheh... ^_^

Cardiac Surgery

EXAM. Arghhhhhhh...screwed from the get go, we should really have ignored the kind advices dispensed by the seniors. Oh well, no one else to blame but us, we should have known by now when it comes to our luck it's either bad or worse, and for sure we will be the guinea pigs, AGAIN. Luckily remembered most of what I studied for Internal Medicine though, but still.....Hmmmm, what to do.....


Topics for Group A:
1. Risk factors for CABG (coronary artery bypass grafting)
2. Mitral stenosis - Natural evolution
3. Types of mechanical valves

Topics for Group B:
1. Aortic regurgitation - definition, etiology, signs/symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, surgical procedures & types of grafts used
2. Surgical anatomy of mitral valve
3. Tetralogy of Fallot


Sheeeeesh....if only I could have that wonderful photographic memory, if only I had focused more on this instead of general surgery (eventhough cardiac surgery is a part of the surgery cycle and marks will be counted in the final general surgery final exam marks), if only, if only....

Well Melle, no use crying over spilled milk. What's done is done. Need to focus more for other papers. Life must go on...

Next up: General Surgery.

Wish me luck!!

7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD

Have always wondered which are the new ones. Someone sent this last year, but typical me just opened, read, and closed it with very minimal attention. So, as I was cleaning my inbox I found this again and might as well post it here for my personal future reference. ^_^

The New 7 Wonders of the World announced during the Official Declaration ceremony in Lisbon , Portugal on Saturday, July 7, 2007 - 07.07.07.

1. THE TAJ MAHAL, INDIA

2. THE ROMAN COLLOSEUM, ITALY

3. PETRA, JORDAN

4. MACHU PICHU, PERU

5. THE GREAT WALL, CHINA

6. CHRIST REDEEMER, BRAZIL

7. CHICHEN ITZA, MEXICO

I've only been to one of the wonders of the world. And my dream is to visit all these places before I kick the bucket (after completing my Haj, of course)...

So, anyone kind enough to sponsor a trip? ;P

Divorce Letters...from both parties

This was a good one ^_^


Dear Wife:

I'm writing you this letter to tell you that I'm leaving you for good.
I've been a good man to you for seven years and I have nothing to show for it.
These last two weeks have been hell. Your boss called to tell me that you had quit your job today and that was the last straw.
Last week, you came home and didn't even notice that I had gotten a new hair cut, cooked your favorite meal, and even wore a brand new pair of silk boxers later that night.
You came home, nibbled at your food for two minutes, and went straight to sleep after watching all of your soaps.
You don't tell me you love me anymore, you don't want sex anymore or anything.
Either you're cheating on me or you don't love me.
Whichever is the case.....I'm gone.

Signed,
Your EX-Husband

P.S. Don't try to find me. Your sister and I are moving away to West Virginia together. Have a great life!

----------------------------------------------------------------------


Dear Ex-Husband:

Nothing has made my day more enjoyable than receiving your letter.
It's true that you and I have been married for seven years, although a 'good man' is a far cry from what you've been.
I watch my soaps so much because they drown out your constant whining and griping. It's just too bad it doesn't work.
Yes, I did notice when you got a hair cut last week,,,and actually the first thing that came to my mind was "You look just like a girl"... but my mother raised me not to say anything at all if you can't say anything nice.
And when you cooked my favorite meal, you must have gotten me confused with my SISTER, because I stopped eating pork seven years ago.
I turned away from you when you had those new silk boxers on because the price tag was still on them. I prayed that it was just a coincidence that my sister had just borrowed fifty dollars from
me that morning and your silk boxers were $49.99...
After all of this, I still loved you and felt that we could work it out.
So when I discovered that I had hit the lotto for twenty million dollars, I quit my job and bought us two tickets to Hawaii. But when I got home you were gone.
Everything happens for a reason I guess. I hope you have the fulfilling life you've always wanted.
My lawyer said with the letter that you wrote, you won't get a dime from me. So take care.

Signed:
Rich As Hell and Freeeeeeeeeeee!

P.S. I don't know if I ever told you this but my sister 'Carla'.....was born Carl. I hope that's not a problem for you.


HAHAHAHAHAHA.....PADAN MUKA!!!

Unity - The Malaysian Way

Yup, I'm still alive and breathing. Barely, I might say. Had anxiety attacks prior to the BIG event, hyperventilated, and was almost hypoxic by the time I managed to regulate my breathing. Hah! No way I'm gonna give HIM the satisfaction of passing out in his hospital and have him be the boss of me! But alas, I was proven right after all. Anyways, IT'S DONE AND OVER WITH and I AM FREE!!!!

So, as I was blog hopping (or more appropriately stalking, haha), I found this video posted in several blogs. And as I was watching it I didn't realize that tears were running down my face when the song ended. Me? Crying?! Over a song?!!! Wow, I must be more emotionally unstable than I thought I was *winks*...











I am a Malaysian. And I am proud to be a Malaysian. Home is where the heart is, and I've definitely left mine in Malaysia. Things may not be perfect and without flaws, but it's the imperfections that made us special. Maybe racism might still exist in this day and age, and maybe it'll take some time for us to totally have an integrated race, but you would only understand how truly wonderful and special Malaysia is when you're abroad. Well yeah, you do get miffed when people asked you where you're from and when you said Malaysia they'd go, "Huh? Where is that?", and you have to explain to them that it lies between our famous northern and southern neighbours (sheeeesh)... But then when they asked your friends that you were hanging out with (who were indians and chinese) where they're from and they'd also say they're from Malaysia, I guarantee you would never ever want to miss out on the duh and slightly puzzled look on the questioner's face! Priceless, I tell you...

You see, some people DO still think that Malaysians live in the jungle and in wooden houses, some were even surprised when they found out that as a Muslim woman I possess a driving license (both for car and motorcycle, thank you very much!), and the fact that we Malaysians practically celebrate the holidays and special days for the different religions/races. Well okay, granted that these kind of peeps are those who don't watch CNN or international news or stunk at Geography, and they don't even speak a word of English, I still feel that it is just total ignorance. They only knew where Malaysia is when we were hit by Tsunami in 2004 (it was all over the local news that's why), but then again they thought that Malaysia is a part of Thailand! But it is kind of liberating to educate them about Malaysia, Malaysians, and most importantly, Malaysian food! ^_^
(By the by, I know this is not something to be proud of but some of my non-Malaysian friends have added -lah to their vocab! Very bad I know, but can't blame us for using -lah at the end of all of our sentences. So used to it lah, what to do, hehehe)...

But anyways, I think one of the best things of being a Malaysian is that we speak the Malay language (or Bahasa Malaysia). It is actually based from Bahasa Melayu which has been Malaysianized, hence the Malaysian language or Bahasa Malaysia is born. Yeah okay I know, I'm a Malay so it's my mother-tongue, but to be able to gossip or complain or have a full-blown ranting session with other fellow non-Malay Malaysians in a tram-full of people in Bahasa Malaysia is kinda fun! It's especially funny when they have no idea that we were actually cussing in a sing-songy voice. But still, caution should be advised because just recently we met a local guy who have been working in Malaysia for 6 years, understands a little of our language and cited Nasi Lemak as his favourite Malaysian food! (Admittedly though this has a one in a million probability of that ever occuring again.)


So, if you wanna know more about this project involving Malaysians that love Malaysia, and if you're a Malaysian and would want to see the unity in our beloved country, just click on the banner below and do support their cause.







MALAYSIA BOLEH!!

TOMORROW...

..... is JUDGEMENT DAY. It will be the day that will decide if I have what it takes to do what I've chosen to do. It will be the day that will decide if I will be able to celebrate Eid at home. And it will be the day for me to verify my belief that an a**hole will always be an a**hole, even if I've done all that I could and gave all my best.

Tomorrow is indeed the Judgement Day. And it doesn't help that the judge feels it's right to screw people's lives. But by hook or by crook I have to get this done and over with NOW. Let's see if I'm still alive and breathing by Monday.

Sick and Tired

.....of EXAMS!!!!!

Confessions of a Sci-Fi Freak

"To boldly go where no man has gone before..." - Captain Kirk of the Starship Enterprise

Yes, I am one. A sci-fi freak I mean. Have been for quite a while now actually. But, funnily enough, no one would have ever pegged me for being one. Why? Well, maybe because no one would have ever thought that a typical plain girl like me would have an interest in all these sci-fi, out-of-this-world and sometimes ridiculous notions that we are not alone. I have always been sold to the idea that there might be other beings apart from us on Earth, because if we are the only living creatures existing on this planet that we call Earth in this wide universe don’t you think that it is such a waste of space?

My fascination with all things sci-fi started when I was really young, though to be honest I was never into Star Wars... I love astronomy (but I could never really name you the stars and signs, and plus I suck at Physics… *dolefully grinning*) and have always been interested in all things related to the ancient civilization and cultures (Egyptian, Roman, Greek, Incan Mayan, Aztec etc). Come to think of it, if I were not doing medicine I might just have chosen a career involving ancient civilizations and languages. Sigh, sometimes I do wonder if I had made the correct decision after all…

Ooopppssss, I’ve digressed. Ok, coming back to the topic. As I’ve said my interest started really early, but not until STARGATE the movie came out that my fascination grew even more. If you’ve never watched STARGATE before, you really are missing something. For those who have watched it know the reason why I love it so much. First, it’s about the idea that we are indeed not alone and there are other beings that exist in this universe. Second, the storyline that was based on ancient Egyptian civilization, and amazingly enough their ability to make the idea that the Pyramids of Giza could just maybe, maybe, built by aliens as no one could really understand how they were built in those days without proper technology. Some theories were made saying that it must have been built by a far more superior race and technology ahead of their time back then. And third, the concept of traveling through space to reach other habitual planets in the distant galaxies, meeting new race of aliens, learning their cultures, languages etc etc etc….. Ah, what I wouldn’t give to be able to do that…

So, from there on I’ve developed a preference for all sci-fi shows, including all those related to paranormal stuff (it’s kind of arrogant of us to assume that we are the only intelligent life form, isn’t it?) and also space explorations… I especially love the more recent shows, because it makes more sense (well to me at least). Among those that I consider as my favorites are:


MOVIES:

1. STARGATE
2. STARGATE: ARK OF TRUTH
3. CONTACT
4. STEALTH
5. UNIVERSAL SOLDIERS (don’t ask me why, ok!)
6. TRANSFORMERS
7. THE MATRIX (the trilogy)
8. SPACE COWBOYS
9. APOLLO 13
10. JUMPER
11. FREQUENCY
12. MEN IN BLACK
13. FACE/OFF
14. TWELVE MONKEYS
15. POWDER

TV SHOWS:

1. STARGATE SG1 (I love, I love, I loooooooove this show!! Finished watching all episodes from season 1 till 10, in a month! Me a freak indeed ^_^)
2. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (2003)
3. FARSCAPE
4. ANDROMEDA
5. BABYLON 5
6. SEAQUEST DSV
7. STAR TREK VOYAGER
8. THE TRIANGLE

So what do you think? Well, if you say that nah, what’s the biggie, then let me tell you this: I would rather forgo shopping with my mom than missing one episode of Star Trek Voyager. No sane female would miss out the opportunity to go shopping (especially when you don’t have to pay for it), so I guess I was a freak since back then huh?

n.b. I wish I could be Captain/Colonel/Major Samantha Carter in another life (hint: Stargate SG1): beautiful brainy brave, with a heart of gold.....

What Do My Stars Say About Me?

Am I like that? Do I have the listed characteristics? Well, there are some hits and also some misses. Which ones, you might ask? Well, it's for me to know and for you to (probably never) find out... *grins*

JODOH oleh Dato Dr Hj Fadzilah Khamsah

1. Semua orang ada jodoh atau pasangan yang menanti dan biasanya ia berada tidak jauh dari anda. Jarang orang bertemu dengan jodoh yang berada jauh darinya.

2. Jodoh itu ketentuan Allah dan kita wajib berusaha. Doa, usaha yang betul dan bersungguh-sungguh disertai dengan tawakkal, insyallah akan menemukan anda dengan pasangan anda.

3. Ramai orang masih belum bertemu jodoh kerana mudah patah semangat. Teruskan usaha sehingga anda bertemu jodoh.

4. Seimbangkan hidup anda dengan sempurna agar diri anda jadi seperti 'magnet' yang menarik bakal pasangan anda kepada anda.

5. Daya tarikan yang sebenar berpusat di hati yang murni. Berusahalah untuk mencuci hati anda daripada semua perasaan yang negatif terhadap semua orang di dunia ini.

6. Agar mudah orang sayang, cuci hati dengan jaga ibadah, solat taubat, beristighfar, baca Al-Quran, maafkan orang lain, meminta maaf, bersedekah dan berfikiran positif.

7. Sayangi semua orang di sekitar anda dan anda akan menarik sayang terhadap anda. Jika anda membenci orang, ditakuti bakal pasangan anda akan membenci anda.

8. Orang yang sedang mencari pasangan harus sentiasa bersedia untuk bertemu dengan pasangannya pada bila-bila masa. Justeru, kita perlu sentiasa dalam keadaan yang paling menarik setiap masa. Tanggapan pertama adalah yang terpenting.

9. Untuk lelaki, tarikan pertama ialah pakaiannya. Untuk perempuan, wajah dan bentuk badan menjadi tarikan pertama. Sediakan diri untuk menawan bakal pasangan anda.

10. Buka hati dan minda anda untuk menerima cinta. Cinta boleh berputik pada bila-bila masa. Cinta mudah datang kepada mereka yang sentiasa bersedia untuk menerima cinta.

11. Cinta datang melalui mata lalu turun ke hati. Justeru, perhebatkan hubungan mata secara memandang bakal pasangan dengan penuh kasih sayang.

12. Kita boleh berkomunikasi melalui fikiran. Hantarlah kasih sayang dan hasrat murni anda terhadap pasangan dengan gelombang fikiran ini secara berterusan hingga berjaya.

13. Ramai yang terlepas peluang dan patah hati sebab lewat menyatakan hasrat kepada bakal pasangan. Perkara yang baik disegerakan (iaitu menyatakan perasaan anda kepada bakal pasangan).

14. Tidak salah untuk orang perempuan memulakan usaha untuk berkenalan. Orang lelaki akan sentiasa merasakan mereka yang memulakan perkenalan walaupun sebenarnya orang perempuan yang mulakan. (huh? i don't think so...)

15. Berkomunikasi dengan mesra dan bersemangat menggunakan lidah, mata, hati dan bahasa badan. Elakkan bercakap sambil lewa atau kurang sopan terhadap bakal pasangan.

16. Berbual dengan pasangan mengenai apa yang dia suka. Beri tumpuan kepada minat dan perasaannya. Elakkan sibuk memberi tumpuan kepada diri sendiri.

17. Layan bakal pasangan dengan mesra seperti kawan lama walaupun baru berkenalan. Bentuk suasana keintiman dengan segera agar bakal pasangan rasa selesa.

18. Makin mudah kita menceritakan hal peribadi yang munasabah kepada bakal pasangan, semakin mudah dia menceritakan hal dirinya kepada kita.

19. Berdoa dan latih diri agar kita pandai mendampingi orang lain dan seronok untuk didampingi oleh orang lain. Buang perangai yang menyebabkan orang benci kepada kita.

20. Beri sayang untuk mendapat sayang. Orang yang masih ada perasaan benci terhadap sebarang orang boleh menyebabkan bakal pasangan benci atau tidak tertarik kepada kita. Justeru buang semua benci.

21. Untuk wanita, jangan jual mahal terhadap bakal pasangan. Tetapi, nyatakan dengan hikmah kepadanya yang anda amat sukar untuk berkenalan dengan lelaki lain.

22. Kebanyakan lelaki mudah tertarik kepada perempuan yang simple, tidak materialistik, mudah berterima kasih dan redha dengan setiap pemberian lelaki tersebut.

23. Orang perempuan mudah tertarik kepada lelaki yang memberi perhatian, penghargaan dan penghormatan kepada mereka. Justeru, orang lelaki janganlah terlalu jimat atau kedekut. (setuju!)

24. Orang lelaki perlu belajar mengenal kerenah orang perempuan. perasaan, pemikiran, kehendak, keperluan, kesukaan dan kebenciannya.

25. Elakkan memberi tumpuan kepada kelemahan dan kesilapan kecil yang ada pada bakal pasangan. Jangan sesekali mengutuk atau memalukan bakal pasangan.

26. Senyuman ikhlas, wajah yang menawan dan bahasa badan yang penuh kemesraan akan menambat lelaki terhadap wanita.

27. Orang mudah tertawan kepada bakal pasangan yang ada persamaan dan ada perbezaan sifat, tindakan dan minat. Terlalu banyak persamaan membosankan. Banyak sangat perbezaan menyesakkan.

28. Orang mudah tertarik kepada bakal pasangan yang ada sikap dan sifat yang saling mengimbangi dan melengkapkan sikap dan sifatnya.

29. Walaupun belum kenal rapat dengan bakal pasangan, nyatakan yang anda sering merasa atau berfikir seperti yang dia rasa atau fikir. Keserasian adalah tarikan.

30. Perempuan membentuk hubungan dengan berbual dan bercakap. Lelaki bentuk hubungan dengan melakukan sesuatu kegiatan secara bersama.

31. Orang mudah tertawan kepada bakal pasangan yang mempunyai persamaan daripada berbagai segi seperti kefahaman politik, aktiviti keagamaan, sikap terhadap harta, wang dan hobi.

32. Dua orang yang amat banyak perbezaan boleh serasi antara satu sama lain jika mempunyai satu atau dua persamaan yang mendalam seperti suka kepada kucing, suka melancong atau suka ramai anak.

33. Tindakan yang serentak akan menarik bakal pasangan terhadap anda. Contohnya, serentak berpaling, serentak angkat gelas, serentak berdiri, serentak nak ke tandas. (apakah?!)

34. Tawan hati bakal pasangan dengan pamerkan emosi yang sama terhadap sesuatu kejadian atau peristiwa : sama-sama gembira, sedih, terperanjat, benci, simpati dan sebagainya.

35. Dua insan mudah serasi jika mempunyai pentafsiran yang sama mengenai hubungan : tahap keakraban, kebebasan, kebergantungan, pemberian, pengorbanan dan sebagainya.

36. Kenalpasti ciri-ciri yang disukai oleh bakal pasangan anda. Bentuk ciri-ciri yang disukai oleh bakal pasangan anda. Bentuk ciri-ciri ini dalam diri anda dan pamerkan kepadanya yang anda mempunyai ciri-ciri tersebut.

37. Semua orang mencari cinta sejati tanpa syarat. Bakal pasangan anda akan tertarik kepada anda jika anda mengasihinya bukan kerana wajah, harta, keturunan @glamornya.

38. Bakal pasangan akan tertawan kepada anda jika anda dapat bantu mengukuhkan imej dirinya, rangsang semangatnya dan pupuk keyakinan dirinya.

39. Keikhlasan amat penting dalam memuji atau memotivasi bakal pasangan. Jika kita didapati bohong, dia akan terus menjauhkan diri daripada kita.

40. Pujian yang berhikmah dan ikhlas bertindak sebagai magnet yang menarik anda kepada bakal pasangan. Pujian daripada kawan baru lebih bermakna dan berkesan berbanding pujian daripada kawan lama.

41. Ulang sebut perkataan, ayat atau slogan yang digemari bakal pasangan anda. Ini menyebabkan dia rasa istimewa dan dihargai dan akan tertawan kepada anda.

42. Kenalpasti keistimewaan bakal pasangan anda yang orang lain tidak nampak. Sampaikan kehebatan ini dengan bersemangat dan dia akan mudah tertawan kepada anda.

43. Untuk bakal pasangan yang popular dan sering dipuji , cari pujian yang original untuk menambat hatinya. Untuk orang yang tidak popular, sebarang pujian amat dialukan dan dihargai.

44. Beri penghargaan serta merta kepada setiap pencapaian atau kejayaan bakal pasangan. Ini membelai dan melembutkan hatinya terhadap anda.

45. Jika bakal pasangan memuji anda, pamerkan keseronokan anda dengan senyuman dan ucapan terima kasih dan bersyukur. Dia akan rasa dihargai.

46. Cari keunikan, kelucuan atau kegilaan bakal pasangan anda. Nyatakan yang anda suka kepadanya sebab keunikan tersebut. Ini buat dia rasa istimewa.

47. Ramai pasangan sengsara bila isteri terlalu cantik atau suami terlalu handsome. Justeru, cari bakal pasangan yang setara dan sepadan dengan kita.

48. Orang yang merasa dirinya hodoh sukar untuk mendapat pasangan. Carilah kecantikan yang ada pada anda dan bentuk keyakinan diri. Hati yang suci dan keyakinan yang tinggi menyerlahkan kecantikan anda.

49. Wanita mudah tertawan kepada lelaki yang gentleman, bersopan santun, suka membantu, menghormati wanita, berani dan yakin diri.

50. Untuk jadi lebih menawan, berterusan belajar, perbaiki perangai dan peribadi, baiki kemahiran komunikasi, murnikan hati, pemaaf dan sentiasa bersangka baik.

51. Lelaki harus mempamerkan sifat kelelakiannya di samping memasukkan sifat perempuan dalam dirinya seperti lebih prihatin, memahami emosi , timbang rasa, dan gunakan gerak batin.

52. Perempuan harus mempamerkan sifat kewanitaan disamping menghayati sifat lelaki seperti minat dalam politik, sukan, memancing, dan aktiviti macho yang lain. Bertindak bijak tapi, jangan terlalu bijak. (huh?)

53. Untuk menambat hati wanita, kerap bertanya tentang perasaannya, aktiviti yang dijalankannya, kegemarannya, kebenciannya atau sebarang perkara yang berkaitan dengan emosi.

54. Sebelum benar-benar rapat, orang perempuan harus elakkan diri dari bertanya bakal pasangan mengenai perasaannya mengenai sesuatu perkara, peristiwa atau situasi.

55. Orang lelaki amat pantang bila bakal pasangan menempelak atau menunjukkan kesilapan atau kebodohan lelaki tersebut. Ini cara terbaik memutuskan hubungan.

56. Orang perempuan mudah tertawan kepada lelaki yang boleh mengaku salah, meminta maaf, meminta bantuan, bertolak ansur, pandai mendengar, bersabar dan lemah lembut terhadap wanita.

57. Bila bercakap dengan lelaki, orang perempuan harus fokus kepada fakta dan sampaikan secara ringkas. Penjelasan yang berjela-jela dan memasukkan unsur perasaan akan membunuh minat lelaki terhadapnya.

58. Jika orang perempuan marah, pujuklah dengan kasih sayang. Tanya kenapa dia marah, dengari dengan teliti dan jangan komen atau cuba beri nasihat. Orang perempuan mudah sayang pada lelaki yang pandai mendengar dan sensitif kepada perasaannya.

59. Jika lelaki marah, jangan sibuk nak tanya kenapa dia marah. Pamerkan kasih sayang dan bentuk suasana yang tenang. Doakan dia dan beri masa untuk dia merawat dirinya sendiri.

60. Fahami bahawa orang lelaki bercakap secara terus terang, ringkas dan objektif. Orang perempuan sering bercakap secara berlapik, terperinci dan banyak yang tersirat.


True or false? You decide...

"Are you ok?"

Apart from the "When are you gonna get hitched?" question, you could say that "Hey, are you alright?" is the second most dreaded question that I loath answering. I know that those who asked me this usually is concerned about my well-being, but I just hate this question because honestly, I don't really know how to answer it!

Normally people would ask me this question when they say that they felt that something is wrong and they could see that I'm bothered by it. You see, I think I'm one of those people who cannot, no matter how hard I thought I have tried, conceal my emotions and moods. Whether I want to or not, it will definitly show in my facial expressions and also my behaviour. I know I am blessed with friends and people who care about me, and I do appreciate the fact that they took the time to inquire about what's wrong with me, but sometimes, it's difficult for me to give them an honest answer because:

1. If I say that I am ok, it will be a straight-up lie! And I hate lying, no matter how trivial it might be, because in the end I will feel bad about it.

2. If I say that I am not ok, then they'll ask "What's wrong?" or "What happened?" Most of the time it's kind of difficult for me to explain why and so forth because I wouldn't be in the mood for it and plus, you know, sometimes I just don't feel like talking about it. And then I'll tell them, "Well, we'll talk about this later ok" but when later comes I wouldn't be in the spirits to talk about it anymore because talking about something that you don't like will only give it power (Hint: read The Secret)...


So, what should I do? Most of the time I would answer, "I'm ok, why do you ask?"... You see, answering a question with a question is a good diversion, I think, and most of the time it works, hehe.... But to the people whom I'm close to and care about, sometimes I do want to confide in them and tell them what is wrong, but sometimes when I think that to get to the main reason of what is the thing that is bothering me I'll have to tell them the whole big fat story from A to Z, I would just sigh and give up and tell them that don't worry, I can handle it or things will sort it out on its own soon. I've been handling and sorting out my own emotional conflicts for most of my life since I was very young without anyone to confide in, that I feel that as long these things can be settled then I'll settle it myself. Only now as I mature and grown up I'm learning to open up and share my feelings with those around me. But I am still cautious with others, because the thing about me is that I don't trust people easily, it takes time, but when I really trust someone it will be with my whole heart and I'll be loyal to them. That is why I always get hurt when I get backstabbed by people who were supposedly to be my friends but was actually being friends with me just for benefits or something else. I really hate it when that happens. I used to trust people easily, and I believed that there's good in everyone. Well, actually I still do believe that everyone has some goodness in them, but from what I've seen more and more I believe that it pays to be cautious, though I refuse to be jaded about life. Life IS beautiful, only if you strive to make it so. Whatever obstacles that you have faced in the past and are facing now will only make you a stronger and better person. I have to believe that that is true. I HAVE TO.


Wow, glad I got that off my chest. Phewwww....

Hurmmmm, the point of this entry? Not really sure, but you can blame it on the hormones though :))
It's lovely to be a female, isn't it? You can put the blame on PMS for all your emotional instabilities... *winks*

Double Dose of Surgery

Fridays for us are normally non-hectic days, sometimes we won't even have any classes on Fridays. But this week is a totally different story altogether. I had a double dose of surgical rounds; cardiac surgery and also general surgery. Go figure I was zonked out by the time I reached home later in the night...

First up; cardiac surgery. It's actually a part of the general surgery cycle, like thoracic surgery that we had that day. As we were only given only 2 weeks for each of these minor subjects, there wasn't much to see. But we have seen is enough. I mean, I have seen enough to say that no way I'm gonna be a surgeon of any sorts. I mean, I love surgery, but to do it day in day out, having the patients lives in your hands literally, would just be too much for me I guess. But then again, maybe it's too soon to tell. I might have a change of heart once I'm done here, and then again, maybe not. Oh well, we'll see...

The cardiac surgery department is in the same building as the urology and nephrology departments. We were shown the OTs (operating theaters) and the ICU (intensive care unit) wards, where some post-op patients were hooked up to several machines to monitor their vitals. The day before, we've had a lecture about valvular diseases and valve replacements. And so when our assistants showed us the tools and equipments that they are using for the surgeries it made perfect sense for us. I can now say that I've held a biological porcine valve in my hands! (Ok ok, it was in a bottle, so no need to samak or anything like that alright!)

At the end of the show and tell rounds, our doctor assigned one patient each for us, and we have to talk to the patient, do a physical examination and stuff, and she expects us to present our cases next week. I was lucky that my patient was very obliging and he was in a stable condition. He had a coronary bypass and was in his 10th post-op day with no other complications apart from fluid in his pleura which I had the chance to see it myself while he was doing his ecocardiography. At first he was quite hesitant to answer my questions, but after talking to him patiently he began to open up and was being very sweet indeed. You know what I've long since realized eversince we started our clinical rounds; that patients respond to you more if you could relate to them, treat them like their human not just a nameless patient, and have tons of patience especially if they were a bit grumpy in the beginning. Sometimes they are lonely, and sad and depressed, so they would be unwilling to talk to people especially to those nosy know-it-all medical students. Eventhough for me here language is a barrier, but with my level of competency I am still able to get enough information from my patients. Most of the time I would beg their pardon for my paltry command of their language, but almost all of them just shrug it off and said that it didn't matter, as long as we can get the message across with basic words. See? Sweet aren't they?

Next up; general surgery. Well, actually this was optional. But I had the chance to do oncalls with our main prof, so why waste it right. One thing that I love going on rounds with her is that she'll show us some interesting cases and let us see and talk to the patients as we please, just as long as the patients are not complaining of course. By the by, even met my doc-in-charge of our group for normal surgical rounds and he asked me about my friend. Before you jump into conclusions, this was what had happened:

Last week, a friend called and asked for the procedure to see a doctor here, because one of her friends is experiencing pain that was ulcer-like and it's getting worse by the day. You see, he has been having this pain for almost a month now, but he was too scared to g to the hospital to seek medical consult until he couldn't stand the pain anymore. So, I told my friend that I would talk to my doc, and when I talked to my doc he told me to bring the friend over so that he could have a check up. And when he came, my doc said that he needed to have an abdominal x-ray done to check for the cause of the pain upon physical examination that was not indicative ulcer. And after the results were in, he told us the news; the friend's x-ray showed 3 possible differential diagnosis; Appendicitis (which the doc didn't think so), Meckel's diverticulitis, or Crohn's disease which is in the acute phase (this was what he suspected). And as his white cell count was elevated, the doc suggested that he be admitted to the hospital for further investigations and monitorization. At first he said okay, but later on he freaked out and refused to go back to the hospital, and last I heard he's already flown back home to get medical treatment there. The doc had actually advised him against it because the friend was in a critical acute state, but like how they say doctors are the worse patients, it's also true that medical students are the worse patients too. He refused to believe that he was that sick, so he wanted to go back home and confirmed it. Tough. I've nothing to say anymore. It's his decision at his own risk. But I feel that that was a really unwise decision. Thing is, having had classes with my doc-in-charge, I could really say that he is a really good doctor and surgeon and knows what he's doing. He has a fellowship from UK, for goodness sake. And he never made us feel like we were some low life students, in fact he made us feel that we were a part of the team (but only if we made an effort to show that we're interested in medicine, that is). So, imagine how I felt when he said that maybe the friend didn't feel that they were good enough for him. Malu giler, siot...

Well, after the interesting rounds, our prof told us that if we were interested there was going to be an open appendicectomy operation for one of her patients conducted by her resident surgeon. I jumped on the chance and so stayed on to watch the surgery. Real cool. But I was more impressed by the anaesthesiologist actually. She was so calm, cool and collected even when the patient had some complications and they were unable to intubate him because he has respiratory problems. Hmmm...interesting prospect. Another choice for me; anaesthesia perhaps? Pros and cons from you is highly appreciated :) ...

So, when I got home I was so hungry but was too tired to cook anything. Imagine my surprise when Pinky was in my place and suggested we go to McD for dinner/supper. I thot, whaddahek, haven't had a proper meal for the past one week now. It was kinda nice walking around town at night in the cooling spring breeze. I wish that the weather would be as beautiful as this; not too cold and not too warm, but I have a feeling this summer is gonna be the hottest ever. I just hope that they won't have floods this year, not like last 2 years where the floods had practically closed off the roads and train tracks to the capital. The reason for the panic? We had to take the flight back home from the capital, so to miss the flight home is a suppposed nightmare for us here.....tak kira, nak balik jugak! At the time, some were even considering hiring boats to cross that part of the country that was flooded so that they could get to the airport on time, hehehe.... Oh well, luckily the flood subsided and all of us managed to catch our flights and arrived home in one piece....



Oh, and in McD, this was what I had:

and for dessert, this was my obvious choice...


"It ain't heavy, it's my dinner..." Abis ler keras arteri koronari ku....

Sinful Berries

Here it is, the most highly anticipated season of the year....

Yessss!! The STRAWBERRY season is here at last!!

I just loooooove strawberries, I think they are the most heavenly fruit ever existed. But mind you I'm talking only about the sweet succulent juicy ones that practically melts in your mouth as you take the first bite...yummmmmmm.....

Ways to enjoy this yummilicious fruit:

Uh oh, that's it! I am so running to the market to grab meself some fresh ones for dessert tonight...

p/s: Just out of curiosity, is it normal for a person to consume 1kg of strawberries in one sitting without developing any gastro-intestinal symptoms after that? If it's not, then thank goodness I'm abnormal!! *winks*

Anime Dreams

I had a dream.....

That I was her...

Saving the world from the evil villains....

But as my powers were draining, I was then saved by him...

And then we lived happily ever after.....

SHEEEEESH!! That's it!! No more anime for me anymore!

Apahal lah pulak mimpi pasal Sailormoon tetiba je ni?! Isk, sabar je lah...

Band Geek Alert!

What can I say? Once a band geek, always a band geek. No matter that the practice sessions were long, vigorous and hard (and sometimes till late nite too); no matter that I was so tanned that it still amazes me I haven't developed skin melanoma yet; and it didn't even mattered that I was labeled a band geek back then. In fact, I was proud of it! In all honesty, joining the school band actually made me stay sane through out high school. Well, not that high school was terrible or anything like that, but being stuck in a boarding school for months one can easily develop boredom hence the unhealthy activities. But because band activities kept me busy most of the time, the only thing that was left to do was to study. See? Who said that being involved in extra curricular activities will be bad for your studies? In fact, I find that it's the opposite. If one is active in co-curricular stuff i.e. sports, band, cheerleading, clubs etc, it actually teaches oneself to be disciplined and focused because in order to be good at something you need to practice, a lot. And that leaves almost no time for dilly dallying and hanging out with no purpose. Well, ok, I admit, we do hang out and do other stuff, but that was only once in a while and only when we have free time (which was almost never!). And another benefit of joining these activities is that it gives us the chance to mingle and interact with our peers, and teaches us to be team players and for some, exceptional leaders. So, a note to parents; do encourage your children to join these extra curricular activities, because they'll do them good more than harm, and like yours truly, the basic principles that were taught back then are still with me forever and always.


Huhuhu.... Oh gosh...how I missed the good ole days! Here are some songs that sure do bring back memories....


NOVENA






SEAGATE OVERTURE






CENTURIA






EXALTATION






Malaguena






and last but not least...


CENTERFOLD






n.b. These were taken from Youtube, and none are from my high school. They are just songs that we used to play for concerts and performances, including the upbeat Centerfold!


UPDATE!
I might just be here, insyaallah...

Death of a Cell Phone vs. Superstitious Crap

Arghhhhhhh……my cell phone broke down! Well actually it’s still in a good condition EXCEPT for the fact that the internal LCD is now all blue!! It was such a sad day for me when I could no longer use it anymore. But I guess 4 years is just pushing it too far. Yup, it’s that old my baby is. Maybe it’s high time that I upgraded to another. Oh dear, now I have to get a new one. Another chunk of my expenses going down the drain… And dang! I loved my Samsung baby!!

Do you believe in superstitions? Well, I for one don’t really believe them. But try as I might there is ONE superstition that seems to be eerily accurate, well for me at least. Wanna know what it is?

………Have you ever heard people telling you that you shouldn’t say it out loud that you’re going to get something new to replace the old but still good one, i.e. cars, cell phones etc ? I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve heard it often enough from my friends and family that I shouldn’t do that because just as soon as you said it, the object that you were talking about will immediately started acting up! Really, I kid you not. Thing is, it happened to me so many times that sometimes I do wonder if there’s some truth in it…

Ok, here’s an example. Let’s say that unconsciously you were talking to your friends that “I’m thinking of buying a new car. Although this one is still ok maybe it’s time for me to sell it and get the latest model.”…. And then, out of the blue, your smooth running mileage saving regularly serviced baby on wheels would suddenly cough out black smoke or even worse, stopped in the middle of traffic due to engine failure, as soon as the very next day! It might sound like a load of crap to all of you, but it had happened so many times to me (car, camera, cd player...) that it’s hard for me to disregard this superstition completely.

That was what happened to my phone too. Yeah ok, I admit that I was looking around and contemplating to get the latest model, or at least something newer than my current baby (Samsung SGH E330), which is old enough that now the production has been discontinued ;-P …. So yeah, that I did. But I was still very attached to my Samsung baby and up till yesterday it was working perfectly fine, and thought that maybe if I were to get a new one I’d might as well buy it at home rather than getting it here. Seriously. I never had any problems at all with my baby. Nada. So imagine my surprise and grief when my baby’s screen suddenly went all blue when I flipped it open…. Huwaaaaaa!!!

There were no words to describe how I felt at the time. It went beyond sadness, as I couldn’t help blaming myself for what happened. If only I didn’t say that I wanted to get a new phone, if only I didn’t tell my friends that I should get a new phone, if only, if only, if only… Dang the superstition!!!

And the saddest part is that, all of the photos in my Samsung baby couldn’t be accessed coz stupid me hadn’t had the time to upload them onto my lappie (left the cable back home), and now it’s all gone! Double dang!!


So, goodbye my darling baby... Thank you for the times we've spent together, thank you for the late nights, wild times & crazy adventures, and thank you for putting up with my crap all these years.....


You'll always be in my heart and dreams........ I LOVE YOU!! *mmmuaaaaahhhh*








I NEED A NEW CELL PHONE, PRONTO!!!



p/s: Currently using my darling G’s old Nokia phone. Thanks dear, will return it back to you as soon as I get meself a new baby, okie…